Wind Turbine Machine Support Inverted Pipe Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machine supports for gearless wind turbines face high static and dynamic loads, leading to deformations such as ovalization of tube sections connected to the rotor/generator assembly, which are inadequately counteracted by increased material usage.
Innovation Solution
The machine support connects the pipe section to the rotor/generator assembly via its lateral surface, forming a reinforced connection area that prevents ovalization, with a conical shape for enhanced stability and an opening surrounded by a stiffening frame for access, and a cover wall to further stabilize the tower section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pipe sections are connected via end edge surfaces facing away from the rotor/generator assembly, then the machine carrier can be constructed with standard connection methods, but the tube section experiences deformation (ovalization) under high static and dynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting the pipe sections with end edges facing each other (conventional approach), the invention inverts the connection geometry by having the end edge surface of one pipe section connect to the lateral surface of the other pipe section. This inverted connection arrangement fundamentally changes the load transfer path and prevents ovalization of the tube section while maintaining manufacturability.
2Strength
If the amount of material is increased to counteract deformations, then the strength and stability requirements are met, but the material usage becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a reinforced connection area where the lateral surface of one pipe section connects to the end edge surface of another pipe section. This localized reinforcement specifically targets the area subjected to highest stresses (the connection zone), providing enhanced deformation resistance precisely where needed without requiring excessive material throughout the entire structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lateral surface of the pipe section is made continuous to prevent ovalization, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the connection function with the structural reinforcement function by integrating the lateral surface connection directly into the pipe section geometry. The lateral surface of one pipe section is connected to the end edge surface of another pipe section, creating a unified reinforced connection area that simultaneously provides stability and simplifies the overall structure compared to separate reinforcement elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine support for receiving a rotor/generator assembly (2) of a gearless wind energy plant, wherein the machine support (1) connects the rotor/generator assembly (2) to the tower (3) of the wind energy plant, is mounted rotatably on the tower (3) and comprises pipe sections (8, 9) which are arranged at an angle to each other and one (9) of which can be connected to the rotor/generator assembly (2) and the other (8) can be connected to the tower (3). According to the invention, the pipe section (9) that can be connected to the rotor/generator assembly (2) is connected to the lateral surface of the other pipe section (8) by way of an end edge surface facing away from the rotor/generator assembly, and the lateral surface of the other pipe section (8) extends into the region surrounded by the connection (10).