Wind Turbine Tower Section With Variable Width Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of wind turbines requires taller and larger masts that are difficult to transport and assemble, posing challenges in mechanical strength, manufacturing costs, and assembly time, while existing solutions do not adequately address the risk of buckling and assembly efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wind turbine mast section design featuring second connectors with a varying width that increases from a first width to a second width greater than the first, providing enhanced mechanical strength and ease of assembly, along with a polygonal cross-section and specific connector shapes to distribute stresses effectively, allowing for improved rigidity and reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the mast height and diameter are increased to support larger wind turbines, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the mechanical strength and risk of buckling become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is divided into multiple mast sections that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. Each mast section contains multiple mast elements connected by connectors, allowing the overall mast to achieve great height while maintaining transportability and structural integrity through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The second connectors have a variable width that increases from a first width at the first connector to a second width before the junction plane, creating local structural reinforcement where needed to distribute stresses effectively and prevent buckling in specific critical areas
2Length of moving object
If the mast is transported in portions and assembled in situ, then the transport difficulty is reduced, but the assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is segmented into transportable mast sections that are assembled on-site through standardized connectors, reducing transport difficulty while the simplified connector design and alignment features minimize assembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The mast elements and connectors are designed with pre-configured geometries and alignment features that facilitate quick and accurate assembly, reducing the time and complexity of on-site construction
3Volume of moving object
If the mast size is increased, then the wind turbine capacity is improved, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large mast is divided into smaller mast sections with standardized connectors, reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while enabling the construction of very tall masts through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are designed with universal features that can accommodate different mast element configurations, simplifying the assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity across the entire mast structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tower section (1) for a wind turbine comprising at least two tower elements (14) stacked and arranged edge-to-edge on a joining plane (P), each tower element (14) comprising at least two wall segments (16), connected together by first connectors (26), the tower section (1) also comprising second connectors (30) each extending astride the two adjacent tower elements (14) in the longitudinal direction. Each second connector (30) forms a longitudinal extension of a first connector (26) and has a width which increases, starting at said first connector (26), from a first width substantially equal to the width of the first connector (26), to a second width strictly greater than the first width, the second width being reached before the joining plane (P), starting at the first connector (26).