A tower receptacle

Abstract

The invention relates to a receptacle (RE) for at least partly supporting a component (CO) inside a tower comprising a tower wall (TW), said receptacle comprises two or more mutually spaced attachment points (AP) facilitating attachment of said receptacle to said tower wall, said receptacle is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of mutually spaced branches (BR) which together are supporting said a frame support and which are mechanically connecting said frame support and said one or more attachment points.

Description

A TOWER RECEPTACLEField of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to receptacle configured to support a component in a tower, a tower section comprising such receptacle and a method of producing such receptacle and tower section.Background of the invention

[0002] In the art, various types of tower section interfaces also referred to as receptacles are known. Just to mention a few, EP2784310, EP3670784 and EP2060706 all describes alternative ways to implement tower section interfaces which are configured to support a platform comprising electric components.

[0003] One problem with known tower section interfaces, including the once mentioned in the above cited documents, is that tension is high along the welding’s connecting the tower section interface to the inside wall of the tower. Furthermore, material consumption and mounting makes the tower section with tower section interfaces expensive.Summary of the invention

[0004] The inventors have identified the above-mentioned problems and challenges related to known tower section interfaces such as tension in welding’s, material consumption and mounting, as well as other problems mentioned below, and solved these problems by the present invention as described below.

[0005] In an aspect, the invention relates to a receptacle for at least partly supporting a component inside a tower comprising a tower wall, said receptacle comprises two or more mutually spaced attachment points facilitating attachment of said receptacle to said tower wall, said receptacle is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of mutually spaced branches which together are supporting a frame support and which are mechanically connecting said frame support and said one or more attachment points.

[0006] Such receptacle is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the downward force from the component is absorbed / carried by the tower wall, via the frame support, the beams and the attachment points. By using mutually spaced attachment point and mutually spaced branches, the material consumption is reduced while the carrying capacity is maintained.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is at least partly defining a plurality of air gaps.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, one or more air gaps are defined between at least one of said plurality of branches and said tower wall.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, one or more airgaps are defined between two or more of said plurality of branches.

[0010] Such receptacle is advantageous in that the airgaps reduces the weight of the receptacles and thereby making the receptacles easier to handle, reducing the weight of the tower section of the tower comprising receptacles and reducing material consumption of the receptacles and thus of the tower section / tower. The reduction of material is possible to obtain because of the design and location of the branches is specifically determined based on load input related to the component or the part of the component that the specific receptacle(s) is designed support / carry.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, two or more attachments points are mutually spaced in a direction parallel to said frame support (FRS) and / or in a direction perpendicular to said frame support (FRS).

[0012] Increasing the number of attachment points has the advantage that each attachment point can be reduced in size. A reduction in size may be measure in length of a welding or thickness of a welding. This has the advantages that stress provided by tension in or compression in the attachment points is reduced. Accordingly, such receptacle is advantageous in that material is exploited better than with state of the art receptacles.

[0013] A tower section should be understood as part of a tower for a wind turbine but could in principle be understood as a section of any type of hollow tower inside which platforms or other component are to be mounted or supported.

[0014] A receptacle should be understood as a structure which when mounted on the inside wall of the tower section is able to support a component such as a platform. More specifically three or more such receptacles are typically needed to support a component. The required number of receptacles are determined by the design of the component. It should be mentioned that a receptacle may also sometimes be referred to as a knee.

[0015] A component should be understood as a platform supporting one or more component such as electric components in the form of electric panels comprising switch gear, transformer, converter, control systems, power distribution, power backup, etc. A component implemented as a platform may be carried by a frame made of steels beams in various designs. The beams of the frame are supporting the components such as a platform and thereby the electric or mechanical components are at least indirectly resting on / supported by the receptacles. It should be mentioned that one or more receptacles may be used to carry the weight of a component that is not located on a platform. In such embodiment, the component may rest directly on the receptacle. Alternatively, the component may rest on beams carried by receptacles.

[0016] An attachment point should be understood as a point of contact between the receptacle and the tower wall. Typically, an attachment point is individually welded or bolted to the tower wall. It should be mentioned that a lower attachment point may only rest against the tower wall or rest against a protrusion of the tower wall. As mentioned, the receptacle comprises a plurality of attachment points that are mutually separated from each other i.e. having a distance therebetween. Hence, an attachment point has one side which is in physical contact with the tower wall and a second side facing away from the tower wall. The attachment points are typically not covered which is advantageous in that they can be visually inspected

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises at least 3 airgaps.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle and said tower wall define at least 3 airgaps therebetween.

[0019] Having a total number of airgaps such as between 5 and 50 or even more is advantageous in that it has the effect, that less material is used to manufacture the receptacle and in that this may add flexibility to the receptacle thereby making the receptacle better to handle vibrations, oscillation, deflection, etc. internal in the receptacle.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the geometry of a cross-section of said branches are selected from the list of geometries comprising: geometry having three or more straight lines, non-uniform, substantially cylindrical and oval.

[0021] The geometry of the branches may be used to determine strength of the receptacle i.e. how well the receptacle is able to handle a force acting in a certain direction. Hence, if a branch is oval, it is strongest / least prone to deform if the force is acting on the direction of the longitudinal axis of the oval. Accordingly, by designing the geometry of the branches it is possible to design from which direction the receptacle should be able to carry a certain force without plastically deforming.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacles comprises at least 3 branches.

[0023] Having a higher number of branches is advantageous in that it has the effect, that it increases the flexibility to design a receptacle with structural support in different orientations relative to the orientation of gravity.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of said plurality of branch is branching off in at least two new branches.

[0025] The branching off of one branch into two or more branches is advantageous in that it allows flexibility and thus deformation of the entire receptacle which thereby allow stress handing within the receptacle.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, a subset of at least three of said plurality of branches meet in an intersection point.

[0027] Having three or more branches connected in an intersection point is advantages in that it has the effect, that the tension / force provided to the intersection point by a first branch can be divided to the other two branches which thereby may not need to have the same geometry as the first branch.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, said subset of at least three of said plurality of branches are monolithically joint in said intersection point.

[0029] Connecting or joining branches in intersection points is advantageous in that it has the effect, that no welding of branches together is needed reducing the number of work hours to be carried out by a human or welding robot.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the design of said receptacle provide an elastic deformation of X in the plane parallel to a platform support plane and an elastic deformation of Y in the plan perpendicular to said platform support plane wherein said elastic deformation Y > said elastic deformation X.

[0031] The receptacle is elastically deformable until a maximum force is applied. This maximum force is defined by the yield point of the material and / or of the receptacle design. Hence, the receptacle may be designed to have higher yield point towards a force acting perpendicular to the platform support plane compared to a force acting in parallel to the platform support plan or vice versa. In fact, the receptacle can be design to withstand a predetermined force from any direction without plastically deforming.

[0032] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that that forces from tower bending, acting on components and / or platforms, can at least partly be handled in the structure of the receptacle. This is contrary to traditional designs where such forcesneed to be handled in the welding’s with which the tower section interface is mounted to the tower wall. Hence, because of the branch design of the receptacle, the receptacles is able to handle forces such as from bending of the tower and ovality happening to the tower structure.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the invention, said plurality of branches has a non-uniform geometry.

[0034] A non-uniform geometry should be understood as having three, four or more different cross-sectional areas between two ends / parts of the tower section interface. A non-uniform geometry could also be understood as or defined by the cross-sectional area of the branches of which the receptacles is built. These branches could e.g. have different width, thickness, length and / or radius. Further, a non-uniform geometry could also be defined by changing density of airgaps between branches or the number of such air gaps between branches. Accordingly, a non-uniform design in context of the present invention may be an airy design, such design having branches defining airgaps. It should be noted that a changing density should not be understood as material density i.e. the material of which the receptacle / branches hereof are made which typically would be constant for a given material. The fact branches are having a non- uniform geometry gives the receptacle a non-uniform geometry.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, said non-uniform geometry is provided as a bionic structure, a web-like structure or a lattice-like structure or any combination thereof.

[0036] A common feature of the mentioned structures is that they may all be autogenerated with the purpose of providing a maximum mechanical support, a minimum of transfer for stress to the tower wall while using a minimum of material.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one or more of said branch comprise a cavity.

[0038] In order to reduce material, at least part of the branches may be hollow forming a cavity e.g. hollow with an internal support structure. Such internal supportstructures may e.g. include cross-beams e.g. in a triply periodic minimal surface / structure, a honeycomb structure, a lattice structure, etc.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is monolithic.

[0040] The term monolithic is in this description used to describe the geometry or structure of a conductor branch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such branch is preferably manufactured by an additive manufacturing process and thereby, it is manufactured as a single piece, unit or block from one end to the other or at least from one end to and part of the way to the other end is manufacture as a single piece. Such branch may thus be formed from a single material as a single piece, unit or block where its one or more ends are monolithically formed with a middle segment (such as branches and / or supports). The middle segment is connecting the one or more ends i.e. the ends and middle segment are monolithically formed, I.e. formed in this context should be understood as made in one continuous process with no need for additionally adding one part to another. I.e. one or more ends are manufactured together with the middle segment as one unit with no connections such as welding, soldering, or by any clamping or fastening means, except for the type of micro binding intrinsic to the particular additive manufacturing technology utilized, such as, e.g., layer-by-layer melting, sintering, liquid binding, spraying, etc. With this said, it should be mentioned, that it is possible to add additional elements such as terminals, holders e.g. for cables, fastening members, air guides, etc. in a post manufacturing process e.g., by a cold spray process or by a post manually assembly process.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacles comprises a frame support pivotably mounted to said receptacles.

[0042] This is advantageous in that it has the effect that a tower rack can be lifted up from below through the receptacles and subsequently lowered to rest on the pivotable part.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacles comprises a through hole.

[0044] The through hole may be designed as part of the receptacle or established partly by the tower wall and partly by the receptacle. Such through hole is advantageous in that it has the effect, that wires for lifting lower-level tower racks upwards may pass through the receptacle.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, said component is a platform and wherein said receptacle of a first level in said tower comprises one or more platform codes allowing receptacle interface of one or more higher level platforms to pass through said receptacles of said first level.

[0046] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that platforms having standard size are able to be lifted upwards with the receptacle interface through the receptacles. Then, the platform code may activate a pivotable part of the receptacle, when the platform reaches the desired level / hight, which then, is used as support for the platform / receptacle interface hereof.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises a first receptacle part and a second receptacle part.

[0048] Dividing the receptacles in two (or more parts) is advantageous in that the handling hereof is easier. Further, if the receptacles is manufactured by additive manufacturing, then the requirement to the printing volume of the additive manufacturing machine is reduced making the machine cheaper and it is faster to manufacture the individual part.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the invention, one component is supported by at least three receptacles and wherein at least two of said at least three receptacles are having different designs.

[0050] Different designs may be determined by comparing the two receptacles and may be found e.g. by having a different number of airgaps, different location of airgaps of the receptacles / receptacles and tower wall, different size of airgaps, different geometry of the branches that defines the airgaps, different material consumption,different length between attachment points, different circumference of the attachment points, etc.

[0051] Different design of receptacles carrying the load of e.g. the same platform is advantageous in that material can be saved. Hence, if a component is located on the platform between two receptacles, then these two receptacles are carrying e.g. 80% of the weight of the component. Thus, the one or two opposite receptacles need only to carry 20% of the component load. Accordingly, these two receptacles can be reduced in load carrying capacity and thus likely also in material, size, etc. which makes them easier to handle and mount.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the invention, one component is supported by at least three receptacles and wherein at least two of said at least three receptacles are having different load-carrying capacity.

[0053] Load-carrying capacity of a receptacle may be determined by its number of attachment point, material / wall thickness of branches, size of airgaps, stress distribution, general topology and how the topology is optimized, etc.

[0054] The topology of a receptacle design is preferably optimized by the software used to create the design. A topology optimization of a receptacle may result in an eval distribution of material, an optimized stress distribution, etc. A topology optimisation may lead to a design where a predetermined part or part of the branches of the receptacle bend more than other parts or where the majority of branches bend equally much when a force is applied.

[0055] Different receptacles, with respect to load-carrying capacity, carrying the same component such as a platform is advantageous in that material can be saved, time for mounting can be saved, handling is easier in that weight and likely also size is reduced, etc. The reason that this is possible is that the load on the platform supported e.g. by four receptacles may not be distributed equally. Hence, a switchgear cabinet may be located in one “side” of the platform whereas the opposite side of the platform may not carry any component. Thus, the two receptacles supporting the switchgearside of the platform need to have a higher load-carrying capacity than the two opposite receptacles.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacles configured to support a first component, is different from receptacles configured to support a second component.

[0057] Such difference may be determined by the load carried by the first and second platform. In an example, the first platform may need to carry a load of e.g. 2T and the second platform may need to carry a load of e.g. 7T and they are both supported by four receptacles. Then, the receptacles supporting the first platform may require a different structure / design than the receptacles carrying the second platform.

[0058] A plurality of attachment points is advantageous in that it has the effect that use of material is reduced, the welding seam is reduced and thereby the time used for welding is reduced leading to a time and cost reduction. Furthermore, tension in the welding seam and / or in the structure of the receptacle and / or tower wall is optimized.

[0059] More specific, a plurality of attachment points is advantageous in that it has the effect that the load on each of the plurality of attachment points is reduced compared to the situation where the receptacles are attached to the tower wall by only one or two welding seams. Specifically, this may lead to mounting a receptacle by the plurality of attachment points, each of these may be mounted by welding seam which has a smaller cross-sectional area than welding seams of welding’s fastening state of the art tower sections to a tower wall. Even though there need to be more of such minor welding seams, this is preferred over one or more of the larger welding seams which are used to mount known tower section interfaces.

[0060] Mounting a receptacle with welding’ s below the size of welding’ s of known tower section interfaces is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the time for mounting the receptacles to the tower is reduced even though more welding’s are to be made. But not only is time of welding reduced, but also temperature and power used for the welding which alone or together is very advantageous effect of the receptacle of the present invention.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the invention, said at least one of said plurality of branches has a material thickness between 2mm and 20mm.

[0062] This is advantageous in that a material thickness of 5, 10 or 15mm is a significant reduction of materials compared to known tower interfaces where the material thickness may be between 20mm and 100mm. The mentioned thickness may be the total cross-sectional area of a branch i.e. e.g. a hollow part of a branch is not included in the above-mentioned numbers of material thickness of a branch.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the invention, one or more of said attachment points of said receptacle is designed as holes, wherein the inside of said tower wall comprises protrusions, and wherein said protrusions are associated with said holes.

[0064] Protrusions may be a threaded rod such as a bolt like protrusion which when passing through the holes can mount the receptacles to the tower wall by a nut. This is advantageous in that the receptacles do not need to be available at a certain time during manufacturing of the tower. In fact, the receptacles can be mounted as the last step ultimately at the site where the tower rack / platform is mounted in / to the tower section.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises a platform support plane and wherein said receptacles comprises at least one attachment point above said platform support plane and at least one attachment point below said platform support plane.

[0066] A platform support plane should be understood as the plane in which the platform is resting on the receptacles when mounted to the inside tower wall of the tower section. This plane is typically horizontal i.e. perpendicular to the inside of the tower wall.

[0067] Designing the receptacles with upper and lower attachment points is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the stress provided from the tower section interface, from the platform or ovalling stress is transferred to a greater area of the tower section compared to previous tower section interfaces. This is leading to lessfocused stress on the tower section, more specific the stress per length of the connection (such as welding) between tower section and receptacles is reduced.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the invention, the number of attachment points above said platform support plane is higher than the number of attachment points below said platform support plan.

[0069] Having the receptacle attached from above the platform support plane is advantageous in that the downward force applied to the receptacle becomes a “pulling force” / a tension seen from the tower section interface. When a receptacle mainly carrying the weight / downward force / compression applied from the platform and / or component via attachment points below the tower rack support plane there is a risk of the occurring of a buckling effect in the branches of the receptacle because of the applied compression. To mitigate this risk, the design limits of the branches of the receptacle have to be increased e.g. leading to more material used, additional attachment points, etc. This is contrary to how this problem is solved with state of the art tower section interfaces (what is referred to as receptacle in this document) where the material thickness of the tower section interface and / or tower is increased. Alternatively, the length of the tower section interface, along the longitudinal axis of the tower, is increased which however may increase the risk of occurring of a buckling effect.

[0070] It should be noted that the risk of buckling in the tower wall may also be reduced by the support provided by the receptacle having attachment points separated from each other.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprise one or more attachment points above said platform support plane and wherein one or more of said attachment points below said platform support plane is an attachment point support.

[0072] An attachment point support is an attachment point that is not fixed to the tower wall i.e. a non-fixed attachment point that is only resting against the tower wall.The tower wall may have a flange or protrusion against which the attachment point support is resting.

[0073] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that it reduced the number of welding’s needed to mount the receptacle to the tower wall. Thereby, the time for mounting is reduced as well as the weakening of the tower due to welding’s.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises a tower section wall axis separating the receptacles in two halves, wherein the distance from a first attachment point to said tower section wall axis is different from a second attachment point to said tower section wall axis.

[0075] Such non-uniform / non-symmetric design of a receptacle is advantageous in that it has the effect, that load / stress from the component is distributed over a larger part of the tower wall, reduced material consumption, optimal exploitation of used material, design according to direction from where force come from, etc.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the invention, a lower attachment point is configured to rest on a recess or protrusion formed in said tower wall (TW).

[0077] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that no welding is needed to ensure load transfer from such lower attachment point to said tower wall.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises at least one secondary frame support.

[0079] This is advantageous in that the receptacle then is able to carry more than one component / platform.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle comprises one or more holes, recesses and / or protrusions configured to engage with associated holes, recesses and / or pins of said component.

[0081] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that a component can easily be fastened to the receptacle.

[0082] In an aspect, the invention relates to a tower section having a tower wall, said tower section comprises two or more receptacles, said two or more receptacles are configured for supporting a component wherein said tower section is characterized in that said two or more receptacles and said tower wall are monolithically joint.

[0083] This is advantageous in that steps of producing and assembling a tower section is reduced thereby, costs and time is saved. The tower section and the receptacle are preferably monolithically joint during manufacturing. Manufacturing may either be an additive manufacturing process, moulding process, casting process, etc.

[0084] The tower section is part of a tower, such as a tower of a wind turbine.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the invention, said two or more receptacles monolithically joint with said tower section are receptacles according to any of paragraphs

[0005] -

[0084] ,

[0086] In an aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a receptacle, the method comprises the step of, by an additive manufacturing process: provide a first metallic layer of said receptacles. Provide a plurality of subsequent metallic layers of said receptacle thereby forming a plurality of mutually spaced attachment points monolithically connected by a plurality of mutually spaced branches, and monolithically connected to a frame support. Wherein said plurality of subsequent metallic layers are forming a plurality of airgaps between said plurality of branches.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the invention, said at least one of said plurality of branches together with a tower wall are forming one or more airgaps between said at least one of said plurality of branches and said tower wall when said at least one branch is attached to said tower wall.

[0088] This is advantageous in that the receptacle can be manufactured in specific shape and dimension according to where the receptacle is to be located i.e. what load the receptacle is required to carry. Further, by introducing airgaps, the design of the receptacle could be made more “airy” and thereby save material and increase structuralflexibility of the receptacle. Further, it is easy to build in auxiliary functions in the receptacle, such as through holes for wires or cables, ladders, secondary support, etc.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method of manufacturing said receptacle is by an additive manufacturing process selected from the list comprising: Cold spray, binder jetting, Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Digital Light Process (DLP), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), PolyJet, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

[0090] A lot of different methods can be used to manufacture the tower section interface. It may be advantageous to have different methods available to manufacture the receptacle so that e.g. different materials could be used.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is manufactured horizontally or vertically.

[0092] It is advantageous to additive manufacture in both horizontal and vertical depending on the geometry of the tower section interface. The orientation of the receptacle when being printed / manufactured could save material or make the printing process faster.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacles is manufactured so that one of the dimensions of the receptacle is manufactured larger than one of the dimensions of the printing volume of the device used for additive manufacturing.

[0094] It is advantageous to print / manufacture the receptacle in any length or width to be able to manufacture a receptacle in almost any dimensions. Hence, e.g. the additive manufacturing device is able to move or the printed part of the receptacle is able to move thus, allowing a continue manufacturing process.

[0095] Printing volume should be understood as the volume inside an additive manufacturing device e.g., 3D-printer, where the final product of the additive manufacturing process is being made. The printer volume typically sets the dimensionsof the available size a receptacle could have as a maximum length, height and width. Therefore, it is advantageous to keep the additive manufacturing process running while pulling out the receptacle at the same time to exceed either the maximum length, height or width of the receptacle.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the invention, said method further comprises the step of applying a coating of said receptacle.

[0097] Applying a coat is advantageous in that the receptacle is better protected against e.g. environment such as an off shore environment. Hence, a coating could be a paint that is applied e.g. by spraying with receptacle with the coating or dipping the receptacle into a vessel container with the coating.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the invention, said receptacle is manufactured as a monolithic part of said tower section.The drawings

[0099] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and elements of different drawings can be combined within the scope of the invention:Fig. 1 illustrates a tower section with integrated receptacles for supporting a tower rack / platform,Fig. 2 illustrates a tower with a plurality of sections each having platforms resting on receptacles,Fig. 3 illustrates a top view of a tower comprising receptacles supporting a platform,Fig. 4 illustrates a receptacle interface of a frame,Fig. 5 illustrates part of a tower section, a frame of a platform and a receptacle in a side view,Fig. 6 illustrates a receptacle in a front view,Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method of manufacturing a receptacle. AndFig. 8 illustrates a receptacle in a top view.Detailed description

[0100] The present invention is described in view of exemplary embodiments only intended to illustrate the principles and implementation of the present invention. The skilled person will be able to provide several embodiments within the scope of the claims.

[0101] Fig. 1 illustrates a tower section TS with integrated receptacles RE for supporting a frame FR and thereby a platform PL. A platform is disclosed in further details with reference to fig. 3 and fig. 4. The tower section TS may be one of several tower section TS which when mechanically connected constitute a tower such as a tower for a wind turbine.

[0102] A frame FR in this document should in an embodiment be understood as steel profiles welded into a structural beam e.g. with cross supports and interfaces to receptacles RE. A platform PL in this document should in an embodiment be understood as a fully assembled module installed / ready for installation inside a tower section. Hence, a reference to a platform may be a reference to a frame FR and components CO such as cabinets positioned on such frame FR. In addition, the platform PL may also include one or more so-called half-moon platforms for covering the part of the cross-sectional area of a tower section that is not covered by the frame. The half-moon platforms thus provide a walking area around components comprised by a frame. The half-moon platforms may also carry components CO.

[0103] The tower section TS may by manufactured by an additive manufacturing process and thereby the tower section TS, flanges FL and receptacles RE may be monolithic i.e. formed as / in one coherent structure. As a non-limiting example, steel such as S355 may be mentioned as one material that may be used to produce the receptacle RE (and tower section) also by an additive manufacturing process.

[0104] As the receptacles RE in this embodiment is monolithically joint with the tower wall TW, no attachment points are defined between the receptacle and the tower section. Further, in theory, the number of branches BR of a receptacle is infinite leaving a huge freedom of designing and optimizing receptacles of individual tower sections to the platform / rack they need to carry. All this without influencing on the time it takes mount a receptacle to a tower section e.g. by welding as is state of the art at the time of filing of this application.

[0105] It should be mentioned that in this document when referring to a tower wall comprising, monolithically joint, etc. with a receptacle, it is the inner side towards the tower center that is referred to. This is also true when a reference is made to a receptacle that is attached to a tower wall e.g. by welding or bolting to a tower wall.

[0106] The additive manufacturing process of the tower section may allow any type of fixtures (not illustrated) for cable, lattes, piping, etc. As consequence of the additive manufacturing process, such fixtures may be provided monolithic with the tower section.

[0107] A tower section TS as illustrated in fig. 1 (and fig. 2) may be used for any type of towers or posts requiring internal platform above ground / foundation level of the tower. Such platforms may be for persons to stand when working, for safety, for carrying components, etc.

[0108] Fig. 2 illustrates a tower TO comprising a plurality of tower section TS. The tower TO may be a tower of a wind turbine comprising platforms PL supporting components CO. The components may include mechanical / electrical components all types simply referred to as components CO. A platform may also be referred to as a level X platform, where X denotes the level of the platform / tower section from bottomand upwards in the tower where the platform is installed. The tower illustrated in fig.2 include four platforms i.e. level L1-L4. A component CO with respect to the present invention may as mentioned be electric such as transformer, converter, etc. or electromechanical such as pumps, air condition, ventilation, etc. or mechanical such as hydraulics, etc.

[0109] In fig. 2, the platform PL may be supported by receptables monolithic integrated with the tower section as described in relation to fig. 1. Alternatively, the receptacles are a stand-alone component that is attached to the inner side of a tower wall TW. The receptacle RE is a support structure for the frame FR / platform PL. In this and the following embodiments, the receptacle is a stand-alone component that is attached to the tower wall e.g. by welding, bolting or the like.

[0110] As illustrated, the platforms PL are resting on receptacles RE. The design of the illustrated receptacles RE on the different levels L1-L4 is different but are all considered to fall within the scope of the invention. The receptacles on each level is illustrated as identical, however it should be noted that all receptacles may be identical and on the other hand all receptacles may be different i.e. not two receptacles used in a tower may be identical. Hence, two or more receptacles may be identical.

[0111] Load carried by the receptacle is not a structural part of the tower / construction of which the wall to which the receptacle is mounted is part of. Accordingly, the receptacle is not part of the structural design of the tower and thus not part of the tower / wall construction.

[0112] Typically, four receptacles are needed to secure and support one platform PL (see fig. 3). However, depending on the design of the frame FR / platform PL, three or more receptacle RE may be sufficient for safe support of the platform PL.

[0113] The components CO on the platform PL are typically electrical parts such as switch gear, converter, transformer, control panel, backup systems, etc. that are needed to operate a wind turbine and keeping a wind turbine alive in case of grid fault. Accordingly, the components CO alone on one platform PL may have a weight of 5- 6T thus the platform PL of one level may have a weight of 10T or up to 30T or 50T.

[0114] To be able to carry the weight of a component, that also may be lighter than indicated above so that it can be carried e.g. by a single receptacle, the material of the receptacle should be considered. In an embodiment, the branches of the receptacle is made of metal. The branches may be hollow, the branches may have a core material different from metal with a metal layer covering the core layer. The other way around, the branches may also comprise a metal core that is covered with a non-metal material. The material of the receptacle is determined during the design phase where wight and environment is taken into considerations when deciding material.

[0115] The receptacle may have a design that has no attachment points below the platform support plane PSP. In such embodiment, the first end(s) may be referred to as one or more upper attachment parts UAP, AP. Consequently, the other end may be the frame support FRS or alternatively attachment points that are only touching i.e. resting against the tower wall. But typically, receptacles RE have both upper and lower attachment points fastened such as e.g. welded or bolted to the tower wall.

[0116] In a non-illustrated embodiment, the tower wall comprises a protrusion or a recess on which a lower attachment point may rest. Attachment of upper attachment points to the tower wall may ensure that a lower attachment point is maintained resting on the protrusion / recess. The lower attachment point may however be fastened in one way, or the other, such attachment may in this case be to ensure the lower attachment point is not leaving the recess / protrusion rather than carrying / transferring load from the receptacle to the tower wall.

[0117] Fig. 3 illustrates a tower TO in a top view. As illustrated, four receptacles RE are used to support a frame FR. The frame FR is covered by sheet(s) or plate(s) indicated by the stipulated rectangle surrounding the frame and referred to as platform PL. Also as indicated with dash dotted lines components are illustrated as supported by the platform PL. When half-moon platforms are provided the platform resting on the frame in the center of the tower may be referred to as the main platform.

[0118] The frame FR is illustrated as a structure of two parallel beams which in each end has a receptacle interface RI (see fig. 4). Between these beams, crossbeams areillustrated to ensure stability of the frame construction, these cross beams may e.g. be bolted or welded to the main beams.

[0119] In this particular embodiment, no details of the four illustrated receptacles RE are disclosed (more details hereof are found below).

[0120] Half-moon platforms HM are also illustrated. One half-moon platform HM is illustrated supporting a component and the frame FR supporting the other half-moon platform HM is illustrated. The beams of the half-moon support frame FR may not be reduced in size compared to the beams of the frame supporting the main platform. The frame FR supporting the half-moon platforms HM may in the end away from the main platform rest on non-illustrated receptacles. Such receptacles may be part of or joint to the beam ends and thus resting on protrusions or recessed in the tower wall TW or they may be attached or be part of the tower wall.

[0121] It should be noted, that if the components CO are located so that the majority of weight is at one side of the platform, the receptacles carrying the opposite side of the platform may not need to be as heavily constructed as the receptacles supporting the side of the platform carrying the majority of weight.

[0122] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a variety of different types of a receptacle interface RI. The beams of the frame comprises a sliding part that is able to extent the length of the beam and thereby of the frame. In this way, the frame FR can be adapted to different diameters of a tower TO and thereby be adaptable to be mounted in different tower sections TS.

[0123] Once slided to a desired length of the beam, a locking mechanism e.g. in the form of a bolt is activated (e.g. turned) thereby securing the slidable member of the beam and fixing the total length of the beam and thereby of the frame.

[0124] Note that the receptacle interface RI may also simply be part of the beam partly forming the frame FR i.e. it do not need to be slidable, pivotable, ratable or any other type of movable part. The receptacle interface RI may thus be understood as the part of the frame FR that is designed to be in contact with the receptacle once the frameis resting on the frame support FRS. Hence the receptacle interface may be larger than the part of the frame that is resting on the frame support FRS.

[0125] It should be noted, that the frame support FSR may be manufactured in different geometries for different purposes. One such purpose may be to lock the receptacle interface RI to the receptacle RE. Hence, the frame support and / or the receptacle may together form a geometry lock where in a simple form e.g. the frame support may have a concave geometry and the receptacle interface may have an associated protrusion.

[0126] Alternatively, the frame support may have recesses, protrusions, holes, pins, etc. that together with associated parts on the receptacle support for positioning, fixing or locking receptacle interface to the receptacle.

[0127] A more complex geometry of the receptacle would require that the receptacle interface is guided sideways and / or up and / or down for it to finally rest on the frame support. In such embodiment, the platform can be fixed without further parts needed.

[0128] In embodiments, the platform is floating and a friction force may be transferred from receptacle to platform (or vice versa) in that the platform is able to slide in transversal and / or in longitudinal directions. If this is not desired, it is possible, e.g. with a pin or bolt and an associated hole in one of the receptacle and receptacle interfaces to lock the platform to the receptacle.

[0129] Fig. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a receptacle RE in a side view in two dimensions only. The receptacle is connected to a tower section TS at four visible attachment points AP (one also referred to as upper attachment point UAP and two also referred to as lower attachment points LAP, one at the platform support plane PSP). There may be additional attachment points AP which are not visible in this particular view.

[0130] As illustrated, the receptacle RE comprises a frame support FRS on which a receptacle interface RI of the frame FR is resting. As mentioned typically four of this kind of receptacle RE are needed to carry one frame FR and thus one platform. Ifadditional half-moon platforms or similar is required more receptacles may be needed which may not necessarily be similar to the illustrated. Because a platform is a frame with components, a reference to a platform includes a reference to a frame and vice versa. If half-moon platforms or similar are needed e.g. for carrying components or provide a walking area, additional receptacles may be needed. These additional receptacles may thus not be designed to carry as much weight as the receptacles that are supporting the frame.

[0131] The frame support FRS is typically a planer part which, when the receptacle RE is mounted on the tower section TS, is substantially horizontal. In an embodiment, the frame support FRS is monolithically formed with the branches BR. The branches BR are again monolithically formed with the attachment point AP. Thus, in this embodiment, the entire receptacle RE is monolithic.

[0132] A platform support plane PSP is illustrated as being in the same plane as the frame support FRS. The platform support plane PSP is used to define upper attachment points UAP and lower attachment points LAP. The illustrated receptacle RE comprises one visible upper attachment points UAP and two lower attachment point LAP. Having more attachment points AP above the platform support plane PSP than below (see fig. 6) is advantageous in that the receptacles RE is supporting the load of the frame FR by tension (a “pull-force”) rather than compression (“lifting” the frame FR).

[0133] As illustrated from fig. 5, the receptacle is made of branches BR which branches off from one branch BR to two or more branches BR. Illustrated are such branches BR that meets in intersection points IP thereby forming a grid of branches with airgaps AG. The airgaps AG are established between branches or between one or more branches and the tower wall TW. In this way the receptacle RE may thus be referred to as a so-called bionic design which preferably is achieved as a computergenerated design. Such computer-generated design is provided based on input to a computer program controlling an additive manufacturing machine / process or able to export data to a controller of an additive manufacturing machine / process. The design is made by a user or another computer. Input on which the design is made, may includedimension, maximum load carrying capacity, required strength, maximum deflection (elastic or plastic), etc.

[0134] An airgap defined by the tower wall and one or more branches may be referred to as tower wall airgaps and an airgap defined by one or more branches may be referred to as receptacle airgaps.

[0135] The receptacles may comprise both longitudinal branches, transversal branches, diagonal, parallel etc. branches in any combination or design. These different branches may meet in intersection points IP and may form various designs and curvatures such as branch outgrowth and ingrowth. Thus, when seen in a side view, the receptacles would be thicker / thinner at some areas compared to other areas and the branches may be thicker / thinner at some parts than at other parts. Also as illustrated the branches are spaced apart in space by airgaps in almost all orientations and the air gaps AG are almost all of different geometric. Hence, in an embodiment the receptacle design is asymmetric i.e. no branches nor airgaps (or at least only a few) are identical.

[0136] The airy geometries having airgaps between branches may be referred to as web-like, gyroid-like, lattice-like, bionic, etc. Depending on design, these designs may provide a reduction of material consumption, improved flexibility. The term ‘-like’ is used in connection with gyroid-like, lattice-like, etc., to emphasize that it is an airy geometry resembling the named structure, rather than a specific systematic structure, that is relevant in preferred embodiments of the invention. For all the bionic, web, sponge, honeycomb, etc. like geometries these structures are using less material compared to known massive tower section interfaces. In an example, the branches of the receptacles of the present invention comprise a shell structure with a grid of bionic, web, sponge, honeycomb like geometries.

[0137] The receptacles RE may be designed to distribute stress from vibrations occurring e.g. from tower vibrations, components placed on the platform, external impact, etc. Such stress may be distributed further to the frame FR or may at least partly be handled in the receptacle RE due to distribution to the multiple branches BR.Thereby it is ensured that stress in each of the branches RE / intersection points IP of the receptacle RE is below a predetermined value.

[0138] A further advantage of the receptacle of the present invention is that it is possible to design the receptacle RE with a plurality of mutual flexing branches providing a spring-like effect. This allows a certain degree of flexibility which again allow the platform to move. This has the effect that a force from the platform is reduce due to a reduced acceleration and thereby the force distribute from platform / receptacle to tower is reduced.

[0139] The frame support FRS may be designed and implemented in various ways. The simplest is the one illustrated in fig. 5 i.e. a plane surface on which the receptacle interface can rest. However, the frame support FRS may also be designed so as to allow receptacle interfaces to pass through. One way of such passing through may be implemented is by including a pivotable frame support (not illustrated). A pivotable frame support can, because the receptacle is manufactured by additive manufacturing be implemented in a whole range of ways. Common for such implementations is that the non-pivotable part preferably have to include a support part on which the pivotable part can rest when in a horizontal position ready for supporting the receptacle interface. Alternatively, the pivotable part can have a support part supported by the tower wall once the pivotable part is in a position ready for supporting the receptacle interface, which typically is in a horizontal position.

[0140] Pivotable (also referred to as rotatable) may be around an axis substantially perpendicular to the receptacle interface of the beams of the frame FR supporting the main platform PL. Alternatively, pivotable may be around an axis substantially parallel to the receptacle interfaces of the beams of the frame FR supporting the main platform PL. In any case, the pivotable part is resting on the non-pivotable part of the receptacle when supporting the platform PL.

[0141] One way of establishing the pivotable part (pivotable / rotating around the axis perpendicular to the main platform frame) is to establish a hole in which pins of the frame support may be provided either during manufacturing or post manufacturing.

[0142] Alternatively, if the pivotable part is rotating around the axis parallel to the main platform frame, a hole may be established between the pivotable part and the tower wall through which a pin of the pivotable part is going through. In any case, the receptacle interface or another part of the platform may mechanically initiate the rotation as it passes through the receptacle and in this way prepare the receptacle to support the next platform hoisted down from the top of the tower.

[0143] As an alternative to the pivotable part, a plate or beam can simply be provided on teeth’s of a fork like receptacle when a receptacle interface can pass between such teeth’s.

[0144] The frame support FRS may be referred to as a pivotable external part because it may not need to be an integrated part of the receptacle RE. In its resting position i.e. horizontal, when the receptacles RE is mounted in a tower section and the tower section is in an upright position, the external part is resting on an external part support part of the receptacle, which then defines the platform support plane PSP.

[0145] As mentioned, the external part may be pivotably mounted to or simply positions on the receptacle. This means that a platform PL hoisted upwards from below can travel through the receptacles RE by lifting the pivotable external part. Afterwards, the pivotable external part can pivot back to its resting position and the platform PL can be lowered to rest thereon. The other way around a substantial vertical external part can, after a platform is lowered through the receptacle, rotate to a horizontal plan and thereby be ready to receive and support a platform from above.

[0146] The external part may be referred to as an external part in that it is typically not monolithically formed with the rest of the tower section interface as an example, it may be a joint manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0147] Fig. 6 illustrates a receptacle RE in a front view. This particular embodiment of the receptacle RE comprises seven attachment points AP. Three which may be referred to as upper attachment points, two which may be referred to as lower attachment points and two which are located in the platform support plane PSP. Thisis just to illustrate that the receptacle RE may be designed with attachment points AP in various positions.

[0148] Because of the manufacturing of the receptacles RE by additive manufacturing, the batch size of produced receptacles RE is not important. Hence, in principle all receptacles RE for one tower section TS, may have their own individual design. This is independent of, if they are designed to carry the same wight or not. As an example, the top platform PL (e.g. L4 of fig. 2) may only be intended to carry the weight of personal and the tools that are needed to mount one tower section TS to another at tower section flanges FL. The space available at the top of the tower section TS towards the top flange may limit freedom in the design of the receptacle RE to only have attachment points AP in the platform support plane PSP and below. As the tower section interfaces of this top platform does not need to carry the same load as e.g. a switchgear tower rack further down the tower, material can be saved. State of the art tower section interfaces are similar, but with the present invention it is possible to design receptacles meeting specific load and flexibility requirements and thus, receptacles according to the present invention are not oversized with the drawbacks following this.

[0149] As mentioned, also receptacles RE carrying platforms PL having the same weight may have different designs. This is because of the computer-generated design of the bionic layout of the branches BR. The computer program may, based on the same input, design different digital representation of the receptacles. The computer program or software program may e.g. be a 3D CAD software. The designing of the digital representation of receptacles in a software program includes taking the mechanical, structural, geometry and other aspects of the physical receptacles into account. Thus, based on these inputs, e.g. provided by a user of the 3D CAD software, a digital representation of the receptacles RE is provided by the 3D CAD software. When the digital representation of the receptacles is complete the additive manufacturing process can be started.

[0150] Fig. 6 illustrates both the platform support plane PSP and a tower section wall axis TSWA (stipulated lines). As illustrated the distance Dll from a first attachmentpoint 1 AP to the tower section wall axis TSWA is different from the distance DI2 from a second attachment point 2AP to the tower section wall axis TSWA. By spreading the attachment points AP and thereby welding’s on the tower wall TW, the mechanical stress is distributed over a larger area of the tower wall TW which is desired in order to reduce stress concentration in each point. Put in another way, the one large critical point established by welding a conventional tower section interface to a tower section wall is distributed to a plurality of minor critical points. In this way a huge single point of force applied to the tower section is distributed to several minor forces applied to the tower section i.e. to the wall of the tower.

[0151] As stress is reduced in the attachment points to the tower walls (also referred to as tower section wall), the material thickness of the receptacle and of the tower wall can be reduced. At least this stress parameter may be eliminated when calculating material thickness for the tower section wall. Put in another way, the stress provided by tension in or compression in attachment points between receptacle and tower section wall is reduce. In addition to already mentioned effects, it should be mentioned that time used for attaching the receptacle to the tower wall is reduced in that even though more welding’s may be required, the size (required length and thickness) of the welding seams needed are reduced which reduced the mounting time. Further, as the welding time is reduced, the heat generated is reduced and thereby a problem with hardening of the steel of both the receptacle and the tower section wall is resolved. Further, the size of the welding’s can be reduced such as the a-measures of the individual welding’s can be reduced.

[0152] Further, enabling a plurality of welding’s with a reduced welding seam is advantageous in that in this way material stress distribution is optimized. This is true both for the stress distribution in the welding seam, in the material of the receptacles RE and in the material of the tower section wall. Hence, a receptacle RE according to the present invention is advantageous in that material is exploited better than with state of the art tower section interfaces.

[0153] The freedom of design of the receptacle of the present invention is advantageous in that the attachment points can be moved or not designed to be inwelding exclusive zones. Hence, one or more attachment points may be implemented as resting on the tower wall if e.g. an attachment point is to be in a welding exclusive zone and thereby no welding is required in such zone. This may influence the height in the tower where the platform is positioned. The location of e.g. a personal platform, for use when assembling tower sections, may be more flexible in that not all attachment points need to be welded to the tower wall.

[0154] The size of the receptacle RE (or the tower section TS) may be so large, that may not be possible to manufacture it monolithically by additive manufacturing. In this case, two or more parts may be manufactured (maybe not all parts by additive manufacturing) and subsequently assembled to form one receptacle (or tower section).

[0155] Further, dividing one receptacle RE in two parts may be necessary e.g. due to handling (e.g. on site, transport) which may be easier if a large receptacle is in two or more parts.

[0156] In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle(s) RE is monolithic, such monolithic receptacles RE is made from one material. Typically, such material is a metal. Suitable metal includes Aluminium, steel, stainless steel, iron, etc. One or more additional materials may be used e.g. as protection or as the external part, etc. Additional materials may include a polymer material that may be added between the metal receptacle and the platform, beam, component, etc. such polymer material may assist in reducing travel of vibrations from the wind turbine tower to the platform / component. In this case the receptacles RE may be referred to as a polylithic receptacle. No matter the number of materials, a receptacle RE produced by additive manufacturing is produced bit-by-bit starting at a first spatial coordinate (x, y, z) and ending at a second spatial coordinate. At least when the receptacles RE is finished the first and second spatial coordinates are mechanically connected. As mentioned, several methods of manufacturing a conductor exists all including some kind of material depositing, joining or soldering to manufacture a receptacle RE in one monolithic form.

[0157] In this document a receptacle RE may be moulded or manufactured layer-by- layer by an additive manufacturing method. Hence, if a receptacle RE is manufactured by additive manufacturing layer by layer and it is sliced (no matter in which orientation) and one is looking at the cross-section of the receptacle RE it is easy to imagen that the receptacle RE is manufactured starting with material in first point (layer), then with material in a second point (layer) and so on. Since the receptacle RE is volumetric i.e. has a three-dimensional geometry the first point is different from the second and subsequent points at least in one of the spatial X, Y and Z directions / plans. Thus, with reference to the spatial X, Y and Z planes a receptacles RE could be said to be built from a plurality of subsequent layers even though when manufactured all material in one plane (layer) such as X=1 and Y=0 and Z=0 is not provided as a one layer or in one layer before material in a next layer (e.g. an X=2 layer) is provided.

[0158] Hence, no matter which of the processes of manufacturing a three- dimensional object such as a receptacle RE that is used, it can be said that the receptacles RE is manufactured layer-by-layer even though some of these manufacturing processes are based on deposited, joined or solidified with material being added together in areas, lines, pointwise, etc. This is because no matter the additive manufacturing process the receptacle RE is manufactured one point after the other. A plurality of points in the same plane (e.g. X=3) is considered one layer also if they are not physically connected in this plane. And when all points of this layer are added, points of the next layer (e.g. X=4) is added to the points in the X=3 layer. As mentioned, a layer may be defined in any of the planes of a spatial Cartesian coordinate system.

[0159] As mentioned, the ends of the receptacles RE towards the tower wall TW may comprise or be referred to as attachment points for connecting the receptacles RE to the inner wall of the tower. Such attachment points AP may be manufactured like the rest of the receptacles RE by additive manufacturing i.e. monolithically formed with the ends of the branches which could be said to start or end and an attachment point.

[0160] In a step SI of a particular method of additively manufacturing a receptacle RE, the receptacle is manufactured in its longitudinal direction from the first endtowards the second end. The end / attachment points, may be solid e.g., with a through- hole, whereas between the ends, the receptacles RE may be formed by branches BR which are monolithically formed via individual transitions between ends and branch, in intersection points IP between branches BR, etc. In this way, the ends are spatially separated, and branches are spatially separated from each other leaving airgaps AG therebetween.

[0161] The step of monolithically forming a first end and a branch may be implemented using various methods, for example methods such as additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, casting, and simply removing of material, via machining, from a bulk metal slab to form branches combined with a first end.

[0162] In a step S2 of the method, a first end (e.g. one of a plurality of attachment points) becomes mechanically coupled to a second end (e.g. a second of a plurality of attachment points) via the plurality of branches. This may also be monolithically achieved, e.g. by continuing the additive manufacturing, as described in step SI.

[0163] The coupling of the ends to the branches therebetween could also be done by welding, gluing, male / female locking mechanism or any other way that would connect the segments (such as ends, attachment points, branches, supports, etc.) both mechanically and electrically.

[0164] An optional, additional step of the method of manufacturing a receptacle RE of the invention comprises a step prior to the step SI. This additional step is a step where a digital representation of the receptacles RE is designed in a software program, e.g. a 3D CAD software. The step of designing the digital representation of receptacles RE in a software program may include taking the mechanical, structural, geometry and other aspects of the physical receptacles RE into account as described above. After the digital representation is made, it is transferred to the additive manufacturing machine or at least made available to this machine.

[0165] It should be noted that as an alternative to additive manufacturing could be mentioned e.g. cutting branches in steel plates which then subsequently is bended to form a receptacle.

[0166] The receptacle RE illustrated in fig. 8 is seen in a top view with attachment points AP attaching the receptacle RE to the tower wall TW. A receptacle interface RI of a frame of a platform PL is illustrated (stipulated lines) resting on a frame support FRS. In this embodiment, the frame support FRS is a primary support in that the receptacle RE further comprises a secondary frame support SFRS. The secondary frame support SFRS is in this embodiment supporting the frame of a half-moon platform (half-moon platform see fig. 3).

[0167] Hence, the receptacle RE illustrated in fig. 8 is an example of a multifunctional receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention. Multifunctional should be understood as having a primary function of supporting a platform PL and having a secondary function such as supporting a half-moon platform. Alternatively, the secondary function is to secure or fasten cables, ladders, piping, panels, lights, etc.

[0168] Thus, the secondary function may be implemented monolithic as illustrated in fig. 8 as a secondary frame support SFRS. Alternatively, the secondary function may be facilitated by a through holes, clips, threated parts, etc. all which preferably is monolithically integrated with the receptacle RE.

[0169] In an embodiment, the invention relates to a tower section TS having a tower wall TW comprising a receptacle RE for supporting a component CO, wherein said receptacles RE is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of branches BR defining one or more airgaps AG.

[0170] The receptacle RE may be monolithically joined with the tower wall. The receptacle may be fastened to said tower wall by bolts or welding’s.

[0171] A tower section may comprise a receptacle e.g. if a receptacle is joined with or attached to the tower wall. A receptacle and tower wall may be joined e.g. if they are manufactured e.g. by an additive manufacturing process facilitating a monolithic joint of tower wall and receptacle thereby forming one monolithic unit. A receptacle and tower wall may be independent units attached to each other e.g. by means of welding or bolting.

[0172] The tower section may be divided in sub-section where a section is referred to as a receptacle section if a receptacle is joined with the tower wall or that section. Hence one tower section may comprise several sub-sections with or without receptacles. A receptacle sub-section may comprise one or more receptacles.

[0173] From the above it is now clear that the invention relates to a tower section with integrated receptable RE and to a receptacle RE, preferably a monolithic receptacle to be mounted in the inside wall of a tower. No matter if the receptacle is monolithically formed with the tower section or a stand-alone monolithic receptacle, the design and geometry is untraditional. The design and geometry are characterized in that the receptacle RE is built from a plurality of branches BR meeting in intersection points IP and thereby forming airgaps AG between branches BR. The branches BR establish a mechanical structure between attachment points AP, the attachment points AP are used to attach the receptacles RE to a tower section (if they are not integrated). The receptacle comprises at least a frame support FRS on which a platform PL can be supported. The receptacle may be located between attachment points AP such as inside a line drawn between three or more attachment points (see fig- 6).

[0174] Thus, the present invention describes a receptacle which is monolithic with or connectable to a wall, preferably an inside wall of a wind turbine tower. In an embodiment, the receptacle is designed to be attached to the wall by attachment points comprised by the receptacle. Further, the receptacle is designed to, when attached to the wall, carry the weight of a component to be enclosed in the tower. This weight may also include any component support such as platform, frame, etc. It should be underlined, that even though not illustrated, the receptacle can be designed so as to carry the component directly without the component being supported by a frame or platform.

[0175] The invention has been exemplified above with the purpose of illustration rather than limitation with reference to specific embodiments. Details of specific embodiment have been provided in order to understand the aim of the invention and can be combined where appropriate. Please note, that detailed descriptions of well-known systems, devices, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as to not obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary details.ListAG. AirgapsAP. Attachment PointsUAP. Upper Attachment PointsLAP. Low Attachment PointsL1-L4. Level 1-4BR. BranchesCO. ComponentsDI. DistanceFR. FrameFRS. Frame SupportHM. Half-moon platformIP. Intersection PointPL. PlatformPSP. Platform Support PlanRE. ReceptacleRI. Receptacle interfaceTH. Through HoleTO. TowerTR. Tower RackTS. Tower SectionTW. Tower section wallTSWP. Tower Section Wall Axis

Claims

Patent claims1. A receptacle (RE) for at least partly supporting a component (CO) inside a tower (TO) comprising a tower wall (TW), said receptacle (RE) comprises two or more mutually spaced attachment points (AP) facilitating attachment of said receptacle (RE) to said tower wall (TW), said receptacle (RE) is characterised in that it comprises a plurality of mutually spaced branches (BR) which together are supporting a frame support (FRS) and which are mechanically connecting said frame support (FRS) and said one or more attachment points (AP).

2. A receptacle (RE) according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle (RE) is at least partly defining a plurality of air gaps (AG).

3. A receptacle (RE) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more air gaps (AG) are defined between at least one of said plurality of branches (BR) and said tower wall (TW).

4. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more airgaps (AG) are defined between two or more of said plurality of branches (BR).

5. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said two or more attachments points (AP) are mutually spaced in a direction parallel to said frame support (FRS) and / or in a direction perpendicular to said frame support (FRS).

6. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises at least 3 airgaps (AG).

7. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) and said tower wall (TW) define at least 3 airgaps therebetween.

8. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the geometry of a cross-section of said branches (BR) are selected from the list of geometries comprising: geometry having three or more straight lines, non-uniform, substantially cylindrical and oval.

9. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacles (RE) comprises at least 3 branches (BR).

10. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said plurality of branch (BR) is branching off in at least two new branches.

11. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a subset of at least three of said plurality of branches (BR) meet in an intersection point (IP).

12. A receptacle (RE) according to claim 11, wherein said subset of at least three of said plurality of branches (BR) are monolithically joint in said intersection point (IP).

13. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the design of said receptacle (RE) provide an elastic deformation of X in the plane parallel to a platform support plane (PSP) and an elastic deformation of Y in the plan perpendicular to said platform support plane (PSP) wherein said elastic deformation Y > said elastic deformation X.

14. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of branches (BR) has a non-uniform geometry.

15. A receptacle (RE) according to claim 14, wherein said non-uniform geometry is provided as a bionic structure, a web-like structure or a lattice-like structure or any combination thereof.

16. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one or more of said branch (BR) comprise a cavity.

17. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) is monolithic.

18. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacles (RE) comprises a frame support (FRS) pivotably mounted to said receptacles (RE).

19. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacles (RE) comprises a through hole (TH).

20. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said component (CO) is a platform (PL) and wherein said receptacle (RE) of a first level in said tower (TO) comprises one or more platform codes allowing receptacle interface (RI) of one or more higher level platforms to pass through said receptacles RE of said first level.

21. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises a first receptacle part and a second receptacle part.

22. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one component (CO) is supported by at least three receptacles (RE) and wherein at least two of said at least three receptacles (RE) are having different designs.

23. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one component (CO) is supported by at least three receptacles (RE) and wherein at least two of said at least three receptacles (RE) are having different load-carrying capacity.

24. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacles (RE) configured to support a first component (CO), is different from receptacles (RE) configured to support a second component (CO).

25. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one of said plurality of branches has a material thickness between 2mm and 20mm.

26. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said attachment points (AP) of said receptacle (RE) is designed as holes, wherein the inside of said tower wall (TW) comprises protrusions, and wherein said protrusions are associated with said holes.

27. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises a platform support plane (PSP) and wherein said receptacles(RE) comprises at least one attachment point (AP) above said platform support plane (PSP) and at least one attachment point (AP) below said platform support plane (PSP).

28. A receptacle (RE) according to claim 27, wherein the number of attachment points (AP) above said platform support plane (PSP) is higher than the number of attachment points (AP) below said platform support plan (PSP).

29. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprise one or more attachment points (AP) above said platform support plane (PSP) and wherein one or more of said attachment points (AP) below said platform support plane (PSP) is an attachment point support.

30. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises a tower section wall axis TSWA separating the receptacles (RE) in two halves, wherein the distance from a first attachment point (1AP) to said tower section wall axis (TSWA) is different from a second attachment point (2AP) to said tower section wall axis (TSWA).

31. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a lower attachment point is configured to rest on a recess or protrusion formed in said tower wall (TW).

32. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises at least one secondary frame support (SFRS).

33. A receptacle (RE) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said receptacle (RE) comprises one or more holes, recesses and / or protrusions configured to engage with associated holes, recesses and / or pins of said component (CO).

34. A tower section (TS) having a tower wall (TW), said tower section (TS) comprises two or more receptacles (RE), said two or more receptacles (RE) are configured for supporting a component (CO) wherein said tower section (TS) is characterized in that said two or more receptacles (RE) and said tower wall (TW) are monolithically joint.

35. A tower section (TS) according to claim 34, wherein said two or more receptacles (RE) monolithically joint with said tower section are receptacles according to any of claims 1-33.

36. A method of manufacturing a receptacle (RE), the method comprises the step of, by an additive manufacturing process:- provide a first metallic layer of said receptacles (RE),- provide a plurality of subsequent metallic layers of said receptacle (RE) thereby forming a plurality of mutually spaced attachment points (AP) monolithically connected by a plurality of mutually spaced branches (BR), and monolithically connected to a frame support (FRS), wherein said plurality of subsequent metallic layers are forming a plurality of airgaps (AG) between said plurality of branches (BR).

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein said at least one of said plurality of branches (BR) together with a tower wall (TW) are forming one or more airgaps (AG) between said at least one of said plurality of branches (BR) and said tower wall (TW) when said at least one branch (BR) is attached to said tower wall (TW)38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the method of manufacturing said receptacle (RE) is by an additive manufacturing process selected from the list comprising: Cold spray, binder jetting, Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Digital Light Process (DLP), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), PolyJet, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) or Electron Beam Melting (EBM).

39. The method according to any of the claims 36-38, wherein said receptacle (RE) is manufactured horizontally or vertically.

40. The method according to any of the claims 36-39, wherein said receptacles (RE) is manufactured so that one of the dimensions of the receptacle (RE) is manufacturedlarger than one of the dimensions of the printing volume of the device used for additive manufacturing.

41. The method according to any of the claims 36-40, wherein said method further comprises the step of applying a coating of said receptacle (RE).

42. The method according to any of the claims 36-41, wherein said receptacle (RE) is manufactured as a monolithic part of said tower section.

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