BE1018443A3 - SEGMENT FOR A TOWER, TOWER CONSTRUCTED FROM SEGMENTS, ELEMENT FOR A SEGMENT FOR A TOWER, METHOD FOR BUILDING MULTIPLE SEGMENTS FOR A TOWER, METHOD FOR BUILDING A TOWER FROM SEGMENTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

A segment for a tower comprises a number of elongated corner elements (2) which are provided on top and bottom with a protruding flange (3a, 3b), the flanges being directed in opposite directions and the corner elements (2) interconnected are by transverse connections (cross connections) (6), where the flanges are located on a bottom surface (GR) on the bottom side, and the flanges are located on a top surface (BOV) on the top, the flanges (3b) on the bottom being outward are oriented and the flanges (3a) are directed inwards at the top.

Description

Segment for a tower, segment made up of segments, element for a segment for a tower, method for building up several segments for a tower, method for building up a tower from segments.

The invention relates to a segment for a tower.

The invention further relates to an element for a segment for a tower.

The invention further relates to a kit for a tower segment.

The invention further relates to a method for building up multiple segments for a tower.

The invention further relates to a method for building a tower from segments.

The invention further relates to a tower made up of segments.

Towers built from segments are used for windmills, among other things.

So-called tubular windmill towers are made up of a number of tower parts in tubular form, usually made of steel or concrete.

Each segment consists of a tubular component, with the cross-section decreasing towards the top.

Each of the segments is manufactured separately.

The individual parts are placed on top of each other at the place where the windmill will be placed.

The disadvantage of these structures is that the parts of the tower are extremely heavy, which requires very heavy equipment to manufacture, transport and place the tower segments. On many; places this is impossible, for example because the roads leading to the intended location for the windmill are simply not suitable for the exceptionally heavy equipment, the surface around the intended location for the · windmill is unsuitable for carrying such heavy equipment plus the load , whether there is insufficient space around the intended location for the equipment necessary to place the tower components. In many countries, the necessary equipment is missing or extremely scarce and expensive.

Even if the necessary equipment is available, the transport of the tower components is often such an exceptional transport that exceptional measures, such as the temporary closure of roads, including motorways, have to be taken for the transport of the tower components.

The existing tower is therefore less suitable for many situations.

It is an object of the invention to provide a segment for a tower with which, in an economically responsible manner, at least partially obviates or reduces the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, a segment for a tower is characterized in that the segment comprises a number of elongated corner elements which are provided with a protruding flange on top and bottom, wherein the flanges are directed in opposite directions and the corner elements are mutually connected by transverse connections, the flanges are located on a bottom surface on the bottom side, and the flanges are located on a top surface on the top, the flanges on the bottom facing outwards and the flanges on the top facing inwards.

The corner elements form the ribs of the segments, the flanges on the top of a segment form a basis for a subsequent segment. The construction makes it possible to make segments which gradually have a smaller base, while still essentially using the same basic elements (corner elements and cross connections). The weight of the segments is greatly reduced compared to the known steel and concrete tubular segments. The material to be used can therefore be much less heavy. The towers according to the invention can be placed in places where the towers from the prior art cannot be placed or can only be placed with very great difficulty.

It is noted that it is known to build towers from a collection of beams and bars. Well-known examples are the towers for high-voltage cables (traditional lattice masts).

However, these towers are made from a very large number of different parts. The manufacture and assembly of such towers requires a great deal of knowledge and is very labor-intensive and cannot easily be carried out by trained personnel. The number of different connections to be made is very large and also depends on parameters such as the size of the ground surface, the height of the tower etc. The construction of such towers is specialist work, and therefore often extremely expensive, certainly in countries or regions where the required expertise is not available and the specialists must be obtained from other regions or countries. The segments for a tower according to the invention allow a much simpler method and a greater degree of automation, in the sense of a relatively small number of basic operations to be performed.

The segments for a tower according to the present invention require much less different parts and do allow the towers to be erected in a simple manner, either at the place where the tower is to be built, or partly already in the factory. It also makes it possible to put together a kit that is suitable for segments with different base widths (length is always the same length, for example always 12 m).

A large degree of simplification of assembling the segments and the tower and automation of the operations is thus possible. The required knowledge of the staff, as well as the required training of the staff who assemble the segments and build the towers is thereby reduced.

The elongated corner elements preferably have a symmetrical profile, even more preferably the corner elements comprise round tubes, provided on both sides with a flange, the flange protruding over a distance larger than the diameter of the profile.

The next segment can then be placed on the flanges of the underlying segment, which simplifies the stacking of segments.

The essence of the eccentrically placed flanges lies mainly in the fact that, as a result, the base surface of successive segments decreases with height, and therefore coincides with the decrease in the structural tower load. In this way it can be ensured that the stresses in the pipe material are virtually constant, regardless of the segment in which the pipe is installed.

The flange is preferably provided with a reinforcing rib. This increases the supporting capacity of the flange.

Preferably, the flanges make a right angle with the longitudinal direction of the corner elements. Although, within the broadest scope of the invention, the angle may differ from a right angle, the angle is preferably a right angle. If the angle differs from a right angle, the segments are tapered. The greatest degree of simplicity in composition and assembly is achieved when using right angles.

The segment preferably comprises three, four, five or six corner elements.

The element for a segment according to the invention is characterized in that it has flanges on both sides that project in opposite directions.

The element is preferably provided with a reinforcement rib for the flanges.

The kit for a tower segment comprises a number of elongated corner elements which are provided with a protruding flange on top and bottom, the flanges being directed in opposite directions and cross connections for interconnecting the corner elements. The cross connections are preferably used for making cross connections.

The method for assembling segments according to the invention is characterized in that separate segments are pre-assembled in the vertical position and segments of different base width are built together. The possibility of pre-assembling tower segments together offers important advantages with regard to saving space on the construction site and handling costs.

A major advantage of the invention is the high degree of manufacturing and assembly automation that results from the concept. One can build a segment and around it build a larger (ie with a larger base width) segment, and around it an even larger segment. The largest segment is then, for example, the lower segment, in which the third largest segment is placed and the fourth largest segment is placed therein. On a neighboring slab, for example, the second largest segment is then built, in which the third largest segment. Simply put: segments of different base width fit together in vertical pre-assembled state.

The largest segment is then placed at the intended location and the following segments are placed one after the other.

The invention thus makes it possible to place a tower even in places where there is little space.

These and further aspects of the invention are described below and illustrated with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a known structure for a windmill tower constructed from cylindrical tubular elements;

Figure 2 shows a known framework construction for a tower for a windmill;

Figure 3 shows a tower concept with segments according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a corner element for a segment for a tower according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a kit for a tower segment;

Figure 6 the construction of a segment;

Figure 7 the construction of a number of segments;

Figures 8, 9 and 10 stack the segments;

Figure 11 shows a segment, in top view, according to the invention.

Figures 12 and 13 show a structure of a tower according to the invention.

The figures are not always drawn to scale, the same parts are generally designated by the same reference numerals. Sizes indicated in the figure are given by way of example and should not be construed as limiting unless otherwise indicated.

Figure 1 shows, in front and side view and in ground plane, a windmill with a tower made up of, in this example three segments in tubular form. A number of dimensions are indicated in the figure by way of non-limiting example. Such a tower for a windmill constructed from segments is manufactured as follows: the three tubes are manufactured, they are transported to the place where the windmill is to be placed, they are placed on top of each other.

The gondola for the windmill is then placed on the tower and the vanes are attached to the gondola.

A disadvantage of this construction is that the parts of the tower are extremely large and heavy, which requires very heavy equipment to manufacture, transport and place the tower parts. In many places this is impossible, for example because the roads leading to the intended location for the windmill are simply not suitable for the exceptionally heavy equipment, the surface around the intended location for the windmill is unsuitable for carrying such heavy equipment plus the load , whether there is insufficient space around the intended location for the equipment that is necessary to place the tower components. In many countries, the necessary equipment is missing or extremely scarce and expensive.

Figure 2 illustrates a tower for a windmill in which the tower is composed of a large number of interconnected parts (framework). This construction has the drawbacks that the construction is very complex and must be done by specialists. Hundreds of different parts and connections must be made.

Figure 3 illustrates a tower according to the invention. The tower is composed of segments 1. The segments comprise a number of corner elements 2. In this example, four corner elements 2. The corner elements 2 are provided with flanges 3a and 3b on the top and bottom, respectively. Cross connections (cross connections) 4 connect the corner elements.

Figure 4 shows a corner element 2. A side view is shown in A. In B front view and in C a top view and a side view showing how two flanges are connected to each other by, in this example, bolts 7. Dimensions indicated in the figure are given by way of example and should not be considered as limiting , unless indicated otherwise. It is true that the sizes indicate a correct order of magnitude. In this example, the length of the corner element is 12 meters, this is a practical measure (commercial measure for pipe profiles and the most suitable length for the optimum utilization of 40 feet of sea containers). The length is preferably between 6 and 16 meters. Corner elements with a longer length are difficult to move and handle due to their length and weight, for corner elements with a shorter length the number of segments required for building a tower with a usual height becomes such that the structure of the tower becomes more labor-intensive, so that the advantage of the invention becomes smaller.

The corner element 2 comprises flanges 3a and 3b which protrude in opposite directions. The corner element is also provided with reinforcement ribs 5. The reinforcement ribs 5 support the flanges and increase the strength of the flanges. In C it is shown that two flanges connected to each other form a construction in which two corner elements are stacked on top of each other and staggered over a distance, schematically indicated by arrow 8 in the figure. In this example, the corner element comprises a round tubular tube 6 between the flanges 3a and 3b. This is a preferred embodiment. The portion between the flanges can also be a beam (prismatic element) of a different shape, such as a square tube, a T or H beam or other beam (equal strength properties desirable in both main directions). A round tube is preferred because for such a tube the symmetry is omni-directional and the strength / weight ratio is therefore maximum.

Figure 5 illustrates a kit for a tower segment. The kit comprises, in a holder (40 feet of sea container, or transport frame on truck) 7 a number of, in this preferred example four, corner elements. The corner elements fit into the holder 7. Between the corner elements 2 there is room for the cross connections 6 (cross connections).

This kit is easy to assemble and load onto a truck and take it to the place where the tower will be built (optimum utilization rate of standard 40-foot sea containers).

Figure 6 illustrates the construction of a segment MOD, in this case the lower segment of a tower.

The kit in container 7 is supplied, for example on a truck.

The corner elements are arranged and the cross connections 6 are provided. The distance between the corner elements is determined by the position and the length of the cross connections. The flanges 3b are located in a lower plane GR and project outwardly, the flanges 3a are located in an upper plane BOV and are directed inwards.

Figure 7 illustrates the construction of a number of segments, MOD 1, MOD 2, MOD 3 and MOD 4. The construction of the segments is simple and substantially the same for different tower segments and the number of operations and parts required for the construction is relatively small.

Figure 8 illustrates the stacking of segments. MOD 2 is lifted by the crane. The flanges 3b of the MOD 2 segment are connected to the flanges 3a of the first MOD 1 segment. Next, MOD 3 is placed on MOD 2. This is illustrated in figure 9. After that segment MOD 4 is placed on segment MOD 3, see figure 10.

Figure 11 illustrates a segment according to the invention in top view. In this example, the segment is provided with walkways 9. Such walkways make it possible to carry out maintenance work, to attach the flanges to each other and to perform safety inspections.

Figure 11 also illustrates the natural decrease of the basic section of successive tower segments, which is caused by the lateral shifting of the flanges 3 inwards. As a result, the resistance of the successive tower segments runs parallel to the, in height, decreasing structural tower load. This, in turn, leads to almost equal loads of the corner elements, independent of the tower segment in which the tubular element is installed. Due to the constant load, the installation position is of little importance, and the same type of house (equal tube diameter and wall thickness) can always be used, which makes a large degree of automation possible in the factory production of these tube elements. This constitutes a significant advantage of this invention over the existing tower designs. .

Due to the natural decrease of the basic section in height, it can also be ensured, in the tower design, that the load on the cross connections is virtually constant, independent of their position in a tower segment.

The section of the cross connections, and the bolt connections to the corner elements, can therefore also be uniform. Only the length of the cross elements (cutting length) must be adjusted to the position of the tower segment in which they are installed.

For the corner elements, a number of predefined preferred positions can be determined for the connection points of the cross connections. In preferred embodiments, for further or complete standardization of the corner elements, a number of these attachment points are additionally provided, although not all of them necessarily have to be used in consecutive tower segments.

The invention is not limited to the examples, but allows many variations. The windmill shown is a windmill for approximately 2 MW, but the invention can be used for larger as well as smaller windmills.

Examples of variations may be mentioned: in the examples, the flanges make a right angle with the longitudinal direction of the corner element. A deviation from a right angle, for example a number of (1-5) degree deviation, so that the segment decreases slightly upwards in section is possible, although this makes it more difficult to manufacture. A preferred method of manufacture is one in which the flanges are welded to the ends of the tubes in a robotic (fully automatic) manner, under powder cover. This welding technique requires that the welding torch be held stationary at the top of the tube for depositing the inert powder deck and the applying the weld while the tube is rotating under controlled speed, using a rotary manipulator (lathe). This is relatively simple with right-angled flanges, but more difficult with sloping flanges, although not possible.

In the method shown, the segments are stacked one after the other. It is also possible to first stack two consecutive segments on top of each other and then place the two segments on a previously constructed segment.

In the example, the first segment is placed on the bottom, the base for the first segment can also be a pedestal, whether or not reinforced, of any height.

Windmills are shown in the examples. The invention is also extremely suitable for towers for other purposes, such as towers for high-voltage lines, for cable lifts, for transmission towers, mobile phone towers, etc.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment in which a number of segments are built next to each other. The invention makes it possible to build up smaller segments into larger segments, for example segment MOD 4 in segment MOD 2. Segments of different base width can be placed together.

In practice, one will probably first build up segment MOD 4 and then build up segment MOD 2 around it. A tower of a height of 84 meters, containing 7 segments, can be constructed as follows: a ground segment MOD 1 directly on the foundation, and in addition segments MOD 6 and MOD 7 are built, segments MOD 6 and MOD 7 are built segments MOD 4 and MOD 5, and again around MOD 2 and MOD 3 segments.

The smaller segments can also be used advantageously as a working platform during the construction of the larger segments placed around them. The ladders and walking platforms of already mounted tower segments can be conveniently used by the engineers for assembling larger segments around them.

The use of a relatively small crane is sufficient for the pre-assembly of the segments. A heavier crane is only necessary for mounting the different tower segments on top of each other.

The MOD 2 segment is then lifted and placed on the MOD 1 floor segment. Then the MOD 3 segment is lifted and placed on the MOD 2 segment. The MOD 4 segment is then lifted and placed on the MOD 3 segment and so on. The space required for pre-assembling the MOD 2 to MOD 7 segments, in addition to the space for the MOD 1 ground segment, is then small, namely only equal to a surface slightly larger than the ground surface of MOD 2 and the ground surface of MOD 3 In places where there is little room for the construction of the tower, the invention can therefore be used to good effect. The use of a heavy crane is only necessary for a short time. The required swing-out of the crane is low.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate such a method for building a tower according to an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Even (M0D2, M0D4, M0D6) and odd (M0D3, M0D5, M0D7) segments, which differ in base width but have the same length and are otherwise very similar, are pre-assembled in vertical position with the even and odd numbered segments mounted together to become. A simple small tap K is sufficient to pre-assemble these segments. Due to its uniformity, the pre-assembly can be automated to a large extent. Figure 12 illustrates that the construction kits are supplied, for example, in containers C (for example 40 feet of sea containers) by trucks Tr. The lower MODI segment is placed or built on the F foundation. Next to the foundation, the even and odd numbered segments are built together.

Figure 13 shows the result. After all or at least many segments have been pre-assembled, a large crane, see for example Figure 10, is used to stack the segments together. The time during which a high and therefore very expensive crane is required, is considerably reduced compared to traditional half-timbered masts.

The weights that the crane must carry are considerably reduced compared to the traditional tubular tower as shown in figure 1, which places fewer demands on the crane.

Claims (14)

A segment for a tower, characterized in that the segment comprises a number of elongated corner elements (2) which are provided with a protruding flange (3a, 3b) on top and bottom, the flanges pointing in opposite directions and the corner elements (2) are mutually connected by cross connections (cross connections) (6), the flanges on the bottom side being located in a ground plane (GR), and the flanges on the upper side being located in an upper plane (BOV), wherein the flanges (3b) are directed outwards at the bottom and the flanges (3a) are directed inwards at the top. Segment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elongated corner elements comprise round tubes, provided on both sides with a flange, the flange protruding over a distance larger than the diameter of the tube. Segment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the segment comprises three, four, five or six corner elements. Segment as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the flanges make a (at least substantially) right angle with the longitudinal direction of the corner elements. Segment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner elements are provided with reinforcement ribs (5) for the flanges. A corner element for a segment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner element is provided with a protruding flange (3a, 3b) on top and bottom, the flanges being directed in opposite directions. 7. Corner element as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the flanges make a (at least substantially) right angle with the longitudinal direction of the corner element. Corner element according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the corner element is provided with reinforcement ribs (5) for the flanges. 9. Building kit for a tower segment, characterized in that the building kit comprises a number of elongated corner elements which are provided with a protruding flange on top and bottom, wherein the flanges are directed in opposite directions and that the building kit contains cross connections (cross connections) for interconnecting the corner elements. A kit according to claim 9, characterized in that the kit contains a holder (7) for the corner elements and the cross connections. A kit according to claim 10, characterized in that the holder is a 40-foot sea container or similar transport frame Tower comprising at least two segments according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flanges of the segments are connected to each other. . A method for building or pre-mounting a number of segments according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a number of segments of different base width are built together or pre-assembled. 14. Methods for building a tower comprise a number of tower segments according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a number of segments of different base width are assembled or pre-assembled and the pre-assembled segments are stacked on top of each other and connected to each other via the flanges.