Concrete segment of section of tower of wind turbine and tower adapter of tower of wind turbine

Abstract

The object of the invention is a concrete segment of a section of a tower of a wind turbine and an adapter of a tower of a wind turbine, and also to a wind turbine comprising a tower which in turn comprises said concrete segment of said section and / or said adapter.

Description

[0001] Object of the Invention

[0002] The object of the present invention is a concrete segment of a section of a tower of a wind turbine and an adapter of a tower of a wind turbine.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower which in turn comprises said concrete segment of said section and / or said adapter. Background of the Invention

[0005] A wind turbine comprises a tower, a nacelle housing a generator and a rotor formed by at least two blades. The tower of the wind turbine supports the nacelle and the rotor. Large wind turbines have steel towers, lattice towers or reinforced concrete towers, or even hybrid towers which include sections of different materials, such as a lower section of concrete and an upper section of steel or lattice.

[0006] Due to the height of the wind turbine, the tower has to be divided into a number of annular sections which are stacked during the wind turbine assembly phase to form the entire height of the tower. Dividing the tower into multiple sections has the advantage that each section has dimensions which make it easier to transport by road or rail.

[0007] One of the most commonly used materials for large towers is concrete, since it involves competitive costs and performance compared to the production of steel towers with similar characteristics. However, the weight of each concrete tower section can easily exceed one hundred tons, which is not common for metal tower sections, and therefore stacking concrete sections requires lifting and positioning devices with a large tonnage. The cost of using such lifting and positioning devices (which can be, for example, a crane) is directly related to the tonnage and height it can handle and its usage time. Such high-tonnage cranes are also used for lifting and positioning the nacelle, since the weight of the nacelle can also exceed 100 tons.

[0008] It is known in the prior art that a tower for a wind turbine of the "concrete-steel hybrid" tower type comprises a first tower section and also a second tower section made of steel, the first tower section comprising at least two concrete segments, the tower also comprising an adapter for connecting the two tower sections, and that a tower for a wind turbine of the "all-concrete" tower type comprises an adapter which is arranged in the upper part of the upper concrete tower section and below a wind turbine component, which wind turbine component is preferably a yaw bearing of the nacelle.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the adapter comprises an annular concrete member and a steel member having at least one annular flange, wherein the flange covers the upper surface of the concrete member of the adapter in the installed position. Thus, the adapter consists of concrete and steel, and in this case, the steel member is cast directly together with the concrete member of the adapter. Here, the annular flange of the steel member is fully grouted in the concrete without air inclusions. In a related method for constructing a tower, the steel member having the annular flange is initially provided for constructing the adapter, which is installed in an annular formwork. Then, concrete is placed in the formwork, and thus the annular concrete member of the adapter can be made. Here, the concrete is placed directly on the lower side of the flange, so that in the finished adapter, the flange is fully grouted, thereby establishing a connection between the concrete member and the steel member of the adapter.

[0010] In a second embodiment, the adapter is made entirely of steel, and a grouting layer must be provided between the adapter and the first tower section made of concrete to establish a connection between the steel adapter and the concrete section.

[0011] However, in both embodiments, the adapter is joined to directly below the concrete part or section by bolts passing through a first set of holes. The adapter further includes a second set of holes for allowing the tension members of the tower to pass through. The first set of holes and the second set of holes are provided on concentric circumferences with different radii, so more materials and a complex system are required to attach the auxiliary devices of the tower, or as a result, the tension members in the technical solution are arranged far from the inner wall of the tower, and the best post-tensioning cannot be performed on the concrete wall.

[0012] The present invention solves the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a concrete segment of a section of a tower of a wind turbine, wherein the tower at least comprises a concrete section, an adapter, a plurality of tension members, and a plurality of bolts, the plurality of tension members being configured to tension the tower, and the plurality of bolts being configured to join the adapter to the concrete section;

[0014] wherein, the concrete section comprises:

[0015] - at least two concrete segments;

[0016] - at least two vertical joints configured to join the at least two concrete segments;

[0017] wherein, the concrete segment comprises:

[0018] - an upper flange, which in turn comprises:

[0019] - a first set of holes, the first set of holes being adapted to receive the plurality of tension members in use; and

[0020] - a second set of holes, the second set of holes being adapted to receive the plurality of bolts in use;

[0021] wherein the first set of holes and the second set of holes are arranged in the upper flange in a non-uniform distribution.

[0022] The concrete segment thus constructed includes a region, namely the proximal region of each vertical joint, wherein at least one bolt is disposed between each of the at least two vertical joints and at least one hole of the first set of holes, thereby reducing the stress near the vertical joint.

[0023] Since the concrete segment is configured to be disposed below the adapter and engage with the adapter, the tension members of the concrete segment having such a configuration can be disposed as close as possible to the central portion of the adapter described below, thereby limiting the stress because the load from above the adapter is transmitted by the central portion.

[0024] Since the concrete segment includes a greater thickness near the vertical joint, it will be impossible to configure the tension members provided inside the tower.

[0025] In this way, the construction of the above concrete segment minimizes the amount of concrete required to pour the concrete segment.

[0026] Optionally, at least a portion of the first set of holes and at least a portion of the second set of holes are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the at least two vertical joints in use. Preferably, at least two holes of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints and at least one hole of the first set of holes in use.

[0027] Optionally, the sequence of the second set of holes and the first set of holes is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the second set of holes, and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the first set of holes, wherein n>1 and m>1.

[0028] Optionally, the number of holes of the second set of holes included in the concrete segment is greater than the number of holes of the first set of holes.

[0029] Optionally, the non-uniform distribution of the holes includes a first group of holes of the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes of the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes of the first set of holes, wherein the first group of holes of the second set of holes is significantly greater in number than the at least second group of holes of the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes of the first set of holes.

[0030] Optionally, the sequence of the second set of holes and the first set of holes is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the second set of holes and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the first set of holes, wherein n >= 1 and m >= 2 and m > n. Preferably, m > 2n.

[0031] Optionally, the ratio of the second set of holes to the first set of holes is between 3 and 5.

[0032] Optionally, the first set of holes and the second set of holes are arranged in a single circumferential row.

[0033] Thus, by arranging the first set of holes and the second set of holes in a single circumferential row, the tensioning members can be arranged as close as possible to the inner wall of the concrete section provided below, and thus as close as possible to the inner wall of the tower, thereby increasing the available space inside the tower.

[0034] Moreover, by alternating the first set of holes and the second set of holes in a single circumferential row, the space intended to be occupied by the tensioning members is now occupied by bolts, thereby reducing the stress on the concrete of the concrete section provided below the adapter.

[0035] The invention also relates to an adapter for a tower of a wind turbine, wherein the tower comprises the adapter, a concrete section, a plurality of tensioning members and a plurality of bolts, the plurality of tensioning members being configured to tension the tower, and the plurality of bolts being configured to engage the adapter to the concrete section;

[0036] wherein the concrete section comprises:

[0037] - at least two concrete segments;

[0038] - at least two vertical joints configured to join the at least two concrete segments; and

[0039] wherein the adapter comprises:

[0040] - a lower flange, which in turn comprises:

[0041] - a first set of holes configured to receive the plurality of tensioning members in use; and

[0042] - A second set of holes, the second set of holes being adapted to receive the plurality of bolts in use;

[0043] Wherein, the first set of holes and the second set of holes are arranged in the lower flange in a non-uniform distribution manner.

[0044] Optionally, at least a part of the first set of holes and at least a part of the second set of holes are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the at least two vertical seams in use. Preferably, at least two holes of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams and the at least one hole of the first set of holes in use.

[0045] Optionally, the sequence of the second set of holes and the first set of holes is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the second set of holes, and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the first set of holes, where n>1 and m>1.

[0046] Optionally, the number of holes of the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes of the first set of holes.

[0047] Optionally, the non-uniform distribution of the holes includes a first group of holes of the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes of the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes of the first set of holes, wherein the first group of holes of the second set of holes is significantly greater in number than the at least second group of holes of the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes of the first set of holes.

[0048] Optionally, the sequence of the second set of holes and the first set of holes is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the second set of holes, and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes of the first set of holes, where n>=1 and m>=2 and m>n, preferably m>2n.

[0049] Optionally, the ratio of the second set of holes to the first set of holes is between 3 and 5.

[0050] The present invention also relates to a wind turbine, which includes a tower of the wind turbine, the tower including the above adapter and / or a concrete section, the concrete section including at least two concrete segments as described above and at least two vertical seams configured to join the at least two concrete segments, a tension member configured to tension the tower, and bolts configured to join the adapter to the concrete section. Description of the Drawings

[0051] To supplement the explanations made and for a better understanding of the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the said explanations, in which, for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the scope of the invention, the following drawings are shown:

[0052] Figure 1 Shows the concrete part and the steel part of an adapter of a wind turbine tower according to the prior art, shows bolts passing through a first set of holes and a second set of holes, the first set of holes and the second set of holes being for allowing tension members of the tower to pass through, wherein the first set of holes and the second set of holes are arranged on concentric circumferences with different radii.

[0053] Figure 2 Shows a front view of a tower of a wind turbine, the tower including an adapter according to the invention and a concrete section according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 3 Shows details of a sectional view LL of a tower according to the first embodiment Figure 2 wherein the adapter has been partially removed to show the upper flange of the concrete section of the tower.

[0055] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 a sectional view JJ of.

[0056] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 a sectional view GG of.

[0057] Figure 6 Shows Figure 3 a sectional view HH of.

[0058] Figure 7 Shows a perspective view of an adapter according to the invention.

[0059] Figure 8 Shows details of a sectional view LL of a tower according to the second embodiment Figure 2 of.

[0060] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0061] The following is a detailed description of a concrete segment (10) of a section (50) of a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein the tower (100) at least includes the concrete section (50), an adapter (20), a plurality of tension members (30) and a plurality of bolts (40), the plurality of tension members (30) being configured to tension the tower, and the plurality of bolts (40) being configured to engage the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);

[0062] wherein the concrete section (50) includes:

[0063] - At least two concrete segments (10);

[0064] - At least two vertical joints (25) configured to join the at least two concrete segments (10);

[0065] Wherein, the concrete segment (10) includes:

[0066] - An upper flange (35), which in turn includes:

[0067] - A first set of holes (31) adapted to receive the plurality of

[0068] tension members (30) in use; and

[0069] - A second set of holes (32) adapted to receive the plurality of bolts (40) in use;

[0070] Wherein, the first set of holes (31) and the second set of holes (32) are arranged in the upper flange (35) in a non-uniform distribution.

[0071] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first set of holes (31) and at least a portion of the second set of holes (32) are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the at least two vertical joints (25) in use.

[0072] Moreover, two holes (32) of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints (25) and one hole (31) of the first set of holes in use.

[0073] The sequence of the second set of holes (32) and the first set of holes (31) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32), and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31), where n = 2 and m = 8, as Figure 3 shown. Thus, the number of holes (32) included in the second set of holes (32) is greater than the number of holes (31) of the first set of holes.

[0074] In this embodiment, the ratio of the second set of holes (32) to the first set of holes (31) is 3.6.

[0075] Now, an adapter (20) of a tower (100) of a wind turbine according to a preferred embodiment is described, wherein the tower comprises the adapter (20), a concrete section (50), a plurality of tension members (30), and a plurality of bolts (40), the plurality of tension members (30) being configured to tension the tower (100), and the plurality of bolts (40) being configured to engage the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);

[0076] Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises:

[0077] - At least two concrete segments (10);

[0078] - At least two vertical joints (25), the at least two vertical joints (25) being configured to engage the at least two concrete segments (10); and

[0079] Wherein, the adapter (20) comprises:

[0080] - A lower flange (45), which in turn comprises:

[0081] - A first set of holes (41) which are intended to receive the plurality of tension members (30) in use; and

[0082] - A second set of holes (42) which are intended to receive the plurality of bolts (40) in use;

[0083] Wherein, the first set of holes (41) and the second set of holes (42) are arranged in the lower flange (45) in a non-uniform distribution.

[0084] In this embodiment, at least a part of the first set of holes (41) and at least a part of the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the at least two vertical joints (25) in use.

[0085] Moreover, two holes (42) of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints (25) and at least one hole (41) of the first set of holes in use.

[0086] The sequence of the second set of holes (42) and the first set of holes (31) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42), and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41), wherein n = 2 and m = 8, as Figure 8 shown. Thus, the number of holes (42) included in the second set of holes (42) is greater than the number of holes (41) of the first set of holes.

[0087] In this embodiment, the ratio of the second set of holes (42) to the first set of holes (41) is 3.6.

[0088] A wind turbine, comprising a tower (100), further comprising an adapter (20), a concrete section (50), a tension member (30), and bolts (40), wherein the adapter (20) is the adapter (20) as described above for this embodiment, the concrete section (50) comprises three concrete segments (10) as described above for this embodiment and three vertical joints (25) configured to connect the three concrete segments (10), the tension member (30) is configured to tension the tower (100), and the bolts (40) are configured to engage the adapter (20) to the concrete segment (50).

Claims

1. A concrete segment (10) of a section (50) of a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein, The tower (100) comprises at least a concrete section (50), an adapter (20), a plurality of tension members (30) and a plurality of bolts (40), the plurality of tension members (30) being configured to tension the tower and the plurality of bolts (40) being configured to join the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50); Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises: - at least two concrete segments (10); - at least two vertical joints (25) configured to join the at least two concrete segments (10); Wherein, the concrete segment (10) comprises: - an upper flange (35), which in turn comprises: - a first set of holes (31) intended to receive the plurality of tension members (30) in use; and - a second set of holes (32) intended to receive the plurality of bolts (40) in use; Characterized in that the first set of holes (31) and the second set of holes (32) are arranged in the upper flange (35) in a non-uniform distribution.

2. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 1, wherein, At least a part of the first set of holes (31) and at least a part of the second set of holes (32) are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner relative to the at least two vertical joints (25) in use.

3. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 2, wherein, At least two holes (32) of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints (25) and at least one hole (31) of the first set of holes in use.

4. The concrete segment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The sequence of the second set of holes (32) and the first set of holes (31) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32) and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31), with n > 1 and m > 1.

5. The concrete segment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: The number of holes (32) of the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes (31) of the first set of holes.

6. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 5, wherein, The non-uniform distribution of the holes includes a first group of holes (32) of the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes (32) of the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes (31) of the first set of holes, wherein the first group of holes (32) of the second set of holes is significantly greater in number than the at least second group of holes (32) of the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes (31) of the first set of holes.

7. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 6, wherein, The sequence of the second set of holes (32) and the first set of holes (31) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32) and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31), with n >= 1 and m >= 2 and m > n.

8. Adapter (20) of a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein, The tower comprises the adapter (20), the concrete section (50), a plurality of tension members (30) and a plurality of bolts (40), the plurality of tension members (30) being configured to tension the tower (100) and the plurality of bolts (40) being configured to join the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50); Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises: - At least two concrete segments (10); - At least two vertical joints (25) configured to join the at least two concrete segments (10); and Wherein, the adapter (20) comprises: - A lower flange (45), which in turn comprises: - A first set of holes (41) adapted to receive the plurality of tension members (30) in use; and - A second set of holes (42) adapted to receive the plurality of bolts (40) in use; Characterized in that the first set of holes (41) and the second set of holes (42) are arranged in the lower flange (45) in a non-uniform distribution.

9. The adapter (20) according to claim 8, wherein, At least a part of the first set of holes (41) and at least a part of the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a substantially symmetric manner with respect to the at least two vertical joints (25) in use.

10. The adapter (20) according to claim 9, wherein, At least two holes (42) of the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints (25) and at least one hole (41) of the first set of holes in use.

11. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The sequence of the second set of holes (42) and the first set of holes (31) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42), and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41), where n>1 and m>1.

12. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, comprising: The number of holes (42) of the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes (41) of the first set of holes.

13. The adapter (20) according to claim 12, wherein, The non-uniform distribution of the holes includes a first group of holes (42) of the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes (42) of the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes (41) of the first set of holes, wherein the first group of holes (42) of the second set of holes is significantly greater in number than the at least second group of holes (42) of the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes (41) of the first set of holes.

14. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The sequence of the second set of holes (42) and the first set of holes (41) is n, 1, n, 1, n, 1, m, 1, n, 1, n, where the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42), and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41), where n>=1 and m>=2 and m>n.

15. Wind turbine, comprising a tower (100) of the wind turbine, said tower (100) comprising an adapter (20) and / or a concrete section (50) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, said concrete section (50) comprising at least two concrete segments (10) and at least two vertical joints (25), tension members (30) and bolts (40), said at least two concrete segments (10) being the at least two concrete segments (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said at least two vertical joints (25) being configured to join said at least two concrete segments (10), said tension members (30) being configured to tension the tower (100), and said bolts (40) being configured to join the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50).

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