Adapter Configuration for a Wind Tower Lattice Structure
A wind turbine tower includes a lattice tower structure having a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members. An adapter is molded onto a top of the lattice tower structure such that top portions of the columns are embedded into the adapter. The adapter may be a concrete member molded onto the lattice tower structure.
Latest General Electric Patents:
- METHOD FOR REMOVING OR INSTALLING A DIFFUSER SEGMENT OF A TURBINE ASSEMBLY
- ELECTRIC MACHINE WITH LOW PROFILE RETENTION ASSEMBLY FOR RETENTION OF STATOR CORE
- Contrast imaging system and method
- Methods for manufacturing blade components for wind turbine rotor blades
- System and method having flame stabilizers for isothermal expansion in turbine stage of gas turbine engine
The present invention relates generally to wind turbine tower structures, and more particularly to an adapter configuration that may utilized between the lattice tower and an upper tubular component of the wind turbine, or at the interface between a jacket foundation and tower for offshore wind turbines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONConventional wind turbine towers typically include a tubularpole construction to support a wind turbine at a considerable height to capture wind energy. The tubular tower configuration is relatively simple and easier to assemble, but utilizes a considerable amount of material, particularly steel. With the rising costs of these materials, the tubular towers become economically disadvantageous for certain hub heights and geographic regions.
The growing acceptance of wind energy as a significant alternative energy source depends on large part in maintaining the cost-per-kilowatt of power produced at an acceptable level. In this regard, lattice tower structures are gaining acceptance as a cost-effective alternative to the conventional tubular towers due, primarily, to significantly reduced amount of steel used in the lattice towers.
With certain conventional configurations, the wind tower structure includes a lower lattice tower section and an upper tubular section, with the machine head mounted atop the tubular section. A steel adapter is provided at the interface between the lattice tower section and the tubular section. In another known configurations, the machine head is supported directly atop of the lattice tower section, also with an adapter provided between the lattice tower section and the machine head. An example of this configuration is the “Space Frame Tower™” from Wind Tower Systems of Park City, Utah, USA, wherein a steel interface flange is welded to the top of the lattice tower. The yaw bearing ring in the machine head is bolted directly to this interface flange.
The interface between the lattice tower structure and the machine head or a tubular component that supports the machine head is crucial. The load transfer issues from the machine head to the vertical legs of the lattice tower can be quite complex. It is the conventional practice to use a welded steel adapter at this interface, as with the configurations discussed above. This steel adapter is, however, expensive to produce and requires skilled technicians (including welders) to configure the adapter to the tower, all of which adds to the overall cost of the wind turbine.
The concerns are similar with respect to offshore wind tower structures wherein the towers are connected to lattice or girder structures anchored to the sea bed with complex welded steel adapter structures.
Accordingly, an improved adapter configuration between the lattice tower structure and the machine head structure that is cost-effective and possesses superior load transfer capabilities is desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with aspects of the invention, a wind turbine tower construction is provided having a lattice structure with a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members. An adapter is molded onto a top of the lattice structure such that top portions of the columns are embedded into the adapter. The wind turbine tower structure may be land-based on an off-shore installation.
The adapter is configured for connection with structure that supports the machine head (“nacelle”) of the wind turbine, such as a tubular tower component on which the machine head is mounted or a component within the machine head. In this regard, the adapter may in one embodiment include a plurality of anchor bolts embedded therein for receipt of the tubular component. In another embodiment, a plurality of bolt holes may be defined through the adapter for receipt of respective bolts used to attach any manner of structure to the adapter. In still a further alternative embodiment, a plurality of threaded inserts may be provided in the adapter for receipt of a machine head component or other supporting structure.
The adapter is not limited to a particular moldable material, and may be formed of any suitable settable, hardened material formed onto and around the top portions of the columns. In a particular embodiment, the adapter is a concrete member poured and formed onto the top portions of the columns. In this concrete embodiment, any configuration of anchor members may be attached to the top portions of the columns and embedded in the concrete member. If anchor bolts are used in this embodiment, such bolts may be pre-tensioned in the concrete adapter.
The shape, dimensions, appearance, and the like, of the adapter are not limiting factors of the invention. In a particular embodiment, the adapter is formed as a cylindrical plate-like member.
In a unique embodiment, the lattice structure includes a plurality of vertically aligned and connected sections that may be erected at the wind turbine site. A top one of the sections may have the adapter pre-molded onto the columns.
It should be appreciated that the invention also encompasses a section of a wind turbine tower, wherein the section includes a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members interconnected to define an open lattice structure, and with an adapter molded onto a top of the columns such that top portions of the columns are embedded into the adapter. The adapter may be configured in various different embodiments as discussed above.
The present invention also encompasses any manner of a wind turbine that incorporates a lattice structure with an adapter as set forth herein.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
Referring to
In a particular embodiment, the adapter is a concrete member, with the top portions 32 of the columns 20 embedded directly into the concrete during the formation process. It should be appreciated that concrete is not a limiting material, and that other suitable types of settable, hardened materials may be used, for example, epoxies or other hardened adhesives, hardened plastics, and so forth.
In order to strengthen and ensure the integrity of the connection between the top portions 32 of the columns 20 and the adapter 30, it may be desired to affix any manner of anchor members 34 onto the portions of the columns 20 that will be embedded in the adaptor 30, as depicted in
It should be appreciated that the adapter 30 is not limited to any particular shape, size, dimensions, or aesthetic appearance, and that all of these characteristics may be varied to the moldable and shapeable characteristics of the adapter 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter 30 is a solid plate-like member, such as a concrete disc. In other embodiments, the adapter 30 may be a ring so that cables, ladders, and any other component may be routed through the adapter into the tubular section or machine head.
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
The adapter 30 may, in certain embodiments, constitute a component that is pre-formed onto a top section 40 (
It should thus be appreciated that the present invention also encompasses any manner of a section 40 of a lattice tower structure that incorporates an adapter 30 in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
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. 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 include 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 languages of the claims.
Claims
1. A wind turbine tower construction, comprising:
- a lattice structure having a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members; and
- an adapter molded onto a top of said lattice structure such that top portions of said columns are embedded into said adapter.
2. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 1, wherein said adapter comprises a settable, hardened material formed onto said top portions of said columns.
3. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 2, wherein said adapter comprises a concrete member poured and formed onto said top portions of said columns.
4. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 3, further comprising anchor members attached to said top portions of said columns and embedded in said concrete member.
5. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of anchor bolts configured with said adapter.
6. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 5, wherein said anchor bolts are pre-tensioned in said adapter.
7. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of threaded inserts in said adapter.
8. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 1, wherein said adapter is a continuous plate-like member.
9. The wind turbine tower construction as in claim 1, wherein said lattice tower structure comprises a plurality of vertically aligned and connected sections, said adapter pre-molded onto a top one of said sections.
10. A section of a wind turbine towerconsturction, comprising:
- a plurality of vertically oriented columns and cross-brace members interconnected to define an open lattice structure; and
- an adapter molded onto a top of said columns such that top portions of said columns are embedded into said adapter;
- wherein said adapter is configured for receipt of a machine head component of a wind turbine.
11. The section as in claim 10, wherein said adapter comprises a settable, hardened material formed onto said top portions of said columns.
12. The section as in claim 11, wherein said adapter comprises a concrete member poured and formed onto said top portions of said columns.
13. The section as in claim 12, further comprising anchor members attached to said top portions of said columns and embedded in said concrete member.
14. The section as in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of pre-tensioned anchor bolts embedded into said adapter and configured for receipt of a tubular component.
15. The section as in claim 10, wherein said adapter is a continuous plate-like member.
16. The section as in claim 10, wherein said adapter is a ring member.
Type: Application
Filed: May 25, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2012
Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (Schenectady, NY)
Inventor: Stefan Voss (Salzbergen)
Application Number: 13/115,558
International Classification: E04H 12/00 (20060101);