Wind Turbine Tower Adapter Flange for Uniform Load Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine towers with concrete segments face issues of high weight, requiring heavy lifting and positioning means, and adapters with complex geometry leading to undesirable local stresses and material inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A tower design with a concrete section and adapter flanges of differing diameters, allowing uniform load distribution and access for operations, using tensioning elements and bolts for connection, reducing material complexity and stress concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the adapter has a concrete part with inward thickness increase to provide wider contact area for stress distribution, then the stress bearing capacity is improved, but local bending moments and circumferential stresses increase requiring additional reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a localized thickness increase (flange) at the specific connection area where the adapter joins the concrete section, rather than uniformly increasing thickness throughout. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary contact area for stress distribution while minimizing additional material and avoiding complex geometry elsewhere in the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange is designed as a preliminary structural feature that prepares the connection area to handle stresses before the actual loading occurs. By pre-configuring the thickness increase at the connection zone, the design anticipates and prepares for the stress distribution requirements, eliminating the need for additional reinforcement measures.
2Strength
If the adapter is joined to the concrete section by bolts passing through holes disposed in concentrical circumferences with different radii, then the connection is established, but more material and complex system for attaching auxiliary devices is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple hole sets into a single circumferential arrangement. Instead of having separate concentrical circumferences for bolts and tensioning elements, the design combines these into one circular pattern, simplifying the overall structure and reducing the complexity of auxiliary attachment systems while maintaining connection strength.
3Strength
If the first set of holes and second set of holes are disposed in concentrical circumferences with different radius, then bolts and tensioning elements can be accommodated, but the disposition of tensioning elements far from the inner tower wall results in non-optimum post-tensioning
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing tensioning elements far from the inner tower wall in concentrical circumferences, the patent inverts the approach by positioning them in a single circular pattern that allows optimal disposition closer to the inner wall. This inversion of the conventional arrangement enables both adequate connection strength and optimal post-tensioning performance.
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
Enhances load distribution and operational access while minimizing material usage and stress concentrations, optimizing the assembly process and reducing the need for heavy lifting equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter (20) is joined to the at least one first tower section (50) by means of joining means (30, 40)
Implementation Method 2
The joining means (30, 40) comprises tensioning elements (30) also configured to tension the tower (100)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The object of the invention is a wind turbine tower which reinforces the upper part of the section of the tower of the wind turbine, wherein the tower comprises - at least one first tower section; - an adapter disposed between the at least one first tower section and at least one second tower section or a wind turbine component, wherein the at least one first tower section is a concrete tower section comprising an upper flange comprising an external diameter; and wherein the adapter comprises: - a lower flange configured to join the adapter to the at least one first tower section; wherein the lower flange of the adapter comprises an external diameter.