Damped Switchgear Mounting for Wind Turbine Vibration Shocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical impacts during transportation and operation of electric switchgear in wind turbines, such as vibrations and shocks, lead to mechanical damage and false tripping, due to the inability of existing technologies to effectively dampen these forces, resulting in deformation and reduced dielectric clearance.
Innovation Solution
A switchgear assembly with a support structure incorporating a damping device featuring helical coils that are elastically deformable in all directions, specifically designed to dampen mechanical impacts during normal operation, and a separate shock absorber for extreme events, ensuring secure fixation and weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the electric switchgear is fixed rigidly to the floor, then the switchgear is securely supported, but mechanical impacts cause deformation and reduced dielectric clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by installing a damping device between the electric switchgear and the floor before mechanical impacts occur. The damping device includes a damping element and a shock absorber that are pre-configured to absorb and dissipate mechanical energy from vibrations and shocks during transportation and operation, preventing direct transmission of impact forces to the switchgear and thus avoiding deformation and false tripping while maintaining secure fixation.
2Reliability
If a damping device is added to reduce mechanical impacts, then false tripping is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damping element and shock absorber into a single integrated damping device that is combined with the support structure. The damping element is positioned between the switchgear and the floor, while the shock absorber is integrated into the same assembly, allowing both vibration damping and shock absorption functions to be achieved through one unified component rather than separate systems, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the damping device is optimized for specific frequencies, then normal operation vibrations are dampened, but extreme impacts like earthquakes are not adequately protected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing the damping device to serve dual purposes: the damping element is optimized for specific frequency ranges to dampen vibrations during normal wind turbine operation, while the shock absorber is configured to protect against extreme impacts such as earthquakes and transportation shocks. This universal design allows a single damping device to handle both routine operational vibrations and rare extreme events, making the system adaptable to multiple operating conditions.
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
The damping device effectively reduces mechanical damage and false tripping by absorbing vibrations and shocks within specific frequency ranges, enhancing the operational reliability and longevity of the switchgear by maintaining dielectric clearance and preventing deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The damping device comprises at least one helical coil, wherein a longitudinal axis of the helical coil extends parallel to a mounting surface of the damping device
Implementation Method 2
The damping device effectively reduces mechanical damage and false tripping by absorbing vibrations and shocks within specific frequency ranges
Data Source
AI summary
A switchgear assembly for a wind turbine comprises an electric switchgear and a support structure supporting the electric switchgear, wherein the support structure comprises a damping device for damping mechanical impacts due to vibrations during operation of mechanical parts of the wind turbine. The switchgear assembly can be used in an offshore wind turbine.