Structure and wind turbine

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure (2), in particular a tower (2a), for a wind turbine (1), comprising: a support structure (7), which has bars (10, 13, 14) in particular made of wood, and an extension (9) connected to the support structure (7) for arranging a generator (3) of the wind turbine (1), wherein the support structure (7) is open and an access and / or supply shaft (18) is arranged in or on the support structure (7), wherein the access and / or supply shaft (18) has a casing (29) and is designed to receive at least one electrical line (28) for the generator (3) and / or to allow ascent by maintenance personnel. The invention also relates to a wind turbine (1) having a structure (2) of this type.

Description

[0001] Building and wind turbine

[0002] The invention relates to a structure, in particular a tower, for a wind turbine, comprising: a supporting structure, which has rods, in particular made of wood, and an extension connected to the supporting structure for arranging a generator of the wind turbine.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a wind turbine with such a structure.

[0004] Wind turbines are used to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy and feed it into a higher-level power grid. For this purpose, wind turbines have a generator and usually two to four rotor blades connected to the generator via a hub. These blades extract kinetic energy from the wind and transfer it to the generator. Other types of wind turbines can have rotors with vertically oriented axes of rotation. Still other wind turbines have a movable flying element, such as a kite, which transfers the kinetic energy of the wind to the generator via one or more cables. Since wind turbines do not require fossil fuels for energy generation, they play an important role in the energy transition towards predominantly carbon-free energy production.

[0005] To maximize electrical energy generation, the hubs and generators of wind turbines are usually located at the top of tall towers, as higher wind speeds and more consistent wind conditions can be expected there. Due to the weight of the generators and the elements set in motion by the wind, especially the rotor blades, the towers' own weight, and the dynamic forces and moments caused by the wind, high loads occur that must be transferred from the towers to the ground. The towers used in wind turbines must therefore be exceptionally robust and anchored to the ground. For this purpose, the towers are secured by foundations and anchors that extend deep into the ground. Furthermore, in state-of-the-art designs, the towers typically consist of thick metal and / or concrete tubes.Inside the towers run electrical lines that connect the generator to a higher-level power supply network. Furthermore, elevators or other means of access are located within the towers, allowing maintenance personnel access to the generator at any time of year.

[0006] Since the construction of wind turbine towers requires a large amount of material and is therefore very expensive, there is a constant effort to optimize the towers and their manufacturing processes. For example, the use of wood as a material in wind turbines is known from the prior art. Closed wooden towers are known, which, in terms of their construction, resemble their counterparts made of metal and / or concrete and which house electrical cables and access aids inside. Such a wooden tower is shown, for example, in WO 2020 / 149784 A1. The outer surface of the wooden towers consists of thick, composite layers of wood. The closed design protects the internal components from external weather conditions. Maintenance personnel can also access the generator at any time.

[0007] One advantage of the described wooden towers is their greater sustainability in terms of the material used. However, a disadvantage is the large amount of wood required to ensure the towers' stability. Furthermore, the towers' considerable weight necessitates thick foundation slabs to transfer the loads into the ground.

[0008] In light of these considerations, the object of the present invention is to at least partially mitigate or even completely eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. Preferably, the object of the present invention is to provide a structure and a wind turbine of the type mentioned above which, compared to the prior art, require less material without compromising stability. Particularly preferably, electrical lines between the generator of the wind turbine and a higher-level power supply network are to be protected, and year-round access to the generator is to be enabled.

[0009] This problem is solved by a structure according to claim 1 and by a wind turbine according to claim 14.

[0010] According to the invention, in a structure of the type mentioned above, the supporting structure is open and an access and / or service shaft is arranged in or on the supporting structure. The access and / or service shaft has a casing and is designed to accommodate at least one electrical line for the generator and / or to allow maintenance personnel access. Advantageously, the open supporting structure, which in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is designed as a truss, allows for material savings and thus a significant reduction in the weight of the structure. This means that, compared to the prior art, a smaller foundation with less material can be used.The preferably independent access and / or service shaft, which can also be referred to as an access and / or service tower, protects important components of the wind turbine, such as electrical lines to and / or from the generator. If the access and / or service shaft is designed as an access shaft, access to the generator can preferably be provided at any time of year. The present invention combines the weight and stability advantages of an open support structure with the protection of important components. The open support structure is at least partially, and in particular completely, unclad. This also advantageously reduces the surface area exposed to the wind. However, the fact that the support structure is unclad does not preclude the possibility that the individual members of the support structure may be clad, for example, by a weathering layer or a ventilated facade.The open supporting structure thus has, at most, clad members that are visible from the outside. "Unclad" in this context means that the supporting structure is not concealed by an outer shell. Preferably, the supporting structure is a framework of beams, in particular a truss. The members can be, for example, corner posts, horizontal beams, and diagonal braces. The supporting structure can, for example, have a height between 20 m and 200 m. The members of the supporting structure can be made of wood or a wood-based material. In one embodiment of the invention, the members of the supporting structure, in particular the corner posts, can be made of block-glued laminated timber beams. However, the members can also be made of metal or another material. The entire structure, i.e., the combination of the supporting structure with the extension, can, for example, have a height between 80 m and 300 m.The extension can be arranged on the upper side of the supporting structure and, in particular, can bear a load on the supporting structure. It is preferred that the extension is connected to the supporting structure via a flange connection. The extension preferably consists at least partially, and in particular entirely, of metal. This creates a hybrid structure that combines the building materials wood and metal. The extension can have a base for connection to the supporting structure. The extension can also have a tower section that is connected to the base. In one embodiment of the invention, the tower section can have a closed surface and, for example, be designed as a tube with a round or square cross-section. Alternatively, the tower section can also be designed, at least partially, as a supporting structure, in particular a truss.In this case, the tower section can have an additional access and / or service shaft through which at least one line to and / or from the generator can be routed and / or maintenance personnel can be enabled to ascend to the generator. Alternatively, the access and / or service shaft can be extended in the area of ​​the extension. The extension can have a length between 20 m and 100 m. The access and / or service shaft preferably extends substantially from an underside of the supporting structure to substantially an upper area of ​​the supporting structure, in particular substantially to an upper end of the supporting structure. This allows maintenance personnel to ascend at least to the upper area, in particular to the upper end, of the supporting structure.It is preferred that the access and / or service shaft extends at least to 80%, preferably at least to 90%, up to 95%, or up to 100% of the height of the supporting structure. The access and / or service shaft is preferably straight at the top, i.e., without any bends. Alternatively, the access and / or service shaft may have a curved profile. The access and / or service shaft may also have one or more bends along its longitudinal extent. It is also possible that the access and / or service shaft is at least partially curved. The access and / or service shaft may provide access for maintenance personnel. For this purpose, the access and / or service shaft may have an access aid inside, such as at least one ladder, a staircase, a lift, and / or climbing elements for attaching climbing ropes.Ascent is understood to mean any method by which maintenance personnel reach the top of the access and / or service shaft. Ascent can therefore be achieved, for example, via one or more ladders, a lift, or other access aids. The access and / or service shaft is preferably oriented substantially vertically. However, the access and / or service shaft may also be inclined to a vertical, for example, between 1° and 10°. The access and / or service shaft has a casing to prevent water, such as rain, snow, or hail, from entering the interior. The casing is preferably substantially closed around its circumference to prevent water from entering the interior of the access and / or service shaft.However, in one embodiment of the invention, the casing may have ventilation openings or windows, which are preferably arranged in such a way as to prevent water from entering the interior of the access and / or service shaft. In another embodiment of the invention, the casing is completely closed, except for any openings for maintenance personnel at the ends, which will be described in more detail below. The casing of the access and / or service shaft thus protects the interior of the access and / or service shaft from external weather influences, in particular rain. The access and / or service shaft may, for example, have a round or polygonal, rectangular or square, cross-section.The access and / or service shaft can be made at least partially, and in one embodiment of the invention essentially entirely, of metal, fiber-reinforced plastic, concrete, reinforced concrete, and / or wood, excluding fasteners such as screws, rivets, and brackets. The access and / or service shaft can have a frame clad with a cover. The frame and / or cover can be made of, for example, metal or wood. In one embodiment of the invention, the access and / or service shaft can be constructed using a timber frame and have a shell made of timber panels or metal plates. In another embodiment of the invention, the access and / or service shaft can be constructed using solid timber construction and, for example, made of cross-laminated timber. The shell can then have timber panels or metal plates as additional cladding.In a further embodiment of the invention, the access and / or supply shaft can comprise concrete slabs, in particular reinforced concrete slabs. In a further embodiment of the invention, the access and / or supply shaft is provided to have a metal truss, the shell preferably comprising wooden or metal panels as cladding. In further embodiments of the invention, the access and / or supply shaft is formed by a tube or several interconnected pipe elements made of concrete, metal, in particular steel, plastic, or fiber composite material. The cross-section of the tube or the pipe elements can be, in particular, round or rectangular. An opening can be provided at a lower end of the access and / or supply shaft, which allows access to the interior of the access and / or supply shaft for maintenance personnel. In one embodiment, the opening can be provided in the shell.The opening can be closable, for example, with a door. A maintenance building can be attached to the opening. A further opening, which can also be closable, can be provided at the upper end of the access and / or service shaft. This opening can also be located in the casing or on the end face of the access and / or service shaft. The access and / or service shaft can, for example, have a length between 20 m and 200 m. The service shaft can, for example, have a diameter between 100 cm and 500 cm, in particular essentially between 200 cm and 300 cm, where, in the case of a polygonal cross-section of the access and / or service shaft, the diameter, viewed in cross-section, refers to the largest diagonal between two corners.The shape and / or diameter of the access and / or service shaft can be essentially constant along its entire length. Inside the access and / or service shaft, supports for at least one electrical cable to and / or from the generator can be arranged. The access and / or service shaft rests on a foundation and transfers its own weight into the ground.

[0011] In this disclosure, location and direction information refers to the constructed structure. The generator of the wind turbine is located "at the top" of the structure.

[0012] Preferably, the supporting structure is a frame, in particular a truss. The frame can have several, in particular three or four, corner posts, wherein, in particular, adjacent corner posts can be connected to each other by horizontal beams and / or diagonal braces. Adjacent horizontal beams can also be connected to each other by diagonal braces. Corner posts, beams, and diagonal braces are considered members in this disclosure. The frame preferably has a regular polygonal cross-sectional shape, the corners of which are formed by the corner posts. It is particularly advantageous if the frame has a square, rectangular, or triangular cross-sectional shape. The frame can form a truss tower. The members can, for example, have a length between 10 m and 40 m.The rods, especially corner posts, crossbars and / or diagonal braces, can be connected to each other, for example, by dowel joints.

[0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, static loads, and preferably also dynamic loads, of the extension are transferred essentially exclusively via the supporting structure into a subsoil, in particular into a first foundation. In other words, no static, and preferably also no dynamic, loads of the extension are transferred via the access and / or service shaft. This does not, however, preclude the transfer of horizontal forces to the access and / or service shaft, for example via the connecting elements to be described in more detail below. However, essentially no static or dynamic forces of the extension and the supporting structure are transferred via the access and / or service shaft into its foundation.The access and / or service shaft is thus decoupled from the extension and the supporting structure with regard to static and preferably also dynamic load transfer. In other words, the supporting structure and the extension are statically stable without the access and / or service shaft. The access and / or service shaft can also exist without the supporting structure and is, if necessary, only secured against tipping over by the supporting structure, without transferring any static and / or dynamic loads from the extension and the supporting structure. Such decoupling can be achieved, for example, by having the extension bear its entire load exclusively on the supporting structure. The access and / or service shaft therefore preferably only transfers its own static and, if applicable, its own dynamic load into the ground or its foundation. Its own static load is formed by its weight.Dynamic loads can arise, for example, from the use of an elevator or ladder, or from vibrations of at least one conduit. To secure the access and / or service shaft against tipping over, while still maintaining decoupling, the access and / or service shaft can be floatingly mounted at one upper end in a securing receptacle and / or the supporting structure.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, a first foundation for the supporting structure and a second foundation for the access and / or service shaft can be provided. The first and second foundations can preferably be statically independent of each other, and in particular, spatially separated from each other. The first foundation can also consist of partial foundations for each corner post, which are statically independent of each other, and in particular, spatially separated from each other. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the (partial) foundations are not independent in the design of the structure insofar as they are adapted to the geometric shape of the supporting structure and / or the access and / or service shaft. However, the foundations can be statically independent, so that the acting loads are transferred into the ground from each statically independent foundation. A corner post can bear a load on each partial foundation.The first and second foundations can be made of concrete, especially reinforced concrete. The first foundation can be a shallow or deep foundation. The second foundation can also be a shallow or deep foundation.

[0015] A particularly advantageous and space-saving embodiment of the invention results when the access and / or supply shaft is guided at least partially, preferably completely, within the supporting structure. In this embodiment, the access and / or supply shaft is preferably completely surrounded by the supporting structure on its circumference, whereby "completely surrounded" in this context does not mean that the access and / or supply shaft is concealed, i.e., not visible. It is particularly advantageous if the access and / or supply shaft runs in the center of the supporting structure, i.e., in the middle of the supporting structure when viewed in cross-section. Advantageously, this means that the at least one cable, when guided in the access and / or supply shaft, is located away from the outer edge of the structure, so that no additional shielding of the at least one cable is required.The cross-sectional area bounded by the access and / or supply shaft is smaller than the cross-sectional area bounded by the supporting structure.

[0016] It is advantageous if a longitudinal axis of the access and / or supply shaft essentially coincides with a longitudinal axis of the supporting structure. The longitudinal axis of the access and / or supply shaft is preferably an axis of symmetry of the access and / or supply shaft. The longitudinal axis of the supporting structure is preferably an axis of symmetry of the supporting structure. The access and / or supply shaft is preferably oriented essentially vertically.

[0017] To stabilize the access and / or service shaft, it may be provided that the access and / or service shaft is connected to the supporting structure by at least one connecting element, wherein the at least one connecting element is preferably designed to transmit exclusively forces acting essentially horizontally. The horizontally acting forces are not, however, dissipated by the access and / or service shaft. The at least one connecting element preferably serves exclusively to secure the access and / or service shaft against tipping over. Furthermore, the at least one connecting element can ensure that the access and / or service shaft accommodates horizontal movements of the supporting structure. The exclusive transmission of essentially horizontal forces preferably concerns the expected and calculated loads on the structure for which the structure must be designed.Atypical loads that are not anticipated are preferably not included. The at least one connecting element can have one or more elongated elements, for example, one or more rod elements, which are connected to the access and / or service shaft and to the supporting structure. The elongated elements can exert tensile or compressive forces on the access and / or service shaft and the supporting structure. The at least one connecting element is preferably horizontally oriented. It is preferable if several connecting elements are provided. These can, for example, be arranged on different horizontal planes to secure the access and / or service shaft against tipping at several points. It is advantageous if the at least one connecting element can be fastened to the supporting structure and to the access and / or service shaft by screws or bolts.

[0018] It is advantageous if at least one connecting element has a length adjustment feature for adapting its length. This allows a tensile or compressive force to be applied to the access and / or service shaft, thus better securing it against tipping over. The length adjustment feature allows the tensile or compressive force to be set. The at least one connecting element can be clamped between the supporting structure and the access and / or service shaft. Alternatively, the connecting element can exert a compressive force from the supporting structure onto the access and / or service shaft in a horizontal direction. If several connecting elements are arranged in a horizontal plane, the access and / or service shaft can be particularly well secured by the tensile or compressive forces exerted by the connecting elements.In one embodiment of the invention, the length-adjusting element can have a thread which is rotatably inserted into at least one receptacle with a mating thread, for example, a nut. The length of the connecting element can be adjusted by rotating the thread or the at least one receptacle. It is advantageous if a rod element is connected to each of the threads and / or the at least one receptacle.

[0019] Inside the access and / or service shaft, a ladder, a staircase, a lift for one or more persons, and / or a lighting device may be provided. Generally speaking, at least one means of ascent may be arranged inside the access and / or service shaft, enabling access to the upper end of the shaft. The ladder or lift may extend substantially along the entire length of the access and / or service shaft. The lighting device may comprise one or more light elements arranged at regular or irregular intervals along the interior of the access and / or service shaft. The ladder may consist of several ladder sections, joined together or separate, thereby forming a longer ladder.In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator can be routed through both the access and / or service shaft and the extension. In an alternative embodiment, a separate elevator is provided for the access and / or service shaft and for the extension. In this latter embodiment, maintenance personnel must transfer at the top of the access and / or service shaft.

[0020] For high stability and load transfer, it is advantageous for the supporting structure to taper upwards. The corner sections of the supporting structure can be inclined to a vertical for this purpose, for example between 1° and 10°. In contrast, the access and / or service shaft may be designed not to taper, i.e., to have a diameter that is essentially constant along its entire length.

[0021] To protect the supporting structure from environmental influences, especially moisture, and to ensure its longevity, the members of the supporting structure may be provided with a weathering layer. This weathering layer can be, for example, an additional, and in particular replaceable, layer of wood applied to the outside of the members, especially by gluing. The weathering layer can be bonded tightly to the members. The weathering layer can be replaceable. For example, after a few years, the weathering layer can be separated from the members and a new weathering layer applied.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the extension for mounting the wind turbine generator may have a base that preferably rests exclusively on the supporting structure. Static and dynamic loads acting on the generator and the extension itself are transferred to the supporting structure via the base. The base may be tapered upwards. In one embodiment of the invention, the base may be spaced apart from the upper end of the access and / or service shaft to prevent the loads from being transferred to the access and / or service shaft. The access and / or service shaft may be floatingly supported in this area.

[0023] To position the hub of the wind turbine at a great height, it is advantageous for the base to be connected to a vertical tower section, at the top of which a nacelle is preferably located. The tower section can be integrated into the base. Alternatively, the base can be a continuous structure. The vertical tower section can, for example, be a tube with a preferably round cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes, such as angular ones, are also possible. It is also possible for the tower section to be formed by a truss. The base and the tower section can be made of metal, particularly steel. The tower section can have a length between 10 m and 150 m. The generator can be located in the nacelle. The nacelle can form the highest point of the tower section.

[0024] The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising: a structure of the type described above; a generator; and preferably a rotor.

[0025] The wind turbine can include at least one foundation as part of the structure. The at least one electrical line running between a higher-level power supply network and the generator can run in the access and / or service shaft. For this purpose, supports for the at least one electrical line can be provided on the inside of the access and / or service shaft. Of course, multiple electrical lines to and / or from the generator can also be provided. The rotor can have at least one, preferably two, three, or four, rotor blades, which can be connected to the generator via a hub with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. The rotor blades can have a length between 10 m and 150 m. In alternative wind turbines, for example, a rotor with a substantially vertical axis of rotation can also be connected to the generator.In another alternative design, the generator can be connected to a flying element, for example a kite, which powers the generator.

[0026] It is advantageous if at least one electrical line runs from the generator to a connection point on a higher-level power supply network within the access and / or supply shaft. The connection point can be located in a lower section of the structure. The connection point can be located in a junction box. To enable the generator to be disconnected from the higher-level power supply network, the connection point can include at least one electrical switch. In one embodiment of the invention, the connection point can be located within the access and / or supply shaft. In another embodiment of the invention, the connection point can be located in a maintenance building in the lower section of the structure. The maintenance building can be connected to the access and / or supply shaft.

[0027] To construct the supporting structure, the bars can be delivered and connected on-site, particularly using dowel connections. The access and / or utility shaft, as well as the extension, can also be delivered in individual components and assembled on-site. Alternatively, the access and / or utility shaft can be constructed on-site, for example, by erecting formwork and pouring liquid concrete.

[0028] The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, to which it is not, however, limited.

[0029] They show:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a wind turbine with a structure according to the invention;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows the structure in an enlarged view;

[0032] Fig. 3 shows the structure in longitudinal section;

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of a connecting element between the supporting structure and the access and / or supply shaft;

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the access and / or supply shaft; and

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the structure.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a wind turbine 1 with a structure 2 according to the invention in the form of a tower 2a. A generator 3 is provided in an upper section of the tower 2a and is arranged in a nacelle 4. Rotor blades 6 are connected to the generator 3 via a hub 5. The structure 2, which is shown in an enlarged view without the nacelle 4 in Fig. 2, has an open supporting structure 7 in the form of a truss 8 made of wood and an extension 9 connected to it for mounting the generator 3. In the illustration shown, the truss 8 has four corner posts 10, which are inclined to a vertical, so that the truss 8 tapers upwards. The truss 8 thus has a square cross-sectional shape, the corners of which are formed by the corner posts 10. The corner posts 10 can, for example, have block-glued laminated timber trusses 11.To achieve the required length of the corner posts 10, the glulam beams 11 can be connected at their ends using slotted dowel joints 12. Individual timber lamellae within the glulam beams 11 can be connected via dowel joints (not shown). Adjacent corner posts 10 are connected to each other via horizontal crossbeams 13 and diagonal braces 14. The crossbeams 13 and the diagonal braces 14 can also be connected to the corner posts 10 by dowel joints or, for example, screw connections. Two diagonal braces 14 can be arranged crossing each other, thereby connecting two corner posts 10. At the intersection points 15 of two diagonal braces 14, these can be connected to a horizontal crossbeam 13 in one embodiment.The four corner posts 10 are connected to each other on several parallel horizontal planes 16, which can also be referred to as stiffening planes, by four horizontal bars 13 each, wherein each corner post 10 is connected to two adjacent corner posts 10 via one horizontal bar 13 each. The horizontal bars 13 of a horizontal plane 16 form a quadrilateral shape, in particular a square shape. The bars 16 can be made of metal. Two adjacent bars 13 of a horizontal plane 16 can be connected to each other by means of a brace 17. In one embodiment of the invention, the braces 17 of a horizontal plane 16 can also form a rectangular, in particular a square, shape.In the illustration shown, six such horizontal planes 16 are provided, which are geometrically similar to each other in the cross-section of the supporting structure 7, but have different sizes due to the tapered shape of the tower 2a. To protect the supporting structure 7 from weathering, the members of the supporting structure 7, for example the corner posts 10 and the diagonal braces 14, can be provided with a weathering layer 51, which can also consist of wood, for example. Alternatively, the members can be protected by means of a ventilated covering, in particular a ventilated louvered facade.

[0037] The extension 9 is arranged at one upper end of the truss 8. The extension 9 is made of metal, in particular steel, and bears the load exclusively on the truss 8, but not on the access and / or service shaft 18, which will be described in more detail below. The extension 9 preferably bears the load exclusively on the supporting structure 7, so that static and dynamic loads of the extension are transferred exclusively through the supporting structure, and not through the access and / or service shaft 18. The extension 9 has a base 19, which in the illustration is formed by a frame 20 with a square cross-sectional shape. The frame 20 has four frame struts 22 inclined towards a tower section 21 of the extension 9.The frame struts 22 rest on the upper end faces 23 of the corner posts 10 and are connected to each other via preferably horizontally arranged base beams 24, which form the edges of the basic cross-sectional shape of the frame 20. The frame struts 22 can be connected at an end facing the tower section 21 to a sleeve 25 surrounding the tower section 21. In the illustration shown, the tower section 21 has a tube 26 with a length of, for example, between 20 m and 10 m, which can be manufactured in one piece or be made up of several interconnected tube sections. The tower section 21 can be supported at a lower end by horizontally arranged support beams 27 of the frame. In the illustration shown, the support beams 27 run between diagonally opposite corners of the frame 20, which are formed by the connection points of the base beams.Preferably, the support beams 27 are arranged in the same plane as the base beams 24. Maintenance personnel can access the engine house 4 within the extension 9. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the engine house 4, containing the generator 3, is located at an upper end of the tower section 21. The engine house 4 is accessible to maintenance personnel via the tower section 21.

[0038] To allow access to the machine house 4 and / or the generator 3, and to protect electrical lines 28 (see Fig. 5) to and / or from the elements, an access and / or service shaft 18 is provided. In the illustration shown, the access and / or service shaft 18 is oriented vertically and arranged within the supporting structure 7. The cross-sectional area of ​​the access and / or service shaft 18 is therefore smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the supporting structure. The access and / or service shaft 18 can be formed by a pipe with, for example, a round or rectangular cross-section. The access and / or service shaft 18 has a circumferentially closed shell 29, which can be made, for example, of wood, metal, fiber-reinforced plastic, and / or concrete. In one variant of the invention, the casing can have 29 ventilation openings or windows.The access and / or service shaft 18 can have a frame, in particular a wooden or metal frame, which is covered with a cover, for example a corrugated metal cover. The shell 29 is formed by the cover. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of an access and / or service shaft 18, which is rectangular in cross-section and has uprights 52 in the corner regions as part of a frame for stabilization. The shell 29 is formed by a cover made of wood, fiber-reinforced plastic, and / or metal. The access and / or service shaft 18 can be made in one piece or in sections. A longitudinal axis of symmetry of the access and / or service shaft 18 can coincide with a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the supporting structure 7. The access and / or supply shaft 18 may contain inside one or more ladders 30 and / or a lift 31 for one or more persons.This allows maintenance personnel to ascend to generator 3 through access and / or supply shaft 18.

[0039] In one embodiment, the elevator 31 is guided through both the access and / or service shaft 18 and the extension 9. In an alternative embodiment, a first elevator can be arranged in the access and / or service shaft 18 and a second elevator in the extension 9. If one or more ladders 30 are provided, some can also be provided in the extension 9 to allow maintenance personnel access to the engine room. Furthermore, a lighting device 50 can be provided inside the access and / or service shaft 18. The access and / or service shaft has an opening 32 at its lower end, which serves as an entrance. The opening 32 can be arranged in the shell of the access and / or service shaft 18. The opening 32 can be closable.In the embodiment shown, a maintenance building 40 adjoins the opening 32, serving as access to the access and / or service shaft 18. At its upper end 33, the access and / or service shaft 18 has a further opening 34, through which the electrical lines are routed further into the extension 9, and maintenance personnel can access the interior of the extension 9, in particular the tower section 21. The further opening 34 can be located at the end face of the access and / or service shaft 18. The elevator 31 can be routed into the extension 9 through the opening 34. Additionally or alternatively, a ladder 30 can lead from the access and / or service shaft 18 into the extension.

[0040] The supporting structure 7 and the access and / or service shaft 18 can be supported by statically independent foundations. The supporting structure 7 can be supported by a first foundation 35, while the access and / or service shaft 18 rests on a second foundation 36. In the embodiment shown, the first foundation can be formed by four partial foundations 35a, on which the corner posts 10 each rest. Naturally, the number of corner posts 10, and thus the number of partial foundations 35a, can also be larger or smaller. For example, three, five, or six corner posts 10 and a corresponding number of partial foundations 35a can also be used.

[0041] Static loads on the extension 9, and preferably also acting dynamic loads on the extension 9, are transferred essentially exclusively via the supporting structure 9 into the first foundation 35. Thus, no static and preferably no dynamic loads on the extension 9 are transferred via the access and / or service shaft 18. For this purpose, the extension 9 bears exclusively on the supporting structure 7. The access and / or service shaft 18 only transfers the static and dynamic loads that arise within it and / or from it. These include, in particular, its own weight and dynamic loads such as those caused by the use of the elevator 31, the ladder 30, or by vibration of the lines 28. The access and / or supply shaft 18 and the supporting structure 7 are connected in such a way as to transmit horizontally acting forces in order to secure the access and / or supply shaft 18 against tipping over.In one embodiment of the invention, the access and / or supply shaft 18 can be spaced apart from the extension 9 at an upper end.

[0042] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the access and / or service shaft 18 is connected to the supporting structure 7 via connecting elements 37. The connecting elements 37 can be connected to the corner posts 10, the crossbeams 13, the diagonal braces 14, and / or the struts 17. Preferably, the connecting elements 37 are arranged substantially in the horizontal planes 16. For example, four connecting elements 37, which exert tensile or compressive forces in four different horizontal directions on the access and / or service shaft 18, can be provided in each of the horizontal planes 16. In Fig. 6, a total of eight connecting elements 37 are shown in one plane 16. In the illustration shown, the connecting elements 37 have elongated elements, in particular rod elements 38, which are arranged substantially horizontally.Furthermore, the connecting elements 37 can have at least one length adjustment element 43 for adjusting the length of the respective connecting element 37. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, two length adjustment elements 43 are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a length adjustment element 43 can have a thread 44 which is rotatably received in at least one receptacle 45 with a mating thread. By rotating the thread 44 or the at least one receptacle 45, the length of the connecting element 37 can be adjusted.

[0043] It is advantageous if a rod element 38 is connected to the thread and / or to at least one mounting 45 j.

[0044] At the upper end 33 of the access and / or supply shaft 18, as can be seen in Fig. 3, the access and / or supply shaft 18 is additionally received in a securing recess 39 of the extension 9 and / or the supporting structure 7, which transmits only horizontal, but no vertical, movements to the access and / or supply shaft 18. The securing recess 39 can, for example, have a circumferential surface into which the access and / or supply shaft 18 is received at its upper end. The securing recess 39 enables a floating mounting of the access and / or supply shaft 18.

[0045] Inside the access and / or supply shaft 18 or in the maintenance building 40 attached to the access and / or supply shaft 18, a connection point 41 for connecting the generator 3 to a higher-level power supply network 42 may be arranged.

[0046] Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of the structure 2 at the level of a plane 16. It can be seen that the access and / or supply shaft 18 is secured to the supporting structure 7 by means of several connecting elements 37. In the simplest case, the connecting elements 37 can be rods or profiles, in particular steel profiles.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Structure (2), in particular tower (2a), for a wind turbine (1), comprising: a supporting structure (7), which has rods (10, 13, 14) in particular made of wood, and an extension (9) connected to the supporting structure (7) for arranging a generator (3) of the wind turbine (1), characterized in that the supporting structure (7) is open and an access and / or supply shaft (18) is provided in or on the supporting structure (7), wherein the access and / or supply shaft (18) has a shell (29) and is designed to accommodate at least one electrical line (28) for the generator (3) and / or to allow maintenance personnel to ascend.

2. Structure (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting structure (7) is a frame structure, in particular a truss (8) .

3. Structure (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that static loads, preferably also dynamic loads, of the extension (9) are transferred essentially exclusively via the supporting structure (7) into a subsoil, in particular into a first foundation (35).

4. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first foundation (35) for the supporting structure (7) and a second foundation (36) for the access and / or supply shaft (18) are provided, wherein the first (35) and the second foundation (36) are preferably independent of each other, in particular separate from each other.

5. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the access and / or supply shaft (18) is guided at least partially, preferably completely, inside the supporting structure (7).

6. Structure (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that a longitudinal axis of the access and / or supply shaft (18) with a longitudinal axis of the supporting structure (7) essentially coincides .

7. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the access and / or supply shaft (18) is connected to the supporting structure (7) by at least one connecting element (37), wherein the at least one connecting element (37) is preferably designed to transmit forces acting essentially exclusively horizontally.

8. Structure (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one connecting element (37) has a length adjustment element (43) for adjusting the length of the at least one connecting element (37).

9. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a ladder (30), a staircase, a lift (31) for one or more persons and / or a lighting device (50) is provided inside the access and / or supply shaft (18).

10. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the supporting structure (7) tapers upwards.

11. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bars of the supporting structure (7) have a weathering layer (51).

12. Structure (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the extension (9) for arranging the generator (3) of the wind turbine (1) has a base (19) which preferably rests exclusively on the supporting structure (7).

13. Structure (2) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the base (19) is connected to a vertical tower section (21), at the upper end of which a machine house (4) is preferably arranged.

14. Wind turbine (1) , comprising: a structure (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; a generator (3); and preferably a rotor.

15. Wind power plant (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one electrical line (28) runs from the generator (3) to a connection point (41) to a higher-level power supply network (40) in the access and / or supply shaft (18).

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