Offshore Wind Turbine Model Testing With Rotating Load Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing the safety of offshore wind turbines independently test the upper wind turbine structure and lower foundation, simplifying loads as horizontal forces, neglecting fluid load changes and interaction mechanisms, and are costly and difficult to simulate actual marine environments.
Innovation Solution
An integrated multidirectional loading model test device for offshore wind turbines, incorporating a water flume with a wave-making mechanism, rotating disk, and driving mechanism to apply wind and wave loads in different directions, considering seabed soil interaction and fluid dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If independent testing of upper wind turbine structure and lower foundation is conducted with simplified horizontal loads, then testing cost and complexity are reduced, but testing accuracy and reliability are worsened due to neglecting fluid load changes and interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upper wind turbine structure and lower foundation into a single integrated test model, allowing simultaneous testing of both components under unified multidirectional loading conditions. This merging enables comprehensive analysis of wind-wave-seabed interaction mechanisms while maintaining controlled testing complexity through a unified test bench design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotating disk mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of loading directions during testing. The model barrel can rotate to different angles, allowing application of wind loads and wave loads from multiple directions rather than fixed horizontal loads, thereby improving testing accuracy without excessive complexity increase.
2Adaptability or versatility
If matrix fans are set around the pool to simulate multi-directional wind load, then wind load simulation capability is improved, but cost increases and wind speed stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple fixed fans around the pool, the patent employs a single fan combined with a rotatable model barrel. The model barrel rotates to different angles to face the wind source, dynamically achieving multi-directional wind load simulation. This approach maintains wind speed stability from a single fan source while providing versatile directional loading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than moving the wind source (fans) around the pool to change wind direction, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the fan fixed and rotating the model barrel to different orientations. This allows the same wind source to apply loads from different directions by changing the model's facing direction, achieving multi-directional simulation without multiple fans.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wave-making mechanism and rotating disk are added to achieve multidirectional loading, then adaptability to actual marine environment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating disk serves multiple functions: it enables multidirectional wind loading by rotating the model barrel to different angles, facilitates wave loading from various directions, and allows sequential application of different load combinations. This single component provides universal capability for simulating various marine environmental conditions without requiring separate mechanisms for each loading type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the wave-making mechanism with the rotating disk system, allowing waves to be generated while the model barrel is positioned at different rotation angles. This combination enables simultaneous or sequential application of wave loads and wind loads from multiple directions, achieving comprehensive marine environment simulation through integrated design rather than separate independent systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides accurate, cost-effective testing by simulating multiple directional loads, aligning with actual marine conditions, enhancing foundation design accuracy and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a wave-making mechanism provided at a first end of the water flume
Implementation Method 2
a fan is provided at a second end of the top hood
Implementation Method 3
a rotating disk provided at a bottom of an interior of the seabed soil holding sink, a model barrel for placing seabed soils and an offshore wind turbine model is fixed on the rotating disk, and the rotating disk is connected to a driving mechanism to drive the model barrel to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated multidirectional loading model test device for offshore wind turbines, including a water flume, a wave-making mechanism at first end of water flume, a top hood at top of water flume to form air duct, a first end of the top hood as air inlet end and a fan at second end of top hood, a seabed soil holding sink at a set position at bottom of water flume, a rotating disk at bottom of interior of seabed soil holding sink, a model barrel for placing seabed soil and the offshore wind turbine model is fixed on the rotating disk, and the rotating disk is connected to a driving mechanism to drive model barrel to rotate, so that a relative motion between the model barrel and the fixed water flume can be generated to achieve the wind and wave loads in different directions on the offshore wind turbine model.