Tower adapter for tower of wind turbine and concrete section of tower of wind turbine
By designing the adapter and concrete section with the central vertical axis and concentric circumferential sleeve holes in the wind turbine tower, the problems of high upgrading costs and complex connections are solved, and efficient and economical tower section connection and rear tension are achieved, providing convenient internal space use.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380081337.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-12
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, lifting and positioning of concrete tower sections requires a large tonnage crane, which is expensive, and the connection method of the adapter requires more materials and complex systems, which cannot achieve optimal rear tensioning of the concrete wall.
An adapter and concrete section of a wind turbine tower is designed, using a central vertical axis and a lower flange, and the sleeve hole is arranged on the concentric circumference, and the tensioning member and bolts are as close to the inner wall as possible, reducing overlap, reducing stress, and alternately setting sleeve holes in a single circumferential row to reduce internal space occupation.
Reduces lifting and positioning costs, simplifies connection systems, reduces material requirements, achieves optimal rear tensioning of concrete walls, and provides sufficient space for elevators and ladder settings.
Smart Images
Figure CN120476254A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Purpose of the Invention
[0002] The object of the invention is an adapter for a tower of a wind turbine and a concrete segment for a tower of a wind turbine.
[0003] The invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower which in turn comprises said adapter and / or said concrete segment. Background of the Invention
[0005] A wind turbine consists of a tower, a nacelle housing a generator, and a rotor formed by at least two blades. The wind turbine's tower supports the nacelle and rotor. Large wind turbines have steel, lattice, or reinforced concrete towers, or even hybrid towers consisting of 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 must be divided into several ring-shaped segments that are stacked during the wind turbine assembly phase to form the entire height of the tower. Dividing the tower into multiple segments has the advantage that each segment has a size that makes it easier to transport it by road or rail.
[0007] One of the most common materials used for large towers is concrete, due to its competitive cost and performance compared to steel towers of similar characteristics. However, each concrete tower segment can easily weigh over 100 tons, which is uncommon for metal tower segments. Therefore, stacking concrete segments requires high-tonnage lifting and positioning equipment. The cost of using such lifting and positioning equipment, such as a crane, is directly related to the tonnage and height it can handle, as well as its operating life. Such high-tonnage cranes are also used to lift and position the nacelle, which can also weigh over 100 tons.
[0008] It is known in the prior art that towers for wind turbines of the “hybrid concrete-steel” tower type comprise a first tower section and further comprise a second tower section made of steel, the first tower section comprising at least two concrete segments, the tower further comprising an adapter for connecting the two tower sections, and that towers for wind turbines of the “full concrete” tower type comprise an adapter, which is arranged in the upper part of the upper concrete tower section and below a wind turbine component, preferably a yaw bearing of a nacelle.
[0009] In a first embodiment, the adapter comprises an annular concrete member and a steel member having at least one annular flange. The flange, when installed, covers the upper surface of the adapter's concrete member. The adapter is thus composed of concrete and steel. In this case, the steel member is cast directly alongside the adapter's concrete member. The steel member's annular flange is completely grouted in the concrete, free of air inclusions. In a related method for constructing a tower, the steel member with the annular flange is initially provided for constructing the adapter, which is then installed in an annular formwork. Concrete is then placed in the formwork, thereby forming the adapter's annular concrete member. Concrete is placed directly on the underside of the flange, so that in the finished adapter, the flange is completely grouted, establishing a connection between the adapter's concrete member and the steel member.
[0010] In a second embodiment, the adapter is made entirely of steel, and a grouting layer has to be provided between the adapter and the first tower section made of concrete in order to establish a connection between the steel adapter and the concrete section.
[0011] However, in both embodiments, the adapter is attached to the concrete section or segment directly below using bolts passing through a first set of holes. The adapter also includes a second set of holes for allowing the tower's tensioning members to pass through. The first and second sets of holes are arranged on concentric circles with different radii, requiring more material and a complex system for attaching the tower's auxiliary devices. Alternatively, the tensioning members in these solutions are positioned far from the tower's inner wall, preventing optimal post-tensioning of the concrete wall.
[0012] The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention
[0013] The present invention relates to an adapter for a tower of a wind turbine, wherein the tower comprises an adapter, a concrete section, a plurality of tensioning members and a plurality of bolts, wherein the plurality of tensioning members are configured to tension the tower, and the plurality of bolts are configured to join the adapter to the concrete section;
[0014] Wherein, the concrete section includes:
[0015] - at least one concrete segment; and
[0016] Wherein, the adapter includes:
[0017] - a central vertical axis; and
[0018] - a lower flange, said lower flange in turn comprising:
[0019] - a first set of bores intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members, wherein each bore of said first set of bores comprises an axis and a first diameter; and
[0020] - a second set of holes intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts, wherein
[0021] Each hole in the second set of holes includes an axis and a second diameter;
[0022] wherein the axis of the bore of the first set of bores defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis, and the axis of the bore of the second set of bores defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the first diameter of the first set of bores.
[0023] Optionally, the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is smaller than the second diameter of the second bore.
[0024] Optionally, the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than 30 mm, preferably less than 20 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, and more preferably less than 5 mm.
[0025] The radii of these imaginary cylinders are such that the tensioning members and the bolts are as close as possible to the inner walls of both the adapter and the tower segment, and the first and second sets of holes do not overlap.
[0026] The adapter thus constructed, which is intended to be connected to the concrete section arranged below, comprises a region, namely the lower flange, in which the tensioning members and the bolts do not overlap in the radial direction, thereby reducing stresses in the lower flange.
[0027] Optionally, the axes of the holes of the first set of holes and the axes of the holes of the second set of holes are substantially contained within the same imaginary cylinder.
[0028] Furthermore, an area is created along the inner wall of the tower that is free of the tensioning members, thereby creating sufficient space, a clear clearance, for the placement of an elevator, ladder, or other member in the projection, and also ensuring that the tensioning members and the elevator, ladder, or other member are as close as possible to the inner wall of the tower. This solution offers significant advantages over other possible solutions, such as those in which the elevator is positioned away from the inner wall of the tower, requiring more material and a complex system for attaching the ladder and elevator to the wall, as sufficient space is required between the ladder-elevator and the inner tower wall to allocate at least one tensioning member, or alternatively, positioning the tensioning members away from the inner tower wall, as this does not allow for optimal post-tensioning of the concrete wall.
[0029] Optionally, the adapter further comprises an upper flange configured to couple the adapter to at least a second tower segment or wind turbine component in use; and a central portion coupling the lower flange and the upper flange; wherein the lower flange comprises an annular horizontal region and an inclined circumferential region adjacent to the central portion, wherein the inclined circumferential region comprises a proximal end adjacent to the annular horizontal region, wherein the axis of the hole of the first set of holes and the axis of the hole of the second set of holes are disposed on the annular horizontal region.
[0030] Preferably, the bore of the first set of bores comprises a first diameter and the bore of the second set of bores comprises a second diameter, wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are contained within the annular horizontal region.
[0031] Preferably, the first diameter of the holes of the first set of holes is between 175 mm and 225 mm, more preferably between 190 mm and 210 mm, and the second diameter of the holes of the second set of holes is between 60 mm and 80 mm, more preferably between 65 mm and 75 mm.
[0032] Optionally, the distance from the axis of the holes of the first set of holes and the axis of the holes of the second set of holes to the proximal end of the inclined circumferential area of the lower flange is between 100 mm and 160 mm, preferably between 115 mm and 145 mm.
[0033] In use, the plurality of tensioning members received in the holes of the first bore and / or the plurality of bolts received in the holes of the second bore include heads, wherein the heads are disposed substantially tangentially to a proximal end of the angled circumferential end portion of the lower flange.
[0034] Thus, the tensioning member and the bolt are arranged as close as possible to the central portion of the adapter, thereby limiting the stresses generated by the loads from above the adapter being transferred through the central portion.
[0035] Optionally, the first set of apertures and the second set of apertures are provided in a single circumferential row.
[0036] Therefore, by arranging the first and second sets of holes in a single circumferential row, the tensioning members can be arranged as close as possible to the inner wall of the underlying concrete section and thus to the inner wall of the tower, thereby reducing the available space inside the tower.
[0037] Furthermore, by alternating the first and second sets of holes in a single circumferential row, the space intended to be occupied by tensioning members is now occupied by bolts, thereby reducing stress on the concrete of the concrete section disposed below the adapter.
[0038] The present invention also relates to a concrete section of a tower of a wind turbine, wherein the tower comprises the concrete section, an adapter, a plurality of tensioning members configured to tension the tower, and a plurality of bolts configured to join the adapter to the concrete section;
[0039] Wherein, the concrete section includes:
[0040] - central vertical axis;
[0041] - at least one concrete segment;
[0042] - an upper flange, said upper flange in turn comprising:
[0043] - a first set of bores intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members, wherein each bore (31) of said first set of bores (31) comprises an axis and a first diameter; and
[0044] - a second set of holes intended to receive said plurality of bolts, wherein each hole of said second set of holes comprises an axis and a second diameter;
[0045] wherein the axis of the bore of the first set of bores defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis, and the axis of the bore of the second set of bores defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis, wherein an absolute value of a difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the first diameter of the first set of bores.
[0046] Optionally, the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is smaller than the second diameter of the second bore.
[0047] Optionally, the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than 30 mm, preferably less than 20 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, and more preferably less than 5 mm. The concrete section thus constructed includes a region, namely the upper flange, in which the tensioning members and the bolts do not overlap in the radial direction, thereby reducing stress in the upper flange.
[0048] Furthermore, areas free of tensioning members are formed along the inner wall of the tower, thereby creating sufficient space, a clear clearance, for arranging an elevator, ladder, or other member in the projection, and also ensuring that the tensioning member and the elevator, ladder, or other member are as close as possible to the inner tower wall. This solution offers significant advantages over other possible solutions, such as those in which the elevator is arranged away from the inner tower wall, requiring more material and a complex system for attaching the ladder and elevator to the wall due to the need to allow sufficient space between the ladder-elevator and the inner tower wall for distributing at least one tensioning member, or alternatively arranging the tensioning member away from the inner tower wall, which prevents optimal post-tensioning of the concrete wall.
[0049] Optionally, the axes of the holes of the first set of holes and the vertical axes of the holes of the second set of holes are substantially contained within the same imaginary cylinder.
[0050] Optionally, the holes of the first set of holes comprise a first diameter and the holes of the second set of holes comprise a second diameter, wherein the first diameter of the holes of the first set of holes is between 175 mm and 225 mm, more preferably between 190 mm and 210 mm, and the second diameter of the holes of the second set of holes is between 60 mm and 80 mm, more preferably between 65 mm and 75 mm.
[0051] Optionally, the first set of apertures and the second set of apertures are provided in a single circumferential row.
[0052] Thus, by arranging the first and second sets of holes in a single circumferential row, the tensioning members can be positioned as close as possible to the inner wall of the concrete section and thus to the inner wall of the tower, thereby reducing the available space inside the tower.
[0053] Furthermore, 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 tensioning members is now occupied by bolts, thereby reducing stress on the concrete.
[0054] The invention also relates to a tower of a wind turbine, comprising an adapter as described above and / or an above concrete segment.
[0055] The tower further includes a plurality of tensioning members configured to tension the tower and a plurality of bolts configured to engage the adapter to the concrete section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] To supplement the description made and for a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following drawings are shown for illustrative purposes and not to limit the scope of the invention:
[0057] Figure 1 A concrete portion and a steel portion of an adapter for a wind turbine tower according to the prior art are shown, showing bolts passing through a first set of holes and a second set of holes for allowing the passage of tensioning members of the tower, wherein the first set of holes and the second set of holes are arranged on concentric circles with different radii.
[0058] Figure 2 Shown is a front view of a tower of a wind turbine comprising an adapter according to the invention and a concrete segment according to the invention.
[0059] Figure 3 The first embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 2 Detail of a cross-sectional view of the tower, where the adapter has been partially removed to show the upper flange of the concrete section of the tower.
[0060] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view JJ.
[0061] Figure 5 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view GG.
[0062] Figure 6 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view HH.
[0063] Figure 7 Shown is a perspective view of an adapter according to the invention.
[0064] Figure 8 Shown Figure 7 Cross-sectional view BB and details of cross-sectional view BB.
[0065] Preferred embodiments of the invention
[0066] The following is a detailed description of an adapter (20) for a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein the tower includes the adapter (20), a concrete section (50), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower (100), and a plurality of bolts (40), wherein the plurality of tensioning members (30) is configured to tension the tower (100), and the plurality of bolts (40) is configured to couple the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);
[0067] Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises:
[0068] - at least one concrete segment (10); and
[0069] Wherein, the adapter (20) comprises:
[0070] - a central vertical axis (29); and
[0071] - a lower flange (22), said lower flange (22) in turn comprising:
[0072] - a first set of bores (41) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30), wherein each bore (41) of said first set of bores (41) comprises an axis (41') and a first diameter (51); and
[0073] - a second set of holes (42) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40), wherein each hole (42) of said second set of holes (42) comprises an axis (42') and a second diameter (52);
[0074] wherein the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis (29), and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis (29), wherein the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the first diameter of the first set of holes;
[0075] - an upper flange (23) configured to, in use, join the adapter to at least one second tower section or wind turbine component; and
[0076] - a central portion (21) engaging the lower flange (22) and the upper flange (23); wherein the lower flange (22) comprises an annular horizontal zone (26) and an inclined circumferential zone (27) adjacent to the central portion (21), wherein the inclined circumferential zone (27) comprises a proximal end (28) adjacent to the annular horizontal zone (26), wherein the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) are arranged on the annular horizontal zone (26).
[0077] In this embodiment, the first set of holes (41) and the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a single circumferential row.
[0078] In this embodiment, the first diameter (51) and the second diameter (52) are contained in the annular horizontal region (26), wherein the first diameter (51) of the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41) is between 175 and 225 mm, and the second diameter (52) of the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42) is between 60 and 80 mm.
[0079] The distances (d1, d2) defined from the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) to the proximal end (28) of the inclined circumferential zone (27) of the lower flange (22) are between 100 mm and 160 mm, preferably between 115 mm and 145 mm.
[0080] The plurality of tensioning members (30) received in the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41) and / or the plurality of bolts (31) received in the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42) include heads, wherein the heads are disposed substantially tangentially to a proximal end (28) of the inclined circumferential end portion (27) of the lower flange (22).
[0081] A concrete section (50) of a tower (100) for a wind turbine is now described, wherein the tower (100) includes the concrete section (50), an adapter (20), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower, and a plurality of bolts (40) configured to couple the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);
[0082] Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises:
[0083] - a central vertical axis (55);
[0084] - at least one concrete segment (10);
[0085] - an upper flange (35), said upper flange (35) in turn comprising:
[0086] - a first set of bores (31) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30), wherein each bore (31) of said first set of bores (31) comprises an axis (31') and a first diameter (61); and
[0087] - a second set of holes (32) for receiving the plurality of bolts (40), wherein each hole (32) of the second set of holes (32) comprises an axis (32') and a second diameter (62);
[0088] wherein the axis (31′) of the hole (31) of the first set of holes (31) defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis (55), and the axis (32′) of the hole (32) of the second set of holes (32) defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis (55), wherein the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is smaller than the first diameter (61) of the first set of holes (31).
[0089] In this embodiment, the first diameter (61) of the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31) is between 175 and 225 mm, and the second diameter (62) of the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32) is between 60 and 80 mm.
[0090] Preferably, the first set of holes (31) and the second set of holes (32) are arranged in a single circumferential row.
[0091] The tower (100) of a wind turbine includes the above-mentioned adapter (20), the above-mentioned concrete section (50), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower (100), and a plurality of bolts (40) configured to join the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50).
Claims
1. An adapter (20) for a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein: The tower includes the adapter (20), a concrete section (50), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower (100), and a plurality of bolts (40) configured to couple the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50); Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises: - at least one concrete segment (10); and Wherein, the adapter (20) comprises: - a central vertical axis (29); and - a lower flange (22), said lower flange (22) in turn comprising: - a first set of bores (41) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30), wherein each bore (41) of said first set of bores (41) comprises an axis (41') and a first diameter (51); and - a second set of holes (42) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40), wherein each hole (42) of said second set of holes (42) comprises an axis (42') and a second diameter (52); wherein the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis (29), and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis (29), wherein the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the first diameter of the first set of holes.
2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein The absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the second diameter (52) of the second bore (42).
3. An adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein The axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) are substantially contained in the same imaginary cylinder.
4. The adapter according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: - an upper flange (23) configured to join the adapter to at least one second tower section or wind turbine component in use; as well as - a central portion (21) engaging the lower flange (22) and the upper flange (23); wherein the lower flange (22) comprises an annular horizontal zone (26) and an inclined circumferential zone (27) adjacent to the central portion (21), wherein the inclined circumferential zone (27) comprises a proximal end (28) adjacent to the annular horizontal zone (26), wherein the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) are arranged on the annular horizontal zone (26).
5. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein: The first diameter (51) and the second diameter (52) are contained within the annular horizontal region (26).
6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein: The first diameter (51) of the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41) is between 175 mm and 225 mm, and the second diameter (52) of the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42) is between 60 mm and 80 mm.
7. The adapter according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The distances (d1, d2) from the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) to the proximal end (28) of the inclined circumferential area (27) of the lower flange (22) are between 100 mm and 160 mm.
8. The adapter according to claim 7, wherein: The distances (d1, d2) from the axis (41') of the hole (41) of the first set of holes (41) and the axis (42') of the hole (42) of the second set of holes (42) to the proximal end (28) of the inclined circumferential region (27) of the lower flange (22) are between 115 mm and 145 mm.
9. The adapter according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein: In use, the plurality of tensioning members (30) received in the holes (41) of the first bore (41) and / or the plurality of bolts (31) received in the holes (42) of the second bore (42) include heads, wherein the heads are disposed substantially tangentially to the proximal end (28) of the inclined circumferential region (27) of the lower flange (22).
10. An adapter according to any preceding claim, wherein The first set of holes (41) and the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a single circumferential row.
11. A concrete section (50) of a tower (100) of a wind turbine, wherein: The tower (100) includes a concrete section (50), an adapter (20), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower, and a plurality of bolts (40) configured to couple the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50); Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises: - a central vertical axis (55); - at least one concrete segment (10); - an upper flange (35), said upper flange (35) in turn comprising: - a first set of bores (31) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30), wherein each bore (31) of said first set of bores (31) comprises an axis (31') and a first diameter (61); and - a second set of holes (32) intended to receive said plurality of bolts (40), wherein each hole (32) of the second set of holes (32) comprises an axis (32') and a second diameter (62); wherein the axis (31′) of the hole (31) of the first set of holes (31) defines a first imaginary cylinder having a first radius relative to the central vertical axis (55), and the axis (32′) of the hole (32) of the second set of holes (32) defines a second imaginary cylinder having a second radius relative to the central vertical axis (55), wherein the absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the first diameter (61) of the first set of holes.
12. The concrete segment according to claim 11, wherein The absolute value of the difference between the first radius and the second radius is less than the second diameter (62) of the second bore (32).
13. A concrete segment according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein: The axis (31') of the hole (31) of the first set of holes (31) and the vertical axis (32') of the hole (32) of the second set of holes (32) are substantially contained in the same imaginary cylinder.
14. A concrete segment according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The first diameter (61) of the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31) is between 175 mm and 225 mm, and the second diameter (62) of the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32) is between 60 mm and 80 mm.
15. A concrete segment according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein The first set of holes (31) and the second set of holes (32) are arranged in a single circumferential row.
16. A tower (100) of a wind turbine comprising an adapter (20) according to any of claims 1 to 10 and / or a concrete segment (50) according to any of claims 11 to 15.
17. The tower (100) of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured to tension the tower (100) and a plurality of bolts (40) configured to join the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50).