WO2020027777A1

WO2020027777A1 - Safe access wind turbine arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2020027777A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/044349
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven T. MCRORY; Sharifi MASOUD; Jacob SHYROCK
Original assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S; Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, Inc.
Priority date: 2018-07-30
Filing date: 2018-07-30
Publication date: 2020-02-06

Abstract

A wind tower base structure is provided. The wind tower base structure includes a foundation 330 and a support structure 362. The support structure 362 extends from the foundation 330 and includes an opening 328. A cavity 570 is formed in the base structure 360, and at least a portion of the cavity delineated by the support structure 362 and the foundation 330. The opening 328 provides an egress for an element to be routed out of a side wall of the support structure 362.

Description

SAFE ACCESS WIND TURBINE ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed, in general, to the power generation industry, and more particularly to the field of wind power.

BACKGROUND

[0002] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine power plant arrangement according to the prior art. The wind turbine power plant 5 includes a wind turbine 100, arranged on a foundation 130, and a transformer 140 located at a distance from the wind turbine 100.

[0003] Wind turbine 100 includes a rotor 102, a nacelle 104, which comprises a generator 106, and a tower 1 10. The rotor 102 is rotatably connected to the nacelle 104, and the nacelle 104 is rotatably connected to the tower 110. Rotational mechanical energy from the rotor 102 is converted into electrical power via the generator 106. A power cable 107 transmits the generated electrical power from the generator 106 to a power unit 112 arranged in the tower 110. Power from the power unit 12 is transmitted via the power cable 117 to a transformer 140, which steps up the voltage of the power from the generator before the power is transmitted to the grid. The power cable 117, which is attached to the bottom of the power unit 112, is routed though the foundation 130 and underground.

[0004] The foundation 130 is formed to support the load of the tower 110. The foundation 130 may extend radially beyond the tower 110 to distribute tower loads. The foundation 130 is typically formed using concrete.

[0005] The wind interacts with the rotor 102 of the wind turbine 100. Due to the interaction, forces are introduced into the wind turbine 100. The forces lead to loads in the tower 110. The tower 110 needs to be rigid enough to withstand the loads. The tower 110 of a wind turbine 100 is often manufactured using steel or concrete. Tower segments 114, 115 are combined to form the tower 110. The thickness of the segments 114, 115 is calculated accordingly, so that the tower 110 can bear the loads.

[0006] An opening 118 formed in the base segment 115 allows access into the tower 110 by personnel. Any opening in a segment 114, 115 weakens the rigidity of the tower 110. To compensate for the weakening effect of the door opening 118, the door opening 118 is reinforced. The reinforcement increases weight of the segment 114, 115 and the cost especially for steel-based segments. Increased weight can also cause difficulty in transportation of the segment 114, 115 when the segments are constructed off site.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 2, a prior art arrangement in the base segment 115 of the tower 110 is illustrated. To provide the necessary rigidity for a steel-based segment 115 to compensate for the door opening 118, the door opening 118 is typically formed above ground level 116, for example, approximately 2 meters above ground. This results in stairs 227 which can difficult and can be dangerous for the personnel to use especially when entering the door opening 118 with heavy and/or large equipment. Furthermore, as tower 110 heights increase, the load in the bottom section increases accordingly. As a result of the increased height, the door height is typically raised further from the ground to achieve a mechanically and financially feasible solution due to the load increase. While the stairs 227 could be eliminated by locating the door opening 118 at ground level, the additional steel further increases weight and increases costs beyond a financially viable solution.

[0008] When a number of devices 112, 120 are arranged in the base segment 115 of the tower 110, at least a portion of the devices 112, 120 are vertically disposed to one another. For example, a first device 112 is above a second device 120 and separated by a platform. In the illustration, the door opening 118 is at entry floor level 222 of a platform. The first device 112 is accessible at the entry floor level 222, and the second device 120 is accessible at a basement level 224. A ladder 226 allows personnel to go between the entry floor level 222 and the basement. Regardless of locating the door opening 118 at ground level and eliminating stairs 227, ladder 226 would be needed to go between the first and second devices 112, 120.

[0009] Wind towers may benefit from improvements.

SUMMARY

[0010] Variously disclosed embodiments may be used to facilitate a wind turbine base structure, a wind turbine installation or wind turbine. In one example, wind tower base structure is provided. The wind tower base structure comprises a foundation and a support structure. The support structure extends from the foundation and comprises an opening. A cavity is formed in the base structure. At least a portion of the cavity is delineated by support structure and the foundation. Wherein the opening provides an egress for an element to be routed out of a side wall of the support structure.

[0011] In an embodiment, a wind tower installation comprises the wind tower base structure and a tower arranged on the wind tower base structure.

[0012] In an embodiment, a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine comprises the wind turbine installation, a nacelle pivotably arranged on the tower, and a rotor pivotably connected to the nacelle. The nacelle comprises a generator.

[0013] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the technical features of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description that follows. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0014] Also, before undertaking the Detailed Description below, it should be understood that various definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. While some terms may include a wide variety of embodiments, the appended claims may expressly limit these terms to specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind turbine power plant arrangement according to the prior art.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement of equipment in the tower according to the prior art.

[0017] FIG. 3. illustrates a wind turbine power plant arrangement according embodiments of the invention. [0018] FIG. 4 illustrates cross section view of the support structure according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates cut away view of the base structure according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates cross section view of the support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Various technologies that pertain to systems and methods according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged apparatus. It is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system elements may be performed by multiple elements. Similarly, for instance, an element may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to exemplary non-limiting embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a wind turbine power plant according embodiments of the present invention. The wind turbine power plant 305 includes a wind turbine 300, arranged on a safety- access base structure 360.

[0023] The wind turbine 300 includes tower 310. The tower 310 includes a plurality of tower segments 314, 315. By way of example, the illustrated tower 310 includes three segments 314, 315. One skilled in the art would recognize that the number of segments 314, 315 may be greater than or less than three. The tower segments 314, 315 may be steel based or concrete based. The base segment 315 is connected to the base structure 360.

[0024] The base structure 360 includes a foundation 330 and a support structure 362. All or portion of the foundation 330 may be below ground surface level. The support structure 362 extends from the foundation 330 and tower 310 is arranged on support structure 362. The tower 310 being arranged on the support structure 362 contrasts with the tower being arranged on the foundation as in the prior art. [0025] The base structure 360 comprises concrete. Other materials may be used in addition to the concrete. For example, steal may be used to reinforcement and/or prestress the concrete. The base structure 360 includes door opening 318. In an embodiment, the door opening 318 is at ground surface level 116. In another embodiment, the door opening 318 is above the ground surface level 116. The stairs into the tower may be eliminated when the door opening is at or near the ground surface level 116.

[0026] When the door opening 318 is in the base structure 360, base segment 315 is formed without a door opening 318. By eliminating the door opening in the base segment 315, the reinforcement steel need for the door opening is eliminated and the weight of the tower/and or tower segment 315 is reduced. A reduction in the weight of the tower segment 315 reduces difficulty in transportation of the tower segment 315 when the segment 315 is constructed off site. Furthermore, eliminating the reinforcement steel reduces material costs. Furthermore,

[0027] In an embodiment, an opening 328 is formed though a side wall of the base structure 360. More specifically, the opening 328 is formed in the support structure 362. In an embodiment, the opening 328 is at or approximately to ground level 116. In an embodiment, the opening 328 is above ground level 116. In an embodiment, the opening 328 is below ground level 116.

[0028] The opening 328 is a passage for routing an element. For example, a cable, conduit, and/or hose, may be routed through the support structure via opening 328. According to the illustrated embodiment, a cable 327 is routed to transformer 140. According to the illustrated embodiment the routing is by way of opening 328 and without routing through the foundation. When the cable is routed via opening 328, less cable is required than routing the cable through the foundation. The reduction in cable length reduces cable reduces heat loss. In contrast to the door opening 318, which is large enough to accommodate personnel, is sized to accommodate the routing element. The size of the opening 328 may further be adjusted for clearances. For example, clearances needed for thermal expansion.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the support structure 362 according to an embodiment. According to the illustration the support structure 362 is annular. In another embodiment the support structure 362 is polygonal. One skilled in the art would recognize that this is merely for illustrative purposes and the support structure 362 may take on any geometric shape. For example, all or a portion of the support structure 362 may be square or conical. The support structure 362 includes an interior surface 363 and an exterior surface 364. A thickness TH of the wall of the support 362 is defined between the interior surface 363 and an exterior surface 364. A distance D is defined between opposing interior surfaces 363. In the illustrated embodiment of an annular support structure 362, the distance D is a diameter.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates cut away view of the base structure of FIG 3. A cavity 570 is delineated by support structure 362 and the foundation 330. For example, the cavity 570 is formed between the interior surface 363 of the support structure 362 and a floor 531 of the foundation 330. According to an embodiment, the cavity 570 is of sufficient size to arrange the devices in the base structure 360 to accessible by personnel without the need of a ladder.

[0031] The wall may be a consistent thickness TH as illustrated. It would be understood that the consistent thickness is merely for illustration and that the thickness may vary. For example, the thickness may taper and decrease in the direction away from the foundation 330.

[0032] The support structure 362 may extend perpendicularly as illustrated. It would be understood that this is merely for illustration and the support structure 362 may extend at an angle. For example, the support structure 362 may be angled inward when at least a portion of the support structure 362 is conical.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement of devices in the base structure 360 according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, a plurality of devices may be arranged in the cavity 570 of the base structure 360. The embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, where in contrast to being arranged above or below each other, at least a portion of the devices are arranged side by side. For example, the devices are arranged on the foundation 330 or on the same floor level. In the illustrated embodiment, a first device 612 and a second 620 are arranged on the floor 531 of the foundation 330. When the devices 612, 620 are arranged on the same floor, personnel may more safely access the devices 612, 620. Thereby, the need for ladder to change floor levels within the base structure 360 may be eliminated. One skilled in the art would understand that two devices arranged in the base structure 360 is merely for illustrative purposes. It would be further understood that more than two devices may be arranged in the base structure 360 in a manner described above for the first device 612 and the second device 620. [0034] The devices 612, 620 arranged in the base structure 360 may be, for example, any equipment that facilitates the operation and/or control of at least a portion of the wind turbine power plant 305. By way of example, the first device 612 is a power unit and the second device 620 is a cooling unit. Power units, which are well known in the art, controls converting the electrical power between DC and AC. Cooling units, which are also well known, may include passive or active elements to cool at least one of the devices in the base structure 360. By way of example, the cooling unit cools the power unit.

[0035] Arranging the power unit 612 in the base structure 360 facilitates the cable 327 to be routed through the support structure 362 at or near ground level. The cable 327 may be connected to a side wall of the power unit, wherein the side wall faces the support structure wall. Since the cable 327 is routed directly out of the tower 310, in contrast to through the foundation, the cable may be shorter. Additionally, the transformer may be moved closer to the tower when the cable is routed directly out of the tower 310 via opening 328.

[0036] In an embodiment, at least a portion of cable 327 from the tower 310 to the transformer 140 is above ground. A covering may be used to protect portions of the cable 327 which are above ground. The covering may be formed from a suitable material to protect the cable 327. For example, the covering may be formed using concrete.

[0037] Various door opening sizes may be used which facilitate access by personnel. In an embodiment the door opening 318 is sufficient for personnel to access the cavity 570 but too small to allow the power unit 612 and/or cooling unit 620 to pass through the door opening 318, such that the power unit 612 and or cooling unit 620 is installed via crane and lifted into the cavity 570.

[0038] It would be understood that description of the first device 612 being a power unit and the second device being a cooling 620 is merely for illustrative purposes and is not to be limiting. Other selections and/or combinations of devices may be arranged in the base structure 360. For example, the transformer 140 may be one of the devices located within the base structure 360. When the transformer 140 is located within the base structure 360, the cable 317 may be routed from the transformer 140 via the opening 328 towards the grid. According to a further embodiment, a single device is located in the base structure 360. In yet a further embodiment, no devices are located in the base structure 360.

[0039] It would be understood the description of the cable 317 being routed through opening 328 is merely one embodiment of an element routed through the opening 328. Other elements, for example, conduits and pipes may be routed from the cavity 570 to the outside of the base structure 360 via the opening 328.

[0040] Features disclosed may provide various benefits. For example, safety benefits by reducing stairs, ladders, and/or obstructions; cost and transportation benefits from material reduction; cost and performance benefits by routing cable through wall instead of foundation.

[0041] Also, it should be understood that the words or phrases used herein should be construed broadly, unless expressly limited in some examples. For example, the terms“include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The singular forms “a”,“an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, the term“and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term“or” is inclusive, meaning and/or, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

[0042] Although an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, variations, and improvements disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure in its broadest form.

[0043] None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, act, or function is an essential element, which must be included in the claim scope: the scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke a means plus function claim construction unless the exact words "means for" are followed by a participle.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wind tower base structure 360, comprising:

a foundation 330 and a support structure 362, the support structure 362 extends from the foundation 330 and comprises an opening 328;

a cavity 570 formed in the base structure 360, at least a portion of the cavity is delineated by support structure 362 and the foundation 330; and

wherein the opening 328 provides an egress for an element to be routed out of a side wall of the support structure 362.

2. The wind tower base structure 360 according any of the claims above, comprising

a door opening 318 for personnel access to the cavity 570.

3. The wind tower base structure 360 according to any of the claims above,

wherein the opening 328 is formed at ground level 116.

4. The wind tower base structure 360 according to any of the claims 1 and 2,

wherein the opening 328 is formed above ground level 116.

5 A wind tower installation, comprising:

the wind tower base structure 360, according to any of the claims 1-4, and

a tower 310 arranged on the wind tower base structure 360.

6. The wind tower installation according to claim 5,

wherein the tower 310 excludes a door opening 318 for personnel access to the cavity

570.

7. The wind tower installation according to any of the claims 5-6,

wherein a cable 327 is routed through the opening 328.

8. The wind tower installation according to claim 7,

wherein the cable 327 is arranged without routing through the foundation 330.

9. The wind tower installation according to any of the claims 7-8, the cavity comprising a plurality of devices arranged side by side in respect to each other.

10. The wind tower installation according to any of the claims 5-9,

wherein the devices are each arranged on the foundation 330.

11. The wind tower installation according to any of the claims 5-10,

wherein the tower 310 comprises a plurality of steel segments.

12. The wind tower installation according to any of the claims 5-11 ,

wherein element is a conduit.

13. A wind turbine 300 according, comprising:

the wind turbine installation according to any of the claims 5 or 6;

a nacelle 104 pivotably arranged on the tower, the nacelle 104 comprising a generator

106;

a rotor 102 pivotably connected to the nacelle 104.

14. The wind turbine 300 according to claim 13, comprising

a cable 327 is routed through the opening 328.

15. The wind turbine 300 according to claim 14,

wherein the cable 327 is connected to a transformer.

16. The wind turbine 300 according to claim 15,

wherein the cavity comprises the transformer.

17. The wind turbine 300 according to any of the claims 14-16,

wherein the cable 327 is arranged without routing through the foundation 330.

18. The wind turbine 300 according to any of the claims 13-17, the cavity comprising a plurality of devices arranged side by side in respect to each other.

19. The wind turbine 300 according to claim 18,

wherein the devices are each arranged on the foundation 330.

20. The wind turbine 300 according to any of the claims 13-19,

wherein the tower 310 comprises a plurality of steel segments.

21. The wind turbine 300 according to any of the claims 14-17, comprising

a protective cover over a portion of the cable 327 being above ground level 116.