E04H12/08

ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIRST AND A SECOND MEMBER AND A CONNECTOR, AND A METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SUCH AN ASSEMBLY
20230069473 · 2023-03-02 · ·

An assembly includes first and second tubular members of a wind turbine support structure. The second member has a fork-shaped cross section with a main body between two substantially parallel walls that each comprise at least one through hole, the first member is between the two walls of the second member, and the through holes of the first and second member define a channel. A connector insertable in the channel is consecutively radially expandable. An actuator is configured to move the connector in an axial direction in said channel. The connector, when expanded, pushes the first member in a radial direction relative to said channel against the second member to define a clamping contact and thereby a pre-tensioned connection in said radial direction between a face of the first member and a face of the main body of the second member. A method of assembling the assembly.

A WIND TURBINE TOWER ASSEMBLY DEVICE FOR MAKING A WIND TURBINE TOWER
20230160366 · 2023-05-25 ·

A wind turbine tower assembly device comprising a tower interface configured to be attached to a wind turbine tower during construction of the wind turbine tower, a nacelle interface for being attached to a part of a nacelle of a wind turbine and arranged to place the nacelle above a free end of a wind turbine tower which is attached to the tower interface; a lifting structure configured to move the nacelle interface relative to the tower interface to create a space between the free end of the wind turbine tower and the nacelle interface; a unit receiving structure configured to insert a tower unit into the space; and a tower assembly structure configured for joining the tower unit to the free end of the tower.

ANNULAR STEEL-TOWER SEGMENT FOR A WIND TURBINE TOWER PORTION, AND METHOD
20230133759 · 2023-05-04 ·

A steel tower ring segment for a wind turbine tower section, to a wind turbine tower section, to a wind turbine tower and to a wind turbine, and also to methods for producing a steel tower ring segment and a wind turbine tower section. A steel tower ring segment for a wind turbine tower section, comprising a first casing segment with a segment height, a segment length in the segment circumferential direction, a first segment thickness, and a first horizontal joint side, wherein the first casing segment has a first thickening region in a region adjoining the first horizontal joint side, wherein the first thickening region has a first thickening thickness, and the first thickening thickness is larger than the first segment thickness, wherein the first thickening region has a first cutout, wherein the first cutout is arranged spaced apart from the first horizontal joint side, and wherein a first passage opening leads from the first cutout to the first horizontal joint side.

METHOD FOR CONNECTING TWO SECTIONS OF A STRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY OF A WIND TURBINE, AND CONNECTION TOOL
20230134159 · 2023-05-04 ·

A method is provided for connecting two tubular or conical sections of a structure, especially of a wind turbine, by joining respective circular ends of the outer walls of these sections by welding, including the steps: positioning the two sections in such a way, that the circular ends are adjacent to each other, positioning a first part of a connection tool adjacent to the circular ends of the two sections, positioning a second part of the connection tool in such a way that the first and second part of the connection tool form a ring-shaped housing, blocking access to the circular ends from the outside of the sections, and using a welding head of the connection tool arranged within the ring-shaped housing to join the outer walls.

SHEET TRANSITIONING IN SPIRAL FORMED STRUCTURES
20230201901 · 2023-06-29 ·

Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

SHEET TRANSITIONING IN SPIRAL FORMED STRUCTURES
20230201901 · 2023-06-29 ·

Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

PLANTED POLE REINFORCEMENT METHODS

A method is described for reinforcing to extend the life of a planted pole, including a metal planted utility pole at risk of, or damaged by corrosion. The method comprising delivering a flowable composition into the hollow of the planted pole, the flowable composition being capable of setting in the hollow at least proximate to the groundline to form a substantially non-flowable composition when set; the set composition comprising reinforcement supports, and being attached to the pole to provide additional support for the planted pole at least proximate to the groundline.

PLANTED POLE REINFORCEMENT METHODS

A method is described for reinforcing to extend the life of a planted pole, including a metal planted utility pole at risk of, or damaged by corrosion. The method comprising delivering a flowable composition into the hollow of the planted pole, the flowable composition being capable of setting in the hollow at least proximate to the groundline to form a substantially non-flowable composition when set; the set composition comprising reinforcement supports, and being attached to the pole to provide additional support for the planted pole at least proximate to the groundline.

Vertical joint assembly for wind turbine towers

The present disclosure is directed to a tower assembly of a wind turbine having a joint assembly configured therein. The tower assembly includes at least one generally cylindrical tower section. The tower section is split into at least a first vertical tower section and a second vertical tower section. Each of the first and second vertical tower sections define an interior wall and an exterior wall separated by a thickness. Further, the tower assembly includes a joint assembly that secures the first and second vertical tower sections together. The joint assembly includes a first L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the first vertical tower section and a second L-flange mounted to the interior wall of the second vertical tower section. The first L-flange faces in a first direction and the second L-flange faces away from the first direction. Further, the first and second L-flanges are separated from the interior walls of the first and second vertical tower sections via an open space.

Wind turbine tower attachment

Devices, systems, and methods are directed to mounting an auxiliary component to a tower based at least in part on a force distribution in which a normal force is greater than a shear force exerted by the auxiliary component on a shell of the tower such that the auxiliary component may be held in place relative to the tower without penetrating the shell of the tower. Thus, as compared to mounting techniques requiring penetration of the shell of the tower, this force distribution along the shell of the tower may facilitate mounting the auxiliary component to the tower with little to no impact on cost and/or structural requirements of the tower. Further, or instead, as compared to other mounting techniques, mounting the auxiliary component based at least in part on this force distribution may reduce or eliminate the need for specialized tools, thus facilitating in-field installation of the auxiliary component.