Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-tensioning a bolt that joins two parts, each end of the bolt being threaded into a respective cavity of the two parts. According to one embodiment, the bolt including a double wedge pre-tensioning element, a washer disposed at each side of the double wedge and clamping elements fastening the wedges once the desired preloading has been attained. The bolt is pre-tensioned with a tensioning tool which acts on the pre-tensioning element, reducing a distance between the wedges while increasing the distance between the two parts to be joined and reducing a distance between the outer facing surfaces of the wedges and washers. The control system measures at least one of the distances described, with the tensioning tool acting in accordance with the measured distance.

Abstract: A transition piece for a wind turbine tower including a hollow frustoconical piece that is connected to an upper ring and a lower ring. The upper ring is connected to crossbars and the lower ring to radial columns. The transition piece also includes three connectors, each of them being connected to a crossbar, two radial columns and two connection profiles that keep the three connectors joined together, so that a pair of radial columns is arranged between a connector and the lower ring and the crossbars are arranged between the upper ring and a respective connector. The radial columns form an angle of between 65° and 75°, measured between the longitudinal axis of the corresponding radial column with the normal axis of the frustoconical piece.

Abstract: A lightning protection system for the joint of a modular blade. The joint comprises a number of coated metal elements by Xpacer equipotentially bonded with a number of stacks disposed at the sides of the upper cap and the lower cap and with the lightning down-drop. The preforms of the joint include two stacks at the leading edge and another two stacks at the trailing edge. The stacks are formed by layers of carbon fibre and layers of glass fibre, replaced by copper mesh as from the equipotentiation line. The stack incorporates at the side thereof a metal strip joined to the metal strip that links the tip cap and the root cap, and is coated with a layer of glass fibre.

Abstract: A fairing for a modular blade of a wind turbine generator, comprising including a joining zone disposed between two consecutive modules of the modular blade. The fairing is comprised of different components; the suction side fairing, the pressure side fairing and auxiliary components, such as tabs to facilitate the joining of the components. The leading edge fairing and the trailing edge fairing are constituted of an elastomeric material, preferably silicone, supported in a rigid glass fibre framework in order to absorb the warping experienced by the blade during the operation thereof. The attachment elements employed to join the fairings together and to the setbacks of the blade shell are rivets or similar. All the fairings incorporate the metal elements necessary to be equipotentially bonded, being linked to the lighting down-drop.

Abstract: A novel wind turbine, the tower of which ending with three legs and which is also anchored to the ground by means of a characteristic anchoring system depending on the type of existing soil. It is anchored on conventional rock soil with a pile foundation, it is anchored in a hard-rock soil with an anchor-rock foundation, it is anchored in a non-rocky soil with a gravitational foundation and it is anchored on clayey or swampy soil with a gravitational foundation reinforced with piles.

Abstract: A novel wind turbine, the tower of which ending with three legs and which is also anchored to the ground by means of a characteristic anchoring system depending on the type of existing soil. It is anchored on conventional rock soil with a pile foundation, it is anchored in a hard-rock soil with an anchor-rock foundation, it is anchored in a non-rocky soil with a gravitational foundation and it is anchored on clayey or swampy soil with a gravitational foundation reinforced with piles.

Abstract: A transition piece for a wind turbine tower including a hollow frustoconical piece that is connected to an upper ring and a lower ring. The upper ring is connected to crossbars and the lower ring to radial columns. The transition piece also includes three connectors, each of them being connected to a crossbar, two radial columns and two connection profiles that keep the three connectors joined together, so that a pair of radial columns is arranged between a connector and the lower ring and the crossbars are arranged between the upper ring and a respective connector. The radial columns form an angle of between 65° and 75°, measured between the longitudinal axis of the corresponding radial column with the normal axis of the frustoconical piece.

Abstract: Foundation for a tower of a wind turbine with at least three columns. The foundation includes a reinforced concrete pile corresponding to each of the tower columns. According to one embodiment the pile includes a bolt cage and a main reinforcement formed by a cylindrical framework made up of horizontal rings interconnected by vertical bars. The bolt cage is arranged inside the main reinforcement radially at a distance of less than 0.1 meters. Each of the piles resides in a hole formed in the ground. Concrete is not poured into the holes until the main reinforcements and bolt cages are placed therein and aligned with one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-tensioning a bolt that joins two parts, each end of the bolt being threaded into a respective cavity of the two parts. According to one embodiment, the bolt including a double wedge pre-tensioning element, a washer disposed at each side of the double wedge and clamping elements fastening the wedges once the desired preloading has been attained. The bolt is pre-tensioned with a tensioning tool which acts on the pre-tensioning element, reducing a distance between the wedges while increasing the distance between the two parts to be joined and reducing a distance between the outer facing surfaces of the wedges and washers. The control system measures at least one of the distances described, with the tensioning tool acting in accordance with the measured distance.

Abstract: An assembly for joining together modules of a modular wind turbine blade. According to one embodiment the assembly is formed by a plurality of bolts that are secured between pairs of first and second inserts respectively housed in the composite material of first and second modules. According to one embodiment each assembly is formed by first and second lateral caps, upper wedge and a lower wedges located between the first and second lateral caps, and transverse screws joining the upper and lower wedges that together are formed around the corresponding bolt. When a force F1 is applied to the wedges, the lateral caps respond with forces F2 that urge the first and second modules away from one another to longitudinally stress the bolt.

Abstract: Foundation for a tower of a wind turbine with at least three columns. The foundation includes a reinforced concrete pile corresponding to each of the tower columns. According to one embodiment the pile includes a bolt cage and a main reinforcement formed by a cylindrical framework made up of horizontal rings interconnected by vertical bars. The bolt cage is arranged inside the main reinforcement radially at a distance of less than 0.1 meters. Each of the piles resides in a hole formed in the ground. Concrete is not poured into the holes until the main reinforcements and bolt cages are placed therein and aligned with one another.

Abstract: According to some implementations a bolted joint for modular blades is provided that comprises a single bolt that joins the inserts incorporated on the flange of the beam, screwing the two modules facing each other. A spacer is added to each bolt, and the bolts is then pre-tensioned by pulling, either mechanically separating the modules with a mechanical separator or thermally by applying heaters to the bolt and coolers to the spacer, or by torqueing the bolts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tower section and to a method for raising said section with a complete new or existing wind turbine on the upper part thereof, the assembly being raised to heights greater than 120 meters by means of a raising system that operates at ground level and gradually inserts modular frame structures through the lower part. The modules have heights between 10 and 14 meters and are formed by a trellis of at least three vertical columns and with diagonal elements which react to the twisting moments and shear forces generated by the action of the wind. A transition part with a base sufficient for raising in wind conditions greater than 15 meters/second is disposed on top of the modules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tower section and to a method for raising said section with a complete new or existing wind turbine on the upper part thereof, the assembly being raised to heights greater than 120 meters by means of a raising system that operates at ground level and gradually inserts modular frame structures through the lower part. The modules have heights between 10 and 14 meters and are formed by a trellis of at least three vertical columns and with diagonal elements which react to the twisting moments and shear forces generated by the action of the wind. A transition part with a base sufficient for raising in wind conditions greater than 15 meters/second is disposed on top of the modules.

Abstract: An assembly for joining together modules of a modular wind turbine blade. According to one embodiment the assembly is formed by a plurality of bolts that are secured between pairs of first and second inserts respectively housed in the composite material of first and second modules. According to one embodiment each assembly is formed by first and second lateral caps, upper wedge and a lower wedges located between the first and second lateral caps, and transverse screws joining the upper and lower wedges that together are formed around the corresponding bolt. When a force F1 is applied to the wedges, the lateral caps respond with forces F2 that urge the first and second modules away from one another to longitudinally stress the bolt.

Abstract: Systems for assembling a wind turbine without the assistance of cranes. According to some implementations a system is provided that includes lifting systems having lifting platforms arranged peripherally around the tower. The lifting platforms cooperate with different connection tools that can be supported on an auxiliary column and thus lift or lower the tower modules.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wind turbine blades of variable length with connection elements with the rotor hub. The method includes providing and using enlarged manufacturing molds having a common zone of a predetermined length and, at least, an adaptive zone arranged with the length needed for manufacturing the blades with a desired length, particularly the length required for optimizing the annual energy production (AEP) of a predetermined wind turbine model in a predetermined site.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a lattice tower to the nacelle of a wind turbine. The apparatus has high flexural rigidity and enables direct transition between the nacelle and members of the lattice tower. The apparatus includes two rings joined together with vertical plates extending between them. Upper and lower faces of the apparatus are formed by upper and lower horizontal plates. Central ribs are coupled together and with the vertical plates through a plurality of attachment pieces. The central ribs in part form a large central polygonal hole for accommodating an electrical generator.

Abstract: Systems for assembling a wind turbine without the assistance of cranes. According to some implementations a system is provided that includes lifting systems having lifting platforms arranged peripherally around the tower. The lifting platforms cooperate with different connection tools that can be supported on an auxiliary column and thus lift or lower the tower modules.

Abstract: A device for changing the angle of inclination in wind turbines. According to one aspect the device is formed by a connection part having a peripheral rolling ring on which three rolling supports are arranged. The rolling supports are attached to a bench that supports the rotor of the wind turbine. Each of a plurality of plates on the bench supports at least one cylinder that operates on a piston that passes through the plate. An end of the piston is coupled to a respective one of the rolling supports in an articulated manner. The cylinders are configured to operate on the pistons to cause the bench to tilt with respect to the connection part.