Segmented Elbow Wind Turbine Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing support structures for wind turbines face challenges in size and weight limitations due to transportation constraints, leading to difficulties in casting large metal pieces and transferring loads and vibrations efficiently over long durations, which restricts the size and power output of wind turbines.
Innovation Solution
A segmented support structure with an elbow-shaped intermediate part, divided into multiple segments for easier transportation and assembly, allowing for efficient force transfer from the rotor to the tower, reducing shear forces and increasing the structural lifetime by distributing weight and size more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support structure is made as a single large casted piece to ensure structural integrity and force transfer capability, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases due to casting faults and the transportation becomes impossible due to size and weight limits
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured separately as smaller, more manageable casted pieces. These segments are then connected through rigid connections to form the complete support structure, enabling transportation while maintaining the required strength and force transfer capability.
2Reliability
If the support structure is made as a single large casted piece to ensure structural integrity, then the reliability is improved, but the risk of casting faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured separately as smaller, more manageable casted pieces. These segments are then connected through rigid connections to form the complete support structure, enabling transportation while maintaining the required strength and force transfer capability.
3Power
If the support structure size is increased to accommodate larger wind turbines and higher power output, then the power capability is improved, but the transportation becomes limited due to road transport constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured and transported separately, then assembled on-site. This enables the construction of larger support structures for high-power wind turbines while overcoming road transportation limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is configured with an elbow-shaped intermediate part that changes the spatial arrangement of segments. This geometric transformation allows segments to be positioned and connected in a way that optimizes both transportation feasibility and structural performance for large-scale wind turbines.
4Ease of operation
If the support structure is divided into multiple segments to enable transportation, then the transportation feasibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments that can be manufactured and transported separately, then assembled on-site. This enables the construction of larger support structures for high-power wind turbines while overcoming road transportation limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure of a wind turbine and a method of manufacturing the support structure is provided. A support structure of a wind turbine is disclosed, whereby the support structure includes a first end to connect to a rotor of a wind turbine, and a second end to be connected to a tower of a wind turbine. The support structure includes an intermediate part that connects the first end to the second end, and that the intermediate part includes the form of an elbow-shaped tube. The support structure is divided into at least two segments whereby the segments are transportable individually from a manufacturing site to a construction site. The segments are connectable in a way that the support structure is capable of transferring forces from the rotor to the tower.