Modular Supply Modules for Wind Turbine Tower Internals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of tower internals in wind turbine towers, including power transmission lines and climbing equipment, is complex and hazardous due to the need for assembly at great heights, especially in large towers that require multiple segments and diverse system components.
Innovation Solution
Preassembling system components like power and signal control means, lighting, and climbing devices into separate supply modules that can span several tower segments, allowing for ground-level assembly and rapid installation by raising and connecting these modules within the tower, with specialized holder adapters for secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tower internals are installed individually at great heights during tower assembly, then the tower can accommodate various system components, but the installation process becomes complex and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The tower internals are divided into separate supply modules, each containing specific system components (power transmission lines, signal control means, climbing devices). These modules are pre-assembled on the ground and then installed as complete units within the tower, eliminating the need for complex individual assembly at great heights while maintaining versatility in accommodating different component configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply modules are pre-assembled and prepared on the ground before installation in the tower. This preliminary assembly allows all connection work, positioning, and safety checks to be completed at ground level, avoiding the hazards and complexity of performing these tasks at great heights during tower assembly.
2Ease of operation
If tower internals are assembled individually at great heights, then system components can be installed, but the work becomes dangerous due to height
Solution Approach 1:
All assembly operations for supply modules are performed on the ground before installation. This includes positioning components, making electrical connections, and securing climbing devices. By completing all work at ground level, the patent eliminates safety hazards associated with working at great heights during assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply modules serve as intermediary units that are first assembled and tested on the ground, then installed as complete packages into the tower. This intermediary approach allows all complex assembly work to be performed in a safe, controlled environment at ground level, while the modules themselves handle the complexity of accommodating multiple system components within the tower structure.
3Device complexity
If tower segments are made larger to reduce the number of segments, then assembly is simplified, but road transport becomes feasible only for segments up to certain size
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into manageable segments that can be transported by road, with the supply modules designed to fit within these segments. The segmentation allows for practical road transport while maintaining the ability to assemble the complete tower structure through modular installation of the supply modules within the tower segments.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind power plant tower consisting of a multiplicity of tower segments (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), which are arranged one on top of the other and enclose an interior tower space, and at least two system components arranged therein, comprising directing means, lighting means and a climbing device (24) for operating personnel, wherein segments for at least two of those system components are structurally combined with a beam (30) to form a separate supply module (3) spanning a number of tower segments. The laborious assembly of the system components can thus be carried out at ground level, and only the supply module (3) thus completed, which spans a number of segments (11, 12, 13, 14), is then mounted in the tower. This obviates the need for a considerable amount of work in the form of hazardous working in the tower.