Wind Turbine Tower Reinforcement with Adjustable Flexible Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbine support towers experience fatigue cracking and failure due to cyclic loading, torsional stresses, and fluctuating loads, leading to costly and time-consuming replacement of entire support tower assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement system comprising adjustable, flexible reinforcing members with vertical and horizontal portions that can be aligned and secured to existing wind tower flanges, providing additional structural support and withstanding extreme loads without requiring complete disassembly of the tower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional repair methods (disassembling entire support tower, replacing members, reassembling) are used, then structural integrity is restored, but repair time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The repair system is segmented into modular components: a repair flange that attaches to the existing tower flange, reinforcing members that can be independently positioned and secured, and bolted connections that allow partial disassembly. This segmentation enables repair of specific damaged areas without requiring complete tower disassembly, thus restoring structural integrity while minimizing repair time
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing members are nested within or alongside the existing tower structure. The repair flange interfaces with the existing tower flange, and reinforcing members are positioned within the tower assembly, creating a nested configuration where the repair system integrates with the existing structure rather than replacing it entirely
2Reliability
If conventional repair methods (complete disassembly and replacement) are used, then structural integrity is restored, but manufacturing and reassembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repair flange and reinforcing members are pre-assembled into a integrated repair unit before being installed on the tower. This preliminary assembly simplifies the on-site repair process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be handled and installed, thereby restoring structural integrity while reducing repair process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The repair flange acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the existing tower flange and the reinforcing members. This intermediary element simplifies the connection process by providing a standardized interface that requires only bolted connections, reducing the complexity of integrating new reinforcing elements with the existing structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If tower sections are designed with non-cylindrical portions, then adaptability to different loading conditions is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower section profile is changed from cylindrical to non-cylindrical (ovalized or out-of-round) to adapt to different loading conditions. This parameter change in the geometric shape allows the tower to better withstand varying stress distributions while the repair system accommodates this profile through adjustable reinforcing members that can be positioned to match the non-cylindrical contour
Data Source
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AI summary
A reinforcement assembly for a tower of a wind turbine is disclosed as having at least one generally cylindrical tower section with an exterior wall and an interior wall defining a height and a thickness therebetween. At least one generally cylindrical tower flange is coupled to the tower section, the tower flange having at least one vertical flange portion and at least one horizontal flange portion. At least one adjustable generally cylindrical reinforcing member has, at least one vertical member portion with at least one flexible portion coupled to the exterior wall of the tower section, and at least one horizontal member portion adjustably engaged with at least one adjusting spacer. Adjustment of the adjusting spacer aligns the reinforcing member with an adjacent tower flange.