Wind Turbine Damper Mounting for Tower Ovalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of a damper module in a wind turbine tower is complicated due to the tower's tendency to ovalize when horizontal, causing fixation means to shift and angle, making it difficult to align and fix the frame ends between bracket-like fixation plates, especially when the tower is erected from a horizontal position.
Innovation Solution
The use of horizontal plates fixed to the tower's inner wall for fixing the frame ends, with flat support areas allowing for easy alignment and attachment, and a sliding connection to accommodate shape changes from oval to circular, facilitated by anti-friction elements and movement restriction means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bracket-like fixation plates are used to fix frame ends to the tower wall, then the damper module can be securely attached to the tower, but the installation becomes difficult due to tower ovalization causing plate misalignment and angulation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having frame ends inserted between bracket-like plates (horizontal movement required), the invention inverts the arrangement to have frame ends rest on horizontal plates from above (vertical movement). This inversion allows gravity to assist alignment and eliminates the need for horizontal insertion through angled gaps, making installation feasible despite tower ovalization
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal plates are pre-fixed to the tower inner wall at the correct positions and orientations before the frame ends are attached. This preliminary positioning ensures that even when the tower is horizontal and ovalized, the plates are already in their final correct orientations, allowing frame ends to be easily aligned and attached without dealing with moving or adjusting the plates during installation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tower is erected from horizontal position, then the damper module can be installed inside, but the fixation means shift and angle due to ovalization, requiring long fixation bolts and making bore alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the fixation approach from bracket-like plates requiring horizontal insertion to horizontal plates allowing vertical attachment. This simplifies the fixation mechanism by eliminating the need for long bolts and complex alignment procedures, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to tower ovalization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the problematic elements (bracket-like plates, long bolts, complex alignment requirements) and replaces them with a simplified horizontal plate system. By taking out the unnecessary complexity and keeping only the essential fixation function, the solution achieves both adaptability and simplicity
3Strength
If frame ends are firmly fixed to bracket-like fixation plates, then the damper module is securely attached to the tower, but relative motion is prevented which is necessary to accommodate tower ovalization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by allowing the frame ends to rest on the horizontal plates rather than being rigidly fixed to them. This creates a semi-rigid connection that provides stability while accommodating relative motion due to tower ovalization, especially at the second frame ends which are designed to slide relative to the plates
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 simplifies the installation of the damper module by providing a clear, vertical orientation for fixation and alignment, ensuring secure and balanced attachment even as the tower changes shape from horizontal to vertical, maintaining stability during installation, operation, and various orientations.
Implementation Method 1
anti-friction elements
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a wind turbine, including a tower and a damper module, especially a slosh damper module arranged in the tower, which damper module includes a frame with at least two elongated first frame ends at one side of the frame and at least two elongated second frame ends at the opposite side of the frame, which first and second frame ends are fixed to first and second fixation elements arranged at an inner wall of the tower, wherein the first frame ends are immovably fixed to the fixation elements while the second frame ends are fixed sliding relative to the fixation elements, wherein the first and second fixation elements are first and second plates fixed to the and extending horizontal from the inner wall, on which the first and second frame ends comprising flat support areas rest.