Arrangement with a concrete foundation and a tower and a method for erecting a tower

Abstract

An arrangement with a concrete foundation and a tower for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant wherein the tower comprises a number of tower segments which are arranged along a tower axis and at least an uppermost tower segment comprises a head flange and a foot flange, wherein an uppermost tower segment of the number of tower segments is formed as a steel element; and a number of tension or traction wires braces the concrete foundation with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment under tensile stress. A method for erecting a tower for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant and to a wind energy plant comprising an arrangement according to the present embodiments.

Claims

1. An arrangement comprising: a concrete foundation; a tower supported on the concrete foundation and for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant, wherein the tower comprises one or more tower segments, wherein the one or more tower segments is or includes at least one uppermost tower segment that is arranged along a tower axis, the at least one uppermost tower segment comprising a head flange and a foot flange, wherein all of the one or more tower segments of the tower are made of steel; and a plurality of tension or traction wires connecting the concrete foundation with the head flange of the at least one uppermost tower segment under tensile stress.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the at least one uppermost tower segment is a single tower segment arranged with the foot flange on the concrete foundation.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of tower segments comprise a head flange and a foot flange.

4. The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the head flange and the foot flange of the at least one uppermost tower segment comprises a plurality of bores.

5. The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein a diameter of at least one of the one or more tower segments becomes smaller upwards along the tower axis, wherein a part of an outer side of one of the one or more tower segments includes with the tower axis an angle of between 1 and 10.

6. The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the concrete foundation and a lowermost tower segment are directly coupled to one another.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the concrete foundation and the lowermost tower segment are coupled to one another by releasable connecting means.

8. The arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the head flange and the foot flange of each of the one or more tower segments comprises a plurality of bores.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of tension or traction wires are five to ten tension or traction wires that connect the concrete foundation with the head flange of the at least one uppermost tower segment under tensile stress and are spaced equidistantly relative to one another.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the head flange and the foot flange of the at least one uppermost tower segment is formed L-shaped or T-shaped.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of tension or traction wires comprise: a tie rod arranged on the head flange of the at least one uppermost tower segment, and a fixed anchor arranged on the concrete foundation, wherein the tie rod has engagement means, wherein upon actuation of the engagement means, the respective tension or traction wire is placed under tensile stress.

12. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the tower has a height of at least 70 m.

13. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of tension or traction wires are five to ten tension or traction wires that connect the concrete foundation with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment under tensile stress and are spaced equidistantly relative to one another.

14. A method for erecting a steel tower for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant, the method comprising: placing a first tower segment on a concrete foundation; releasably connecting the concrete foundation and the first tower segment together; placing one or more uppermost tower segments over the first tower segment; and connecting the concrete foundation with the one or more uppermost tower segments by coupling a plurality of tension or traction wires to a head flange of the one or more uppermost tower segment such that the plurality of tension or traction wires couple the concrete foundation with the head flange of the one or more uppermost tower segments, wherein all the one or more tower segments are made of steel and are supported by the concrete foundation.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the one or more uppermost tower segments over the first tower segment comprises: setting up at least a second tower segment on the first tower segment; and releasably connecting the first tower segment to the second tower segment by releasable connecting means.

16. A wind energy plant comprising: the arrangement according to claim 1; and the nacelle including a rotor supported by the tower, wherein a plurality of rotor blades are coupled to the rotor, wherein the rotor, during operation of the wind energy plant, rotates from wind and drives a generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments as well as from the figures.

(2) The figures show in detail:

(3) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a wind energy plant;

(4) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of an arrangement with a tower and a foundation;

(5) FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a further preferred embodiment for an arrangement with a tower and a foundation;

(6) FIG. 4 is, again, a diagrammatic illustration of another preferred embodiment for an arrangement;

(7) FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment for an arrangement;

(8) FIG. 6 is, again, a diagrammatic illustration of another preferred embodiment for an arrangement;

(9) FIGS. 7A to 7C are three diagrammatic illustrations of possible preferred embodiments for a concrete foundation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows by way of example a wind energy plant 1 with a tower 2 and a foundation, more particularly a concrete foundation 12, and a nacelle 4. The concrete foundation 12 is thereby arranged underground and finishes flush, although not necessarily, with the ground 11 or the surface of the base. The tower 2 is formed with a single or several tower segments 21 which is/are arranged on the concrete foundation 12. The tower segment 21 is formed as a steel element. The steel element is formed as a cylindrical or conical hollow tower segment, and is connected inside to the concrete foundation 12.

(11) A rotor 6 with three rotor blades 8 and a spinner 10 is arranged on the nacelle 4. The rotor 6 is set in operation in a rotational movement through the wind and thereby drives a generator (not shown) inside the nacelle 4. The mechanical energy of the rotational movement is converted by means of the generator into electric energy and can then be fed into a power network.

(12) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment for an arrangement with a foundation, more particularly a concrete foundation 12, and a tower 2 for supporting a nacelle 4 of a wind energy plant 1. The tower 2 and the concrete foundation 12 are shown in cross-section, and together form a support arrangement, more particularly a conical, tower-like hollow support structure, for a nacelle 4 (indicated only diagrammatically) of a wind energy plant 1.

(13) Here the tower 2 comprises a single tower segment 21 which is arranged on the concrete foundation 12 and along a tower axis 23. The tower segment 21 is formed as a conical steel element and comprises a head flange 24 and a foot flange 25, wherein the foot flange 25 is arranged adjacent the concrete foundation 12 and the head flange 24 is arranged adjacent the nacelle 4. The tower segment 21, more particularly the head flange 24 of the tower segment 21, is braced with the concrete foundation 12 via a number of tension or traction wires 26. By way of example a single-digit or double-digit number of tension or traction wires 26 are used in order to brace the concrete foundation 12 with the head flange 24 of the tower segment 21 under tensile stress. The number of tension or traction wires are thereby spread out circumferentially in the tower spaced equidistant from one another, so that the load is distributed evenly to the relevant number of tension or traction wires.

(14) For this the tower segment 21 is presently formed with an L-shaped head flange 24 and an L-shaped foot flange 25 wherein bores 27 are provided in a horizontal portion of the head flange 24 and the foot flange 25 so that the tension or traction wires can be guided through same. The tension and traction wires 26 are each formed with a tie rod 26.2 which is arranged on the head flange of the tower segment 21, and with a fixed anchor 26.1 which is arranged on the concrete foundation 12. The tie rod hereby has engagement means by way of example screws or screw heads, which when actuated, more particularly through rotation of the screws or screw heads, place the relevant tension or traction wires 26 under tensile stress.

(15) Furthermore the tower segment 21 is designed conical so that a diameter D becomes smaller upwards along the tower axis 23, wherein an outer side 28 of the conical tower segment 21 includes with the tower axis 23 an angle between 1 and 10. Preferred hereby is an angle of =2 and even more preferred =1.

(16) In total the tower has a height H of at least 30 meters. By way of example a single tower segment 21 with a length of substantially 30 m can hereby be used. In another embodiment the tower can also be formed with two or more tower segments, each having a length of substantially 30 m. Substantially means here the deviation is +/2 m herefrom.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment for an arrangement with a foundation, more particularly a concrete foundation 12, and a tower 2 for a nacelle 4 (shown only diagrammatically), of a wind energy plant 1, wherein identical or similar parts or features are provided with the same reference numerals as in the previous figures.

(18) As opposed to the arrangement as shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, more particularly the tower 2, is formed with more than one tower segment, more particularly with a lowermost tower segment 22 and an uppermost tower segment 21, wherein both tower segments 22 and 21, but more particularly however the uppermost tower segment 21, is formed as a steel element. It is also possible without restricting the invention to provide even more than two tower segments, by way of example three, four or five steel tower segments.

(19) Here both tower segments each comprise a head flange 24 and a foot flange 25. The lowermost tower segment 22 is arranged with the foot flange on the concrete foundation 12. The two tower segments 22 and 21 are arranged one above the other along a tower axis 23, wherein the foot flange 25 of the uppermost tower segment 21 is arranged on the head flange 24 of the lowermost tower segment 22.

(20) Here the concrete foundation 12 is braced with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment 21 by means of tension or traction wires 26. By way of example a single-figure or double-figure number of tension or traction wires 26 are used in order to brace the concrete foundation 12 with the head flange 24 of the uppermost tower segment 21 under tensile stress. The tension or traction wires 26 thereby each comprise a tie rod 26.2 which is arranged on the head flange of the tower segment 21, and a fixed anchor which is arranged in the concrete foundation 12. Both the uppermost and the lowermost tower segments 21, 22 are thereby formed with an L-shaped head and foot flange, which each have bores 27 through which the tension or traction wires 26 can be guided. Here the tension or traction wires 26 are only guided through the bores 27 of the head flange 24 of the uppermost tower segment 21 and through the foot flange 25 of the lowermost tower segment 22. Alternatively or additionally the tension or traction wires 26 can also be guided through bores (not shown) in the relevant other head and/or foot flanges, by way of example in the middle of the arrangement.

(21) The two tower segments 21 and 22 and/or the concrete foundation 12 can furthermore be (provisionally) connected to one another by means of releasable connecting means 29, such as, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets etc. so that when erecting the tower 2 to support a nacelle 4 of a wind energy plant 1 the tower segments 21 and 22 can be provisionally arranged on the concrete foundation 12 and connected by means of the releasable connecting means 29. The tower 2 can then be braced with the tension or traction wires 26. The concrete foundation 12 can also additionally be connected provisionally to the lowermost tower segment 22 by means of the connecting means 29. Here the connecting means 29 are arranged parallel to the tower axis 23. Alternatively or additionally connecting means 29 can also be provided which are arranged perpendicular to the tower axis 23.

(22) FIG. 4 shows again another embodiment for an arrangement with a concrete foundation 12 and a tower 2 for a nacelle 4 of a wind energy plant 1. Again the same reference numerals are used for the same features.

(23) The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to the arrangements as already described and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As opposed to the preceding arrangements, the arrangement according to FIG. 4 is however formed with an uppermost and a lowermost tower segment which engage in one another with positive locking engagement. The uppermost tower segment 21 and the lowermost tower segment 22 can hereby in turn be connected via releasable connecting means 29, more particularly screws, bolts, rivets. The two adjacent tower segments 21, 22 comprise hereby by way of example also a type of tongue and groove so that they can be arranged with positive locking engagement in one another. This is particularly advantageous if the tower segments are provisionally arranged on one another before they are finally braced with the tension or traction wires.

(24) FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment for an arrangement with a concrete foundation 12 and a tower 2 for a nacelle 4 of a wind energy plant 1. Again the same reference numerals are used for the same features.

(25) The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, more particularly the tower 2, is formed with in total three tower segments. Here two tower segments of concrete are arranged along the tower axis 23 on the concrete foundation 12. However more or fewer concrete tower segments can be provided without limitation. An uppermost tower segment 21 which is formed as a steel element is arranged on the two concrete segments. The concrete foundation 12 is braced through a number of tension or traction wires with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment 21, namely the steel element.

(26) FIG. 6 shows in turn another embodiment for an arrangement with a concrete foundation 12 and a tower 2 for a nacelle 4 of a wind energy plant 1 wherein also here the same reference numerals are used for the same features.

(27) The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponds substantially to the embodiment as described and illustrated in FIG. 1, namely an arrangement, more particularly a tower 2 with a single tower segment 61. As opposed to the arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 is formed with a tower segment 61 which is formed with a cylindrical portion 61.1 and a conical portion 61.2. The bent tower segment 61 is arranged with the cylindrical portion 61.1 on the concrete foundation 12 and with the conical portion 61.2 adjacent the nacelle 4. The conical portion 61.2 of the tower segment 61, more particularly the surface 28 of the conical portion 61.2 forms an angle with the tower axis 23. The angle between the outer side 28 of the tower segment 61 and the tower axis 23 preferably forms an angle between 1 and 10, preferably of 5 and even more preferably of 2.

(28) FIGS. 7A to 7C show three possible configurations for a concrete foundation 12 wherein in FIGS. 7A to 7C the same reference numerals are used for the same features. A concrete foundation 12 and a tower 2, more particularly a lowermost tower segment, are each shown. The concrete foundation 12 is braced with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment 21, a steel element, by means of tension or traction wires.

(29) FIG. 7A shows an embodiment in which the concrete foundation 12 is arranged underneath the ground 11. It can also be proposed that the concrete foundation 12 is arranged only partially underneath the ground 11, thus underground, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 7B and 7C. It can also be proposed that the outer side 28 of the concrete foundation 12 closes flush with the outer side 28 of the tower 2, more particularly with the lowermost tower segment, wherein a part of the outer side 28 of the concrete foundation 12 is then formed cylindrical (see FIGS. 7B and 7C) and/or conical (see FIG. 7C).