Wind Turbine Monitoring Device Enclosure for Ice Damage Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine monitoring and collision prevention devices protrude from the mounting base, leading to damage during adverse weather conditions and instability due to gaps between the mounting base and the tower, which can cause the base to move.
Innovation Solution
A system with a mounting base and box configuration that encloses most of the device within a closed space, using a flat surface and opposite walls connected to form a box with openings for the necessary protruding parts, and secured with elongated fastening means for stable attachment to the tower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If devices are mounted protruding from the mounting base, then the devices can be installed on the tower, but the devices are damaged by ice during adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the monitoring and collision prevention devices inside a protective box structure that is mounted on the tower. The box encloses the devices, with only necessary parts protruding through openings, thereby protecting the devices from ice damage while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a removable protective cover or housing that can be easily replaced if damaged. This allows for maintenance and replacement of the protective structure without replacing the entire mounting system, reducing long-term costs.
2Device complexity
If magnets are used to mount the base on the tower, then the base can be attached without contact with the entire surface, but a large gap is created between the tower wall and the mounting base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the box structure with flat rear surface) that mediates between the magnetic mounting base and the tower wall. This intermediary fills the gap created by magnetic mounting, providing additional stability and preventing ice accumulation in the space between the base and tower.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mounting system into distinct functional components: the magnetic base for attachment, the box structure for device housing and gap filling, and the protective elements. This segmentation allows each component to address specific requirements independently.
3Device complexity
If the mounting base contacts the tower only at magnet points, then the mounting structure is simpler, but the base moves during adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The box structure serves as an intermediary that distributes contact forces between the magnetic base and the tower wall. The flat rear surface of the box contacts the tower along a larger area, reducing movement while maintaining the simplicity of magnetic attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary stabilizing features in the box structure design, such as flat surfaces and geometric configurations that prevent movement before adverse weather conditions occur. This preliminary design ensures stability is built into the structure rather than added as a corrective measure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for installing on a wind turbine tower at least one moving objects monitoring device and/or at least one moving objects collision prevention device, comprising: a mounting base (1) adapted to be mounted on the tower and comprising a flat surface (A) and at least one pair of opposite walls (2, 2′), a box (10) for installing the aforementioned devices comprising a flat base (11) and four sides (12, 12′, 12″, 12″), wherein the box (10) is adapted to be connected to the mounting base (1) to form a closed space inside the box (10) and comprises at least one opening (13, 13′, 13″), and at least one supporting base (14, 14′, 14″) for supporting the aforementioned devices on the flat base (11) so that only the part which is necessary to be located outside the box (10) for performing the monitoring and/or collision prevention functions protrudes from the opening (13, 13′, 13″).