Wind Turbine Tower Connector Plate for Spacer-Free Segment Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection assemblies for wind turbine towers are time-consuming and costly due to the need for spacers and filler materials during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The use of a connector plate with S-shaped or L-shaped configurations that directly couple adjacent tower section segments without the requirement for spacers or filler materials, utilizing studs and fasteners for secure alignment and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection assemblies with flanges, spacers, and filler materials are used to couple tower section segments, then reliable structural connection is achieved, but assembly time increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes spacers and filler materials from the connection assembly, retaining only the essential flange and bolt components. This extraction of non-essential elements simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the structural connection reliability between tower section segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flange and connection components into an integrated assembly where the flange is directly formed as part of the tower section segment. This merging eliminates the need for separate spacer components and reduces the number of assembly steps required to achieve reliable structural connection.
2Reliability
If conventional connection assemblies with spacers and filler materials are used to couple tower section segments, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates spacers and filler materials from the connection assembly, removing the need to manufacture, store, and install these additional components. This extraction reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while preserving structural integrity through the optimized flange design.
Solution Approach 2:
This principle is not applicable to this patent as it deals with structural connection rather than visual properties.
3Manufacturing precision
If spacers and filler materials are used in the connection assembly, then proper alignment and gap management are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes spacers and filler materials from the connection assembly, eliminating the need for these additional components to manage gaps and alignment. The flange design is optimized to provide inherent alignment features that maintain manufacturing precision without increasing device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If multiple components including spacers and filler materials are used in the connection assembly, then structural stability is ensured, but assembly process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates spacers and filler materials from the connection assembly, reducing the number of components that need to be handled and installed. This extraction simplifies the assembly process while the flange design maintains structural stability through optimized geometry and fastening arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the flange component itself, which provides both structural support and alignment features. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the assembly process while ensuring structural stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A connection assembly 100 for a tower 12 of a wind turbine 10 is provided. The connection assembly 100 includes a first tower section segment 30 having an inner surface 38 spaced apart from an outer surface 40. A second tower section segment 32 is positioned adjacent to the first tower section segment 30 and includes an inner surface 42 spaced apart from an outer surface 44. The first tower section segment 30 and the second tower section segment 32 define a vertically extending gap 60 therebetween. A connector plate 102 includes a first connector plate portion 104, a second connector plate portion 106 spaced apart from the first connector plate portion 104, and a third connector plate portion 108 positioned between the first connector plate portion 104 and the second connector plate portion 106. The first connector plate portion 104 couples to the first tower section segment 30. The second connector plate 106 portion couples to the second tower section segment 32. The third connector plate portion 108 extends through the vertically extending gap 60.