APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SECURE TENSION CONNECTION

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus for providing a secure tension connection, the apparatus including a fastener) with a flange for interaction with a shank, a plurality of lifting elements, and a plurality of spacers. Also provide is a wind turbine with such an apparatus, a tool for securing an apparatus and a method for providing a secure tension connection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a secure tension connection, the apparatus comprising: a fastener with a flange for interaction with a shank; a plurality of lifting elements; and a plurality of spacers; wherein the flange comprises a plurality of spaced-apart holes overlying a support member; wherein each lifting element of the plurality of lifting elements is configured to engage in a hole of the plurality of spaced-apart holes, to extend from the plurality of spaced-apart holes and to abut against the support member under an applied torque thereby tensioning the fastener by forming a gap between the support member and the flange; wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers is configured to engage into the gap between the support member and the flange, such that tension forces applied on the fastener are maintained after the plurality of lifting elements are removed from the fastener.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers are semi-circle shaped.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spacers have at least one opening for receiving at least one lifting element.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is a bolt or a nut.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart holes are spaced about an outer peripheral part of the flange.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cover, wherein the at least one cover is configured to cover at least one of the plurality of spaced-apart holes after the plurality of lifting elements are removed from the fastener.

7. A wind turbine comprising a plurality of components, wherein at least two components of the plurality of components are secured to each other by the apparatus according claim 1.

8. A tool for securing the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tool comprises: a multispindle; and a distance sensor; wherein the multispindle is configured to apply a torque provided by a torque drive to the plurality of lifting elements of the apparatus until a distance between a reference point and the apparatus, measured by the distance sensor, becomes smaller than a given threshold.

9. The tool according to claim 8, wherein the tool comprises at least one actuator for inserting the plurality of spacers in the gap between the fastener and the support member.

10. The tool according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is adapted to drive the multispindle until a given reference distance between the multispindle and the fastener of the apparatus or a given torque is reached and to use the reached position of the multispindle as a reference point.

11. The tool according to claim 8, wherein the tool) comprises at least one extraction element for extraction of the plurality of lifting elements from the fastener of the apparatus.

12. A method for providing a secure tension connection, the method comprising: providing the apparatus according to claim 1; applying a torque to the plurality of lifting elements of the apparatus until a distance between a reference point and the apparatus becomes smaller than a given threshold and a gap is formed between the fastener and the support member; inserting the plurality of spacers of the apparatus in the gap; and removing the plurality of lifting elements from the fastener.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one lifting element (of the plurality of lifting elements is removed by a lifting protocol that ensures a resulting gap section corresponds to a specific shape of a spacer.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein according to the lifting protocol at least one first lifting element is inserted in the fastener and at least one first spacer is inserted in a corresponding first gap section in a first step, and in a second step, after the first step, at least one second lifting element is inserted in the fastener and at least one second spacer is inserted in a corresponding second gap section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0052] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

[0053] FIG. 1 an apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 2 a tool according to an embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 3 a method according to an embodiment; and

[0056] FIG. 4 a wind turbine according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus 100 comprises a fastener 101 with a flange 103 for interaction with a shank 105, lifting elements 107 and 109, spacers 111 and 113, and a support member 115.

[0058] In order to provide a secure tension connection between the fastener 101 and a connection element 123, the fastener is inserted in the connection element 123. Afterwards, the lifting elements 107 and 109 are tightened such that the lifting elements 107 and 109 pass through holes 117 and 119 in the fastener 101, contact the support member 115 and provide a preload on the fastener 101 that results in a gap between the fastener 101 and the support member 115. The spacers 111 and 113 are inserted in the gap to maintain the preload before the lifting elements 107 and 109 are then removed from the fastener 101.

[0059] The spacers 111 and 113 sustain the tension for a tension force on the fastener 101 and/or the support member 115 that secures the fastener 101 in its position.

[0060] Further, the spacers 111 and 113 provide for a suspension effect that results in a maximum compression cone 121 that extends to the very edge of the flange 103.

[0061] In FIG. 2, a tool 200 is shown. The tool 200 comprises a multispindle 201 and a distance sensor 203.

[0062] The tool 200 is used for providing a secure tension connection of the apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 1 and a connection element.

[0063] The multispindle 201 is configured to apply a torque provided by a torque drive to the lifting elements 107 and 109 of the apparatus 1000, for example, until a distance between a reference point and the apparatus 100, measured by the distance sensor 203, becomes smaller than a given threshold.

[0064] Optionally, the tool 200 comprises a control unit 205 for controlling the multispindle 201 and/or an optional actuator 207 for inserting the spacers 111 and 113, for example.

[0065] The control unit 205 may use measurement data provided by the distance sensor 203 in order to control the multispindle 201.

[0066] Optionally, the tool 200 comprises a torque drive 209 or an interface 211 for connecting with an external torque drive. The torque provided by the torque drive 209 may be multiplied by an optional torque multiplier 211.

[0067] In FIG. 3, a method 300 is shown.

[0068] In a providing step 301, the method 300 starts with inserting a fastener, such as the fastener 101 shown in FIG. 1 in the connection element 123.

[0069] In a torquing step 303, a torque is provided on the fastener 101 to tighten the fastener 101 in the connection element 123. The torque may be a given torque, such as 190 Nm, for example.

[0070] In an insertion step 305, a tool, such as the tool 200 shown in FIG. 2 is used to insert lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 in the fastener 101. Thus, the multispindle 201 is connected to the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 in order to apply a torque on them and to push the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 into the fastener 101.

[0071] In a leveling step 307, the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 are further pushed into the fastener 101 until a distance between the multispindle 201 and the fastener 101 equals a given reference distance.

[0072] In a loading step 309, a preload is applied in the fastener 101 by pushing the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 on the support member 115, such that the fastener 101 lengthens and a gap 311 is formed between the flange 103 of the fastener 101 and the support member 115, as indicated by arrows 313.

[0073] In loading step 309, an optional torque multiplier 213 may be used to provide for a high torque on the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127.

[0074] In an insertion step 315, the spacers 111 and 113 are inserted in the gap 311. The spacers 111 and 113 may be arranged around the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127, as indicated by arrows 317. Afterwards, the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 are disengaged from the support member 115. Alternatively, the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 may be sequentially disengaged from the support member 115, such that after disengagement of a particular lifting element 107, 109, 125 or 127 a particular spacer 111 or 113 is inserted and another lifting element 107, 109, 125 or 127 is disengaged from the support member 115.

[0075] In a removing step 319, the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127 are removed from the fastener 101. Thus, the fastener 101 is kept in its position by a preload provided by the spacers 111 and 113.

[0076] In an optional covering step 321, holes in the fastener 101, remaining after removal of the lifting elements 107, 109, 125 and 127, are covered by a cover.

[0077] In FIG. 4, a wind turbine 400 is shown. The wind turbine 400 comprises a nacelle 403 and a tower 405. The nacelle 403 is secured at the tower 405 by a plurality of fasteners 101 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0078] Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0079] For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements