Polymeric concrete for wind generator towers or other large structural applicatons

Abstract

The present invention relates to towers for wind generators or other large structural applications and uses a new construction concept, based on polymeric concrete. Polymeric concrete is composed of thermosetting resin and aggregates such as sand or gravel. Polymeric concrete has low maintenance costs and exceptional high resistance to corrosion, thus justifying its main usage in non-structural applications. Additionally, polymeric concrete has been used as mortar in the rehabilitation of civil structures, especially retrofitting of bridges and heritage buildings. Its advantages for these applications are the adherence to the traditional materials, higher compressive strength than traditional concrete and low specific weight. The tower (1), according to the invention, is built of two or more superimposed ring sections (2) in conical or cylindrical shape, each ring (2) being built of one or more shell segments and the said segments being fixed by means of mechanical and / or chemical couplings, and being made of prefabricated polymeric concrete.

Description

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

[0001] The present invention relates to towers for wind generators or other large structural applications and applies a new construction concept, based on polymeric concrete.STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Wind generators have gained wide acceptance as an alternative source for the production of renewable and clean energy. In recent years, state of the art wind energy converters had a dramatic development in energy output / production, by using longer blades and more powerful generators. Rotor diameter of state of the art units has reached 120 m and generator power has reached 5 MW. Wind generators are supported to a convenient height by towers, in order to expose them to a convenient wind flow and prevent interaction between the rotor blades and the ground. The towers themselves are adequately attached to the foundations. The development trend described above requires increased hub height, and tower height for the same state of the art unit has reached 120 m.

[0003] These towers m...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]The tower, according to the invention, is built of two or more superimposed ring sections in conical or cylindrical form, each ring being built of one or more shell segments, these segments are joined by means of mechanical and / or chemical bonding and made of pre-cast polymeric concrete.

[0023]The segments are moulded after mixture of the binder and filler materials, as described above. The binder is a thermosetting resin like polyester resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, vinyl ester resin or others. Before filling the moulds with polymer concrete, chopped fibres mixed with the thermosetting resin can be sprayed onto the mould external wall, to enhance the tensile resistance of the segment.

[0024]The rings have specially designed ends in order to assemble into each other when building a tower. Between two superimposed rings, as seen in FIG. 4, the one in the bottom has the top end shaped like a step with, from the interior to the exterior, first a bottom horizontal surface (12),...

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

[0001] The present invention relates to towers for wind generators or other large structural applications and applies a new construction concept, based on polymeric concrete.STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Wind generators have gained wide acceptance as an alternative source for the production of renewable and clean energy. In recent years, state of the art wind energy converters had a dramatic development in energy output / production, by using longer blades and more powerful generators. Rotor diameter of state of the art units has reached 120 m and generator power has reached 5 MW. Wind generators are supported to a convenient height by towers, in order to expose them to a convenient wind flow and prevent interaction between the rotor blades and the ground. The towers themselves are adequately attached to the foundations. The development trend described above requires increased hub height, and tower height for the same state of the art unit has reached 120 m.

[0003] These towers m...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]The tower, according to the invention, is built of two or more superimposed ring sections in conical or cylindrical form, each ring being built of one or more shell segments, these segments are joined by means of mechanical and / or chemical bonding and made of pre-cast polymeric concrete.

[0023]The segments are moulded after mixture of the binder and filler materials, as described above. The binder is a thermosetting resin like polyester resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, vinyl ester resin or others. Before filling the moulds with polymer concrete, chopped fibres mixed with the thermosetting resin can be sprayed onto the mould external wall, to enhance the tensile resistance of the segment.

[0024]The rings have specially designed ends in order to assemble into each other when building a tower. Between two superimposed rings, as seen in FIG. 4, the one in the bottom has the top end shaped like a step with, from the interior to the exterior, first a bottom horizontal surface (12),...

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