Wind Turbine Tower Damping With External Ballast Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing damping systems for wind turbine towers, such as guyed structures, face material fatigue and increased space requirements due to dynamic loads, and are not effectively adaptable during the erection phase without a permanent foundation.
Innovation Solution
A modular damping device using a combination of spiral and round strand steel cables with adjustable deflection units and ballast masses, positioned outside the tower, which can be flexibly attached to tower sections and adjusted for different heights and wind directions, reducing frictional resistance and enhancing vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guyed structures with bracing are used to dampen tower vibrations, then vibration damping effect is achieved, but material fatigue problems occur due to forces introduced at force introduction points
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the damping function from permanent tower bracing and guying structures and relocates it to removable counterweights positioned away from the tower. This removes the source of cyclic loading at force introduction points while preserving the vibration counteraction effect through strategically placed masses that create opposing gravitational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces removable counterweights as intermediary elements that mediate between the tower and the ground. These counterweights provide the necessary inertial forces to counteract vibrations without creating permanent force introduction points in the tower structure, thereby eliminating the material fatigue pathway.
2Reliability
If guyed structures with bracing are used to dampen tower vibrations, then vibration damping effect is achieved, but space requirements increase compared to non-guyed towers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the damping function from space-consuming permanent bracing and guying structures and relocates it to compact removable counterweights. This dramatically reduces the space occupation while maintaining the vibration damping capability through the strategic placement of masses that leverage gravitational and inertial forces.
3Reliability
If permanent foundation guying is used for vibration damping, then damping effect is achieved, but adaptability during erection phase is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static, permanent guying system into a dynamic, adaptable system using removable counterweights. These counterweights can be positioned at different locations and heights depending on the erection phase and wind conditions, providing real-time adaptability while maintaining effective vibration damping through adjusted mass distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes in the damping system by allowing repositioning and reconfiguration of counterweights. The mass distribution, position, and orientation can be adjusted according to different erection stages and wind directions, providing versatility without compromising the fundamental damping mechanism.
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 solution effectively dampens transverse vibrations across various wind directions and tower heights, preventing long-term damage and allowing for quick installation and removal, suitable for all life phases of the wind turbine.
Implementation Method 1
guiding the second steel cable through a deflection unit of a first damping device with at least one deflection means... reducing frictional resistance and enhancing vibration damping
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for damping tower vibrations in a wind turbine, particularly during the erection phase, as well as a tower with such a device. The inventive method for damping vibrations of a wind turbine tower comprises the steps: a) erecting a tower with a plurality of tower sections, b) attaching a first end of a first steel cable to a first force-bearing element of a predetermined tower section, c) connecting the second end of the first steel cable to an end of a second steel cable, d) guiding the second steel cable through a deflection unit of a first damping device with at least one deflection means, and e) connecting the other end of the second steel cable to a ballast mass of the first damping device.