Wind Turbine Tower Sector Adjusting System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling tall wind turbine towers from segmented sections are labor-intensive and require precise alignment of edge flanges, which can lead to damage during tilting and transportation due to insufficient space between segments.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting system comprising a horizontal guiding member, supporting members with a shifting mechanism, and mounting structures that allow for the precise adjustment and connection of tower sectors, enabling easier assembly and transportation by allowing the distance between segments to be reduced for secure flange alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tower sectors are assembled in a lying position with horizontal edge flanges, then the tower can be constructed from segmented sections, but the alignment of edge flanges requires serious labor time and precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of edge flanges from horizontal to vertical arrangement. By erecting tower sectors vertically during assembly, the edge flanges are automatically aligned in a vertical plane, simplifying the positioning process and reducing labor time required for arrangement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of assembling tower sectors in a horizontal lying position and then tilting them upright, the patent inverts the sequence by directly assembling sectors in a vertical erect position. This reversal of the assembly orientation eliminates the need for time-consuming horizontal arrangement and subsequent tilting operations.
2Area of stationary object
If tower sectors are positioned close together for assembly, then space is saved, but the risk of damage during tilting and transportation increases due to insufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the assembly sequence to eliminate the tilting operation entirely. By assembling tower sectors directly in their final vertical erect position, the need to tilt sectors after assembly is removed, thereby eliminating the risk of damage during tilting while allowing minimal spacing between segments for secure connection.
3Ease of manufacture
If tower sectors are connected with edge flanges in a horizontal position, then assembly is possible, but the facing surfaces must be exactly on parallel planes with flange-holes overlapping, increasing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of edge flanges from horizontal to vertical arrangement. This parameter change simplifies the alignment requirement because vertical edge flanges naturally align in a vertical plane, reducing the precision requirements for positioning flange holes compared to horizontal alignment where exact parallel plane positioning is critical.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention describes an adjusting system (5) for arranging tower sectors (2a), the adjusting system (5) comprising: - a horizontal guiding member (8), - a first supporting member (3.1) and a second supporting member (3.2), being arranged in a line and at least one of the supporting members (3) being movably arranged on the guiding member (8), - a shifting mechanism (9) comprising a stator (3a) and an actor (3b), with the stator (3a) connected with the first supporting member (3.1) and the actor (3b) connected with the second supporting member (3.2), the shifting mechanism (9) designed to move the supporting members (3) in order to change the relative distance between the supporting members (3) on the guiding member (8). The invention further describes a respective mounting system, a construction system and a method of connecting tower sectors.