Method for mounting internal tower fittings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10227790-B2
Application number	US-201414915510-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 22, 2014
Priority date	Aug 27, 2013
Publication date	Mar 12, 2019
Grant date	Mar 12, 2019

Abstract

A method for installing tower fittings by introducing at least two separate supply modules into a wind turbine tower, wherein a separate supply module structurally includes one segment each of at least two system components of the wind turbine tower, and wherein an upper segment end is arranged on an upper edge, and a lower segment end on a lower edge, of the supply module, including: arranging the upper edge of a first separate supply module at an upper end of the wind turbine tower; connecting an upper segment end of the first separate supply module to a lower segment end of a corresponding system component of a second separate supply module; and arranging the upper edge of the second separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for installing tower fittings into a wind turbine tower comprising:
arranging a first separate supply module of at least two separate supply modules at an upper end of the wind turbine tower such that an upper edge of the first supply module is located at the upper end of the wind turbine tower, wherein each separate supply module of the at least two separate supply modules comprises one segment each of at least two system components of the wind turbine tower;
after arranging the first separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower, moving a second separate supply module of the at least two separate supply modules into position adjacent to the first separate supply module so that the first and second separate supply modules are aligned;
after moving the second separate supply module into position, connecting an upper segment end arranged on the upper edge of the first separate supply module to a lower segment end arranged on a lower edge of a corresponding system component of the second separate supply module; and
arranging an upper edge of the second separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower by lowering the first separate supply module and the second separate supply module.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising providing a working platform at the upper end of the wind turbine tower prior to arranging the upper edge of the first separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to arranging the upper edge of the first separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower, providing a holding apparatus at the upper end of the wind turbine tower for the at least temporary suspension of a separate supply module.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the holding apparatus comprises at least one connecting device for connecting to the separate supply module.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the holding apparatus has at least one load ring which is fastened to a tower wall or a tower upper edge and to which, after introduction of a final separate supply module, the final separate supply module is fastened.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein, after the introduction of a final separate supply module, the final separate supply module is hung over a tower upper edge with the aid of at least one angled support plate and is fastened to a tower wall or tower upper edge.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein the connecting device comprises at least one shackle or at least one lifting sling.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the holding apparatus comprises at least one support element which is fastened to a tower wall and to which a support module comprising a mounting portion is releasably fastened, wherein the first separate supply module has a mounting element with which the first separate supply module, after the arrangement of the upper edge at an upper end of the wind turbine tower, is mounted on the mounting portion of the support module.

9. The method of claim 3 , comprising suspending the first separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower prior to connection of the segments of the system components of the first and second separate supply modules.

10. The method of claim 1 , comprising forming the wind turbine tower from at least two tower segments.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein a separate supply module of the at least two separate supply modules spans a plurality of tower segments.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system components comprise a power conductor, a signal conductor, an illuminator or a climbing device for operating personnel.

13. The method of claim 1 , comprising installing a tubular steel tower as an upper part of the wind turbine tower, wherein the lower part is a concrete tower; and
introducing the at least two separate supply modules into the concrete tower prior to installing the tubular steel tower.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to arranging the upper edge of the first separate supply module at the upper end of the wind turbine tower, fastening at least one fastening apparatus to at least one of the separate supply modules, wherein the at least one fastening apparatus comprises a clamping element which is connected to the supply module and a guide element comprising a fastening piece projecting laterally on the supply module, which is arranged between the clamping element and the supply module.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein,
after introduction of a final separate supply module, the fastening apparatus is fastened to the tower wall of the wind turbine tower using the fastening piece; and
the guide element is clamped to the final supply module using the clamping element.

Assignees

• Senvion Se
• Senvion Gmbh

Inventors

• Samuelsen Olaf

Classifications

• E04H12/08

  of metal · CPC title

• Y02E10/728

  Onshore wind turbines · CPC title

• F03D80/80

  Arrangement of components within nacelles or towers · CPC title

• F03D13/10

  Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors · CPC title

• E04H12/12

  of concrete or other stone-like material, with or without internal or external reinforcements, e.g. with metal coverings, with permanent form elements · CPC title