US20100058673A1 - Tubular-member flange coupling - Google Patents
Tubular-member flange coupling Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100058673A1 US20100058673A1 US12/312,145 US31214507A US2010058673A1 US 20100058673 A1 US20100058673 A1 US 20100058673A1 US 31214507 A US31214507 A US 31214507A US 2010058673 A1 US2010058673 A1 US 2010058673A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- tubular
- recess
- wind turbine
- flange coupling
- tubular member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
- E04H12/08—Structures made of specified materials of metal
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
- E04H12/08—Structures made of specified materials of metal
- E04H12/085—Details of flanges for tubular masts
Definitions
- the present invention relates to, for example, a tubular-member flange coupling for connecting (coupling or joining) tubular members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator.
- Patent Document 1 As a tubular-member flange coupling for connecting tubular members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known.
- Patent Document 1
- the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tubular-member flange coupling capable of shortening the production process and reducing the manufacturing costs.
- the present invention employs the following solutions.
- a tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention is a tubular-member flange coupling in which a top or bottom end of a circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a tubular member to couple the tubular members to each other.
- a recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided around a circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to the tubular member, at a position radially inward of a surface to be mated to the tubular member.
- the tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention only requires machining of the recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section, which is relatively easily machinable, in the surface to be connected to the tubular member. Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member, as in the conventional case, the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- the deformation (distortion) of the mating surface can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation of the mating surface can be made unnecessary.
- the production process can be further shortened and the manufacturing costs can be further reduced.
- the radius of curvature of a radially inward bottom surface of the recess be formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature of a radially outward bottom surface of the recess.
- P.C.D. pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of bolt holes (bolt-hole pitch circle)
- P.C.D. pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of bolt holes (bolt-hole pitch circle)
- a wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present invention includes a flange coupling capable of shortening the production process and reducing the manufacturing costs.
- the wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present invention can shorten the production process of the entire wind turbine for wind turbine generator and can reduce the manufacturing costs.
- the present invention provides advantages in that the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator having flange couplings according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIGS. 2 to 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- flange coupling A ring-shaped-member flange coupling (hereinafter, “flange coupling”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator having flange couplings according to this embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part in FIG. 1 .
- the wind turbine for wind turbine generator 1 includes a support tower (also referred to as “tower”) 2 installed upright on a foundation B, a nacelle 3 mounted on the top of the support tower 2 , and a rotor head 4 mounted to the nacelle 3 so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
- a support tower also referred to as “tower”
- nacelle 3 mounted on the top of the support tower 2
- a rotor head 4 mounted to the nacelle 3 so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.
- a plurality of (for example, three) wind turbine rotor blades 5 are radially attached around the rotation axis of the rotor head 4 .
- the force of the wind blowing in the rotation axis direction of the rotor head 4 against the wind turbine rotor blades 5 is converted into motive power for rotating the rotor head 4 about the rotation axis.
- the support tower 2 has a structure in which a plurality of (for example, three) units 6 (refer to FIG. 2 ) are joined in the vertical direction.
- Each unit 6 has a tubular member 7 (refer to FIG. 2 ) and a flange coupling 8 (refer to FIG. 2 ).
- the tubular member 7 consists of a plurality of cylindrical segments (not shown) each having a cylindrical shape assembled together by fixing their ends by welding, or, consists of a plurality of circular-truncated-cone segments (not shown) each having a circular-truncated-cone shape with a diameter gradually decreasing upward, assembled by fixing their ends by welding, as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the nacelle 3 is mounted on the top unit 6 of the units 6 constituting the support tower 2 and has a nacelle base plate (not shown) attached to the top end of the support tower 2 and a cover 9 for covering the nacelle base plate from above.
- the flange couplings 8 are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which a plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction.
- top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 8 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via a weld seam 11 located radially inward and a weld seam 12 located radially outward.
- Reference numerals 13 , 14 , and 15 in FIG. 2 respectively denote a bolt, a nut, and a washer that connect (couple or join) the flange couplings 8 to each other.
- a recess (groove) 16 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 8 to be connected to the tubular member 7 .
- the outer circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of the tubular member 7 . That is, the outer circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 8 .
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of the washer 15 for connecting the flange couplings 8 to each other. That is, the inner circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of the washer 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 8 .
- the flange coupling 8 only requires machining of the recess 16 having a ring shape in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section, which is relatively easily machinable, in the surface to be connected to the machine tubular member 7 . Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member, as in the conventional case, the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- the thickness can be kept at substantially the original thickness.
- the deformation (distortion) of the mating surface 8 a can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation of the mating surface 8 a can be made unnecessary.
- the production process can be further shortened and the manufacturing costs can be further reduced.
- the internal force coefficient of the bolt 13 can be lowered.
- a bolt with superior strength can be achieved.
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to this embodiment, similar to FIG. 2 .
- Flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment differ from those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has a recess 21 instead of the recess 16 . Because other components are the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an explanation of such components will be omitted.
- the flange couplings 20 are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction.
- top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 20 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via the weld seam 11 located radially inward and the weld seam 12 located radially outward.
- a recess (groove) 21 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 20 to be connected to the tubular member 7 .
- the outer circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of the tubular member 7 . That is, the outer circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 20 .
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed so as to be located radially outward (the left side in FIG. 3 ) of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 16 according to the above-described embodiment, i.e., formed such that the radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the radially outward bottom surface of the recess 21 , and so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of the washer 15 for connecting the flange couplings 20 to each other.
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of the washer 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 20 .
- a large P.C.D. pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of the bolt holes 10 (bolt-hole pitch circle)
- P.C.D. pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of the bolt holes 10 (bolt-hole pitch circle)
- the radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 is set to be smaller than the radius of curvature of the radially outward bottom surface of the recess 21 .
- the stress is concentrated on the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 .
- higher compressive force fastening force or clamping force
- the stress concentration on the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 is balanced out (covered) by the apparently improved fatigue strength.
- generation of cracks in the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 can be prevented.
- FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- Flange couplings 30 according to this embodiment differ from those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has a recess 31 instead of the recesses 16 and 21 . Because other components are the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an explanation of such components will be omitted.
- the flange couplings 30 are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction.
- top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 30 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via the weld seam 11 located radially inward and the weld seam 12 located radially outward.
- a recess (groove) 31 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 30 to be connected to the tubular member 7 .
- the outer circumferential edge of the recess 31 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of the tubular member 7 . That is, the outer circumferential edge of the recess 31 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange coupling 30 .
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 at the opening end is formed so as to be located radially outward of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 16 (the left side in FIG. 4 ) and so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of the washer 15 for connecting the flange couplings 30 to each other.
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 located at the opening end is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of the washer 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 30 .
- the inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 at a deep part (on the bottom surface side) is, similarly to the inner circumferential edge at a deep part (on the bottom surface side) of the recess 16 , formed so as to be located radially inward of the inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 at the opening end.
- the whole production process of the wind turbine for wind turbine generator 1 can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- the reliability of the support tower 2 can be improved and the reliability of the whole wind turbine for wind turbine generator 1 can be improved.
- the recesses 16 , 21 , and 31 that are formed in the upper surface of the flange coupling 30 (that open upward) be filled with silicon, grease or the like.
- the shape of the side surface of the flange couplings of the present invention is not limited to a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , but may be a circular-truncated-cone shape as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the recesses 16 shown in FIG. 5 may each be a recess 16 a having a cross-section as shown in FIG. 6 , i.e., an inclined U shape that is cut along (so as to be parallel with) the side surface of the flange coupling 8 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
- Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)
- Flanged Joints, Insulating Joints, And Other Joints (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
Abstract
The production process is shortened and the manufacturing costs are reduced. The present invention is a tubular-member flange coupling (8) in which a top or bottom end of a circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a tubular member (7) to couple the tubular members (7) to each other. A recess (16) having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided around a circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to the tubular member (7) at a position radially inward of a surface to be mated to the tubular member (7).
Description
- The present invention relates to, for example, a tubular-member flange coupling for connecting (coupling or joining) tubular members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator.
- As a tubular-member flange coupling for connecting tubular members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator, for example, one disclosed in
Patent Document 1 is known. - Patent Document 1:
- Japanese Translation of PCT International Application, Publication No. 2004-525293
- However, in the tubular-member flange coupling disclosed in
Patent Document 1, a tubular portion to be connected (coupled or joined) to the bottom or top end of a tubular member via a weld seam is produced by cutting. Therefore, there are problems in that the production process is prolonged and the manufacturing costs increase. - The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tubular-member flange coupling capable of shortening the production process and reducing the manufacturing costs.
- To solve the above-described problem, the present invention employs the following solutions.
- A tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention is a tubular-member flange coupling in which a top or bottom end of a circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a tubular member to couple the tubular members to each other. A recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided around a circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to the tubular member, at a position radially inward of a surface to be mated to the tubular member.
- The tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention only requires machining of the recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section, which is relatively easily machinable, in the surface to be connected to the tubular member. Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member, as in the conventional case, the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
- Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member to reduce the thickness, as in the conventional case, the original thickness can be effectively maintained.
- This prevents the heat during welding of the tubular member and the flange coupling (welding heat) from being transmitted to a mating surface (contact surface) of the flange coupling, whereby deformation (distortion) of the mating surface can be prevented.
- Moreover, because the deformation (distortion) of the mating surface can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation of the mating surface can be made unnecessary. Thus, the production process can be further shortened and the manufacturing costs can be further reduced.
- In the above-described tubular-member flange coupling, it is more preferable that the radius of curvature of a radially inward bottom surface of the recess be formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature of a radially outward bottom surface of the recess.
- With such a tubular-member flange coupling, a large P.C.D. (pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of bolt holes (bolt-hole pitch circle)) can be provided. Thus, separation of the circumferential portions of the flange couplings can be prevented, and the mating surfaces (contact surfaces) of the
flange couplings 8 can be kept in closer contact with each other. - A wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present invention includes a flange coupling capable of shortening the production process and reducing the manufacturing costs.
- The wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present invention can shorten the production process of the entire wind turbine for wind turbine generator and can reduce the manufacturing costs.
- The present invention provides advantages in that the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator having flange couplings according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar toFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar toFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar toFIGS. 2 to 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention. -
- 1: wind turbine for wind turbine generator
- 7: tubular member
- 8: flange coupling
- 16: recess
- 16 a: recess
- 20: flange coupling
- 21: recess
- 30: flange coupling
- 31: recess
- A ring-shaped-member flange coupling (hereinafter, “flange coupling”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2 . -
FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine generator having flange couplings according to this embodiment, andFIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part inFIG. 1 . - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the wind turbine forwind turbine generator 1 includes a support tower (also referred to as “tower”) 2 installed upright on a foundation B, anacelle 3 mounted on the top of thesupport tower 2, and arotor head 4 mounted to thenacelle 3 so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. - A plurality of (for example, three) wind
turbine rotor blades 5 are radially attached around the rotation axis of therotor head 4. Thus, the force of the wind blowing in the rotation axis direction of therotor head 4 against the windturbine rotor blades 5 is converted into motive power for rotating therotor head 4 about the rotation axis. - The
support tower 2 has a structure in which a plurality of (for example, three) units 6 (refer toFIG. 2 ) are joined in the vertical direction. Eachunit 6 has a tubular member 7 (refer toFIG. 2 ) and a flange coupling 8 (refer toFIG. 2 ). Thetubular member 7 consists of a plurality of cylindrical segments (not shown) each having a cylindrical shape assembled together by fixing their ends by welding, or, consists of a plurality of circular-truncated-cone segments (not shown) each having a circular-truncated-cone shape with a diameter gradually decreasing upward, assembled by fixing their ends by welding, as shown inFIG. 2 . - The
nacelle 3 is mounted on thetop unit 6 of theunits 6 constituting thesupport tower 2 and has a nacelle base plate (not shown) attached to the top end of thesupport tower 2 and acover 9 for covering the nacelle base plate from above. - The
flange couplings 8 according to this embodiment are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which a plurality ofbolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction inFIG. 2 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction. - The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 8 and the bottom or top end of thetubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via aweld seam 11 located radially inward and aweld seam 12 located radially outward. -
Reference numerals FIG. 2 respectively denote a bolt, a nut, and a washer that connect (couple or join) theflange couplings 8 to each other. - Furthermore, a recess (groove) 16 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the
flange coupling 8 to be connected to thetubular member 7. - The outer circumferential edge of the
recess 16 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of thetubular member 7. That is, the outer circumferential edge of therecess 16 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of thetubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of theflange coupling 8. - On the other hand, the inner circumferential edge of the
recess 16 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of thewasher 15 for connecting theflange couplings 8 to each other. That is, the inner circumferential edge of therecess 16 is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of thewasher 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of theflange coupling 8. - The
flange coupling 8 according to this embodiment only requires machining of therecess 16 having a ring shape in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section, which is relatively easily machinable, in the surface to be connected to the machinetubular member 7. Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member, as in the conventional case, the production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. - Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member to reduce the thickness, as in the conventional case, the thickness can be kept at substantially the original thickness.
- This prevents the heat (welding heat) for welding the
tubular member 7 and theflange coupling 8 from being transmitted to a mating surface (contact surface) 8 a of theflange coupling 8, whereby deformation (distortion) of themating surface 8 a can be prevented. - Moreover, because the deformation (distortion) of the
mating surface 8 a can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation of themating surface 8 a can be made unnecessary. Thus, the production process can be further shortened and the manufacturing costs can be further reduced. - In addition, because the original thickness can be effectively maintained, the internal force coefficient of the
bolt 13 can be lowered. Thus, a bolt with superior strength can be achieved. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. -
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to this embodiment, similar toFIG. 2 . -
Flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment differ from those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has arecess 21 instead of therecess 16. Because other components are the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an explanation of such components will be omitted. - The same members as those according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- The
flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction inFIG. 3 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction. - The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 20 and the bottom or top end of thetubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via theweld seam 11 located radially inward and theweld seam 12 located radially outward. - Furthermore, a recess (groove) 21 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the
flange coupling 20 to be connected to thetubular member 7. - The outer circumferential edge of the
recess 21 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of thetubular member 7. That is, the outer circumferential edge of therecess 21 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of thetubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of theflange coupling 20. - On the other hand, the inner circumferential edge of the
recess 21 is formed so as to be located radially outward (the left side inFIG. 3 ) of the inner circumferential surface of therecess 16 according to the above-described embodiment, i.e., formed such that the radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the radially outward bottom surface of therecess 21, and so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of thewasher 15 for connecting theflange couplings 20 to each other. The inner circumferential edge of therecess 21 is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of thewasher 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of theflange coupling 20. - With the
flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment, a large P.C.D. (pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by connecting the centers of the bolt holes 10 (bolt-hole pitch circle)) can be provided. Thus, the separation of theflange couplings 8 at the circumferential portion can be prevented, and the mating surfaces (contact surfaces) 8 a of theflange couplings 8 can be kept in closer contact with each other. - The radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom surface of the
recess 21 is set to be smaller than the radius of curvature of the radially outward bottom surface of therecess 21. Thus, the stress is concentrated on the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21. However, higher compressive force (fastening force or clamping force) is exerted on the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21 than on the radially outward bottom surface of therecess 21, which increases the apparent fatigue strength of the material of the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21. The stress concentration on the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21 is balanced out (covered) by the apparently improved fatigue strength. Thus, generation of cracks in the radially inward bottom surface of therecess 21 can be prevented. - Because other advantages are the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an explanation thereof will be omitted.
- Referring to
FIG. 4 , flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. -
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present invention, similar toFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
Flange couplings 30 according to this embodiment differ from those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has arecess 31 instead of therecesses - The same members as those according to the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
- The
flange couplings 30 according to this embodiment are each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the thickness direction (vertical direction inFIG. 4 ) are provided (formed) around the circumferential direction. - The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 30 and the bottom or top end of thetubular member 7 are connected (coupled or joined) via theweld seam 11 located radially inward and theweld seam 12 located radially outward. - Furthermore, a recess (groove) 31 having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential direction in the upper or lower surface of the
flange coupling 30 to be connected to thetubular member 7. - The outer circumferential edge of the
recess 31 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner circumferential surface of thetubular member 7. That is, the outer circumferential edge of therecess 31 is formed (provided) so as to provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface) having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a width that is substantially the same as the thickness of thetubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of theflange coupling 30. - On the other hand, similarly to the inner circumferential edge of the
recess 21, the inner circumferential edge of therecess 31 at the opening end (on thetubular member 7 side) is formed so as to be located radially outward of the inner circumferential surface of the recess 16 (the left side inFIG. 4 ) and so as to be located approximately just beneath or above the outer circumferential surface of thewasher 15 for connecting theflange couplings 30 to each other. The inner circumferential edge of therecess 31 located at the opening end is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface of thewasher 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of theflange coupling 30. The inner circumferential edge of therecess 31 at a deep part (on the bottom surface side) is, similarly to the inner circumferential edge at a deep part (on the bottom surface side) of therecess 16, formed so as to be located radially inward of the inner circumferential edge of therecess 31 at the opening end. - Because the advantages of the
flange coupling 30 according to this embodiment are the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an explanation thereof will be omitted. - With the wind turbine for
wind turbine generator 1 including theflange couplings wind turbine generator 1 can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced. - Furthermore, with the wind turbine for
wind turbine generator 1 including theflange couplings flange couplings 8 at the circumferential portion and can keep the mating surfaces (contact surfaces) 8 a of theflange couplings 8 in closer contact with each other, the reliability of thesupport tower 2 can be improved and the reliability of the whole wind turbine forwind turbine generator 1 can be improved. - In the above-described embodiment, it is more preferable that the
recesses - This can prevent water droplets running down the inner wall surface of the
tubular member 7 from being collected in therecess recess - The shape of the side surface of the flange couplings of the present invention is not limited to a cylindrical shape as shown in
FIGS. 2 to 4 , but may be a circular-truncated-cone shape as shown inFIG. 5 . - This enables the side surfaces of the flange couplings and the side surfaces of the
tubular members 7 to be substantially flush with each other. Thus, irregularities on the entire surface of thesupport tower 2 can be reduced and the appearance of thesupport tower 2 and the whole wind turbine forwind turbine generator 1 can be improved. - Furthermore, the
recesses 16 shown inFIG. 5 may each be arecess 16 a having a cross-section as shown inFIG. 6 , i.e., an inclined U shape that is cut along (so as to be parallel with) the side surface of theflange coupling 8. - Because the advantages provided by this configuration are the same as those according to the embodiment explained with reference to
FIG. 2 , an explanation thereof will be omitted.
Claims (4)
1. A tubular-member flange coupling in which a top or bottom end of a circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a tubular member to couple the tubular members to each other,
wherein a recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided around a circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to the tubular member, at a position radially inward of a surface to be mated to the tubular member.
2. The tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 1 ,
wherein the radius of curvature of a radially inward bottom surface of the recess is formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature of a radially outward bottom surface of the recess.
3. A wind turbine for wind turbine generator comprising the tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 1 .
4. A wind turbine for wind turbine generator comprising the tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 2 .
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2007/067015 WO2009028092A1 (en) | 2007-08-31 | 2007-08-31 | Flange joint for tubular member |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100058673A1 true US20100058673A1 (en) | 2010-03-11 |
Family
ID=40386836
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/312,145 Abandoned US20100058673A1 (en) | 2007-08-31 | 2007-08-31 | Tubular-member flange coupling |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100058673A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2194214A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5022440B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101134959B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101542056B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2007358358B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2668177C (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009005193A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009028092A1 (en) |
Cited By (12)
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US20080308696A1 (en) * | 2005-11-24 | 2008-12-18 | Jonas Kristensen | Wind turbine tower, connection means for assembling a wind turbine tower and methods thereof |
US20100307097A1 (en) * | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | Word Iii Thomas Nott | Structural flange connection system and method |
US20110131898A1 (en) * | 2010-04-29 | 2011-06-09 | Jacob Johannes Nies | Flange connection |
US20110154757A1 (en) * | 2008-05-02 | 2011-06-30 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Tower section for a wind turbine tower |
US20140000180A1 (en) * | 2011-03-23 | 2014-01-02 | Northcone Ab | Yielding Post of Thin Sheet Metal and Method of Arranging Street Lighting |
CN104019003A (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2014-09-03 | 国电联合动力技术有限公司 | Flanged connection structure and anti-thunder segmented combined tower comprising same |
EP2889474A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flange connection for direct driven wind turbine |
US9091098B2 (en) * | 2010-07-13 | 2015-07-28 | Andresen Towers A/S | Method of assembling a tubular building structure by using screw sockets |
EP2937556A1 (en) * | 2014-04-25 | 2015-10-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flange of a wind turbine |
US20160017868A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2016-01-21 | James D. Lockwood | Precast concrete post tensioned segmented wind turbine tower |
US10113327B2 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2018-10-30 | Lafarge | Section of concrete |
US11332952B2 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2022-05-17 | Eno Energy Systems Gmbh | Subsection of a tower section, a tower and a method for manufacturing a subsection of a tower section |
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US8087898B2 (en) * | 2009-12-15 | 2012-01-03 | General Electric Company | Stress relief flange and method for distributing stress for wind turbine components |
DE102010020443A1 (en) * | 2010-05-12 | 2011-11-17 | Timber Tower Gmbh | Tower for a wind turbine and method for erecting a tower for a wind turbine |
JP2013534583A (en) * | 2010-05-25 | 2013-09-05 | シーメンス アクチエンゲゼルシヤフト | Jacket structure for offshore buildings |
ES2615232T3 (en) * | 2011-03-25 | 2017-06-06 | Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation | Welded steel tube with flange disc |
EP2775141B1 (en) * | 2011-11-04 | 2017-05-31 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Tower-internal-equipment bracket structure and wind turbine generator |
KR101685854B1 (en) * | 2015-12-03 | 2016-12-12 | 두산중공업 주식회사 | Retrofit structure of wind plant and method for installing the same |
JP7305384B2 (en) * | 2019-03-18 | 2023-07-10 | 出光興産株式会社 | Large pipe flange with different diameter |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US8225576B2 (en) * | 2005-11-24 | 2012-07-24 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Wind turbine tower, connection means for assembling a wind turbine tower and methods thereof |
US20080308696A1 (en) * | 2005-11-24 | 2008-12-18 | Jonas Kristensen | Wind turbine tower, connection means for assembling a wind turbine tower and methods thereof |
US20110154757A1 (en) * | 2008-05-02 | 2011-06-30 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Tower section for a wind turbine tower |
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US20140000180A1 (en) * | 2011-03-23 | 2014-01-02 | Northcone Ab | Yielding Post of Thin Sheet Metal and Method of Arranging Street Lighting |
US20160017868A1 (en) * | 2012-08-03 | 2016-01-21 | James D. Lockwood | Precast concrete post tensioned segmented wind turbine tower |
EP2889474A1 (en) * | 2013-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flange connection for direct driven wind turbine |
EP2937556A1 (en) * | 2014-04-25 | 2015-10-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flange of a wind turbine |
US9255395B2 (en) * | 2014-04-25 | 2016-02-09 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flange of a wind turbine |
CN104019003A (en) * | 2014-06-04 | 2014-09-03 | 国电联合动力技术有限公司 | Flanged connection structure and anti-thunder segmented combined tower comprising same |
US10113327B2 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2018-10-30 | Lafarge | Section of concrete |
US11332952B2 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2022-05-17 | Eno Energy Systems Gmbh | Subsection of a tower section, a tower and a method for manufacturing a subsection of a tower section |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2194214A4 (en) | 2011-03-23 |
CA2668177A1 (en) | 2009-03-05 |
CA2668177C (en) | 2012-10-23 |
EP2194214A1 (en) | 2010-06-09 |
KR20090086996A (en) | 2009-08-14 |
JPWO2009028092A1 (en) | 2010-11-25 |
AU2007358358A1 (en) | 2009-03-05 |
KR101134959B1 (en) | 2012-04-09 |
WO2009028092A1 (en) | 2009-03-05 |
AU2007358358B2 (en) | 2011-11-17 |
CN101542056B (en) | 2012-12-12 |
JP5022440B2 (en) | 2012-09-12 |
CN101542056A (en) | 2009-09-23 |
MX2009005193A (en) | 2009-05-25 |
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