Wind Turbine Base Frame Rib Vibration Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines experience significant vibrations due to rotational loads and wind pressure, which reduce the lifespan of components, increase forced shut-downs, and decrease reliability, with existing solutions either reducing energy production or adding weight and cost through damping methods.
Innovation Solution
A base frame design for wind turbines featuring a collar structure and rib interface that decouples the support structure from the intermediate part, minimizing vibration transfer through a rib that decreases in height and cross-section along its length, and is oriented parallel to the rotational axis, thereby reducing stress on attached equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the base frame is made heavy and rigid to withstand rotor loads, then structural strength is improved, but vibration transfer to components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base frame is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid intermediate part for load bearing, a collar structure for yaw drive connection, and a support structure interface for equipment mounting. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall vibration transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar structure acts as an intermediary element between the rigid intermediate part and the support structure interface. It decouples the vibration paths, allowing the rigid portion to withstand loads while the collar structure absorbs and isolates vibrations from reaching sensitive components.
2Reliability
If damping material is added to reduce vibrations, then vibration levels are improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure serves as a mechanical intermediary that naturally dampens vibrations through its structural design and connection geometry, eliminating the need for additional damping materials while maintaining vibration reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib dimensions are varied along its length, with height and cross-section decreasing from the support structure interface toward the intermediate part. This parameter change optimizes vibration isolation while minimizing material usage and weight.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support structure is rigidly connected to the base frame, then structural stability is improved, but vibration stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure and rib assembly function as intermediary elements that maintain structural stability while decoupling vibration paths. They provide a stable mounting platform for the support structure while isolating it from high-frequency vibrations generated by the rotor.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base frame have different structural properties: the intermediate part is highly rigid for load bearing, while the collar structure and rib connections have optimized local flexibility to reduce vibration transmission to sensitive components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A base frame (1) for a nacelle of a direct driven wind turbine comprises a first interface (2) to connect a rotor arrangement of the wind turbine with the first interface (2). A second interface (3) is arranged to connect a tower with the second interface (3). An intermediate part (4) connects the first (2) and the second interface (3). The second interface (3) comprises a collar structure (5). A third interface (6) that is arranged to attach a support structure to the base frame (1). The third interface (6) exclusively comprises a first connection-area (10) and a second connection-area (11). The first connection area (10) is prepared to connect the third interface (6) with the collar structure (5). The second connection-area (11) is prepared to connect the third interface (6) via a rib (7) with the intermediate part (4) of the base frame (1).