Wind Turbine Tower Stabilization via Tensioned Cable Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wind turbine tower and foundation structures face challenges in stabilizing larger turbines at increased heights and higher winds, with standard designs being cost-ineffective and having limited fatigue life, particularly due to stress concentrations and complexity in connector designs.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine system utilizing a tower structure composed of multiple sections with connector rings and tensioned cables, where the cables are secured to pad eye adaptors and foundation structures, distributing loads and reducing stress concentrations through flexible connections and adjustable tensioning devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If standard tubular towers are used for increased tower heights (>120m), then the tower can support larger turbines, but the design becomes cost-ineffective and structurally limiting
Solution Approach 1:
The tower structure is divided into multiple tower sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for more economical manufacturing of individual sections while achieving the required total tower height, avoiding the need to manufacture and transport single-piece towers of extreme height.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower employs a composite structure combining tubular sections with external cable stabilization systems. This composite approach allows the tower to achieve the required height and stability using a combination of structural elements rather than relying solely on massive tubular construction, reducing material costs and improving cost-effectiveness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If larger foundation structures are used to support taller towers, then the tower stability increases, but the availability and cost of foundations become limiting factors
Solution Approach 1:
The cable stabilization system acts as a counterweight mechanism, using tensioned cables to balance and offset the lateral loads and bending moments acting on the tower. This reduces the stabilizing force requirement from the foundation, allowing smaller, more available foundation structures to support taller towers.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable-stay system serves as an intermediary between the tower and the foundation, transferring and distributing loads through the cables rather than requiring the foundation to directly resist all lateral forces. This mediator reduces the demand on foundation size and availability.
3Ease of manufacture
If welded or bolted connections are used for cable connectors, then the cables can be attached to the tower, but the design complexity increases and fatigue life decreases due to stress concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design extracts the cable attachment from direct contact with the tower shell, using a collar or clamp that surrounds the tower section. This removes the stress concentration issue from the tower structure itself, allowing welded or bolted connections to be made on the connector components rather than on the critical tower shell, thereby improving fatigue life.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates flexibility to accommodate dynamic loads and movements, allowing the connection to adapt to varying stress conditions rather than creating rigid stress concentration points. This dynamic approach reduces fatigue accumulation in the connection details.
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 configuration provides enhanced stability and increased fatigue life for wind turbine towers, allowing for larger turbines and higher hub positions while minimizing field work and costs, thus increasing annual energy production and simplifying installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
By attaching cables to the tower structure, the additional bending moment from a larger turbine is offset by the cable tension forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wind turbine system includes a wind turbine generator having a rotor and a nacelle mounted atop a tower structure. The tower structure is mounted to a foundation structure and includes a plurality of tower sections, each including one or more tower section flanges. The wind turbine system further includes one or more connector rings. Each of the one or more connector rings is disposed proximate two adjacent tower section flanges and includes a plurality of pad eye adaptors each having an opening formed therein. The wind turbine system further includes a plurality of tensioned cables, with each coupled to one of the pad eye adaptors at a first end and the foundation structure at a second end. The plurality of tensioned cables are coupled to the tower structure at different or multiple connector ring heights based on site conditions to yield the desired lateral stability.