Reduced Profile Wind Tower Lattice Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wind turbine tower structures are costly, difficult to transport and install, and become less viable as they grow taller due to increased material underutilization and rising costs, hindering the competitiveness of wind power as a mainstream energy source.
Innovation Solution
A reduced profile wind turbine tower design featuring a slimmer, uniform cylindrical spinal core with axially loaded tubular arms and shear wings, laterally braced by bracing rings, which provides global stability and reduces the need for a large diameter foundation, allowing for taller, more cost-effective towers that can harness powerful winds at higher altitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wind towers are made taller to access higher velocity winds, then wind energy generation is improved, but fabrication, transportation, and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into multiple transportable sections that can be assembled on-site. Each section is designed to fit within standard transportation dimensions while maintaining structural integrity when connected, allowing tall towers to be built from manageable segments rather than requiring transport of entire tall structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower employs a lattice structure that distributes material across three-dimensional space rather than concentrating it in a solid cylindrical form. This spatial distribution reduces the diameter and weight of individual sections while maintaining structural strength, enabling easier transportation and assembly of taller towers.
2Use of energy by moving object
If wind towers are made taller to access higher velocity winds, then wind energy generation is improved, but the diameter of the tower base must increase to support the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The tower base is constructed as a lattice structure with multiple vertical members spaced apart rather than a solid cylinder. This segmentation allows the base to achieve the necessary structural support with a smaller overall diameter, as the load is distributed across multiple elements rather than requiring a large solid cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower employs a composite lattice structure combining multiple materials and structural forms to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the base to support taller towers without requiring increased diameter, as the composite construction provides enhanced structural efficiency.
3Power
If wind towers are made taller and support larger turbines, then energy generation capacity is improved, but the structure becomes more massive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The tower structure uses a lattice design that segments the load-bearing function across multiple thin members rather than requiring a single massive structure. This segmentation allows the tower to support larger turbines and generate more power while maintaining lower overall mass, as each individual member carries only a portion of the total load.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure distributes structural mass across three-dimensional space, creating a framework that provides strength through geometric configuration rather than material volume. This dimensional approach allows the tower to support higher power capacities without proportionally increasing mass, as the structural integrity comes from the spatial arrangement of members rather than sheer material quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reduced profile wind tower system includes a slim cylindrical spinal core extending up vertically from a foundation. A turbine nacelle is mounted on a top end of the core. Wind turbine blades extend out from the nacelle. A plurality of axially loaded tubular arms, braced by the core, are spaced around the core and link to the core through continuous shear wings or discrete bracket assemblies. The tubular arms and shear wings extend up from said foundation. The tubular arms can be set either vertically or slightly sloped; cables may substitute for the tubular arms and a pontoon may substitute for an on ground foundation.