Wind Turbine Tower Foundation Attachment Using Embedded Support Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching wind turbine towers to foundations are inefficient due to the use of grout, which increases construction time, is affected by climatological conditions, and results in quality control issues, and requires high-tonnage cranes for leveling, leading to additional costs and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The process involves installing a support element capable of stress transmission between the tower and foundation, leveling it, and then pouring concrete around it, eliminating the need for grout and allowing direct adhesion, thereby simplifying the attachment process and improving quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If grout is used as an intermediate element for attaching the tower to the foundation, then adhesive connection is established between the grout and the tower and foundation, but construction time increases due to additional setting time and quality control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the grout intermediate element from the attachment system. Instead of using grout between the tower base and foundation, the patent directly connects the tower base to the foundation through bolts and concrete, removing the grout layer that causes setting time delays and quality control issues while maintaining structural connection through alternative means
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new intermediary system consisting of the concrete foundation and bolt connection mechanism instead of grout. The concrete foundation acts as the bonding medium, and bolts provide mechanical interconnection, replacing grout's adhesive function with a combined mechanical-chemical bonding system that sets faster and is easier to control
2Strength
If grout is used for attachment, then adhesive connection is established, but the process is affected by climatological conditions and requires high-tonnage cranes for leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes grout from the attachment process, thereby eliminating its sensitivity to climatological conditions such as temperature and humidity that affect grout setting and quality. The concrete foundation and bolt system used instead are not subject to these environmental limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the climate-sensitive grout material with a robust concrete-bolt system that is insensitive to environmental conditions. Concrete and steel bolts provide reliable, weather-independent attachment that can be installed under various climatic conditions without affecting the bonding process
3Manufacturing precision
If the first section of the tower is levelled over the foundation, then correct positioning is achieved, but high-tonnage cranes are required leading to additional costs and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs leveling of the tower base in advance, before the tower section is lifted into position. The concrete foundation is prepared with embedded leveling elements or adjustment mechanisms that allow precise positioning of the tower base without requiring heavy cranes to make adjustments after lifting, thereby reducing crane tonnage requirements and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces leveling elements as intermediary components between the concrete foundation and the tower base. These elements facilitate precise positioning and adjustment during assembly, enabling accurate leveling without requiring high-tonnage cranes to manipulate the entire tower section
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 method reduces construction time and costs by eliminating grout, normalizes foundation design for varying loads, and enhances attachment quality by avoiding grout-related issues, while allowing for reusable levelling and attachment means.
Implementation Method 1
the lower side is adhered to the poured concrete once it has set
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes a process and a unit, both enabling to attach a wind turbine tower to a foundation, as well as describes also a wind turbine incorporating the unit. The process features a stage of installation of a support element for the transmission of stresses from the tower to the foundation, followed by a stage of levelling the support element and pouring foundation concrete up to the support element's lower side so that the lower side is adhered to the poured concrete once it has set. The unit comprises at least one support element.