Wind Turbine Support Structure Reinforcing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines face challenges in operational stability and maintenance due to dynamic loading and stress concentrations around fastening recesses, which can lead to increased stress and potential corrosion, particularly in areas with varying loads.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine design featuring a support structure with dynamically loaded structural components and a separate reinforcing element that can be screwed into place using prestressed screw connections, reducing stress concentrations and allowing for flexible reinforcement without increasing the structural component's thickness, and enabling the use of the same operating medium across different turbine sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the structural component wall thickness is increased to improve fatigue strength, then the fatigue strength is improved, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement is divided into separate modular reinforcement elements that can be independently attached to the structural component. These elements are fastened using screw connections at multiple fastening recesses, allowing the reinforcement function to be segmented across multiple detachable components rather than requiring a monolithic thickened structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing reinforcement in the radial direction (wall thickness), the solution adds reinforcement elements in the axial direction that extend between support structures. This dimensional shift provides fatigue strength improvement without increasing the radial space requirement of the structural component.
2Strength
If the structural component wall thickness is increased to improve fatigue strength, then the fatigue strength is improved, but the installation space for operating equipment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement function is segmented into separate reinforcement elements that are attached to the structural component rather than being integrated into it. This segmentation preserves the original outer dimensions of the structural component, maintaining installation space for operating equipment while providing the necessary fatigue strength through the attached reinforcement elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement is achieved by adding elements in the axial dimension rather than increasing the radial wall thickness. This dimensional change allows the structural component to maintain its original radial profile and installation clearances while gaining fatigue strength through the extended reinforcement elements.
3Ease of repair
If fastening recesses are provided in dynamically loaded regions for maintenance equipment, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but stress concentrations and fatigue strength are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of maintenance access and fatigue reinforcement are merged by using the same fastening recesses for both purposes. The reinforcement elements are fastened at the same locations where maintenance equipment needs to attach, so that the presence of reinforcement holes does not compromise fatigue strength while maintaining maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The potentially harmful effect of stress concentrations at fastening recesses is converted into a benefit by placing reinforcement elements at these exact locations. The reinforcement elements compensate for the stress concentrating effect of the holes, transforming the weakness created by maintenance access requirements into a strengthened region that actually improves fatigue performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a separate reinforcement element is used instead of increasing wall thickness, then flexibility in reinforcement is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement system is made dynamic and adjustable through detachable screw connections. The reinforcement elements can be attached, detached, or repositioned as needed, allowing the reinforcement configuration to adapt to different operational requirements and maintenance needs, transforming a static monolithic structure into a dynamic modular system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement is segmented into separate elements that can be independently configured and attached. This segmentation provides flexibility in designing the reinforcement pattern to match specific load conditions and maintenance requirements, while the modular nature allows for easier manufacturing and assembly compared to a custom thickened structural component.
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 design enhances operational strength and stability by distributing forces more favorably, reducing stress increases around fastening recesses, and providing corrosion protection, while allowing for flexible reinforcement and maintenance without the need for adapters or increased resource allocation.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcing element is screwed to the fastening section of the structural component by means of defined prestressed screw connections with screw fastening means introduced into at least some of the fastening recesses
Implementation Method 2
The bolted connection of the reinforcement element to the structural component during operation allows for a more favorable stress distribution in the supporting structure under forces occurring during operation
Implementation Method 3
By inserting screw fasteners into the fastening recesses and by covering the structural component with a reinforcing element, surfaces of the structural component can also be protected from contamination and/or corrosion
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wind turbine having a support structure (10) and to a method for operating a wind turbine, the support structure (10) comprising a structural component (1) and a reinforcing element (3), the structural component (1) having fastening holes (4A, 4B) provided for fastening an operating means. The wind turbine can be operated in at least two states; in an operating state, the reinforcing element (3) is screwed to the fastening portion (2) of the structural component (1) by means of screw connections (5A, 5B) which are preloaded in a defined manner, using the fastening holes (4A, 4B), and, in the maintenance state, the screw connections (5A, 5B) are released and the reinforcing element (3) is removed from the structural component (1) of the support structure (10), and an operating means can be connected to the fastening portion (2) of the structural component (1) using the fastening holes (4A, 4B) provided for fastening an operating means.