Wind Turbine Tower Section Elastic Deformation Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting wind turbine tower sections are limited by permissible transport heights and widths, leading to reduced cross-sectional area usage and increased manufacturing and installation costs due to the need for sectioning and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A procedure for transporting wind turbine tower sections involves elastic deformation to reduce the vertical height during transport, allowing for optimized use of transport dimensions without exceeding permissible limits, and subsequent reassembly at the construction site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tower section is transported in its full vertical height, then the load-bearing capacity and cross-sectional area are optimized, but the transport height exceeds permissible legal limits
Solution Approach 1:
The tower section transitions from a rigid full-height state during storage/operation to a dynamically compressed elastically deformed state during transport. The elastic deformation allows the tower to adapt its height dynamically based on transport requirements while maintaining structural integrity through controlled elastic stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical height parameter of the tower section is changed elastically during transport by applying deformation forces that compress the tower within its elastic limit. This parameter change is temporary and reversible, allowing the tower to meet transport height restrictions while preserving its full-height load-bearing capacity for operational use.
2Length of moving object
If the tower section is split into two parts to meet transport height limits, then the transport height restriction is satisfied, but the load-bearing capacity is reduced and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently segmenting the tower into multiple parts, the invention applies temporary elastic deformation that effectively segments the tower's height during transport. The deformation creates intermediate compression zones that reduce overall height without creating permanent joints or weak points that would compromise load-bearing capacity.
3Strength
If the wall thickness is increased to maintain load-bearing capacity with reduced cross-sectional area, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases and handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tower section is elastically deformed in advance before transport to reduce its height. This preliminary action of elastic compression allows the tower to meet transport height restrictions without requiring increased wall thickness or weight, as the height reduction is achieved through temporary deformation rather than permanent structural modification.
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
This approach enables the transportation of larger tower sections within legal height and width constraints, reducing the need for sectioning, thereby minimizing costs and increasing the load-bearing capacity of the tower sections.
Implementation Method 1
Applying a deformation force to the wall for elastically deforming at least a portion of the tower section such that the tower section in an elastically deformed state in the transport position assumes a second vertical height which is smaller than the first vertical height
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transporting a tower section of a wind turbine, comprising the following steps: providing a tower section configured to be transported in a predetermined transport position, wherein the tower section in the transport position has a longitudinal axis (L) extending in a horizontal direction and a wall extending along the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the tower section is configured to assume a first vertical height (hi) in an unloaded state in the transport position, applying a deformation force (F, F1, F2) to the wall to elastically deform at least one section of the tower section such that the tower section in an elastically deformed state in the transport position assumes a second vertical height (h2) that is smaller than the first vertical height (h1), and locking the tower section in the elastically deformed state.