Concrete segment of section of tower of wind turbine and adapter of tower 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 a wind turbine comprising a tower which in turn comprises a concrete segment and / or an adapter of said section.

Description

[0001] Purpose of the Invention

[0002] 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.

[0003] The invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower which in turn comprises concrete segments and / or adapters of said sections. 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 towers made of steel, lattice, or reinforced concrete, 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 are of the “concrete-steel hybrid” type, comprising a first tower section comprising at least two concrete segments and further comprising a second tower section made of steel, the tower further comprising an adapter for connecting the two tower sections, and that towers for wind turbines are of the “full concrete” type, comprising an adapter arranged in the upper part of an 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, wherein the flange covers the upper surface of the adapter's concrete member in the installed position. The adapter is thus composed of concrete and steel, in which case the steel member is cast directly together with the adapter's concrete member. The annular flange of the steel member is completely grouted in the concrete, free of air inclusions. In a related method for constructing a tower, a steel member having an 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 annular concrete member of the adapter. Concrete is placed directly on the underside of the flange, so that in the finished adapter, the flange is completely grouted, thereby establishing a connection between the concrete and steel members of the adapter.

[0010] In a second embodiment, the adapter is made completely of steel, and a glue layer must 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 by means of 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, thus requiring more material and a complex system for attaching the tower's auxiliary devices, or resulting in a technical solution in which the tensioning members are positioned away from the tower's inner wall, which does not provide optimal post-tensioning of the concrete wall.

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

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

[0014] Wherein, the concrete section includes:

[0015] - At least two concrete segments;

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

[0017] The concrete segment comprises:

[0018] - an upper flange, said upper flange comprising:

[0019] - a first set of apertures intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members; and

[0020] - a second set of holes intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts;

[0021] Wherein at least one hole in the second set of holes is arranged, in use, between each of the at least two vertical seams and at least one hole in the first set of holes.

[0022] The thus constructed concrete segment includes a region, ie, a 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 stresses near the vertical joints.

[0023] Since the concrete segments are configured to be positioned below and joined to the adapter, a tensioning member having the concrete segments so configured can be positioned as close as possible to a central portion of the adapter described below, thereby limiting stresses since loads from above the adapter are transferred by the central portion.

[0024] Since the concrete segments have a greater thickness near the vertical joints, provision of tension members configured to be provided from the interior of the tower would not be possible.

[0025] In this manner, the configuration of the concrete segment minimizes the amount of concrete required to cast the concrete segment. 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 symmetrical manner relative to at least two vertical joints during use. Preferably, in use, at least two holes in the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical joints and at least one hole in the first set of holes.

[0026] 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, and the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes in the second set of holes and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes in the first set of holes, where n>=1 and m>=1.

[0027] Optionally, the second set of holes are evenly distributed.

[0028] Optionally, the concrete segment comprises a greater number of holes in the second set of holes than the number of holes in the first set of holes, wherein the holes in the first set of holes and the holes in the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

[0029] Optionally, the uneven distribution of holes comprises a first group of holes in the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes in the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes in the first set of holes, wherein the number of holes in the first group of holes in the second set of holes is significantly greater than the number of holes in the at least second group of holes in the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes in 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, with odd-numbered positions in the sequence corresponding to holes in the second set of holes and even-numbered positions in the sequence corresponding to holes in the first set of holes, where n>=1 and m>=2 and m>n. Preferably, m>2n.

[0031] Optionally, the ratio between the second set of holes and 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 arranged below the tower, thereby increasing the usable space inside the tower.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The present 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 configured for tensioning the tower, and a plurality of bolts configured for joining the adapter to the concrete section;

[0036] Wherein, the concrete section includes:

[0037] - At least two concrete segments;

[0038] - at least two vertical seams configured to join the at least two concrete segments; and wherein the adapter comprises:

[0039] - a lower flange, said lower flange comprising:

[0040] - a first set of apertures intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members; and

[0041] - a second set of holes intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts;

[0042] Wherein at least one hole in the second set of holes is arranged, in use, between each of the at least two vertical seams and at least one hole in the first set of holes.

[0043] 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 symmetrical manner relative to the at least two vertical seams in use. Preferably, in use, at least two holes in the second set of holes are arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams and at least one hole in the first set of holes.

[0044] 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, and the odd positions in the sequence correspond to the holes in the second set of holes and the even positions in the sequence correspond to the holes in the first set of holes, where n>=1 and m>=1.

[0045] Optionally, the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

[0046] Optionally, the number of holes in the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes in the first set of holes, wherein the holes in the first set of holes and the holes in the second set of holes are evenly distributed.

[0047] Optionally, the uneven distribution of holes comprises a first group of holes in the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes in the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes in the first set of holes, wherein the number of holes in the first group of holes in the second set of holes is significantly greater than the at least second group of holes in the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes in 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, with the odd positions in the sequence corresponding to the holes of the second set of holes and the even positions in the sequence corresponding 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 between the second set of holes and the first set of holes is between 3 and 5.

[0050] The invention further relates to a wind turbine comprising a tower of the wind turbine, the tower comprising an adapter as described above and / or a concrete segment comprising at least two concrete segments as described above and at least two vertical joints configured for joining the at least two concrete segments, a tensioning member configured for tensioning the tower, and bolts configured for joining the adapter to the concrete segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] 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:

[0052] 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 and second sets of holes are arranged on concentric circles with different radii.

[0053] Figure 2 Shown is an elevational view of a tower of a wind turbine comprising an adapter according to the invention and a concrete segment according to the invention.

[0054] Figure 3 According to the first embodiment, 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.

[0055] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view JJ.

[0056] Figure 5 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view GG.

[0057] Figure 6 Shown Figure 3 Cross-sectional view HH.

[0058] Figure 7 A perspective view of an adapter according to the invention is shown.

[0059] Figure 8 According to the second embodiment, Figure 2 Detail of a cross-sectional view of the tower ll.

[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) for a wind turbine, wherein the tower (100) comprises at least a concrete section (50), an adapter (20), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured for tensioning the tower, and a plurality of bolts (40) configured for connecting the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);

[0062] Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises:

[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) comprises:

[0066] - an upper flange (35), said upper flange (35) comprising:

[0067] - a first set of holes (31) intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30); and

[0068] - a second set of holes (32) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40);

[0069] Wherein, at least one hole (32) in the second set of holes is arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and at least one hole (31) in the first set of holes in use.

[0070] 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 symmetrical manner relative to the at least two vertical seams (25) in use.

[0071] Furthermore, in use, two holes (32) of the second set of holes are disposed between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and one hole (31) of the first set of holes.

[0072] 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, with the odd positions in the sequence corresponding to the holes (32) of the second set of holes (32) and the even positions in the sequence corresponding to the holes (31) of the first set of holes (31), where n=2 and m=8, as Figure 3 Therefore, the second set of holes (32) is unevenly distributed, and the number of holes (32) in the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes (31) in the first set of holes, wherein the holes (31) in the first set of holes and the holes (32) in the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

[0073] In this embodiment, the ratio between the second set of holes (32) and the first set of holes (31) is 3.6.

[0074] An adapter (20) for a tower (100) of a wind turbine according to a preferred embodiment is now described, wherein the tower comprises an adapter (20), a concrete section (50), a plurality of tensioning members (30) configured for tensioning the tower (100), and a plurality of bolts (40) configured for connecting the adapter (20) to the concrete section (50);

[0075] Wherein, the concrete section (50) comprises:

[0076] - at least two concrete segments (10);

[0077] - at least two vertical joints (25) configured to join the at least two concrete segments (10); and

[0078] Wherein, the adapter (20) comprises:

[0079] - a lower flange (45), said lower flange (45) comprising:

[0080] - a first set of holes (41) intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30); and

[0081] - a second set of holes (42) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40);

[0082] Wherein, at least one hole (42) in the second set of holes is arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and at least one hole (41) in the first set of holes in use.

[0083] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the first set of holes (41) and at least a portion of the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner relative to the at least two vertical seams (25) in use.

[0084] Furthermore, in use, two holes (42) of the second set of holes are disposed between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and at least one hole (41) of the first set of holes.

[0085] 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, with the odd positions in the sequence corresponding to the holes (42) of the second set of holes (42) and the even positions in the sequence corresponding to the holes (41) of the first set of holes (41), where n=2 and m=8, as Figure 8 Therefore, the second set of holes (42) is evenly distributed, the number of holes (42) in the second set of holes is greater than the number of holes (41) in the first set of holes, wherein the holes (41) in the first set of holes and the holes (42) in the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

[0086] In this embodiment, the ratio between the second set of holes (42) and the first set of holes (41) is 3:6.

[0087] A wind turbine including a tower (100) further includes an adapter (20) as described above for this embodiment, a concrete segment (50) including three concrete segments (10) as described above for this embodiment and three vertical joints (25) configured to join the three concrete segments (10), a tensioning member (30) configured to tension the tower (100), and bolts (40) configured to connect 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) includes at least 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 connect 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), said upper flange (35) comprising: - a first set of holes (31) intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30); and - a second set of holes (32) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40); Wherein, at least one hole (32) in the second set of holes is arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and at least one hole (31) in the first set of holes in use.

2. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 1, wherein 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 symmetrical manner relative to the at least two vertical seams (25) in use.

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

4. Concrete segment (10) according to any 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, and 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>=1 and m>=1.

5. The concrete segment (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The second set of holes (32) are unevenly distributed.

6. The concrete segment (10) according to claim 5, comprising a greater number of holes (32) of the second set of holes than the number of holes (31) of the first set of holes, wherein the holes (31) of the first set of holes and the holes (32) of the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

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

8. The concrete segment (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, 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, and 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), wherein n>=1 and m>=2 and m>n.

9. 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 connect 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), said lower flange (45) comprising: - a first set of holes (41) intended to accommodate, in use, said plurality of tensioning members (30); and - a second set of holes (42) intended to receive, in use, said plurality of bolts (40); Wherein, at least one hole (42) in the second set of holes is arranged between each of the at least two vertical seams (25) and at least one hole (41) in the first set of holes in use.

10. The adapter (20) according to claim 9, wherein At least a portion of the first set of holes (41) and at least a portion of the second set of holes (42) are arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner relative to the at least two vertical seams (25) in use.

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

12. The adapter (20) according to any of claims 9 to 11, 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, with odd positions in the sequence corresponding to holes (42) of the second set of holes (42) and even positions in the sequence corresponding to holes (41) of the first set of holes (41), where n>=1 and m>=1.

13. The adapter (20) according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The second set of holes (42) are unevenly distributed.

14. The adapter (20) of claim 13, comprising a greater number of holes (42) in the second set of holes than the number of holes (41) in the first set of holes, wherein the holes (41) in the first set of holes and the holes (42) in the second set of holes are unevenly distributed.

15. The adapter (20) according to claim 14, wherein The uneven distribution of holes includes a first group of holes (42) in the second set of holes and at least a second group of holes (42) in the second set of holes and at least a first group of holes (41) in the first set of holes, wherein the first group of holes (42) in the second set of holes is significantly greater in number than the at least second group of holes (42) in the second set of holes and the at least first group of holes (41) in the first set of holes.

16. The adapter (20) according to any of claims 13 to 15, 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, and 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>=1 and m>=2 and m>n.

17. A wind turbine comprising a tower (100) of a wind turbine, the tower (100) comprising an adapter (20) according to any of claims 9 to 18 and / or a concrete segment (50), the concrete segment (50) comprising at least two concrete segments (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8 and at least two vertical joints (25) configured for joining the at least two concrete segments (10), a tensioning element (30) configured for tensioning the tower (100), and bolts (40) configured for joining the adapter (20) to the concrete segment (50).

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