Wind Turbine Tower Damper With Tuned Mass and Impact Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine towers face challenges in damping vortex-induced vibrations during assembly, storage, transport, and operation, as existing solutions like tuned mass dampers are inefficient when natural frequencies change, and require frequent tuning, while impact dampers are not practical for continuous use.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine tower vibration damper system combining a tuned mass damper with a pendulum structure and a friction media, and an impact damper with detachable units that collide with the pendulum structure to absorb vibrational energy, allowing for efficient damping during different operational phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tuned mass damper is used to reduce vortex induced vibrations, then vibration damping during operation is improved, but the damper becomes inefficient when natural frequencies change during assembly, storage, and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the tuned mass damper to adapt its natural frequency to match changing tower natural frequencies during different operational phases. The system transitions from a static tuned mass damper to a dynamic system that can adjust its parameters, enabling it to remain effective whether the tower is in assembly, storage, transport, or operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the tuned mass damper system by introducing adjustable mass or frequency tuning mechanisms. This allows the damper's natural frequency to be modified to match the tower's natural frequency at different stages, thereby maintaining optimal vibration damping performance across varying operational conditions.
2Reliability
If frequent tuning of the tuned mass damper is performed to maintain effectiveness, then vibration damping performance is improved, but the complexity and time required for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the tuned mass damper with adjustable parameters or multiple tuning positions that can be quickly switched. This allows the system to be pre-prepared for different operational states, eliminating the need for time-consuming frequent tuning during actual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the tuned mass damper dynamically adjustable rather than static, the system can automatically or quickly adapt to different operational phases without requiring frequent manual intervention, thereby reducing maintenance time and complexity while maintaining performance.
3Reliability
If an impact damper is used to absorb vibrational energy through mechanical impact, then vibration damping during assembly and transport is improved, but the solution is not practical for continuous use during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vibration damping solution into two distinct components: a tuned mass damper for continuous operation during normal wind turbine operation, and an impact damper for specific phases like assembly, storage, and transport. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic action by using the impact damper only during specific phases (assembly, storage, transport) rather than continuously. The impact damper is activated periodically when needed and deactivated during normal operation, making the overall system practical for both short-term and long-term use.
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 system effectively reduces vortex-induced vibrations by adapting to changing natural frequencies and vibration modes, providing robust and simple damping across various wind turbine tower stages, from assembly to operation, with the impact damper being reusable and the tuned mass damper maintaining functionality post-assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a chamber comprising an outer boundary the chamber connecting a friction media to the pendulum structure
Implementation Method 2
one or more impact damping units positioned between the pendulum structure and the outer boundary of the chamber, such that the outer boundary of the chamber and the pendulum structure may collide via the impact damper
Implementation Method 3
a tuned mass damper comprising: a pendulum structure suspended inside the wind turbine tower
Implementation Method 4
a pendulum structure suspended inside the wind turbine tower
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wind turbine tower comprising a tower vibration damper (100) with a tuned mass damper and one or more impact damping units (113, 114, 115, 200, 300, 400). The tuned mass damper comprises a pendulum structure (101, 208), a chamber connecting a friction media (112) to the pendulum structure (101, 208) is at least partly immersed, and a suspension arrangement (103-111) suspending the pendulum structure (101, 208) inside the wind turbine tower such that the pendulum structure (101) is allowed to displace from a neutral position towards the outer boundary (102) of the chamber. The impact damping units (113, 114, 115, 200, 300, 400) are positioned between the pendulum structure (101, 208) and the outer boundary (102), such that the outer boundary (102) of the chamber and the pendulum structure (101, 208) may collide via the impact damping units (113, 114, 115, 200, 300, 400).