Wind Turbine Tower Internal Stay Cable Support Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine tower designs face challenges in efficient load distribution and transportability due to protruding support devices, which complicate assembly and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
The design features a tower with internal support devices that are inclined and connected to the tower sections, allowing stay cables to be pre-stressed within the tower's internal space, reducing bending moments and enabling easier transport by keeping all support components enclosed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support devices are arranged outside the tower section, then load distribution is improved, but transportability and assembly complexity deteriorate due to protruding parts
Solution Approach 1:
The support devices are nested inside the tower section's internal space, with bearing plates and support plates arranged concentrically within the tubular structure. This nesting approach maintains load-bearing functionality while eliminating external protrusions that would hinder transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The support devices utilize the vertical dimension within the tower section by arranging bearing plates at different heights and inclining them relative to the tower axis. This three-dimensional arrangement distributes loads effectively throughout the tower section volume without requiring external space.
2Ease of manufacture
If support devices are arranged completely inside the tower section, then transportability is improved, but load distribution efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing plates are locally optimized with specific inclination angles and positioning to concentrate and distribute cable loads effectively at critical locations within the tower section. The support plates are strategically positioned to transfer these loads to the tower wall at optimal points.
Solution Approach 2:
The support devices are pre-assembled as complete units within the tower section before transport, with all connection elements and positioning features already in place. This preliminary assembly ensures proper load distribution geometry is maintained during installation.
3Stress or pressure
If bearing plates are inclined toward the axis of symmetry, then stress on connection points is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing plates are deliberately designed with asymmetric inclination relative to the tower section axis, creating optimized stress distribution patterns. This asymmetric geometry redirects cable loads away from concentrated connection points and distributes them more evenly across the support structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A wind turbine (1), comprising a tower (4) with a plurality of tower sections (15), a plurality of stay cables (7 - 9) for guying the tower (4), and a plurality of support devices (16A, 16B) for anchoring the stay cables (7 - 9) in at least one of the tower sections (15), wherein the support devices (16A, 16B) are arranged completely inside an internal space (21) of the at least one tower section (15). Because the support devices (16A, 16B) are arranged inside the internal space (21) of the tower section (15), transport of the tower section (15) is easier because no parts of the support devices (16A, 16B) protrude from the internal space (21) .