U.S. patent application number 12/312145 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-11 for tubular-member flange coupling.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Invention is credited to Tomohiro Numajiri.
Application Number | 20100058673 12/312145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40386836 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100058673 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Numajiri; Tomohiro |
March 11, 2010 |
TUBULAR-MEMBER FLANGE COUPLING
Abstract
The production process is shortened and the manufacturing costs
are reduced. The present invention is a tubular-member flange
coupling (8) in which a top or bottom end of a circumferential
portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a tubular member (7) to
couple the tubular members (7) to each other. A recess (16) having
a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided around a
circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to the
tubular member (7) at a position radially inward of a surface to be
mated to the tubular member (7).
Inventors: |
Numajiri; Tomohiro;
(Nagasaki, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KANESAKA BERNER AND PARTNERS LLP
1700 DIAGONAL RD, SUITE 310
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314-2848
US
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Ltd
TOkyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
40386836 |
Appl. No.: |
12/312145 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
August 31, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/067015 |
371 Date: |
April 28, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 12/085
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/40 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/08 20060101
E04H012/08 |
Claims
1. A tubular-member flange coupling in which a top or bottom end of
a circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a
tubular member to couple the tubular members to each other, wherein
a recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is
provided around a circumferential direction in a surface to be
connected to the tubular member, at a position radially inward of a
surface to be mated to the tubular member.
2. The tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 1, wherein
the radius of curvature of a radially inward bottom surface of the
recess is formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature of a
radially outward bottom surface of the recess.
3. A wind turbine for wind turbine generator comprising the
tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 1.
4. A wind turbine for wind turbine generator comprising the
tubular-member flange coupling according to claim 2.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a
tubular-member flange coupling for connecting (coupling or joining)
tubular members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for
wind turbine generator.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As a tubular-member flange coupling for connecting tubular
members constituting a support tower of a wind turbine for wind
turbine generator, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1
is known.
[0003] Patent Document 1:
[0004] Japanese Translation of PCT International Application,
Publication No. 2004-525293
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] However, in the tubular-member flange coupling disclosed in
Patent Document 1, a tubular portion to be connected (coupled or
joined) to the bottom or top end of a tubular member via a weld
seam is produced by cutting. Therefore, there are problems in that
the production process is prolonged and the manufacturing costs
increase.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such
circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tubular-member
flange coupling capable of shortening the production process and
reducing the manufacturing costs.
[0007] To solve the above-described problem, the present invention
employs the following solutions.
[0008] A tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention is
a tubular-member flange coupling in which a top or bottom end of a
circumferential portion is mated to a bottom or top end of a
tubular member to couple the tubular members to each other. A
recess having a substantially U-shape in cross-section is provided
around a circumferential direction in a surface to be connected to
the tubular member, at a position radially inward of a surface to
be mated to the tubular member.
[0009] The tubular-member flange coupling of the present invention
only requires machining of the recess having a substantially
U-shape in cross-section, which is relatively easily machinable, in
the surface to be connected to the tubular member. Because it is
unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular portion to be
connected to the tubular member by cutting away a large part of the
surface to be connected to the tubular member, as in the
conventional case, the production process can be shortened and the
manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0010] Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular
portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a
large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member to
reduce the thickness, as in the conventional case, the original
thickness can be effectively maintained.
[0011] This prevents the heat during welding of the tubular member
and the flange coupling (welding heat) from being transmitted to a
mating surface (contact surface) of the flange coupling, whereby
deformation (distortion) of the mating surface can be
prevented.
[0012] Moreover, because the deformation (distortion) of the mating
surface can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation of
the mating surface can be made unnecessary. Thus, the production
process can be further shortened and the manufacturing costs can be
further reduced.
[0013] In the above-described tubular-member flange coupling, it is
more preferable that the radius of curvature of a radially inward
bottom surface of the recess be formed to be smaller than the
radius of curvature of a radially outward bottom surface of the
recess.
[0014] With such a tubular-member flange coupling, a large P.C.D.
(pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle formed by
connecting the centers of bolt holes (bolt-hole pitch circle)) can
be provided. Thus, separation of the circumferential portions of
the flange couplings can be prevented, and the mating surfaces
(contact surfaces) of the flange couplings 8 can be kept in closer
contact with each other.
[0015] A wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present
invention includes a flange coupling capable of shortening the
production process and reducing the manufacturing costs.
[0016] The wind turbine for wind turbine generator of the present
invention can shorten the production process of the entire wind
turbine for wind turbine generator and can reduce the manufacturing
costs.
[0017] The present invention provides advantages in that the
production process can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can
be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine
generator having flange couplings according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part
in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present
invention, similar to FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present
invention, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present
invention, similar to FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0024] 1: wind turbine for wind turbine generator [0025] 7: tubular
member [0026] 8: flange coupling [0027] 16: recess [0028] 16a:
recess [0029] 20: flange coupling [0030] 21: recess [0031] 30:
flange coupling [0032] 31: recess
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0033] A ring-shaped-member flange coupling (hereinafter, "flange
coupling") according to an embodiment of the present invention will
be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a side view of a wind turbine for wind turbine
generator having flange couplings according to this embodiment, and
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant part in FIG.
1.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the wind turbine for wind turbine
generator 1 includes a support tower (also referred to as "tower")
2 installed upright on a foundation B, a nacelle 3 mounted on the
top of the support tower 2, and a rotor head 4 mounted to the
nacelle 3 so as to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal
axis.
[0036] A plurality of (for example, three) wind turbine rotor
blades 5 are radially attached around the rotation axis of the
rotor head 4. Thus, the force of the wind blowing in the rotation
axis direction of the rotor head 4 against the wind turbine rotor
blades 5 is converted into motive power for rotating the rotor head
4 about the rotation axis.
[0037] The support tower 2 has a structure in which a plurality of
(for example, three) units 6 (refer to FIG. 2) are joined in the
vertical direction. Each unit 6 has a tubular member 7 (refer to
FIG. 2) and a flange coupling 8 (refer to FIG. 2). The tubular
member 7 consists of a plurality of cylindrical segments (not
shown) each having a cylindrical shape assembled together by fixing
their ends by welding, or, consists of a plurality of
circular-truncated-cone segments (not shown) each having a
circular-truncated-cone shape with a diameter gradually decreasing
upward, assembled by fixing their ends by welding, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0038] The nacelle 3 is mounted on the top unit 6 of the units 6
constituting the support tower 2 and has a nacelle base plate (not
shown) attached to the top end of the support tower 2 and a cover 9
for covering the nacelle base plate from above.
[0039] The flange couplings 8 according to this embodiment are each
a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in plan
view, in which a plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in the
thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) are provided
(formed) around the circumferential direction.
[0040] The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 8 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member 7
are connected (coupled or joined) via a weld seam 11 located
radially inward and a weld seam 12 located radially outward.
[0041] Reference numerals 13, 14, and 15 in FIG. 2 respectively
denote a bolt, a nut, and a washer that connect (couple or join)
the flange couplings 8 to each other.
[0042] Furthermore, a recess (groove) 16 having a ring shape
(doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in
cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential
direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 8 to
be connected to the tubular member 7.
[0043] The outer circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed so
as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner
circumferential surface of the tubular member 7. That is, the outer
circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed (provided) so as to
provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface)
having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a
width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the
tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange
coupling 8.
[0044] On the other hand, the inner circumferential edge of the
recess 16 is formed so as to be located approximately just beneath
or above the outer circumferential surface of the washer 15 for
connecting the flange couplings 8 to each other. That is, the inner
circumferential edge of the recess 16 is formed (provided) such
that the lower or upper surface of the washer 15 is entirely in
contact (close contact) with the upper or lower surface of the
flange coupling 8.
[0045] The flange coupling 8 according to this embodiment only
requires machining of the recess 16 having a ring shape in plan
view and a substantially U-shape in cross-section, which is
relatively easily machinable, in the surface to be connected to the
machine tubular member 7. Because it is unnecessary to fabricate
(machine) a tubular portion to be connected to the tubular member
by cutting away a large part of the surface to be connected to the
tubular member, as in the conventional case, the production process
can be shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0046] Because it is unnecessary to fabricate (machine) a tubular
portion to be connected to the tubular member by cutting away a
large part of the surface to be connected to the tubular member to
reduce the thickness, as in the conventional case, the thickness
can be kept at substantially the original thickness.
[0047] This prevents the heat (welding heat) for welding the
tubular member 7 and the flange coupling 8 from being transmitted
to a mating surface (contact surface) 8a of the flange coupling 8,
whereby deformation (distortion) of the mating surface 8a can be
prevented.
[0048] Moreover, because the deformation (distortion) of the mating
surface 8a can be prevented, shaping for correcting the deformation
of the mating surface 8a can be made unnecessary. Thus, the
production process can be further shortened and the manufacturing
costs can be further reduced.
[0049] In addition, because the original thickness can be
effectively maintained, the internal force coefficient of the bolt
13 can be lowered. Thus, a bolt with superior strength can be
achieved.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, flange couplings according to another
embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to this embodiment, similar to FIG.
2.
[0052] Flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment differ from
those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has
a recess 21 instead of the recess 16. Because other components are
the same as those according to the above-described embodiment, an
explanation of such components will be omitted.
[0053] The same members as those according to the above-described
embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0054] The flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment are
each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in
plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in
the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) are provided
(formed) around the circumferential direction.
[0055] The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 20 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member
7 are connected (coupled or joined) via the weld seam 11 located
radially inward and the weld seam 12 located radially outward.
[0056] Furthermore, a recess (groove) 21 having a ring shape
(doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in
cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential
direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 20
to be connected to the tubular member 7.
[0057] The outer circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed so
as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner
circumferential surface of the tubular member 7. That is, the outer
circumferential edge of the recess 21 is formed (provided) so as to
provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface)
having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a
width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the
tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange
coupling 20.
[0058] On the other hand, the inner circumferential edge of the
recess 21 is formed so as to be located radially outward (the left
side in FIG. 3) of the inner circumferential surface of the recess
16 according to the above-described embodiment, i.e., formed such
that the radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom surface
of the recess 21 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the
radially outward bottom surface of the recess 21, and so as to be
located approximately just beneath or above the outer
circumferential surface of the washer 15 for connecting the flange
couplings 20 to each other. The inner circumferential edge of the
recess 21 is formed (provided) such that the lower or upper surface
of the washer 15 is entirely in contact (close contact) with the
upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 20.
[0059] With the flange couplings 20 according to this embodiment, a
large P.C.D. (pitch circle diameter: the diameter of a circle
formed by connecting the centers of the bolt holes 10 (bolt-hole
pitch circle)) can be provided. Thus, the separation of the flange
couplings 8 at the circumferential portion can be prevented, and
the mating surfaces (contact surfaces) 8a of the flange couplings 8
can be kept in closer contact with each other.
[0060] The radius of curvature of the radially inward bottom
surface of the recess 21 is set to be smaller than the radius of
curvature of the radially outward bottom surface of the recess 21.
Thus, the stress is concentrated on the radially inward bottom
surface of the recess 21. However, higher compressive force
(fastening force or clamping force) is exerted on the radially
inward bottom surface of the recess 21 than on the radially outward
bottom surface of the recess 21, which increases the apparent
fatigue strength of the material of the radially inward bottom
surface of the recess 21. The stress concentration on the radially
inward bottom surface of the recess 21 is balanced out (covered) by
the apparently improved fatigue strength. Thus, generation of
cracks in the radially inward bottom surface of the recess 21 can
be prevented.
[0061] Because other advantages are the same as those according to
the above-described embodiment, an explanation thereof will be
omitted.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, flange couplings according to another
embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of relevant parts of
flange couplings according to another embodiment of the present
invention, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0064] Flange couplings 30 according to this embodiment differ from
those according to the above-described embodiment in that each has
a recess 31 instead of the recesses 16 and 21. Because other
components are the same as those according to the above-described
embodiment, an explanation of such components will be omitted.
[0065] The same members as those according to the above-described
embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0066] The flange couplings 30 according to this embodiment are
each a plate-like member having a ring shape (doughnut-shape) in
plan view, in which the plurality of bolt holes 10 penetrating in
the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) are provided
(formed) around the circumferential direction.
[0067] The top or bottom end of the circumferential portion of the
flange coupling 30 and the bottom or top end of the tubular member
7 are connected (coupled or joined) via the weld seam 11 located
radially inward and the weld seam 12 located radially outward.
[0068] Furthermore, a recess (groove) 31 having a ring shape
(doughnut-shape) in plan view and a substantially U-shape in
cross-section is provided (formed) around the circumferential
direction in the upper or lower surface of the flange coupling 30
to be connected to the tubular member 7.
[0069] The outer circumferential edge of the recess 31 is formed so
as to be located approximately just beneath or above the inner
circumferential surface of the tubular member 7. That is, the outer
circumferential edge of the recess 31 is formed (provided) so as to
provide a connecting surface (coupling surface or mating surface)
having a ring shape (doughnut shape) in plan view and having a
width that is substantially the same as the thickness of the
tubular member 7 at the circumferential portion of the flange
coupling 30.
[0070] On the other hand, similarly to the inner circumferential
edge of the recess 21, the inner circumferential edge of the recess
31 at the opening end (on the tubular member 7 side) is formed so
as to be located radially outward of the inner circumferential
surface of the recess 16 (the left side in FIG. 4) and so as to be
located approximately just beneath or above the outer
circumferential surface of the washer 15 for connecting the flange
couplings 30 to each other. The inner circumferential edge of the
recess 31 located at the opening end is formed (provided) such that
the lower or upper surface of the washer 15 is entirely in contact
(close contact) with the upper or lower surface of the flange
coupling 30. The inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 at a
deep part (on the bottom surface side) is, similarly to the inner
circumferential edge at a deep part (on the bottom surface side) of
the recess 16, formed so as to be located radially inward of the
inner circumferential edge of the recess 31 at the opening end.
[0071] Because the advantages of the flange coupling 30 according
to this embodiment are the same as those according to the
above-described embodiment, an explanation thereof will be
omitted.
[0072] With the wind turbine for wind turbine generator 1 including
the flange couplings 8, 20, or 30 that can shorten the production
process and reduce the manufacturing costs, the whole production
process of the wind turbine for wind turbine generator 1 can be
shortened and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0073] Furthermore, with the wind turbine for wind turbine
generator 1 including the flange couplings 20 or 30 that can
prevent the separation of the flange couplings 8 at the
circumferential portion and can keep the mating surfaces (contact
surfaces) 8a of the flange couplings 8 in closer contact with each
other, the reliability of the support tower 2 can be improved and
the reliability of the whole wind turbine for wind turbine
generator 1 can be improved.
[0074] In the above-described embodiment, it is more preferable
that the recesses 16, 21, and 31 that are formed in the upper
surface of the flange coupling 30 (that open upward) be filled with
silicon, grease or the like.
[0075] This can prevent water droplets running down the inner wall
surface of the tubular member 7 from being collected in the recess
16, 21, or 31, and can thus prevent rust from forming in the recess
16, 21, or 31.
[0076] The shape of the side surface of the flange couplings of the
present invention is not limited to a cylindrical shape as shown in
FIGS. 2 to 4, but may be a circular-truncated-cone shape as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0077] This enables the side surfaces of the flange couplings and
the side surfaces of the tubular members 7 to be substantially
flush with each other. Thus, irregularities on the entire surface
of the support tower 2 can be reduced and the appearance of the
support tower 2 and the whole wind turbine for wind turbine
generator 1 can be improved.
[0078] Furthermore, the recesses 16 shown in FIG. 5 may each be a
recess 16a having a cross-section as shown in FIG. 6, i.e., an
inclined U shape that is cut along (so as to be parallel with) the
side surface of the flange coupling 8.
[0079] Because the advantages provided by this configuration are
the same as those according to the embodiment explained with
reference to FIG. 2, an explanation thereof will be omitted.
* * * * *