Self-Supporting Wind Turbine Nacelle Casing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine nacelles face space constraints due to the size of the generator and machine carrier, limiting internal space and accessibility for maintenance, and require additional support structures that increase complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting nacelle design where the nacelle casing acts as both the outer shell and the load-bearing structure, eliminating the need for internal machine carriers and support structures, and directly attaching to the azimuth bearing to distribute forces into the tower, allowing for a more compact and stable configuration with increased internal space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a conventional machine carrier and support structures are used inside the nacelle, then the generator and other equipment can be supported, but the internal space is limited and accessibility for maintenance is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the internal machine carrier and support structures from the nacelle design. The nacelle casing itself is designed to directly support the generator and other equipment, eliminating the need for separate internal support structures. This extraction of unnecessary components directly increases the internal usable space and simplifies the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nacelle casing is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the outer shell protection, acts as the load-bearing structure supporting the generator and equipment, and serves as the mounting platform for the azimuth bearing. By making the casing multi-functional, separate internal support structures become unnecessary, thereby increasing internal space and reducing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the machine carrier is fastened to the azimuth bearing over its entire circumference, then structural stability is achieved, but the nacelle can only be accessed from the tower through the azimuth bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the connection between the nacelle casing and azimuth bearing, transitioning from a complete circumferential fastening to a simplified mounting arrangement. The nacelle casing is designed with integrated mounting features that provide sufficient structural stability without requiring 360-degree attachment, thereby creating access openings that improve maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The nacelle casing is designed as a structurally optimized shell that can provide sufficient stability with reduced material thickness in certain areas. This flexible shell design allows for strategic openings and reduced fastening requirements while maintaining overall structural integrity, thereby improving accessibility without sacrificing stability.
3Strength
If additional support structures and machine carriers are installed inside the nacelle, then the generator can be supported, but the overall weight and material thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the load-bearing function with the nacelle casing itself, eliminating the need for separate machine carriers and support structures. The casing is designed with integrated reinforcement and mounting features that provide the necessary load-bearing capacity while avoiding the additional weight of separate support components. This merging of functions reduces overall material usage and weight.
4Device complexity
If a self-supporting nacelle casing design is used, then internal space is increased and complexity is reduced, but the casing must directly bear all loads from the generator and environmental forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing targeted reinforcement at specific high-stress areas of the nacelle casing rather than uniformly thickening the entire structure. The casing features localized strengthening at the azimuth bearing mounting area, generator support points, and other critical load paths, while maintaining thinner walls in non-critical areas. This approach manages stress concentrations without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to nacelle (1) of a wind turbine (100). According to the invention, the wind turbine (100) has a tower (102) or mast, an aerodynamic rotor (106), and a generator (46) having an electric-machine rotor (50) and a stator, and the nacelle (1) is provided with a nacelle covering (2, 4), wherein the nacelle (1), in particular the nacelle covering (2, 4), is self-supporting.