Wind Turbine Lattice Tower Node Mechanical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind turbine towers face challenges in stability and operational efficiency due to dynamic forces from unsteady wind and turbulence, particularly in high hub heights, where existing lattice and hybrid structures require complex and inaccurate weld seam preparations, leading to stress concentrations and uncertainties in service life estimation.

Innovation Solution

A lattice structure design featuring node elements with flanges and through openings for mechanical connection to longitudinal, cross, and diagonal struts, allowing for quick and economical assembly without complex welding, using standardized profiles that can be individually cut and connected via screw-nut connections, reducing stress concentrations and ensuring high fatigue strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welded connections are used to connect node elements to longitudinal struts, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and stress concentrations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweld preparation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical connection system consisting of flanges with through-openings and joining elements (bolts/screws). This substitution eliminates the need for complex weld preparations and welding operations, while maintaining structural strength through proven mechanical fastening methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized flanges and joining elements that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These mechanical connection components are simpler and more economical than welded joints, allowing for quick assembly and potential replacement without specialized welding equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If welded connections are used to connect node elements to longitudinal struts, then structural strength is improved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection system with flanges and joining elements enables rapid assembly compared to welding. Multiple connections can be made simultaneously by simply inserting and fastening joining elements, eliminating the sequential nature of welding operations and reducing overall assembly time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The flanges with pre-drilled through-openings are manufactured in advance as standardized components. This preliminary preparation of connection points allows for extremely quick on-site assembly, as the joining elements can be directly inserted without any field preparation or complex positioning required for welding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If welded connections are used to connect node elements to longitudinal struts, then structural strength is improved, but weld quality consistency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidweld quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical connection system eliminates weld quality variability by replacing welding with standardized flange and joining element assemblies. This ensures consistent connection quality across all joints, as mechanical fastening is easier to control and inspect than welding, particularly for large structural components with varying dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection method from welding (which has variable quality parameters) to mechanical fastening with standardized flanges and joining elements. This parameter change ensures uniform connection characteristics across all joints, improving manufacturing precision and quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If mechanical connections with flanges and joining elements are used, then assembly speed is improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange design serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting surface for the joining element, distributes loads across the connected components, and simplifies alignment during assembly. By consolidating these functions into a single standardized component, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate parts while maintaining assembly speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the connection functionality into integrated flange assemblies that combine the flange, through-openings, and associated fastening features into single manufacturable components. This merging reduces the total number of discrete parts compared to alternative mechanical connection systems while preserving the rapid assembly advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4065798B1Lattice structure for a tower of a wind turbine, and tower of a wind turbine

Publication Date: 2023.09.13 THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG PATENTE PATENT DEPARTMENT

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AI summary

The invention relates to a lattice structure (100) for a tower of a wind turbine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a tower of a wind turbine.