Wind Turbine Tower Cable Looming Device for Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable routing in wind turbines leads to reduced current-carrying capacity and increased wear due to twisting and mutual induction among closely bundled cables, resulting in higher costs and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A bundling device that maintains a minimum distance between adjacent power, ground, and signal cables using a multi-angled, equilateral structure with rotatable fastening devices, minimizing electromagnetic interference and allowing for flexible expansion to accommodate varying cable numbers, while preventing cable twisting and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are bundled closely together in a pipe, then cable protection and organization are improved, but current-carrying capacity is reduced due to mutual induction and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The cable bundle is segmented into individual cable positions using a modular clamp structure with multiple clamping elements. Each cable can be independently clamped and positioned, allowing them to maintain separation while still being organized as a bundle. This segmentation prevents mutual induction between adjacent cables while maintaining the protective bundling structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional tight bundling approach to a multi-dimensional arrangement by using clamps that can adjust cable positions in multiple directions. The clamps provide spatial separation in the radial direction while maintaining axial alignment, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to prevent cable contact and mutual induction.
2Ease of operation
If cables are tightly bundled, then cable organization is improved, but wear and damage increase due to friction during nacelle rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The bundle is segmented into individually clamped cable positions rather than a tight unified bundle. This allows each cable to move independently within its clamped position during nacelle rotation, reducing friction and wear between cables while maintaining overall organization and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow cables to adjust their positions within the clamped bundle during rotation. This dynamic adjustment prevents cables from rubbing against each other while maintaining the organized bundle structure, thereby reducing wear and damage.
3Quantity of substance
If more cables are used to compensate for reduced current-carrying capacity, then current transmission is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cable bundle into individually positioned cables with proper spacing, each cable can operate at its full current-carrying capacity without being reduced by mutual induction effects. This allows the existing number of cables to transmit the required current, avoiding the need to add more cables and thereby reducing system complexity and cost.
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
Optimizes current-carrying capacity, reduces wear, and minimizes the number of cables required, thereby lowering costs and ensuring safe operation even during wind direction changes.
Implementation Method 1
Bundling can lead to a reduced current-carrying capacity of the cables due to mutual induction of the closely located current-carrying cables
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a tower for a wind turbine and to a cable guide for a tower of a wind turbine, wherein a machine housing for the wind turbine is arranged on the tower such that it can rotate by means of the azimuth bearing about a vertical axis which runs in the longitudinal direction of the tower. Current-carrying cables, such as power cables, are routed in the tower of the wind turbine out of the machine housing from electrical components to the ground. These comprise a multiplicity of cables, for example a plurality of cables for electrically carrying individual phases of alternating current, in particular three-phase alternating current, cables for ground conductors and/or signal and control cables. One object of the invention is to specify improved routing of the cables which, inter alia, avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. One particular aim is to ensure that the current load capacity of the cables is ensured, and/or that wear between the cables is reduced. According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of the main claim 1, by the tower having at least two looming apparatuses, which are suitable for joining the individual cables which run longitudinally in the tower together to form a cable loom with the cables fixed with respect to one another. The looming apparatuses are attached to the cables between an upper and a lower area of the cable loom. In this case, geometric configuration of the looming apparatus ensures that a specific minimum separation at least between three cables is not undershot.