Wind Turbine Machine Carrier Segmentation for Azimuth Drive Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbines face challenges in the design of the machine support due to significant forces and complex shaping requirements, leading to heavy, difficult-to-cast machine carriers and complex assembly processes, particularly with the direct attachment of azimuth drives which complicates production and transport.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a carrier plate with a hole pattern matching the azimuth bearing, allowing screw connections to pass through, which simplifies the attachment of the machine carrier to the azimuth bearing, reduces the number of holders needed, and allows for additional azimuth drives to distribute reaction forces, thereby reducing the carrier plate's thickness and complexity, and enabling easier assembly and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the machine carrier is designed as a cast part to absorb considerable forces, then the strength and stability are improved, but the mass and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The machine carrier is divided into a base element and separate support structures that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the need for a single heavy cast structure while maintaining overall strength and force absorption capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the machine carrier is designed with complex shape to accommodate drive units, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine carrier is segmented into a base element and separate support structures, each with simpler geometries that are easier to manufacture. The support structures can be added later to accommodate drive units, avoiding the need to cast a complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base element is manufactured first with a simpler geometry, and then support structures are added subsequently to accommodate drive units. This preliminary action allows for easier manufacturing of the main structure while maintaining the capability to accommodate various components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the machine carrier mass is increased to provide structural stability, then the stability is improved, but the ease of transport and assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine carrier is divided into separable components (base element and support structures) that can be transported and assembled more easily than a single heavy cast structure, while maintaining structural stability through proper connection design.
4Device complexity
If azimuth drives are mounted directly on the machine carrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into separate support structures that can be manufactured independently and assembled to the base element. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of each individual component while providing adequate support for azimuth drives.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine with a machine carrier (40) for receiving components for supporting the drive train of the wind turbine, wherein the machine carrier (40) has a flange with a hole pattern (41) identical to the hole pattern of the azimuth bearing of the wind turbine and a support plate (50) for receiving at least six azimuth drives (60) is provided, wherein the support plate (50) has a hole pattern (51) identical to the hole pattern of the azimuth bearing and is arranged between the machine carrier (40) and the azimuth bearing in such a way that the screw connection of the machine carrier (40) to the azimuth bearing is guided through the hole pattern (51) of the support plate (50).