Tower panel assembly kits, tower sub-components, and methods for transporting and assembling the tower.

Abstract

DEPCT6805 / 03 / 2568 This disclosure pertains to tower panel assemblies, tower sub-sections, and transportation methods. Assemble the tower: The tower assembly kit includes tower panels and a foldable platform. This is arranged on the inner side of the foldable platform tower, which is assembled with the main body. The platform and support components are assembled together with support bases, where the ends... One of the supports was secured to the inner wall of the tower plate, and the second end of the support was inserted. The hinge attaches to the main body platform at the first hinge point, in such a way that the main body platform can... Rotate around, around the second end of the support platform, between the folded and unfolded positions. (Figure 11);

Description

Tower segment assembly, tower section, and tower transportation and assembly method Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wind power technology, and in particular to the field of segmented towers or towers for wind turbine generator sets. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the wind power industry, tower diameters have increased, driven by considerations such as load-bearing capacity and safety. Segmented towers or structures are therefore advantageous. Conventional maintenance platforms for segmented towers or structures are integrated annular or circular platforms, installed within the tower, essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal centerline. These platforms are used to house electrical components required for the wind turbine and for maintenance personnel.

[0003] However, such an annular platform or circular platform usually needs to be assembled to the tower at the project construction site. For a segmented tower or tower frame, for example, the first tower segment can be installed first (for example, placed horizontally), and then the integral annular platform or circular platform can be installed, and then other tower segments (for example, the second tower segment, the third tower segment, etc.) can be installed. In this process, since the integral platform is installed before the second tower segment, the third tower segment, etc., during the installation of the second tower segment, the third tower segment, etc., the integral platform will affect the segment assembly, thereby increasing the difficulty of installation. In addition, if the integral platform is installed after all or most of the tower segments are assembled, due to the weight of the tower segments, the horizontally placed tower segments may be non-perfectly circular (for example, elliptical), and in this case, it is difficult to install the integral annular or circular platform.

[0004] In addition, the installation of an integral annular or circular platform at a project construction site often requires the assistance of a crane. Therefore, the installation of an integral platform at a construction site is labor-intensive, difficult, and has poor installation accuracy and long on-site working hours, which is undesirable, especially for offshore unit construction.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of the present disclosure is at least to reduce the on-site installation time, workload, difficulty, etc. of the tower platform, reduce the impact of the platform on the assembly of the tower or tower frame, facilitate the transportation of the tower platform with the tower segments, and reduce the transportation or storage space and difficulty.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a tower segment assembly is provided, which includes a tower segment and a foldable platform arranged on the inner side of the tower segment, the foldable platform including a platform body and a supporting member, the supporting member including a supporting seat, a first end of the supporting seat being fixed to the inner wall of the tower segment, and a second end of the supporting seat being hinged to the platform body at a first hinge point so that the platform body can pivot around the second end of the supporting seat between a folded position and an unfolded position, in which the platform body is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower segment, and in the unfolded position, the platform body is supported on the supporting seat and is basically perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tower segment is provided, comprising two or more tower segment assemblies as described above spliced ​​in a circumferential direction.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tower transportation and assembly method is provided, which includes: during tower storage or transportation, placing a plurality of foldable platforms in the tower segment assemblies as described above in a folded position so that each platform body is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower segment; and stacking the tower segment assemblies together along the radial direction of the tower segment so that each foldable platform is located between two tower segments stacked on each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG1 shows a schematic perspective view of a segmented tower section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG2 shows a schematic plan view of a segmented tower section according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG3 shows a schematic plan view of two different tower segment assemblies according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] 4 and 5 illustrate schematic perspective views of a foldable platform in an unfolded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG6 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a foldable platform in a folded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] 7 and 8 illustrate schematic perspective views of another foldable platform in an unfolded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG9 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another foldable platform in a folded position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG10 shows a schematic principle diagram of implementing the folding function of the foldable platform by using a slider crank mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG11 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of tower segment assemblies stacked together along the radial direction of the tower segments according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Description of reference numerals:

[0020] 1-tower segment; 2-platform body; 10-foldable platform; 20-support member; 31-support seat; 32-hinge seat; 21-first end of support seat; 22-first end of hinge seat; 41-first hinge point; 42-second hinge point; 43-third hinge point; 44-fourth hinge point; 50-inclined support portion; 51-first support beam; 52-second support beam; 55-slider; 27-opening; 28-corner; 61-reinforcement member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail below. In the detailed description that follows, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure by illustrating examples of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings and the following description, at least some of the well-known structures and techniques are not shown in order to avoid unnecessary ambiguity in the present disclosure; and, for clarity, the sizes of some structures may be exaggerated. In addition, the features, structures, or characteristics described below may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0022] 1 and 2 respectively illustrate a schematic perspective view and a plan view of a segmented tower segment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a segmented tower or scaffold for a wind turbine generator system, which can be a portion of a whole tower or scaffold, namely, a tower segment. A tower segment can include two or more tower segments 1 spliced ​​together in the circumferential direction. The exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 illustrate three tower segments 1, each of which has a 120° arc-shaped cross-section. For a polygonal tower segment, the cross-section of the tower segment is a corresponding broken line segment or straight line. This allows multiple tower segments 1 to be connected to each other through their longitudinally formed ends to form a complete tower segment. The connection can be in the form of flanges, welding, or other methods.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a segmented platform (more particularly a foldable segmented folding platform, which will be described in more detail later) is applied to a tower. For example, each tower segment may correspond to at least one platform body 2. As shown in FIG3 , two platform bodies 2 or three platform bodies 2 may be provided on a tower segment 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Platform bodies 2 of different numbers or sizes may be designed according to the tower diameter, the sector angle of the tower segment, the functions performed by the platform body, etc.

[0025] When the platform bodies 2 of all tower segment assemblies are in the unfolded position, all platform bodies 2 form an annular or circular platform or a polygonal platform that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the tower.

[0026] The present disclosure proposes applying a segmented platform to a segmented tower, attaching the segmented platform to a tower segment as a tower segment assembly, and designing the segmented platform to be foldable relative to the tower segment.

[0027] Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tower segment assembly includes a fan-shaped tower segment 1 and a foldable platform 10 arranged on the inner side of the tower segment 1. The foldable platform 10 includes a platform body 2 and a supporting member 20. Here, one or more foldable platforms 10 may be provided on each tower segment 1; each foldable platform 10 may include one or more supporting members 20, as shown in Figure 4, including two supporting members 20, but not limited to this.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the support member 20 may include a support seat 31 extending in the radial direction of the tower. The first end 21 of the support seat 31 can be fixed to the inner wall of the tower segment 1, and the second end of the support seat 31 can be hinged to the platform body 2 at a first hinge point 41, so that the platform body 2 can pivot around the second end of the support seat 31 between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the folded position (as shown in Figure 6), the platform body 2 can be stacked close to the inner wall of the tower segment 1 to reduce space occupancy; in the unfolded position (as shown in Figures 4 and 5), the platform body 2 can be supported on the support seat 31 and basically perpendicular to the center axis of the tower (not shown), that is, when the tower is erected, the platform body 2 can be basically horizontal.

[0029] Here, the support base 31 can have a specific rigidity to provide sufficient support force when the platform body 2 is deployed and supported on the support base 31. The support base 31 can be a slender rod structure or two steel plates fixed to the inner wall of the tower segment 1. At the first hinge point 41, the support base 31 can be hinged to the bottom of the platform body 2 via an articulated member such as a rotating shaft or a pin, for example, to a rib protruding from the bottom surface of the platform body 2, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the support member 20 may further include an inclined support portion 50 disposed below the support seat 31. The first end of the inclined support portion 50 may be hingedly connected to the hinge seat 32 fixed to the inner wall of the tower segment 1 at the second hinge point 42, and the second end of the inclined support portion 50 may be hingedly connected to the platform body 2 at the third hinge point 43. Here, the inclined support portion 50 can be combined with the above-mentioned structure for folding the platform body 2 to enable the platform body 2 to be stacked close to the inner wall of the tower segment 1. Furthermore, when the platform body 2 is in the unfolded position, the inclined support portion 50 can form the hypotenuse of the triangular support for the platform body 2, thereby providing stable support for the platform body 2. As described below, the inclined support portion 50 can be implemented in various structural forms.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the support member 20 or the inclined support portion 50 may include a first support beam 51 and a second support beam 52. The first end of the first support beam 51 may be hinged to the hinge seat 32 at the second hinge point 42, the first end of the second support beam 52 may be hinged to the platform body 2 at the third hinge 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 point 44.

[0032] Thus, when the platform body 2 is folded, the first hinge point 41 and the second hinge point 42 remain stationary, the third hinge point 43 and the fourth hinge point 4 move along a specific arc, and the first support beam 51 and the second support beam 52 are angled, and finally the platform body 2 is folded to the folded position shown in Figure 6.

[0033] Here, the hinge seat 32 is arranged below the support seat 31, and the radial length of the support seat 31 may be greater than the radial length of the hinge seat 32. In this case, space for placing the support beam can be reserved between the tower segment 1 and the platform body 2 in the folded position. In addition, during transportation or storage, supports can be placed in the space to prevent hard collisions between the platform body 2 and the tower segment 1.

[0034] Furthermore, alternatively, the support member 20 or the diagonal support portion 50 may include only a single support beam, a first end of which may be hinged to the hinge seat 32, and a second end of which may be detachably connected to the platform body 2. In this case, during transportation or storage, that is, when the platform body 2 is in the folded position, the second end of the single support beam may be detached from the platform body 2 to separate from the platform body 2, and after the platform body 2 is unfolded, the second end of the single support beam may be attached to the platform body 2 again via fasteners.

[0035] In addition, alternatively, as shown in Figure 10 (shown schematically only), the support member 20 or the inclined support portion 50 may include a first support beam 51 and a second support beam 52, and the first end of the first support beam 51 may be hinged to the hinge seat 32 at the second hinge point 42, and the first end of the second support beam 52 may be hinged to the platform body 2 at the third hinge point 43, and at the same time, a slider 55 is hinged to one of the second ends of the first support beam 51 and the second ends of the second support beam 52, and the other of the second ends of the first support beam 51 and the second ends of the second support beam 52 can slide in the slider 55, as shown in (a) and (b) in Figure 10.

[0036] Alternatively, the slider 55 may be hinged to the inner wall of the tower segment (more specifically, to the hinge seat 32) or the platform body 2, as shown in (c) and (d) of Figure 10 . That is, the support member 20 may include a slider 55 hinged to one of the hinge seat 32 and the platform body 2. In this case, the first end of the support beam of the support member 20 can slide in the slider 55, and the second end of the support beam can be hinged to the other of the hinge seat 32 and the platform body 2. In this case, the support beam can be a single support beam or two or more support beams hinged to each other. The figure shows only two hinged support beams, but a single support beam is also feasible.

[0037] Figures 7 to 9 illustrate another foldable platform, which differs from the foldable platform described above with reference to Figures 4 to 6 in that the size (sector angle) of the platform body 2 is different, and thus the length of the support base 31 used is also different. In other words, the length of the support base 31 can vary with the size of the sector angle of the platform body 2. For example, for a platform body 2 with a larger sector angle, the length of the support base 31 can be longer, while conversely, for a platform body 2 with a smaller sector angle, the length of the support base 31 can be shorter. This is necessary to ensure that the platform body 2 does not interfere with the tower segments 1 during folding. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the platform body 2 can be provided with an aperture 27 extending through the thickness of the platform body 2. For example, this aperture 27 can be used to pass a tower ladder, etc. In the case of a platform body 2 with an aperture 27, the support member 20 must be positioned outside the aperture 27 to avoid interference with the aperture 27.

[0038] In addition, unlike the traditional circular or annular integral platform, the sliced ​​platform body 2 is an annular sector segment, and the corner 28 between the outer peripheral edge of the platform body 2 in the radial direction and the two side edges in the circumferential direction (as shown in Figures 5 and 3) can be in the shape of a missing corner or a cut corner, that is, the corner 28 is not a conventional sharp corner, but can have a flat surface or a concave surface, thereby reserving space at the joint of the two platform bodies 2. This, on the one hand, facilitates the assembly of the sliced ​​platform without considering very precise assembly tolerances or deformation of the tower or platform generated during the assembly process, and facilitates the adjustment of the position of the platform. On the other hand, the space can also be used to pass the wiring in the tower, and the space can also provide a fixed or support point for the wiring passing therethrough. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the platform body 2 may not have the above-mentioned missing corner or cut corner shape. For example, at the corner 28 of the platform body 2, the outer peripheral edge of the platform body 2 directly intersects with the radially extending side edge.

[0039] The tower segment assembly described above allows a traditional annular platform to be split into multiple smaller platforms, each of which can be directly attached to a segmented tower segment. Each platform can also be folded relative to the tower segment, allowing the platform to be transported along with the tower segment. At the project construction site, there's no need to use large lifting tools to install the platform; simply unfold it. Furthermore, because each foldable platform has its own supporting structure, after unfolding, there's no need to use additional fastening means to secure the platform to the inner wall of the tower segment. Furthermore, there's no need to consider the impact of platform installation on the tower segment assembly. This significantly reduces on-site construction time and significantly reduces installation difficulty and workload.

[0040] The tower transportation and assembly method using the above-mentioned tower segment assembly is further described below with reference to FIG. 11 .

[0041] During tower storage or transportation, the foldable platforms 10 in the multiple tower segment assemblies are placed in a folded position, so that each platform body 2 is stacked close to the inner wall of the tower segment 1, reducing the space occupied by the platform body and facilitating the transportation of the tower segment assemblies. In addition, the tower segment assemblies can be stacked together along the radial direction of the tower segment 1, so that each foldable platform 10 can be located between two stacked tower segments 1. This stacking method is particularly advantageous for transporting or storing the tower and the platform. On the one hand, the platform can be transported along with the tower segments. On the other hand, traditionally, the circular or annular platform is difficult to stack together for transportation because the shape of the longitudinally extending fan-shaped tower segments does not match each other, occupying a large space. Moreover, for large-diameter towers, the transportation of integral circular or annular platforms is also difficult. The tower segment assembly proposed in the present disclosure can effectively solve these problems. The platform body 2 of the foldable platform hardly occupies any additional space or occupies very little space, only utilizing the space existing between two adjacent stacked tower segments 1.

[0042] At the tower installation site, the platform bodies 2 can be deployed to their deployed positions before or after the tower segments 1 are assembled. After all platform bodies 2 are deployed, the assembled platform can be as shown in Figure 2 . The assembled platform can be an annular platform with a polygonal center (in this case, the platform body 2 is a circular sector or a truncated sector), but this is not limiting. Platform bodies 2 of other shapes can also be formed according to the design. For example, the platform bodies 2 can be assembled into a circular platform, meaning without a central opening. In this case, the platform body 2 can be fan-shaped rather than the truncated sector shown above.

[0043] In this case, there is no need to use large lifting tools, and since the various support members 20 are able to provide strong and stable support for the platform body 2, there is no need to fix the platform (for example, bolt it) to the inner wall of the tower along the periphery of the platform at the construction site.

[0044] Optionally, after the platform body 2 is unfolded, a fixed connection can be made at the edges of two adjacent platform bodies 2 that abut each other in the circumferential direction (this is particularly advantageous for a foldable platform that does not use an inclined support portion). This only involves the connection between platforms, and does not involve the connection between the platform and the inner wall of the tower. Therefore, this fixed connection is also easy to operate.

[0045] In addition, after the platform body 2 is unfolded, a reinforcement member or a locking member may be provided on the support member 20 , as shown in FIG4 , where the reinforcement member 61 is simultaneously stuck on the first support beam 51 and the second support beam 52 to prevent the foldable platform 10 from folding unexpectedly.

[0046] The above describes in detail the specific implementation methods of the present application. Although some embodiments have been shown and described, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments can be modified and improved without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents. These modifications and improvements should also be within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

DEPCT6805 / 03 / 25681. Tower Panel Assembly, whereby the tower panel assembly is comprised of the tower panel (1) and the foldable platform (10) which is placed on the inner side of the tower panel (1), the foldable platform (10) is comprised of the main platform body (2) and the supporting assembly (20), the supporting assembly (20) is comprised of the support platform (31), the first end (21) of the support platform (31) is fixed to the inner wall of the tower panel (1), and the second end of the support platform (31) is hinged to the main platform body (2) at the first hinge point (41), so that the main platform body (2) can rotate around the second end of the support platform (31) between the folded and unfolded positions, and whereby in the folded position, the main platform body (2) is folded close to the inner wall of the tower panel (1); and in the unfolded position, the main platform body (2) is supported on the support platform (31) and is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the tower 2.The tower plate assembly according to claim 1, whereby the support assembly (20) is further assembled with the inclined support (50) provided beneath the support platform (31), and whereby one end of the inclined support (50) is hinged at the second hinge point (42) to the hinge platform (32) which is fixed to the inner wall of the tower plate (1), and the second end of the inclined support (50) is hinged to the main platform body (2) at the third hinge point (43).

3. The tower plate assembly according to Claim 2, whereby the supporting assembly (20) is made up of the first support beam (51) and the second support beam (52), the first end of the first support beam (51) is hinged to the hinge platform (32) at the second hinge point (42), and the first end of the second support beam (52) is hinged to the main body of the platform (2) at the third hinge 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 point (44).The tower plate assembly under claim 2, whereby the supporting assembly (20) is incorporated with single support beams, the first end of the single support beam is hinged to the hinge plate (32), the second end of the single support beam is detachably connected to the main platform body (2), and the second end of the single support beam is detachable from the main platform body (2) in the case of the main platform body (2) being in the folded position.

5. The tower plate assembly under claim 2, whereby the supporting assembly (20) is incorporated with single support beams The first (51) and the second support beam (52), one end of the first support beam (51) is hinged to the hinge platform (32) at the second hinge point (42), and one end of the second support beam (52) is hinged to the main platform body (2) at the third hinge point (43); and where the 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 one of the second ends of the first support beam (51) and the second end of the second support beam (52) is movable in the slider (55).6.The tower plate assembly under claim 2, whereby the supporting assembly (20) is assembled with a slider (55) that is hinged to one of the hinge platforms (32) and the main platform body (2), and the supporting assembly (20) is additionally assembled with a support beam, whereby one end of the support beam is movable in the slider (55), and the second end of the support beam is hinged to one of the hinge platforms (32) and the main platform body (2).

7. The tower plate assembly under claim 6, whereby the support beam is assembled with a single support beam, or two or more support beams that are hinged to one of the hinge platforms (32) and the main platform body (2).

8. The tower plate assembly under claim 1, where the support platform (31) has a length that varies according to the size of the sector angle of the main body of the platform (2).

9. The tower plate assembly under claim 2, where the hinged platform (32) is provided beneath the support platform (31), and the support platform (31) has a length that is greater than that of the hinged platform (32).

10. The tower plate assembly under claim 1, where the number of foldable platforms (10) is one or more, and / or each foldable platform (10) is composed of one or more support components (20). 11.The tower plate assembly according to claim 1, where the main platform body (2) is an annular sector-shaped segment, and the angle (28) of the main platform body (2) situated between the outer perimeter edges in the radial direction and each of the two lateral edges in the circumferential direction of the main platform body has a flat or concave surface.

12. The tower plate assembly according to claim 1, where the main platform body (2) is incorporated with holes (27) that penetrate the thickness of the main platform body (2), and supporting components (20) are provided.

13. A tower plate assembly according to any of Claims 1 through 12, where in the extended position of the main platform body (2), two adjacent main platform bodies (2) are joined together by fastening at their adjacent edges in the circumferential direction.

14. A tower sub-assembly, where the sub-assembly consists of more than two tower plate assemblies according to any of Claims 1 through 13 joined together in the circumferential direction. 15.

16. Methods for transporting and assembling the tower, whereby the assembly method is included: during the storage or transport of the tower, the folding platform (10) of more than one of the tower plate assemblies according to any of the claims 1 to 13 is placed in the folded position, thus causing each main platform (2) to be folded close to the inner wall of the tower plate (1); stacking each tower plate assembly together in the radial direction of the tower plate (1), thus causing the folding platform (10) to be placed between two stacked tower plates (1).

17. Methods for transporting and assembling the tower according to claim 16, whereby the assembly method is included: at the installation site, the main platform (2) is unfolded to the unfolded position before or after the corresponding tower plate (1) is connected and assembled. 18.Methods for transporting and assembling the towers according to claim 17, where the assembly method includes additional: the proper connection of the main body and the adjacent unfolded platforms (2) at their edges close to each other in the circumferential direction.

19. Methods for transporting and assembling the towers according to claim 17, where the assembly method includes additional: after the main body and platforms (2) have been unfolded, the provision of reinforcing elements on the supporting elements (20) to prevent the foldable platforms (10) from folding;

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