Wind Turbine Tower Suction Holes for Vortex-Induced Vibration Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and operation of wind power generation devices are restricted by regional wind conditions, leading to vortex-induced vibrations that can cause instability and damage, and existing solutions like helix lines are costly, environmentally problematic, and ineffective in adapting to varying wind speeds.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure with suction through holes distributed circumferentially around the tower, which uses a suction apparatus to restrain the airflow boundary layer from detaching, thereby suppressing vortex-induced vibrations and allowing for flexible adjustment of suction intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If helix lines are installed on the tower to suppress vortex-induced vibration, then vibration suppression effect is improved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary layer airflow that causes vortex-induced vibration and removes it from the tower surface through suction holes. By taking out the harmful boundary layer flow, the vibration source is eliminated without requiring expensive helix line installations, thus achieving vibration suppression while reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing suction holes that create negative pressure to extract boundary layer airflow. This pneumatic approach replaces the mechanical helix line system, providing a more cost-effective solution that uses airflow control rather than physical surface modifications to suppress vibrations.
2Reliability
If helix lines are installed on the tower to suppress vortex-induced vibration, then vibration suppression effect is improved, but ecological noise regulations are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boundary layer airflow at its source before it can interact with helix lines or generate significant noise. By removing the boundary layer through suction holes, the system eliminates both the vibration problem and the associated noise pollution, complying with ecological regulations while maintaining vibration suppression effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed parameter helix lines are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to varying wind speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the suction holes can adjust their operation based on real-time wind conditions. The suction apparatus can be activated or deactivated, and suction intensity can be modulated according to wind speed variations, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to changing environmental conditions unlike fixed helix lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing the suction system to vary its operational parameters (suction intensity, activation state) in response to wind speed changes. This dynamic parameter adjustment provides adaptability to varying wind conditions while maintaining a simpler, more cost-effective structure compared to fixed helix line systems.
4Reliability
If tower installation is postponed due to high wind speeds, then safety is improved, but installation period increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by activating the suction system before vortex-induced vibrations can develop during tower installation. By preemptively removing the boundary layer airflow, the system prevents vibration onset even in high wind conditions, allowing safe installation to proceed without postponement and reducing installation time losses.
5Reliability
If suction intensity is increased to improve vibration suppression, then vibration suppression effect is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic parameter changes by allowing suction intensity to be adjusted based on actual vibration conditions and wind speed. The system can operate at lower suction intensities during mild conditions and increase suction only when needed, optimizing the balance between vibration suppression effectiveness and energy consumption rather than maintaining constant high suction.
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 reduces vortex-induced vibrations, adapts to changing wind conditions without increasing costs, and meets ecological noise regulations, providing a consistent suppression function during both installation and operation, while also facilitating heat exchange and cooling.
Implementation Method 1
restrain an airflow boundary layer at an outer surface of the enclosure from being detached from the outer surface
Implementation Method 2
perform suctioning to the suction through holes from outside to inside
Implementation Method 3
the discharged airflow performs heat exchange with the interior of the enclosure
Implementation Method 4
cooling the interior space
Data Source
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-2
Figure 2
AI summary
An enclosure with a vortex-induced vibration suppression function and a method for suppressing vortex-induced vibration are provided. The enclosure is provided with suction through holes extending through a peripheral wall thereof, the suction through holes are distributed in a circumferential direction of the enclosure. The enclosure is further provided with a suction apparatus, and the suction apparatus can perform suctioning to the suction through holes from outside to inside, to restrain a boundary layer at an outer surface of the enclosure from being detached from the outer surface. By the suctioning, the boundary layer can be "adsorbed" on the outer surface of the tower, thereby restraining or directly preventing the boundary layer from being detached from the outer surface of the tower, and reducing or eliminating the cause of the vertex-induced vibration. In addition, the suction intensity may be adjusted any time according to the vibration state in suctioning, thus a higher flexibility is achieved. Moreover, performing suctioning to the suction through holes can obviously significantly reduce the noise; and the suctioning method can always perform its suppression function to the vortex-induced vibration in both the hoisting process and the operation process of the wind power generation set; and when the suctioned airflow is discharged to the inside of the tower, it may cool the inside of the tower.