Wind Turbine Auxiliary Coupling for Non-Invasive Tower Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wind turbines face challenges with premature structural failure due to increased loads and imperfections in tower components, necessitating improved mechanical couplings that minimize invasive modifications and enhance longevity.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system with a swiveling mounting bracket and displaceable pad that attaches to the wind turbine tower, allowing for flexible installation and removal of auxiliary components without permanent modification, and a method for controlled detachment using hoisting equipment and vertical displacement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding or invasive machining processes are used to attach auxiliary components to the wind turbine tower, then the mechanical connection strength is improved, but the structural reliability and lifespan of the tower deteriorate due to stress concentration and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling acts as an intermediary component between the auxiliary component and the wind turbine tower. It provides a mechanical connection through fasteners without requiring welding or invasive machining of the tower structure, thereby maintaining structural reliability while achieving sufficient connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: the coupling with mounting bracket, the fasteners, and the pad. This allows the auxiliary component to be attached to the coupling without permanently modifying the tower, preventing stress concentration in the tower structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanent modification of the wind turbine tower is performed to attach auxiliary components, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of maintenance and adaptability deteriorate due to inability to remove or reconfigure components
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling enables a dynamic connection that can be installed and removed as needed. The mounting bracket with swiveling capability and the pad with fasteners provide stable attachment during operation, but allow easy removal and reconfiguration for maintenance or when changing auxiliary components
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system allows the auxiliary component to be removed from the wind turbine tower without permanent modification. The coupling itself can be retained and reused for future auxiliary components, while the tower structure remains intact and unmodified
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed geometry coupling design is used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different tower geometries and auxiliary components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed to swivel about the shaft of the auxiliary component, providing angular adjustment capability. This dynamic feature allows the coupling to accommodate different tower geometries and orientations while maintaining precise mechanical connection through the fastener holes
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design with swiveling mounting bracket and adjustable pad can accommodate various auxiliary component geometries and tower configurations. The same coupling structure serves multiple functions: providing precise mechanical connection, adapting to different orientations, and enabling easy installation and removal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is related to couplings for mechanically connecting an auxiliary component to a wind turbine tower. The couplings comprise a mounting bracket configured to be mounted on a shaft of the auxiliary component, and a tower interface configured to be arranged at an outside of the wind turbine tower and comprising a first fastener hole. The couplings further comprise a pad configured to be arranged at an inside of the wind turbine tower, and comprising a second fastener hole, wherein the first and the second fastener holes are configured to receive a fastener extending through a hole in the wind turbine tower to attach the auxiliary component to the wind turbine tower, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured to swivel about the shaft of the auxiliary component and is displaceable along a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The present disclosure further relates to methods for removing auxiliary components from a wind turbine.