Segmented Wind Turbine Nacelle Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and weight of wind turbines require larger cranes for construction, leading to higher costs and weather-related issues such as rain intrusion and misalignment of components during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A segmented nacelle design comprising a front segment, rear segment, and yaw segment, with covered segments to prevent rain intrusion and a joint system allowing for flexible alignment, reducing the size and weight of crane requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a unitary nacelle is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but construction costs increase due to larger crane requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The nacelle is divided into multiple segments (front segment, rear segment, and intermediate segment) that can be assembled separately and then connected. This segmentation allows each segment to be handled by smaller, more economical cranes during construction, while the final assembled structure maintains the structural integrity of a unitary nacelle.
2Ease of manufacture
If the nacelle is divided into segments, then construction costs are reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates due to misalignment of transmission mechanism parts
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate segment is introduced between the front and rear segments, serving as a mediator that facilitates precise alignment of the transmission mechanism parts. This intermediate segment provides adjustment capabilities and connection interfaces that ensure accurate alignment while still allowing the use of smaller cranes for construction.
3Ease of operation
If the top surface of the frame part is open for assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to rain intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The front segment and rear segment are equipped with covers that can be installed before final assembly operations. These preliminary protective covers prevent rain intrusion during the assembly process while still allowing access to necessary assembly areas, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a wind turbine generator and a method for constructing a wind turbine generator that allow for alleviation of construction costs, particularly for large wind turbine generators, and alleviation of limitations on construction due to weather. Provided are a rotor head that has a plurality of wind turbine rotor blades and that is rotated by wind power received by the plurality of wind turbine rotor blades, a front segment disposed on top of a tower and constituting a nacelle to which the rotor head is attached, a rear segment attached to the front segment and constituting the nacelle, a front frame disposed in the front segment and positioned between the rotor head and the tower so as to support a load on the rotor head, a rear frame disposed in the rear segment and attached to the front frame, a front cover covering the periphery of the front segment, and a rear cover covering the periphery of the rear segment.