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Platform assembly for a wind turbine tower

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-07-11
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a modular platform assembly for a wind turbine tower that provides a structural support for the platform assembly relative to the tower. The assembly includes multiple plate members connected together to form a structural support grid. The plate members have outboard sides that define a circumferential section of the platform assembly. The platform assembly can be mounted at different heights within the tower and have different diameters to accommodate the different radii of the tower. The invention allows for easier installation and maintenance of the platform assembly and reduces the number of components needed for the wind turbine.

Problems solved by technology

Steel beams are heavy, have to be lifted with a crane when mounting the platform in the tower, and are thus generally difficult to install.
Further, a significant number of bosses, clip plates, and the like, are necessary to mount the plate to the beams, which is both time and cost intensive.
This vertical sheet section of the platform may provide some degree of stability, however the cold forming process is technically demanding and cost intensive.

Method used

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  • Platform assembly for a wind turbine tower
  • Platform assembly for a wind turbine tower
  • Platform assembly for a wind turbine tower

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Embodiment Construction

[0023]Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0024]Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a conventional wind turbine 10 that may utilize one or more platform assembly 20 in accordance with aspects of the invention. As shown, the wind turbine 10 gener...

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Abstract

A modular platform assembly for a wind turbine tower includes a plurality of individual, multi-sided plate members, with each plate member connected to at least one other plate member along a common side. At least certain of the plate members have an outboard side that defines a circumferential section of the platform assembly. The connected common sides of the plate members define a structural support grid that connects to a wall within a wind turbine tower at a plurality of circumferential positions for supporting the platform assembly relative to the tower.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to wind turbines and, more particularly, to a platform assembly within the tower of a wind turbine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Platforms in wind turbine towers provide operators safe access to areas of a wind turbine that may require servicing, maintenance and inspection. For example, the platforms are typically located adjacent to the tower flange bolts for safe and easy inspection of the flange bolts. Typically, a number of service platforms are located at different heights in the turbine tower and are fixed by welding or with bolts to the tower wall.[0003]A conventional type of platform includes a metal plate, typically a checker plate, which is supported by a number of steel beams fixed to the tower walls. Steel beams are heavy, have to be lifted with a crane when mounting the platform in the tower, and are thus generally difficult to install. Further, a significant number of bosses, clip plates, and t...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E04H12/34
CPCE04H12/34E04H12/08E04H12/12Y02E10/728
Inventor REED, JAMES E.BUTTS, JAMES C.
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO