Wind Turbine Tower with Segmented Lattice and Tubular Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind turbine towers face limitations in height due to transportation constraints, particularly with tubular steel towers exceeding 120 meters, as larger diameters are difficult to transport over bridges and require complex and costly solutions for transitioning between tubular and latticed structures.
Innovation Solution
A tower design featuring an upper tubular section and a lower latticed section connected by a transition piece with support members arranged rotationally symmetrically around a central axis, incorporating acute angles and convex/concave sections to optimize force flow and reduce material usage, allowing for higher hub heights and improved load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If tubular steel towers with larger diameters are used to exceed 120m height, then tower height is improved, but transportability deteriorates due to bridge clearance limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into multiple transportable sections (lattice lower section and tubular upper section) that can be assembled on-site, allowing the tower to exceed bridge clearance limitations while achieving greater heights
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece transforms the cross-sectional geometry from circular (tubular) to polygonal (lattice), enabling the structure to adapt to transport constraints while maintaining structural integrity at height
2Ease of operation
If hybrid construction with lattice lower section and tubular upper section is used, then transportability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to complex transition requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece incorporates localized geometric features (convex and concave sections) at specific positions to optimize force flow, rather than requiring complex solutions throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece uses convex and concave curved sections to guide force flow smoothly between the lattice and tubular sections, reducing stress concentrations and simplifying the overall transition design
3Strength
If conventional transition pieces are used between lattice and tubular sections, then structural connection is achieved, but material usage worsens due to high material requirements for safety
Solution Approach 1:
The convex and concave sections of the transition piece create optimized force flow paths that distribute stresses more efficiently, reducing the amount of material needed while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
The transition piece geometry is optimized with specific angle ranges (α ≥ 30°, β < α) to improve force flow characteristics, reducing material requirements while maintaining structural integrity
4Ease of manufacture
If support members with single angle inclination are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but force flow optimization worsens leading to higher material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The support members feature localized convex and concave sections with different angles (α and β) at specific positions, optimizing force flow in critical areas while keeping other sections simpler
Solution Approach 2:
The convex and concave curved sections in the support members guide force flow more efficiently, reducing the overall material requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tower, particularly for a wind turbine, comprising an upper, tubular tower section and a lower, lattice-shaped tower section. The lower tower section has at least three support members. Furthermore, the tower has a transition piece connecting the upper tower section to the lower tower section. The support members are arranged essentially around a vertical longitudinal axis, preferably rotationally symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis. Each of the support members has at least two sections inclined to the vertical. In a first, upper section, the support members form an angle α with the vertical. In a second, lower section, the support members form an angle β with the vertical. The angle β is smaller than the angle α.