Wind Turbine Tower Joining Ring with Internal Fastening Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine tower joining systems between the main shaft and buttress elements are complex to manufacture and assemble, leading to high local stresses and increased costs, with limited ease of access for maintenance and transportation, especially for high towers exceeding 100 meters.

Innovation Solution

A joining system featuring a closed curved fastening structure integrated within the joining ring of the main shaft, with central cross beams and reinforcement plates that distribute stress, allowing secure fastening of the buttress from inside the main shaft, and struts connecting the buttress to the main shaft via joining flanges, facilitating easier assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional joining systems with external fastening elements are used, then the buttress can be securely fastened to the main shaft, but the joining ring becomes complex and protruding elements are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidjoining ring complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening structure is nested within the joining ring, with the closed curved structure and central cross beam integrated inside the ring. This eliminates protruding external fastening elements while maintaining secure buttress attachment through internal structural features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is merged into the joining ring structure itself. The closed curved structure and central cross beam form an integrated fastening system that combines support and attachment functions within a single unified component rather than separate external elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If complex joining structures with multiple components are used, then the buttress can be fastened securely, but the manufacturing and assembly processes become more difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joining system is segmented into modular components: the joining ring as a separate piece, the closed curved structure integrated within it, and the central cross beam. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes and then assembled together, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central cross beam acts as an intermediary element between the closed curved structure and the buttress. It provides a simplified interface for attachment, enabling secure fastening through a straightforward connection mechanism rather than complex direct fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If traditional joining systems are used, then the buttress can be connected to the main shaft, but local stresses concentrate at the connection points requiring additional reinforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidlocal stress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The closed curved structure provides localized reinforcement at the critical stress points where the buttress connects to the main shaft. The structure's geometry and positioning are optimized to distribute stresses locally rather than allowing concentration at discrete attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The closed curved structure uses curved geometry to distribute stresses more evenly across the connection area. The arc-shaped design naturally disperses load paths and reduces stress concentrations compared to straight-line or angular connection elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If external fastening elements protrude from the joining ring, then the buttress can be easily accessed for assembly, but the overall structure becomes more complex and less streamlined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly accessibilityVSAvoidstructure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having fastening elements protrude outward from the joining ring for accessibility, the fastening structure is inverted and placed inside the ring. The closed curved structure and central cross beam are positioned internally, eliminating external protrusions while maintaining assembly functionality through internal access paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3369925B1Joining system between wind turbine tower main shaft and buttress elements and wind turbine tower

Publication Date: 2019.09.04 GRI RENEWABLE IND SL

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AI summary

A joining system between wind turbine tower main shaft (1) and buttress (2) elements, wherein the main shaft (1) comprises a joining ring (4), such that the joining system comprises at least one fastening structure (6) located in the joining ring (4) to receive and fasten at least one buttress (2); wherein the fastening structure (6) comprises a closed curved structure (11) and a central cross beam (13), and wherein each buttress (2) comprises an end, which in turn comprises a central web (9) and a wing (10), such that the fastening structure (6) is integrated in the joining ring (4), and wherein the wing (10) of the end of the buttress (2) is fastened to the central cross beam (13) of the fastening structure (6) of the joining ring (4).