Wind Tower Vibration Damper Tilting for Compact Unmounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration dampers for wind turbine towers are difficult to remove once the nacelle is attached, as they are integrated into the tower structure and access is restricted, making it challenging to dismantle and transport them efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The vibration damper is designed to transition from a use state to a transport state by tilting relative to its operational position, allowing for a significant reduction in horizontal dimensions, enabling easier removal and transport by fitting through standard openings and using a platform for support, with adjustable components and a controller for optimal vibration counteraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vibration damper is integrated into the tower structure with the damping mass moving at a distance from the central axis, then the vibration damping capability is improved, but the horizontal extent increases making removal difficult through standard openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration damping capabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damper is designed to change its configuration dynamically between an operational state and a transport state. In the operational state, the damping mass moves at a first distance from the central axis to provide effective vibration damping. In the transport state, the damping mass moves at a second, smaller distance from the central axis, reducing the horizontal extent to enable removal through standard tower openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement of the damping mass by altering its radial distance from the central axis between operational and transport states. This dimensional adjustment allows the damper to fit through standard openings in the transport state while maintaining effective damping capability in the operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the damping mass moves at a larger distance from the central axis, then the vibration counteraction effectiveness is improved, but the horizontal dimensions increase requiring non-standard openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration counteraction effectivenessVSAvoidhorizontal dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the radial position of the damping mass based on operational requirements. During operation, the damping mass is positioned at a larger radius to maximize vibration counteraction effectiveness. During transport, the damping mass is repositioned to a smaller radius to reduce horizontal dimensions and fit through standard openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the vibration damper is installed in the tower before nacelle installation, then the tower is protected from vibrations during construction, but the damper becomes difficult to access and remove after nacelle attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetower protection during constructionVSAvoidaccessibility for removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damper incorporates a mechanism to change its configuration between operational and transport states. This dynamic capability allows the damper to be installed before nacelle attachment for tower protection, then reconfigured to a compact transport state for easier removal through standard openings after nacelle installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the vibration damper, specifically the radial distance of the damping mass from the central axis. By adjusting this parameter between two distinct values, the system achieves both effective vibration protection during operation and compact dimensions for easy removal through standard openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3827168B1Unmounting method and unmounting system for a vibration damper of a wind power plant tower
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY SERVICE GMBH
  • EP3827168B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827168B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3827168B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly method for a vibration damper (19) of a tower (15) of a wind power plant, in which the vibration damper (19) is switched into a transport state from a state of use. The vibration damper (19) is connected to a structural component (18) of the tower (15) such that a damper mass (20) of the vibration damper (19) can be set in motion, during which movement the distance between the damper mass (20) and a central axis (32) of the tower (15) varies. The vibration damper (19) is switched into the transport state by tilting the vibration damper (19) compared to the state of use. The invention also relates to an associated assembly system.