Wind Tower Transition Body Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind energy tower configurations are either weak and material-intensive or difficult and costly to manufacture, particularly due to the challenges of coupling lattice and tubular tower parts with frustoconical or deformed transitions.
Innovation Solution
A transition body with a polygonal lower section matching the lattice tower and a circular upper section matching the tubular tower, using straight and bent plate parts for a strong, durable, and economically favorable coupling, reducing material consumption and simplifying manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a frustoconical envelope is used to couple lattice tower to tubular tower part, then the tower sections are connected, but the coupling is relatively weak and requires relatively much material
Solution Approach 1:
The transition body is divided into multiple straight plate parts and bent plate parts, each serving specific structural functions. The straight plate parts provide rigid support while the bent plate parts accommodate the geometric transition, allowing for optimized material distribution that reduces overall consumption while maintaining coupling strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transition body have different structural characteristics - straight plate parts in areas requiring rigidity and bent plate parts in areas requiring geometric adaptation. This local differentiation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing material waste while ensuring structural integrity at the coupling interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If a frustoconical envelope is used to couple lattice tower to tubular tower part, then the tower sections are connected, but the configuration is relatively difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The transition body is segmented into straight plate parts and bent plate parts that can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes, then assembled together. This segmentation avoids the need for complex monolithic forming operations while ensuring reliable connections through standardized joining methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent plate parts incorporate necessary curvatures to achieve the geometric transition from polygonal to circular cross-section, but these curvatures are localized rather than distributed throughout the entire structure. This approach simplifies manufacturing compared to forming a complete frustoconical envelope while maintaining the required geometric adaptation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a tube part is deformed over a relatively great length to adjoin a tower part, then the connection is achieved, but the configuration is relatively difficult to manufacture and thus rather costly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deforming a single tube part over a great length, the transition is achieved through multiple discrete plate parts (both straight and bent) that are assembled together. This segmentation transforms a complex continuous deformation problem into simpler discrete component fabrication and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric transition is achieved locally at specific positions using bent plate parts rather than through extensive deformation of the entire tube part. This localized approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the same functional result of adjoining the lattice tower part to the tubular tower part.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Tower for a wind energy device, including a lattice tower part (1) which has a polygonal cross section at least at a top, and a tubular tower part (2) extending thereabove which has a substantially circular cross section at a bottom, wherein the lattice tower part (1) and the tubular tower part (2) are coupled to each other by means of a transition body (3), wherein the lattice tower part (1) extends partly along the transition body (3), in a vertical direction, wherein the transition body (3) is provided with a lowermost part having a polygonal cross section adapted to the lattice tower part, as well as an uppermost part having a circular cross section adapted to the circular cross section of the tubular tower part.