Wind Turbine Tower Suction Holes for Shadow and Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind power generation apparatuses face challenges with tower shadow effects and vortex-induced vibrations, leading to fatigue, noise, and reduced wind energy utilization, particularly during installation and operation, due to unpredictable wind conditions and the limitations of existing vibration suppression methods like spiral wires.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of suction through holes in the tower's circumferential wall, which can be suctioned from outside to inside, to weaken or eliminate tower shadow effects and suppress vortex-induced vibrations, allowing for adjustable suction intensity and improved flexibility without increased costs, while also enhancing wind energy conversion and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional vibration suppression methods like spiral wires are used, then vortex-induced vibrations can be suppressed to some extent, but the tower shadow effect remains and wind energy utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tower surface is segmented into multiple suction zones with independently controllable suction holes, allowing selective suppression of vortex-induced vibrations while maintaining smooth airflow for wind energy capture in non-vibration zones
Solution Approach 2:
The suction intensity and activation of different suction zones are dynamically adjusted based on real-time wind speed and vibration conditions, enabling adaptive suppression of vortex-induced vibrations while minimizing impact on wind energy utilization across varying operational conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If suction intensity is increased to better suppress vortex-induced vibrations, then vibration suppression effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction intensity is dynamically adjusted based on real-time wind speed and vibration measurements, using higher suction only when and where vortex-induced vibrations occur, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous full-intensity suction
Solution Approach 2:
Different suction intensities are applied to different zones of the tower based on local vibration conditions and wind flow characteristics, concentrating suction effort where most needed while reducing or disabling it in other areas to minimize energy consumption
3Object-affected harmful factors
If suction holes are added to the tower structure, then vortex-induced vibrations can be suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system serves multiple functions: suppressing vortex-induced vibrations, reducing tower shadow effects, and potentially controlling airflow for noise reduction, thereby justifying the added complexity through multi-functional benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The tower surface incorporates porous or perforated sections with suction holes that can be integrated into the existing tower structure, avoiding completely separate vibration suppression structures and reducing overall system complexity
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 solution effectively prolongs the service life of components, reduces noise, and improves wind energy utilization by directly addressing the causes of vortex-induced vibrations, meeting ecological regulations and maintaining functionality across varying wind speeds and installation phases.
Implementation Method 1
the tower is provided with suction through holes extending through a circumferential wall of the tower in a circumferential direction of the tower, and the tower is further provided with a suction apparatus, and the suction apparatus is capable of performing suction to the suction through holes from outside to inside
Implementation Method 2
performing suction to the suction through holes from outside to inside, to weaken or eliminate tower shadow effects and suppress vortex-induced vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A wind power generation apparatus, a tower and a method for suppressing a tower shadow effect of the tower. The tower is provided with suction through holes extending through a circumferential wall thereof, and the suction through holes are distributed in a circumferential direction of the tower; the tower is further provided with a suction apparatus, and the suction apparatus can perform suction to the suction through holes from outside to inside. With the tower and the method, when the suction through holes at a windward side are suctioned, the adverse influence of the tower shadow effect can be weakened or eliminated, a service life of a pitch varying bearing can be prolonged, a noise can be reduced and a wind energy utilization coefficient can be improved. When the suction through holes at a position of a bypassing flow detachment are suctioned, vortex-induced vibrations can also be suppressed.