U.S. patent application number 11/719978 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for wind turbine, a method for assembling and handling the wind turbine and uses hereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S. Invention is credited to Jonas Kristensen.
Application Number | 20070296220 11/719978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34959274 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070296220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kristensen; Jonas |
December 27, 2007 |
Wind Turbine, a Method for Assembling and Handling the Wind Turbine
and Uses Hereof
Abstract
The invention relates to a wind turbine including a foundation
and a tower positioned on the foundation where the tower includes
more than one modules, where the modules each include a separate
strengthening structure defining the outer edges of the module and
wind turbine equipment, and where the more than one module are
positioned substantially vertically on top of each other in an
upright position within the tower. The modules are connected
directly and/or indirectly through the strengthening structure, to
the foundation (18). The invention further relates to a method for
assembling a wind turbine at a wind turbine site and a method for
handling more than one wind turbine modules.
Inventors: |
Kristensen; Jonas; (Skjern,
DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
55 GRIFFIN ROAD SOUTH
BLOOMFIELD
CT
06002
US
|
Assignee: |
VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
Smed Sorensens Vej 5
Ringkobing
DK
DK-6950
|
Family ID: |
34959274 |
Appl. No.: |
11/719978 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DK04/00812 |
371 Date: |
June 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/55 ; 414/800;
52/745.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03D 13/10 20160501;
B66B 9/187 20130101; Y02E 10/728 20130101; Y02E 10/72 20130101;
F05B 2240/916 20130101; F05B 2230/50 20130101; Y02P 70/50
20151101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/055 ;
414/800; 052/745.18 |
International
Class: |
F03D 11/04 20060101
F03D011/04; F03D 1/00 20060101 F03D001/00 |
Claims
1. A wind turbine, comprising: a foundation; and a tower positioned
on said foundation; wherein said tower includes more than one
module, said more than one module each comprising a separate
strengthening structure substantially defining outer edges of the
module and wind turbine equipment, wherein said more than one
module are positioned substantially vertically on top of each other
in an upright position within said tower, and connected directly
and/or indirectly through said strengthening structure, to said
foundation.
2. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least two of
said more than one modules comprises substantially different wind
turbine equipment.
3. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein said wind turbine
equipment is pre-fitted into said more than one module.
4. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein said strengthening
structure has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
5. A wind turbine according to claim 4, wherein said rectangular
parallelepiped shaped strengthening structure comprises a top and a
bottom part each comprising four rails constituting the outer
edges, and said top and bottom part being separated by a
substantially vertical corner post placed in each of the four
corners of said top and bottom part.
6. A wind turbine according to claim 5, wherein said rails of said
top and bottom part and said corner posts are made of steel beams
and/or steel tubes.
7. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein said more than one
modules are standardised ISO containers made of steel.
8. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein said equipment of
said more than one modules is confined inside the modules.
9. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein in at least two of
said more than one modules said equipment of said at least two
modules are mechanically and/or electrically connected.
10. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein one of said more
than one modules is positioned in a way that a floor of said one
module is substantially level with a bottom of a door (8) in said
wind turbine tower.
11. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
said more than one modules comprises a cable winding mechanism.
12. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein one or more of
said more than one modules has one or more support connections,
connected to said wind turbine tower in a way, which does not
substantially reduce a fatigue limit of said tower.
13. A wind turbine according to claim 12, wherein said one or more
support connections abuts an inside surface of said wind turbine
tower.
14. A wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein said strengthening
structures of said more than one modules is identical.
15. Method for assembling a wind turbine at a wind turbine site
said method comprising: establishing a foundation for said wind
turbine; positioning a first module comprising a strengthening
structure and wind turbine equipment on said foundation; connecting
said first module directly and/or indirectly to said foundation;
positioning one or more further modules comprising a strengthening
structure and wind turbine equipment on top of said first module;
and connecting said first module to said further modules.
16. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein said method includes establishing the wind turbine tower
around the more than one modules by hoisting the tower as a whole
or as sections down over the more than one modules and connecting
said tower to said foundation.
17. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein said method includes establishing the wind turbine tower
around the more than one modules by assembling more than one tower
shells around the more than one modules and connecting said shells
to each other and to said foundation.
18. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to any of claim
15, wherein said wind turbine equipment in at least two of said
more than one modules are mechanically and/or electrically
connected.
19. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein one of said more than one modules is positioned in a way
that a floor of said one module is substantially level with a
bottom of a door in said wind turbine tower.
20. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein said wind turbine equipment is pre-fitted into said more
than one module.
21. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein at least two of said more than one modules comprises
substantially different wind turbine equipment.
22. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 15,
wherein one or more of said more than one modules has one or more
support connections connected to said wind turbine tower in a way
which does not substantially reduce a fatigue limit of said
tower.
23. Method for assembling a wind turbine according to claim 22,
wherein said one or more support connections abuts an inside
surface of said wind turbine tower.
24. Method of handling more than one wind turbine modules, said
method comprising: establishing a strengthening structure in each
of said more than one modules; fitting said more than one modules
with wind turbine equipment; and handling of said more than one
modules in such a way that said modules are substantially upright
during fitting of wind turbine equipment, transport and/or
assembling at the wind turbine site.
25. Wind turbine according to claim 1 wherein the wind turbine is
configured for off-shore wind power generation.
26. Methods according to claim 15, further comprising configuring
and disposing the wind turbine for off-shore wind power generation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a wind turbine as specified in the
preamble of claim 1, a method for assembling the wind turbine and a
method for handling the wind turbine and uses hereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] A wind turbine known in the art typically comprises a wind
turbine tower and a wind turbine nacelle positioned on top of the
tower. A wind turbine rotor, comprising three wind turbine blades,
is connected to the nacelle through a low speed shaft, which
extends out of the nacelle front as illustrated on FIG. 1.
[0003] The nacelle is typically provided with some, but typically
not all, of the electrical equipment needed to transform, convert
and in other ways handle the power being produced by the generator
in the nacelle. With off-shore and land based wind turbines the
rest of this power handling equipment is often placed on platforms
inside the wind turbine tower. These platforms are typically
mounted on fittings welded to the inside of the tower, usually
close to the bottom of the tower. With land based wind turbines the
rest of this power handling equipment can also be placed in a
separate house outside the wind turbine
[0004] The wind turbine tower has to stand stress produced from
both the weight of the wind turbine itself and the torque created
by the wind pressure on the wind turbine blades and on the tower
itself. Especially at the bottom of the tower the concentration of
stress is high.
[0005] Any kind of welding on the tower is critical in that it
reduces the towers fatigue limit and because the stress on the
tower is highest at the bottom, welding is especially critical
here.
[0006] Another problem in mounting power handling equipment on
platforms at the bottom of the tower is that it is inflexible, in
that the platforms only fit towers of a specific diameter, and in
that mounting and fitting of the platforms and the power handling
equipment can first take place when the tower is manufactured and
painted.
[0007] WO 2004/067959 discloses different techniques for providing
equipment in a wind turbine tower, where the equipment is
positioned as one common unit on the foundation of the wind turbine
tower.
[0008] The unit may comprise a complicated system including a
plurality of different rooms such as room for power equipment,
changing room, room for accommodation or other.
[0009] The unit is difficult to handle and transport in that it is
large and heavy, and all the equipment in the unit has to be
secured thoroughly, in that it has to be transported lying down and
then erected at the mounting site.
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide for a wind turbine
with equipment positioned in the tower in a simple and space
efficient way.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to establish an
advantageous logistical system for providing a wind turbine tower
with wind turbine equipment and to avoid reducing the towers
fatigue limit when doing so.
The Invention
[0012] The invention provides for a wind turbine wherein the tower
includes more than one modules, said more than one module each
comprising a separate strengthening structure substantially
defining outer edges of the module and wind turbine equipment,
wherein said more than one module are positioned substantially
vertically on top of each other in an upright position within said
tower, and connected directly and/or indirectly through said
strengthening structure, to said foundation.
[0013] By providing a wind turbine tower with several modules
containing wind turbine equipment, a flexible way of implementing
equipment in a wind turbine is achieved.
[0014] In an embodiment of the invention one module could contain a
cable for connecting the power equipment in the nacelle positioned
on top of the wind turbine tower with the power equipment in one or
more of the modules positioned in the tower. Another module could
be provided with a transformer and an inverter. A third module
could be provided with a PLC and/or a PC for controlling and
surveillance purposes. In an embodiment of the invention further
modules could be used for storing spare parts or be provided with
other power handling equipment. In an off-shore based wind turbine
a module for accommodation could advantageously be provided.
Depending on where the wind turbine is mounted other embodiments of
the modules could be provided for.
[0015] By providing each module with separate strengthening
structure each module can be fitted, stored, transported, mounted
and other independently of the other modules which is logistically
very advantageous.
[0016] Another advantage of using modules with separate
strengthening structure for providing a wind turbine with equipment
is that when stacked, the modules are substantially self carrying
and self supporting. This way no connections reducing the towers
fatigue limit is needed.
[0017] As the height of the tower is always considerably larger
than the diameter it is advantageously to place the modules upright
substantially vertically on top of each other, so that the modules
use the space available in the tower as efficient as possible.
[0018] It is advantageously to place the modules inside the tower
in that there they are protected against the fury of the elements,
and the cost of building a separate house for the equipment is
saved.
[0019] By placing the first module on the foundation either
directly or on some sort of fittings casted into the foundation,
and connecting the module to the foundation the module stack is
made stable. And by connecting the further modules to the first
module the stack is made even more stable.
[0020] In an aspect of the invention, at least two of said more
than one modules comprises substantially different wind turbine
equipment.
[0021] As previously argued one of the great advantages of
providing equipment in modules, is that the modules can contain all
kinds of wind turbine equipment which easily can be combined to
suit the requirements of a specific wind turbine.
[0022] In an aspect of the invention, said wind turbine equipment
is pre-fitted into said more than one module e.g. at the wind
turbine manufacturing plant.
[0023] By pre-fitting the modules with equipment e.g. at the wind
turbine manufacturing plant, the modules can be put on stock, and
when a specific wind turbine is to be mounted the different modules
needed for this wind turbine can easily be retrieved and put
together at the mounting site.
[0024] By making pre-fitted modules which can be used in a variety
of different wind turbine types, it is also possible to optimise
the use of the productions facilities, in that the pre-fitted
modules can be put on stock, which then can function as a
production buffer to level out any variation in demand.
[0025] Another advantage of pre-fitting the modules is that they
can be pre-fitted at different locations. An accommodation module
could e.g. be fitted at a sub-contractor such as a carpenter, or at
a department at the wind turbine manufacturing plant especially
provided for fitting accommodation modules. Power handling modules
could be fitted in an electric workshop and so on. In this way the
pre-fitting of the different modules can be done parallel, which
reduces both transportation and the total production time.
[0026] In an aspect of the invention, said strengthening structure
has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
[0027] Making the modules strengthening structure in a
substantially cubical shape is advantageous in that, the
substantially cubical shape makes the modules easy to manufacture,
transport, handle, store and other. The modules could e.g. be of a
size that made them fit into a standard ISO container e.g. 20, 30
or 40 foot, which would simplify transport of the modules.
[0028] In an aspect of the invention, said rectangular
parallelepiped shaped strengthening structure comprises a top and a
bottom part each comprising four rails constituting the outer
edges, and said top and bottom part being separated by a
substantially vertical corner post placed in each of the four
corners of said top and bottom part.
[0029] Making the substantially cubical shaped strengthening
structure out of rails and posts substantially defining the outer
edges is advantageous in that, the structure can be made of
straight material and in that this provides for an efficient use of
material.
[0030] In an aspect of the invention, said rails of said top and
bottom part and said corner posts are made of steel beams and/or
steel tubes.
[0031] Steel beams and/or steel tubes are relatively inexpensive
and steel is a strong and rigid material. These qualities make
steel beams and/or steel tubes advantageous in that, it provides
for a relatively cost and weight efficient way of providing modules
with strengthening structure.
[0032] In an aspect of the invention, said more than one modules
are standardised ISO containers e.g. made of steel.
[0033] Standardised ISO containers are easy transportable, in that
the ISO container system is well known and used all over the world.
By making the modules out of standardised ISO containers they
become easy to store, transport, handle and inexpensive to
manufacture, and steel is a strong, rigid and relatively
inexpensive material and therefore the preferred material for
making containers.
[0034] In an aspect of the invention, said equipment of said more
than one modules is confined inside the modules.
[0035] By placing the equipment inside the modules the modules
becomes substantially uniform. This makes them easy to store,
transport and handle in general.
[0036] In an aspect of the invention, in at least two of said more
than one modules, said equipment of said at least two modules are
mechanically and/or electrically connected.
[0037] When the modules are placed in the wind turbine they can
advantageously be connected either mechanically or electrically or
both. One module could e.g. be pre-fitted with a personnel lift
provide with a rail or a rack which could be joined with a similar
rail or rack in other modules to enable the operation of the lift
in or through the other modules.
[0038] Power handling equipment in different modules could also
advantageously be connected across the modules.
[0039] In an aspect of the invention, one of the more than one
modules is positioned in a way that the floor of said one module is
substantially level with the bottom of the door in the wind turbine
tower.
[0040] By positioning a module in this way the module can be
pre-fitted with a entrance platform enabling easy access from the
tower door to the module.
[0041] In an aspect of the invention, at least one of said more
than one modules comprises cable winding means.
[0042] The power handling equipment in the nacelle could in a
preferred embodiment of the invention be connected to the equipment
in the modules. It would therefore be advantageously to pre-fit a
module, preferably the bottom module, with cable winding means and
a cable to be unwound, when the wind turbine is fully erected, to
establish said connection.
[0043] In an aspect of the invention, one or more of said more than
one modules has one or more support connections, connected to said
wind turbine tower in a way, which does not substantially reduce
said towers fatigue limit.
[0044] To secure the stability of the module stack it could be
advantageously in an embodiment of the invention to provide one or
more modules with one or more support connections. These support
connections could be made as e.g. arms pressing against the inside
of the tower. In this way the towers fatigue limit is not
affected.
[0045] In an aspect of the invention, said one or more support
connections abuts the inside surface of said wind turbine
tower.
[0046] By just touching the inside surface of the tower, the
support connections does not reduce the towers fatigue limit.
[0047] In an aspect of the invention, said strengthening structure
of said more than one modules being identical.
[0048] By making the strengthening structure identical the modules
becomes easy to manufacture, transport, handle and store in that,
they more or less can be manufactured, transported, handled and
stored in the same way. Furthermore when the modules are placed on
top of each other, the corner posts of the strengthening structure
can absorb the load of modules above, which makes the modules easy
to stack.
[0049] The invention further provides for a method for assembling a
wind turbine at a wind turbine site said method comprising the
steps of, establishing said foundation for said wind turbine,
positioning a first module comprising a strengthening structure and
wind turbine equipment on said foundation, connecting said first
module directly and/or indirectly to said foundation, positioning
one or more further modules comprising a strengthening structure
and wind turbine equipment on top of said first module, and
connecting said first module to said further modules.
[0050] By placing the first module on the foundation either
directly or on some sort of fittings casted into the foundation,
and connecting the module to the foundation the module stack is
made stable. And by connecting the further modules to the first
module the stack is made even more stable.
[0051] The advantage of using modules for providing a wind turbine
with equipment in the tower is, that with e.g. an off-shore based
wind turbine park comprising a plurality of wind turbines, it would
some times only be necessary to provide only one wind turbine with
accommodation, only one other wind turbine could be provided with a
stock module and only one other wind turbine could be provided with
a common surveillance module. Compared to having all the equipment
for a specific wind turbine type in only one module the multiple
module system provides an easy solution for providing several wind
turbines of the same type with different equipment.
[0052] Another advantage of providing the wind turbine with
equipment in modules is that the tower and the modules can be
manufactured, stored and transported separately, which logistically
is a great advantage, in that it reduces production time and costs
of transportation. The tower do not have to be manufactured and
painted before the fitting of equipment can take place, and the
tower and the different modules do not have to be brought together
before the mounting of the wind turbine at the wind turbine
site.
[0053] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine wherein said method includes establishing
the wind turbine tower around the more than one modules by hoisting
the tower as a whole or as sections down over the more than one
modules and connecting said tower to said foundation.
[0054] If the tower is pre-fabricated as a whole or more commonly
is divided into sections it is advantageous to hoist the tower or
tower sections down over the module stack after the stack has been
placed.
[0055] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein said method includes
establishing the wind turbine tower around the more than one
modules by assembling more than one tower shells around the more
than one modules and connecting said shells to each other and to
said foundation.
[0056] WO 2004/083633 illustrates that by making the tower or tower
sections out of e.g. three shell, the tower can be made of a larger
diameter than what would be possible to transport, if the tower or
tower sections was just tubes. Placing these shells around the
module stack can be done relatively easy, in that the crane or the
like used for erecting the wind turbine, does not have to carry as
much weight or lift as high as if the tower was a complete
tube.
[0057] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein said wind turbine equipment in
at least two of said more than one modules are mechanically and/or
electrically connected.
[0058] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein one of said more than one
modules is positioned in a way that the floor of said one module is
substantially level with the bottom of the door in said wind
turbine tower.
[0059] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein said wind turbine equipment is
pre-fitted into said more than one module e.g. at the wind turbine
manufacturing plant.
[0060] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein at least two of said more than
one modules comprises substantially different wind turbine
equipment.
[0061] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein one or more of said more than
one modules has one or more support connections connected to said
wind turbine tower in a way which does not substantially reduce
said towers fatigue limit.
[0062] An aspect of the invention provides for a method for
assembling a wind turbine, wherein said one or more support
connections abuts the inside surface of said wind turbine
tower.
[0063] The invention further provides for a method of handling more
than one wind turbine modules said method comprising the steps of,
establishing a strengthening structure in each of said more than
one modules, and fitting said more than one modules with wind
turbine equipment, where the handling of said more than one modules
are preformed in such a way that said modules are substantially
upright during fitting of wind turbine equipment, transport and/or
assembling at the wind turbine site.
[0064] By providing the wind turbine with equipment in modules it
is made possible to keep the modules substantially upright at all
times after the modules has been fitted with the equipment. This is
a great advantage in that some of the equipment such as e.g. the
cable, the transformer or other is quit heavy and would have to be
secured very thoroughly in order not to be damaged if the modules
was to be lied down. Other equipment in the modules could be
delicate electrical equipment, which could easily be damaged if the
modules were e.g. transported lying down on one side.
FIGURES
[0065] The invention will be described in the following with
reference to the figures in which
[0066] FIG. 1. illustrates a large modern wind turbine,
[0067] FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective a wind turbine tower
provided with equipment containers,
[0068] FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical cross section of a wind
turbine tower,
[0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal cross section of a wind
turbine tower through a cable container,
[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a horizontal cross section of a wind
turbine tower through an entrance container,
[0071] FIG. 6 illustrates a horizontal cross section of a wind
turbine tower through an electrical equipment container,
[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective a cable container,
[0073] FIG. 8 illustrates in perspective an entrance container,
[0074] FIG. 9 illustrates in perspective an electrical equipment
container and
[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates a vertical cross section of a wind
turbine tower.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates a modern wind turbine 1 mounted on the
foundation 18 comprising a tower 2 with a door 8 and a wind turbine
nacelle 3 positioned on top of the tower 2. The wind turbine rotor
4, comprising three wind turbine blades 5, is connected to the
nacelle 3 through the low speed shaft which extends out of the
nacelle 3 front.
[0077] The different components of a wind turbine 1 are usually
transported separately to the site of mounting and assembled there
e.g. the different tower sections, the nacelle 3 and the wind
turbine blades 5.
[0078] The wind turbine may e.g. be an off-shore wind turbine.
[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates in perspective a wind turbine tower 2
with a section cut-off so it is possible to see inside the tower 2.
In this embodiment of the invention three equipment modules are
placed on the wind turbine foundation 18 inside the tower 2. A
cable module 6 is positioned at the bottom and is somehow connected
to the foundation 18. The cable module 6 at the bottom could be
placed directly on top of the foundation 18 and connected by means
of e.g. anchor bolt, or some sort of platform or fitting could be
casted into or connected to the foundation 18, and then the modules
are placed and secured to this platform or fittings.
[0080] In this embodiment of the invention an entrance module 7 is
placed on top of the cable module 6, and the modules 6, 7 are
connected by means of e.g. fittings, bolt, screws, welding or
other.
[0081] In this embodiment of the invention the entrance module 7 is
provided with an entrance platform 11 provided with a guard rail 9
at the sides. The entrance platform 8 could be hinged to the
entrance module 7, so that it could be tilted into the module 7
during stock, transport etc.
[0082] As illustrated on FIG. 2 the entrance module 7 could be
provided with a personnel lift 10, to bring people or equipment up
to the nacelle 3 or up or down to the other equipment modules. The
rail or rack to guide this lift could also be pre-fitted into the
other modules and the inside the tower 2, to be joined as one long
rail or rack after the erection of the tower 2.
[0083] The different modules could be provided with a fence 13
around the lift. This fence 13 could in each module be provided
with a locked door, so that only authorized personnel could gain
access to the different modules by use of a key, an authorization
code or other.
[0084] In this embodiment of the invention an electrical equipment
module 12 is placed on top of the entrance module 7, and the
modules 12, 7 are connected by means of e.g. fittings, bolt,
screws, welding or other.
[0085] The entrance module 7 below the electrical equipment module
12 is at the top provided with another platform 14 provided with a
guard rail 15 at the sides. The platform 14 could be hinged to the
top of the entrance module 7, so that it could be tilted into the
entrance module 7 during transport. This platform 14 could both
function as a place to stand when using the ladder 16, and as
protection from falling object when entering the tower 3 through
the door 8.
[0086] In another embodiment of the invention the wind turbine 1
could be provided with another number of equipment modules e.g.
two, four or more, and the modules could be placed in another order
and have other functions than the shown e.g. accommodation, stock,
workshop or other.
[0087] In this embodiment of the invention the different modules
strengthening structure 28 are identical. In another embodiment of
the invention the structure 28 could be of different size. For
example could the modules be of decreasing size upwards to
efficiently utilize the space available in a conical tower.
[0088] FIG. 2 also illustrates that the tower could be made of a
number of shells 32 and in this embodiment of the invention, three
shells 32. These shells 32 could have the full length of the tower
2 or they could be divided into a number of sections, together
constituting the full tower 2. The shells 32 could be joined at the
wind turbine mounting site by erecting a first shell and connecting
it to the foundation 18 by connecting means such as screws, bolts,
welding or other. A second and a third shell are then erected and
positioned beside the first shell. The second and the third shell
are connected to the foundation, to the first shell and to each
other by connecting means.
[0089] FIG. 3 illustrates, in a vertical cross section through the
middle of the tower 2, the same embodiment of the invention as
illustrated on FIG. 2. In this embodiment of the invention the back
of the modules are provided with ladders 17, 19, 20 to enable
manual access between the different modules. The floor or the
ceiling of the different modules could be provided with a hatch 22,
23, which could be locked to ensure that only authorized personnel
could gain access.
[0090] In this embodiment of the invention the cable module 6 at
the bottom is provided with cable winding means 26 and a cable 21
to connect the power handling equipment in the nacelle 3 with the
power handling in one or more of the modules 6, 7, 12.
[0091] FIG. 4 illustrates in an embodiment of the invention a
horizontal cross section of the tower 2 through the middle of the
cable module 6.
[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates in an embodiment of the invention a
horizontal cross section of the tower 2 through the middle of the
entrance module 7.
[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates in an embodiment of the invention a
horizontal cross section of the tower 2 through the middle of the
electrical equipment module 12.
[0094] FIG. 7 illustrates a cable module 6 in perspective. In this
embodiment of the invention the module 6 is not provided with
plates on the sides and on the top to enable access to the inside
from all sides. During transport and if the cable module 6 is put
on stock after being pre-fitted, the cable module 6 could be
provided with some sort of temporary plates on the open sides and
the top to shield the equipment inside the cable module 6.
[0095] In this embodiment of the invention the cable module 6 and
the other module has the form of a standard 8 foot ISO container
comprising a strengthening structure 28 made of tubes, preferably
steel tubes defining the outer edges of the module. In another
embodiment of the invention the modules could still have the shape
of a rectangular parallelepiped but they could be of a size smaller
than an 8 foot container so they would fit into e.g. a standard 40
foot container, and the strengthening structure could be made of
e.g. steel beams.
[0096] In this embodiment of the invention the cable module 6 is
provided with cable winding means 26 provided with a cable 21. When
the cable module is in position inside the wind turbine 1 the cable
21 can be unwound to establish an electrical connection between the
nacelle 3 and one or more of the modules.
[0097] FIG. 8 illustrates an entrance module 7 in perspective. In
this embodiment of the invention the entrance module 7 is not
provided with a roof, in that the floor of the electrical equipment
module 12 functions as a roof, when the electrical equipment module
12 is placed on top of the entrance module 7.
[0098] FIG. 9 illustrates an electrical equipment module 12 in
perspective. In this embodiment of the invention the electrical
equipment module 12 is closed on all sides by plates, which are
connected to the beams by connection means such as screws, bolts or
preferably welding during the manufacturing of the module 12. The
electrical equipment module 12 is in this embodiment of the
invention provided with an aperture 24 in the ceiling to allow the
lift 10 to pass through. This aperture 24 and other apertures in
this and other modules could be made during manufacturing of the
modules at the wind turbine manufacturing plant. The aperture 24
could then be temporary covered by covering means such as plates,
tarpaulins or other, during stock and/or transport. The apertures
could also be made at the or close to the wind turbine mounting
site.
[0099] FIG. 10 illustrates a vertical cross section through the
middle of the tower 2. In this embodiment of the invention a bottom
module 29 is placed at the bottom and connected to the foundation
18 by means of foundation fittings 25. The foundation fittings 25
could be connected to the foundation by means of e.g. anchor bolt
casted into the foundation 18. The foundation fittings 25 could be
connected to the bottom module 29 by means of screws, bolts,
welding or other. The bottom module 29 could also be connected to
the foundation 18 in the area being covered by the bottom module 29
e.g. by means of screws, bolts or other directly through holes in
the strengthening structure 28 or special incorporated
fittings.
[0100] In this embodiment of the invention the other modules 30, 31
are connected to each other and to the bottom module 29 by means of
module fittings 27. These module fittings 27 are connected to the
modules by means for screws, bolts, welding or other. In another
embodiment of the invention the modules could be connected directly
e.g. by bolts or screws through the strengthening structure 28 or
other places, or by welding the modules together. In another
embodiment of the invention the modules could be made in such a way
that they included centering means, so that when they are stacked
the centering means would ensure that the modules were positioned
correctly on the foundation 18 and/or on top of each other.
LIST
[0101] 1. Wind turbine [0102] 2. Tower [0103] 3. Nacelle [0104] 4.
Rotor [0105] 5. Blades [0106] 6. Cable module [0107] 7. Entrance
module [0108] 8. Door [0109] 9. Guard rail [0110] 10. Personnel
lift [0111] 11. Entrance platform [0112] 12. Electrical equipment
module [0113] 13. Fence [0114] 14. Platform [0115] 15. Guard rail
[0116] 16. Ladder [0117] 17. Ladder [0118] 18. Foundation [0119]
19. Ladder [0120] 20. Ladder [0121] 21. Cable [0122] 22. Hatch
[0123] 23. Hatch [0124] 24. Aperture [0125] 25. Foundation fitting
[0126] 26. Cable winding means [0127] 27. Module fitting [0128] 28.
Strengthening structure [0129] 29. Bottom module [0130] 30. Module
[0131] 31. Module [0132] 32. Tower shell
* * * * *