Wind Turbine Tower Strake Support System for VIV Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for attaching helical strakes to wind turbine towers face challenges such as inconsistent installation, sagging and deformation of long and heavy strakes, and difficulty in maintaining a robust and repeatable pattern, leading to ineffective VIV mitigation, especially in taller and more slender towers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising rods with adjustable strake support guides that extend longitudinally along the tower, allowing for helical wrapping of strakes with each wrap supported by a guide, enabling consistent and robust installation, and allowing the guides to move between functional and stowed positions for ease of transport and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual installation of strakes is performed by personnel winding them around the tower, then installation can be completed, but the installation is difficult, time-consuming, and results in inconsistent arrangement of the strakes
Solution Approach 1:
A rod with strake support guides serves as an intermediary tool between the installer and the strake. The guides attach to the rod and provide structured support for the strake during installation, ensuring consistent spacing and arrangement while simplifying the installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The rod and strake support guides are prepared and attached to the tower section before the strake installation begins. This preliminary setup establishes the correct geometry and spacing for the strake, making the subsequent installation straightforward and consistent
2Length of moving object
If long and heavy strakes are used to wrap around the tower, then adequate coverage is achieved, but the strakes sag and deform, losing their installed pattern and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The strake support guides are attached to the rod before the strake installation, establishing the correct geometric pattern in advance. This preliminary structure supports the strake as it is installed, preventing sagging and deformation that would occur with long, heavy strakes alone
Solution Approach 2:
The strake support guides act as an intermediary structure between the strake and the tower. They provide temporary support during installation and maintain the strake's position and pattern, preventing sagging while the strake is being installed
3Reliability
If helical strakes are wrapped around the tower to prevent VIV, then vortex shedding is disrupted, but the installation is time-consuming and results in crane downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The installation system is segmented into modular components: the rod, multiple strake support guides, and the strake itself. This segmentation allows for efficient assembly and installation, reducing the time required while maintaining VIV mitigation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The rod and strake support guides are prepared and attached to the tower section before the strake is installed. This preliminary action streamlines the overall installation process, reducing the time the crane and tower are occupied
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5a~8
AI summary
A wind turbine includes a tower and a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) mitigation system configured on the tower. The VIV mitigation system has a rod attached to an outer surface of the tower and extending longitudinally along an axis of the tower. A plurality of strake support guides extend transversely from and are spaced apart along the rod, the strake support guides comprising a length and a shape to retain a strake supported thereon. A strake is wrapped in a helical pattern around the tower, wherein at least a plurality of wraps of the strake are laid on and supported by the strake support guides.