Wind Turbine Tower Bolt Connection Clamping Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bolt connection methods for wind turbine towers face issues with impurities like grout or concrete entering the space between the bolt head and the flange, leading to potential structural weaknesses, and existing solutions are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A clamping element is used to press the bolt head against the base flange, preventing impurities from entering and minimizing rotational and vertical movement of the bolt head, which is designed to be simple, cost-effective, and adaptable to standard bolt heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a covered nut cage is used to prevent grout or concrete from entering the space between the bolt head and the base flange, then the reliability of the bolt connection is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A clamping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the bolt head and the base flange. This clamping element serves as a mediator that prevents impurities from entering the critical space while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The clamping element is attached to the base flange and extends to cover the bolt head, creating a protective barrier without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Rather than using a complex covered nut cage system, the patent employs a straightforward clamping element that provides effective protection at lower cost and complexity, sacrificing long-term reusability for immediate effectiveness and economic viability.
2Productivity
If the bolt head is left exposed during concrete pouring, then the manufacturing process is simpler and faster, but impurities enter the space between the bolt head and the base flange causing structural weaknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is installed on the base flange before the bolt is fully tightened and before concrete pouring occurs. This preliminary action creates the protective barrier in advance, preventing impurities from entering the space between the bolt head and base flange during the concrete pouring process, thereby eliminating the need for complex post-installation protection measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element acts as an intermediary protective barrier that is in place during concrete pouring, preventing direct contact between impurities and the critical bolt head area. This intermediary structure allows the manufacturing process to proceed efficiently while simultaneously protecting against contamination.
3Reliability
If a clamping element is introduced to press the bolt head against the base flange, then protection against impurity entry is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element serves as a simple intermediary component that provides both the clamping force necessary to maintain seal integrity and the physical barrier against impurity entry. By combining these two functions into a single straightforward component, the patent avoids increasing device complexity while still achieving improved reliability.
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 solution effectively prevents impurities from entering the bolt connection, ensuring a secure and stable attachment of the wind turbine tower to the foundation while being economically viable and easy to implement.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping element (50) which at least partially covers the bolt head (41). The clamping element (50) presses the bolt head (41) against the bottom side of the base flange (30)
Implementation Method 2
The clamping element (50) prevents rotation of the bolt head (41) when the nut (42) of the bolt connection is tightened
Data Source
AI summary
A bolt connection of a tower for a wind turbine is provided, the bolt connection including a tower base module with a tower flange, wherein the tower flange forms the bottom end of the tower, a base flange for connecting the tower base module with a foundation, wherein the base flange includes a traverse bore, and a bolt which extends through the traverse bore of the base flange, wherein the bolt includes a bolt head which is arranged at the bottom side of the base flange facing the foundation. The bolt connection further includes a clamping element which at least partially covers the bolt head. The clamping element presses the bolt head against the bottom side of the base flange.