METHOD FOR CUTTING TENSIONED TENSIONING MEMBERS OF A CONCRETE TOWER, CUTTING DEVICE FOR CUTTING TENSIONED TENSIONING MEMBERS OF A CONCRETE TOWER, AND USE OF A CUTTING DEVICE

Abstract

A method for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower, in particular of a wind power installation concrete tower, which has a multiplicity of tension members, said method comprising coupling a bar-shaped positioning element to a main frame; positioning the positioning element in such a manner that the cut end thereof that faces the concrete tower is disposed within a cutting region in the interior of the concrete tower, wherein at least one of the tension members is situated within the cutting region; disposing a cutting unit on the cut end of the positioning element; positioning the cut end in such a manner that the cutting unit has a predetermined spacing from one of the tension members; cutting the tension member with the cutting unit.

Claims

1. A method comprising: cutting a plurality of tension members of a concrete tower while the plurality of tension members are in tension, the cutting comprising: coupling a bar-shaped positioning element to a main frame; positioning the positioning element in such a manner that a cut end of the positioning element that faces the concrete tower is disposed within a cutting region in an interior of the concrete tower, wherein at least one of the tension members of the plurality of tension members is situated within the cutting region; disposing a cutter on the cut end of the positioning element; positioning the cut end in such a manner that the cutter has a predetermined spacing from one tension member of the plurality of tension members; and cutting the at least one tension member with the cutter.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the main frame is disposed outside the concrete tower; or the main frame is disposed completely or partially within the concrete tower.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning element extends from the cutting region to an operating region, wherein the operating region is located outside the concrete tower.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: disposing a processing carriage on the main frame; wherein the processing carriage is disposed so as to be movable on the main frame, wherein the positioning element is coupled to the main frame by the processing carriage; and wherein the positioning element in a relocation direction of the processing carriage is fixedly disposed on the processing carriage.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the main frame has a guide rail; and the processing carriage has two guiding elements that are disposed on an axle, wherein a spacing of insides of the guiding elements is greater than a width of the guide rail.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: cutter is a flame cutter or comprises a flame cutter; at least one gas supply element is disposed on the flame cutter; and the at least one gas supply element is fastened to the positioning element.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, the cutter is a flame cutter, wherein the flame cutter is supplied a first gas by a first gas supply element, and supplied a second gas by a second gas supply element.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the cutter is configured as a subtractive tool or comprises a subtractive tool; and the cutter is disposed on the positioning element by a tool receptacle.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the plurality of tension members have member ends in a region of the concrete tower that faces away from a tower base and are fixed by an anchor plate, wherein the anchor plate has vertically aligned tension member openings, and wherein the member ends are disposed in the tension member openings by chock elements in such a manner that said member ends are fixed in a direction of the tower base; the method comprising: disposing a cover above the tension member openings; and fastening the cover to the anchor plate.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the cover unit has a first cover element having a first cover plate, wherein a bridging element is disposed on the first cover plate in such a manner that an available height exists between the first cover plate and the bridging element, and the first cover plate and a second plate flank, wherein the bridging element is disposed between the first plate flank and the second plate flank; a second cover plate is disposed on the first plate flank, and a third cover plate is disposed on the second plate flank; the second cover plate and the third cover plate connected to the first cover plate; and the second cover plate and the third cover plate are connected by a fourth cover plate that extends from the second cover plate to the third cover plate.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the fastening of the cover to the anchor plate comprises incorporating at least one opening and incorporating a thread in the opening; and the cover is fastened to the anchor plate.

12. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the operating region is situated in an operating space closed on at least three sides; or the operating space is configured as a container, wherein a side of the container that faces the concrete tower at least partially closed or is configured to be closed.

13. The method as claimed in claim 3, the cutter is a flame cutter, wherein gas supplied to the flame cutter is disposed in at least one gas storage unit, and the at least one gas storage unit is situated within the operating region.

14. A cutting device for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower of a wind power installation concrete tower, the cutting device comprising: a main frame having a length that extends from a processing end to an operating end, wherein the processing end is configured to be disposed within the concrete tower of the wind power installation concrete tower, and the operating end is configured to be disposed outside the concrete tower at an operating region that is spaced apart from the concrete tower; a bar-shaped positioning element coupled to the main frame; and a cutter disposed on a cutting end of the positioning element that faces away from the operating end of the main frame.

15. The cutting device as claimed in claim 14, comprising: a processing carriage disposed on the main frame and is guided in at least one portion adjacent to the operating end; and wherein the positioning element, in a relocation direction of the processing carriage, is fixedly to the processing carriage.

16. The cutting device as claimed in claim 15, wherein: the main frame has a guide rail; and the processing carriage has first two first wheels disposed on a first axle, wherein a spacing of insides of the first wheels is greater than a width of the guide rail, and the processing carriage bears on the guide rail by the first axle.

17. The cutting device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the processing carriage has two second wheels disposed on a second axle.

18. The cutting device as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the cutter is a flame cutter, the cutting device further including at least one gas supply element that is disposed on the flame cutter, and the gas supply element is fastened to the positioning element; and/or the cutter is configured as a subtractive tool, and wherein the cutter is preferably is disposed on the positioning element.

19. (canceled)

20. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concrete tower is a wind power installation concrete tower.

21. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two guiding elements are wheels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Preferred exemplary embodiments will be explained in an exemplary manner by means of the appended figures in which:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind power installation;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a construction for carrying out a method for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower;

[0054] FIGS. 3a, 3b show schematic two-dimensional views of exemplary embodiments of a cutting device;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the cutting device shown in FIG. 3a;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an anchor plate having a plurality of tension members fastened thereto;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a cover element;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an anchor plate having a cover unit and a transportation element;

[0059] FIG. 8 shows a schematic two-dimensional view of a cable head disposed in the cellar of a concrete tower; and

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a schematic method for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower.

[0061] In the figures, identical elements or elements with substantially identical or equivalent functions are identified by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind power installation 100. FIG. 1 shows a wind power installation 100 having a tower 102 and a nacelle 104. A rotor 106 having three rotor blades 108 and a spinner 110 is disposed on the nacelle 104. The rotor 106 when in operation is set in rotation by the wind and as a result drives a generator in the nacelle 104. The wind power installation 100 may be the subject matter of deconstruction, the latter being able to be carried out or facilitated, respectively, by a method described hereunder and a corresponding cutting device.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of a construction for carrying out a method for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower. The concrete tower 202 has a tower wall 204. A tower opening 206 which is configured as an entry into the tower 202, for example, and can be closed by a door, for example, is disposed in the tower wall 204. The tower wall to the left of the tower opening 206 is shown in a cut-away illustration so that the interior of the tower 202 is shown. A plurality of tension units 210 for implementing reinforced concrete are disposed so as to be accessible from the interior of the tower 202. Each tension unit 210 comprises a plurality of tension members. The tension unit 210 in the present schematic illustration of FIG. 2 comprises a first tension member 212, a second tension member 214 and a third tension member 216. The tension members 212, 214, 216 preferably extend across substantially the entire longitudinal extent of the tower 202. Furthermore, the tension members 212, 214, 216 can extend across a portion of the longitudinal extent of the tower 202. The tension members 212, 214, 216 in the region of the tower base shown here and in the region of the tower head not shown here are preferably fastened by means of an anchor plate.

[0064] In order for the tower 202 to be deconstructed, it is inter alia necessary for the tension members 212, 214, 216 to be cut. The cutting of the tension members 212, 214, 216 by personnel using a side cutter or a flame cutter directly on the tension unit 210 is not a practical option because the highly tensioned tension members 212, 214, 216 when being cut, and as a result of the energy released herewith, perform unpredictable movements. These unpredictable movements can represent a safety risk for personnel within the tower 202.

[0065] In order for the deconstruction of the tower 202 to be enabled nevertheless, a cutting device 300 is disposed. The cutting device 300 has the main components including a main frame 310, a positioning element 330 and a cutter 340. The main frame 310 is disposed within a cutting region 220. The bar-shaped positioning element 330 is coupled to the main frame. The coupling between the main frame 310 and the bar-shaped positioning element 330 takes place by a processing carriage 320. The processing carriage 320 shown in more detail in FIGS. 3a, 3b has a main body on which a front first wheel 321a and a rear second wheel 322a are disposed. Wheels are likewise disposed on that side of the wheels 321a, 322a that lies opposite in FIGS. 3a, 3b. The processing carriage 320 is disposed on a guide rail 312 of the main frame 310. The guide rail 312 can be seen in particular in FIG. 4. Moreover, the guiding of the processing carriage 320 by the guide rail 312 is shown in FIG. 4. The guide rail has a horizontal extent which is smaller than an internal horizontal extent of the main body 323 of the guide carriage 320. A left leg 324a and a right leg 324b extend vertically downward from the main body 323. An axle 325 extends through the legs 324a, 324b. The axle 325 serves for attaching the left first wheel 321a and the right first wheel 321b.

[0066] The positioning element 330 is preferably fixedly disposed on the carriage 320 shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The positioning element 330 in the relocation direction of the carriage 320 is in particular fixedly disposed on the guide carriage 320. The positioning element 330 is preferably mounted so as to be pivotable about an axis that is aligned so as to be orthogonal to the drawing plane.

[0067] The cutter 340 is disposed on that end of the positioning element 330 that faces the cutting region 220, wherein the cutter 340 in FIG. 3a is configured as a flame cutter, the flame cutter having a burner flame 342. The cutter 340′ in FIG. 3b is configured as an angle grinder which has a roughing disk 344.

[0068] The main frame 310 extends from an end that is disposed in the cutting region 220 to an end that is disposed in an operating region 222. A gas supply element 350 is disposed on the cutter 340. The gas supply element 350 extends along the main frame 310 to the operating region 222 in which at least one gas storage unit which is not shown and supplies the cutter 340 with gas is disposed. The main frame 310 next to the guide rail 312 has a first frame support 314 and a second frame support 316. The frame supports 314, 316 serve for securely setting up the main frame 310, ideally without the latter tilting.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an anchor plate having a plurality of tension members fastened thereto. The tension member fastening 400 comprises the anchor plate 410. A plurality of tension member openings 412 in which tension members are fastened with chock elements are disposed in the anchor plate 410. In a manner representative for all tension member openings 412 having tension members, the arrangement will be explained in an exemplary manner by means of the tension member 430. The tension member 430 extends through the tower to the tension member fastening 400 where said tension member 430 extends through a tension member opening 412 of the anchor plate 410. Apart from the tension member 430, a first chock element 432, a second chock element 434 and a third chock element 436 are disposed in the tension member opening 412. The chock elements 432, 434, 436 are configured in such a manner that said chock elements wedge the tension member 430 in the tension member opening 412 when the tension member 430 is under a tensile load, thus firmly holding said tension member 430 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The chock elements 432, 434, 436 are in particular configured for fixing the tension member 430 in the direction into the image plane. The chock elements 432, 434, 436 do not firmly hold the tension member 430 substantially in the direction out of the image plane.

[0070] The anchor plate 410 moreover has the plate fastening openings 414-428. The plate fastening openings 414-428 are typically not present when originally installing the anchor plate 410 in the tower. The plate fastening openings 414-428 have been subsequently incorporated in the anchor plate 410 for the deconstruction of the tower. The plate fastening openings 414-428 serve for fastening a cover unit shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, or a first cover element, respectively.

[0071] The cover element 500 shown in FIG. 6 is configured for disposal on the anchor plate 410 shown in FIG. 5. The first cover element 500 has a first cover plate 502. A bridging element 518 is diametrically disposed on the circular first cover plate 502. The bridging element 518 can be disposed on the first cover plate 502 by using welding technology, for example. The bridging element 518 on that side thereof that faces the first cover plate has a plate opening 516 so that an available height is created in a portion between the bridging element 518 and the first cover plate 502.

[0072] A plurality of cover openings are disposed in the first cover plate 502. As a result of the bridging element 518, a first plate flank 504 is created on the first side of the bridging element 518, and a second plate flank 506 is created on the other side of the bridging element 518. A first cover opening 508, a second cover opening 510, a third cover opening 512, and a fourth cover opening 514 are disposed in the second plate flank 506. The cover openings 510, 512, 514 serve inter alia for introducing a fastening element through the first cover plate 502, said fastening element extending to plate fastening openings 414-428 on an anchor plate 410.

[0073] The first cover element 500 is shown in the assembled state in FIG. 7. The first cover element 500 is disposed on the anchor plate 410. A second cover plate 520 is disposed on the first plate flank 504. The second cover plate 520 has a semi-circular geometry. The second cover plate circumferentially terminates conjointly with the first cover plate 502. Moreover, a third cover plate 530 is disposed on the second plate flank 506. A fourth cover plate 535 is disposed on the second cover plate 520 and the third cover plate 530. The fourth cover plate 535 on the second plate flank 506 extends from the second cover plate 520 to the third cover plate 530. The second cover plate 520 by way of a first fastening element 540 and a fourth fastening element 546 is fastened to the anchor plate 410. The fastening elements 540, 546 extend through passage openings of the second cover plate 520, through the cover openings of the first cover plate 502, to the threaded plate fastening openings in the anchor plate 410.

[0074] As a result of this fastening of the first cover plate 502, the second cover plate 520, the third cover plate 530 and the fourth cover plate 535, reliable fastening of the tension members 430 also takes place in a vertically upward direction on the anchor plate 410. The entire anchor plate 410 typically jumps upward when the tension members are cut. As the individual tension members however do not substantially jump out of the anchor plate, the device shown in FIG. 7 can be completely extracted from the tower with a crane. The removal of the cut tension members is simplified herewith, because the individual tension members do not have to be extracted or subsequently moved back to the original position thereof on the anchor plate 410, but can be easily extracted in one step.

[0075] FIG. 8 shows a schematic two-dimensional view of a cable head disposed in the cellar of a concrete tower. Shown in particular is a cellar ceiling 550 of a concrete tower on which an annular collection container 552 for a cable head 554 is disposed. A plurality of tension members 556 are disposed and anchored in the cable head 554. When the concrete tower is accessible, the tension members 556 can be released by releasing the anchoring in the cable head 554. This can be performed in particular by disposing a flame cutter on the cable head 554 and subsequently burning and/or melting the cable head 554.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows a schematic method for cutting tensioned tension members of a concrete tower. In step 600, the main frame 310 is disposed within the cutting region 220 in the interior of the concrete tower 202. At least one of the tension members 212, 214, 216 is situated in the cutting region 220.

[0077] In step 602, the bar-shaped positioning element 330 is coupled to the main frame 310. In step 604, the cutter 340 is disposed on that end of the positioning element 330 that faces the cutting region. Steps 602 and 604 can also be carried out prior to step 600. It is particularly preferable for steps 602 and 604 to be carried out in advance. In step 606, the cutter 340 is positioned in such a manner that said cutter 340 has a predetermined spacing from one of the tension members 212, 214, 216. This predetermined spacing of the cutter 340 from one of the tension members 212, 214, 216 is in particular determined by the technology of the cutter. For example, the predetermined spacing can be determined by a burner flame. In step 608, a cover unit is disposed and fastened above the tension member openings 412 on the anchor plate 410 in the region of the tower head.

[0078] In step 610, the tension member 212, 214, 216 is cut with the cutter 340, for example in that a flame cutting process is carried out on the tension member 212, 214, 216 with the cutter 340.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0079] 100 Wind power installation [0080] 102 Tower [0081] 104 Nacelle [0082] 106 Rotor [0083] 108 Rotor blades [0084] 110 Spinner [0085] 202 Concrete tower [0086] 204 Tower wall [0087] 206 Tower opening [0088] 210 Tension unit [0089] 212 First tension member [0090] 214 Second tension member [0091] 216 Third tension member [0092] 220 Cutting region [0093] 222 Operating region [0094] 300 Cutting device [0095] 310 Main frame [0096] 312 Guide rail [0097] 314 First frame support [0098] 316 Second frame support [0099] 320 Processing carriage [0100] 321a Left first wheel [0101] 321b Right first wheel [0102] 322a Second wheel [0103] 323 Main body [0104] 324a Left leg [0105] 324b Right leg [0106] 325 Axle [0107] 330 Positioning element [0108] 340, 340′ Cutter [0109] 342 Burner flame [0110] 344 Roughing disk [0111] 350 Gas supply element [0112] 400 Tension member fastening [0113] 410 Anchor plate [0114] 412 Tension member openings [0115] 414 First plate fastening opening [0116] 416 Second plate fastening opening [0117] 418 Third plate fastening opening [0118] 420 Fourth plate fastening opening [0119] 422 Fifth plate fastening opening [0120] 424 Sixth plate fastening opening [0121] 426 Seventh plate fastening opening [0122] 428 Eighth plate fastening opening [0123] 430 Tension member [0124] 432 First chock element [0125] 434 Second chock element [0126] 436 Third chock element [0127] 500 First cover element [0128] 502 First cover plate [0129] 504 First plate flank [0130] 506 Second plate flank [0131] 508 First cover opening [0132] 510 Second cover opening [0133] 512 Third cover opening [0134] 514 Fourth cover opening [0135] 516 Plate opening [0136] 518 Bridging element [0137] 520 Second cover plate [0138] 530 Third cover plate [0139] 535 Fourth cover plate [0140] 540 First fastening element [0141] 542 Second fastening element [0142] 544 Third fastening element [0143] 546 Fourth fastening element [0144] 550 Cellar ceiling [0145] 552 Annular collection container [0146] 554 Cable head [0147] 556 Tension members