Adapter, tower comprising said adapter and wind turbine comprising said tower and wind farm comprising at least one wind turbine

Abstract

The invention may be included in the technical field of wind turbines and proposes an alternative to conventional wind turbines having a tower which in turn comprises at least a first tower section, an adapter and optionally a second tower section, wherein a lifting structure configured to lift the second tower section or at least one wind turbine component is connected to the adapter for at least partially bearing a vertical load of the lifting structure.

Description

[0001] Object of the Invention

[0002] The present invention may be included in the technical field of wind turbines.

[0003] The wind turbine of the present invention presents an alternative to conventional wind turbines, said wind turbine having a tower which in turn comprises at least a first tower section, an adapter and optionally a second tower section, wherein a lifting structure configured to lift the second tower section or at least one wind turbine component is connected at least to the adapter for carrying the vertical load of the lifting structure. Background of the Invention

[0005] The increase in the rated power of wind turbines generally requires an increase in the weight and size of all turbine components, but the following aspects are particularly relevant to the assembly cost:

[0006] · The height of the tower;

[0007] · The diameter of the rotor and the weight of the blade-hub unit;

[0008] · The weight of the nacelle and its sub-components;

[0009] · The weight of the tower sections.

[0010] Among the above, the most relevant is the height of the tower, and existing designs have reached 120 m or even higher, especially for the assembly of relatively large and heavy components such as those mentioned above: the large overturning moment associated with the increase in height makes it necessary to use large-capacity cranes. Generally, conventional cranes supported on the ground (such as mobile crawler cranes) and tower cranes (recently introduced as an alternative to the aforementioned cranes) are used to erect wind turbines.

[0011] Mobile crawler cranes have always been the standard solution for installing the latest generation of turbines with tower heights in the range up to 120 m. This type of crane can move fully assembled between locations under certain assumptions (such as a very low road longitudinal slope and a minimum road width greater than 6 m). However, if the crane has to be disassembled, a rather large area will be required for the boom assembly and disassembly process.

[0012] Tower cranes can safely install wind turbines with a hub height of 110 m or higher in low-wind areas. Thus, wind turbines can be installed in wind speeds up to 18 m / s. However, the operators lack experience in using these new cranes, and the worldwide supply is limited, and the uncertainty of the actual installation rate due to insufficient past records; in addition, the actual installation cost is still unknown.

[0013] Both solutions of mobile crawler cranes and tower cranes are limited to heights below 120m and it is impossible to assemble wind turbines up to 180m high.

[0014] The high costs and the above-mentioned drawbacks justify the search for alternative devices for building wind turbines (including towers).

[0015] Two types of solutions known in the prior art from other references and the above-mentioned conventional cranes are:

[0016] · Self-climbing systems (understood as structures that support and lift on the entire tower);

[0017] ● Solutions for supporting a bridge crane on a grid on the ground.

[0018] In the climbing solution, the known patent US6868646B2 relates to a method and device for erecting a wind turbine tower.

[0019] The device includes two structures: a lower structure and an upper structure. The lifting cable is fastened to the lower structure at a point near the lower part, and the upper structure supports a bridge crane type structure. The lifting cable passes through pulleys fastened to suitable fastening points near the upper part of each section in the tower, and it is wound around a winch located on the ground.

[0020] Each time a section is assembled, the system moves up and down on the tower. Then, once it is assembled on top of the lower section of the tower, the unit is lowered, another section is fastened and the unit is lifted again. The lower structure includes a wheel / roller system adapted to cooperate with guides located in the tower.

[0021] Self-climbing structures can be light and have reduced dimensions because they utilize the tower (or the part of the tower already assembled) to support the weight of the assembled components.

[0022] However, self-climbing structures with pulleys, jacks or similar devices require some kind of guidance of the structure on the tower to ensure that the tower is not disturbed during the lifting of the structure. In the case of a tapered tower, with a typical concrete design, the guidance system becomes complex because it requires spring-type elements to ensure that the wheels or rollers are compressed against the tower surface to avoid such interference. Additionally, the climbing is achieved by friction between the mechanism provided on the structure and the tower. In this case, again, the mechanism needs to be able to adapt to the conical shape of the tower.

[0023] In addition, grid-based structures are large structures that require a large number of trucks for transportation. Compared to climbing solutions, they have the following advantages: they can be used with any type of tower without the need to modify the tower design, as no additional fastening points or supports are required to secure the climbing structure.

[0024] The wind turbine of the present invention includes an adapter that forms part of the tower, which, due to its special construction, addresses all previous drawbacks, thereby reducing the costs associated with the assembly of the wind turbine.

[0025] Description of the Invention

[0026] The adapter of the present invention relates to an adapter for a tower of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising:

[0027] - a base;

[0028] - the tower, which in turn includes a height, at least a first tower section, the adapter, and optionally a second tower section; and

[0029] - at least one wind turbine component and optionally at least one additional wind turbine component; wherein the adapter is arranged in use at the upper part of the first tower section and below the second tower section, or at the upper part of the first tower section and below the at least one wind turbine component; and

[0030] wherein the adapter includes a first connection means configured to connect a lifting structure to the adapter in use, wherein the lifting structure is configured to lift the second tower section or the at least one wind turbine component, and wherein the first connection means is configured to at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure.

[0031] Constructed in this way, the adapter arranged on the first tower section serves as a support structure for the lifting structure, thereby bearing the loads associated with the weight of the lifting structure and the loads generated during the lifting and assembly of the second tower section or the at least one wind turbine component.

[0032] Optionally, the adapter includes a lower flange, an upper flange, and an intermediate wall, the lower flange being configured to connect to the upper part of the first tower section, the upper flange being configured to connect to the second tower section or to the at least one wind turbine component, and the intermediate wall being arranged between the lower flange and the upper flange.

[0033] Optionally, the first connection means includes a member protruding outwardly relative to the upper flange and / or the lower flange and / or the intermediate wall.

[0034] Optionally, the first connecting device includes a substantially horizontal upper surface configured to mate, in use, with a substantially horizontal lower surface of an auxiliary lifting structure configured to lift the lifting structure to a first position at a first height along the height of the tower.

[0035] Optionally, the first connecting device is disposed radially with respect to the axis of the adapter.

[0036] Each connecting device includes a horizontal protrusion having a symmetry axis disposed in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the adapter.

[0037] Preferably, the first connecting device is disposed on the lower flange.

[0038] Also preferably, the first connecting device is disposed on the upper flange.

[0039] Also preferably, the first connecting device is disposed on the intermediate wall.

[0040] Optionally, the first connecting device includes at least one upper connecting device disposed adjacent to the upper flange and at least one lower connecting device disposed adjacent to the lower flange.

[0041] Optionally, the first connecting device includes at least a pair of connecting devices spaced apart at a first angle, the first angle being at least 20°.

[0042] Optionally, the first connecting device includes at least two pairs of connecting devices, the connecting devices in each pair being spaced apart at a first angle greater than 20°, more preferably, the first angle is greater than 30°. Preferably, the connecting devices in the first pair of connecting devices are spaced apart from the second pair of connecting devices by a second angle greater than the first angle. Preferably, the second angle is greater than 50°, more preferably, the second angle is greater than 65°.

[0043] Optionally, each connecting device in the paired connecting devices is asymmetric with respect to the axis of the adapter.

[0044] Optionally, the first connecting device includes lugs, preferably, the lugs are horizontal lugs and / or vertical lugs.

[0045] Optionally, the adapter further includes an opening configured to allow, in use, an arm of a telescopic crane or other lifting device fixed to the adapter or the first tower section or other member to pass through, and configured to mount or dismount a first auxiliary lifting structure at or from the adapter in use. If desired, other members such as wires or an operator can pass through the opening. Preferably, the telescopic crane or other lifting device is fixed to the interior of the adapter, and the arm of the telescopic crane passes through the exterior of the adapter and thus through the tower for mounting or dismounting the first auxiliary lifting structure.

[0046] Preferably, the opening is provided in the intermediate wall of the adapter.

[0047] Optionally, the adapter includes two openings, with each opening provided between each pair of connecting members.

[0048] Optionally, the adapter further includes an inner wall, which in turn includes a recess configured to serve as a support for a ladder in use.

[0049] The invention also relates to a tower comprising a height, at least a first tower section, the above-mentioned adapter and optionally a second tower section;

[0050] wherein the adapter is provided at the upper part of the first tower section and below the second tower section, or at the upper part of the first tower section and below the at least one wind turbine component.

[0051] Optionally, the tower further includes a first auxiliary lifting structure configured to connect a lifting structure to the adapter. Preferably, the first auxiliary lifting structure includes two auxiliary block sheaves configured to be fixed in the first connecting means of the adapter.

[0052] Optionally, the first connecting means configured to connect a lifting structure to the adapter and at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure is configured to fix the lifting structure to the tower at a first position located at a first height along the height of the tower, from which the lifting structure lifts the second tower section or the at least one wind turbine component provided on the ground.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the tower is a full concrete tower, and the first height is approximately the height of the first tower section.

[0054] In a second embodiment, the tower is a concrete-steel hybrid tower, and the first height is approximately the height of the first tower section, and further includes a second tower section, wherein the second tower section is made of steel.

[0055] Optionally, in this second embodiment, the tower further comprises a first additional connection device configured to connect the lifting structure to the second tower section and additionally fix the lifting structure to the second tower section at a second position, which is at a second height along the height of the tower and which is higher than a first position at a first height. Thereby, relative movement between the upper end of the second tower section and the lifting structure is prevented. The first position and the second position are defined along the height of the tower, thereby defining a first connection area and a second connection area where the lifting structure is fixed to the tower and does not move.

[0056] Preferably, the first additional connection device comprises a hole provided in the second tower section which, in use, corresponds to a pin provided on an auxiliary arm of the lifting structure.

[0057] Optionally, the second tower section comprises an opening configured to allow an arm of a telescopic crane or other lifting device to pass through the adapter and configured to mount or dismount the first auxiliary lifting structure at or from the adapter.

[0058] For the above first and second embodiments, the adapter comprises a second connection device for fixing a telescopic crane or other lifting device to the adapter, the telescopic crane or other lifting device being configured to at least partially lift the auxiliary lifting structure to the adapter.

[0059] Optionally, the tower further comprises a positioning device configured to position the lifting structure to the first tower section and additionally fix the lifting structure to the first tower section at a third position, which is at a third height along the height of the tower and which is lower than a first position at a first height. Thereby, the tipping moment of the lifting structure is compensated. The third position is defined along the height of the tower, thereby defining a positioning area where the lifting structure does not move.

[0060] Preferably, the first tower section comprises at least two concrete segments and the positioning device is provided in an area close to a horizontal joint between at least two concrete segments. More preferably, the positioning device comprises a hole provided in a horizontal lug provided between two concrete segments along the first tower section, the hole corresponding to a bolt of a second lifting structure in use.

[0061] Optionally, the tower further comprises connecting means configured to connect a second tower section or at least one wind turbine component to the adapter. The invention also relates to a wind turbine comprising:

[0062] - a base;

[0063] - the above-mentioned tower;

[0064] - at least one wind turbine component and optionally at least one additional wind turbine component;

[0065] wherein the first connecting means configured to connect the lifting structure to the adapter and bear the vertical load of the lifting structure is configured to fix the lifting structure at the first tower section at a first position located at a first height along the height of the tower, and lift the at least one wind turbine component and optionally the at least one additional wind turbine component from the first position through the lifting structure.

[0066] In this way, the wind turbine is quickly assembled because the combination of two lifting structures (the first lifting structure and the second lifting structure which is the above-mentioned lifting structure and supported on the adapter) is particularly conducive to the rapid assembly of the wind turbine, especially in large wind farms. The first lifting structure is supported on the ground and assembles the heaviest parts of the wind turbine (i.e., the segments included in the first tower section), which are closer to the ground and bear greater loads. The second lifting structure is connected to the adapter provided on and supported by the first tower section for assembling the lightweight second tower section or at least one wind turbine component, and the at least one wind turbine component can be part of a subset of the wind turbine components.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the first auxiliary lifting structure is configured to lift the lifting structure to a first position located at a first height along the height of the tower in a single lifting operation, and is configured to lift the second lifting structure to a first position located at a first height along the height of the tower, preferably directly from the ground to the first position without any intermediate connection of the second lifting structure to the first tower section. This is differentiating and very advantageous in terms of time (by reducing the number of tower connection operations) and tower cost, because each intermediate connection will increase the cost of the second lifting structure as local reinforcements and additional materials are required in these connection areas. When the second lifting structure is lifted to the first position located at a first height along the tower height, the first position defines the position where the second lifting structure can be used to lift and assemble the remaining sections and / or wind turbine components until the entire wind turbine is assembled.

[0068] In a second embodiment, wherein the tower is a "concrete - steel hybrid" tower, comprising a first tower section that includes at least two concrete segments, and further comprising a second tower section made of steel, and wherein the first height is approximately the height of the first tower section, the second lifting structure lifts the second tower section and at least one turbine component, and the at least one turbine component is part of a subset of the wind turbine components for assembling the entire wind turbine.

[0069] In a first embodiment, wherein the tower is a "full - concrete" tower, the adapter is provided on the upper part of the first tower section, which is a concrete tower section, and below at least one wind turbine component, and the at least one wind turbine component is preferably the yaw bearing of the nacelle.

[0070] In a second embodiment, wherein the tower is a concrete - steel hybrid tower, the first tower section is a concrete tower section that may include a plurality of concrete tower segments, the second tower section is a steel tower section that may include a plurality of steel tower segments, and the adapter is located at the top of the uppermost concrete segment so as to match the diameter of the upper flange of the concrete segments of the first tower section with the diameter of the lower flange of the second tower section, that is, the adapter is provided on the upper part of the first tower section and below the second tower section.

[0071] The present invention is particularly advantageous for full - concrete or hybrid towers. The diameter of full - concrete or hybrid towers may be very large and their concrete segments may be very heavy, such that performing the entire assembly of the wind turbine with a self - climbing crane is not efficient in terms of time and materials, while a conventional crane supported on the ground may be expensive to reach the target height (above 160 m). The self - erecting crane becomes too complex to overcome the taper problem of the tower and requires heavy structures. In this way, the heaviest components belonging to the first tower section are lifted by the first lifting structure supported on the ground, while the second lifting structure is configured to erect the lighter components belonging to the second tower section and additional wind turbine components. The second lifting structure only needs to be lifted once, which increases the speed of the assembly process. Additionally, the number of connection areas of the tower is minimized (compared to other self - erecting or self - climbing options), thereby reducing the product cost, because these areas need to be specially strengthened to be able to withstand higher stresses.

[0072] Specifically, the first tower section includes components weighing up to approximately 350 tn, while the second tower section and the wind turbine components include components weighing up to approximately 150 tn.

[0073] Optionally, the first tower section includes at least one concrete segment.

[0074] Optionally, at least one concrete section of the first tower section further includes light beacons, which are configured to make the section visible. Preferably, the at least one concrete section includes four light beacons evenly distributed along the circumference of the tower section, thereby allowing the second lifting structure to be guided along the first tower section when the second lifting structure is lifted along the first tower section.

[0075] Optionally, the first tower section includes at least two concrete sections. Optionally, at least one of the at least two concrete sections of the first tower section includes a light beacon, preferably disposed at the upper end of the at least one concrete section.

[0076] Optionally, the first tower section further includes a post-tensioning system.

[0077] Optionally, the tower includes a door, wherein the connecting device of the adapter forms an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the door of the tower, preferably 90°. This helps to lift the second lifting structure without interfering with the door of the tower.

[0078] Preferably, when the first connecting device includes at least a pair of connecting devices spaced apart at a first angle, or the first connecting device includes at least two pairs of connecting devices, and the first pair of connecting devices is spaced apart from the second pair of connecting devices at a second angle, the bisector between at least a pair of connecting devices or the bisector between the first pair of connecting devices and the second pair of connecting devices forms an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the door of the tower, preferably 90°.

[0079] Another object of the present invention is a wind farm, which includes at least one wind turbine as described above. Description of the Drawings

[0080] To supplement the description made and to better understand the features of the present invention according to the preferred practical embodiments of the present invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the description, wherein, for illustrative purposes and not to limit the scope of the present invention, the following drawings are shown:

[0081] Figure 1 A first lifting structure configured to lift a first tower section is shown, wherein a second lifting structure will be connected to the first tower section.

[0082] Figure 2 A perspective view of a first auxiliary lifting structure provided on an adapter when the tower is a concrete-steel hybrid tower is shown.

[0083] Figure 3A perspective view shows a hole provided in a lug, which is provided between two concrete segments of a first tower section and serves as a positioning device.

[0084] Figure 4 A perspective view shows a first auxiliary lifting structure provided on an adapter, wherein the lifting structure is connected to the adapter through the first auxiliary lifting structure.

[0085] Figure 5 A bottom perspective view shows a lifting structure on a lug located between two concrete segments of a first tower section.

[0086] Figure 6 A second lifting structure is shown. The second lifting structure is fixed at a first position and is configured to lift a second tower section or at least one wind turbine component. The second tower section is lifted by the second lifting structure fixed at the first position (shown on the left), and at least one wind turbine component is lifted by the second lifting structure fixed at the first position and additionally fixed at a second position (shown on the right). Note that in both cases, the second lifting structure is fixed at a third position lower than the first position.

[0087] Figure 7 A telescopic crane is shown, which is configured to lift at least part of the auxiliary lifting structure to the adapter.

[0088] Figure 8 A telescopic crane is shown, which is also configured to install or remove the first auxiliary lifting structure at or from the adapter. The second tower section includes an opening configured to allow the arm of the telescopic crane fixed to the adapter to pass through.

[0089] Figure 9 A first additional connecting device is shown, which includes a hole provided in a steel second tower section, and the hole corresponds to a pin provided on an auxiliary arm of the second lifting structure in use.

[0090] Figure 10 A perspective view shows an adapter for a fully concrete tower.

[0091] Figure 11 A perspective view shows a first auxiliary lifting structure on an adapter provided on a first tower section when the tower is a fully concrete tower.

[0092] Figure 12 A perspective view shows that when the tower is a fully concrete tower, the lifting structure is connected to the adapter through a first connecting device.

[0093] Figure 13 A perspective view shows an adapter according to another embodiment.

[0094] Figure 14 Shows a tower including the adapter of the present invention, for a fully concrete tower in this embodiment.

[0095] Figure 15 Shows Figure 14 a plan view of

[0096] Detailed description of the invention

[0097] The following is a detailed description of an adapter (40, 40') for a tower (100, 100') of a wind turbine, the wind turbine including:

[0098] - A base (200);

[0099] - The tower (100, 100'), which in turn includes a height, at least a first tower section (10), the adapter (40, 40'), and optionally a second tower section (20); and

[0100] - At least one wind turbine component (30) and optionally at least one additional wind turbine component (50);

[0101] Wherein, the adapter (40, 40') is arranged in use at the upper part of the first tower section (10) and below the second tower section (20), or at the upper part of the first tower section (10) and below the at least one wind turbine component (30); and

[0102] Wherein, the adapter (40, 40') further includes:

[0103] ● A first connection device (60, 61, 60', 61'), the first connection device (60, 61, 60',

[0104] 61') is configured to connect a lifting structure (2) to the adapter (40, 40') in use, wherein the lifting structure is configured to lift the second tower section (20) or the at least one wind turbine component (30), and wherein the first connection device (60, 61, 60', 61') is configured to at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure (2).

[0105] In another non - restrictive embodiment, the adapter (40, 40') may include:

[0106] ● A positioning device (25), the positioning device (25) is configured to align the lifting structure (2) with the

[0107] first tower section (10) at the first position (P1') located at the first height (H1')

[0108] Centering, and / or

[0109] ● A first auxiliary lifting structure (3), the first auxiliary lifting structure (3) being configured to lift the lifting structure (2) to a first height (H1') located along the height of the tower (100, 100')

[0110] to a first position (P1') at the first height (H1').

[0111] at the first position (P1').

[0112] Optionally, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') comprises a substantially horizontal upper surface (64, 64'), the substantially horizontal upper surface (64, 64') being configured to mate in use with a substantially horizontal lower surface (16, 16') of the auxiliary lifting structure (3), the auxiliary lifting structure (3) being configured to lift the lifting structure (2) to a first position (P1') at a first height (H1') located along the height of the tower (100, 100').

[0113] Preferably, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') is radially arranged relative to the vertical axis (Y, Y') of the adapter (40, 40').

[0114] For both of the above two embodiments, the adapter (40, 40') comprises a lower flange (41, 41') configured to be connected to the upper part of the first tower section (10), an upper flange (42, 42') configured to be connected to the second tower section (20) or to at least one wind turbine component (30), and an intermediate wall (43, 43') provided between the lower flange (41, 41') and the upper flange (42, 42').

[0115] Preferably, as Figure 2 shown, in the embodiment where the tower is a "concrete - steel hybrid" tower, and as Figure 10 shown, in the embodiment where the tower is a full - concrete tower, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') comprises a member (60, 61, 60', 61') protruding outwardly relative to the lower flange (41, 41').

[0116] For the embodiment where the tower is a "full - concrete" tower as Figure 10 shown, the first connecting means (60', 61') is provided on the lower flange (41).

[0117] Additionally, for the embodiment where the tower is a "concrete - steel hybrid" tower as Figure 2 shown, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') may also be provided on the upper flange (42).

[0118] Preferably, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') includes lugs (60, 60'), and more preferably, the lugs (60, 60') are horizontal lugs (60, 60').

[0119] Preferably, as Figure 8 shown, the first connecting means (61) includes a pin (61) corresponding to a hole provided in the first auxiliary lifting structure (3).

[0120] Also preferably, as Figure 10 shown, the first connecting means (61') includes a hole (61') corresponding to a pin provided in the first auxiliary lifting structure (3).

[0121] Preferably, the first connecting means is configured to connect the lifting structure (2) at least to an adapter (40, 40') provided on the first tower section (10) and to fix the lifting structure (2) in a first position (P1') located at a first height (H1') along the tower height. The first connecting means further includes a vertical lug (11'), which includes a hole (12'), and the vertical lug is parallel to a vertical lug (11) including a hole (12) provided on the lifting structure (2) in use. In this way, at the first position (P1'), the hole (12') of the vertical lug (11') of the adapter (40, 40') coincides with the hole (12) of the vertical lug (11) of the lifting structure (2). Accordingly, a bolt (17) of the lifting structure (2) passing through the holes (12, 12') allows the lifting structure (2) to be connected at least to the first tower section (10) and to fix the lifting structure (2) in the first position (P1') located at the first height (H1').

[0122] Preferably, the positioning means (25) configured to center the lifting structure (2) with the first tower section (10) in the first position (P1') located at the first height (H1') includes a hole (25), and the hole (25) is provided on a horizontal lug (15) of the adapter (40, 40') (as Figure 2 shown), and as Figure 4 shown, the hole (25) corresponds to a bolt (25') of the lifting structure (2) in use.

[0123] Preferably, the first auxiliary lifting structure (3) includes two auxiliary pulley groups (59), and the two auxiliary pulley groups (59) in turn include two cargo blocks (3), wherein the auxiliary pulley groups (59) are fixed to the adapter (40, 40') through horizontal lugs (15) of the auxiliary pulley groups (59) in lugs (60) protruding outward from the lower flanges (41, 41') of the adapter (40, 40').

[0124] The adapter (40, 40') is also configured to be detachably connected to the first auxiliary lifting structure (3), the connecting means (11', 12') being provided between the horizontal lugs (15), preferably horizontal holes being provided between the horizontal lugs (15), and the positioning means (25') also being provided on the horizontal lugs (15), preferably, the vertical hole (25') being provided on the horizontal lugs (15).

[0125] In terms of the terminology used in the present application, the first tower section (10) is configured to be lifted by means of a first lifting structure (1) supported on the ground near the base (200), and the second tower section (20) or at least one wind turbine component (30) is configured to be lifted by means of a lifting structure (2) which is a second lifting structure (2) connected to the first tower section (10) and fixed at a first position (P1') located at a first height (H1') along the height of the tower.

[0126] Optionally, the tower (100, 100') further includes connecting means configured to connect the second tower section (20) or at least one wind turbine component (30) to the first tower section (10), preferably to the adapter (40, 40').

[0127] Optionally, the tower (100, 100') includes connecting means configured to connect at least one additional wind turbine component (50) to the second tower section (20).

[0128] In a first embodiment, the tower (100, 100') is a "full concrete" tower, and the first height is approximately the height of the first tower section (10), and the remaining wind turbine components (30, 50) located above the first tower section (10) are lifted by the lifting structure (2) until the entire wind turbine is assembled. Preferably, the first tower section (10) further includes at least two concrete sections and a post-tensioning system.

[0129] Preferably, at least one of the at least two concrete sections of the first tower section (10) further includes a beacon (70) preferably provided at the upper end of at least one concrete section, wherein the beacon (70) is configured to make the section visible.

[0130] Optionally, the tower (100, 100') includes a door (80), wherein, when the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') includes at least a pair of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') spaced apart at a first angle (α1), or the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') includes at least two pairs of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61'), and the first pair of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') and the second pair of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') are spaced apart at a second angle (α2), the bisector between at least a pair of connecting means, or the bisector between the first pair of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') and the second pair of connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') forms a 90° angle with the door (80) of the tower (100, 100'), as Figure 15 shown.

[0131] In a second embodiment, the tower (100, 100') is a "concrete - steel hybrid" tower including a first tower section (10) and a second tower section (20), the first tower section (10) including at least two concrete segments (1'), the second tower section (20) being made of steel, wherein the first height is approximately the height of the first tower section (10) and the second tower section (20), and at least one turbine component (30) is part of a subset of the wind turbine components (30, 50), and the wind turbine components (30, 50) are lifted by a lifting structure (2) for assembling the entire wind turbine.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the tower (100, 100') further includes:

[0133] ● A first additional connecting means (26'), the first additional connecting means (26') being configured to connect the

[0134] second lifting structure (2) to the second tower section (20) and fix the second lifting structure (2) at a second position (P2'), the second position (P2') being located at a second height (H2') along the height of the tower (100, 100'), the second position (P2')

[0135] being higher than the first position (P1') located at the first height (H1'). Preferably, the first additional connecting means (26') includes a hole (26') provided in the steel second tower section (2), the hole (26') corresponding to a pin (26) provided on an auxiliary arm (27) of the second lifting structure (2) in use. In particular, the first additional connecting means (26') is provided at the upper end of the second tower section (20) such that the uppermost movement of the second lifting structure (2) is similar to the movement of the upper end of the second tower section (20).

[0136] In the first and second embodiments, the tower (100, 100') further comprises:

[0137] ● A second additional connection device (28'), the second additional connection device is configured to connect the second

[0138] A lifting structure (2) is connected to the first tower section (10) and the second lifting structure (2)

[0139] fixed at a third position (P3') located at a third height (H3) along the height of the tower (100, 100'), the third position being lower than the first height (H1')

[0140] Preferably, the second additional connection means (28') is arranged in a region close to the horizontal joint between two concrete segments (1'). Preferably, the second additional connection means (28') comprises a hole (28') arranged in the horizontal lug (15').

[0141] On the horizontal lug (15') along the first tower section (10) ( Figure 3 Preferably, the horizontal lug (15') is arranged between two concrete segments (1') along the first tower section (10), and the hole (28') is connected to the bolt (25') of the lifting structure (2) during use.

[0142] Correspondingly, there is a second connection point along the height of the first tower section (10), one connection point being located at the adapter (40, 40') and the other connection point being located at the two concrete segments (1').

[0143] The position between the two parts is lower than that of the adapters (40, 40') to further stabilize the second lifting structure (2).

[0144] The adapter (40, 40') comprises a connection device (not shown) for fixing a telescopic crane (22), the telescopic crane (22) being configured to lift the auxiliary lifting structure (3) at least partially to the adapter (40, 40'), wherein the second tower section (20) comprises an opening (21) configured to allow passage of an arm (23) of the telescopic crane (22) fixed to the adapter (40, 40') and to mount or remove the first auxiliary lifting structure (3) from the adapter (40, 40').

[0145] Preferably, the adapter (40') further includes stoppers (62), preferably disposed on the intermediate wall (43'), for restricting the movement of the auxiliary lifting structure (3) when installing the auxiliary lifting structure (3).

[0146] In the first embodiment, as Figure 13 shown, for another configuration, the adapter (40) includes an opening (21'), configured to allow the arm (23) of the telescopic crane (22) fixed to the adapter (40) or the first tower section (1) to pass through, and configured to install or disassemble the first auxiliary lifting structure (3) from the adapter (40). Preferably, two openings (21') are provided in the intermediate wall (43, 43') of the adapter (40), and each opening (21') is provided between each pair of connecting devices (60', 61').

Claims

1. An adapter (40, 40'), for a tower (100, 100') of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising: - a base (200); - the tower (100, 100'), which in turn comprises a height, at least a first tower section (10), the adapter (40, 40') and optionally a second tower section (20); and - at least one wind turbine component (30) and optionally at least one additional wind turbine component (50); wherein the adapter (40, 40') is arranged in use above the first tower section (10) and below the second tower section (20), or above the first tower section (10) and below the at least one wind turbine component (30); and characterized in that the adapter (40, 40') further comprises: ● a first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61'), which is configured to connect a lifting structure (2) to the adapter (40, 40') in use, wherein the lifting structure is configured to lift the second tower section (20) or the at least one wind turbine component (30), and wherein the first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61') is configured to at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure (2).

2. The adapter (40, 40') according to claim 1, wherein, The adapter (40, 40') comprises a lower flange (41, 41'), an upper flange (42, 42') and an intermediate wall (43, 43'), the lower flange (41, 41') being configured to be connected to the upper part of the first tower section (10), the upper flange (42, 42') being configured to be connected to the second tower section (20) or to the at least one wind turbine component (30), and the intermediate wall (43, 43') being arranged between the lower flange (41, 41') and the upper flange (42, 42').

3. The adapter (40, 40') according to claim 2, wherein, The first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61') comprises a member (60, 61, 60', 61') protruding outwards relative to the lower flange (41, 41').

4. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein, The first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61') comprises a substantially horizontal upper surface (64, 64'), which is configured to match a substantially horizontal lower surface (16, 16') of an auxiliary lifting structure (3) in use, the auxiliary lifting structure (3) being configured to lift the lifting structure (2) to a first position (P1') at a first height (H1') along the height of the tower (100, 100').

5. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61') is arranged radially with respect to the axis (Y, Y') of the adapter (40, 40').

6. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The first connection means (60, 61, 60', 61') is arranged on the lower flange (41, 41').

7. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The first connecting device (60, 61, 60', 61') includes at least a pair of connecting devices spaced apart at a first angle (α1), and the first angle (α1) is at least 20°.

8. The adapter (40, 40') according to claim 7, wherein, The first connecting device (60, 61, 60', 61') includes at least two pairs of connecting devices, and the connecting devices in each pair of connecting devices are spaced apart at the first angle (α1), and the first angle (α1) is at least 20°.

9. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first connecting device (60, 61, 60', 61') includes lugs (60, 60'), and preferably, the lugs (60, 60') are horizontal lugs (60, 60').

10. The adapter (40, 40') according to any one of the preceding claims further includes an opening (21'), and the opening (21') is configured to allow the arm (23) of the telescopic crane (22) fixed to the adapter (40) to pass through during use, and is configured to mount or disassemble the first auxiliary lifting structure (3) from the adapter (40) during use.

11. A tower (100, 100'), the tower (100, 100') includes a height, at least a first tower section (10), the adapter (40, 40') according to any one of the preceding claims, and optionally a second tower section (20); Among them, The adapter (40, 40') is provided at the upper part of the first tower section (10) and below the second tower section (20), or is provided at the upper part of the first tower section (10) and below the at least one wind turbine component (30).

12. The column (100, 100') according to claim 11, wherein, The first connecting device (60, 61, 60', 61') configured to connect the lifting structure (2) to the adapter (40, 40') and at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure (2) is configured to fix the lifting structure (2) to the tower (100, 100') at a first position (P1'), and the first position (P1') is located at a first height (H1') along the height of the tower (100, 100'), and the lifting structure (2) lifts the second tower section (2) or the at least one wind turbine component (30) provided on the ground from the first position (P1').

13. The column (100, 100') according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein, The first tower section (10) includes at least one concrete section, and wherein the at least one concrete section of the first tower section (10) further includes a beacon (70), and preferably, the beacon (70) is evenly distributed along the circumference of the at least one concrete section, and wherein the beacon (70) is configured to make the section visible.

14. The tower (100, 100') according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a door (80), wherein, The connecting device (60, 61, 60', 61') forms an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the door (80) of the tower (100, 100'), and preferably, the angle is 90°.

15. A wind turbine, comprising: A base (200); The tower (100, 100') according to any one of claims 11 to 14; At least one wind turbine component (30) and optionally at least one additional wind turbine component (50); Wherein, the first connecting means (60, 61, 60', 61') configured to connect the lifting structure (2) to the adapter (40, 40') and at least partially bear the vertical load of the lifting structure (2) is configured to fix the lifting structure (2) to the adapter (40, 40') at a first position (P1'), the first position (P1') being at a first height (H1') along the height of the tower (100, 100'), the lifting structure (2) lifting the second tower section (2) or the at least one wind turbine component (30) disposed on the ground from the first position (P1').

16. A wind farm comprising at least one wind turbine as claimed in claim 15.

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