Wind Turbine Nacelle Cooling Platform Barrier Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cooling arrangements for wind turbines, which mount the radiator outside the nacelle to prevent salty air damage, often compromise the space needed for maintenance platforms, interfering with air flow and requiring separate barriers and cooling devices, leading to increased costs, weight, and installation time.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the cooling device as a part of the maintenance platform barrier, allowing it to serve both purposes while optimizing airflow and reducing material usage, with a radiator arrangement that maximizes wind flow and minimizes turbulence, and using a metal grid to prevent air congestion and entanglement hazards for helicopters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiator is mounted outside the nacelle to prevent salty air damage, then the reliability of the cooling system is improved, but the space needed for the maintenance platform is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure surrounding the maintenance platform is merged with the radiator cooling device. The barrier is no longer a separate safety component but integrates the cooling function, allowing the radiator to be positioned on the platform without reducing safe platform area while still protecting against salty air damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides safety protection by surrounding the platform, prevents salty air from damaging the nacelle, and houses the radiator for cooling. This multi-functionality resolves the space conflict by making the safety structure also the cooling structure.
2Reliability
If a separate barrier is installed around the platform, then safety is improved, but the air flow through the radiator is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier and radiator are merged into a single integrated structure. The barrier sides are formed by radiator panels that allow air flow through them, combining safety enclosure with cooling function. This eliminates the conflict between barrier enclosure and air flow availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier/radiator structure is designed with porous or permeable characteristics that allow air to flow through the barrier panels. The radiator panels incorporate flow-through designs with appropriate openings or mesh structures that provide both safety enclosure and adequate air flow for cooling.
3Reliability
If separate barrier and cooling device are installed, then safety and cooling are ensured, but material costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure and cooling device are designed as a single integrated unit rather than separate components. This merger reduces the total number of parts, simplifies installation procedures, and reduces material costs while maintaining both safety and cooling functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated barrier-radiator structure performs multiple functions (safety enclosure, salt spray protection, and cooling) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate installations of each function and reducing overall project time 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
This solution provides reliable cooling without limiting platform access, reduces material and installation costs, and ensures safe and efficient airflow for both cooling and helicopter operations, while maintaining structural integrity and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling fluid is cooled by air flowing though the radiator
Implementation Method 2
The cooling arrangement comprises a radiator and a support arrangement. The cooling fluid is then cooled by air flowing though the radiator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling arrangement of a wind turbine. According to the invention a cooling arrangement of a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises a nacelle and a cooling device is arranged on top of the nacelle. It is prepared to remove heat of the wind turbine to the ambient air. A platform is located on top of the nacelle. It is prepared to be approached by a helicopter. The platform comprises a barrier, which surrounds at least a part of the platform. The barrier comprises at least a part of the cooling device.