Wind Turbine Power Module Layout for Selective Current Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind turbine systems require multiple circuit breakers to manage current paths and interconnections between turbines, which can be complex and inefficient, especially in interconnected networks.

Innovation Solution

A wind turbine design with at least two circuit breakers and three electrical power transmission modules, each with a current path and a circuit breaker, allowing for efficient interruption of current paths and interconnections between turbines, with a gas-tight and space-saving encapsulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple circuit breakers are installed in wind turbine systems to manage current paths and interconnections, then the reliability of current interruption is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent interruption reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit breaker system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical power transmission system is segmented into three separate electrical power transmission modules, each with its own circuit breaker. This segmentation allows independent control and interruption of different current paths, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each electrical power transmission module is designed to perform multiple functions: it can transmit power from the generator, interconnect with other wind turbines, and provide independent circuit interruption. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.

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

2Reliability

If three electrical power transmission modules with circuit breakers are used to enable reliable current interruption and interconnection, then the reliability and operational continuity are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidpower transmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple electrical power transmission modules are merged into a single integrated system with a common busbar structure. This merging allows the modules to share common components and space, reducing overall system complexity and footprint while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple independent circuit breakers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical power transmission modules are arranged in a compact, nested configuration where modules are positioned adjacent to each other around the busbar. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization within the tower structure, reducing the space requirements despite having multiple modules with circuit breakers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If electrical power transmission modules are arranged side by side with interconnected housing parts for gas-tight encapsulation, then the reliability of gas-insulated current paths is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas-insulated current path reliabilityVSAvoidgas-tight encapsulation manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gas-tight encapsulation is segmented into separate housing parts for each electrical power transmission module. Each module has its own first housing part that can be manufactured and assembled independently, then interconnected with adjacent modules. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing compared to creating a single large gas-tight enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing parts of adjacent electrical power transmission modules are interconnected to form a continuous gas-tight enclosure for the busbar and current paths. This merging of separate modular housing parts achieves the required gas-tight encapsulation while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4430303B1Wind turbine system and interconnection of wind turbine systems
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4430303B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4430303B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4430303B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wind turbine system (1). The wind turbine system (1) comprises a generator (6), a tower (2), and an electrical energy transmission system (7) which is arranged in the tower (2) and which comprises a bus bar (8) and three mutually adjacent electrical energy transmission modules (9, 10, 11). Each electrical energy transmission module (9, 10, 11) has a current path (22) that connects the bus bar (8) to a cable termination (15) of the electrical energy transmission module (9, 10, 11). At least two electrical energy transmission modules (9, 10, 11) each comprise a circuit breaker (17) by means of which the current path (22) of the electrical energy transmission module (9, 10, 11) can be interrupted. The cable termination (15) of one of the electrical energy transmission modules (9, 10, 11) comprising a circuit breaker (17) is connected to the generator (6).