Rotating Wind Turbine Tower for Stronger Modular Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wind turbines face limitations in size and structural integrity due to conical tower designs, which restrict weight capacity and are prone to failure, and transportation challenges arise from large tower sections exceeding standard sizes.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a rotating tower with a fixed nacelle, utilizing a modular, interlocking structure and symmetrical biconvex shape, allowing for larger and stronger towers, and enabling assembly from transportable sections made of recycled metals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conical tower design is used to support the nacelle and blades, then the tower can maintain aerodynamic properties, but the tower weight capacity is limited and it becomes a common point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the nacelle on a stationary conical tower, the patent inverts the approach by making the tower itself rotatable while keeping the nacelle stationary. This allows the tower to be designed with a stronger cylindrical or modular shape rather than a weakened conical shape, directly increasing weight capacity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static tower into a dynamic, rotatable structure that can change its orientation. The tower includes a rotatable support structure with bearing assemblies that enable rotation while maintaining structural integrity, allowing the tower to adapt to wind directions without compromising strength
2Strength
If large tower sections are used to build stronger wind turbines, then the structural integrity improves, but the sections exceed standard transportation size limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tower into multiple modular sections that can be manufactured separately and transported independently. Each section includes standardized components such as tower segments, bearing assemblies, and connection elements that can be assembled on-site, enabling construction of tall, strong towers without transportation constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested modular sections where smaller components are contained within larger structural elements. The tower sections can be nested during transportation and then expanded/assembled at the installation site, allowing compact transport while maintaining the capability to build large, structurally sound towers
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
Enables the construction of larger and stronger wind turbines with improved aerodynamic performance and facilitates easier transportation and assembly by using a rotating tower design with a fixed nacelle, enhancing structural integrity and reducing transportation constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The drive motor unit includes a motor and at least one drive gear. The motor rotates the at least one drive gear. The at least one drive gear engages the peripheral gear rack. Rotation of the at least one drive gear causes the tower body to rotate relative to the stationary base.
Implementation Method 2
The base bearing includes a bearing bore, which is sized to rotatably receive the bearing shaft.
Implementation Method 3
The tower body preferably includes an elongated length and a symmetrical biconvex cross-sectional shape
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine with a rotating tower preferably includes a stationary base, a rotating tower, a plurality of motor systems, a nacelle and a blade assembly. The stationary base preferably includes a support ring, a support structure and a base bearing. The support ring includes a peripheral gear rack. The support structure supports support ring. The rotating tower preferably includes a tower body, a plurality of tower gussets and a bearing shaft. The plurality of motor systems are secured to the bottom of the plurality of tower gussets and the tower body. Each motor system preferably includes a drive motor unit and a plurality of support rollers. The support ring includes a cross-section, which is sized to be received by the plurality of support rollers. A drive gear of the drive motor unit rotates the rotating tower.