U.S. patent application number 13/265126 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for tower for a wind power installation.
Invention is credited to Prass Gregor.
Application Number | 20120047840 13/265126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43011610 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120047840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gregor; Prass |
March 1, 2012 |
Tower for a Wind Power Installation
Abstract
The invention relates to a tower for a wind power installation,
wherein the walls of the tower are at least partially produced from
individual wall sections which are connected to one another by
means of connection means. The object of the invention is therefore
to provide a tower which can be assembled with a sufficient degree
of precision. It is also the object of the invention to provide a
method for erecting a tower of this kind. The object according to
the invention in respect of a tower of this kind is achieved in
that an empty framework is at least partially provided in the
interior of the tower and the wall sections are retentively
connected to said empty framework.
Inventors: |
Gregor; Prass; (Hamburg,
DE) |
Family ID: |
43011610 |
Appl. No.: |
13/265126 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
April 14, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/002276 |
371 Date: |
October 18, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/651.01 ;
52/173.1; 52/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/72 20130101;
E04H 12/04 20130101; Y02P 70/50 20151101; F03D 13/20 20160501; F05B
2240/912 20130101; F05B 2230/601 20130101; Y02E 10/728
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/651.01 ;
52/408; 52/173.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/04 20060101
E04H012/04; E04H 12/00 20060101 E04H012/00; E04B 1/92 20060101
E04B001/92 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 19, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 017 593.8 |
Claims
1. A tower for a wind power installation, wherein the walls of the
tower are at least partially produced from individual wall sections
which are produced from a wood material and are connected to one
another by means of connection means, characterized in that the
wall sections are arranged in a manner offset in relation to one
another so as to form a helix.
2-29. (canceled)
30. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
helix is a simple helix or a multiple helix which is formed from a
plurality of single helices.
31. The tower as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that the
number of simple helices which form the multiple helix corresponds
to the number of wall sections in a horizontal plane of the
tower.
32. The tower as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that the
wall section is a rhombus which is placed on end.
33. The tower as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that the
rhombus is a circle segment in the horizontal direction or the
rhombus is formed by two triangles which are connected to one
another in a vertical manner, wherein the surfaces of the triangles
are arranged at an angle to one another, wherein in a preferred
manner the angle is 360.degree. divided by the number of simple
helices.
34. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
upper joint sides of the individual components of a helix is a
continuous line or a graduation.
35. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the wall
sections at least partially in joints have slots which are arranged
transversely to the direction of the joint or longitudinally to the
direction of the joint.
36. The tower as claimed in claim 35, characterized in that the
connection means, in a preferred manner metal plates, in a
particularly preferred manner perforated plates, are arranged in
the slots and are preferably bonded in the slots.
37. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
individual wall sections are produced from as wood material wherein
in a preferred manner the wood material is laminated plywood or a
wood composite material.
38. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
tower is assembled on site from the individual wall sections.
39. The tower as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
surface of the exterior of the tower is provided with a
coating.
40. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating absorbs at least part of the tensile stress acting on the
surface of the tower and seals the surface of the exterior of the
tower against the environmental influences, in particular moisture,
which act on the surface from the outside.
41. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating is applied onto the surface of the exterior of the tower at
least partially over the entire area.
42. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating is a laminate, a foil, a woven fabric, a plate or a
textile, wherein in as preferred manner the coating is a plastics
material, a plastics material plate, a woven fabric or a textile
made from a plastics material, which, in a preferred manner, are
produced from poly propylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride,
polyester, polycarbonate or polythene.
43. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating is bonded at least partially onto the tower surface,
wherein in a preferred manner, the coating consists of individual
sections which are connected together, in a preferred manner bonded
or welded together.
44. The tower as claimed in claim 43, characterized in that the
vapor permeability of the coating is less than that of the wood
material.
45. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that a heat
generator is arranged in the interior of the tower, wherein, in a
preferred manner, this is the power electronics of a wind power
installation.
46. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
support structure of the tower is constructed at least partially
from materials which are not suitable for exterior use.
47. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating is applied once the tower has been constructed, or the
coating is applied as the tower is being constructed, or the
coating is applied before the tower is constructed, preferably on
site.
48. The tower as claimed in claim 39, characterized in that the
coating is applied directly onto the wall sections of the tower.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a tower for a wind power
installation wherein the walls of the tower are at least partially
produced from individual wall sections which are connected to one
another by means of connection means.
[0002] A wind power installation is an apparatus for generating
electric energy. The wind power installation is provided with a
foundation, a tower which is constructed on the foundation and a
nacelle which is arranged on the tower. The drive unit connected to
rotor blades is situated on the nacelle for generating energy.
[0003] The structure of the tower is oriented to the static load
generated by the nacelle on the tower and the dynamic loads
generated by the rotation of the rotary blades of the rotor and by
the movement possibility of the nacelle in dependence on the
direction of the wind. Known towers are produced from steel rings
or concrete elements. The bases of the known towers, in this case,
are either polygons or ring-shaped circle segments. Polygonal
towers, which are produced from individual concrete segments, are
known from WO 2003/069099 A. In addition, constructing such
polygonal towers from timber is known (DE 10 2007 006 652 A1).
[0004] Looked at from an economic point of view, it is desirable to
construct the height of the towers in an economically maximized
manner as the return of a wind power installation depends on the
hub height of the rotor and the return increases as the height
increases. At the same time the demands on the statics and the
material of, or the material outlay on, the tower created by the
greater height of the tower increase. The wall thicknesses increase
and this means that the costs of constructing the tower
increase.
[0005] An aspect which is critical in the process in the case of
towers which are formed from segments which are arranged in
sections is that the horizontal contact surfaces of the segments
which are arranged one above the other are sensitive to shear loads
and lateral forces. This has to be taken into consideration in the
statics of the towers, so that this predetermined breaking point is
neutralized, this leading to an increased use of material, and in
particular requires the use of complicated connection means.
[0006] Consequently, it is the object of the invention to provide a
tower for a wind power installation, where it is possible to
increase the height of the structure and at the same time to save
on material and/or to reduce production costs while taking into
account the abovementioned lateral force or shear load
problems.
[0007] The object according to the invention is achieved in that
the wall sections are arranged in a manner offset in relation to
one another so as to form a helix. As a result of this relative
arrangement, the shear load/lateral force is dissipated over the
helix and there is no starting point for the tower to lift off at a
predefined point. Therefore, wall thicknesses can be reduced and it
is possible, in particular, to select simpler and therefore more
cost-effective connection means.
[0008] A further teaching of the invention provides that the helix
is a simple helix or a multiple helix which is formed from a
plurality of simple helices. In the case of a multiple helix, it is
advantageous for the number of simple helices which form the
multiple helix to correspond to the number of wall sections in a
horizontal plane of the tower. In the case of the multiple helix,
the wall sections are preferably provided as a rhombus which is
placed on end. In this case, the rhombus is provided as a circle
segment or is formed by two triangles which are connected to one
another in a vertical manner, wherein the surfaces of the triangles
are arranged at an angle relative to one another of 360.degree.
divided by the number of simple helices. It is further advantageous
for the upper joint sides of the individual components of a helix
to have a continuous line and/or a graduation. As a result, load
dissipation in the tower is improved.
[0009] A further teaching of the invention provides that the wall
sections at least partially in the joints have slots which are
arranged transversely to the direction of the joint and/or along
the direction of the joint. Connection means are preferably
inserted into said slots, said connection means in a preferred
manner being metal plates, in a particularly preferred manner
perforated plates which are preferably bonded. In addition, the
joint openings can be masked for example with a tape or Plexiglas.
The insertion of the adhesive is preferably effected by means of
injecting the spaces between component and connection element. As
an alternative to this, wood parts or wood dowels can be used when
the components are timber elements. These connection means are
cost-efficient elements which, however, provide the necessary
strengths with regard to shear or shear loads between the
individual components.
[0010] Apart from the operating stresses which act on the tower,
climatic stresses also act on the tower. In the case of steel
towers, this climatic stress is counteracted by applying a coat of
paint onto the tower. Where reinforced concrete is used, the steel
framework absorbs the tensile stresses of the tower. The concrete
covering absorbs the pressure loads and at the same time serves to
protect the steel structure against environmental influences in the
form of moisture and chemical reactions caused by the surrounding
atmosphere. The thickness of the concrete has to ensure that the
steel framework is protected from these loads. In the case of
timber structures, corresponding meteorological stresses are
counteracted by coats of paint. At the same time, it is only
possible to use timber materials that are authorized for exterior
use for the construction of timber towers.
[0011] A further teaching of the invention therefore provides that
a coating is applied at least partially onto the exterior surface
of the tower, the coating preferably being applied such that the
coating absorbs tensile stresses which act on the exterior surface
of the tower, and that the coating seals the exterior surface of
the tower against environmental influences, in particular humidity,
which act on the surface from the outside.
[0012] With reference to steel towers, a coating of this type makes
it possible to reduce the amount of steel necessary with regard to
tensile stresses as the coating absorbs tensile stresses, and at
the same time to save on the painting of the steel elements. With
regard to concrete towers, it is possible to reduce the concrete
covering over the steel framework such that there is a reduction in
costs. With regard to timber towers, the coating makes it possible
to use timber materials and their connection means that are only
authorized for interior use.
[0013] A further teaching of the invention provides that the
coating is applied over the entire surface in the coated section of
the tower and covers the coated section. In this case it is
advantageous for the coating to be a laminate, a foil, a woven
fabric, a textile or a plate. In a particularly preferred manner,
it is a foil, a plate, a woven fabric and/or textile produced from
plastics material, wherein, in a particularly preferred manner,
polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyester,
polycarbonate or polythene are used as the materials. Such
materials are capable of absorbing tensile stresses and at the same
time provide a closure and consequently a seal against the
environmental influences which act on the surface of the tower. At
the same time, such materials have a lower weight per surface area
than, for example, coats of paint on the surface of the tower such
that this weight is able to be reduced in the structure with regard
to the static pressure load, as a result of which the tower
structure is able to be designed overall in a more slender manner.
At the same time, the costs of said materials are lower than, for
example, coats of paint.
[0014] A further teaching of the invention provides that the
coating is applied at various points during the constructing of the
tower. The coating is applied once the tower has been constructed
as the first variant. This can be effected from the top or bottom.
As an alternative, the coating can be applied in sections during
the construction of the tower or can be applied onto the individual
components even before the tower is constructed. If the coating is
applied before the tower is constructed, it has proved advantageous
for the coating to be applied on site at the place of construction.
This reduces the costs of the coating and at the same time it can
be ensured that the coating is not damaged when the individual
elements are being transported. The individual sections of the
coating are subsequently connected together, wherein, in a
particularly preferred manner, the connecting is effected by
bonding or welding the joints.
[0015] A further teaching of the invention provides that the
coating is applied directly onto the components of the tower. In a
preferred manner, the applying is effected over the entire area by
means of bonding. As an alternative to this, bonding can also be
effected in sections to a surface of a component. The bonding
ensures that the static load is absorbed by the coating.
[0016] A further teaching of the invention provides that the tower
is constructed at least partially from steel, concrete, in
particular reinforced concrete, and/or timber or wood material. The
timber or wood material is preferably laminated plywood and/or wood
composite materials.
[0017] A further teaching of the invention provides that the vapor
permeability of the coating is less than that of the timber. In
this way the diffusion is reversed, i.e. the vapor permeability of
the tower is not increased towards the outside, but towards the
inside. In addition, in a preferred manner, a heat generator is
arranged in the interior of the tower, wherein, in a preferred
manner, this is the power electronics of a wind power installation.
In this case, the heat is the power lost from the power
electronics. The generation of heat causes the moisture located in
the interior of the tower to be removed upwards and the moisture
emerging from the timber to be moved towards the interior of the
tower and then also removed upwards. If the coating is damaged,
removal of the moisture inwards is ensured. Through the particles
and minerals located in the moisture, the damage to the coating is
gradually closed and at the same time it is additionally ensured
that the moisture escapes towards the inside.
[0018] A further teaching of the invention provides that the
support structure of the tower is constructed at least partially
from materials which are not suitable for exterior use. In this
case these are materials which have been authorized simply for
interior use in the construction of buildings. The applying of the
coating makes it possible to use these types of materials and also
connection means for the support structure of a tower for a wind
power installation because the coating ensures the state of
interior use for the materials.
[0019] A further teaching of the invention provides that the tower
is assembled on site from individual components. The components
assembled on site are plane elements.
[0020] Assembling the tower in this manner from individual plane
elements ensures that the transport cost of the individual towers
is reduced in a considerable manner.
[0021] The invention is explained below by way of preferred
exemplary embodiments in conjunction with a drawing, in which, in
detail:
[0022] FIG. 1: shows a three-dimensional view of a wind power
installation with a tower as claimed in the invention,
[0023] FIG. 2: shows a three-dimensional view of the tower as
claimed in the invention,
[0024] FIG. 3: shows the sides of the tower as claimed in the
invention arranged next to each other,
[0025] FIG. 4: shows an alternative embodiment of the tower as
claimed in the invention,
[0026] FIG. 5: shows an alternative embodiment of the tower as
claimed in the invention,
[0027] FIG. 6: shows an alternative embodiment of a tower as
claimed in the invention,
[0028] FIG. 7: shows an inside view of the wall elements in FIG.
6,
[0029] FIG. 8: shows a three-dimensional view of a base element of
a further alternative embodiment of the tower,
[0030] FIG. 9: shows a three-dimensional view of the constructing
of a tower in FIG. 8,
[0031] FIG. 10: shows a three-dimensional representation of a
connection means as claimed in the invention,
[0032] FIG. 11: shows a view of a detail in FIG. 10,
[0033] FIG. 12: shows a finished mounted view of FIG. 10,
[0034] FIG. 13: shows an alternative connection possibility,
[0035] FIG. 14: shows a sectioned view of a detail in FIG. 13,
[0036] FIG. 15: shows an alternative connection possibility,
[0037] FIG. 16: shows an alternative connection possibility,
[0038] FIG. 17: shows a top view of FIG. 16,
[0039] FIG. 18: shows a method for applying a coating,
[0040] FIG. 19: shows a side view of a coated tower wall,
[0041] FIG. 20: shows a side view of a wall structure as claimed in
the invention,
[0042] FIG. 21: shows a side view of an adapter for fastening a
nacelle to a tower as claimed in the invention,
[0043] FIG. 22: shows a top view of the underside of the
connector,
[0044] FIG. 23: shows a first embodiment of an adapter as claimed
in the invention and
[0045] FIG. 24: shows a second embodiment of an adapter as claimed
in the invention.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a wind power installation 30, which consists of
a tower 31 which stands on a foundation 32, and a nacelle 33 which
is connected to the tower 31 by means of an adapter 35. A rotor 34,
which has rotor blades 36, which are connected to the nacelle 33 in
a hub 37, is provided on the nacelle 33, which is horizontally
rotatable.
[0047] Different embodiments of the tower 31 are represented
below.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the tower 31 has an exterior side 38.
The tower 31 is realized as a polygon. In the present case this is
a hexagon, other polygons, such as a tetragon, pentagon, octagon,
decagon or dodecagon or larger are equally easily possible. The
same also applies to a circular cross section. The tower 31 in FIG.
2 has six tower sides 39 which, over their whole surface, can be
realized in a conical manner. The tower sides 39 are formed from
individual wall elements 40 which, where applicable, have a
shortened wall element 41 on the bottom side and 42 on the top
side. In the embodiment in FIG. 2, the wall elements 40 are
realized as a tapered trapeze, wherein the individual wall elements
can be assembled together from different part elements. The
embodiment in FIG. 2 has a helical structure. This can be seen in
FIG. 3 where the six sides are shown next to each other. In this
case, the individual wall elements 39, from side to side, are
arranged offset in relation to each other always upwards by a sixth
of the wall height, wherein, in this case, the dimensions of the
individual wall elements 40 have been taken into consideration
corresponding to the tapering of the individual tower sides 39. The
six wall elements, in this case, form a helix section 43. This
design ensures that the seventh-following wall element is arranged
directly on top of the first wall element and these two wall
elements stand one on top of the other on the side of the joint. In
the case of other polygons, the offset is 1/n* height of the wall
element 40, wherein n is the number of polygon corners. These
specifications also apply to the embodiments of the tower design in
FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
[0049] According to the embodiment in FIG. 4, the tower 31 also has
a simple helix design. The towers shown once again have six sides
and each side has a bottom and a top closure element, where
applicable in the form of a shortened wall element 41, 42. The
individual wall elements in between are tapered, wherein the bottom
and top joint side are realized parallel to each other, but
inclined upwards at an angle .alpha. in relation to the foundation
side. The angle .alpha., however, is selected in an advantageous
manner such that it corresponds to 360.degree. through the number
of sides, so that once again where there are N sides, the N+1 wall
element can once again be arranged on the first wall element of a
helix section 43. The bottom and top sides of the joints of the
wall element 40, in this case, form a continuous line 56.
[0050] The embodiment in FIG. 5 also represents a simple helix
arrangement, wherein the embodiment in FIG. 5 differs to the
embodiment in FIG. 4 in that the top and bottom sides of the wall
elements 40 have three sections, which, in this case, are a first
rising section 57, a horizontal section 58 connecting thereto and a
second rising section 59. Overall this means that once again a
continuous line 56 is formed, the ascent of which alters, however,
with reference to the individual wall elements.
[0051] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a tower 31 as claimed
in the invention. The design of said tower comprises a multiple
helix. The tower is constructed in the form of a base element 53
which stands on a foundation 32. Tower elements 54 are placed onto
the base element 53. The tower is terminated by a closure element
55, on top of which the nacelle 33 or the adapter 35 is then
arranged. The base element 53 has a plurality of shortened wall
elements 41. The number of shortened wall elements 41 in the base
element 53 represents the number of helix strands screw-connected
together. If six shortened wall elements 41 are arranged in the
base element 43, this means that six helix turns have been rotated
into each other.
[0052] In the representation in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the wall
elements 40 are designed as two triangles which are arranged offset
by an angle to each other along a line 46. The line 46, in this
case, is realized as exterior edge 46. The two triangles form part
surfaces 44 and 45, as can be seen in FIG. 7. The base element 53
is shown in FIG. 8. In the current embodiment in FIG. 8, twelve
shortened wall elements 41 are provided in the base element 53 such
that, in total, twelve helix strands are rotated with each other.
In the embodiment in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, however, the wall element
is realized as circle segment 50. The placing one on top of the
other and the connecting of the individual tower elements 54 to
each other or to the base element 53 is effected in an identical
manner, however, irrespective of whether the wall elements are
realized as a curved element or as a circle segment element. The
individual tower elements 54 are either placed onto the tower
element 54 or base element 53 lying below, pre-assembled with an
intermediate plane 52 as shown in FIG. 9, or are mounted
individually.
[0053] One type of connection connecting the individual wall
elements 40 one to another, in this case, is shown in FIG. 7. The
two joint surfaces 47 contacting each other in the mounted state
are connected by way of a connection means, in the case of timber
elements for example adhesive. In the case of steel elements, the
joints can be welded. In addition, the joint surfaces can be
provided with recesses 48 which are not provided over the entire
width of the joint surface 47, but terminate before perforating the
outside wall surface 38. FIG. 7 shows the interior surface 51 of
the tower wall such that the recesses 48 are visible. Connection
means 49 are inserted into the recesses 48 and are subsequently
connected to the wall elements 40. The connection means 49 can be
dowels or metal plates or sheets. Connecting is effected, for
example, with adhesive which is injected into the recesses 48. In
addition, the outside surfaces of the recess can then be masked,
for example, with adhesive tape or the like. However, the
connection possibilities shown in FIG. 7, such as bonding the
joints and providing recesses and inserting connection means, are
not restricted in this case to the multiple helix embodiment. Such
embodiments can also be used with the simple helix forms, such as
shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.
[0054] More possibilities for connecting the wall elements to each
other are shown below in FIGS. 10 to 17.
[0055] The connection of the wall elements 40 to each other can be
effected in different ways. In this case, recesses 48 are provided
in each case, connection means 49 being inserted into said
recesses. Said connection means are then connected to the wall
elements, for example by bonding or the like, in order to create a
holding operative connection. Said operative connection can then
absorb shear movements and the like or the stresses resulting
therefrom. A further variant is shown in FIG. 10. In this case
triangular or wedge-shaped recesses 48 are provided in the wall
elements 40. Adhesive can be applied to the joint surfaces 47 of
the wall elements 40. The same applies to the faces 64 of the
recesses 48. The connection means 49 is provided as a rhombic
cuboid in the form of a dowel 61. If timber is used as the material
for the wall elements 40, the dowels 61 are also wooden dowels.
Said dowels 61 can either be inserted into the recesses 48 once the
wall elements 40 have been positioned onto the joint surfaces 47,
or the dowels 61 are inserted into the recess 48 of the already
mounted wall element 40 and the wall element lying above is placed
onto the dowels 61 by way of the recesses provided there and then
arranged together on the joint surface 47 and locked by means of
bonding or similar connection methods. The bonding is shown in FIG.
11 as adhesive 60. A more extensive representation of the wooden
dowel 61 is shown in FIG. 12.
[0056] FIGS. 13 and 14 show the form of connection of the sheet
elements marked out already for FIG. 7 in slots. In the embodiment
in FIG. 13, recesses 48 are provided in the wall elements 40 in the
form of slots, said slots being admitted into the joint surface 47,
however not in a completely continuous manner from the interior
surface 51 as far as the exterior surface 38 but leaving a residual
wall element 65. Perforated plates 62 are inserted into the slots
48. Adhesive is once again applied onto the joint surfaces 47 and
the next wall element 40 is placed with its recess 48 onto the
perforated plates 62 on the wall. As an alternative to this, once
again the wall elements can also be placed one on top of another
and the perforated plates are inserted into the recesses 48 that
are then present and, as shown in FIG. 14, are bonded with adhesive
60. The end face of the perforated plates can then be covered in
its turn by an adhesive tape or another suitable covering means.
This also serves, among other things, as protection against
corrosion.
[0057] A further embodiment of the connection possibility is shown
in FIG. 15. In this case, the joint surfaces are provided along the
face with recesses 48 in the form of grooves 63 parallel to the
exterior surface 38 or interior surface 51 of the wall element 40.
Tongues 64 as connection means 49 are inserted into said grooves
63. The fastening of the tongues 63 in the grooves 64 is effected
by means of adhesive 60. The grooves 64 of the wall element 40
which is then to be arranged thereon are placed onto the tongues
63. A further embodiment in this connection is shown in FIGS. 16
and 17. Recesses 48 in the form of a slot extending parallel to the
exterior surface 38 or interior surface 51 of the wall element 40
are also provided here in the joint surfaces 47 of the wall
elements 40. Elongated plates 66 as connection means 49 are
inserted into the slots 48 and are also bonded to each other. A top
view of the joint surfaces 47 of the wall elements 40 with inserted
plates 66 is shown in FIG. 17.
[0058] FIG. 18 shows the applying of a coating 69 onto a wall
element 40. A bonding device 67 is provided for this purpose, said
bonding device spraying the adhesive 60 onto the tower exterior
surface 38 of the wall element 40. The coating 69, which is
provided as roll 68, is applied directly after the spraying. The
coating 69 is rolled onto the surface moistened with adhesive by
the roll 68 and consequently applied onto the surface of the wall
element 40. The applying can be effected onto the individual sides
39 of the tower once the tower 31 has been constructed. As an
alternative to this, each individual wall element can be directly
coated before construction of an individual wall element, or the
coatings are effected once the individual wall element has been
attached to the tower such that the coating of the wall elements is
effected in an individual manner in the mounted state. Once the
coating 39 has been applied, the joints of the coating (not shown)
are connected together such that the tower 31 is covered in a
continuous, entire manner by the coating 69. The finished coated
state is shown in FIG. 19.
[0059] FIG. 20 then shows the operating state of the wind power
installation 30 and the vapor pressure gradient prevailing here,
shown in the form of the moisture movement 71 and the removal of
the moisture by means of heat dissipation 72. The vapor
permeability of the coating 69 is less than that of the material of
the wall element 40. This is especially necessary where timber is
used because it ensures that moisture possibly passing through the
coating 69 is removed from the transition region between coating
and timber and also from the timber construction as such. The heat
dissipation 72 influences the climatic conditions within the tower
such that there is a water vapor gradient from outside to inside.
The moisture that collects on the surface of the interior surface
51 of the tower 31 and has passed through the wall element 40 is
entrained by the rising heat and is removed out of the tower 31 by
said heat. The water vapor generated in this case rises and escapes
from the tower. As an alternative to this or in addition to it,
suction of the water vapor can also be provided. Consequently, a
temperature gradient prevails in such a manner that the exterior
temperature is lower than the temperature in the interior of the
tower 31.
[0060] As the connections for nacelles 33 with reference to the
towers 31 are realized substantially in the shape of a segment of a
circle, an adapter 35 as claimed in the invention is proposed, said
adapter making possible a transition between the polygonal tower 31
and the circle segment-shaped connection of the nacelle 33. For
this purpose there is provided a side wall 76, at the bottom end of
which is provided a flange 73 which has bores 74. The flange 73 is
provided centrally with an opening 75.
[0061] The flange 73 is used for the purpose of being positioned on
the polygonal joint surface 47 of the top-most section of the tower
31 and being connected to the tower by means of the bores 74.
Connection regions 74 for the nacelle 33 are provided on the upper
section of the side wall 46. Where applicable, it is possible for a
reinforced section 78 to be provided on the side wall 76 in order
to obtain better load-bearing capacity of the side wall 76.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0062] 30 Wind power installation [0063] 31 Tower [0064] 32
Foundation [0065] 33 Nacelle [0066] 34 Rotor [0067] 35 Adapter
[0068] 36 Rotor blade [0069] 37 Hub [0070] 38 Tower exterior
surface [0071] 39 Tower side [0072] 40 Wall element [0073] 41
Shortened wall element [0074] 42 Shortened wall element [0075] 43
Helix section [0076] 44 Part surface [0077] 45 Part surface [0078]
46 Edge [0079] 47 Joint surface [0080] 48 Recess [0081] 49
Connection means [0082] 50 Segment [0083] 51 Tower interior surface
[0084] 52 Intermediate plane [0085] 53 Base element [0086] 54 Tower
element [0087] 55 Closure element [0088] 56 Continuous line [0089]
57 Rising section [0090] 58 Horizontal section [0091] 59 Rising
section [0092] 60 Adhesive [0093] 61 Dowel [0094] 62 Perforated
plate [0095] 63 Groove [0096] 64 Tongue [0097] 65 Residual region
[0098] 66 Plate [0099] 67 Bonding device [0100] 68 Roll [0101] 69
Coating [0102] 70 Heat dissipation [0103] 71 Moisture movement
[0104] 72 Heat dissipation [0105] 73 Flange [0106] 74 Bore [0107]
75 Opening [0108] 76 Side wall [0109] 77 Nacelle connection [0110]
78 Reinforced section
* * * * *