Wind Turbine Lightning Protection Holder with Integrated Spark Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lightning protection systems for wind turbines require multiple components and complex mounting processes, making them costly and difficult to handle, while they do not effectively manage lower-level lightning currents known as leaders.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating the spark gap element as an integral part of the holder in the sliding connection assembly, eliminating the need for a separate mounting plate and reducing the number of parts to be mounted, with a symmetrical arrangement of spark gaps on both sides of the sliding connector to minimize lightning current passage through it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate mounting plate is used to attach the spark gap element and sliding connector, then the components can be mounted independently, but the number of parts increases and the mounting process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to integrate both the spark gap element and the sliding connector into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for a separate mounting plate and reduces the total number of parts, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If the spark gap element is integrated into the holder as one piece, then the number of parts is reduced and handling is simplified, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spark gap element is nested within or integrated into the holder structure as a single molded piece. This nesting approach allows both components to be manufactured together in one process, reducing the number of parts while the molding process handles the manufacturing complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spark gaps are provided only on one side of the sliding connector, then the structure is simpler, but lightning current can pass more easily through the sliding connector
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with symmetrical spark gap elements on both sides of the sliding connector. This symmetrical arrangement creates multiple parallel paths for lightning current, forcing the current to pass through the spark gaps rather than the sliding connector, thereby improving protection while the symmetry itself simplifies the design logic.
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 solution simplifies the handling and reduces costs by integrating the spark gap into the holder, providing effective protection against lightning currents by creating electrical arcs on both sides of the sliding connector, thereby minimizing damage and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
During the main discharge of a lightning, where a very strong lightning current flows within a very short period of time, an electric arc is generated in the spark gap due to the strong electrical fields.
Implementation Method 2
a sliding contact connection is provided parallel to the spark gap between the lightning down-conductor and the rotor hub, said sliding contact connection ensuring an electrical contact between said lightning down-conductor and said rotor hub irrespective of the pitch angle of the blade
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Electrical connection device for a wind turbine, wind turbine and method for producing an electrical connection device Electrical connection device (1) for a lightning protection system in a wind turbine (11), the electrical connection device (1) being mountable to a first component of the wind turbine (11) and comprising a sliding connection assembly providing an electrical connection between the electrical connection device (1) and a respective electrical connector (6) of a second component of the wind turbine (11), wherein the first and second components are movable relative to each other, and a spark gap element (5) providing a spark gap (7) between the first and second components, wherein the sliding connection assembly comprises a holder (2) and a sliding connector mounted, in particular spring-loadedly, to the holder (2), wherein the spark gap element (5) is provided as a part of the holder (2).