Wind Turbine Vibration Isolator with Alternating Elastic-Rigid Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibration isolators for wind turbines are inadequate in resisting vertical and horizontal loads, leading to potential damage from dynamic loads like earthquakes and wind loads, and they pose environmental concerns due to the use of lead, while also failing to effectively dampen vibrations and temperature-related stresses.
Innovation Solution
A vibration isolator system for wind turbines featuring a circular arrangement of bearing units with alternating elastic and rigid material layers, including a bolt-type core member and an elastic material cover, with concave and convex portions for self-alignment and reduced lead usage, utilizing materials like Pb, Sn, Zn, and Al for improved vibration isolation and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional lead rubber bearing (LRB) with a large lead core is used to improve resistance to horizontal wind loads, then the resistance effect is improved, but the elastic restoring force decreases and environmental problems arise from large lead usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the core from lead to lead-free materials such as steel, stainless steel, or other metals. This substitution maintains the structural support function while eliminating environmental pollution from lead usage. The core member is configured with specific dimensional parameters (diameter D1, length L1) to optimize its load-bearing capacity without relying on lead's properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful lead material from the vibration isolator system while retaining the essential function of horizontal load resistance. The lead core is replaced with a metal core member that provides structural support without the environmental drawbacks of lead, effectively separating the useful function (load resistance) from the harmful substance (lead).
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wind tower is securely supported by welding the bottom to the concrete foundation through the flange, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to react to dynamic loads such as earthquakes and wind loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration isolator as an intermediary component between the wind tower flange and the concrete foundation. This isolator includes elastic material layers that can deform under dynamic loads, allowing the system to absorb and dissipate energy from earthquakes and wind loads while maintaining structural stability. The isolator acts as a buffer that protects the rigid connection from dynamic stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid connection (welding) to a dynamic connection that can adapt to varying loads. The vibration isolator incorporates elastic elements and a metal core member that can deform and recover, providing dynamic response capabilities to handle transient loads from earthquakes and wind while maintaining overall structural stability.
3Reliability
If a vibration isolator with inner rubber layers and reinforcing steel plates is used to isolate earthquake vibrations, then vibration isolation is improved, but resistance to vertical and horizontal loads is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining elastic material layers (providing vibration isolation) with a metal core member (providing load-bearing capacity). The elastic layers absorb vibrational energy through deformation, while the rigid metal core maintains structural integrity under vertical and horizontal loads, creating a composite system that exhibits both isolating and strengthening properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration isolator is segmented into distinct functional components: elastic material layers for vibration isolation and a metal core member for load resistance. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function while working together as an integrated system, overcoming the limitations of homogeneous structures.
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
The system effectively isolates vibrations and loads, reduces environmental lead usage, and enhances resistance to both vertical and horizontal forces, ensuring structural stability and minimizing damage from dynamic loads and temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic body having inner rubber layers 13 and reinforcing steel plates 12 stacked alternately... the LRB isolates the earthquake vibration by shear de-formation of the inner rubber layers 13 having elastic properties
Implementation Method 2
a metal core member 111 penetrating a stack of the elastic material layers 114 and the rigid material layers 113
Implementation Method 3
the LRB isolates the earthquake vibration by shear de-formation of the inner rubber layers 13 having elastic properties to artificially increase a natural frequency of the wind tower
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration isolator of a wind turbine system installed between a wind tower and a concrete foundation includes a plurality of bearing units arranged along the periphery of a flange of the wind tower, each bearing unit having elastic material layers and rigid material layers stacked alternately.