Telescopic Wind Turbine Tower Joint Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current horizontal joint assemblies for wind turbine towers are incompatible with telescopic configurations, as they require one section to be supported within the thickness of the other, which is not feasible for telescopic assemblies that need to handle large dimensions, weights, and dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A horizontal joint assembly is designed for telescopic wind turbine towers, involving an upper tower portion being lifted and anchored to a lower tower portion using anchoring means, with a hardenable filler material applied between the contact surfaces, and multiple mechanisms for stress transmission, including tensile, compressive, and shear stresses, utilizing thickenings with through holes and immobilizing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional horizontal joint assemblies are used to support upper tower sections on lower sections, then the joint structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the design is incompatible with telescopic tower configurations where sections need to slide relative to each other
Solution Approach 1:
The joint assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a head fraction with an internal thickening, a base fraction with an external thickening, anchoring means, and hardenable filler material. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling the overall telescopic configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The external thickening of the base fraction is received within the internal thickening of the head fraction, creating a nested arrangement. This nesting provides a stable telescopic joint configuration where the upper section's external thickening fits inside the lower section's internal thickening
2Strength
If internally reinforced tongued and grooved fixing devices are used for concrete towers, then the joint can handle huge dimensions and weights, but the structure becomes more complex and requires embedded reinforcements
Solution Approach 1:
The thickenings (both internal and external) are pre-formed as integral parts of the head and base fractions during manufacturing. This preliminary formation of load-bearing structures eliminates the need for complex embedded reinforcements while maintaining the ability to handle huge dimensions and weights
Solution Approach 2:
The joint assembly combines concrete fractions with metal anchoring means and hardenable filler material. This composite approach provides superior load-bearing capacity compared to concrete alone, while the anchoring means serve as external reinforcements that are easier to install than embedded steel
3Reliability
If sealants are applied in the circular ring-shaped space between successive sections, then the joint provides hermetic sealing, but the sealing effectiveness is insufficient for telescopic sections under dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and load-bearing function are merged into a single integrated joint assembly. The hardenable filler material provides both hermetic sealing and structural strength to resist dynamic loads, while the nested thickenings provide mechanical interlocking for load transfer between telescopic sections
Solution Approach 2:
The joint combines hardenable filler material (providing sealing and bonding) with concrete fractions and metal anchoring means (providing structural strength). This composite construction simultaneously achieves reliable sealing and resistance to dynamic loads in telescopic configurations
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 solution provides a secure, stress-efficient, and watertight horizontal joint assembly capable of handling the immense loads and dimensions of telescopic wind turbine towers, ensuring stability and durability under dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Said sealants harden and integrally attach the corresponding successive sections to one another in a substantially hermetic manner
Implementation Method 2
Anchoring means for anchoring said head fraction of said lower tower portion to said base fraction of said upper tower portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a horizontal joint assembly between two telescopic wind turbine tower portions comprising the head fraction of a lower tower portion (1), the base fraction of an upper tower portion (2), and anchoring means (6) for anchoring said head fraction to said base fraction, said upper portion (2) being intended for being lifted above said lower portion (1) along the inner face of said lower tower portion (1); said horizontal joint assembly further being characterized in that said head fraction is provided with a thickening (3) in its inner face and in that said base fraction is provided with a thickening (4) in its outer face, such that both thickenings (3,4) substantially contact one another when the upper segment is lifted.