Rotatable Nacelle Radiator for Transport Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of wind turbine components, particularly nacelles and radiators, is complicated by their large dimensions, which necessitate careful planning to navigate through infrastructure barriers like tunnels and bridges, requiring separate shipment and assembly, increasing complexity and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A rotational axis connects the nacelle and radiator, allowing the radiator to pivot between a working position for heat dissipation and a transport position that minimizes height, enabling the components to be transported as a single unit, reducing the need for separate shipment and assembly, and eliminating the use of cranes for installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the radiator is arranged on top of the nacelle in a fixed position, then heat dissipation function is improved, but the transport height increases making it impossible to pass through tunnels and bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator is made rotatable around the rotational axis, allowing it to dynamically change position between a working position (projecting above the nacelle for heat dissipation) and a transport position (retracted to minimize height). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing height for heat dissipation and needing low height for transport.
2Length of moving object
If the radiator and nacelle are transported separately, then the transport height constraint is satisfied, but the assembly complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator and nacelle are merged into a single transport unit with the radiator rotatably connected to the nacelle. This allows them to be transported together as one component while still enabling the radiator to be positioned for heat dissipation at the installation site, thus reducing assembly complexity and safety risks compared to separate transport and assembly.
3Temperature
If the radiator projects above the nacelle, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but the component cannot pass through infrastructure barriers during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection allows the radiator to adapt its position dynamically - projecting above the nacelle when heat dissipation is needed, and retracting to minimize height when transport through infrastructure barriers is required. This resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and transport adaptability.
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 simplifies the transportation and assembly of wind turbine components by reducing the overall height during transport, allowing easier passage through infrastructure barriers and eliminating the need for separate shipment and crane-assisted assembly, thereby reducing logistical complexity and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The radiator is connected with the outer surface of the nacelle and is used to radiate heat, which is generated inside the nacelle, to the ambient air
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement with a nacelle and a radiator of a wind turbine is provided. The nacelle is rotatable connected with the radiator. Thus, a joint component of the wind turbine is built by these elements. The connection is constructed and arranged such that the radiator is allowed to pivot between a first position and a second position. The radiator is locked in the first position and projects above the nacelle when the radiator is used to remove heat from the nacelle to the environment. When the radiator is locked in the second position the radiator is close to a side of the nacelle. Thus a minimum height of the joint component is achieved.