Tower sheet body unit, tower segment, and method for transporting and assembling the tower.

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tower sheet body unit, a tower segment, and a method for transporting and assembling a tower. The tower sheet body unit includes a tower sheet body and a foldable platform provided inside the tower sheet body. The foldable platform includes a platform body and a support member. The support member includes a support base. The support base has a first end fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body and a second end hingedly connected to the platform body at a first hinge connection point. As a result, the platform body is pivotable around the second end of the support base between a folded position and a deployed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wind power generation, and particularly to the field of sheet towers or tower frames for wind power generation systems.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of the wind power generation industry, considering the load capacity and safety of the fan tower frame, etc., the diameter of the tower frame also becomes larger. In this case, the structure of the sheet tower or tower frame is advantageous. Generally, the maintenance platform for the sheet tower or tower frame is an integral annular platform or a circular platform, which is installed inside the tower, basically perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the tower, and is used to arrange the necessary electrical components of the wind power generation system, etc., or is used for the use of maintenance personnel.

[0003] However, generally, such an annular platform or circular platform is assembled to the tower at the project construction site. For the sheet tower or tower frame, for example, first, the first tower sheet body (for example, arranged horizontally) is installed, then, the integral annular platform or circular platform is installed, and then, other tower sheet bodies (for example, the second tower sheet body, the third tower sheet body, etc.) are installed. In this process, since the integral platform is installed earlier than the second tower sheet body, the third tower sheet body, etc., during the installation process of the second tower sheet body, the third tower sheet body, etc., the integral platform affects the assembly of the sheet body, and the difficulty of installation increases. Also, if the integral platform is installed after assembling and joining all the tower sheet bodies or most of the tower sheet bodies, due to the self-weight of the tower sheet bodies, the tower sheet bodies arranged horizontally may be in an incomplete circular shape (for example, elliptical). In this case, the installation of the integral annular or circular platform is difficult.

[0004] Furthermore, when installing a complete annular or circular platform at a project construction site, crane equipment is generally used to assist with the installation. Consequently, installing a complete platform at a construction site involves a large workload, is difficult to install, results in poor installation accuracy, and prolongs on-site work time, which is particularly undesirable for the construction of offshore systems. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Therefore, this disclosure aims to reduce the on-site installation time, workload, and difficulty of the tower platform, thereby reducing the impact of the platform on the assembly of the tower or tower frame, and to make the tower platform easier to transport together with the tower sheet body, thereby reducing the space and difficulty required for transport or storage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a tower sheet unit is provided, the tower sheet unit comprising a tower sheet and a foldable platform provided inside the tower sheet, the foldable platform comprising a platform body and a support member, the support member comprising a support base, the support base having a first end fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet and a second end hinged to the platform body at a first hinge connection point, the platform body being pivotable around the second end of the support base between a folded position and an unfolded position, in the folded position the platform body stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet, and in the unfolded position the platform body supported by the support base and essentially perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

[0007] According to other aspects of the present disclosure, a tower segment is provided, the tower segment comprising two or more of the above-described tower sheet body units joined in the circumferential direction.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for transporting and assembling a tower, the method for transporting and assembling a tower, the steps of: positioning foldable platforms in a plurality of above tower sheet units in a folded position during a tower storage or transport period such that each platform body is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet; and stacking each tower sheet unit along the radial direction of the tower sheet such that each foldable platform is located between two tower sheet bodies that are stacked together. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic three-dimensional view of a sheet-type tower segment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic plan view of a sheet-type tower segment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] These are schematic plan views of two different tower sheet body units according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4-5] This is a schematic three-dimensional view of a foldable platform in an unfolded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a schematic three-dimensional view of a foldable platform in a folded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7-8] This is a schematic three-dimensional view of another foldable platform in an unfolded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic three-dimensional view of another foldable platform in a folded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of realizing the folding function of a foldable platform by a crank slider mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing how multiple tower sheet units are stacked along the radial direction of the tower sheet body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail the features and exemplary embodiments of each aspect of the Disclosure. The following detailed descriptions provide several specific details to fully understand the Disclosure. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the Disclosure is still implementable even without some of these specific details. The following descriptions of embodiments are merely illustrative and provide a better understanding of the Disclosure. To avoid creating unnecessary ambiguity with respect to the Disclosure, at least some known structures and technologies are omitted in the drawings and the following descriptions, and the sizes of some structures may be exaggerated for clarity. Furthermore, the features, structures, or properties described below may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 show schematic three-dimensional and plan views, respectively, of a sheet-type tower segment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 1 shows a sheet tower or tower frame of a wind power generation system, which is the entire tower or a part of the tower frame, i.e., a tower segment. A tower segment includes two or more tower sheet bodies 1 joined in the circumferential direction, and the exemplary embodiments in Figures 1 and 2 show three tower sheet bodies 1, the cross section of each tower sheet body 1 being an arc-shaped tower sheet body with an angle of 120°, and the cross section of the tower sheet body is a corresponding bent or straight shape, in contrast to the polygonal cross section of the tower segment, so that multiple tower sheet bodies 1 are connected to each other by their longitudinally formed ends to form a complete tower segment, the connection may be in the form of flange connection, welding, etc.

[0013] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a sheet-type platform (in particular a foldable sheet-type foldable platform, more specifically described below) is applied to a tower, for example, where each tower sheet body corresponds to at least one platform body 2, and as shown in Figure 3, one tower sheet body 1 may have two or three platform bodies 2, but is not limited thereto, and platform bodies 2 of different numbers or sizes may be designed based on the diameter size of the tower, the sector angle of the tower sheet body, the function performed by the platform body, etc.

[0014] When the platform body 2 of all tower sheet units is in the deployed position, all platform body 2 constitute an annular or circular platform, or a polygonal platform, which is basically perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

[0015] According to this disclosure, the sheeting platform is applied to a sheeting tower, and as a tower sheeting unit, the sheeting platform is connected to the tower sheeting body, and the sheeting platform is designed to be foldable relative to the tower sheeting body.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tower sheet unit includes a fan-shaped tower sheet body 1 and a foldable platform 10 provided inside the tower sheet body 1. The foldable platform 10 includes a platform body 2 and support members 20. Here, each tower sheet body 1 is provided with one or more foldable platforms 10, and each foldable platform 10 includes one or more support members 20, including, but not limited to, two support members 20 as shown in Figure 4.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 20 includes a support base 31 extending along the radial direction of the tower. The first end 21 of the support base 31 is fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1, and its second end is hinged to the platform body 2 at the first hinge connection point 41. Thus, the platform body 2 is pivotable about the second end of the support base 31 between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position (see FIG. 6), the platform body 2 is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1, reducing the occupied space. In the deployed position (see FIGS. 4 and 5), the platform body 2 is supported by the support base 31 and is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the tower (not shown), that is, when the tower stands up, the platform body 2 is substantially horizontal.

[0018] Here, the support base 31 has a specific rigidity to provide sufficient support force when the platform body 2 is deployed and supported by the support base 31. The support base 31 may be an elongated rod structure or two steel plates fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1. At the first hinge connection point 41, the support base 31 may be hinged to the bottom of the platform body 2, for example, to a rib protruding from the bottom surface of the platform body 2, via a hinge connection member such as a rotating shaft or a pin, but is not limited thereto.

[0019] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the support member 20 further includes an inclined support portion 50 provided below the support base 31. The first end of the inclined support portion 50 is hinged to a hinge connection seat 32 fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1 at the second hinge connection point 42, and its second end is hinged to the platform body 2 at the third hinge connection point 43. Here, the inclined support portion 50 is combined with the above structure for folding the platform body 2. Thus, while the platform body 2 is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1, when the platform body 2 is in the deployed position, the inclined support portion 50 is configured as the hypotenuse for triangular support of the platform body 2, thereby providing stable support for the platform body 2. As described below, the inclined support portion 50 may be realized in a plurality of structural forms.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the support member 20 or the diagonal support 50 includes a first support beam 51 and a second support beam 52. The first end of the first support beam 51 is hinged to the hinge connection seat 32 at the second hinge connection point 42, and the first end of the second support beam 52 is hinged to the platform body 2 at the third hinge connection point 43. The second end of the first support beam 51 and the second end of the second support beam 52 are hinged to each other at the fourth hinge connection point 44.

[0021] Thus, when folding the platform body 2, the first hinge connection point 41 and the second hinge connection point 42 are held stationary, the third hinge connection point 43 and the fourth hinge connection point 4 travel along a specific arc, the first support beam 51 and the second support beam 52 form an angle, and finally, the platform body 2 is folded to the folding position shown in FIG. 6.

[0022] Here, the hinge connection seat 32 is provided below the support base 31, and the radial length of the support base 31 is larger than the radial length of the hinge connection seat 32. In this case, a placement space for the support beam is reserved between the tower sheet body 1 and the platform body 2 in the folding position. Also, during transportation or storage, by placing a support in this space, direct collision between the platform body 2 and the tower sheet body 1 is prevented.

[0023] Alternatively, the support member 20 or the diagonal support 50 may include only one support beam. The first end of the one support beam is hinged to the hinge connection seat 32, and its second end is removably connected to the platform body 2. In this case, during the transportation or storage period, at the folding position of the platform body 2, the second end of the one support beam is removed from the platform body 2 to disengage from the platform body 2. After the platform body 2 is deployed, the second end of the one support beam is reconnected to the platform body 2 by a fastener.

[0024] Alternatively, as shown schematically in Figure 10, the support member 20 or diagonal support portion 50 includes a first support beam 51 and a second support beam 52, the first end of the first support beam 51 is hinged to a hinge connection seat 32 at a second hinge connection point 42, the first end of the second support beam 52 is hinged to the platform body 2 at a third hinge connection point 43, and a slider 55 is hinged to one of the second ends of the first support beam 51 and the second end of the second support beam 52, the other of which can slide on the slider 55, refer to Figures 10(a) and (b).

[0025] Furthermore, the slider 55 may also be hinged to the inner wall of the tower sheet body (more specifically, hinged to the hinge connection base 32) or to the platform body 2; see Figures 10(c) and (d). In other words, the support member 20 includes a slider 55 that is hinged to one of the hinge connection base 32 and the platform body 2. In this case, the first end of the support beam of the support member 20 can slide on the slider 55, and the second end of the support beam is hinged to the other of the hinge connection base 32 and the platform body 2. In this case, the support beam may be a single support beam, or two or more support beams that are hinged to each other. The drawing shows only two support beams that are hinged to each other, but it may also be a single support beam.

[0026] Furthermore, Figures 7 to 9 show other foldable platforms, and the difference between these foldable platforms and the foldable platforms described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 is that the size (sector angle) of the platform body 2 is different, and therefore the length of the support base 31 used is also different. In other words, the length of the support base 31 differs in accordance with the size of the sector angle of the platform body 2. For example, the length of the support base 31 is longer for a platform body 2 with a large sector angle, and conversely, the length of the support base 31 is shorter for a platform body 2 with a small sector angle, and this must satisfy the requirement that the platform body 2 does not interfere with the tower sheet body 1 during the folded period. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the platform body 2 has a hole 27 that penetrates the thickness of the platform body 2, and for example, this hole 27 is used to allow the ladder of the tower frame to pass through. If the platform body 2 has a hole 27, the support member 20 is provided outside the hole 27 so as not to interfere with the hole 27.

[0027] Furthermore, unlike traditional circular or annular overall platforms, the sheet-type platform body 2 is a ring sector segment, and the corner 28 (see Figures 5 and 3) between the radial outer edge of the platform body 2 and the two circumferential side edges has a corner notch or corner cut shape, that is, the corner 28 is not a normal acute angle but has a flat or recessed concave surface, thereby pre-reserving space at the joint of the two platform bodies 2, thereby facilitating the assembly of the sheet-type platform, eliminating the need to consider high-precision mounting tolerances or deformations of the tower or platform that occur during the mounting process, and allowing for easy adjustment of the platform position. In addition, this space allows wiring within the tower to pass through and provides fixing or support points for the wiring passing through it. Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the platform body 2 does not have to have the above-mentioned corner notch or corner cut shape, for example, at corner 28, the outer edge of the platform body 2 and the radially extending side edge intersect directly.

[0028] The tower sheet unit described above allows the traditional annular platform to be broken down into multiple smaller platforms, each of which is directly connected to the sheet-type tower sheet body. Each platform is foldable relative to the tower sheet body, allowing it to be transported together with the tower sheet body. This eliminates the need to attach the platforms at the project construction site using large lifting equipment; the platforms simply need to be unfolded. Furthermore, since each foldable platform has its own support member, there is no need to fasten the platform body to the inner wall of the tower sheet body with separate fastening means after unfolding the platform body. Additionally, there is no need to consider the impact of platform installation on the assembly of the tower sheet body, significantly reducing on-site construction time, installation difficulty, and workload.

[0029] The following describes the method for transporting and assembling a tower using the above-mentioned tower sheet unit, with reference to Figure 11.

[0030] During the storage or transport period of the tower, the foldable platform 10 in the tower sheet unit is positioned in a folded position so that each of the multiple platform bodies 2 is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet body 1, thereby reducing the space occupied by the platform body and facilitating the transport of the tower sheet unit. Furthermore, each tower sheet unit is stacked along the radial direction of the tower sheet body 1 so that each foldable platform 10 is located between two tower sheet bodies 1 that are stacked on top of each other. Such a stacking method is particularly advantageous for the transport or storage of the tower and platform, as the platform is transported together with the tower sheet body, whereas traditional circular or annular platforms and vertically extending fan-shaped tower sheet bodies do not match in shape and are difficult to stack and transport, thus occupying a large space. Transporting a large-diameter tower frame also presents certain difficulties. The tower sheet unit submitted in this disclosure can effectively solve these problems, as the platform body 2 of the foldable platform occupies little to no extra space, and only the space between two adjacent stacked tower sheet bodies 1 is required.

[0031] At the tower frame installation site, before or after joining and assembling each tower sheet body 1, each platform body 2 is unfolded to its unfolded position. After all platform body 2 has been unfolded, as shown in Figure 2, the assembled complete platform is an annular platform, and its center may be polygonal (in this case, the platform body 2 is a ring sector segment or a truncated fan segment), but is not limited to this, and other shapes of platform body 2 may be formed based on the design. For example, each platform body 2 may further be assembled as a circular platform, that is, without a central opening, in which case the platform body 2 will be fan-shaped rather than the truncated fan segment shown above.

[0032] In this case, there is no need to use a large lifting device, and each support member 20 can provide strong and stable support to the platform body 2, so there is no need to fix the platform to the inner wall of the tower along the outer circumference of the platform at the construction site (for example, by bolting).

[0033] Preferably, after the platform body 2 is unfolded, a fixed connection is made between two adjacent platform bodies 2 at the edges where they abut each other in the circumferential direction (particularly advantageous for foldable platforms that do not use diagonal support sections). Since this only concerns the connection between the platforms and not the connection between the platform and the inner wall of the tower, such a fixed connection operation is also easy.

[0034] Furthermore, after the platform body 2 is unfolded, a reinforcing member or locking member is placed on the support member 20, and as shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing member 61 is simultaneously locked to the first support beam 51 and the second support beam 52, thereby preventing the foldable platform 10 from being folded in undesirable situations.

[0035] The above describes specific embodiments of this application in detail and illustrates several examples. However, as those skilled in the art will understand, these embodiments may be amended and improved, provided they do not deviate from the principles and spirit of this application, which are limited to the claims and their equivalents, and such amendments and improvements should also fall within the scope of protection of this application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1. Tower sheet body 2 ··· Platform body 10 ···Foldable platform 20 ···Support member 31...Support stand 32 ···Hinge connecting seat 21 ···First end of support base 22 ···First end of hinge connecting seat 41 ···First hinge connection point 42 ···Second hinge connection point 43 ···Third hinge connection point 44 ···Fourth hinge connection point 50 ···Diagonal support section 51...1st support beam 52...Second support beam 55...Slider 27...Kongou 28... Corner 61 ···Reinforcement member

Claims

1. A tower sheet body unit, the tower sheet body unit includes a tower sheet body (1) and a foldable platform (10) provided inside the tower sheet body (1), the foldable platform (10) includes a platform body (2) and a support member (20), the support member (20) includes a support base (31), the support base (31) extends radially along the tower sheet body (1), a first end (21) is fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body (1), and a second end is a first hinge connection point. (41) is hinged to the bottom of the platform body (2), and by supporting the bottom surface of the platform body (2), the platform body (2) is pivotable around the second end of the support base (31) between a folded position and an unfolded position, in the folded position the platform body (2) is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet body (1), and in the unfolded position the platform body (2) is supported by the support base (31) and is a tower sheet body unit perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

2. The tower sheet unit according to claim 1, wherein the support member (20) further includes an oblique support portion (50) provided below the support base (31), the oblique support portion (50) having a first end hinged to a hinge connection seat (32) fixed to the inner wall of the tower sheet body (1) at a second hinge connection point (42), and a second end hinged to the platform body (2) at a third hinge connection point (43), or the second end being detachably connected to the platform body (2).

3. The tower sheet unit according to Claim 2, wherein the diagonal support portion (50) includes a first support beam (51) and a second support beam (52), the first end of the first support beam (51) is hinged to the hinge connection seat (32) at the second hinge connection point (42), the first end of the second support beam (52) is hinged to the platform body (2) at the third hinge connection point (43), and the second end of the first support beam (51) and the second end of the second support beam (52) are hinged to each other at the fourth hinge connection point (44).

4. The tower sheet unit according to claim 2, wherein the diagonal support portion (50) includes a support beam, the first end of which is hinged to the hinge connecting seat (32), and the second end of which is detachably connected to the platform body (2), and in the folded position of the platform body (2), the second end of the support beam is detached from the platform body (2).

5. The diagonal support portion (50) includes a first support beam (51) and a second support beam (52), the first end of the first support beam (51) being hinged to the hinge connection seat (32) at the second hinge connection point (42), and the first end of the second support beam (52) being hinged to the platform body (2) at the third hinge connection point (43). The tower sheet unit according to claim 2, wherein a slider (55) is hinged to one of the second ends of the first support beam (51) and the second end of the second support beam (52), and the other end is slidable on the slider (55).

6. The tower sheet unit according to claim 2, wherein the support member (20) includes a slider (55) that is hinged to one of the hinge connecting seat (32) and the platform body (2), and the diagonal support portion (50) includes a support beam, the support beam having a first end that is slidable on the slider (55) and a second end that is hinged to the other of the hinge connecting seat (32) and the platform body (2).

7. The tower sheet unit according to claim 6, wherein the support beam includes one support beam, or two or more support beams that are hinged together.

8. The tower sheet unit according to claim 1, wherein the length of the support base (31) varies according to the size of the sector angle of the platform body (2).

9. The tower sheet unit according to claim 2, wherein the hinge connecting seat (32) is provided below the support base (31), and the radial length of the support base (31) is greater than the radial length of the hinge connecting seat (32).

10. The tower sheet unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of foldable platforms (10) is one or more, and / or each foldable platform (10) includes one or more support members (20).

11. The tower sheet unit according to claim 1, wherein the platform body (2) is a ring sector segment, and the corner (28) between the radial outer edge of the platform body (2) and the two circumferential side edges is a flat or concave surface.

12. The tower sheet unit according to claim 1, wherein the platform body (2) includes a hole (27) that penetrates the thickness of the platform body (2), and the support member (20) is provided outside the hole (27) so as not to interfere with the hole (27).

13. A tower segment comprising a tower sheet unit according to any one of two claims 1 to 12, wherein the tower segments are joined in the circumferential direction.

14. The tower segment according to claim 13, wherein, in the deployed position of the platform body (2), two adjacent platform bodies (2) are fixed and connected at edges that abut each other in the circumferential direction.

15. The tower segment according to claim 13, wherein when all platform bodies (2) of all tower sheet units are in the deployed position, all platform bodies (2) constitute an annular or circular platform or a polygonal platform perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

16. A method for transporting and assembling towers, During the storage or transport period of the tower, the foldable platform (10) in the tower sheet unit according to any one of the multiple claims 1 to 12 is placed in the folded position, so that each platform body (2) is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower sheet unit (1), A method for transporting and assembling a tower, comprising the step of stacking each tower sheet unit along the radial direction of the tower sheet unit (1) such that each foldable platform (10) is positioned between two tower sheet units (1) that are stacked on top of each other.

17. The method for transporting and assembling a tower according to claim 16, further comprising the step of unfolding each platform body (2) to the unfolded position before or after joining and assembling each tower sheet body (1) at the tower frame installation site.

18. The method for transporting and assembling a tower according to claim 17, further comprising the step of fixing and connecting the edges of adjacent platform bodies (2) that are in contact with each other in the circumferential direction after deployment.

19. The method for transporting and assembling a tower according to claim 17, further comprising the step of preventing the foldable platform (10) from being folded by placing a reinforcing member on the support member (20) after the platform body (2) has been unfolded.

20. A wind power generation system including the tower segment described in Claim 13.

21. A tower comprising a plurality of tower segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of tower segments is the tower segment described in Claim 13.

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