Wind Turbine Elevator Cable Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems in wind turbines face issues with cable sway and tangling due to dynamic loads from wind, waves, and tides, leading to fatigue, noise, and reduced cable lifetime, with existing solutions being complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pulley frame with transverse elements that self-travel along the travelling cable, using existing guiding elements to stabilize the cable and prevent tangling, reducing stress and extending cable life without requiring additional guiding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a complex cable stabilizer with multiple components is used to reduce cable sway and tangling, then cable stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable stabilizer is divided into distinct functional components: a support structure with rollers for cable guidance, and a separate transverse element that acts as a spacer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulley frame is designed to self-travel along the travelling cable through the interaction of rollers with the cable surface. This self-propelling mechanism eliminates the need for additional motors or actuation systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining cable stabilization functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional guiding elements are added to stabilize the travelling cable, then cable stability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a spacer to maintain distance between the pulley frame and guiding elements, provides additional cable guidance through its interaction with the travelling cable, and contributes to the overall structural rigidity of the assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates rollers that can rotate freely along the travelling cable, allowing the cable stabilizer to adapt dynamically to cable position variations and movements. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains stable cable guidance without requiring rigid, complex mechanical linkages.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pulley frame is made movable along the travelling cable to straighten the cable, then cable stability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulley frame utilizes the tension and geometry of the travelling cable itself to generate the motion needed for self-travel. The rollers contact the cable at strategic points, converting cable tension into propelling force that moves the pulley frame along the cable's length, eliminating the need for external actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse element acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the pulley frame and the rigid guiding elements. By maintaining a fixed distance through its spacer function, it allows the pulley frame to move freely along the cable while preventing excessive lateral displacement, thus stabilizing the cable without adding complex constraint mechanisms.
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 effectively reduces cable vibrations and tangling, extending the cable's lifespan and simplifying installation, as it can be easily retrofitted into existing systems, providing stability and reducing maintenance complexities.
Implementation Method 1
A pulley frame may be arranged in a movably suspended manner on the travelling cable. In use, the pulley frame can then self-travel along the travelling cable
Implementation Method 2
One end of the transverse element may be attached to the pulley frame and the other end of the transverse element may be slidably arranged with respect to one or more rigid guiding elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
An elevator system comprising an elevator cabin guided by or around one or more substantially rigid guiding elements, a travelling cable for supplying energy to the elevator cabin, and a pulley mounted on a pulley frame, wherein the pulley with the pulley frame are movably suspended on the travelling cable, wherein the system further comprises one or more transverse elements each having one end attached to the pulley frame and the other end adapted to be slidably arranged with respect to one or more of the rigid guiding elements. A wind turbine comprising such an elevator system is further described.