Wind Turbine Foundation With Nested Equipment Hollow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hollow foundations for wind turbine towers require more material and are more expensive due to their increased height, which is necessitated by the space needed for additional equipment like post-tensioning devices, leading to a non-optimized design.
Innovation Solution
A hollow foundation with an optimized structural design where the central hollow's dimensions are tailored to accommodate additional equipment without increasing the foundation's height, using an annular base plate with a lower surface positioned below the supporting surface, and incorporating perimeter wall reinforcement and sealing elements to support ground pressure and prevent water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the foundation height is increased to accommodate post-tensioning equipment in the central hollow, then the equipment space requirement is satisfied, but the material usage and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the central hollow space vertically by extending equipment accommodation downward from the supporting surface level. The lower surface is positioned below the supporting surface, creating a downward-extending equipment space that does not increase the overall foundation height above ground level, thereby accommodating equipment without additional material usage.
2Quantity of substance
If the foundation height is reduced to minimize material usage, then construction cost decreases, but insufficient space is available for post-tensioning equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the equipment accommodation space within the existing central hollow of the foundation. By positioning the lower surface below the supporting surface and utilizing the vertical space within the annular base plate, the equipment space is nested within the foundation structure itself, eliminating the need for additional height or material while providing sufficient accommodation volume.
3Device complexity
If the lower surface is positioned at the same level as the supporting surface, then the foundation structure is simpler, but inadequate space is provided for equipment in the central hollow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the foundation vertical space into two distinct levels: the supporting surface level for load transmission and the lower surface level below it for equipment accommodation. This segmentation allows the foundation to fulfill both structural support function and equipment housing function independently, with each level optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Wind turbine foundation (1) comprising an annular base plate (2) comprising a supporting surface (3) and defining a central hollow (4) by at least an inner lateral surface (6). The central hollow (4) further comprises a lower surface (5) arranged at a level lower than a level of the supporting surface (3). In particular, the central hollow (4) has a dimension (D), defined by the distance between at least an inner upper surface (10) and the lower surface (5), established such as to allocate additional equipment between both surfaces. A method of constructing said wind turbine foundation (1) is also described.