Variable-Thickness Slip Joint Connectors for Offshore Towers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Undesirable voltage peaks occur at the ends of components in tower-like structures due to deviations from desired dimensions, particularly in offshore wind turbine towers.
Innovation Solution
A connection apparatus with plate-like or layer-like elements is designed to have a greater thickness centrally, compensating for geometry deviations by increasing thickness in specific regions and using resilient, compressible materials to facilitate load transfer and reduce voltage peaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connection elements have uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simple, but voltage peaks occur at component ends due to geometry deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The connection elements are designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, where the central region has greater thickness than the end regions. This local variation in geometric properties compensates for geometry deviations at the ends of the components, thereby reducing voltage peaks while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a systematic thickness profile.
2Reliability
If connection elements have greater thickness centrally, then load transfer is improved and voltage peaks are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness parameter of the connection elements is systematically varied along their length, with the central region having greater thickness than the end regions. This parameter change optimizes load transfer performance and reduces voltage peaks. The thickness profile can be implemented through controlled manufacturing processes, balancing performance improvement with manufacturing 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
The solution effectively minimizes voltage peaks by enhancing load transfer and accommodating dimensional deviations, improving assembly and reducing material usage through friction-based connections.
Implementation Method 1
for the purpose of the load transfer between the upper component of the structure and the lower component of the structure are intended to be positioned beside each other
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device for a tower-like structure is provided, and includes a plurality of connecting elements which are arranged between an upper component and a lower component of the structure in order to produce a slip joint, and for the purpose of load transfer between the upper component of the structure and the lower component of the structure, are to be positioned next to one another in the peripheral direction about the longitudinal axis and/or in the longitudinal direction thereof with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the structure. With respect to the longitudinal axis, the connecting device has a greater thickness in the centre thereof than at its upper and/or lower end.