COUPLING DEVICE FOR COUPLING TOWER SEGMENTS OF A TOWER OF A WIND TURBINE AND ASSEMBLY METHOD THEREFOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling device according to claim 1 for coupling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine arranged adjacent to one another. Furthermore, the invention relates to a tower segment, a part of a tower of a wind turbine, a tower of a wind turbine, and a wind turbine. The invention further relates to a method for assembling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine arranged adjacent to one another.

[0002] Wind turbine towers are typically slender structures with a great height, which, particularly orthogonally to this height, have a comparatively small extension. The towers are often tubular in design, either as a steel tower, as a concrete tower comprising or consisting of reinforced concrete and / or prestressed concrete, or as a hybrid tower comprising a concrete tower section and a steel tower section. These tubular towers are often segmented vertically and / or horizontally along their circumference, so that the tubular towers comprise two or more tower segments. Such segmentation of the tubular towers is particularly necessary to enable the towers or tower segments to be transported from a production facility to the installation site of the wind turbine.

[0003] The towers are exposed to high mechanical loads during operation. Therefore, it is necessary that the tower segments are securely fixed to one another and that the connections ensure high reliability and / or load-bearing capacity. In particular, it is known to connect the tower segments usually using horizontal and / or vertical connecting flanges. The horizontal connecting flanges are designed to connect adjacent tower segments vertically. The horizontal connecting flanges, on the other hand, are designed to connect adjacent tower segments horizontally. However, the manufacture and transport of connecting flanges are generally complex and expensive. The assembly of such connecting flanges also involves a significant amount of time and personnel, making the construction of the wind turbine tower as a whole lengthy and costly.

[0004] For example, it is also known to connect tower segments arranged next to one another using overlapping plates. For this purpose, the plates are usually screwed to the tower segments. To create the screw connection, screws must be inserted from one side of the tower segments and screwed in with a nut from the opposite side of the tower segments. This requires a lift car that is attached to the topmost tower segment and lowered to the screw connection. Therefore, the assembly and, if necessary, the subsequent inspection of the screw connections are so time-consuming that the assembly of the tower of the wind turbine and thus also of the entire wind turbine is time-intensive and costly. In addition to reducing the amount of work required, it is desirable to achieve an improvement in occupational safety.

[0005] It is also known to connect an overlapping plate to adjacent tower segments by pressing clinch nuts into bores of the tower segments or another overlapping plate and screwing these clinch nuts with screws that pass through bores of the overlapping plate. Such clinch nuts are particularly disadvantageous in that tolerances, especially bore tolerances, can neither be compensated nor utilized.

[0006] EP 1 889 987 A1 discloses a tubular support structure comprising a plurality of tubular sections and a plurality of flangeless connection points for a wind turbine tower. US 6,957,518 B1 discloses a two-plate connection assembly for connecting the lower end of an upper tubular mast element to the upper end of a lower tubular element, which eliminates the need for a person on the outside of the tubular mast element and a person on the inside of the tubular mast element when attaching the connection plates to each other. EP 2 375 057 A1 discloses a wind turbine installation comprising a wind turbine tower or tower section, a receiving part of a wind turbine foundation installation, a connecting means suitable for connecting the wind turbine tower or tower section to the receiving part, wherein a lower end of the wind turbine tower or tower section is flangeless.WO 2011 / 147478 A1 discloses a corner joint, in particular for a wind turbine tower, which connects four adjacent tower segments by sections bent inwards in a horizontal or vertical direction, wherein the lengths of the inwardly bent sections alternate in the horizontal or vertical direction and two inwardly bent sections in the horizontal or vertical direction form a butt joint, and wherein at least one butt plate is connected to the butt joint.

[0007] The existing devices for connecting adjacent tower segments offer several advantages, but further improvements are desirable.

[0008] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2014 112 787 A1, US 2008 / 0 041 009 A1, US 2010 / 0 071 275 A1.

[0009] It is therefore an object to provide a coupling device for coupling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine, a tower segment, a part of a tower of a wind turbine, a tower of a wind turbine, and a wind turbine, as well as a method for assembling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine arranged next to one another, which reduce or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of existing solutions. In particular, it is an object to provide a solution that further increases the reliability and / or load-bearing capacity of the connection and simultaneously reduces the assembly effort, in particular without preventing the use of tolerances.

[0010] This object is achieved by a coupling device according to claim 1 for coupling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine arranged next to one another.

[0011] In the solution described here, the coupling plate is provided which, in an installed state, can be arranged on a peripheral surface of the tower segments arranged next to one another in such a way that it overlaps a joint. The arrangement of the receiving plate with the at least one receiving element as an anti-twist device enables a threaded element to be inserted from one side of the coupling plate into the through-opening and screwed to a counter-element receivable in the receiving element on an opposite side. By arranging the coupling plate at the joint area, the tower segments arranged next to one another can be mechanically connected to one another in the installed state, in particular by means of screw connections.

[0012] Such a coupling device ensures a secure and reliable connection of adjacent tower segments. The additional mounting plate located on the outer surface of the connecting section enables assembly, in particular, insertion of a threaded element and screwing of the threaded element to a counter-element, from one side of the tower segments. This eliminates the need to arrange a car at the upper end of the tower segments in a tower structure in order to be able to descend to the height of the joint.

[0013] In particular, the coupling plate can be arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the adjacent tower segments, which, in the installed state, form an outer peripheral surface, in particular a part of the outer peripheral surface, of the tower. In particular, for assembling the tower segments, platforms can be arranged on the side of the opposite peripheral surface, in particular the inner peripheral surface. This ensures that the joint area is easily accessible to personnel in order to enable insertion and passage of the threaded element into the through-openings, in particular of the second tower segment and the coupling plate, from this side, i.e., in particular, the inside, and to screw the threaded element to a counter-element receivable in the receiving element.

[0014] Such coupling devices are particularly advantageous in that they significantly reduce assembly times while simultaneously increasing work safety. A segmented tower can be manufactured significantly more cost-effectively, more easily, and / or more quickly using such coupling devices for coupling the tower segments arranged next to one another than with conventional connecting devices. Thus, personnel expenditure and / or time expenditure can be reduced and / or costs can be saved. In particular, the construction site activities for assembling the tower segments and thus also for erecting the tower can be significantly reduced.

[0015] The solution described here is based, among other things, on the realization that even if the additional mounting plate increases the weight of the coupling device compared to a simple overlapping plate, the above-mentioned advantages outweigh this and increase the cost-effectiveness.

[0016] The coupling device is not limited to use with tubular towers, in particular wind turbine towers, although it can be used particularly advantageously and economically here. Rather, the coupling device can also be used with segmented structures of other types and / or with segmented towers of other types and / or other segmented elements to connect individual segments, in particular vertically and / or horizontally adjacent segments.

[0017] The first contact surface can preferably have a shape that corresponds to a segment of a peripheral surface of the tower. The shape of the first contact surface thus preferably substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the peripheral surface of the first tower segment. Accordingly, the second contact surface can preferably have a shape that corresponds to a segment of a peripheral surface of the tower. In particular, the shape of the second contact surface therefore substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the peripheral surface of the second tower segment. If the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment are, for example, essentially tubular and / or hollow-cylindrical or formed as part of a tube and / or as part of a cylinder, the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface thus preferably have a shape of a shell segment of a cylinder or of part of a shell segment of a cylinder.If the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment are, for example, substantially frustoconical or formed as part of a truncated cone, the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface thus preferably have a shape of a shell segment of a cone, in particular a truncated cone, or of a part of a shell segment of a cone, in particular a truncated cone. If the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment are, for example, polygonal or formed as part of a polygon, the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface thus preferably have a flat, planar extension that corresponds to a circumferential surface of one of the sides of the polygonal tower segment or of the tower segment as part of a polygon.

[0018] The shape of the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface as a segment of the peripheral surface of the tower can, in particular, refer to a segment in the peripheral direction of the tower. Therefore, the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface preferably do not form a ring, in particular a circular ring or polygon, but rather cover only part of the peripheral surface of the tower.

[0019] The first contact surface and / or the second contact surface can preferably be flat, in particular not curved, or have a radius. The radius can preferably correspond to a radius of the circumferential surface of the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment or deviate slightly therefrom. In particular, if the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface has the shape of a shell segment of a cone, this radius can change in a vertical direction in the installed state, in particular taper upwards.

[0020] In the installed state, towers of wind turbines generally have a vertical longitudinal axis and a substantially annular cross-section orthogonal to this longitudinal axis. This substantially annular cross-section can be circular or polygonal. The term annular is therefore understood in this application not only to mean a circular design, but also a polygonal and / or polygonal design with several straight sections. In the installed state, tower segments arranged next to one another, in particular vertically and / or horizontally adjacent tower segments, can be connected to one another by means of the coupling device. In particular, the coupling plate can be arranged on the circumferential surface of the first tower segment and the circumferential surface of the second tower segment. The installed state is preferably understood to mean a state that relates to the vertically aligned tower.The alignments described for the installation state must be adapted accordingly in the manufacturing state and / or transport state to temporarily non-vertically aligned longitudinal axis of the tower or a part thereof.

[0021] In an assembled state, for example, the coupling device can be arranged on the first tower segment. In particular, the fastening section can be attached to the first tower segment such that the connecting section protrudes beyond a joint-side edge of the first tower segment. The joint-side edge can preferably be understood to be an edge of an end face of the first tower segment, which, in the installed state, meets an end face of the second tower segment and forms the joint.

[0022] A joint can be understood, in particular, as a point where tower segments arranged adjacent to one another meet with their end faces. In the installed state, the joint can extend essentially in a horizontal direction, i.e., in the circumferential direction, or in a vertical direction, i.e., in the longitudinal direction. The joint region describes, in particular, a region of the first tower segment and the second tower segment where the coupling device is arranged in the installed state.

[0023] If reference is made here to the tower, a part of a tower, the tower segment and the coupling device in relation to the tower segment, this refers in particular to the installed state or the assembled state of the coupling device, in which the coupling device, in particular the first contact surface and / or the second contact surface is arranged on the circumferential surface of the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment. In particular, directional information such as radial, in the circumferential direction, etc. preferably refer to a tower, in particular to a substantially vertical longitudinal axis of a tower, and refer to any cross-sectional shapes of such a tower, in particular both to circular cross-sections and to polygonal cross-sections. Furthermore, information such as horizontal, vertical, bottom, top, etc. also preferably refer to the installed state and / or the assembled state.

[0024] A tower segment can preferably be understood as an annular element that may have a circular or polygonal cross-section, or as a part of an annular element. Thus, a tower can in particular comprise a plurality of tower segments arranged vertically one above the other and / or horizontally next to one another in the installed state.

[0025] Towers, particularly wind turbine towers, can preferably taper from their bottom to their top. The alignment of the tower wall of a tapered tower generally deviates from the vertical by only a few degrees. When reference is made in this application to alignments, particularly in the installed state, such as top, bottom, radial, horizontal, vertical, etc., this is intended to apply accordingly to the towers themselves, and accordingly to tower walls that are slightly inclined relative to the vertical.

[0026] Various designs for wind turbine towers are known. In particular, towers of solid construction, made of concrete and / or reinforced concrete and / or prestressed concrete and / or steel, have become established. The present invention relates in particular to towers of steel construction or hybrid construction.

[0027] The first contact surface serves in particular to arrange the coupling device, in particular the coupling plate, on the tower segment. In particular, the fastening section can be designed to fasten the coupling plate to the first tower segment. For example, the fastening section can have through-openings for the passage of a fastening element, in particular a threaded element. Preferably, the coupling plate can be arranged on the first tower segment such that the through-openings of the fastening section are coaxial with through-openings of the tower segment, so that threaded elements, in particular screws or threaded bolts, can be inserted through the through-openings from a first side, guided through, and screwed to a counter-element, in particular a nut, from a second side.Such a screwing of the coupling plate to the tower segment can be carried out in particular in the manufacturing and / or transport state, i.e. before the tower is erected.

[0028] Alternatively, for example, the fastening section, in particular the first contact surface of the fastening section, can be welded to a part of the tower segment. For example, if the tower segment is made of concrete and / or reinforced concrete and / or prestressed concrete, the fastening section or parts of the fastening section can preferably be encased in concrete.

[0029] Adjacent to the fastening section, in particular in the direction of a main extension direction of the coupling plate, the coupling plate has the connecting section. The connecting section and the fastening section can preferably lie substantially in the same plane. This preferably means that the connecting section and the fastening section in particular have an angle of approximately 0°. In particular, an angle can lie between the connecting section and the fastening section or an offset can be formed. An angle or an offset between the connecting section and the fastening section can be particularly advantageous if, for example, the tower segment and / or the tower segments arranged next to one another in the installed state form an angle or an offset.

[0030] The main extension direction may preferably describe a direction which, in the installed state, extends substantially orthogonally to the joint.

[0031] The at least one through-opening arranged in the connecting section is particularly designed to pass through a threaded element, in particular a screw or a threaded bolt. In the installed state, the threaded element can preferably be passed through a through-opening, which can be formed in the second tower segment, and the through-opening of the connecting section and screwed to the counter-element arranged in the receiving element, in particular a nut.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the connecting portion and the receiving plate each have two, three, or more through-openings. Preferably, the through-openings can each be arranged in a row. In particular, the through-openings can be arranged in two, three, or more rows. The rows can preferably be substantially parallel to the joint in the installed state.

[0033] A particular advantage of the coupling device is that it eliminates the need for an annular, particularly circular, flange. Such a coupling device can be manufactured and / or transported significantly more cost-effectively than annular, particularly circular, connecting flanges.

[0034] A particularly preferred development of the coupling device is characterized in that the coupling device comprises a corresponding counter-plate, wherein the coupling plate is designed to bear against a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface, of the tower segments arranged on one another at the abutment region, wherein the first bearing surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate is designed to be arranged on a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface, of the first tower segment, and the second bearing surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate is designed to be arranged on a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface, of the second tower segment, and wherein the corresponding counter-plate is designed to bear against a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the tower segments arranged on one another at the abutment region,comprising a corresponding fastening section with a corresponding first contact surface, which is designed to be arranged on a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the first tower segment, and a corresponding connecting section adjacent to the corresponding fastening section with a corresponding second contact surface, which is designed to be arranged on a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the second tower segment, and at least one through-opening for the passage of a threaded element.

[0035] According to the preferred development described above, in addition to the coupling plate, a corresponding counterplate is provided, wherein the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate are designed to bear against opposite circumferential surfaces of the adjacent tower segments at the joint area. Thus, in the installed state, the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate can preferably surround a wall section of the first tower segment and the second tower segment at the joint area.

[0036] The arrangement of the receiving plate with the at least one receiving element as an anti-twist device allows a threaded element to be passed from one side of the corresponding counterplate into the through-holes of the corresponding counterplate, the tower segment, and the coupling plate and to be screwed to a counterelement receivable in the receiving element. The corresponding counterplate can preferably be configured to support the underside of a head of the threaded element or of a counterelement. This allows two adjacent tower segments to be mechanically connected to one another quickly and reliably.

[0037] The coupling plate and the counterplate can preferably be configured to correspond, so that they can be arranged on the opposite circumferential surfaces and are connected to one another in the installed state to connect the tower segments arranged next to one another. In this case, the at least one through-opening of the corresponding connecting section can preferably be arranged to be substantially coaxial with the at least one through-opening of the coupling plate in the installed state.

[0038] Preferably, the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate can be constructed essentially identically. Preferably, the shape of the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate can be essentially identical, particularly if the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate have a flat, planar extension. Preferably, the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate can differ in that the receiving plate is arranged only on the coupling plate, and the corresponding counterplate is free of an additional receiving plate.

[0039] In particular, the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate can have a shape that corresponds to a segment of the first circumferential surface, in particular the outer circumferential surface, of the tower. Preferably, the first corresponding contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counter-plate can have a shape that corresponds to a segment of the second circumferential surface, in particular the inner circumferential surface of the tower. Preferably, the shape of the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate thus substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the first circumferential surface, in particular the outer circumferential surface, of the first tower segment, and the shape of the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counter-plate thus substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the second circumferential surface, in particular the inner circumferential surface, of the first tower segment.

[0040] Accordingly, the second contact surface of the connecting portion of the coupling plate can have a shape that corresponds to a segment of the first circumferential surface, in particular the outer circumferential surface, of the tower. Preferably, the second corresponding contact surface of the corresponding connecting portion of the corresponding counter-plate can have a shape that corresponds to a segment of the second circumferential surface, in particular the inner circumferential surface, of the tower. Preferably, the shape of the second contact surface of the connecting portion of the coupling plate thus substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the first circumferential surface, in particular the outer circumferential surface, of the second tower segment, and the shape of the corresponding second contact surface of the corresponding connecting portion of the corresponding counter-plate thus substantially corresponds to a geometry of a part of the second circumferential surface, in particular the inner circumferential surface, of the second tower segment.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the corresponding connecting section can have two, three, or more through-openings, wherein the number of through-openings of the corresponding connecting section can preferably correspond to a number of through-openings of the connecting section. Preferably, the through-openings of the corresponding connecting section can be arranged in a row. In particular, the through-openings can be arranged in two, three, or more rows. The rows can preferably be substantially parallel to the joint in the installed state.

[0042] The corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counterplate can preferably be configured to correspond to the fastening section of the coupling plate. For example, both the fastening section of the coupling plate and the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counterplate can have through-openings configured to receive threaded elements. This allows the corresponding counterplate to be connected to the coupling plate, preferably in the installed and / or assembled state, and to be screwed to the first tower segment.

[0043] It is particularly preferred that the at least one receiving element has a cross-section designed to secure the counter-element against rotation, wherein the receiving element is preferably designed as a recess in the receiving plate or as a countersink in the receiving plate, wherein the cross-section preferably deviates from a circular shape. This allows for a particularly simple anti-rotation device to be provided.

[0044] Particularly preferably, the cross section can be configured to correspond to the shape of the counter element to be used, in order to ensure that the counter element is secured against rotation. Particularly preferably, for example, the cross section can be configured as a polygon, in particular a hexagon, in order to ensure that a polygonal, in particular hexagonal, counter element, preferably a nut, is secured against rotation.

[0045] Particularly preferably, the mounting plate can be designed as a sheet metal with punched shapes for accommodating the counter elements. This allows the additional weight of the mounting plate to be kept to a minimum while simultaneously providing a simple and reliable anti-twist device.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment of the coupling device, the at least one receiving element is designed as a captive device for holding the counter element to the receiving plate. The additional design of the receiving element as a captive device further simplifies assembly and shortens assembly time.

[0047] In particular, the counter element can be pre-assembled and / or inserted into the receiving element so that the threaded element can be screwed to the counter element in a subsequent step. The receiving element is thus designed to prevent the counter element from falling out after the counter element has been inserted into the receiving element.

[0048] It is particularly preferred if the receiving plate has at least one through-opening for the threaded element and / or the counter-element to pass through, wherein the at least one receiving element comprises a holder arranged on a side of the receiving plate facing away from the coupling plate in the region of the at least one through-opening and at least partially delimiting a cavity for holding the counter-element. Such a holder allows the counter-element to be securely held on the receiving plate for screwing to a threaded element. This further simplifies assembly.

[0049] The cavity of the holder can, in particular, have an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the counter-element to be accommodated. Alternatively, the cavity of the holder can, in particular, have an inner diameter that is equal to the outer diameter of the counter-element to be accommodated. In particular, a cross-section of the holder, in particular a shape and / or a dimension of the cavity, can be adapted to a cross-section, in particular a shape and / or a dimension, of the counter-element to be accommodated.

[0050] Particularly preferably, a cross-section, in particular the shape and / or dimensions, of the holder can be designed to secure the counter element against rotation. According to this embodiment, the holder can preferably be designed both as a loss prevention device and as an anti-rotation device.

[0051] It is preferred that the holder comprises interconnected webs which are fastened to the receiving plate and delimit the cavity, wherein preferably the holder comprises at least one clamping leg which is connected to the webs and is movable from a rest position, in which the at least one clamping leg delimits a first cross section of the holder, into a clamping position for clamping the counter element, in which the at least one clamping leg delimits a second cross section of the holder which is larger than the first cross section, wherein preferably the at least one clamping leg in the clamping position has a clamping force which is designed to hold the counter element securely against rotation.

[0052] By designing the holder with interconnected webs, a particularly simple loss-prevention device can be provided with minimal additional weight. The at least one clamping leg allows for a particularly simple design variant combining loss-prevention and anti-rotation protection.

[0053] According to a further embodiment of the coupling device, it is provided that the coupling device comprises a cover which is arranged on a side of the receiving plate facing away from the coupling plate and / or on the outer surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate, wherein the cover surrounds the at least one receiving element and / or the receiving plate.

[0054] Preferably, the cover can be designed as an additional loss prevention device. By providing the cover as an additional loss prevention device, the need for an additional loss prevention device can be eliminated.

[0055] The cover can preferably be designed as weather protection. In particular, the cover can be designed to seal the at least one receiving element and / or the receiving plate from the environment. If the cover is designed, in particular, to seal the receiving plate and / or a screw connection of the threaded element to the counter-element in the region of the receiving plate from the environment, the seal can be arranged, preferably also in addition to a further loss protection as weather protection, in particular over the holder described above.

[0056] Particularly preferably, the cover can be designed as a bent sheet which is arranged on the side of the receiving plate facing away from the coupling side and / or on the outer surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate.

[0057] It is particularly preferred if the coupling device comprises a chuck element which is designed to be arranged on the first contact surface of the fastening section and / or the second contact surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate or, if appropriate, to be arranged on the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening section and / or the corresponding second contact surface of the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counter-plate, wherein the chuck element preferably comprises at least one through-opening for the passage of the threaded element and can be arranged such that the at least one through-opening of the chuck element and the at least one through-opening of the connecting section and / or, if appropriate, the at least one through-opening of the corresponding connecting section are coaxial to one another.

[0058] Preferably, the chuck element can be designed to be arranged in the installed state between the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate and the first circumferential surface of the first tower segment and / or the second contact surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate and the first circumferential surface of the second tower segment.

[0059] Preferably, the chuck element can be designed to be arranged in the installed state between the first corresponding contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the coupling plate and the second circumferential surface of the first tower segment and / or the second corresponding contact surface of the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counter-plate and the circumferential surface of the second tower segment.

[0060] Particularly preferably, two, three or more chuck elements can be provided which are designed to be arranged on the first contact surface of the fastening section and / or the second contact surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate and / or optionally to be arranged on the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening section and / or the corresponding second contact surface of the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counter-plate.

[0061] The lining element can preferably be designed as a lining sheet, in particular a plate. The arrangement of the lining element can minimize air gaps, thereby further increasing the reliability of the connection.

[0062] It is particularly preferred that the coupling device comprises the counter element, wherein preferably the counter element is pre-assembled on the receiving element, wherein preferably the counter element is designed as a nut, preferably comprising a washer with a bearing surface for the nut.

[0063] According to the invention, the coupling device comprises a guide lug which is arranged on an outer edge of the coupling plate adjacent to the connecting section in a main extension direction of the coupling plate and projects obliquely from the outer edge, or optionally is arranged on an outer edge of the corresponding counter-plate adjacent to the corresponding connecting section in a main extension direction of the corresponding counter-plate and projects obliquely from the outer edge, wherein the guide lug preferably extends from the outer edge at an angle between 90° and 180° to the connecting section or optionally to the corresponding connecting section. The arrangement of the guide lug can further simplify the arrangement of the tower segments next to one another, preferably one above the other. This also further reduces the assembly effort for the entire tower.

[0064] Preferably, the guide lug can extend radially inward or radially outward from the outer edge in the installed state. Particularly preferably, the guide lug can extend from the outer edge at an angle between 100° and 160°, in particular between 110° and 145°, in particular between 120° and 140°.

[0065] The guide lug is particularly advantageous in that it is designed to guide a first tower segment during lowering of the first tower segment onto the second tower segment and / or during arranging of the first tower segment on the second tower segment, or to guide the second tower segment during lowering onto the first tower segment and / or during arranging on the first tower segment. This allows the tower segments to be arranged particularly easily next to one another. Furthermore, it can be ensured, in particular, that the tower segments are positioned precisely to enable a reliable connection of the tower segments by means of the coupling device.

[0066] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a tower segment for a tubular tower of a wind turbine, comprising two, three or more coupling devices, as described above, wherein the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate is arranged on the peripheral surface of the tower segment at the joint region, wherein in each case the connecting section of the coupling plate protrudes beyond a joint-side edge of the tower segment.

[0067] By attaching the fastening section of each coupling plate to the tower segment at the joint area, the two, three, or more coupling devices can be pre-assembled on the tower segment. This provides a tower segment that can be arranged on another tower segment and connected to the other tower segment via the coupling device. The connecting section protruding beyond the joint-side edge allows the tower segment, in particular, to be arranged particularly easily and precisely on the other tower segment. Furthermore, the receiving plate on the outer surface opposite the second contact surface of the connecting section enables particularly simple assembly.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the tower segment, it is provided that the coupling devices each comprise a corresponding counterplate, as described above. Preferably, the first corresponding contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counterplate can be arranged on the second circumferential surface of the tower segment at the joint area. In this preferred embodiment, the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate can be arranged on the first circumferential surface of the tower segment at the joint area. In particular, the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate can each be arranged on opposite circumferential surfaces, in particular the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface, of the tower segment at the joint area. As a result, the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counterplate also protrudes beyond the joint-side edge of the tower segment.In this case, the second contact surface of the connecting portion of the coupling plate can preferably be spaced apart from the second corresponding contact surface of the corresponding connecting portion of the corresponding counterplate. This spacing can preferably be configured to insert the further tower segment between the contact surfaces in order to connect it to the coupling plate and the corresponding counterplate.

[0069] Particularly preferably, the tower segment can comprise two, three or more coupling devices, as described above, wherein in each case the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate and the first corresponding contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counter-plate are aligned with one another and arranged on the opposite circumferential surfaces of the tower segment at the abutment region, wherein in each case the connecting section of the coupling plate and the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counter-plate protrude at a distance from one another beyond the abutment-side edge of the tower segment and comprise through openings aligned coaxially with one another.

[0070] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a part of a tower of a wind turbine, comprising a first tower segment, in particular as described above, and a second tower segment, which are connected to one another via two, three or more coupling devices, as described above, wherein in each case the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate is arranged on the peripheral surface of the first tower segment at the joint region, and wherein in each case the second contact surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate is arranged on the peripheral surface of the second tower segment at the joint region, wherein the second tower segment has at least one through-opening which is coaxial with the at least one through-opening of the connecting section of the coupling plate, wherein in each case the connecting section of the coupling plate is connected to the second tower segment via a threaded element arranged in the through-openings,which is screwed to a counter element accommodated in the receiving element.,

[0071] Particularly preferably, the coupling devices can each comprise a corresponding counterplate. Particularly preferably, the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate and the first corresponding contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counterplate can each be aligned with one another and arranged on the opposite circumferential surfaces of the first tower segment at the joint area. In particular, the second contact surface of the connecting section of the coupling plate and the second corresponding contact surface of the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counterplate can each be arranged on the opposite circumferential surfaces of the second tower segment at the joint area.Preferably, the second tower segment can have at least one through-opening, which, in the installed state described here, is coaxial with the at least one through-opening of the connecting portion of the coupling plate and the at least one through-opening of the corresponding connecting portion of the corresponding counter-plate. Particularly preferably, the connecting portion of the coupling plate and the corresponding connecting portion of the corresponding counter-plate can be connected to the second tower segment via a threaded element arranged in the through-openings, which is screwed to a counter-element received in the receiving element.

[0072] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a tower for a wind turbine, comprising at least a part of a tower as described above, and / or at least one tower segment as described above, and / or at least one coupling device as described above.

[0073] Furthermore, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a wind turbine comprising a tower as described above and / or at least a part of a tower as described above and / or at least one tower segment as described above and / or at least one coupling device as described above.

[0074] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method according to claim 15 for assembling tower segments of a tubular tower of a wind turbine arranged on one another, comprising the steps of: providing a first tower segment, in particular as described above, and a second tower segment, providing two, three or more coupling devices, as described above, pre-assembling the two, three or more coupling devices on the first tower segment by arranging the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate on a peripheral surface of the first tower segment at the joint area,Arranging the first tower segment and the second tower segment to one another and coupling the first tower segment and the second tower segment by connecting the connecting portion of the coupling plate to the second tower segment by inserting threaded elements into a respective through-opening of the second tower segment from a side facing a second circumferential surface of the second tower segment and passing the threaded elements through the through-openings of the second tower segment and the coupling plate and prestressing a connection of the threaded elements with counter-elements received in the receiving elements by applying a prestressing force to the connection from the side facing the second circumferential surface of the second tower segment.

[0075] In a preferred variant, this method, in particular the step of pre-assembling the two, three or more coupling devices on the first tower segment, can comprise the following steps: aligning the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate and the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counter-plate with each other and arranging the first contact surface of the fastening section of the coupling plate and the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening section of the corresponding counter-plate on the opposite circumferential surfaces at the joint area.

[0076] Furthermore, in a further preferred variant, this method, in particular the step of coupling the first tower segment and the second tower segment, can comprise the following steps: coupling the first tower segment and the second tower segment by connecting the connecting section of the coupling plate and the corresponding connecting section of the corresponding counter-plate to the second tower segment, by inserting the threaded elements into the through-openings of the corresponding counter-plate and passing the threaded elements through the through-openings of the corresponding counter-plate, the second tower segment and the coupling plate, and pre-tensioning a connection of the threaded elements with the counter-elements received in the receiving elements by applying a pre-tensioning force to the connection from a side facing the corresponding counter-plate.

[0077] This means that the preload force can be applied to the screw connection from one side, especially from the inside.

[0078] In the interior of a tower, platforms can preferably be provided so that a joint between the tower segments arranged adjacent to one another is easily accessible to personnel from the inside. This design eliminates the need to insert a threaded element, particularly a screw, from the outside. This ensures particularly simple assembly, reduces assembly effort, and increases work safety.

[0079] Preferably, a counter element can be pre-positioned on each receiving element, in particular adjacent to a through-opening of the coupling plate, so that after positioning of the first tower segment, the threaded elements can be inserted from the inside into the through-opening and screwed into the counter element, in particular up to a predefined stop.

[0080] Preferably, if the threaded element is a threaded bolt, a nut and preferably a washer can be mounted and screwed to the threaded bolt.

[0081] The screw connection can preferably be carried out using a rotation angle method.

[0082] This makes it possible to create conditions comparable to those found in conventional headed bolt connections.

[0083] For further advantages, design variants, and design details of the other aspects and their possible developments, reference is also made to the above description of the corresponding features and developments of the coupling device. Preferred embodiments are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Figure 1: a schematic, three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind turbine; Figure 2: a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupling device; Figure 3: a perspective view of an exemplary, unclaimed embodiment of a tower segment with a coupling device; Figure 4: a three-dimensional view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of a part of a tower of a wind turbine; Figure 5: a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupling plate; Figure 6: a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling plate according to Figure 5 ; Figure 7: a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a receiving plate; Figure 8: a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the receiving plate according to Fig. 7; Figure 9: a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover; Figure 10: a plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the cover according to Figure 9 ; Figure 10A: a side view of the cover according to Figure 10 ; Figure 11: a perspective front view and a perspective rear view of an exemplary embodiment of a receiving plate; Figure 12: a three-dimensional view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of a part of a tower of a wind turbine; Figure 13: a perspective view with a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a coupling device; Figure 14: an exemplary method for assembling tower segments arranged next to one another.

[0084] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals. General descriptions generally refer to all embodiments unless differences are explicitly stated.

[0085] The explanation of the invention by way of examples with reference to the figures is essentially schematic, and the elements explained in the respective figure may be exaggerated and other elements simplified for better illustration. For example, Figure 1 a wind turbine as such is shown schematically, so that neither individual tower segments nor a coupling device are recognizable.

[0086] Figure 1shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a wind turbine 100. The wind turbine 100 has a tower 102 and a nacelle 104 on the tower 102. The tower 102 consists of tower segments arranged next to one another, which are connected to one another by means of coupling devices (in Figure 1 not recognizable), such as in Figure 4 is shown. An aerodynamic rotor 106 with three rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is provided on the nacelle 104. During operation of the wind turbine 100, the aerodynamic rotor 106 is set into rotation by the wind and thus also rotates an electrodynamic rotor or rotor of a generator, which is directly or indirectly coupled to the aerodynamic rotor 106. The electrical generator is arranged in the nacelle 104 and generates electrical energy.

[0087] Figure 2shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling device 200 with a coupling plate 300 and a corresponding counter plate 400. In the Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, not claimed, without guide lug 900 on the coupling plate 300, the coupling device 200 is arranged on a first tower segment 210.

[0088] While in the Figures 2 and 3 In the examples shown, a coupling device 200 with a coupling plate 300 and a corresponding counter-plate 400 is shown, an alternative embodiment of a coupling device 200 with only one coupling plate 300, i.e. without a corresponding counter-plate 400, is also possible.

[0089] The coupling plate 300 has a fastening section 310 and a connecting section 320. The connecting section 320 is adjacent to the fastening section 310. The corresponding counter-plate, corresponding to the coupling plate 300, has a corresponding fastening section 410 and a corresponding connecting section 420 adjacent thereto.

[0090] As in Figure 3 As shown by way of example, the fastening section 310 is designed to be arranged on the first circumferential surface 212 of the first tower segment 210. For this purpose, the fastening section 310 has a first contact surface (in the Figures 2 and 3 not shown), which can be arranged in the installed state or in the assembled state on the first circumferential surface 212 of the first tower segment 210. The corresponding fastening section 410 accordingly has a corresponding first contact surface 411, which, as in Figure 2shown, faces the first contact surface of the fastening section 310 of the coupling plate 300. The corresponding first contact surface 411 is designed accordingly to rest on the second circumferential surface (in the Figures 2 and 3 not shown) of the first tower segment 210.

[0091] Figure 3 shows this assembly state with the fastening section 310 of the coupling plate 300 arranged on the first circumferential surface 212 of the first tower segment 210 and the corresponding fastening section 410 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 arranged on the second circumferential surface of the first tower segment 210 (in Figure 3 not shown).

[0092] The first tower segment 210 has through-openings 214 arranged in a row. The fastening section 310 and the corresponding fastening section 410 have through-openings 312, 412 arranged in a row, which are coaxial with the through-openings 214 of the first tower segment. Screws 830 are inserted into the through-openings 312 of the fastening section 310 from an outer side, i.e., from the side of the coupling device 200 facing the fastening section 310, passed through the through-openings 312 of the fastening section 310, the through-openings 214 of the first tower segment 210, and the through-openings 412 of the corresponding fastening section 410, and screwed with a nut 831 from an inner side, i.e., from the side of the coupling device 200 facing the corresponding fastening section 410.

[0093] In the Figure 3In the example shown, four through-openings 312 are arranged in two parallel rows. Figure 2 shows, by way of example, six through openings 312 in two parallel rows.

[0094] In Figure 2 The coupling device 200 is shown without the first tower segment 210. Accordingly, the through-holes 312 of the fastening section 310 and the through-holes 412 of the corresponding fastening section 410 are coaxial with each other. The screws 830 are inserted from the outside, passed through the through-holes 312, 412, and each screwed with a nut 831 from the inside.

[0095] The connecting portion 320 and the corresponding connecting portion 420 have mutually aligned second contact surfaces 421 (the second contact surface of the connecting portion of the coupling plate is not shown in the figures). The second contact surface of the coupling plate 300 and the second corresponding contact surface 421 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 are designed to be arranged on opposite circumferential surfaces of a second tower segment (in the Figures 2 and 3 not shown). In the Figures 2 and 3 It is shown in each case that threaded bolts 820 are inserted through through holes (in the Figures 2 and 3not shown) of the corresponding connecting section 420 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 and are passed through the through-openings of the corresponding connecting section 420 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 and through the through-openings 322 of the connecting section 320 of the coupling plate 300 and are screwed from the outside with a nut 810 each.

[0096] In the exemplary embodiments shown here, the threaded bolts 820 are each screwed to a nut 840 on the inside. The corresponding counterplate 400 serves as a support surface for the nuts 840. Preferably, the threaded bolt 820 can first be screwed into the nut 810 from the inside up to a predefined stop and then screwed to the nut 840 using a rotation angle method.

[0097] On an outer surface of the coupling plate opposite the second contact surface, there is also arranged a receiving plate 500 with receiving elements for receiving and as a loss prevention and / or rotation prevention of the nuts 810, as will be described in more detail below.

[0098] The Figures 2 and 3 The coupling devices 200 shown also show a cover 600, as will be described in more detail below, which is arranged on a side of the receiving plate 500 facing away from the coupling plate 300 and is connected via a screw connection 610 to the receiving plate 500 arranged on the connecting section 320 of the coupling plate 300.

[0099] In Figure 3a chuck element 700 is arranged on the second contact surface of the connecting section 320 of the coupling plate 300, which chuck element can be arranged in the installed state between the peripheral surface of the second tower segment and the second contact surface 321 of the connecting section 320 of the coupling plate 300.

[0100] The Figure 2 The embodiment shown has a guide nose 900 which extends at an angle from the outer edge 330 of the coupling plate 300 and protrudes obliquely from the outer edge.

[0101] In Figure 3 Two guide lugs 901 are shown, which protrude obliquely from the outer edge 430 of the corresponding counter-plate 400. The guide lugs 900 extend from the outer edge 430 at an angle to the corresponding connecting section 420.

[0102] The coupling device 200 described above can be pre-assembled to the first tower segment 210 by attaching the fastening section 310 of the coupling plate 300 and the corresponding fastening section 410 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 to the first tower segment 210. After arranging the first tower segment 210 and a second tower segment to one another, assembly, in particular screwing the connecting section 320 and the corresponding connecting section 420 to the second tower segment 220, can be performed from only one side, in particular from the inside. This can significantly simplify assembly and correspondingly reduce assembly effort.

[0103] Figure 4shows a three-dimensional view of a portion of a tower with two coaxial tower segments 210, 220 arranged vertically one above the other. The tower segments 210, 220 arranged next to one another are connected to one another by means of several coupling devices 200. The coupling devices 200 each comprise a coupling plate 300 arranged overlapping the peripheral surface 212 and the peripheral surface 222 of the tower segments 210, 220.

[0104] In the Figures 5 and 6Each of these shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling plate 300. The exemplary coupling plate 300 shown here has a planar extension and comprises the fastening section 310 with the first contact surface 311 and the adjacent connecting section 320 with the second contact surface 321. Through-openings 312, 322 are arranged in two parallel rows in both the fastening section 310 and the connecting section 320.

[0105] Additionally, further through-openings 340 are provided. The further through-openings 340 can, for example, be configured to fasten a receiving plate and / or a cover to the coupling plate 300, in particular by means of a screw connection or an alternative fastening means, and / or to fasten the coupling plate 300 to the first tower segment and / or the second tower segment, in particular by means of a screw connection or an alternative fastening means.

[0106] The corresponding counter plate can be essentially identical to the one shown in the Figures 5 and 6 shown coupling plate 300.

[0107] The Figures 7 and 8show an exemplary embodiment of the receiving plate 500. The receiving plate 500 has receiving elements 510 arranged in two parallel rows in the form of recesses in the receiving plate 500. In the embodiment shown here, the receiving elements 510 have a hexagonal cross-section. Due to the shape of the cross-section, a counter element received in the receiving element 510, in particular a hexagon nut, can be secured against twisting, so that rotation of the counter element that prevents screwing with the threaded element can be blocked. The receiving plate 500 also has through-openings 540 arranged in an edge region of the receiving plate 500. The through-openings 540 can be designed, for example, to fasten the receiving plate 500 to the connecting section of the coupling plate and / or the cover to the receiving plate 500, in particular by means of a screw connection.

[0108] In the Figures 9 , 10 and 10A An exemplary embodiment of a cover 600 is shown. The cover 600 can preferably be designed as a folded sheet metal. For fastening the cover 600 to the receiving plate and / or the coupling plate, the cover 600 comprises through-openings 611. As a result, the cover 600 can be fastened, for example, to the receiving plate and / or the connecting section of the coupling plate by means of a fastening means, in particular a screw connection.

[0109] The exemplary embodiment of the cover 600 shown here essentially comprises two parallel rails 620, which are designed to surround the counter-elements and, in particular, to secure them against falling out. Such a cover 600 is, in particular, designed to cover a receiving plate with receiving elements arranged in two rows. If a receiving plate has three or more rows of receiving elements, a cover with a corresponding number, in particular two or more, rails can preferably be used. Alternatively, the cover 600 can, for example, have a single rail 620, which is designed to surround all the receiving elements of a receiving plate.

[0110] The Figure 11shows an alternative embodiment of a receiving plate 501 with a holder 511, which comprises interconnected webs 512 and clamping legs 513 connected to the webs 512, in two different views. The webs 512 and the clamping legs 513 delimit a cavity 514 of the holder 511. The clamping legs 513 can be moved from a rest position into a clamping position. A cross-section delimited in the rest position is smaller than a cross-section delimited in the clamping position. As a result, a counter-element can be clamped in each holder. The clamping force generated by moving the clamping legs 513 from the rest position into the clamping position can preferably be sufficient to hold the counter-element securely against rotation. The receiving plate 501 also has fastening means 541 designed to fasten the receiving plate 501 to the connecting section of the coupling plate and / or the cover to the receiving plate 501.

[0111] Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of a part of a tower with two coaxial tower segments 210, 220 arranged vertically one above the other. The tower segments 210, 220 arranged next to one another are connected to one another by a coupling device 200. The coupling device 200 comprises a coupling plate 300, which is arranged overlappingly on the peripheral surfaces 212, 222 of the tower segments 210, 220. According to this embodiment, a receiving plate 501, as shown in Figure 11 shown and described above.

[0112] In Figure 13 a coupling device 200 is shown which couples a first tower segment 210 and a second tower segment 220. The coupling device 200 comprises a coupling plate 300 with a fastening section 310 and a connecting section 320 adjacent to the fastening section 310. The contact surface (in Figure 13(not shown) of the fastening section 310 is arranged on the first circumferential surface 212 of the tower segment 210. The fastening section 310 has through-openings 312 arranged in two parallel rows, which are coaxial with through-openings 214 of the first tower segment 210.

[0113] The Figure 13 The embodiment of the coupling device 200 shown also has a corresponding counter-plate 400, which, corresponding to the coupling plate 300, has a corresponding fastening section 410 and a corresponding connecting section 420 adjacent thereto. The corresponding fastening section 410 also has through-openings 412 that are coaxial with the through-openings 214 of the first tower segment 210 and the through-openings 312 of the fastening section 310.

[0114] In the Figure 13In the installed state shown, screws 830 are inserted from an outer side, i.e., the side of the coupling device 200 facing the fastening section 310, into the through-openings 312 of the fastening section 310 and passed through the through-openings 312 of the fastening section 310, the through-openings 214 of the first tower segment 210, and the through-openings 412 of the corresponding fastening section 410. The screws are each screwed with a nut 831 from an inner side, i.e., the side of the coupling device 200 facing the corresponding fastening section 410.

[0115] The connecting section 320 and the corresponding connecting section 420 each have mutually aligned second contact surfaces (in Figure 13not shown). These two contact surfaces are arranged on opposite circumferential surfaces of the second tower segment 220. The connecting section 320 and the corresponding connecting section 420 each have through-openings 322, 422, which are coaxial with through-openings 224 of the second tower segment 220. Threaded bolts 820 are passed through the through-openings 322, 224, 422 and are screwed on the outside with a nut 810, which is arranged in the holder 511 of the receiving plate 501. The receiving plate 501 is fastened to the connecting section 320 of the coupling plate 300 by means of a screw connection 520. In the example shown here, the receiving plate 501 is designed essentially according to the Figure 11 shown and described mounting plate.

[0116] The threaded bolts 820 are additionally screwed to a nut 840 on one of the inner sides, i.e., the side facing the corresponding counterplate 400. The corresponding counterplate 400 serves as a support surface for the nut 840.

[0117] The coupling device 200 also includes a cover 600, which is arranged on the outer side of the receiving plate 500 facing away from the coupling plate 300. The cover 600 is attached to the receiving plate 500 by means of screw connections 610.

[0118] Through in Figure 13The coupling device 200 shown can be pre-assembled to the first tower segment 210 by attaching the fastening section 310 of the coupling plate 300 and the corresponding fastening section 410 of the corresponding counter-plate 400 to the first tower segment 210. After arranging the first tower segment 210 and the second tower segment to one another, the assembly, in particular the screwing of the connecting section 320 and the corresponding connecting section 420 to the second tower segment 220, can be carried out from only one side, in particular from the inside. This can significantly simplify assembly and correspondingly reduce assembly effort.

[0119] Figure 14shows a method for assembling tower segments arranged next to one another. It is provided that a first tower segment and a second tower segment are initially provided 1010. In a next step, two, three, or more coupling devices for coupling the tower segments are provided. Subsequently, the two, three, or more coupling devices can be pre-assembled on the first tower segment 1030. Pre-assembling the coupling devices comprises arranging the first contact surface of the fastening portion of the coupling plate on a peripheral surface of the first tower segment at the joint area. Subsequently, the first tower segment and the second tower segment can be arranged next to one another 1040.The coupling of the first tower segment and the second tower segment 1050 by connecting the connecting section of the coupling plate to the second tower segment is carried out by inserting threaded elements into a respective through-opening of the second tower segment from a side facing a second circumferential surface of the second tower segment and passing the threaded elements through the through-openings of the second tower segment and the coupling plate 1051 and pre-tensioning a connection of the threaded elements with counter-elements 1053 received in the receiving elements by applying a pre-tensioning force to the connection from the side facing the second circumferential surface of the second tower segment.

[0120] Coupling devices and associated tower segments, as well as a tower with such tower segments, offer various advantages. In particular, assembly of the tower segments can be simplified, thereby significantly reducing assembly effort. Furthermore, occupational safety can be increased, as the need to arrange a car at the upper end of the tower segments in order to descend to the height of the joint is eliminated. As a result, a segmented tower with such coupling devices can be manufactured significantly more cost-effectively, simply, and / or quickly than with conventional connecting devices. Consequently, personnel requirements and / or time expenditure can be reduced, and / or costs can be saved. List of reference symbols

[0121] 100 Wind turbine 102 Tower 104 Nacelle 106 Rotor 108 Rotor blade 110 Spinner 200 Coupling device 210 (first) tower segment 212 (first) circumferential surface / outer circumferential surface 214 Through-opening 220 (second) tower segment 222 (first) circumferential surface / outer circumferential surface 224 Through-opening 300 Coupling plate 310 Fastening section 311 First contact surface 312 Through-opening 320 Connecting section 321 Second contact surface 322 Through-opening 330 Outer edge 340 Through-opening 400 Corresponding counter-plate 410 Corresponding fastening section 411 Corresponding first contact surface 412 Through-opening 420 Corresponding connecting section 421 Corresponding second contact surface 422 through opening 430 outer edge 500,501 Mounting plate 510 Mounting element 511 Holder 512 Web 513 Clamping leg 514 Cavity 520 Screw connection 540 Through-hole 541 Fastening means 600 Cover 610 Screw connection 611 Through-hole 620 Rails 700 Chuck element 810 Counter element / nut 820 Threaded element / threaded bolt 830 Screw 831 Nut 840 Nut 900, 901 Guide lug 1010 Providing a first tower segment and a second tower segment 1020 Providing two, three or more coupling devices 1030 Pre-assembling the two, three or more coupling devices on the first tower segment 1040 Arranging the first tower segment and the second tower segment to one another 1050 Coupling the first Tower segment and the second tower segment 1051Inserting the threaded elements into the through-hole of the corresponding counter-plate and passing the threaded elements through the through-holes of the corresponding counter-plate,of the second tower segment and the coupling plate 1052Preloading a connection of the threaded elements with the counter elements accommodated in the receiving elements,

Claims

1. Coupling device (200) for coupling tower segments (210, 220), which are arranged on one another, of a tubular tower (102) of a wind power installation (100), comprising - a coupling plate (300) for contact against an abutting region of the tower segments (210, 220) arranged on one another, comprising o a fastening portion (310) having a first contact surface (311) which is designed to be arranged on a circumferential surface (212) of a first tower segment (210), and ∘ a connecting portion (320) which is adjacent to the fastening portion (310, 410) and has a second contact surface (321) which is designed to be arranged on a circumferential surface (222) of a second tower segment (220) and has at least one through-opening (322) for the passage of a threaded element, - a receiving plate (500, 501) which is arranged on the connecting portion (320), on an outer surface of the coupling plate (300) opposite the second contact surface (321), comprising at least one receiving element (510) for receiving a counter element which can be bolted to the threaded element, wherein the at least one receiving element (510) is formed coaxially with respect to the through-opening (322) and as an anti-twist protection for blocking the counter element from rotating and preventing bolting to the threaded element, characterized by a guide lug (900) which - is arranged on an outer edge (330) of the coupling plate (300), which outer edge is adjacent to the connecting portion (320) in a main direction of extent of the coupling plate (300), and protrudes obliquely from the outer edge (330), wherein preferably the guide lug (900) extends from the outer edge (330, 430) at an angle of between 90° and 180° with respect to the connecting portion (320) or optionally with respect to the corresponding connecting portion (420).

2. Coupling device (200) according to the preceding Claim 1, comprising a corresponding counterplate (400), wherein the coupling plate (300) is designed for contact against a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface (212, 222), of the tower segments (210, 220), which are arranged on one another, at the abutting region, wherein - the first contact surface (311) of the fastening portion (310) of the coupling plate (300) is designed to be arranged on a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface (212), of the first tower segment (210), and - the second contact surface (321) of the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300) is designed to be arranged on a first circumferential surface, in particular an outer circumferential surface (222), of the second tower segment (220), and wherein the corresponding counterplate (400) is designed for contact against a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the tower segments (210, 220), which are arranged on one another, at the abutting region, comprising - a corresponding fastening portion (410) having a corresponding first contact surface which is designed to be arranged on a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the first tower segment (210), and - a corresponding connecting portion (440) which is adjacent to the corresponding fastening portion (410) has a corresponding second contact surface (421) which is designed to be arranged on a second circumferential surface, in particular an inner circumferential surface, of the second tower segment (220) and has at least one through-opening (422) for the passage of a threaded element.

3. Coupling device (200) according to at least either of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receiving element (510) has a cross section which is designed to secure the counter element against twisting, wherein the receiving element (510) preferably - is designed as a recess in the receiving plate (500, 501), or - is designed as a depression in the receiving plate (500, 501), wherein preferably the cross section differs from a circular shape.

4. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receiving element (510) is designed as a captive-securing means for holding the counter element on the receiving plate (500, 501).

5. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving plate (500, 501) has at least one through-opening for the passage of the threaded element and / or of the counter element, wherein the at least one receiving element (510) comprises a holder (511) which, on a side of the receiving plate (500, 501) facing away from the coupling plate (300), is arranged in the region of the at least one through-opening and at least partially delimits a cavity (514) for holding the counter element.

6. Coupling device (200) according to at least the preceding Claim 5, wherein the holder (511) comprises interconnected webs (512) which are fastened to the receiving plate (500, 501) and delimit the cavity (514), wherein preferably the holder (511) comprises at least one clamping limb (513) which is connected to the webs (512) and is movable from an inoperative position, in which the at least one clamping limb (513) delimits a first cross section of the holder (511), into a clamping position for clamping the counter element, in which clamping position the at least one clamping limb (513) delimits a second cross section of the holder (511) that is larger than the first cross section, wherein preferably the at least one clamping limb (513) in the clamping position has a clamping force which is designed to hold the counter element captively.

7. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a covering (600) which is arranged on a side of the receiving plate (500, 501) facing away from the coupling plate (300) and / or on the outer surface of the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300), wherein the covering (500, 501) surrounds the at least one receiving element (510) and / or the receiving plate (500, 501).

8. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a lining element (700) which is designed to - be arranged on the first contact surface (311) of the fastening portion (310) and / or the second contact surface (321) of the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300), or - be arranged optionally on the corresponding first contact surface of the corresponding fastening portion (410) and / or the corresponding second contact surface (421) of the corresponding connecting portion (420) of the corresponding counterplate (400), wherein preferably the lining element (700) comprises at least one through-opening for the passage of the threaded element and can be arranged in such a manner that the at least one through-opening of the lining element (700) and the at least one through-opening (322, 422) of the connecting portion (320) and / or optionally the at least one through-opening (422) of the corresponding connecting portion (440) are coaxial with respect to one another.

9. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the counter element (810), wherein preferably the counter element (810) is preassembled on the receiving element (510), wherein preferably the counter element (810) is designed as a nut, preferably comprising a washer with a supporting surface for the nut.

10. Coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding claim 2, comprising a guide lug (900, 901) which - is optionally arranged on an outer edge (430) of the corresponding counterplate (400), which outer edge is adjacent to the corresponding connecting portion (420) in a main direction of extent of the corresponding counterplate (400), and protrudes obliquely from the outer edge (430), wherein preferably the guide lug (900, 901) extends from the outer edge (330, 430) at an angle of between 90° and 180° with respect to the connecting portion (320) or optionally with respect to the corresponding connecting portion (420).

11. Tower segment (210) for a tubular tower (102) of a wind power installation (100), comprising two, three or more coupling devices (200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact surface (311) of the fastening portion (310) of the coupling plate (300) is arranged on the circumferential surface (212) of the tower segment (210) at the abutting region, wherein the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300) in each case protrudes over a joint-side edge of the tower segment (210).

12. Part of a tower (102) of a wind power installation (100), comprising a first tower segment (210), in particular according to the preceding claim, and a second tower segment (220), which tower segments are connected to each other via two, three or more coupling devices (200) according to at least one of the preceding Claims 1 to 10, wherein in each case the first contact surface (311) of the fastening portion (310) of the coupling plate (300) is arranged on the circumferential surface (212) of the first tower segment (210) at the abutting region, and wherein in each case the second contact surface (321) of the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300) is arranged on the circumferential surface (222) of the second tower segment (220) at the abutting region, wherein the second tower segment (220) has at least one through-opening (224) which is coaxial with respect to the at least one through-opening (322) of the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300), wherein in each case the connecting portion (320) of the coupling plate (300) is connected to the second tower segment (220) via a threaded element (820) which is arranged in the through-openings (322) and is bolted to a counter element (810) received in the receiving element.

13. Tower (102) for a wind power installation (100), comprising at least one part of a tower (102) according to the preceding Claim 12 and / or at least one tower segment (210) according to the preceding Claim 11 and / or at least one coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding Claims 1 to 10.

14. Wind power installation (100), comprising a tower (102) according to at least the preceding Claim 13 and / or at least one part of a tower (102) according to the preceding Claim 12 and / or at least one tower segment (210) according to the preceding Claim 11 and / or at least one coupling device (200) according to at least one of the preceding Claims 1 to 10.

15. Method for installing tower segments (101), which are arranged on one another, of a tubular tower of a wind power installation, comprising the steps of: - providing a first tower segment, in particular according to the preceding Claim 11, and a second tower segment (1010), - providing two, three or more coupling devices (1020) according to at least one of the preceding Claims 1 to 10, - preassembling the two, three or more coupling devices on the first tower segment (1030) by arranging the first contact surface of the fastening portion of the coupling plate on a circumferential surface of the first tower segment at the abutting region, - arranging the first tower segment and the second tower segment on one another (1040) and - coupling the first tower segment and the second tower segment (1050) by connecting the connecting portion of the coupling plate to the second tower segment by ∘ inserting threaded elements into a respective through-opening of the second tower segment from a side facing a second circumferential surface of the second tower segment and passing the threaded elements through the through-openings of the second tower segment and of the coupling plate (1051), and ∘ prestressing a connection of the threaded elements to counter elements (1052) received in the receiving elements by applying a prestressing force to the connection from the side facing the second circumferential surface of the second tower segment.