Wind Turbine Tower Cable Shielding via Flexible EMC Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic shielding solutions for wind turbine towers fail to effectively attenuate electromagnetic radiation across a wide frequency range while allowing for mechanical movements during operation, such as yawing and pendular movements, without compromising the integrity of the shielding.
Innovation Solution
A two-part cable ducting arrangement with a rotatable ring and cover connected by a flexible, electromagnetic radiation-impermeable element, which establishes an electrical connection through a slip apparatus, ensuring continuous shielding even during mechanical loads and movements, and includes features like clamping rings and suspension brackets to maintain effective shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid shielding structures are used to ensure electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, then shielding performance is improved, but the structure cannot accommodate mechanical movements during wind turbine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible shielding element made of conductive material that can bend and deform while maintaining its electromagnetic shielding properties. This flexible element is positioned between the cover and ring, allowing it to accommodate relative movements between these components during wind turbine operation while continuously blocking electromagnetic radiation from the cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure is designed with movable and flexible components rather than rigid fixed connections. The cover can rotate relative to the ring, and the flexible shielding element dynamically adjusts its position to maintain continuous electromagnetic shielding coverage despite changes in the relative positions of the tower, nacelle, and cable loop during operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cover and ring are directly connected to maintain structural integrity, then mechanical stability is improved, but electromagnetic radiation can leak through gaps during relative movements
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible shielding element made of conductive material is positioned between the cover and ring. This element maintains continuous electromagnetic shielding coverage even when the cover and ring move relative to each other, preventing radiation leakage through gaps while allowing the necessary mechanical movement for wind turbine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible shielding element acts as an intermediary component between the cover and ring. It fills the intermediate space and maintains continuous electromagnetic shielding coverage even when the cover and ring move relative to each other, preventing radiation leakage through gaps while allowing the necessary mechanical movement.
3Device complexity
If fixed cable routing is used to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the nacelle and rotor cannot yaw for changing wind directions
Solution Approach 1:
The cable ducting arrangement is designed with a rotatable cover that can rotate relative to the ring, and the flexible shielding element accommodates this rotation. This dynamic structure allows the nacelle and rotor to yaw for changing wind directions while maintaining continuous electromagnetic shielding coverage throughout the movement range.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate space between cover and ring is left open to allow movement, then mechanical flexibility is improved, but electromagnetic radiation leaks through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shielding element is positioned to cover the intermediate space between the cover and ring. It maintains continuous electromagnetic shielding coverage even when the cover and ring move relative to each other, preventing radiation leakage through the gap while allowing the necessary mechanical flexibility for wind turbine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible shielding element acts as an intermediary that fills and seals the intermediate space between the cover and ring. It prevents electromagnetic radiation from leaking through the gap while allowing the cover and ring to move relative to each other during wind turbine operation.
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
The solution provides comprehensive electromagnetic shielding across a broad frequency range, including 1-500 MHz, while allowing for operational movements without compromising the integrity of the shielding, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference and ensuring efficient energy transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible element (32), in particular an EMC textile nonwoven fabric, which connects the cover (22) to the ring (34) and closes an intermediate space (26) between these
Implementation Method 2
the ring (34) is equipped with a slip apparatus which, even during a rotation of the ring (34), establishes an electrically conducting connection to the base fixed to the tower
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for electromagnetic shielding in a tower of a wind turbine, which has a platform closing the inside of the tower having an aperture for one or more cables, wherein a cable ducting arrangement is provided, which can pivot relative to the tower with the cable or cables, wherein a. the cable ducting arrangement has a rotatably arranged ring and a cover with one or more cable openings, b. the ring encloses the aperture of the platform and rests on a base fixed to the tower, c. a flexible element which is not permeable or only poorly permeable to electromagnetic radiation connects the cover and the ring, d. wherein the ring has a sliding apparatus which establishes an electrically conducting connection of the ring to the base fixed to the tower.