Wind Turbine Platform Segmentation for Tower Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and expense of providing customized platform arrangements for wind turbines, as existing solutions require multiple customized platforms for different sections of the turbine, leading to inefficient and costly installations.

Innovation Solution

A standardized platform with a customizable frame, where the platform is of a uniform size, fitting all applications, and the frame is adapted to specific dimensions, allowing for efficient mounting and reduced complexity in installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If customized platforms are provided for each section of the wind turbine, then the platform fits the specific dimensions of each section, but the complexity and cost of providing multiple customized platforms increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform fit to section dimensionsVSAvoidnumber of customized platforms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into two distinct components: a standardized base platform and a customized frame. The base platform remains uniform across all sections, while the frame is segmented and adapted to specific dimensional requirements of each tower section, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single standardized base platform design serves multiple functions across different wind turbine sections. This universal platform can be used in various locations (bottom part, middle section, top part of tower) while only the frame needs customization, eliminating the need for entirely customized platforms for each section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If customized platforms are provided for each section of the wind turbine, then the platform fits the specific dimensions of each section, but the cost of providing multiple customized platforms increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform fit to section dimensionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of platforms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the platform into standardized base and customized frame components, manufacturing costs are reduced. The base platform can be mass-produced using standardized processes, while only the frames require customization for specific sections, significantly lowering overall manufacturing expenses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal base platform design enables economies of scale in manufacturing. A single standardized platform design can be produced in larger quantities at lower cost, while the customized frames are the only elements requiring section-specific manufacturing, thereby reducing total cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple customized platforms are used, then each platform can be optimized for its specific location, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform optimization for locationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation into standardized base and customized frame allows for pre-assembly and preparation of components before installation. The standardized bases can be prepared in advance, and during installation, only the frames need to be adapted to specific sections, significantly reducing on-site installation time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized base platforms can be manufactured and prepared in advance at the factory with all necessary components pre-assembled. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, reducing installation time while maintaining location-specific optimization through customized frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3538759B1Wind turbine and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS
  • EP3538759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3538759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3538759B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a platform arrangement (1) of a wind turbine, the platform arrangement (1) comprising a platform (11) and a frame, wherein the platform (11) is destined to be attached to the interior of a tower (35) or a supporting structure (30) of the wind turbine by means of the frame, and wherein the platform (11) is a standardized component while the frame is specifically adapted to the dimensions of the specific section of the tower (35) or the supporting struc- ture (30) where the platform arrangement (1) is destined to be mounted to. The invention is furthermore related to a mod- ularized unit (10) comprising several such platform arrange- ments (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to an electri- cal device (20) comprising such a modularized unit (10) and corresponding electrical equipment. The invention furthermore relates to a wind turbine generating electricity comprising such a unit (10). Finally, the invention relates to a method of mounting electrical equipment for controlling a wind tur- bine at a wind turbine.