Wind turbine tower section

Abstract

A tower section 12 for a wind turbine is provided, the tower section 12 comprising: an upper section 100 including a lower flange 110; a lower section 200 including an upper flange 210; a plurality of first bolted connectors including a first bolt 310 and a first nut 320; and a plurality of second bolted connectors including a second bolt 410 and a second nut 420; wherein the first bolted connectors and the second bolted connectors connect the lower flange 110 to the upper flange 210; and wherein the first bolt 310 and the second bolt 410 have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This topic generally relates to wind turbines, and more specifically to the connecting segments of wind turbine towers. Background Technology

[0002] Wind power is considered one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly energy sources available today, and wind turbines are receiving increasing attention in this area. A modern wind turbine typically consists of a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades extract kinetic energy from the wind using the known airfoil principle and transfer this kinetic energy through rotation to rotate a shaft that connects the rotor blades to the gearbox (or, if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator). The generator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which can be deployed to the public grid.

[0003] Larger wind turbines offer the advantage of greater power generation capacity. However, larger wind turbines have corresponding structural requirements. Therefore, providing such a structure is a challenge. Therefore, this disclosure relates to such structures for wind turbines (especially for wind turbine towers). Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention.

[0005] In a first aspect, this disclosure relates to a tower section of a wind turbine, the tower section comprising: an upper section including a lower flange; a lower section including an upper flange; a plurality of first bolt connectors including a first bolt and a first nut; a plurality of second bolt connectors including a second bolt and a second nut; wherein the first bolt connectors and the second bolt connectors connect the lower flange to the upper flange; and wherein the first bolt and the second bolt have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section.

[0006] In a second aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for connecting a lower segment to an upper segment of a tower section of a wind turbine, wherein the upper segment includes a lower flange and the lower segment includes an upper flange, the method comprising: installing a first bolt and a first nut to construct a plurality of first bolted connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange; and installing a second bolt and a second nut to construct a plurality of second bolted connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange, wherein the second bolted connections are installed differently from the first bolted connections.

[0007] In a third aspect, this disclosure relates to a tower section of a wind turbine, the tower section comprising: an upper section including a lower flange; a lower section including an upper flange; a plurality of first bolted connectors including a first bolt, a first nut, and a first spacer; and a plurality of second bolted connectors including a second bolt, a second nut, and a second spacer; wherein the first bolted connectors and the second bolted connectors connect the lower flange to the upper flange; and wherein the first spacer is disposed on the first bolt above the lower flange; and wherein the second spacer is disposed on the second bolt below the upper flange.

[0008] Technical Solution 1. A tower section for a wind turbine, the tower section comprising:

[0009] - Upper segment, which includes the lower flange;

[0010] -The lower segment, which includes the upper flange;

[0011] - A plurality of first bolted connectors, each including a first bolt and a first nut; and

[0012] - Multiple second bolted connectors, including second bolts and second nuts;

[0013] The first bolt connector and the second bolt connector connect the lower flange to the upper flange; and

[0014] The first bolt and the second bolt have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section.

[0015] Technical Solution 2. The tower section according to Technical Solution 1, wherein the upper flange and the lower flange each include a plurality of bolt holes for the plurality of first bolt connectors and the plurality of second bolt connectors.

[0016] Technical Solution 3. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein the upper flange and the lower flange are made of metal.

[0017] Technical Solution 4. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein each of the plurality of first bolted connectors and the plurality of second bolted connectors comprises at least 30% of all bolted connectors connecting the lower flange to the upper flange.

[0018] Technical Solution 5. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein the first bolt connector is installed along a first direction and the second bolt connector is installed along a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

[0019] Technical Solution 6. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein the separation distance between one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and one of the plurality of second bolted connectors is less than the distance required for the tool to tighten at least one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and the plurality of second bolted connectors in a single plane.

[0020] Technical Solution 7. According to any of the aforementioned technical solutions, the first bolt connector includes a first spacer, and the second bolt connector includes a second spacer, wherein the first spacer is disposed on the first bolt above the lower flange, and wherein the second spacer is disposed on the second bolt below the upper flange.

[0021] Technical Solution 8. The tower section according to Technical Solution 7, wherein the first spacer has an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the head of one of the second bolts, and the second spacer has an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the head of one of the first bolts.

[0022] Technical Solution 9. The tower section according to any one of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein,

[0023] The lower flange includes a first lower flange through hole for the first bolted connector and a second lower flange through hole for the second bolted connector, wherein the first lower flange through hole is unthreaded and the second lower flange through hole is threaded; and wherein

[0024] The upper flange includes a first upper flange through hole for the first bolted connector and a second upper flange through hole for the second bolted connector, wherein the first upper flange through hole is threaded and the second upper flange through hole is unthreaded.

[0025] Technical Solution 10. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein the first bolt is threadedly engaged with the upper flange, and wherein the second bolt is threadedly engaged with the lower flange.

[0026] Technical Solution 11. The tower section according to any of the foregoing technical solutions, wherein the upper section is part of the yaw transmission device, and / or wherein the lower section is part of the base section.

[0027] Technical Solution 12. A method for connecting a lower segment to an upper segment of a tower section of a wind turbine, wherein the upper segment includes a lower flange and the lower segment includes an upper flange, the method comprising:

[0028] - Install a plurality of first bolts and a plurality of first nuts to construct a plurality of first bolted connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange; and

[0029] - Install multiple second bolts and multiple second nuts to construct multiple second bolted connections that connect the lower flange to the upper flange;

[0030] The plurality of second bolt connectors are installed differently from the plurality of first bolt connectors.

[0031] Technical Solution 13. The method according to Technical Solution 12, wherein the method further includes:

[0032] - Tighten the plurality of first bolt connectors from the side above the lower flange; and

[0033] - Tighten the plurality of second bolt connectors from the side below the upper flange.

[0034] Technical Solution 14. The method according to Technical Solution 12 or 13, wherein the method further comprises:

[0035] Before installing the plurality of first bolts and the plurality of second bolts, align the plurality of first lower flange through holes with the plurality of first upper flange through holes and align the plurality of second upper flange through holes with the plurality of second lower flange through holes.

[0036] The plurality of first lower flange through holes and the plurality of second upper flange through holes are unthreaded, while the first upper flange through holes and the second lower flange through holes are threaded.

[0037] Technical Solution 15. The method according to Technical Solution 12 or 13, wherein:

[0038] - Installing the plurality of first bolts and the plurality of first nuts includes installing a plurality of first spacers on the plurality of first bolts from a side portion above the lower flange; and

[0039] Installing the plurality of second bolts and the plurality of second nuts includes installing a plurality of second spacers on the plurality of second bolts from a side portion below the upper flange.

[0040] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further supported and described with reference to the following description and the appended claims. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The complete and enabling disclosure of the invention (including its best mode) to those skilled in the art is set forth in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1 A perspective view of a wind turbine is shown;

[0043] Figure 2 A simplified interior view of the nacelle of a wind turbine is shown.

[0044] Figure 3 A simplified side view representation of a portion of the tower section of a wind turbine according to this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 4 A method for connecting tower sections of a wind turbine according to this disclosure is shown;

[0046] Figure 5 A simplified side view representation of one embodiment of a portion of the tower section of a wind turbine according to this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 6 A simplified side view representation of a portion of the tower section of a wind turbine according to this disclosure is shown; and

[0048] Figure 7 A method for connecting tower segments of a wind turbine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the figures. Each example is provided as an explanation of the invention and is not intended to limit it. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from its scope or spirit. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, it is intended that the invention cover such modifications and variations as falling within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0050] Now refer to the diagram. Figure 1 A perspective view of one embodiment of a wind turbine 10 according to the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the wind turbine 10 generally includes a tower 12 extending from a support surface 14, a nacelle 16 mounted on the tower 12, and a rotor 18 coupled to the nacelle 16.

[0051] like Figure 1As shown, rotor 18 includes a rotatable hub 20 and at least one rotor blade 22 coupled to and extending outward from the hub 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, rotor 18 includes three rotor blades 22. However, in alternative embodiments, rotor 18 may include more or fewer than three rotor blades 22. Each rotor blade 22 may be spaced around the hub 20 to allow rotation of rotor 18 to convert kinetic energy from wind into usable mechanical energy and subsequently into electrical energy. For example, hub 20 may be rotatably coupled to generator 24 located within nacelle 16. Figure 2 This allows for the generation of electrical energy.

[0052] The wind turbine 10 may also include a wind turbine controller 26 centralized within the nacelle 16. However, in other embodiments, the controller 26 may be located within any other component of the wind turbine 10 or at a location outside the wind turbine 10. Furthermore, the controller 26 may be communicatively coupled to any number of components of the wind turbine 10 to control those components. Therefore, the controller 26 may include a computer or other suitable processing unit. Accordingly, in several embodiments, the controller 26 may include suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented, configure the controller 26 to perform various functions, such as receiving, transmitting, and / or executing wind turbine control signals.

[0053] Now refer to Figure 2 , showing Figure 1 A simplified internal view of one embodiment of the nacelle 16 of the wind turbine 10 is shown, with particular emphasis on its drivetrain components. More specifically, as shown, a generator 24 may be coupled to a rotor 18 to generate electrical power from the rotational energy produced by the rotor 18. The rotor 18 may be coupled to a main shaft 34, which is rotatable via a main bearing (not shown). The main shaft 34 is then rotatably coupled to the gearbox output shaft 36 of the generator 24 via a gearbox 30. The gearbox 30 may include a gearbox housing 38 connected to a base plate 46 via one or more torque arms 48. More specifically, in some embodiments, the base plate 46 may be a forged member in which the main bearing (not shown) is housed, and through which the main shaft 34 extends. As generally understood, in response to the rotation of the rotor blades 22 and hub 20, the main shaft 34 provides a low-speed, high-torque input to the gearbox 30. Therefore, gearbox 30 converts low-speed, high-torque input into high-speed, low-torque output to drive gearbox output shaft 36 and thus drive generator 24.

[0054] Each rotor blade 22 may also include a pitch adjustment mechanism 32 configured to rotate each rotor blade 22 about its pitch axis 28 via a pitch bearing 40. Similarly, the wind turbine 10 may include one or more yaw drive mechanisms 42 communicatively coupled to the controller 26, wherein each yaw drive mechanism 42 is configured to change the angle of the nacelle 16 relative to the wind (e.g., by engaging a yaw bearing 44 of the wind turbine 10).

[0055] Some embodiments related to this disclosure are described below. The upper flange and lower flange may each include a plurality of bolt holes for a plurality of first bolt connections and a plurality of second bolt connections. The upper flange and lower flange may be made of metal. Each of the plurality of first bolt connections and the plurality of second bolt connections may each include at least 30% of all bolt connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange. The first bolt connections may be mounted in a first direction, and the second bolt connections may be mounted in a second direction, wherein the first direction may be different from the second direction. The separation distance separating one of the plurality of first bolt connections and one of the plurality of second bolt connections may be less than the distance required for a tool to tighten one of the plurality of first bolt connections and / or one of the second bolt connections in a single plane. The first bolt connection may include a first spacer, and the second bolt connection may include a second spacer, wherein the first spacer may be disposed on a first bolt above the lower flange, and wherein the second spacer may be disposed on a second bolt below the upper flange. The first spacer may have an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the head of one of the second bolts, and the second spacer may have an axial length at least equal to the thickness of the head of one of the first bolts. The lower flange may include a first lower flange through-hole for the first bolt connection and a second lower flange through-hole for the second bolt connection, wherein the first lower flange through-hole may be unthreaded and the second lower flange through-hole may be threaded. The upper flange may include a first upper flange through-hole for the first bolt connection and a second upper flange through-hole for the second bolt connection, wherein the first upper flange through-hole may be threaded and the second upper flange through-hole may be unthreaded. The first bolt may be threadedly engaged with the upper flange, and the second bolt may be threadedly engaged with the lower flange. The upper segment may be part of a yaw drive, and the lower segment may be part of a base segment. A method according to some embodiments may include tightening a plurality of first bolt connections from a side above the lower flange and tightening a plurality of second bolt connections from a side below the upper flange. The method may include aligning a plurality of first lower flange through holes with a plurality of first upper flange through holes and aligning a plurality of second upper flange through holes with a plurality of second lower flange through holes before installing a plurality of first bolts and a plurality of second bolts, wherein the plurality of first lower flange through holes and the plurality of second upper flange through holes may be unthreaded, and the first upper flange through holes and the second lower flange through holes may be threaded. The method of installing a plurality of first bolts and a plurality of first nuts may include installing a plurality of first spacers on the plurality of first bolts from a side above the lower flange; and the method of installing a plurality of second bolts and a plurality of second nuts may include installing a plurality of second spacers on the plurality of second bolts from a side below the upper flange.

[0056] Now refer to Figure 3The image shows a simplified representation of a portion of a wind turbine 10. In a typical embodiment, tower section 12 may include an upper section 100 and a lower section 200. The upper section 100 may include a lower flange 110. The lower section 200 may include an upper flange 210. The lower flange 110 may typically be connected to the upper flange 210 by a plurality of bolted connections. The bolted connections may include a first bolted connection and a second bolted connection. Each of the bolted connections may include a bolt and a nut. The first bolted connection may include a first bolt 310 and a first nut 320. The second bolted connection may include a second bolt 410 and a second nut 420. The first bolted connection may be installed separately from the second bolted connection.

[0057] In some embodiments, the upper flange 210 and the lower flange 110 may each include a plurality of bolt holes for a plurality of first bolted connectors and second bolted connectors. The lower flange 110 may include a first lower flange through hole 331 and / or a second lower flange through hole 432. Similarly, the upper flange 210 may include a first upper flange through hole 332 and / or a second upper flange through hole 431. The first lower flange through hole 331 and / or the first upper flange through hole 332 may be used for the first bolted connectors and / or the first bolts 310. Similarly, the second lower flange through hole 432 and / or the second upper flange through hole 431 may be used for the second bolted connectors and / or the second bolts 310.

[0058] In some other embodiments, the first bolt 310 may be secured by a first nut 320, and / or the second bolt 410 may be secured by a second nut 420. The first nut 320 may be secured to the first bolt 310 and / or from the upper side of the lower flange 110, and / or the second nut 420 may be secured to the second bolt 410 and / or from the lower side of the upper flange 210. The upper side of the lower flange 110 may be the same as the side above the lower flange 110. Similarly, the lower side of the upper flange 210 may be the same as the side below the upper flange 210. The first bolt 310 and / or the second bolt 410 may be an end bolt, a hexagonal head bolt, a tower bolt, a hexagonal head tower bolt, and / or a 12-point bolt. The first nut 320 and / or the second nut 420 may be a hexagonal nut and / or a 12-point nut.

[0059] In some embodiments, the upper flange 210 and the lower flange 110 may be made of metal (e.g., carbon steel, high-strength low-alloy steel, or corrosion-resistant steel). The upper segment 100 may be part of a yaw transmission. The lower segment 200 may be part of a base segment. Each of the plurality of first bolted connections and the plurality of second bolted connections may each comprise at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, or even more preferably at least 45% of all bolted connections connecting the lower flange 110 to the upper flange 210. In examples, the first bolted connections may represent 50% of the bolted connections, and the second bolted connections may represent the other 50%. The first bolted connections may be mounted in a first direction, and the second bolted connections may be mounted in a second direction. The first direction may be different from the second direction. In some examples, the first direction may be parallel to and opposite to the second direction. In other examples, the first direction and / or the second direction may be perpendicular to the plane of the lower flange 110 and / or the upper flange 210. In some embodiments, the first bolt 310 and the second bolt 410 may have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section 12. Axial position can be understood as a position in a direction parallel to the central axis or longitudinal axis of the tower section 12. In one example, the axial position of the first bolt 310 may be higher than that of the second bolt 410. In another example, the axial position of the first bolt 310 may be lower than that of the second bolt 410. The axial position may be defined by the upper and / or lower ends of the respective bolts. Typically, the first bolt and the second bolt are identical and / or have the same length and / or the same diameter. In other embodiments, the first bolt and the second bolt may be different, for example, with different threaded portions or different lengths or different diameters.

[0060] In some other embodiments, the separation distance between one of the plurality of first bolted connections and one of the plurality of second bolted connections may be less than the distance required for tool 500 to tighten. Tool 500 may be used in a single plane. The single plane may be perpendicular to the central axis of one of the plurality of first bolted connections and / or one of the plurality of second bolted connections. The single plane may be parallel to the surfaces of the lower flange 110, the upper flange 210 and / or the boundary plane between the lower flange 110 and the upper flange 210. The single plane may be adjacent to the surfaces of the lower flange 110 and / or the upper flange 210. Tool 500 may be used to tighten at least one of the plurality of first bolted connections and second bolted connections. Tool 500 for tightening the first bolted connections and / or second bolted connections may include torque, socket, open, key, power, hydraulic, tube, belt, moiré, adjustable, box, ratchet and / or 6-point, hexagonal and / or 12-point type wrenches and / or pliers.

[0061] Now refer to Figure 4This illustrates a method for connecting tower segments of a wind turbine. In a typical embodiment, a method may be provided for connecting a lower segment to an upper segment 100 of a wind turbine tower segment, wherein the upper segment may include a lower flange and the lower segment may include an upper flange. The method may include installing 600 first bolts and first nuts to construct a plurality of first bolted connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange, and installing 700 second bolts and second nuts to construct a plurality of second bolted connections connecting the lower flange to the upper flange, wherein the second bolted connections are installed differently from the first bolted connections.

[0062] In some embodiments, a first nut and / or a second nut may be respectively mounted on a first bolt and / or a second bolt to respectively construct a plurality of first bolted connections and / or second bolted connections.

[0063] In some embodiments, there may be a method for installing a first bolt connector by tightening a first bolt connector from a first tightening side and for installing a second bolt connector by tightening a second bolt connector from a second tightening side. The first tightening side may be different from the second tightening side. The first tightening side may be opposite to the second tightening side.

[0064] For example, there may be a method of tightening more than 650 first bolt connectors from the side above the lower flange and / or tightening more than 750 second bolt connectors from the side below the upper flange.

[0065] Now refer to Figure 5 This diagram illustrates a simplified representation of an embodiment of a portion of a wind turbine tower section. In a typical embodiment, the first and second bolted connections may be mounted in different orientations. For example, the first bolt 310 may be mounted such that it protrudes above the lower flange 110. Similarly, the second bolt 410 may be mounted such that it protrudes below the upper flange 210. In another example, a portion of the shank of each of the first bolts 310 may protrude above the lower flange 110. Similarly, a portion of the shank of each of the second bolts 410 may protrude below the upper flange 210. In a typical example, each of a plurality of first nuts 320 may be mounted on each of the first bolts 310 from a side above the lower flange 110. Similarly, each of a plurality of second nuts 420 may be mounted on each of the second bolts 410 from a side below the upper flange 210.

[0066] In some embodiments, the shank of the first bolt 310 may not protrude or not protrude significantly from below the upper flange 210. "Prominent protrusion" allows the installation of adjacent connectors and / or second bolted connections to be unaffected or altered by such protrusions. For example, a portion or shank of the first bolt 310 may not protrude or not protrude significantly on the side below the upper flange 210, negatively impacting (e.g., reducing) the space available for installing and / or tightening adjacent connectors and / or second bolted connections. In certain examples, the length or amount of the protrusion of a portion or shank of the first bolt 310 below the lower surface of the upper flange 210 may be zero or less than the thickness or axial length of the washer used in the second bolted connection. In some embodiments, the first bolt 310 may be an end bolt. Similarly, the first nut 320 may be a hex nut or a 12-point nut.

[0067] Similarly, the shank of the second bolt 410 may not protrude or protrude significantly from above the lower flange 110. "Prominent protrusion" ensures that the installation of adjacent connectors and / or the first bolted connector is not affected or altered by such a protrusion. For example, a portion or shank of the second bolt 410 may not protrude or protrude significantly on the side above the lower flange 110, negatively impacting (e.g., reducing) the space used for installing and / or tightening adjacent connectors and / or the first bolted connector. In a particular example, the length or amount of the protrusion of a portion or shank of the second bolt 410 above the upper surface of the lower flange 110 may be zero or less than the thickness or axial length of the washer used in the first bolted connector. In some embodiments, the second bolt 410 may be an end bolt. Similarly, the second nut 420 may be a hex nut or a 12-point nut.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first lower flange through-hole 331 may differ from the first upper flange through-hole 332. For example, the first lower flange through-hole 331 may have a different diameter compared to the first upper flange through-hole 332, such as a larger diameter / nominal diameter. The first lower flange through-hole 331 may be unthreaded, and / or the first upper flange through-hole 332 may be threaded. In another embodiment, the first bolt 310 may engage unthreaded with the lower flange 110 and / or threaded with the upper flange 210. The first bolt 310 may be configured to engage unthreaded with the first lower flange through-hole 331 and / or threaded with the first upper flange through-hole 332. The first lower flange through-hole 331 may be configured to align with the first upper flange through-hole 332.

[0069] Similarly, the second upper flange through-hole 431 may differ from the second lower flange through-hole 432. For example, the second upper flange through-hole 431 may have a different diameter compared to the second lower flange through-hole 432, such as a larger diameter / nominal diameter. The second upper flange through-hole 431 may be unthreaded, and / or the second lower flange through-hole 432 may be threaded. In another embodiment, the second bolt 410 may be configured to engage unthreadedly with the upper flange 210 and / or to be threadedly with the lower flange 110. The second bolt 310 may be configured to engage unthreadedly with the second upper flange through-hole 431 and / or to be threadedly with the second lower flange through-hole 432. The second upper flange through-hole 431 may be configured to align with the second lower flange through-hole 432.

[0070] Now refer to Figure 6 This illustrates a simplified representation of an embodiment of a portion of the tower section of a wind turbine. In a typical embodiment, the first lower flange through-hole 331, the first upper flange through-hole 332, the second upper flange through-hole 431, and / or the second lower flange through-hole 432 may have the same diameter and / or be unthreaded. Similar to... Figure 5 In some embodiments shown, the first lower flange through-hole 331 and / or the second upper flange through-hole 431 may be configured to align with the first upper flange through-hole 332 and / or the second lower flange through-hole 432.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first bolt 310 and / or the second bolt 410 may be a tower bolt, a hexagonal head bolt, and / or a 12-point bolt. Correspondingly, the first nut 320 and / or the second nut 420 may be a hexagonal nut and / or a 12-point nut. The first bolt connection and / or the second bolt connection may each include a first spacer 340 and / or a second spacer 440. The first spacer 340 may be disposed on the first bolt 310 above the lower flange 110, and / or the second spacer 440 may be disposed on the second bolt 410 below the upper flange 210. The first spacer 340 and / or the second spacer 440 may have an axial length equal to or greater than the thickness and / or axial length of the head of at least one of the first nuts 320, at least one of the second nuts 420, one of the first bolts 310, and one of the second bolts. Typically, the thickness of the first spacer 340 and / or the second spacer 440 is at least twice the thickness of the washer of the respective bolt connection. The head of a bolt can refer to the portion of the bolt with the largest diameter.

[0072] Now refer to Figure 7This illustrates a method for connecting tower segments of a wind turbine. The method may include aligning a first lower flange through-hole 331 with a first upper flange through-hole 332, for example, by aligning the central axes of the first lower flange through-hole 331 and the first upper flange through-hole 332. Similarly, the method may include aligning a second upper flange through-hole 431 with a second lower flange through-hole 432, for example, by aligning the central axes of the second upper flange through-hole 431 and the second lower flange through-hole 432. The method may include aligning 590 prior to installing 600, 700 or more first bolts 310 and multiple second bolts 410.

[0073] The plurality of first lower flange through holes 331 and the plurality of second upper flange through holes 431 may be unthreaded. The first upper flange through holes 332 and the second lower flange through holes 432 may be threaded. For example, each of the unthreaded first lower flange through holes 331 may be aligned with each of the corresponding threaded first upper flange through holes 332.

[0074] In the example, each of the first bolts 310 (e.g., stud bolts) can be installed in correspondingly aligned first lower flange through holes 331 and first upper flange through holes 332, thereby connecting the lower flange 110 to the upper flange 210. Each of the first nuts 320 can be installed on each of the first bolts 310 from above the lower flange 110. The first nuts 320 can be tightened 650 from above the lower flange 110.

[0075] Similarly, each of the unthreaded second upper flange through holes 431 can be aligned with each of the threaded second lower flange through holes 432. Each of the second bolts 410 (e.g., stud bolts) can be installed in the correspondingly aligned second upper flange through holes 431 and second lower flange through holes 432, thereby connecting the lower flange 110 to the upper flange 210. Each of the second nuts 420 can be installed on each of the second bolts 410 from below the upper flange 210, and the second nut 420 can be tightened 750 from below the upper flange 210.

[0076] Figure 7 A typical method according to the embodiments described herein is shown. Typically, except for the alignment step 590 (which may occur...) Figure 7 (Before the other steps shown in the diagram), Figure 7 The steps shown may be interchangeable in their order. For example, installing the second bolt and second nut at 700 may be done after tightening the first nut / first bolt connector at 650. Similarly, installing the second bolt and second nut at 700 may be done after installing the first bolt and first nut at 600. Similarly, tightening the second nut / second bolt connector at 750 may be done after tightening the first nut / first bolt connector.

[0077] The method may include mounting each of a plurality of first spacers onto each of a plurality of first bolts from a side portion above a first spacer side and / or a side portion above a lower flange. Similarly, a method may exist for mounting each of a plurality of second spacers onto each of a plurality of second bolts from a side portion below a second spacer side and / or a side portion below an upper flange. The first spacer side may be a side portion different from or opposite to the second spacer side. The first and / or second spacer sides may each be the same side portion as the first and / or second tightening side. Similarly, the second spacer side may be the same side portion as the second tightening side.

[0078] In this embodiment, each of the first spacers can be mounted on each of the first bolts, and each of the first nuts can be mounted on a corresponding first spacer on a corresponding first bolt and can be tightened by 650. Similarly, each of the second spacers can be mounted on each of the second bolts, and each of the second nuts can be mounted on a corresponding second spacer on a corresponding second bolt 410 and can be tightened by 750.

[0079] Some advantages related to various aspects and / or embodiments are described below. Flange connections can be optimized. The distance between bolted connections can be reduced. The constraint on the number of bolted connections in tower flange connections caused by the size of the tools used to install or torque-tighten the bolted connections can be reduced or overcome. The distance between bolts is no longer driven or limited by tool size. Flange connections can accommodate a larger number of bolted connections. The load capacity of tower flange connections is no longer driven or limited by the number of bolted connections in the flange connections. Flange connections can support higher loads. The tower diameter can remain the same while supporting higher loads. Larger turbines can be installed without changing or increasing the tower diameter. More efficient transportation of wind turbines is possible. More efficient and / or powerful wind turbines can be provided.

[0080] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention (including the best mode) and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that would occur to a person skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with non-substantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A tower section (12) of a wind turbine (10), said tower section (12) comprising: - Upper segment (100), which includes lower flange (110); -Lower segment (200), which includes upper flange (210); - A plurality of first bolted connectors, including a first bolt (310) and a first nut (320); and - Multiple second bolted connectors, including a second bolt (410) and a second nut (420); The first bolt connector and the second bolt connector connect the lower flange (110) to the upper flange (210); The first bolt (310) and the second bolt (410) have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section (12); The first bolt (310) is substantially parallel to the second bolt (410); and The separation distance between one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and one of the plurality of second bolted connectors is less than the distance required for the tool (500) to tighten at least one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and the plurality of second bolted connectors in a single plane.

2. The tower section (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper flange (210) and the lower flange (110) each include a plurality of bolt holes for the plurality of first bolt connectors and the plurality of second bolt connectors.

3. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The upper flange (210) and the lower flange (110) are made of metal.

4. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of first bolted connections and the plurality of second bolted connections comprises at least 30% of all bolted connections connecting the lower flange (110) to the upper flange (210).

5. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first bolt connector is installed along a first direction, and the second bolt connector is installed along a second direction, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction.

6. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first bolted connector includes a first spacer (340), and the second bolted connector includes a second spacer (440), wherein the first spacer (340) is disposed on the first bolt (310) above the lower flange (110), and wherein the second spacer (440) is disposed on the second bolt (410) below the upper flange (210).

7. The tower section (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first spacer (340) has an axial length equal to the thickness of the head of one of the second bolts (410), and the second spacer (440) has an axial length equal to the thickness of the head of one of the first bolts (310).

8. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The lower flange (110) includes a first lower flange through hole (331) for the first bolted connector and a second lower flange through hole (432) for the second bolted connector, wherein the first lower flange through hole (331) is unthreaded and the second lower flange through hole (432) is threaded; and wherein The upper flange (210) includes a first upper flange through hole (332) for the first bolted connector and a second upper flange through hole (431) for the second bolted connector, wherein the first upper flange through hole (332) is threaded and the second upper flange through hole (431) is unthreaded.

9. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first bolt (310) is threadedly engaged with the upper flange (210), and the second bolt (410) is threadedly engaged with the lower flange (110).

10. The tower section (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The upper segment (100) is part of the yaw drive, and / or the lower segment (200) is part of the base segment.

11. A method for connecting a lower segment (200) to an upper segment (100) of a tower section (12) of a wind turbine (10), wherein the upper segment (100) includes a lower flange (110) and the lower segment (200) includes an upper flange (210), the method comprising: - Install (600) a plurality of first bolts (310) and a plurality of first nuts (320) to construct a plurality of first bolted connections that connect the lower flange (110) to the upper flange (210); as well as - Install (700) a plurality of second bolts (410) and a plurality of second nuts (420) to construct a plurality of second bolted connections that connect the lower flange (110) to the upper flange (210); The first bolt (310) and the second bolt (410) have different axial positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tower section (12); The first bolt (310) is substantially parallel to the second bolt (410); and The separation distance between one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and one of the plurality of second bolted connectors is less than the distance required for the tool (500) to tighten at least one of the plurality of first bolted connectors and the plurality of second bolted connectors in a single plane.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: - Tighten (650) the plurality of first bolt connectors from the side above the lower flange (110); and - Tighten (750) the plurality of second bolt connectors from the side below the upper flange (210).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before installing the plurality of first bolts (600; 310) and the plurality of second bolts (700; 410), align (590) the plurality of first lower flange through holes (331) with the plurality of first upper flange through holes (332) and align the plurality of second upper flange through holes (441) with the plurality of second lower flange through holes (432); The plurality of first lower flange through holes (331) and the plurality of second upper flange through holes (431) are unthreaded, while the first upper flange through holes (332) and the second lower flange through holes (432) are threaded.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: - Installing (600) the plurality of first bolts (310) and the plurality of first nuts (320) includes installing a plurality of first spacers (340) on the plurality of first bolts (310) from a side portion above the lower flange (110); and - Installing (700) the plurality of second bolts (410) and the plurality of second nuts (420) includes installing a plurality of second spacers (440) on the plurality of second bolts (410) from the side below the upper flange (210).

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