US20110138730A1 - Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine - Google Patents
Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110138730A1 US20110138730A1 US12/869,956 US86995610A US2011138730A1 US 20110138730 A1 US20110138730 A1 US 20110138730A1 US 86995610 A US86995610 A US 86995610A US 2011138730 A1 US2011138730 A1 US 2011138730A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wind turbine
- segment
- turbine tower
- tower segment
- longitudinal axis
- 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
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 14
- 241000251131 Sphyrna Species 0.000 description 10
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000013598 vector Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003653 coastal water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011440 grout Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009528 severe injury Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
- E02B17/0004—Nodal points
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
- F03D13/10—Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03D—WIND MOTORS
- F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
- F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
- F03D13/25—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors specially adapted for offshore installation
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
- E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2230/00—Manufacture
- F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
- F05B2230/604—Assembly methods using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins
- F05B2230/608—Assembly methods using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins for adjusting the position or the alignment, e.g. wedges or excenters
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
- F05B2240/912—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure on a tower
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the subject matter described herein relates generally to methods and systems for wind energy systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems of off-shore wind turbines. Specifically, the subject matter described relates to a wind turbine tower segment, in particular for use in off-shore wind turbines, an off-shore wind turbine, an adaptor for use during off-shore wind turbine construction, and a method for erecting an off-shore wind turbine.
- Off-shore wind turbine construction requires weather windows in which the weather conditions allow assembly of the wind turbines at sea.
- the wave height and the resulting motion of the boats and ships present is an important factor for the set-up and erection of off-shore wind turbines. It is generally aimed at reducing the set-up time to a minimum in order to fully utilize the weather windows by performing as many construction steps as possible in said weather windows.
- the segment which is rammed into the sea bed sometimes encounters heavy barriers such as large rocks or the like or other obstacles embedded in the sea bed. Subjecting the tower segment to repeated striking by the hammer in the presence of such obstacles induces large loads on the segment. Hence, damage to the lower segment occurs regularly. Further, due to obstacles in the ground, in many cases it is not possible to keep the segment perfectly aligned in the vertical direction. This situation can be compared to a nail in wood, the alignment of which can rarely be corrected once the nail is not perfectly aligned from the very beginning.
- Constructional problems related to on-shore wind turbines may have similar effects.
- the foundation provided may not have a perfect horizontal alignment, e.g., because the foundation has unilaterally dropped after completion of the foundation.
- grouted joints are attached to the respective segment or the foundation with the surface being perfectly horizontal. These grouted joints can also be adapted to a surface that has been damaged by the hammerhead when submerging the segment into the sea bed. This is an additional step that needs to be performed and the grout needs time to cure. During curing time, the set-up has to be stopped which delays the set-up and increases the set-up costs significantly.
- a wind turbine tower segment for wind turbines includes a wind turbine tower segment body with a longitudinal axis; and a first and a second end. The surface of at least one of said first and said second end is non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
- a wind turbine in another aspect, includes at least one wind turbine tower segment as described herein.
- a method for erecting a wind turbine includes providing a first wind turbine tower segment with a longitudinal axis, and providing a second wind turbine tower segment with a longitudinal axis.
- the second wind turbine tower segment has a first and a second end. The surface of at least one of the first and second end is non-perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine tower segment.
- the method further includes mounting the second wind turbine tower segment to the first wind turbine tower segment.
- an adaptor which is configured to be placed on a wind turbine segment.
- the adaptor is capable of receiving strikes, such as from a hammerhead, and of transmitting the force of the strikes to the segment.
- a method for fixation of a tower segment in the sea bed includes providing the segment, providing an adaptor on the upper end of the segment, and striking the adaptor with a hammerhead.
- the embodiments disclosed herein are particularly used in off-shore wind turbines.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two wind turbine tower segments with at least one segment according to embodiments described herein.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two wind turbine tower segments with at least one segment according to embodiments described herein.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of three wind turbine tower segments with at least two segments according to embodiments described herein.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a wind turbine tower segment according to embodiments.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a wind turbine tower segment according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic drawing of a wind turbine tower segment according to embodiments.
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments.
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adaptor according to embodiments described herein attached to a wind turbine segment.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-pile off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments.
- the embodiments described herein include a wind turbine system, particularly for off-shore use, that compensates for base segments that are not perfectly vertically oriented. More specifically, this compensation allows the erection of the wind turbine to continue without delay. In addition, according to embodiments, damage to the surface of the base segment are avoided.
- the term “wind turbine” is intended to be representative of any device that generates rotational energy from wind energy, and more specifically, converts kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy.
- the synonymously used terms “tower segment” and “segment” are intended to be representative of any constructive part of a wind turbine tower for supporting the nacelle.
- a plurality of segments is provided one atop of the other thereby forming the wind turbine tower.
- the plurality may include two, three, four, or even more tower segments.
- the segments are cylindrical in shape. According to other embodiments, the exact shape of the segment might differ from a perfect cylinder.
- a segment has a longitudinal axis (or also referred to as “axis” herein) along its larger extension.
- the longitudinal axis In a perfect turbine tower set-up, the longitudinal axis is typically aligned in the vertical direction.
- the segment has also a radial direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
- the term “off-shore wind turbine” is intended to be representative for any wind turbine that is positioned in salt or fresh water. Consequently, the term “sea bed” shall be understood as also embracing the ground of a lake, for instance, in those cases where the wind turbine is installed in a lake.
- At least one end of a segment is inclined.
- the inclined end may be the upper end, the lower end, or both the upper and lower end.
- the “end” of a segment is intended to refer to the virtual plane that is formed by the end of the segment in the longitudinal direction.
- a segment end is shaped by the end of a circular tube.
- a flange is positioned on the end.
- the indication of “upper” and “lower” is intended to refer to the segment's orientation once it forms part of the turbine tower.
- an “inclined end” of a segment is intended to be representative for any segment having an end where the surface of said end is non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the segment.
- the respective segment end is misaligned with the horizontal. In other words, the end is inclined (to the horizontal).
- the terms “horizontal” and “vertical”, respectively, as used herein are generally understood as “perpendicular to the gravitational force” and “parallel to the gravitational force”, respectively.
- the term “flange” as used herein is intended to be representative for any kind of rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object, such as another segment. Typically, a flange is positioned at a segment's end.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine 10 .
- wind turbine 10 is a horizontal-axis wind turbine.
- wind turbine 10 may be a vertical-axis wind turbine.
- wind turbine 10 includes a tower 12 , a nacelle 16 mounted on tower 12 , and a rotor 18 that is coupled to nacelle 16 .
- Rotor 18 includes a rotatable hub 20 and at least one rotor blade 22 coupled to and extending outward from hub 20 .
- rotor 18 has three rotor blades 22 .
- rotor 18 includes more or less than three rotor blades 22 .
- tower 12 is fabricated from tubular steel to define a cavity (not shown in FIG. 1 ) between support system 14 and nacelle 16 .
- tower 12 is any suitable type of tower having any suitable height.
- Rotor blades 22 are spaced about hub 20 to facilitate rotating rotor 18 to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy.
- Rotor blades 22 are mated to hub 20 by coupling a blade root portion 24 to hub 20 at a plurality of load transfer regions 26 .
- the load transfer regions 26 have a hub load transfer region and a blade load transfer region (both not shown in FIG. 1 ). Loads induced to rotor blades 22 are transferred to hub 20 via load transfer regions 26 .
- rotor blades 22 have a length ranging from approximately 15 meters (m) to approximately 91 m.
- rotor blades 22 may have any suitable length that enables wind turbine 10 to function as described herein.
- other non-limiting examples of blade lengths include 10 m or less, 20 m, 37 m, or a length that is greater than 91 m.
- rotor 18 is rotated about an axis of rotation 30 .
- rotor blades 22 are also subjected to various forces and moments. As such, rotor blades 22 may deflect and/or rotate from a neutral, or non-deflected, position to a deflected position.
- a pitch angle or blade pitch of rotor blades 22 may be changed by a pitch adjustment system 32 to control the load and power generated by wind turbine 10 by adjusting the angular position of at least one rotor blade 22 relative to the wind vectors.
- Pitch axes 34 for rotor blades 22 are shown.
- pitch adjustment system 32 may change a blade pitch of rotor blades 22 such that rotor blades 22 are moved to a feathered position, such that the perspective of at least one rotor blade 22 relative to the wind vectors provides a minimal surface area of rotor blade 22 to be oriented towards the wind vectors, which facilitates reducing a rotational speed of rotor 18 and/or facilitates a stall of rotor 18 .
- the blade pitch of each rotor blade 22 is controlled individually by a control system 36 .
- the blade pitch for all rotor blades 22 may be controlled simultaneously by control system 36 .
- a yaw direction of nacelle 16 may be controlled about a yaw axis 38 to position rotor blades 22 with respect to direction 28 .
- FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a first wind turbine segment 101 with a body 1 is shown on top of a second wind turbine segment 102 with a body 2 .
- the first wind turbine segment may be the lowest tower segment being partly positioned in the sea 110 .
- the first wind turbine segment is submerged, i.e., rammed into the sea bed 300 when the wind turbine is erected.
- the tower segments as described herein are typically hollow tubes that may be comprised of a metal such as steel, or comprised of a synthetic material such as fiber composites (e.g., glass fiber or carbon fiber).
- FIG. 2 illustrates the longitudinal axis 121 of the first segment 101 , and the longitudinal axis 122 of the second segment 102 .
- the vertical is illustrated by dotted line 120 .
- the vertical 120 coincides with the longitudinal axis 122 of the second segment 102 .
- the second segment is vertically aligned.
- the second segment has a non-inclined upper segment end 142 .
- Further tower segments (not shown in this Figure) can be mounted thereon, such as by fixing their flange to the upper flange 162 of the second tower segment 102 .
- Further tower segments typically have non-inclined segment ends.
- both ends of the first tower segment 101 are non-inclined.
- the fixation of the first tower segment in the sea bed functions as intended, the first segment is vertically aligned so that the upper segment 141 of the first segment 101 is horizontally aligned.
- the submerging of the tower segment into the sea bed results in a non-vertical alignment of the first tower segment, there is a resulting deviation angle of the segment (i.e. its longitudinal axis) to the vertical.
- there is an identical deviation angle between the upper segment end 141 and the horizontal (only in the case of a non-inclined upper end).
- the deviation angle between the longitudinal axis of the first segment and the vertical is shown in FIG. 2 and is denoted by reference number 100 .
- Reference number 100 The deviation angle between the longitudinal axis of the first segment and the vertical is shown in FIG. 2 and is denoted by reference number 100 .
- Reference number 150 The resulting deviation angle between the upper end 141 of the first segment 101 and the horizontal 140 is denoted by reference number 150 .
- the deviation angle 100 between the first segment and the vertical is identical to the deviation angle 150 between the upper segment end 141 and the horizontal 150 .
- the deviation angle 150 results from the addition or the difference of the inclination angle of the upper segment end 141 and the deviation angle 100 .
- the responsible construction engineer measures the angle precisely and orders an inclined turbine segment from the segment's manufacturer. This shall be called “customized compensation” herein.
- the customized compensation requires an interruption to construction, according to some embodiments, it does not have a negative influence on the construction schedule. This is due to the fact that some off-shore wind turbines are erected according to a two-year cycle where the foundation and the cabling are installed in the first year, e.g. prior to the winter break, and the remaining components of the turbine are installed in the second year.
- the first year construction plan may include the fixation of the first tower segment 101 in the sea bed.
- the resulting deviation angle 150 of the first segment end 141 is measured and transmitted to the segment manufacturer.
- the second year construction plan may include mounting the second tower segment 102 to the first tower segment 101 wherein the lower segment end 132 of the second tower segment is inclined at an angle that is identical to the deviation angle 150 .
- reference number 150 also refers to the inclination angle of the lower segment end 132 of the second segment 102 .
- the inclination angle of the lower end of the second wind turbine segment is adapted to compensate for the misalignment of the first tower segment. It is possible that only misalignments with a deviation angle larger than a deviation threshold value are compensated for.
- the deviation threshold value may be, for instance, in the range of up to 0.7°, such as 0.5°.
- the inclination angle of the lower end is at least 0.5°, specifically at least 1.0°, and even more specifically at least 1.5°. According to embodiments, the inclination angle of the lower end is a maximum of 2.5°, in particular a maximum of 2.0°, and even more specifically a maximum of 1.5°.
- FIG. 3 illustrates that the upper end of the first segment 101 may be inclined.
- the end's surface when referring to an end of a wind turbine tower segment herein, it is referred to the end's surface.
- the surface of a segment's end is the plane defined by the endings of the respective segment.
- the surface is typically a two-dimensional plane.
- the upper end 141 of the first segment has an inclination angle 161 .
- the inclination angle of a segment end shall be interpreted as the angle between the end's surface 141 with respect to a plane 151 that is perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis.
- standard tower segments as used in wind turbines have non-inclined segments, i.e. the inclination angles of their ends' surfaces are 0° with respect to planes perpendicular to their longitudinal axes.
- the fixation of the first segment in the ground resulted in a deviation angle 100 between tower segment and vertical.
- the deviation angle 100 which is identical to the deviation angle 150 , is such that it adds to the inclination angle 161 of the upper end 141 .
- the lower end 132 of the second segment has to be provided with an inclination angle 172 that is the sum of the inclination angle 161 at the upper end of the first tower segment and the deviation angle 151 resulting from a non-perfect fixation of the first segment.
- FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments wherein the second tower segment 102 has two inclined ends 132 and 142 . More particularly, the lower end 132 has an inclination angle 172 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis, and the upper end 142 has an inclination angle 182 with respect to the plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis.
- two or more segments may be provided with one or more inclined ends.
- a third tower segment 103 with a body 3 is shown mounted to the second tower segment 102 .
- the third tower segment has an inclined lower end 133 .
- the inclination angle is such that, once mounted to the second tower segment 102 , the third tower segment 103 is vertically oriented.
- the inclination angle at the lower end 133 of the third tower segment 103 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis can be denoted with 182 in the shown embodiment.
- the provision of at least two segments each having one or more inclined ends allows for angular adjustment of the components relative to each other. It is a robust and flexible method of vertically orienting a wind turbine. By pivoting the segments with respect to each other, the resulting overall angle can be adjusted so that the upper segment, e.g. the third segment, is vertically aligned. A maximum deviation of the sum of the inclination angles can be corrected in this way.
- the first segment has a deviation angle of up to 2°
- the combination of the upper end 141 of the first segment 101 , the lower end 132 and upper end 142 of the second segment, and the lower end 133 of the third segment 103 have an inclination angle of 0.5°
- the upper end of the third segment is horizontally aligned so that further segments (not shown) with non-inclined ends can be mounted thereon.
- one of the tower segments with at least one inclined end may have a length of less than 10 m, more specifically less than 5 m or even less than 3 m such as 1 m. In the case that the length is not smaller than 2 m, this segment may also comprise a door for entering and exiting the wind turbine. This segment would act as a transition segment.
- internal tower equipment such as cables, elevators, ladders etc. are azimuthally aligned therein.
- the length of the segment may be configured such that it is not necessary to fix the internal power equipment to this segment (e.g., the segment's walls). Rather, it is possible that the internal tower equipment can be routed from the tower segment on top thereof to the tower segment below it. This would further ease the construction of the wind turbine.
- the segment with at least one inclined end provides one or more reception units for receiving and mounting a boat landing.
- the reception units may comprise holes for receiving bolts, pins, screws, or similar.
- the reception units may further be specifically shaped recesses or projections suitable for fixing and mounting the boat landing. Since the boat landing's position is normally dependent on the prevailing wave direction, which in turn has a time delayed correlation with the wind direction, and since the orientation of the segment with the at least one inclined end is determined by the deviation angle of the first segment, it is typical to provide the boat landing reception units distributed around the segment's circumference. This guarantees that the boat landing can be positioned on the lee side of the wind turbine (given the prevailing wave direction).
- FIG. 5 shall illustrate a tower segment according to the embodiments described herein.
- the second segment 102 is shown in a position resting on the ground.
- the segment For mounting to the wind turbine, the segment has to be rotated at 90°. Whereas the lower end 132 is not inclined, the upper end 142 has an inclination.
- the inclined ends are typically not produced by simply cutting the segment's ends in an inclined way.
- the flanges of the segment such as the lower flange 112 and the upper flange 162 should fit to the corresponding flange of the segment that they are fixed to during construction of the wind turbine tower.
- the number of holes for bolts, pins, screws or the like in the flanges of a non-inclined segment end is identical to the number of holes in the flange of an inclined segment end.
- the holes are typically positioned in an equidistant manner.
- the flanges of the inclined ends are normally circular in shape.
- the segment shape is amended from cylindrical to elliptic in the neighbouring region of the flange.
- the elliptical shaping of the segment is such that the segment end becomes circular in cross-section if it is cut with the desired inclination angle. In other words, if the segment was cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the end would have an elliptical circumference. However, since it is cut slightly inclined, the elliptical shaping is thereby compensated so that the resulting circumference of the end is circular and fits to further segments.
- the neighbouring region is denoted with 222 in FIG. 5 .
- the relationship between the minor axis and the major axis of the elliptic cross-sectional shaping of the segment is below 3%, e.g. 1%.
- the elliptical shaping may be accomplished by hammering, welding, or by exerting a drawing force onto the segment.
- the segment is made elliptical in shape throughout the complete segment.
- the orientation of the inclinations is typically in the direction opposite to each other, i.e., displaced at 180°, as illustrated in FIG. 7 .
- the orientation of the upper inclination with respect to the lower inclination may also be displaced at between 60° and 120°, e.g. at 90°.
- the segment is made elliptic at one flange and elliptic with a differing major semi-axis size at the other flange.
- the transition between circular and elliptic shape may, similar to what was described above, be accomplished in the neighbouring region of one of the flanges.
- FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a wind turbine with the tower 12 consisting of three segments.
- the same embodiment could be provided with altogether two, four, or even more segments.
- the first segment 101 has been submerged into the sea bed 300 . Thereby, it was not possible to align the segment vertically, consequently the segment is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical 120 .
- This misalignment is compensated for by the second tower segment 102 the lower end 132 of which is inclined at such an angle that the remaining turbine tower is vertically oriented.
- the inclination angle is below 15° or even below 10°.
- the upper end 142 of the second segment 102 is horizontally aligned.
- Further segments, such as the third segment 103 shown in FIG. 8 may be mounted thereto. According to embodiments, the further segments thus have non-inclined ends. Further details of embodiments illustrated in this figure are similar or identical to those shown in FIG. 2 or 3 . Their repetition in FIG. 8 has thus been omitted.
- FIG. 9 illustrates embodiments wherein the second segment 102 has two inclined ends.
- the resulting misalignment of the first segment 101 is compensated by the provision of the second segment 102 with its inclined lower end 132 and its inclined upper end 142 , and of the third segment 103 with its inclined lower end 133 and its non-inclined upper end 143 .
- the third and higher segments such as a fourth segment 104 are vertically aligned. Further details of embodiments illustrated in this figure are similar or identical to those shown in FIG. 4 . Their repetition in FIG. 9 has thus been omitted.
- the embodiments shown in FIG. 10 further illustrate a door 230 for entering the wind turbine.
- the door 230 is typically part of a segment with at least one inclined end.
- the door is provided in the second segment, which has both ends inclined.
- the door is provided in a segment that has only one inclined end.
- the length of the segment as described herein is typically up to 15 m, more specifically up to 10 m, and even more specifically up to 5 m.
- the wind direction is not perfectly horizontal, but also consists of a vertical component. This is called “upflow wind” since the vertical component is generally pointing upwards. It has been found that the maximum energy yield from a wind turbine can be achieved with the rotor's plane being oriented somewhat inclined with respect to the vertical. It is generally possible to achieve this inclination of the rotor by providing a somewhat inclined tower. For instance, if an inclination of the rotor of 4° is desired, one could provide a wind turbine tower having an inclination of 4°.
- Embodiments described herein basically allow for the provision of any kind of inclination as long as the respective inclined ends at one or more segments are provided.
- the wind turbine is a mono-pile turbine wherein, at any given point along the tower height, only one tower segment is provided.
- the diameter of such a tower segment is in the range of between 4 and 8 m, specifically between 5 and 7 m.
- FIG. 12 shall illustrate embodiments wherein the wind turbine is a multi-pile turbine wherein the tower may include several segments at a given point along the tower's height.
- the tower is a multi-pile tower in the lower part of the turbine, and a mono-pile tower in the upper part of the turbine.
- the diameter of the multi-pile segments is in the range of between 0.5 m and 3 m, more specifically between 1 m and 2.5 m.
- the method for erection of the multi-pile tower includes fixation of at least two first tower segments in the sea bed, measuring the deviation angle at the upper end of at least one of the first tower segments, and providing respective second tower segments wherein at least one of the second segments has at least one inclined end.
- the inclination angle typically corresponds to the measured deviation angle.
- first segments 1101 and 2101 are shown.
- three first segments are provided and submerged into the sea bed 300 .
- the resulting angles of the first segments' upper ends 1141 and 2141 with respect to the horizontal are measured and compared to the desired angles.
- the differences are the deviation angles.
- the manufacturer may be informed of the deviation angles, and may provide the respective second segments.
- three second segments are provided.
- the second segments provided typically have inclined lower ends wherein the inclination angles are specifically equal to the measured and calculated deviation angles.
- the flanges of the lower ends of the second segments are fixed to the flanges on the upper ends of the first segments.
- the flange 1112 of the second segment 1102 is fixed to the flange 1111 of the first segment 1101
- the flange 2112 of the second segment 2102 is fixed to the flange 2111 of the first segment 2101 .
- the second segments meet at their upper end, for instance, at the third segment 103 .
- the third segment may be a mono-pile.
- the described embodiments do not only help aligning the segments in the desired direction, the further effect being that it becomes possible for several segments to meet at a desired position.
- the alignment of segments by use of the described embodiments further allows the precise positioning of a segment's upper end so that, for instance, it can be fixed to other segments, or a mono-pile segment.
- the described systems and methods allow the provision of perfectly aligned wind turbine towers. Grouted joints or similar are no longer necessary. The amount of work that is required to be done at sea is reduced and the overall stability and sustainability of the turbine tower is increased.
- off-shore wind turbine towers can, for instance, be made vertically aligned in an easier and faster way.
- the construction flexibility is increased, the overall production costs are reduced, and logistics are simplified.
- a method for fixation of a tower segment into the ground, and a method for erecting a wind turbine are provided.
- an adaptor for use in the construction of a wind turbine is provided. The methods and the adaptor are particularly used for off-shore wind turbines.
- the method for fixation of a tower segment into the ground includes providing the segment; providing an adaptor on the upper end of the segment; and striking the adaptor with a hammerhead.
- an adaptor which is configured to be put onto a wind turbine segment.
- the adaptor is capable of receiving strikes, such as by a hammerhead, and of transmitting the force exerted through to the segment.
- FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the adaptor and illustrates the method for fixation of a first tower segment into the ground.
- the first tower segment 101 shall be submerged into the sea bed 300 .
- the adaptor 400 is positioned on the upper end 141 of the segment 101 .
- the adaptor has a flange 420 on its lower end 410 configured to mate with the flange 111 of the first tower segment 101 . It is possible that the adaptor is placed in position on the upper end of the first segment and striking begins. Alternatively, the adaptor may temporarily be fixed to the first segment by connection means such as bolts, pins, screws, or similar like for striking.
- the adaptor has an upper end 430 configured to receive a hammerhead 500 .
- the hammerhead 500 repeatedly strikes the upper end 430 of the adaptor in order to exert a force towards the sea bed.
- the adaptor transmits the force to the first segment 101 . Thereby, the first segment is submerged into the sea bed 300 .
- the upper surface 430 for receiving strikes from the hammer has a smaller diameter than the lower surface 410 of the adaptor 400 .
- the shape of the surfaces is typical circular.
- Typical diameters of the lower end 410 range between 3 m and 10 m, more specifically between 5 m and 10 m.
- Typical diameters of the upper end 430 range between 0.5 m and 3 m, more specifically between 1 m and 2 m.
- the shape of the adaptor between the upper end and the lower end is tapered, in particular conical.
- the adaptor is a reusable component. For instance, the adaptor may be shipped with the first segment to the construction site. After fixation of the first segment in the ground, the adaptor may be shipped back to shore. It is possible that it is reused for further wind turbine erections, possibly after a regular check and repair of the adaptor.
- the flange 420 of the adaptor 400 is highly stable so that it keeps the lower flange flat and undamaged. This can be achieved by providing stiffening elements to the flange 420 such as a reinforcing cone or an additional plate mounted to the lower end of the adaptor. For instance, in FIG. 11 , the stiffening elements 425 are illustrated. The stiffening elements are an extension of the flange in the radial direction. Due to the extension, the flange of the adaptor 400 is larger in diameter than the flange of the first segment 101 .
- the extension also has a component in the axial direction of the adaptor (the axial direction of the adaptor is the direction between upper and lower end, perpendicular to the radial direction) allowing the flange 111 of the first segment 101 to smoothly fit into and become embedded into the lower end 410 of the adaptor. This guarantees a good fit between the tower flanges which is desirable for a damage-free hammer operation.
- the adaptor may have an increased wall thickness as compared to the thickness of a wind turbine tower segment.
- the thickness may be at least 50 mm, more specifically at least 80 mm or even at least 100 mm.
- the flange of the adaptor may have a thickness of at least 1.5 times the thickness of the segment to be rammed into the sea bed.
- the adaptor may be adapted to receive segments with an inclined end.
- the adaptor is reinforced such that it withstands transverse and shear forces originating from the vertical motion of the hammerhead, which are motion which are exerted, via the adaptor, to the inclined upper end of the wind turbine tower segment, in particular in case of an inclination angle of up to 2°.
- the extension of the flange 420 of the adaptor may also be positioned in the radial direction towards the center axis (and not, as shown in FIG. 11 , pointing away from the center).
- the flange of the adaptor may be provided with a stiffening element such as a flange extension on the inner flange edge or at the outer flange edge.
- the lower end 410 may be provided with a stiffening plate for withstanding pressures and forces in the radial direction of the adaptor's lower end.
- the proposed method prevents severe damage to the upper end 141 of the first segment 101 caused by the hammer
- the adaptor allows a continuous and defined contact between the adaptor and the upper end of the first segment.
- the hammerhead does not strike the segment directly. For instance, in those methods where the hammer directly strikes the upper end of the first segment 101 , some misalignment of the hammerhead in respect to the upper end 141 may occur. This can result in increased forces at specific positions of the upper end and can thus result in damages to the surface of the upper end of the first segment, such as damage to the flange 111 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Wind Motors (AREA)
Abstract
A wind turbine tower segment for wind turbines is provided that includes a wind turbine tower segment body having a longitudinal axis; and a first and a second end; wherein the surface of at least one of the first and the second end is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine tower segment. Further, a wind turbine having such a wind turbine tower segment is provided. The method includes providing a second wind turbine tower segment having a longitudinal axis and a first and a second end, wherein the surface of at least one of the first and the second end is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine tower segment; and mounting the second wind turbine tower segment to a first wind turbine tower segment.
Description
- The subject matter described herein relates generally to methods and systems for wind energy systems, and more particularly, to methods and systems of off-shore wind turbines. Specifically, the subject matter described relates to a wind turbine tower segment, in particular for use in off-shore wind turbines, an off-shore wind turbine, an adaptor for use during off-shore wind turbine construction, and a method for erecting an off-shore wind turbine.
- Due to limited availability of suitable areas for wind turbines on land, the concept of off-shore wind energy production has gained importance in recent years. In shallow coastal waters, one way of fixing wind turbines is to ram the lowest wind turbine tower segment into the sea bed. The segment is aligned vertically, and a hammer strikes its top repeatedly until the desired penetration depth of the segment into the sea bed is achieved.
- The installation of off-shore wind turbines is critical. Off-shore wind turbine construction requires weather windows in which the weather conditions allow assembly of the wind turbines at sea. In particular, the wave height and the resulting motion of the boats and ships present is an important factor for the set-up and erection of off-shore wind turbines. It is generally aimed at reducing the set-up time to a minimum in order to fully utilize the weather windows by performing as many construction steps as possible in said weather windows.
- Further, the segment which is rammed into the sea bed sometimes encounters heavy barriers such as large rocks or the like or other obstacles embedded in the sea bed. Subjecting the tower segment to repeated striking by the hammer in the presence of such obstacles induces large loads on the segment. Hence, damage to the lower segment occurs regularly. Further, due to obstacles in the ground, in many cases it is not possible to keep the segment perfectly aligned in the vertical direction. This situation can be compared to a nail in wood, the alignment of which can rarely be corrected once the nail is not perfectly aligned from the very beginning.
- Constructional problems related to on-shore wind turbines may have similar effects. For instance, the foundation provided may not have a perfect horizontal alignment, e.g., because the foundation has unilaterally dropped after completion of the foundation.
- In order to compensate for non-vertical segments in off-shore wind turbines, or to compensate for non-horizontal foundations in on-shore wind turbines, grouted joints are attached to the respective segment or the foundation with the surface being perfectly horizontal. These grouted joints can also be adapted to a surface that has been damaged by the hammerhead when submerging the segment into the sea bed. This is an additional step that needs to be performed and the grout needs time to cure. During curing time, the set-up has to be stopped which delays the set-up and increases the set-up costs significantly.
- In light of the above, it is desirable to have a wind turbine segment, a wind turbine, and a wind turbine erection method that allow a fast and easy erection of the wind turbine.
- In one aspect, a wind turbine tower segment for wind turbines is provided that includes a wind turbine tower segment body with a longitudinal axis; and a first and a second end. The surface of at least one of said first and said second end is non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
- In another aspect, a wind turbine is provided that includes at least one wind turbine tower segment as described herein.
- In another aspect, a method for erecting a wind turbine is provided that includes providing a first wind turbine tower segment with a longitudinal axis, and providing a second wind turbine tower segment with a longitudinal axis. The second wind turbine tower segment has a first and a second end. The surface of at least one of the first and second end is non-perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine tower segment. The method further includes mounting the second wind turbine tower segment to the first wind turbine tower segment.
- According to a further aspect, an adaptor is provided which is configured to be placed on a wind turbine segment. The adaptor is capable of receiving strikes, such as from a hammerhead, and of transmitting the force of the strikes to the segment.
- According to a further aspect, a method for fixation of a tower segment in the sea bed is provided. The method includes providing the segment, providing an adaptor on the upper end of the segment, and striking the adaptor with a hammerhead.
- According to an aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein are particularly used in off-shore wind turbines.
- Further aspects, advantages and features of the present invention are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.
- A full and enabling disclosure including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two wind turbine tower segments with at least one segment according to embodiments described herein. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two wind turbine tower segments with at least one segment according to embodiments described herein. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of three wind turbine tower segments with at least two segments according to embodiments described herein. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a wind turbine tower segment according to embodiments. -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a wind turbine tower segment according to the embodiment shown inFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic drawing of a wind turbine tower segment according to embodiments. -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments. -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an adaptor according to embodiments described herein attached to a wind turbine segment. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-pile off-shore wind turbine according to embodiments. - Reference will now be made in detail to the various embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in each figure. Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not intended to be a limitation. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in conjunction with other embodiments to yield yet further embodiments. It is intended that the present disclosure includes such modifications and variations.
- The embodiments described herein include a wind turbine system, particularly for off-shore use, that compensates for base segments that are not perfectly vertically oriented. More specifically, this compensation allows the erection of the wind turbine to continue without delay. In addition, according to embodiments, damage to the surface of the base segment are avoided.
- As used herein, the term “wind turbine” is intended to be representative of any device that generates rotational energy from wind energy, and more specifically, converts kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy. As used herein, the synonymously used terms “tower segment” and “segment” are intended to be representative of any constructive part of a wind turbine tower for supporting the nacelle. Typically, a plurality of segments is provided one atop of the other thereby forming the wind turbine tower. The plurality may include two, three, four, or even more tower segments. According to typical embodiments, the segments are cylindrical in shape. According to other embodiments, the exact shape of the segment might differ from a perfect cylinder. In both instances, a segment has a longitudinal axis (or also referred to as “axis” herein) along its larger extension. In a perfect turbine tower set-up, the longitudinal axis is typically aligned in the vertical direction. The segment has also a radial direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As used herein, the term “off-shore wind turbine” is intended to be representative for any wind turbine that is positioned in salt or fresh water. Consequently, the term “sea bed” shall be understood as also embracing the ground of a lake, for instance, in those cases where the wind turbine is installed in a lake.
- According to aspects described herein, at least one end of a segment is inclined. The inclined end may be the upper end, the lower end, or both the upper and lower end. As used herein, the “end” of a segment is intended to refer to the virtual plane that is formed by the end of the segment in the longitudinal direction. Typically, a segment end is shaped by the end of a circular tube. In many cases, a flange is positioned on the end. The indication of “upper” and “lower” is intended to refer to the segment's orientation once it forms part of the turbine tower.
- As used herein, the indication of an “inclined end” of a segment is intended to be representative for any segment having an end where the surface of said end is non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the segment. In particular, once the longitudinal axis of the segment is vertically aligned, the respective segment end is misaligned with the horizontal. In other words, the end is inclined (to the horizontal). The terms “horizontal” and “vertical”, respectively, as used herein are generally understood as “perpendicular to the gravitational force” and “parallel to the gravitational force”, respectively. The term “flange” as used herein is intended to be representative for any kind of rib or rim for strength, for guiding, or for attachment to another object, such as another segment. Typically, a flange is positioned at a segment's end.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anexemplary wind turbine 10. In the exemplary embodiment,wind turbine 10 is a horizontal-axis wind turbine. Alternatively,wind turbine 10 may be a vertical-axis wind turbine. In the exemplary embodiment,wind turbine 10 includes atower 12, anacelle 16 mounted ontower 12, and arotor 18 that is coupled tonacelle 16.Rotor 18 includes arotatable hub 20 and at least onerotor blade 22 coupled to and extending outward fromhub 20. In the exemplary embodiment,rotor 18 has threerotor blades 22. In an alternative embodiment,rotor 18 includes more or less than threerotor blades 22. In the exemplary embodiment,tower 12 is fabricated from tubular steel to define a cavity (not shown inFIG. 1 ) between support system 14 andnacelle 16. In an alternative embodiment,tower 12 is any suitable type of tower having any suitable height. -
Rotor blades 22 are spaced abouthub 20 to facilitaterotating rotor 18 to enable kinetic energy to be transferred from the wind into usable mechanical energy, and subsequently, electrical energy.Rotor blades 22 are mated tohub 20 by coupling ablade root portion 24 tohub 20 at a plurality ofload transfer regions 26. Theload transfer regions 26 have a hub load transfer region and a blade load transfer region (both not shown inFIG. 1 ). Loads induced torotor blades 22 are transferred tohub 20 viaload transfer regions 26. - In one embodiment,
rotor blades 22 have a length ranging from approximately 15 meters (m) to approximately 91 m. Alternatively,rotor blades 22 may have any suitable length that enableswind turbine 10 to function as described herein. For example, other non-limiting examples of blade lengths include 10 m or less, 20 m, 37 m, or a length that is greater than 91 m. As wind strikesrotor blades 22 from adirection 28,rotor 18 is rotated about an axis ofrotation 30. Asrotor blades 22 are rotated and subjected to centrifugal forces,rotor blades 22 are also subjected to various forces and moments. As such,rotor blades 22 may deflect and/or rotate from a neutral, or non-deflected, position to a deflected position. - Moreover, a pitch angle or blade pitch of
rotor blades 22, i.e., an angle that determines a perspective ofrotor blades 22 with respect to winddirection 28, may be changed by apitch adjustment system 32 to control the load and power generated bywind turbine 10 by adjusting the angular position of at least onerotor blade 22 relative to the wind vectors. Pitch axes 34 forrotor blades 22 are shown. During operation ofwind turbine 10,pitch adjustment system 32 may change a blade pitch ofrotor blades 22 such thatrotor blades 22 are moved to a feathered position, such that the perspective of at least onerotor blade 22 relative to the wind vectors provides a minimal surface area ofrotor blade 22 to be oriented towards the wind vectors, which facilitates reducing a rotational speed ofrotor 18 and/or facilitates a stall ofrotor 18. - In the exemplary embodiment, the blade pitch of each
rotor blade 22 is controlled individually by acontrol system 36. Alternatively, the blade pitch for allrotor blades 22 may be controlled simultaneously bycontrol system 36. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, asdirection 28 changes, a yaw direction ofnacelle 16 may be controlled about ayaw axis 38 to positionrotor blades 22 with respect todirection 28. - Further aspects and details of the embodiments described herein are explained in the following with reference to the illustrating drawings. However, it shall be highlighted that the reference to specific figures is for illustrative purposes only. In particular, features explained with respect to one figure can also be combined with other embodiments that are explained with reference to another figure unless this combination is explicitly excluded.
-
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A firstwind turbine segment 101 with abody 1 is shown on top of a secondwind turbine segment 102 with abody 2. For illustrative purposes, the reference numbers for the wind turbine tower segment bodies are omitted in the following drawings. The first wind turbine segment may be the lowest tower segment being partly positioned in thesea 110. According to the embodiments, the first wind turbine segment is submerged, i.e., rammed into thesea bed 300 when the wind turbine is erected. The tower segments as described herein are typically hollow tubes that may be comprised of a metal such as steel, or comprised of a synthetic material such as fiber composites (e.g., glass fiber or carbon fiber). - Due to small misalignments that are occasionally unavoidable in practice, or due to heavy obstacles embedded in the sea bed, what may occur is that the first wind turbine segment has an angle to the vertical of some degrees. When referring to the segment in the context of orientation herein, this shall be interpreted as referring to the longitudinal axis of the segment. When referring to the alignment of the turbine segment herein, this shall be interpreted as referring to the segment's axis along the longitudinal extension of the segment. For instance,
FIG. 2 illustrates thelongitudinal axis 121 of thefirst segment 101, and thelongitudinal axis 122 of thesecond segment 102. The vertical is illustrated bydotted line 120. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the vertical 120 coincides with thelongitudinal axis 122 of thesecond segment 102. In other words, the second segment is vertically aligned. The second segment has a non-inclinedupper segment end 142. Further tower segments (not shown in this Figure) can be mounted thereon, such as by fixing their flange to theupper flange 162 of thesecond tower segment 102. Further tower segments typically have non-inclined segment ends. - According to embodiments, both ends of the
first tower segment 101 are non-inclined. Hence, if the fixation of the first tower segment in the sea bed functions as intended, the first segment is vertically aligned so that theupper segment 141 of thefirst segment 101 is horizontally aligned. However, in case the submerging of the tower segment into the sea bed results in a non-vertical alignment of the first tower segment, there is a resulting deviation angle of the segment (i.e. its longitudinal axis) to the vertical. Simultaneously, there is an identical deviation angle between theupper segment end 141 and the horizontal (only in the case of a non-inclined upper end). - The deviation angle between the longitudinal axis of the first segment and the vertical is shown in
FIG. 2 and is denoted byreference number 100. Experience has shown that angles of up to 2° are typical. The resulting deviation angle between theupper end 141 of thefirst segment 101 and the horizontal 140 is denoted byreference number 150. Hence, if a vertically aligned wind turbine tower is desired, this misalignment of the first tower segment has to be compensated for. - After the fixation of the
first segment 101 in the sea bed it may be realized that there is a resultingdeviation angle 100 between the first segment and the vertical. In the case where the upper end is non-inclined, thedeviation angle 100 between the first segment and the vertical is identical to thedeviation angle 150 between theupper segment end 141 and the horizontal 150. In the case of an inclinedupper segment end 141, thedeviation angle 150 results from the addition or the difference of the inclination angle of theupper segment end 141 and thedeviation angle 100. - In order to compensate for the
deviation angle 150, it is possible that the responsible construction engineer measures the angle precisely and orders an inclined turbine segment from the segment's manufacturer. This shall be called “customized compensation” herein. Although the customized compensation requires an interruption to construction, according to some embodiments, it does not have a negative influence on the construction schedule. This is due to the fact that some off-shore wind turbines are erected according to a two-year cycle where the foundation and the cabling are installed in the first year, e.g. prior to the winter break, and the remaining components of the turbine are installed in the second year. - Hence, in the embodiments of a customized compensation, the first year construction plan may include the fixation of the
first tower segment 101 in the sea bed. The resultingdeviation angle 150 of thefirst segment end 141 is measured and transmitted to the segment manufacturer. The second year construction plan may include mounting thesecond tower segment 102 to thefirst tower segment 101 wherein thelower segment end 132 of the second tower segment is inclined at an angle that is identical to thedeviation angle 150. Thus, inFIG. 2 ,reference number 150 also refers to the inclination angle of thelower segment end 132 of thesecond segment 102. - Thus, the inclination angle of the lower end of the second wind turbine segment is adapted to compensate for the misalignment of the first tower segment. It is possible that only misalignments with a deviation angle larger than a deviation threshold value are compensated for. The deviation threshold value may be, for instance, in the range of up to 0.7°, such as 0.5°.
- According to typical embodiments, the inclination angle of the lower end is at least 0.5°, specifically at least 1.0°, and even more specifically at least 1.5°. According to embodiments, the inclination angle of the lower end is a maximum of 2.5°, in particular a maximum of 2.0°, and even more specifically a maximum of 1.5°.
-
FIG. 3 illustrates that the upper end of thefirst segment 101 may be inclined. Generally, when referring to an end of a wind turbine tower segment herein, it is referred to the end's surface. The surface of a segment's end is the plane defined by the endings of the respective segment. The surface is typically a two-dimensional plane. - According to the exaggerated illustration, the
upper end 141 of the first segment has aninclination angle 161. The inclination angle of a segment end as used herein shall be interpreted as the angle between the end'ssurface 141 with respect to aplane 151 that is perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis. Hence, standard tower segments as used in wind turbines have non-inclined segments, i.e. the inclination angles of their ends' surfaces are 0° with respect to planes perpendicular to their longitudinal axes. - In some cases, it might become apparent that the fixation of the first segment in the ground resulted in a
deviation angle 100 between tower segment and vertical. In the shown embodiment, thedeviation angle 100, which is identical to thedeviation angle 150, is such that it adds to theinclination angle 161 of theupper end 141. Hence, in order to align thesecond segment 102 in a vertical direction, thelower end 132 of the second segment has to be provided with aninclination angle 172 that is the sum of theinclination angle 161 at the upper end of the first tower segment and thedeviation angle 151 resulting from a non-perfect fixation of the first segment. -
FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments wherein thesecond tower segment 102 has two inclined ends 132 and 142. More particularly, thelower end 132 has aninclination angle 172 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis, and theupper end 142 has aninclination angle 182 with respect to the plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis. - According to embodiments, two or more segments may be provided with one or more inclined ends. In the embodiments illustrated in
FIG. 4 , athird tower segment 103 with a body 3 is shown mounted to thesecond tower segment 102. The third tower segment has an inclinedlower end 133. The inclination angle is such that, once mounted to thesecond tower segment 102, thethird tower segment 103 is vertically oriented. Hence, the inclination angle at thelower end 133 of thethird tower segment 103 with respect to a plane perpendicular to the segment's longitudinal axis can be denoted with 182 in the shown embodiment. - The provision of at least two segments each having one or more inclined ends allows for angular adjustment of the components relative to each other. It is a robust and flexible method of vertically orienting a wind turbine. By pivoting the segments with respect to each other, the resulting overall angle can be adjusted so that the upper segment, e.g. the third segment, is vertically aligned. A maximum deviation of the sum of the inclination angles can be corrected in this way. For instance, if the first segment has a deviation angle of up to 2°, and the combination of the
upper end 141 of thefirst segment 101, thelower end 132 andupper end 142 of the second segment, and thelower end 133 of thethird segment 103 have an inclination angle of 0.5°, it is possible to compensate for the deviation angle by pivoting the second and third segment with respect to each other and with respect to the first segment. As a result, the upper end of the third segment is horizontally aligned so that further segments (not shown) with non-inclined ends can be mounted thereon. - According to embodiments, one of the tower segments with at least one inclined end may have a length of less than 10 m, more specifically less than 5 m or even less than 3 m such as 1 m. In the case that the length is not smaller than 2 m, this segment may also comprise a door for entering and exiting the wind turbine. This segment would act as a transition segment.
- According to embodiments, internal tower equipment such as cables, elevators, ladders etc. are azimuthally aligned therein. In particular, the length of the segment may be configured such that it is not necessary to fix the internal power equipment to this segment (e.g., the segment's walls). Rather, it is possible that the internal tower equipment can be routed from the tower segment on top thereof to the tower segment below it. This would further ease the construction of the wind turbine.
- It is further possible that the segment with at least one inclined end provides one or more reception units for receiving and mounting a boat landing. For instance, the reception units may comprise holes for receiving bolts, pins, screws, or similar. The reception units may further be specifically shaped recesses or projections suitable for fixing and mounting the boat landing. Since the boat landing's position is normally dependent on the prevailing wave direction, which in turn has a time delayed correlation with the wind direction, and since the orientation of the segment with the at least one inclined end is determined by the deviation angle of the first segment, it is typical to provide the boat landing reception units distributed around the segment's circumference. This guarantees that the boat landing can be positioned on the lee side of the wind turbine (given the prevailing wave direction).
-
FIG. 5 shall illustrate a tower segment according to the embodiments described herein. Thesecond segment 102 is shown in a position resting on the ground. For mounting to the wind turbine, the segment has to be rotated at 90°. Whereas thelower end 132 is not inclined, theupper end 142 has an inclination. - At the production of a segment with an inclined end, the following situation has to be taken into account: If the circular segment was simply cut so that the end would be inclined, the shape of the end's circumference would become elliptic as illustrated in
FIG. 6 . The larger the inclination angle was chosen, the more elliptic the respective segment end would become. - Hence, the inclined ends are typically not produced by simply cutting the segment's ends in an inclined way. The flanges of the segment such as the
lower flange 112 and theupper flange 162 should fit to the corresponding flange of the segment that they are fixed to during construction of the wind turbine tower. In most cases, the number of holes for bolts, pins, screws or the like in the flanges of a non-inclined segment end is identical to the number of holes in the flange of an inclined segment end. The holes are typically positioned in an equidistant manner. The flanges of the inclined ends are normally circular in shape. - Thus, in order to produce the segments having at least one inclined end, one can choose from the following options.
- First, in case of a segment having only one inclined end, the segment shape is amended from cylindrical to elliptic in the neighbouring region of the flange. The elliptical shaping of the segment is such that the segment end becomes circular in cross-section if it is cut with the desired inclination angle. In other words, if the segment was cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the end would have an elliptical circumference. However, since it is cut slightly inclined, the elliptical shaping is thereby compensated so that the resulting circumference of the end is circular and fits to further segments. The neighbouring region is denoted with 222 in
FIG. 5 . - Since only inclination angles of up to 2° or a maximum of 3° should be compensated for, the relationship between the minor axis and the major axis of the elliptic cross-sectional shaping of the segment is below 3%, e.g. 1%. The elliptical shaping may be accomplished by hammering, welding, or by exerting a drawing force onto the segment.
- Second, in the case of a segment having two inclined ends with identical inclination angles at both ends, the segment is made elliptical in shape throughout the complete segment. The orientation of the inclinations is typically in the direction opposite to each other, i.e., displaced at 180°, as illustrated in
FIG. 7 . However, the orientation of the upper inclination with respect to the lower inclination may also be displaced at between 60° and 120°, e.g. at 90°. - Third, in the case of a segment having two inclined ends with differing inclination angles, the segment is made elliptic at one flange and elliptic with a differing major semi-axis size at the other flange. The transition between circular and elliptic shape may, similar to what was described above, be accomplished in the neighbouring region of one of the flanges.
- Although this explanation is given with respect to the
second segment 102 and theupper end 142, the same applies to other segments, such as the first or the third segment, and other ends, such as thelower end 132. -
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a wind turbine with thetower 12 consisting of three segments. Generally, the same embodiment could be provided with altogether two, four, or even more segments. In the illustration ofFIG. 8 , thefirst segment 101 has been submerged into thesea bed 300. Thereby, it was not possible to align the segment vertically, consequently the segment is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical 120. This misalignment is compensated for by thesecond tower segment 102 thelower end 132 of which is inclined at such an angle that the remaining turbine tower is vertically oriented. Typically, the inclination angle is below 15° or even below 10°. Theupper end 142 of thesecond segment 102 is horizontally aligned. Further segments, such as thethird segment 103 shown inFIG. 8 , may be mounted thereto. According to embodiments, the further segments thus have non-inclined ends. Further details of embodiments illustrated in this figure are similar or identical to those shown inFIG. 2 or 3. Their repetition inFIG. 8 has thus been omitted. -
FIG. 9 illustrates embodiments wherein thesecond segment 102 has two inclined ends. The resulting misalignment of thefirst segment 101 is compensated by the provision of thesecond segment 102 with its inclinedlower end 132 and its inclinedupper end 142, and of thethird segment 103 with its inclinedlower end 133 and its non-inclinedupper end 143. Thus, the third and higher segments such as afourth segment 104 are vertically aligned. Further details of embodiments illustrated in this figure are similar or identical to those shown inFIG. 4 . Their repetition inFIG. 9 has thus been omitted. - In addition to what is shown in
FIG. 9 , the embodiments shown inFIG. 10 further illustrate adoor 230 for entering the wind turbine. Thedoor 230 is typically part of a segment with at least one inclined end. In the present embodiment, the door is provided in the second segment, which has both ends inclined. However, it is also possible that the door is provided in a segment that has only one inclined end. Not limited to the embodiment ofFIG. 10 , the length of the segment as described herein is typically up to 15 m, more specifically up to 10 m, and even more specifically up to 5 m. - According to wind direction measurements, it is apparent that, in most cases, the wind direction is not perfectly horizontal, but also consists of a vertical component. This is called “upflow wind” since the vertical component is generally pointing upwards. It has been found that the maximum energy yield from a wind turbine can be achieved with the rotor's plane being oriented somewhat inclined with respect to the vertical. It is generally possible to achieve this inclination of the rotor by providing a somewhat inclined tower. For instance, if an inclination of the rotor of 4° is desired, one could provide a wind turbine tower having an inclination of 4°. Although the illustration has referred to aiming at a vertically oriented turbine towers thus far, the embodiments described can also be used for providing a slightly inclined tower, such as at angles of up to 6°, e.g. between 3° and 5°. Embodiments described herein basically allow for the provision of any kind of inclination as long as the respective inclined ends at one or more segments are provided.
- According to the embodiments illustrated thus far, the wind turbine is a mono-pile turbine wherein, at any given point along the tower height, only one tower segment is provided. For instance, the diameter of such a tower segment is in the range of between 4 and 8 m, specifically between 5 and 7 m.
-
FIG. 12 shall illustrate embodiments wherein the wind turbine is a multi-pile turbine wherein the tower may include several segments at a given point along the tower's height. Normally, the tower is a multi-pile tower in the lower part of the turbine, and a mono-pile tower in the upper part of the turbine. The diameter of the multi-pile segments is in the range of between 0.5 m and 3 m, more specifically between 1 m and 2.5 m. - The described wind turbine tower segments, wind turbines and methods can be applied similarly to the multi-pile tower technique. According to typical embodiments, the method for erection of the multi-pile tower includes fixation of at least two first tower segments in the sea bed, measuring the deviation angle at the upper end of at least one of the first tower segments, and providing respective second tower segments wherein at least one of the second segments has at least one inclined end. The inclination angle typically corresponds to the measured deviation angle.
- In
FIG. 12 , twofirst segments sea bed 300. The resulting angles of the first segments' upper ends 1141 and 2141 with respect to the horizontal are measured and compared to the desired angles. The differences are the deviation angles. The manufacturer may be informed of the deviation angles, and may provide the respective second segments. Although only the twosecond segments FIG. 12 , in many embodiments, three second segments are provided. The second segments provided typically have inclined lower ends wherein the inclination angles are specifically equal to the measured and calculated deviation angles. - According to a typical set-up, the flanges of the lower ends of the second segments are fixed to the flanges on the upper ends of the first segments. According to the shown illustration, the flange 1112 of the
second segment 1102 is fixed to theflange 1111 of thefirst segment 1101, and theflange 2112 of thesecond segment 2102 is fixed to theflange 2111 of thefirst segment 2101. As shown, it is possible that the second segments meet at their upper end, for instance, at thethird segment 103. The third segment may be a mono-pile. - In the case of a multi-pile tower, the described embodiments do not only help aligning the segments in the desired direction, the further effect being that it becomes possible for several segments to meet at a desired position. In other words, the alignment of segments by use of the described embodiments further allows the precise positioning of a segment's upper end so that, for instance, it can be fixed to other segments, or a mono-pile segment.
- The described systems and methods allow the provision of perfectly aligned wind turbine towers. Grouted joints or similar are no longer necessary. The amount of work that is required to be done at sea is reduced and the overall stability and sustainability of the turbine tower is increased.
- In addition, according to the embodiments described herein, off-shore wind turbine towers can, for instance, be made vertically aligned in an easier and faster way. In particular, in the case of at least two tower segments with inclined ends, the construction flexibility is increased, the overall production costs are reduced, and logistics are simplified.
- Further, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for fixation of a tower segment into the ground, and a method for erecting a wind turbine are provided. Further, an adaptor for use in the construction of a wind turbine is provided. The methods and the adaptor are particularly used for off-shore wind turbines.
- According to an aspect, the method for fixation of a tower segment into the ground includes providing the segment; providing an adaptor on the upper end of the segment; and striking the adaptor with a hammerhead.
- According to a further aspect, an adaptor is provided which is configured to be put onto a wind turbine segment. The adaptor is capable of receiving strikes, such as by a hammerhead, and of transmitting the force exerted through to the segment.
-
FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the adaptor and illustrates the method for fixation of a first tower segment into the ground. Accordingly, thefirst tower segment 101 shall be submerged into thesea bed 300. In order to do so, theadaptor 400 is positioned on theupper end 141 of thesegment 101. According to typical embodiments, as also illustrated inFIG. 11 , the adaptor has aflange 420 on itslower end 410 configured to mate with theflange 111 of thefirst tower segment 101. It is possible that the adaptor is placed in position on the upper end of the first segment and striking begins. Alternatively, the adaptor may temporarily be fixed to the first segment by connection means such as bolts, pins, screws, or similar like for striking. - The adaptor has an
upper end 430 configured to receive ahammerhead 500. Thehammerhead 500 repeatedly strikes theupper end 430 of the adaptor in order to exert a force towards the sea bed. The adaptor transmits the force to thefirst segment 101. Thereby, the first segment is submerged into thesea bed 300. - According to typical embodiments, the
upper surface 430 for receiving strikes from the hammer has a smaller diameter than thelower surface 410 of theadaptor 400. The shape of the surfaces is typical circular. Typical diameters of thelower end 410 range between 3 m and 10 m, more specifically between 5 m and 10 m. Typical diameters of theupper end 430 range between 0.5 m and 3 m, more specifically between 1 m and 2 m. - According to embodiments, the shape of the adaptor between the upper end and the lower end is tapered, in particular conical. According to embodiments, the adaptor is a reusable component. For instance, the adaptor may be shipped with the first segment to the construction site. After fixation of the first segment in the ground, the adaptor may be shipped back to shore. It is possible that it is reused for further wind turbine erections, possibly after a regular check and repair of the adaptor.
- In some embodiments, the
flange 420 of theadaptor 400 is highly stable so that it keeps the lower flange flat and undamaged. This can be achieved by providing stiffening elements to theflange 420 such as a reinforcing cone or an additional plate mounted to the lower end of the adaptor. For instance, inFIG. 11 , the stiffeningelements 425 are illustrated. The stiffening elements are an extension of the flange in the radial direction. Due to the extension, the flange of theadaptor 400 is larger in diameter than the flange of thefirst segment 101. In addition, the extension also has a component in the axial direction of the adaptor (the axial direction of the adaptor is the direction between upper and lower end, perpendicular to the radial direction) allowing theflange 111 of thefirst segment 101 to smoothly fit into and become embedded into thelower end 410 of the adaptor. This guarantees a good fit between the tower flanges which is desirable for a damage-free hammer operation. - Further, the adaptor may have an increased wall thickness as compared to the thickness of a wind turbine tower segment. For instance, the thickness may be at least 50 mm, more specifically at least 80 mm or even at least 100 mm. The flange of the adaptor may have a thickness of at least 1.5 times the thickness of the segment to be rammed into the sea bed. According to embodiments, the adaptor may be adapted to receive segments with an inclined end. In particular, the adaptor is reinforced such that it withstands transverse and shear forces originating from the vertical motion of the hammerhead, which are motion which are exerted, via the adaptor, to the inclined upper end of the wind turbine tower segment, in particular in case of an inclination angle of up to 2°.
- Alternatively to what is shown in
FIG. 11 , the extension of theflange 420 of the adaptor may also be positioned in the radial direction towards the center axis (and not, as shown inFIG. 11 , pointing away from the center). Hence, generally, the flange of the adaptor may be provided with a stiffening element such as a flange extension on the inner flange edge or at the outer flange edge. - Further, the
lower end 410 may be provided with a stiffening plate for withstanding pressures and forces in the radial direction of the adaptor's lower end. - In contrast to construction methods known to the Inventor, the proposed method prevents severe damage to the
upper end 141 of thefirst segment 101 caused by the hammer First, the adaptor allows a continuous and defined contact between the adaptor and the upper end of the first segment. Second, the hammerhead does not strike the segment directly. For instance, in those methods where the hammer directly strikes the upper end of thefirst segment 101, some misalignment of the hammerhead in respect to theupper end 141 may occur. This can result in increased forces at specific positions of the upper end and can thus result in damages to the surface of the upper end of the first segment, such as damage to theflange 111. - Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for an off-shore wind turbine are described above in detail. The systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the systems and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiment can also be implemented and utilized in connection with many other rotor blade applications.
- Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
- This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. While various specific embodiments have been disclosed in the foregoing, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the claims allows for equally effective modifications. Especially, mutually non-exclusive features of the embodiments described above may be combined with each other. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
Claims (20)
1. Wind turbine tower segment for wind turbines, comprising:
a wind turbine tower segment body having a longitudinal axis; and,
a first and a second end;
wherein the surface of at least one of said first and said second end is non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
2. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 1 , wherein the surfaces of both said first and said second end are non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
3. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 2 , wherein the non-perpendicular surfaces of said first and said second end are positioned at opposite ends of said wind turbine tower segment.
4. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 1 , wherein the angle between said longitudinal axis and said non-perpendicular surface is at least 3°.
5. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and said second end is formed by an inclined flange.
6. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 1 wherein said wind turbine tower segment comprises a door.
7. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 3 , wherein the angles between said longitudinal axis and said non-perpendicular surfaces at said opposite ends of said wind turbine tower segment differ from each other.
8. Wind turbine tower segment according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the wind turbine tower segment is a maximum of 5 meters.
9. Wind turbine comprising at least one wind turbine tower segment, said wind turbine tower segment comprising:
a wind turbine tower segment body having a longitudinal axis; and,
a first and a second end;
wherein the surface of at least one of said first and said second end is non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
10. Wind turbine according to claim 9 , wherein the surfaces of both said first and said second end are non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment.
11. Wind turbine according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of said first and said second end is formed by an inclined flange.
12. Wind turbine according to claim 9 , wherein the angle between said longitudinal axis and said non-perpendicular surface is at least 3°.
13. Wind turbine according to claim 9 , wherein the length of said wind turbine tower segment is a maximum of 10 meters.
14. Wind turbine according to claim 9 , comprising two wind turbine tower segments each having a longitudinal axis and at least one end with the surface of said end being non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis.
15. Method for erecting a wind turbine, comprising:
providing a first wind turbine tower segment having a longitudinal axis;
providing a second wind turbine tower segment having a longitudinal axis and a first and a second end, wherein the surface of at least one of said first and said second end is non-perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis of said wind turbine tower segment; and
mounting said second wind turbine tower segment to said first wind turbine tower segment.
16. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising at least one of:
measuring the deviation angle of said longitudinal axis of said first wind turbine tower segment with respect to the vertical; and
measuring the deviation angle of the surface of the upper end of said first wind turbine tower segment with respect to the horizontal.
17. Method according to claim 16 , wherein the angle between said longitudinal axis of said second wind turbine tower segment and said surface of at least one of said first and said second end of said second wind turbine tower segment corresponds to the measured deviation angle of the first wind turbine tower segment.
18. Method according to claim 15 , wherein at least two of the first wind turbine tower segment, the second wind turbine tower segment, and further wind turbine tower segments have at least one end the surface of which is non-perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wind turbine tower segment, and the method further comprising:
pivoting at least one of the wind turbine tower segments with respect to the other wind turbine tower segments.
19. Method according to claim 15 , further comprising:
submerging said first wind turbine segment into the ground.
20. Method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
positioning an adaptor on top of the first wind turbine segment; and
exerting force on the adaptor.
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/869,956 US20110138730A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2010-08-27 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine |
DE102011052845A DE102011052845A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2011-08-19 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method of building a wind turbine |
DKPA201170469A DK201170469A (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2011-08-25 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine |
CN201110257363XA CN102384040A (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2011-08-26 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting wind turbine |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/869,956 US20110138730A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2010-08-27 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110138730A1 true US20110138730A1 (en) | 2011-06-16 |
Family
ID=44141365
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/869,956 Abandoned US20110138730A1 (en) | 2010-08-27 | 2010-08-27 | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110138730A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102384040A (en) |
DE (1) | DE102011052845A1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK201170469A (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120272614A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2012-11-01 | Norman Perner | Tidal Power Plant and Method for the Creation Thereof |
EP2562419A1 (en) * | 2011-08-26 | 2013-02-27 | Nordex Energy GmbH | Tower for a wind energy facility |
CN103148068A (en) * | 2011-12-06 | 2013-06-12 | 上海电气风能有限公司 | Intermediate flange used for repairing levelness of foundation ring of large-scale fan |
DE102012102821A1 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-02 | Werner Möbius Engineering GmbH | Device for aligning off-shore wind-power plant utilized for converting wind energy into electrical power to supply into electricity main, has element arranged on another element and tiltably formed by rotating elements against each other |
US20130263542A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-10 | Ramiro Guerrero | Structural assembly formed of composite materials |
WO2015092443A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Collinson Plc | Support mast for a vertical axis wind turbine |
US20180128246A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2018-05-10 | Forida Development A/S | Wind turbine comprising a tower part of an ultra-high performance fiber reinforced composite |
US20200040541A1 (en) * | 2016-10-10 | 2020-02-06 | Delft Offshore Turbine B.V. | Offshore structure comprising a coated slip joint and method for forming the same |
EP3742035A1 (en) * | 2019-05-23 | 2020-11-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Assembly |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102012104508A1 (en) * | 2012-05-24 | 2013-11-28 | Max Bögl Wind AG | Tower structure for use as hybrid tower for e.g. offshore-system, has tower sections' front surfaces facing towards each other and forming connecting point of structure, and leveling device arranged between front surfaces at point |
DE102012016843A1 (en) | 2012-08-27 | 2014-02-27 | Siegthalerfabrik Gmbh | Adjustable flange for a tower of a wind turbine |
EP3690240A1 (en) * | 2019-01-31 | 2020-08-05 | Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S | Method for manufacturing a wind turbine, tower of a wind turbine and wind turbine |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4590718A (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1986-05-27 | Grumman Aerospace Corporation | Portable, adjustable structure and method of erecting same |
US4656804A (en) * | 1984-06-18 | 1987-04-14 | Yves Foissac | Cylindrical mast element for end to end assembly with other elements so as to constitute a mast |
US6745539B1 (en) * | 2003-03-14 | 2004-06-08 | Fred F. Heim | Lattice tower |
US20050151369A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2005-07-14 | Baruh Bradford G. | Device and method for coupling pipes |
US20090169393A1 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | General Electric Company | Wind tower and method of assembling the same |
US20090313913A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2009-12-24 | Malheiro De Aragao Alexandre F | Polymeric concrete for wind generator towers or other large structural applicatons |
US20100101173A1 (en) * | 2008-01-04 | 2010-04-29 | General Electric Company | Wind turbine tower joints |
US20110314750A1 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | Jacob Johannes Nies | Tower segments and method for off-shore wind turbines |
US8109061B2 (en) * | 2004-11-10 | 2012-02-07 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Tower part for a wind turbine, an aperture cover system, a method for manufacturing a tower part and uses hereof |
-
2010
- 2010-08-27 US US12/869,956 patent/US20110138730A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-08-19 DE DE102011052845A patent/DE102011052845A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-08-25 DK DKPA201170469A patent/DK201170469A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2011-08-26 CN CN201110257363XA patent/CN102384040A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4590718A (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1986-05-27 | Grumman Aerospace Corporation | Portable, adjustable structure and method of erecting same |
US4656804A (en) * | 1984-06-18 | 1987-04-14 | Yves Foissac | Cylindrical mast element for end to end assembly with other elements so as to constitute a mast |
US20050151369A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2005-07-14 | Baruh Bradford G. | Device and method for coupling pipes |
US6745539B1 (en) * | 2003-03-14 | 2004-06-08 | Fred F. Heim | Lattice tower |
US8109061B2 (en) * | 2004-11-10 | 2012-02-07 | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | Tower part for a wind turbine, an aperture cover system, a method for manufacturing a tower part and uses hereof |
US20090313913A1 (en) * | 2006-09-13 | 2009-12-24 | Malheiro De Aragao Alexandre F | Polymeric concrete for wind generator towers or other large structural applicatons |
US20090169393A1 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | General Electric Company | Wind tower and method of assembling the same |
US20100101173A1 (en) * | 2008-01-04 | 2010-04-29 | General Electric Company | Wind turbine tower joints |
US20110314750A1 (en) * | 2010-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | Jacob Johannes Nies | Tower segments and method for off-shore wind turbines |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8801331B2 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2014-08-12 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Tidal power plant and method for the creation thereof |
US20120272614A1 (en) * | 2009-10-30 | 2012-11-01 | Norman Perner | Tidal Power Plant and Method for the Creation Thereof |
EP2562419A1 (en) * | 2011-08-26 | 2013-02-27 | Nordex Energy GmbH | Tower for a wind energy facility |
CN103148068A (en) * | 2011-12-06 | 2013-06-12 | 上海电气风能有限公司 | Intermediate flange used for repairing levelness of foundation ring of large-scale fan |
DE102012102821A1 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-02 | Werner Möbius Engineering GmbH | Device for aligning off-shore wind-power plant utilized for converting wind energy into electrical power to supply into electricity main, has element arranged on another element and tiltably formed by rotating elements against each other |
US20180128246A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2018-05-10 | Forida Development A/S | Wind turbine comprising a tower part of an ultra-high performance fiber reinforced composite |
US20130263542A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-10 | Ramiro Guerrero | Structural assembly formed of composite materials |
WO2015092443A1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2015-06-25 | Collinson Plc | Support mast for a vertical axis wind turbine |
US20200040541A1 (en) * | 2016-10-10 | 2020-02-06 | Delft Offshore Turbine B.V. | Offshore structure comprising a coated slip joint and method for forming the same |
US11761162B2 (en) * | 2016-10-10 | 2023-09-19 | Delft Offshore Turbine B.V. | Offshore structure comprising a coated slip joint and method for forming the same |
EP3742035A1 (en) * | 2019-05-23 | 2020-11-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Assembly |
WO2020233926A1 (en) * | 2019-05-23 | 2020-11-26 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement |
CN113939681A (en) * | 2019-05-23 | 2022-01-14 | 西门子股份公司 | Assembly |
US11885446B2 (en) | 2019-05-23 | 2024-01-30 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK201170469A (en) | 2012-02-28 |
CN102384040A (en) | 2012-03-21 |
DE102011052845A1 (en) | 2012-03-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20110138730A1 (en) | Wind turbine tower segment, wind turbine and method for erecting a wind turbine | |
US8801331B2 (en) | Tidal power plant and method for the creation thereof | |
US8240955B2 (en) | Tower segments and method for off-shore wind turbines | |
US9777713B2 (en) | Floating offshore wind power generation facility | |
EP2570555B1 (en) | A tower base section of a wind turbine, a wind turbine and a system for mounting a tower | |
US8186966B2 (en) | Offshore wind turbine generator | |
KR101171201B1 (en) | Offshore wind turbine structure using steel pipe pile foundation and prefabricated structure, and constructing method for the same | |
EP2441955A1 (en) | Tower Connector | |
KR20140092215A (en) | Partial pitch wind turbine with floating foundation | |
JP5993756B2 (en) | Offshore structure and installation method of offshore structure | |
US20220381226A1 (en) | Support structure for wind power generation device and wind power generation device | |
EP3290692B1 (en) | Wind-turbine tower, wind turbine, and method of assembling wind-turbine tower | |
KR101164227B1 (en) | Offshore wind turbine structure using steel pipe pile foundation and prefabricated structure | |
KR101536532B1 (en) | Transition piece for Adjusting Horizontality | |
EP2697455B1 (en) | A method of obtaining vertical alignment of a tower | |
WO2013100441A1 (en) | Offshore wind turbine structure using a steel pipe pile foundation and a prefabricated structure, and method for constructing same | |
EP3792486A1 (en) | Method of offshore mounting a wind turbine | |
KR101888231B1 (en) | A tower-substructure connecting structure for reinforced concrete substructure capable of correcting vertical misalignment | |
DK202101194A1 (en) | Method of assembly and installation of an offshore support structure for a wind turbine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GE WIND ENERGY GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NIES, JACOB JOHANNES;REEL/FRAME:024898/0223 Effective date: 20100826 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GE WIND ENERGY GMBH;REEL/FRAME:025089/0605 Effective date: 20100830 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |