Abstract
The invention relates to a transition piece for connecting an upper tower portion with connection profiles of a lower tower portion. The invention further comprises the respective connection profiles. The transition piece is particularly suitable for a hybrid tower, e.g. for a wind turbine, wherein the upper tower portion is configured, for example, as a steel tubular tower and the lower tower portion as, for example, a lattice tower structure.
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A transition piece to connect an upper tubular tower portion with connection profiles, wherein the transition piece comprises an upper connection element to connect the transition piece to the upper tower portion and a hollow structure which tapers towards the bottom, comprising a polygonal lower base area and a circular upper base area or a polygonal upper base area, wherein the polygonal lower base area has fewer corners than the polygonal upper base area.
23. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the lower base area is configured to be triangular, round, or polygonal, wherein the number of corners preferably corresponds to the number of connection profiles.
24. The transition piece according to claim 23, wherein a largest lateral extent of the transition piece is at an upper side of the transition piece in the region of the upper connection element.
25. The transition piece according to claim 24, wherein the transition piece comprises at least three connection faces arranged at an outer side of the transition piece, on which the transition piece is connectable with at least three connection profiles.
26. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the connection faces are, at least within a vertical projection of the connection profile longitudinal axis, arranged entirely below the connection element.
27. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the hollow structure has an inner lateral surface widening toward the top, wherein the inner lateral surface has a polygonal lower base area and a circular upper base area.
28. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the hollow structure has an inner lateral surface widening toward the top, wherein the inner lateral surface has a polygonal lower base area and a polygonal upper base area, wherein the polygonal lower base area has at least the same number of corners or fewer corners than the polygonal upper base area.
29. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the transition piece has, along its longitudinal axis, a total height of at least 50% of a diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, including at least 80% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, and/or at most 150% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion.
30. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the transition piece has, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a lateral extent of at least 0% of a diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, including at least 105% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, and/or at most 200% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, wherein a maximum lateral extent is configured to be at an upper edge of the transition piece.
31. The transition piece according to claim 22, wherein the transition piece is formed, at least in part, as a supporting structure in the form of a shell.
32. A connection profile to connect a transition piece with a lower tower portion wherein the connection profile comprises an upper flange corresponding to the connection faces of a transition piece in such a manner that the connection profile may be flange-mounted to the transition piece, and a lower connection element to connect, preferably frictionally, a connection profile with a support member of a lower tower portion.
33. The connection profile according to claim 32, wherein the connection profile comprises an upper profile element that is connectable to the transition piece, and a lower insert and that an insert recess is formed at a lower side of the profile element, which at least in part corresponds to the outer contour of the insert in such a manner that the insert is connected to the upper profile element in interlocking and/or integrally bonded fashion.
34. The connection profile according to claim 33, wherein a cross-section of the connection profile changes continuously along an elongate extent along a longitudinal axis of the connection profile.
35. The connection profile according to claim 34, wherein the insert is connected to the profile element at least in part along the insert recess by a weld connection.
36. The connection profile according to claim 35, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connection profile in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection profile decreases along this longitudinal axis from top to bottom.
37. The connection profile according to claim 35, wherein at least one wall of the connection profile, in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection profile, has a convexly shaped outer contour at least in some regions.
38. The connection profile according to claim 37, wherein at least one wall of the connection profile, in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection profile, has a concavely shaped outer contour at least in some regions.
39. The connection profile according to claim 38, wherein a wall of the connection profile is flat or curved once or more.
40. The connection profile according to claim 39, wherein the connection profile is hollow, at least in some sections.
41. The connection profile according to claim 32, wherein the insert is removably connectable to a lower tower section, including via a flange connection.
42. The connection profile according to claim 32, wherein at least one wall of the connection profile comprises a side panel with a recess, including with an elongate recess.
Description
[0044] Exemplary embodiments will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0045] In the drawings:
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a transition piece in a perspective view;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows the transition piece in a side view in an xz plane;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows the transition piece in a plan view in an xy plane;
[0049] FIG. 4 shows the transition piece connected to an upper tower portion and to connection profiles, which in turn are connected to a lower tower portion;
[0050] FIG. 5a-c shows one of the connection profiles in three difference views;
[0051] FIG. 5d exploded view: connection profile, insert, and support member;
[0052] FIG. 6 shows the transition piece connected to four connection profiles;
[0053] FIG. 7 shows an upper tower portion, which is connected by means of the transition piece and the connection profiles to a lower tower portion;
[0054] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a cross-section along the hollow structure longitudinal axis;
[0055] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of a connection between the connection profile and the lower tower portion and/or the transition piece;
[0056] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a connection region between a connection profile and a support member,
[0057] FIG. 11 shows a transition piece in a perspective view;
[0058] FIG. 12 shows the transition piece of FIG. 17 in a side view in an xz plane;
[0059] FIG. 13 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 17 and 18 in a plan view in an xy plane;
[0060] FIG. 14 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 17 to 19 in a view from below in an xy plane;
[0061] FIG. 15 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 17 to 21 with connection profiles in a side view;
[0062] FIG. 16 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 17 to 20 with connection profiles in a plan view;
[0063] FIG. 17 shows a schematic drawing of a transition piece connected to an upper tower portion and, via connection profiles, to a lower tower portion.
[0064] In FIG. 1, a transition piece 1 for connection of an upper tower portion 2 to a lower tower portion 5 via connection profiles 8 is shown. The transition piece 1 has an inner lateral surface 3, which widens upwardly in the form of a frustum of a cone, here in the z direction. The frustoconical inner lateral surface of the transition piece encloses an angle of 24 with a hollow structure longitudinal axis K. The inner lateral surface 3 has a smooth surface. In the shown example a hollow cone frustum, that of the inner lateral surface 3, has a wall thickness of 40 mm. At an upper portion of the transition piece 1, the transition piece 1 has an upper connection element 6. Here, the upper connection element 6 is formed as a ring flange via which an upper tubular tower portion is connectable to the transition piece 1, in particular by screwing and/or welding. The transition piece 1 is rotationally symmetrical about a hollow structure longitudinal axis K. The transition piece 1 also has four outer connection faces 7 arranged on an outer side 4 rotationally symmetrically about the hollow structure longitudinal axis K. The connection faces 7 protrude from the outer side 4. The connection faces 7 preferably extend practically over the entire height of the transition piece 1. The connection faces 7 may form a flange which extends substantially from an upper end of the transition piece 1 to a lower end of the transition piece 1. The connection faces 7 may be connected to corresponding bearing faces of a connection profile 8 (see FIGS. 5a-5c). To this end, the connection profiles 8 may be screwed on and/or welded on, for example to the transition piece 1.
[0065] The connection faces 7 are, at least within a vertical projection of the connection profile longitudinal axis (L), arranged entirely below the connection element 6 and oriented in the force flow direction. This allows for a relatively simple force flow from the upper, tubular tower portion 2 to the support members 13.
[0066] The transition piece has its maximum lateral extent on an upper side. The lateral extent of the transition piece decreases from the upper side to the lower side. The outer side 4 of the transition piece 1 has elongate shapings 9 between the connection faces 7. In the shown example the shapings 9 extend from an upper edge of the transition piece 1 to a lower edge of the transition piece 1. In other embodiments the shapings may also extend only in some regions from an upper edge to a lower edge of the transition piece. The shapings 9 have a smooth inner face without edges or protrusions, such that stress peaks caused by notch stresses may be substantially avoided or reduced. The shown shapings 9 are curved inwardly (concavely) in the direction of the hollow structure longitudinal axis K. The form of the shown shaping 9 in FIG. 1, in a cross-section perpendicularly to the hollow structure longitudinal axis K, in this case may be elliptical or circular for example, at least in some regions. The outer contour of the transition piece in a cross-section perpendicular to the hollow structure longitudinal axis K may also describe a parabolic form in the region of the shaping.
[0067] The transition piece may consist, for example, of steel (for example structural steel S355), cast steel (for example nodular cast iron), reinforced concrete, fiber-plastics composite, or may contain combinations thereof. The transition piece is typically manufactured from steel. To this end, individual parts are usually cut to size, shaped, and joined together. The individual parts are typically joined together by welding; alternative possible joining methods, however, include screwing, riveting and adhesive bonding, for example.
[0068] The transition piece 1 in FIG. 1 has a maximum lateral extent A of 4.8 m. The height H of the transition piece 1 is 3.5 m. The connection face 7 protrudes with a collar height h of 20 cm relative to a framed outer side 4 of the transition piece. In this case, the framed outer side 4 is the outer side of the transition piece that is framed by the protruding connection faces 7. The framed outer side 4 may have, in particular, the form of a region of an outer lateral surface of a cone frustum that widens towards the top. The framed outer side 4, for example, in this case may constitute regions of an outer lateral surface of a cone frustum that comprises the inner lateral surface 3. In the region of the framed outer sides 4, the cone frustrum has a wall thickness of 40 mm.
[0069] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the transition piece 1 of FIG. 1 in the xz plane. The connection faces 7, in FIG. 2, lie in a plane that is inclined relative to the xz plane and that encloses an angle with the z axis. The connection faces 7 have a concavely rounded groove 7 at an upper edge, and have a concavely rounded groove 7 at a lower edge. The framed outer face 4 is framed by the protruding connection faces 7.
[0070] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the transition piece from above in an xy plane. Here, the inner lateral surface 3 is clearly visible. The cone frustum comprised by the inner lateral surface 3 has an opening 3 at a lower end. The form of the opening 3 corresponds here substantially to the lower circular base area of the cone frustum. A radius r of this circular opening 3 corresponds in the shown example to a radius r of the four shapings 9. In other embodiments the radius r may be different from the radius r of the concavely rounded groove.
[0071] FIG. 4 shows a detail of a hybrid tower with an upper tubular tower portion 2, the transition piece 1, connection profiles 8, and a lower, lattice-like tower portion 5. The upper tower portion 2 is connected here to the transition piece 1 via the upper connection element 6, formed here as a ring flange, by means of screws. Furthermore, the transition piece 1, in particular with use of the transition piece 1 in a tower that is used in the offshore sector, may be connected at the connection faces 7 to the connection profiles 8 by welded connections. The connection profiles 8 are in turn connected at an underside to the lower tower portion 5. The connection profiles 8 and the connection of the connection profiles 8 to the lower tower portion 5 will be explained in greater detail in particular in the following drawings.
[0072] FIGS. 5a to 5c show a connection profile 8 from different perspectives. FIG. 5a shows the connection profile in a perspective side view. FIG. 5b shows the connection profile 8 in a view from below; FIG. 5c shows the connection profile 8 in a view from above. The connection profile comprises a profile element 11 and an insert 10. The profile element 11 has an insert recess 12 that is insertable into the insert 10. To this end, the insert recess 12 has a shape that corresponds to the outer contour of the insert 10 in a manner such that the insert 10 can be inserted into the insert recess with an accurate fit. The insert 10 is additionally connected to the insert recess 12 by means of welded connections and/or screw connections. In one embodiment, the profile elements 11 may, entirely or in part, also be formed as a supporting structure formed of rods. The connection profile 8 is preferably hollow. In particular in the plan view of FIG. 5c, it is clear that the connection profile 8, here in particular the profile element 11, of the shown exemplary embodiment comprises a curved wall 11, in particular a wall curved convexly about a longitudinal axis L. The profile element 11, on the side opposite the convexly curved wall 11, also comprises a concavely curved wall 11, that is to say a concavely curved groove. The profile element 11, however, may also have side edges which are not curved, as may be seen for example in FIG. 5a. The profile element 11 may also be curved along the longitudinal axis L, and therefore may have single-curved and also double-curved walls. A cross-section of the connection profile 8 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L may change continuously along its extent. A cross-sectional area of the connection profile 8 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L typically decreases from top to bottom. Material may thus be saved since this is arranged depending on the effective loading. In this case, for example wind forces which act on an upper end of the upper tower portion are passed from the upper tower portion, through the transition piece 1, through the connection profiles 8, into the lower tower portion 5 and onwards into a foundation. The insert 10, as mentioned above, is preferably welded to the connection profile 8 at a contour of the insert 10 facing the profile element 11. At an underside 10 of the insert, the insert typically has an opening into which a support member of a lower, typically lattice-like tower portion can be inserted. A support member may preferably thus be connected to the insert in interlocking and/or integrally bonded fashion. It is additionally advantageous to releasably connect the support member to the insert by a flange connection, in particular by screwed flanges. In addition, or alternatively, plug-in connections, screw connections, snap-action connections, adhesively bonded connections, or welded connections may be used. FIG. 5d shows the connection profile 8, which comprises the upper profile element 11 and the insert 10, and the support member 13 in an exploded view. The insert recess 12 corresponds to the contour 10 of the insert 10 facing the connection profile 8. The underside 10 of the insert 10 is connectable to the support member 13. The insert 10, to this end, has an L-flange on its underside 10, which L-flange corresponds to a support member flange 13. A connection of this kind is described in greater detail in FIG. 9.
[0073] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the transition piece with four connection profiles 8. In the shown example, four connection profiles are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the hollow structure longitudinal axis K. In another exemplary embodiment, only three or more than four connection profiles 8 may also be arranged about the cone frustum axis K. The number of connection profiles 8 depends on the lower tower portion 5 and the number of support members 13 used there. FIG. 7 shows a lower tower portion 5 which has four support members 13. The fourth support member is hidden in the view shown in FIG. 7 by the support member 13. The number of the support members 13 and the number of the connection profiles 8 always match, since each connection profile 8, as described above, is connected to a support member 13. A longitudinal axis L of the connection profile 8, in the shown example, encloses an angle of 42 with the cone frustum axis K. In other embodiments, the angle may be at least 30, preferably greater than 40 and/or smaller than 90, preferably smaller than 70.
[0074] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a cross-section along the hollow structure longitudinal axis K of a transition piece 1 which corresponds substantially to that in the previous drawings. Four connection profiles 8 are connected to the transition piece. Four outer connection faces 7 of the transition piece 1 are arranged on an outer side 4 of the transition piece substantially rotationally symmetrically about the hollow structure longitudinal axis K. The transition piece has four collars 14, which protrude on the outer side 4 of the transition piece 1. Each collar 14 has a closed form in this case and forms a frame-like flange. The connection face in this case forms a surface of the collar 14, or frame-like flange. The collars 14 are formed integrally with the transition piece 1. At each of the outer connection faces 7, the transition piece 1 is connectable to one each of the connection profiles 8 that are connectable to a lower tower portion 5. To this end, the connection profiles 8 have a flange 15, the form of which corresponds to the form of the collar 14. A surface of the flange 15 of the connection profile 8 is placed against the connection face 7 and is connected thereto, for example by means of welded connections (in particular in the case of towers that are used offshore) or screw connections (in particular in the case of towers that are used onshore). The connection profiles 8 also have a frame-like flange 16 on an upper side, the form of said flange corresponding to the collar 14 of the transition piece in such a way that the frame 16 of the connection profile 8 is interlockingly inserted into the collar 14 of the transition piece 1 and/or is integrally bonded.
[0075] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of a connection between the lower tower portion 5, for example in the form of a supporting structure formed by rods, and the connection profile 8. FIG. 9 may also show a connection between the connection profile 8 and the transition piece 1. For the sake of clarity, the reference signs used in FIG. 9 correspond to those of a connection between the lower tower portion 5 and the connection profile 8. The detailed view is shown in a cross-section along a support member longitudinal axis TA. Here, the connection profile 8, at its lower end 8, has an inwardly protruding L-flange 15. The L-flange 15 may be arranged for example at the lower end 10 of the insert 10. The L-flange 15 has a bearing face 15, against which a corresponding flange 5 of the lower tower portion 5 rests. The flange 5 is arranged at an upper edge 5 of the lower tower portion. Due to the L form of the L-flange 15, the connection profile 8 is insertable into the lower tower portion 5. The L-flange 15 corresponds to the flange 5 of the lower tower portion 5 in such a manner that the lower tower portion 5 is connectable to the connection profile 8 in interlocking and/or integrally bonded fashion. The L-flange 15 and the flange 5 further have coaxial holes. A screw is inserted through the coaxially corresponding holes and is fixed by means of a nut. The lower tower portion 5 and the connection profile 8 are thus additionally connected frictionally. The detailed view D shows this connection in an enlarged view. A connection of this kind may also be provided between the transition piece 1 and the connection profile 8. The transition piece 1 may thus be connected to the connection profile interlockingly and frictionally. To this end, the connection profile 8, at its upper end, has an above-described L-flange 15, and the connection faces 7 of the transition piece 1 form a corresponding flange, which corresponds substantially to the flange 5 of the above description.
[0076] FIG. 10 shows, in a perspective view, a lower region of a connection profile 8, which is connected to a support member 13 via a flange connection. The shown connection profile 8 does not have an insert 10, but in another embodiment could also be formed having an insert 10. The shown connection profile 8, at a lower end 8, has a flange in the form of a baseplate. This flange corresponds to a support member flange 13. The flange of the connection profile 8 rests flat on the support member flange 13. The flanges, for example, may be connected by means of screw connections.
[0077] FIG. 11 shows an alternative transition piece 1 in a perspective view. The transition piece 1 has an upper connection element 6 in the form of ring flange. The transition piece further comprises a hollow structure which tapers towards the bottom, with an outer lateral surface 3 which widens towards the top. The inner lateral surface 3 also widens towards the top. The upper base areas of the outer and the inner lateral surfaces are configured to be circular. The lower base area 3 of the outer lateral surface has a triangular shape. The lower base area 3 of the inner lateral surface 3 also has a triangular shape. The hollow structure 1 is formed by three sheets which are welded to one another at the edges 23a, 23b, 23c. The sheets are each rounded in a manner such that a transition from the lower triangular shape to the upper circular shape is realized.
[0078] The outer lateral surface thus transitions/is reshaped from a lower base area in the shape of a polygon to a circle (positioned at the top). This construction (in this instance a single-layer shell) allows for a comparatively simple force flow from a connection face 6 to connection profiles 8. This also allows for a variable reaction to the number of support members 13 and connection profiles 8 and the amount of 3D-shaped sheets in the connection profiles 8 can be reduced.
[0079] FIG. 12 shows the transition piece of FIG. 11 in a side view in an xz plane, FIG. 13 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 11 and 12 in a plan view in the xy plane. The triangular shape of the lower base area of the inner lateral surface is easily visible in the plan view. The transition piece further has an inspection opening 3.
[0080] FIG. 14 shows the transition piece of the previous figures in a view from the bottom, such that the outer lateral surface 3 is easily visible. The triangular shape of the base area 3 of the outer lateral surface 3 and the inspection opening 3 are also easily visible. Die outer lateral surface has a circular upper base area. The sheets of the hollow structure are bent three-dimensionally and adjoin one another in a manner such that the outer lateral surface widens towards the top and describes, in part, a smooth transition from a polygonal base area towards a circular base area at the top.
[0081] The other features described above, in particular with regard to the transition piece of FIGS. 1 to 4, may be combined with the transition piece of FIGS. 11 to 16.
[0082] FIG. 15 shows, in a side view, the transition piece of FIGS. 11 to 14, wherein connection profiles are connected to the transition piece. FIG. 16 shows the transition piece of FIGS. 11 to 15 with assembled connection profiles in a plan view. The connection profiles may, for example, be welded and/or screwed to the transition piece. A connection via adhesive bonding is also conceivable. The connection profiles of FIGS. 15 and 16 substantially correspond to the those of the figures described above. The connection profiles 8 have, inter alia, a convexly curved wall 11 like the connection profiles of FIG. 5 and are configured to be hollow. Moreover, a cross section decreases from the top toward the bottom along the connection profile longitudinal axis L. However, the wall 11 across from the wall 11 is not curved concavely but configured to be flat, as opposed to the walls of the connection profiles of the figures above. The connection profiles 8 further have side panels with recesses in order to save material and to reduce the weight of the connection profiles 8. In order to reduce the sheet thickness of the profile elements, the connection profiles 8 may be configured to be braced sheet metal constructions.
[0083] FIG. 17 shows a schematic view of a transition piece 1 according to the embodiments above, which transition piece is connected to an upper tubular tower portion 2 via the upper connection element 6. The transition piece 1 is connected to support members 13 of a lower, lattice-like tower portion via connection profiles 8.
[0084] Due to its topology, the transition piece allows for a merging of the lower edge of the upper tubular tower portion 2, the upper side of the connection profile 8, the upper side of an outer lateral surface of the hollow structure and the upper connection element 6 at an upper panel edge S1 without significant offset. The transition piece further allows for merging of the lower edge of the connection profile 8 with the lower edge of the outer lateral surface of the hollow structure at a lower panel edge S2 without significant offset.
[0085] The application further comprises the following aspects: [0086] 1. A transition piece (1) to connect an upper tubular tower portion (2) with connection profiles (8), [0087] wherein the transition piece (1) comprises [0088] an upper connection element (6) to connect the transition piece (1) to the upper tower portion (2) and [0089] has an inner lateral surface (3) widening upwardly in the form of a frustum of a cone and [0090] has at least three outer connection faces (7), which are arranged on an outer side (4) of the transition piece (1) substantially rotationally symmetrically about a cone frustum longitudinal axis and at which the transition piece (1) is connected to one each connection profiles (8) connected to a lower tower portion (5). [0091] 2. The transition piece according to aspect 1, characterized in that the upper connection element (6) is a flange, preferably a ring flange. [0092] 3. The transition piece (1) according to aspect 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection faces (7) protrude at the outer side (4). [0093] 4. The transition piece (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the outer side (4) of the transition piece (1) has elongate shapings (9) between the connection faces (7), which shapings preferably extend from a top side of the transition piece to an underside of the transition piece. [0094] 5. The transition piece (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the transition piece is formed integrally. [0095] 6. The transition piece (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the transition piece (1) has, along its longitudinal axis, a total height of at least 50% of a diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2), preferably at least 80% of the diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2), and/or at most 150% of the diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2). [0096] 7. The transition piece (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the transition piece (1) has, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a lateral extent of at least 0% of a diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2), preferably at least 105% of the diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2), and/or at most 200% of the diameter of the upper tower portion (2) at a lower edge of the upper tower portion (2), wherein a maximum lateral extent is preferably configured to be at an upper edge of the transition piece. [0097] 8. The transition piece (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the transition piece is formed, at least in part, as a supporting structure in the form of a shell. [0098] 9. A connection profile (8) to connect a transition piece (1) with a lower tower portion (5) wherein the connection profile (8) comprises [0099] an upper flange corresponding to the connection faces (7) of a transition piece in such a manner that the connection profile (8) may be flange-mounted to the transition piece, and [0100] a lower connection element to connect, preferably frictionally, a connection profile (8) with a support member of a lower tower portion (5). [0101] 10. The connection profile (8) according to aspect 9, characterized in that the connection profile (8) comprises an upper profile element (11) that is connectable to the transition piece (1), and a lower insert (10) and that an insert recess (12) is formed at a lower side of the profile element (11), which at least in part corresponds to the outer contour of the insert (10) in such a manner that the insert (10) is connected to the upper profile element 11 in interlocking and/or integrally bonded fashion. [0102] 11. The connection profile (8) according to aspect 9 or 10, characterized in that a cross-section of the connection profile (8) changes continuously along an elongate extent along a longitudinal axis (L) of the connection profile (8). [0103] 12. The connection profile (8) according to aspect 9, 10, or 11, characterized in that the insert (10) is connected to the profile element (11) at least in part along the insert recess (12) by a welded connection. [0104] 13. The connection profile (8) according to any one of the aspects 9 to 12, characterized in that a cross-sectional area of the connection profile (8) in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the connection profile (8) decreases along this longitudinal axis (L) from top to bottom. [0105] 14. The connection profile (8) according to any one of the aspects 9 to 13, characterized in that at least one wall of the connection profile (8), in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the connection profile (8), has a convexly shaped outer contour at least in some regions. [0106] 15. The connection profile (8) according to any one of the aspects 9 to 14, characterized in that at least one wall of the connection profile (8), in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the connection profile (8), has a concavely shaped outer contour at least in some regions. [0107] 16. The connection profile (8) according to any one of the aspects 9 to 15, characterized in that a wall of the connection profile (8) is flat or curved once or more. [0108] 17. Connection profile (8) according to aspects 9 to 16, characterized in that the connection profile (8) is hollow, at least in some sections. [0109] 18. The connection profile (8) according to any one of the aspects 9 to 17, characterized in that the insert (10) is removably connectable to a lower tower portion, preferably via a flange connection.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0110] 1 transition piece [0111] 1 hollow structure [0112] 2 upper tubular tower portion [0113] 3 inner lateral surface [0114] 3 opening [0115] outer lateral surface [0116] 3 lower base area of the outer lateral surface [0117] 3 lower base area of the inner lateral surface [0118] 4 outer side [0119] 4 framed outer side [0120] 5 lower lattice-like tower portion [0121] 5 upper edge of the lower tower portion [0122] 5 flange at the upper edge of the lower tower portion [0123] 6 upper connection element [0124] 7 connection face [0125] 7 concavely rounded groove at upper edge [0126] 7 concavely rounded groove at lower edge [0127] 8 connection profile [0128] 8 lower end of the connection profile [0129] 9 elongate recess [0130] 10 insert [0131] 10 upper side of the insert [0132] 10 underside of the insert [0133] 11 profile element [0134] 11 wall [0135] 12 insert recess [0136] 13 support member [0137] 13 support member flange [0138] 14 collar [0139] 15 flange [0140] 15 L-flange [0141] 15 bearing face of the L-flange [0142] 16 frame-like flange [0143] 23a, b, c edges [0144] A lateral extent of the transition piece [0145] H height of the transition piece [0146] K hollow structure longitudinal axis [0147] L connection profile longitudinal axis [0148] TA support member longitudinal axis [0149] r radius of the opening [0150] r radius of the elongate recess [0151] angle between connection faces and hollow structure longitudinal axis [0152] angle between connection adapter longitudinal axis and hollow structure longitudinal axis [0153] S1 upper panel edge [0154] S2 lower panel edge
