Wind Turbine Support Structure With Partial Longitudinal Welds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of wind turbine foundation piles is complicated and expensive due to the need for numerous long weld seams, which are time-consuming and costly to produce, especially when connecting steel plate segments with the same width but varying lengths.
Innovation Solution
The use of longitudinal weld seams with alternating full and partial seams, where the thickness of the weld seam is less than the metal plate thickness in sections, reduces the overall weld length and heat input, allowing for reliable connection of steel plate segments with varying wall thicknesses, and the incorporation of retaining clips to maintain structural integrity without continuous longitudinal welds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous longitudinal weld seams are used to connect steel plate segments, then structural strength and integrity are ensured, but production time and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial welding by using discrete weld segments instead of continuous weld seams. The weld segments are distributed along the longitudinal joint at specific intervals, providing sufficient structural integrity while significantly reducing the total weld length and production time compared to continuous welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous weld seam is segmented into discrete weld segments distributed along the longitudinal joint. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain adequate strength through strategically placed welds while reducing the overall welding time and manufacturing complexity.
2Reliability
If continuous longitudinal weld seams are used to connect steel plate segments, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat input and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using partial weld segments instead of continuous welds, the total heat input required for welding is significantly reduced. The weld segments are positioned to provide necessary structural integrity while minimizing the energy consumed in the welding process.
3Ease of manufacture
If steel plates of the same width are used for all segments, then manufacturing standardization is achieved, but adaptability to different structural requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs steel plates of uniform width for standardization in manufacturing, while achieving dimensional variation through different plate lengths. This allows the structure to be adapted to different requirements by varying the length of individual plate segments without compromising the standardization benefits of consistent width.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is divided into modular plate segments that can be manufactured with standardized width but varied lengths. This segmentation enables flexible assembly to meet different structural requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardization.
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 approach reduces the number and length of weld seams required, decreasing production time and costs while maintaining mechanical properties and dimensional stability, allowing for more efficient assembly of wind turbine foundation piles.
Implementation Method 1
the respective longitudinal edges are connected to one another by means of a weld seam
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a support structure, in particular for a wind turbine, comprising at least two sub-segments which are at least partly connected together and each of which is made of a metal plate that has a length and a width. The length is greater than the width, wherein each of the sub-segments has a longitudinal edge extending along the length, and joint surfaces resting against each other along the longitudinal edges are connected together via a welded connection. Each of the sub-segments has end-face edges extending along the width, said sub-segments being curved along their respective end-face edges. The invention is characterized in that each welded connection has a thickness in some sections which is smaller than the wall thickness of the metal plate and a thickness in some sections which corresponds at least to the wall thickness of the metal plate.