Reversible Suspension for Wind Turbine Vibration Damper
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching and detaching vibration dampers on wind turbines during construction and dismantling are labor-intensive and costly, requiring frequent screwing and unscrewing, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A reversible suspension device with at least one suspension point, preferably three, that allows the vibration damper to be attached and detached from the outside of the tower or nacelle/rotor unit without additional fastening means, using a fixed holding element and a second holding element with a slot and sliding surface design that allows the damper to be secured by gravity, facilitating easy installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration dampers are temporarily attached to the outside of tower segments during construction, then vibration protection is improved, but the labor and time required for repeated attachment and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into two separate support elements: a first support element that remains fixedly attached to the tower segment, and a second support element that is temporarily attached to the vibration damper. This segmentation allows the damper to be quickly connected and disconnected without removing the entire suspension system, significantly reducing the time and labor required for repeated attachment and removal while maintaining vibration protection throughout the construction process
Solution Approach 2:
The first support element is pre-fixed to the tower segment before the vibration damper is needed. This preliminary action eliminates the need to repeatedly attach and remove the entire suspension system during construction, as only the second support element needs to be temporarily connected to the damper, thereby reducing labor and time loss
2Reliability
If vibration dampers are temporarily attached to the outside of tower segments, then vibration protection is improved, but the labor effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the suspension into fixed and temporary support elements, the system separates the labor-intensive fixed attachment (done once) from the temporary damper connection (done repeatedly but simplified). This reduces the overall labor effort and cost while maintaining vibration protection
Solution Approach 2:
The second support element is designed to be automatically retained by gravity once inserted into the first support element, eliminating the need for additional fastening means or auxiliary personnel. The system serves itself by using gravity to secure the connection, reducing labor effort and operational complexity
3Reliability
If additional fastening means are used to secure vibration dampers, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements utilize gravity as a self-service mechanism to secure the vibration damper connection. The second support element, when inserted into the first, is automatically retained by gravitational force without requiring additional fastening means such as bolts, clips, or locking mechanisms. This maintains connection reliability while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the complex fastening system from the suspension design and replaces it with a simple gravity-based retention mechanism. By removing unnecessary fastening components, the device complexity is reduced while the connection remains reliable under the operational conditions of wind turbine construction
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
This solution significantly reduces the time, effort, and cost associated with installing and removing vibration dampers, minimizing unwanted vibrations and ensuring secure mounting without the need for auxiliary personnel during construction or dismantling.
Implementation Method 1
the vibration damper is firmly connected to the tower or tower segment (1) by gravity alone, both in the upright and in the horizontal position of the tower, tower segment or nacelle/rotor unit at said bearing end point
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(D)
AI summary
The invention relates to a suspension device, which is simple to handle and can be used in a reversible manner, by means of which a vibration damper can be attached externally to parts of a wind turbine in the course of the construction in order to suppress or absorb vibrations occurring in this building phase.