Wind Turbine Tower Base Damping Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbine towers experience undesired oscillatory movements during storage and transportation, which are currently addressed with VIV strakes that pose safety risks and damage costs due to labor-intensive installation and potential paint damage.

Innovation Solution

A damping device is placed between the wind turbine tower and the surface, utilizing a laminated elastomeric bearing with connector plates and optional supporting elements to mitigate these movements, particularly effective in reducing oscillations during temporary storage and transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If VIV strakes are attached to the tower to reduce oscillatory movements, then tower stability is improved, but safety risks increase due to work at height and potential paint damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower stabilityVSAvoidsafety and paint integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A damping device is introduced as an intermediary element between the tower and the ground/surface. This device includes a damping element (such as a laminated elastomeric bearing) positioned between a first connector plate connected to the tower and a second connector plate connected to the surface, thereby reducing oscillatory movements without requiring work at height on the tower itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attaching damping elements to the upper parts of the tower (as with VIV strakes), the damping device is positioned at the base of the tower between the tower and the ground. This inverted approach addresses tower oscillations from the foundation level rather than from the exposed upper sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If VIV strakes are mounted on the upper third or upper half of the tower, then oscillatory movements are reduced, but additional labor costs and safety issues arise from climbing the tower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetower oscillation reductionVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device serves as a mediator positioned at the accessible base level, including a damping element between connector plates that can be installed and maintained at ground level rather than requiring access to the upper tower sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping solution is inverted from the conventional approach of attaching elements high on the tower to positioning the damping device at the tower base, making installation and maintenance operations accessible at ground level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tower is temporarily located on a surface during storage or transportation, then mobility and storage flexibility are improved, but undesired oscillatory movements occur due to wind exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage and transportation flexibilityVSAvoidtower stability during temporary placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The damping device acts as a mediator between the tower and the temporary surface, with connector plates that can be attached to the tower base and the ground surface, providing stability during temporary placements for storage or transportation while maintaining the tower's mobility and storage flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping device provides multi-functional stability for the tower during various temporary placement scenarios including storage at storage sites and transportation on vessels, making it applicable to multiple situations without requiring different solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 minimizes tower oscillations, enhancing safety and reducing repair costs by providing a reliable and efficient connection between the tower and the surface, while being easily detachable for temporary use.

Implementation Method 1

a damping device is arranged between the tower and the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

laminated elastomeric bearing comprising an inner elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Implementation Method 3

laminated elastomeric bearing comprising an inner elastomeric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

effective in reducing oscillations during temporary storage and transportation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3273051B1Tower damper

Publication Date: 2021.09.01 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

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AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a tower (10) of a wind turbine and a damping device (20), wherein the tower (10) is situated on a surface (30). Notably, the damping device (20) is arranged between the tower (10) and the surface (30).