Wind Turbine Tower Aerodynamic Profile Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacture of wind turbine towers with aerodynamic profiles, such as drop-shaped or lens-shaped designs, is labor-intensive and costly due to the complexity of producing teardrop profiles with a transition from a round shape to a pointed shape, especially when using steel parts.
Innovation Solution
The tower is manufactured from multiple sections with varying bending radii that can be easily produced and connected to form a mirror-symmetrical aerodynamic profile, resembling a teardrop shape, with the sections being preferably made of steel and connected via welding or screwing with flanges, allowing for reduced manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a teardrop-shaped profile is used for the tower, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into multiple sections with different bending radii that can be manufactured separately and then connected. This segmentation allows each section to be produced using standard round bending machines, avoiding the need for complex teardrop profile manufacturing while achieving the desired aerodynamic shape when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower sections are designed to be nested or stacked together to form the complete teardrop-shaped tower. This nesting approach enables modular assembly where simpler cylindrical sections combine to create the complex aerodynamic profile, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a teardrop-shaped profile is used for the tower, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tower into standardizable sections, each can be manufactured using conventional equipment and processes, reducing the need for expensive custom tooling and specialized labor required for full teardrop profile manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending radius parameter is varied between sections to create the teardrop shape, but each section maintains parameters within manufacturable ranges for standard equipment, balancing aerodynamic performance with production cost.
3Ease of manufacture
If a round tower is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but wake flow and thrust load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is segmented into sections where the upper sections have larger bending radii and the lower sections have smaller bending radii, creating a tapered teardrop profile that reduces wake flow while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly of rounded sections.
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 approach results in a profile with lower thrust load and wake flow, facilitating easier production and improved aerodynamic performance, while maintaining properties similar to drop-shaped or lens-shaped profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a curved first section (12) which is arranged centrally to an axis of symmetry (S) and which connects with its one free end directly to a free end of a curved second section (14) and with its other free end directly to a free end of a curved third section (16) connected is. The respective other free end of the second section (14) and the third section (16) are connected directly to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an aerodynamic profile and a hydrodynamic profile. In particular, the aerodynamic profile (10) has a mirror-symmetrical cross-section, wherein the profile (10) is formed by a curved first section (12) arranged centrally in relation to the axis of symmetry (S), a curved second section (14) connected to the first section (12) on one side, and a curved third section (16) connected to both the first section (12) and the second section (14), wherein the bend radius of the first section (12) is smaller than the bend radiuses of the second and third sections (14, 16).