DE202009015675U1 - Tower segment, as well as a sheet metal blank for a tower segment - Google Patents

Abstract

A tower segment (9) of the type having a tubular shape with a peripheral wall comprising an opening (8) in the peripheral wall (10) to allow access to the interior of the tower, the area around the opening being reinforced the aperture caused to compensate for weakening, and wherein the tower segment is made of a sheet metal blank (12) formed as a unitary piece with an area (11) of increased material thickness (T2) in the region around the opening (8).

Description

Technical area

The The present invention generally relates to a tower segment of Art having a tubular shape with a peripheral wall comprising an opening in the peripheral wall to allow access to the inside of the tower the area around the opening being reinforced, around the weakening caused by the opening compensate.

Background of the invention

Size Wind turbine towers are usually made of one or more Tube tower sections made. In the event that the tower is off more than one tower section, they usually become connected by means of bolt connections by flanges in the ends. Each tower section may in turn consist of one or several tube tower sections be composed, which usually with a circular Cross-sectional shape can be produced. The pipe segments for each tower section can have a height of about 3 m and will be in a suitable number to the desired Height of the tower section to achieve, welded together. The pipe segments can be cylindrical or can have a truncated cone shape and are made of flat steel plates made in the desired cylindrical or cold-rolled conical shape and two short side edges welded together by a vertical butt joint.

In a lower part of the tower, near the bottom or of the water level, it is usually with an opening provided in the form of a door to gain access to the interior of the tower for repairs and maintenance of the equipment to enable. To the through the door opening It is general to compensate for the weakening produced Practice the region around the door in different ways to reinforce.

One way of strengthening the region around the door is, as in the WO 06/050723 discloses to provide a special door area made of steel which is provided with a door opening and has the same width as the steel sheet but has an increased thickness with respect to the steel sheet. The door area, as well as the sheet steel blank are cold rolled separately to the exact curved shape and are then welded together by butt joints. That is, in this case, the pipe segment is provided with at least two vertical butt welds. The door region may preferably have a variable thickness to provide a transition region having a gradually varying wall thickness between the door region and the remainder of the tower segment. A disadvantage of this solution is that, because of the many manufacturing steps and the elaborate welding that is necessary, it is time consuming to manufacture a pipe segment in this way.

Another way to reinforce a tower segment provided with a door opening is in FIG US 2007/0148004 disclosed. In this document, an opening which is larger than the actual door is cut into the tower segment. Subsequently, a component made of a weldable cast material such as cast steel is inserted into the door opening and welded to the tower segment. The component is formed as a ring having an outer shape corresponding to the opening in the tower segment and having an inner shape corresponding to the door in question. The component preferably has a variable thickness in cross-section. A disadvantage of such a tower segment is that it is time consuming to position the structural element in the door opening and to weld it to the tower segment. Further, it may be problematic to weld rolled steel and cast steel together, and a cast steel member is further expensive to manufacture.

Summary of the invention

in the In view of the above, it is an object of the invention Tower segment as well as a sheet metal blank for the production of a To provide tower segments. In particular, it is an object a tower segment as well as a sheet metal blank for producing a Tower section provide in which a gain around an opening in the tower segment easy and cost-saving can be carried out. At least this item can by a tower segment and a sheet metal blank according to claim 1 and 11 can be achieved.

As a result, the invention is based on the recognition that this object can be achieved by the tower segment of a steel sheet blank is formed, which is uniformly formed in one piece becomes, with an area with an increased or enlarged Material thickness. The steel sheet is called a rectangle or as an oblong Formed sheet metal, with a length or a width dimension, with two long edges and two short edges and the area with the increased material thickness extends over the width of the sheet metal blank from one long edge to the other. The area with increased material thickness may be optional to one of the short edges or to a central region of the sheet metal blank be formed adjacent.

A sheet steel blank with an area with an increased material thickness may preferably be formed by means of hot rolling in a rolling mill. However, it is not excluded that the increased material thickness will be formed in other suitable ways.

To the shaping of the sheet metal blank with a raised area Thickness, the sheet metal blank is in a desired shape curved by bending the sheet metal blank along the length dimension so that the two short edges meet. By the two short edges together by means of a vertical weld be welded, the shape of the tower segment is fixed. Usually becomes the tower segment with a circular cross-section However, there are also other shapes, such as an oval cross-section, conceivable. Furthermore, the tower section may have a cylindrical shape In this case, the sheet metal blank becomes strictly rectangular shaped or at least so that the long edges as well as the short edges are arranged parallel to each other, or to a Truncated cone, the short edges in this case are not parallel are arranged to each other. Bending the sheet metal blank into the desired shape may preferably be performed by cold rolling become.

The opening in the raised material area may optionally in the sheet steel blank are carried out before this is formed into the tube shape, or after bending the sheet metal blank in the tube shape. The cutting of the opening can be on many various types are performed, such as flame cutting, Laser cutting or water jet cutting.

Of the If necessary, the region of increased thickness can be carried out in this way be that thickening on the outside, on the inside or on both sides of the wall of the completed tower section is arranged. In general, it is preferred that the thickening is arranged inside, in which case the outer surface of the tower segment flush with the outer surfaces the adjacent tower segments can be formed.

Of the Area with increased thickness of the tower can be used for an opening for a single door an angle sector from 40 to 80 ° cover, preferably between 50 to 70 °, and more preferably in about 60 ° of Circumference of the tower segment. In terms of sheet metal cutting can the area of increased thickness 10 to 20%, preferably 12 to 18%, and more preferably about 15% of the total Length of the sheet metal blank amount. The tower, however, can have more than one opening in the jacket or jacket wall. For example, in addition to a door opening to staff to grant access to the inside of the tower, the tower also has openings include, for example, leadthroughs or the like. In these cases it is beneficial to have the openings position next to each other and the area with elevated Thickness can under these circumstances be an angular sector of up to 90 ° or even 180 °. Preferably adjoins the area with increased thickness on each side a transition zone with a gradually changing Thickness, allowing a smooth transition between the area with increased thickness and the areas of the wall with one normal material thickness is achieved. This transition area can be a gradually changing thickness of 1: 3 to 1: 5 or 1: 4 in terms of thickness in relation to the length in the circumferential direction of the tower segment. The surface However, the transition zone does not have to be flat, but instead For example, it could also be curved convexly or concavely be. A transition zone may be on each lateral as well on the upper and lower sides for a smooth transition be arranged, as well as the wall thicknesses of an upper tower segment and a lower attachment base.

through a sheet metal blank is in a tower segment according to the Invention possible, the arrangement of a gain in the area around an opening or a door in to simplify a tower segment in comparison with the prior art. The Reinforcement becomes at the same time as the shaping of the sheet metal blank provided, resulting in the effect that no additional manufacturing steps are performed have to be in order to achieve the reinforcement. The only requirement is a more advanced shaping of the sheet metal blank, for example by hot rolling. Such a form, however, lies in the Range of possibilities of the state of the art.

Even though the invention hereinafter with respect to a arranged on the mainland Wind turbine described and explained should be clear be that the invention equally on wind turbines can be applied off the coast.

Other Objects, features and advantages of the present invention from the following detailed disclosure, from the accompanying claims as well as from the drawings clearly.

In general, the terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their original meaning in the technical field, unless it is expressly defined differently here. All references to "one / the / the / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.] are to be interpreted openly to refer to at least one example of the element, device, component, means who refer to level etc. unless explicitly stated otherwise ben. The steps of each method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

Of the above, as well as additional items, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following explanatory and non-limiting Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached Drawings clearly, wherein the same reference numerals for same elements are used, wherein:

1 diagrammatically depicting a offshore wind turbine in a front view;

2 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of a tower segment according to the invention;

3 Diagrammatically a view of a sheet metal blank for forming a tower segment according to 2 from above represents; and

4 diagrammatically an alternative embodiment of a sheet metal blank according to 3 represents.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

First, reference is made 1 taken, with a arranged on the mainland wind turbine is shown in a front view. In this case, a tower of the wind turbine is on a foundation 1 arranged, which a distance under the terrain surface surface 2 is arranged. Above the terrain surface, the wind turbine includes a lower tower section 3 , an upper tower section 4 , a machine house 5 and rotor blades 6 , wherein the lower tower section 3 with a mounting base 7 connected to the foundation 1 is attached.

Each tower section 3 . 4 is a tube which is made with steel perimeter walls and which consists of several tube tower segments which are welded together end to end. Both of these are also slightly frustoconical, the lower tower section 3 conical than the upper tower section 4 is.

A short distance above the terrain surface 2 is the tower with a tower opening 8th provided by the shell wall to allow access to the inside of the tower. Inside, the tower is provided with ladders, not shown, with which it is possible to use the nacelle 5 to reach at the top to perform maintenance and repairs of equipment.

Below is on the 2 to 4 taken in combination. In 2 is a lower tower segment 9 of the lower tower section 3 shown the door opening 8th contains. To reinforce the tower segment and the weakening caused by the in the mantle wall 10 Performed opening is caused to compensate, the tower segment is with a range 11 formed having an increased material thickness in the region around the opening. According to the invention, the range 11 of increased thickness integral with the remainder of the tower segment 9 formed in a unitary piece, that is, a single steel sheet is used for the entire segment. The tower segment becomes more precise from a steel sheet blank 12 made as in the view of the sheet metal blank in 3 from above, which is hot rolled in a rolling mill to a range 11 having increased thickness, which bulges on one side of the sheet blank to the outside. If the tower segment 9 is formed, the sheet metal blank 12 bent tubularly by cold rolling, as in 2 shown, and two short edges 13 . 13 ' of the sheet metal blank are welded together to form a vertical weld 14 to build. Two long edges 15 . 15 ' Form the end edges of the finished tower segment 9 which are to be welded to adjacent tower segments around the lower tower section 3 to build.

In the in 2 illustrated embodiment, the sheet metal blank is curved, so that the area 11 bulges outward with increased thickness. However, it should be clear that the sheet metal blank 12 can also be curved so that the area with increased thickness buckles inward. This can be advantageous since it is then possible to connect the adjacent tower segments to an upper and, if applicable, a lower edge of the tower segment 9 which with the opening 8th is provided to weld, so that the outer surfaces of the tower segments are flush with each other.

To provide a smooth transition between the areas of the sheet metal blank and the tower segment having a conventional thickness T1 and the area 11 to achieve with increased thickness, which has an increased thickness T2, is a transition zone 16 , with a gradually changing thickness on each side of the area 11 formed with increased thickness. In this way, an abrupt change in thickness is avoided, which could be a cause of voltage increase, which could lead to breakage during heavy load. Furthermore, a transition zone 17 with a gradually a Changing thickness on the top and the bottom of the range 11 formed with increased thickness, which at the two long edges 15 . 15 ' adjoin. This also allows a smooth transition to the wall thickness of an upper tower segment, not shown, and the lower mounting base 7 , The material thickness of the transition zones 16 and 17 Gradually, it changes from 1: 3 to 1: 5, or preferably 1: 4, in terms of the change in thickness relative to the length in the circumferential direction of the tower segment.

According to an alternative embodiment, which in 4 is shown, the area may be 11 arch with increased thickness both outwards and inwards. In this case, the transition zones 16 and 17 formed on both, the inner and outer surfaces of the tower segment. An advantage of such a design is that the transition zones 16 and 17 can be made shorter, with maintained inclination of the tower segment surface.

In the embodiments according to the 3 and 4 is the area 11 arranged with increased thickness in a central region, more precisely in the middle of each sheet steel blank 12 , It should be understood, however, that the region of increased thickness may also be asymmetrical with respect to the blank, for example next to one of the short edges 13 . 13 ' ,

The Invention has been mainly with reference to some Embodiments described. It is, however, of one Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments, as those disclosed above, equally within the scope of the invention are possible, as by the attached Claims defined.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 06/050723 [0004]
• US 2007/0148004 [0005]

Claims (17)

Tower segment ( 9 ) of the type having a tubular shape with a peripheral wall comprising an opening ( 8th ) in the peripheral wall ( 10 ) to allow access to the interior of the tower, the area around the opening being reinforced to compensate for the weakening caused by the opening, and the tower segment being formed from a sheet metal blank ( 12 ) which is designed as a unitary piece with an area ( 11 ) with an increased material thickness (T2) in the region around the opening ( 8th ) is shaped. Tower segment according to claim 1, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) in the interior of the tower segment ( 9 ) is arranged. Tower segment according to claim 1, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) on the outside of the tower segment (FIG. 9 ) is arranged. Tower segment according to claim 1, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) on the inside as well as on the outside of the tower segment (T2) 9 ) is arranged. Tower segment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) is an angular sector from between 40 to 80 ° of the circumference of the tower segment covers. Tower segment according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) is an angular sector from between 50 to 70 ° of the circumference of the tower segment covers. Tower segment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) is arranged in a central region of a sheet metal blank from which the tower segment (FIG. 9 ) is formed. A tower segment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) is at a short edge (Fig. 13 . 13 ' ) of a sheet metal blank ( 12 ) is arranged adjacent, from which the tower segment ( 9 ) is shaped. Tower segment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transition zone ( 16 . 17 ) is formed between the region of increased thickness (T2) and a region of egg ner conventional material thickness (T1) having a gradually varying thickness. Tower segment according to claim 9, wherein the material thickness of the transition zone ( 16 . 17 ) gradually from 1: 3 to 1: 5 with respect to the thickness in relation to the length in the circumferential direction of the tower segment ( 9 ) changed. Sheet metal cutting ( 12 ) for a tower segment ( 9 ) comprising two long edges ( 15 . 15 ' ) and two short edges ( 13 . 13 ' ), wherein the sheet metal blank having an increased material thickness (T2) is formed in a region which extends between the two long edges (T2). 15 . 15 ' ). Sheet metal blank according to claim 11, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) in a central region of the sheet metal blank ( 12 ) is arranged. Sheet metal blank according to claim 11, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) is attached to a short edge (FIG. 13 . 13 ' ) of the sheet metal blank ( 12 ) is arranged adjacent. Sheet metal blank according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) between 10% and 20% of the total length of the sheet metal blank ( 12 ). Sheet metal blank according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the region of increased thickness (T2) between 12% and 18% of the total length of the sheet metal blank ( 12 ). Sheet metal blank according to one of claims 11 to 15, wherein a transition zone ( 16 . 17 ) is formed between the region of increased thickness (T2) and a region of conventional material thickness (T1) having a gradually varying thickness. Sheet metal blank according to claim 16, wherein the material thickness of the transition zone ( 16 . 17 ) gradually changed from 1: 3 to 1: 5 with respect to the thickness in relation to the length in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal blank.