Parallel Wire Stay Cable for Wind Turbine Mast Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stay cables used in wind turbines and other vertical structures are inefficient due to their high cost, weight, and interference with rotating blades, requiring larger diameters and more material, which increases transportation and installation costs while compromising stability.
Innovation Solution
The development of a superior stay cable constructed with parallel wires, offering greater strength and stiffness, allowing for a smaller diameter, lighter, and more cost-effective design that can be oriented at a smaller angle without interfering with rotating blades, reducing deflection and stress while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stay cables are used, then stability is provided, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the stay cable by using parallel wire construction instead of conventional strand construction. This parameter change results in a cable that is both stronger and lighter, resolving the contradiction between providing stability and reducing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite construction with multiple parallel wires, each contributing to the overall strength and stiffness. This composite approach allows the cable to achieve superior mechanical properties with reduced weight compared to conventional single-strand cables.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stay cables are used, then stability is provided, but diameter and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the construction parameter from stranded to parallel wire configuration, the patent achieves higher strength-to-material-ratio. This allows the same stabilizing function to be provided with less material, reducing both diameter and quantity of substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple parallel wires as copies of the load-bearing function, where each wire independently contributes to the overall strength. This distributed copying approach is more material-efficient than the conventional stranded approach.
3Strength
If conventional stay cables are used, then support is provided, but interference with rotating blades occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the stay cable by enabling installation at smaller angles due to the enhanced strength of the parallel wire construction. This parameter change allows the cable to clear rotating blades while maintaining the required support strength.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stay cables are used, then stability is provided, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the construction parameter to parallel wires, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces material requirements. This parameter change leads to lower manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving stability performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A mast is erected to support a load. At least one stay cable supports the mast. The stay cable is oriented to the mast within a radial distance of the blade from the mast. The stay cable is stressed to support the mast while the wind drives the blade without collision of the stay cable.