U.S. patent application number 14/566433 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for method for erecting a tower.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aloys Wobben. Invention is credited to Aloys Wobben.
Application Number | 20150089898 14/566433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34962709 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150089898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wobben; Aloys |
April 2, 2015 |
METHOD FOR ERECTING A TOWER
Abstract
A method of erecting a pylon, in particular a pylon of a wind
power installation, which has a foundation with segment anchors,
wherein connecting elements project beyond the top side of the
foundation by a predetermined amount. A ring is leveled, aligned
and fixed at the top side of the foundation. A gap produced by
leveling, aligning and fixing of the ring is underlaid with a
grouting material. The grouting material is set and a lower pylon
segment is placed on the leveled, aligned and fixed ring and
connected thereto.
Inventors: |
Wobben; Aloys; (Aurich,
DE) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wobben; Aloys |
Aurich |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
34962709 |
Appl. No.: |
14/566433 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11547387 |
Aug 19, 2008 |
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PCT/EP2005/003499 |
Apr 4, 2005 |
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14566433 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/745.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F05B 2240/912 20130101;
E04H 12/085 20130101; E04B 1/40 20130101; E04H 12/2269 20130101;
F03D 13/22 20160501; Y02E 10/728 20130101; E02D 27/42 20130101;
Y02E 10/72 20130101; E04H 12/2284 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/745.21 |
International
Class: |
E04H 12/22 20060101
E04H012/22; E04B 1/41 20060101 E04B001/41 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 2, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 017 006.1 |
Claims
1. A method of erecting a pylon of a wind power installation, the
method comprising: forming a foundation that includes a plurality
of segment anchors, the plurality of segment anchors including
pairs of connecting elements having first and second ends, the
first ends of the pairs of connecting elements coupled to the
segment anchors, respectively, the second ends of the pairs of
connecting elements extending from the foundation; leveling,
aligning, and fixing a ring structure relative to an upper surface
of the foundation, wherein leveling, aligning, and fixing includes
producing a gap between a surface of the ring structure and an
upper surface of the foundation, the ring structure having
openings, the second ends of the pairs of connecting elements
extending through the openings of the ring structure; placing a
grouting material in the gap; setting of the grouting material;
placing a lower flange ring of a pylon segment on an upper surface
of the ring, the lower flange ring having openings, the second ends
of the pairs of connecting elements extending through the openings
of the lower flange ring; and coupling the lower flange ring to the
ring structure.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein coupling the lower
flange ring to the ring structure comprises fixing nuts to the
second ends of the pairs of connecting elements above the lower
flange ring of the pylon segment.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the foundation
comprises using concrete finished parts for at least part of the
foundation.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the openings of the
lower flange ring are pairs of openings, the lower flange ring
include a wall plate that extends between each opening in each pair
of openings.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pairs of segment
anchors are spaced apart from each other in the foundation.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein forming the foundation
comprises placing the pairs of segment anchors radially about a
central axis of the foundation.
7. A method of erecting a pylon, the method comprising: forming a
foundation that includes a plurality of segment anchors that are
spaced apart from each other and radially arranged about a central
axis of the foundation, wherein forming the foundation includes
coupling first ends of pairs of connecting elements to the
plurality of segment anchors, respectively, so that second ends of
the pairs of connecting elements extend from the foundation;
leveling, aligning, and fixing a leveling ring over an upper
surface of the foundation and thereby forming one or more gaps
between a surface of the leveling ring and an upper surface of the
foundation; filling the one or more gaps with a grouting material;
setting the grouting material; placing a lower pylon segment with a
lower flange ring on the leveling ring; and coupling the lower
flange ring to the leveling ring.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein coupling the lower
flange ring to the leveling ring comprises placing the second ends
of the pairs of the connecting elements through first openings in
the leveling ring and through second openings of the lower pylon
segment and securing connection devices to the second ends of the
pairs of the connecting elements above the lower pylon segment.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the connection devices
are nuts.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein forming the foundation
comprises using concrete finished parts for at least part of the
foundation.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention concerns a method of erecting a tower
or pylon and a wind power installation with such a pylon.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,387 discloses a foundation and a method
of producing a foundation which can be used for example for wind
power installations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,038 discloses a foundation
system. DE 100 45 735 A1 discloses a means of fixing a column on a
concrete foundation. DE 102 26 996 A1 discloses a method of
producing a foundation, in particular for a pylon of a wind power
installation.
[0005] It is known in the state of the art, when erecting a pylon
in particular for a wind power installation, for a lower pylon
segment to be placed on the connecting elements which project out
of a foundation, with a base flange. That lower pylon segment is
properly aligned (leveled) and fixed in the aligned position. In
that case there is a gap between the base flange of the lower pylon
segment and the top side of the foundation. That gap is filled with
a grouting material which then has to set before it can be loaded
and the pylon further constructed thereon. Setting can certainly
take up to 24 hours.
[0006] A large crane is required for handling the lower pylon
segment. That crane however is only further used for constructing
the pylon after the grouting material has set. Shifting the crane
for the period during which the gap grouting is setting is however
too complicated and expensive and therefore does not happen.
Accordingly the costly crane is stopped and inactive for 24
hours.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] Therefore the object of the invention is to efficiently
carry out the structure of a pylon, in particular a pylon of a wind
power installation.
[0008] That object is attained by a method of erecting a pylon as
set forth in claim 1, a wind power installation with a pylon as set
forth in claim 3, and a method of using a leveling ring for
erecting a pylon as set forth in claim 4.
[0009] Therefore there is provided a method of erecting a pylon, in
particular a pylon of a wind power installation, which has a
foundation with segment anchors, wherein the connecting elements
project beyond the top side of the foundation by a predetermined
amount. A ring is leveled, aligned and fixed at the top side of the
foundation. A gap which has been formed by leveling, aligning and
fixing of the ring is underlaid with a grouting material. After the
grouting material has set a lower pylon segment is placed on the
leveled, aligned and fixed ring and connected thereto. In that case
the ring may also be formed from a plurality of segments.
[0010] In that respect the invention is based on the realization
that it is not leveling of the lower pylon section that is
important, but the fact that it is exactly aligned in situ. That
however can also be achieved using a leveling ring. Such a leveling
ring is comparable to a flange ring which can be handled with a
markedly lower level of effort and expenditure than the lower pylon
section, for example with a vehicle-mounted crane. Also precise
alignment (leveling) of the leveling ring is simpler than the
corresponding procedure in relation to a pylon section. In addition
the leveling ring, when of greater width and/or thickness, can be
made from a less high-grade material than the pylon flange. The
pylon flange can also be reduced in its width. In that way it is
possible to make better use of the transport width.
[0011] After alignment and fixing the leveling ring can be
underlaid with grouting material in known manner and the material
can set. During that time however the (vehicle-mounted) crane can
already be used for other tasks while the crane required for
handling the pylon sections is not yet needed.
[0012] It is only when the material in the gap has hardened that
the large crane must be ready to erect the pylon, for example of a
wind power installation, and can then relatively quickly erect the
pylon segment by segment.
[0013] A particularly rational structure for the pylon can be
implemented if prefabricated finished parts, in particular concrete
finished parts, are used for the foundation. They are delivered
ready for installation on the building site and connected to
produce a foundation which can then be further used immediately and
thus in such a way as to save time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0014] The invention is described hereinafter with reference to the
Figures.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in section of a portion of a
pylon base,
[0016] FIG. 2A shows a plan view of a pylon base,
[0017] FIG. 2B shows a view in section taken along line A-A of the
pylon base of FIG. 2A,
[0018] FIG. 2C shows a view on an enlarged scale of the portion X
in FIG. 2B, and
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a pylon base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] A foundation 10 can be in the form of a prefabricated
finished part foundation but also in the form of an on-site mixed
concrete foundation or a foundation made from supplied ready-mix
concrete. One or more segment anchors 12 are provided in the
foundation 10. Those segment anchors 12 can be adapted in shape and
number to the particular demands of the foundation. Thus it is
possible to use a segment anchor which for example is in one piece
in relation to on-site mixed concrete foundations or foundations
produced from ready-mix concrete, that segment anchor being woven
into the reinforcement. In the case of prefabricated finished part
foundations in contrast a plurality of segment anchors are used,
which are adapted in respect of their shape to the finished part.
It will be appreciated that a plurality of segment anchors can also
be used in relation to an on-site mixed concrete structure or a
structure produced from supplied ready-mix concrete.
[0021] Connecting elements 14 are connected to the segment anchor
12. The connecting elements 14 can be in the form of screwthreaded
rods which are fixed with nuts 15 in a predetermined position to
the segment anchor 12. The fixing elements 14 extend a
predetermined distance outside the foundation 10 above the top side
11 of the foundation. Instead of a screw connection it is also
possible to use a welded connection.
[0022] A leveling ring 18 which is formed in one piece or a
plurality of pieces is then arranged on the top side 11 of the
foundation. The leveling ring 18 is exactly leveled so that it
forms a perfectly aligned base for the pylon. When the leveling
ring 18 is aligned a gap 16 inevitably occurs between the top side
11 of the foundation and the leveling ring 18. As soon as the
leveling ring 18 is fixed in its predetermined position the gap 16
is filled with a grouting material 17. After setting or hardening
of that grouting material 17 the leveling ring 18 can be loaded in
its desired position and a lower pylon segment with a lower flange
ring 20 and an illustrated pylon wall plate 22 can be placed on the
leveling ring 18. The screwthreaded rods 14 engage through suitably
positioned holes in the leveling ring 18 and in the lower flange
ring 20 of the lower pylon section and nuts 15 are fitted thereon
in order to connect the lower pylon section fixedly to the
foundation 10 by way of the leveling ring 18.
[0023] FIG. 2A shows a plan view of a pylon base. FIG. 2B shows a
cross-section taken along line A-A in FIG. 2A. As in FIG. 1, shown
here is a foundation 10 with a foundation surface 11. In particular
two segment anchors 12 and four screwthreaded rods 14 are shown.
The portion X is shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 2C. That view
substantially corresponds to the view in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the pylon base with a
portion thereof cut open. Leveling of the pylon base is effected as
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0025] As the pylon for example of a wind power installation can
now be constructed in one go a crane only has to be provided once
for speedy pylon erection, but until then the crane can perform
other tasks.
[0026] Logistical tasks are also simplified. Hitherto the lower
pylon section had to be on site at least 24 hours before the other
parts of the pylon in order to be able to satisfactorily install
it. It will be appreciated that the other parts of the pylon could
also be supplied at the same time. They however could not be
constructed at the same time and therefore took up additional space
on the building site, for the waiting time.
[0027] The method according to the invention means that the pylon
segments can be delivered in a transport process to the erection
point just in time. That also eliminates additional transloading
procedures, more specifically firstly from the transport vehicle to
intermediate storage on the ground and then later from there to the
location of installation. Rather pylon segments which are delivered
just in time can be unloaded from the transport vehicle and fitted
in place immediately.
[0028] With the above-described solution care is to be taken to
ensure that the grouting material must always be applied with at
least a minimum thickness, which is dependent on the material used
for the grout, because that grouting material is required to
transmit the forces from the pylon to the foundation. If the
grouting material is applied too thinly, that layer can fracture
and give rise to considerable damage.
[0029] The above-described solution has been found to be
advantageous in terms of efficiently carrying out rationalizing the
erection of a pylon, in particular a pylon of a wind power
installation. On the other hand the costs and material properties
also play a not insignificant part. It should be pointed out that
the lowermost flange of a pylon segment must be made from a very
high-grade material in order to be able to carry the loads
originating from the pylon. If a pylon of that kind is set up on a
concrete foundation then the concrete is the weaker one of the two
aspects of the connection. Accordingly the pylon flange must be
broader in width so that the concrete of the foundation is not
overloaded. Consequently the flange in the lower pylon segment must
be of a width which is oversized in relation to the steel which is
used in that respect. That is to be considered as a disadvantage in
particular in terms of the costs of the steel used in that
respect.
[0030] By virtue of the insertion of the leveling ring it is now
possible in accordance with the invention to insert a kind of
transitional step between the highly loadable but cost-intensive
steel of the lower pylon segment and the lower-loadable concrete of
the foundation. Thus the leveling ring can be of a sufficient width
to transmit the loads of the wind power installation to the
foundation without risk. On the other hand it is possible to use
better or cheaper steel at that location and thus the flange on the
lower pylon segment can be made correspondingly narrower and thus
less expensively in terms of material and cost. A further advantage
is enjoyed when the leveling ring is made in the form of segments
and can thus be stacked and transported in segment-wise manner. If
the leveling ring is of a large diameter, that is not a problem in
accordance with the invention from the point of view of
transportation because it can be stacked in segment-wise manner.
The lower pylon segment has a narrower base flange of a smaller
width as now the base flange can be material-specifically sized.
The transport width can thus also be correspondingly reduced.
[0031] Erection for example of a pylon of a wind power installation
on land was described in the example set forth hereinbefore.
Erecting a pylon of a wind power installation off-shore, that is to
say in the water or in the sea, can also be effected by means of
the above-described leveling ring and a corresponding leveling
procedure before a lower pylon segment is mounted in place.
[0032] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0033] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *