Wind Turbine Bolted Connection Retaining Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine support assemblies face challenges in installation and maintenance due to complex bolted connections that require multiple tools and access from both sides, which complicates the process and increases space requirements.

Innovation Solution

The wind turbine support assembly incorporates a retaining means on the side of the web section opposite to the attachment area, which holds bolts or nuts in a non-rotatable manner, allowing for easy installation and maintenance without the need for tools on the opposing side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a bolted connection is used to attach the beam to the bedframe, then the support assembly achieves structural strength and stability, but the installation and maintenance become complex requiring access from both sides and multiple tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tool requirement from the bolted connection system by introducing a retaining means that eliminates the need for tools on one side of the beam during installation and maintenance, thereby simplifying the operation while preserving the structural strength of the bolted connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means enables the bolted connection to serve itself during installation and maintenance by providing a mechanism that automatically prevents tool passage through the beam, allowing the connection system to facilitate its own assembly and maintenance without external tool intervention on both sides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If traditional bolted connections are used without retaining means, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the space requirements around the bolts increase for tool access during installation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidspace requirements around bolts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for tool access space on one side of the beam by extracting the tool passage function through the beam structure, thereby reducing the required area around the bolts while maintaining structural integrity through the retaining means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allowing tools to pass through the beam from both sides, the patent inverts the approach by providing retaining means on one side that prevents tool passage, thereby reducing the space requirements while preserving the structural integrity of the beam

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12241450B2Wind turbine support assembly and wind turbine

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A wind turbine support assembly includes a bedframe and a support structure, wherein the bedframe is adapted for attaching the support assembly to a wind turbine tower, wherein the support structure includes at least one beam, wherein a web section of the beam is attached to an attachment area of the bedframe by a bolted connection including at least one bolt arranged perpendicular to the web section, wherein on the side of the web section opposite to the attachment area at least one retaining means is arranged for holding a bolt or a nut, which is attached to the bolt, in a non-rotatable manner.