IP Library Granted Patent US 9,394,879
Granted Patent B2
US 9,394,879 · App. 13/099,454 · Granted Jul 19, 2016

Steel tower for a wind turbine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,394,879
App. No.
13/099,454
Granted
Jul 19, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A steel tower for a wind turbine with a plurality of segments arranged above each other is provided. The segments include steel having different qualities. The quality of the steel is determined by a yield limit of the steel.

Claims (24)

1. A method of manufacturing a wind turbine steel tower, comprising:

arranging a plurality of structure elements formed of steel above each other, wherein at least two structure elements comprise steel of a different quality, said quality of the steel being proportional to a maximum admissible yield stress below which the stress is configured to maintain its form;

selecting a first steel to form a first structure element with a first quality proportional to a first maximum admissible yield stress; and

selecting a second steel to form a second structure element with a second quality proportional to a second maximum admissible yield stress;

wherein the first structure element is positioned above the second structure element on the steel tower and wherein the first maximum admissible yield stress is greater than the second maximum admissible yield stress.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

manufacturing structure elements subjected to higher static loading using steel having a higher quality.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

manufacturing structure elements in an upper portion of the tower using steel having a higher quality; and

manufacturing structure elements in an lower portion of the tower using steel having a lower quality.

4. A wind turbine steel tower, comprising:

a plurality of structure elements formed of steel and arranged above each other and forming the steel tower,

wherein a lowest structure element is configured to be connected to a foundation and a highest structure element is adapted to be connected to a nacelle of a wind turbine, and

wherein the lowest structure element and the highest structure element comprise steel of different qualities, said quality of the steel being proportional to a maximum admissible yield stress below which the steel is configured to maintain its form, and

wherein a first steel is selected to form the highest structure element with a first quality proportional to a first maximum admissible yield stress, wherein a second steel is selected to form the lowest structure element with a second quality proportional to a second maximum admissible yield stress, wherein the first maximum admissible yield stress is greater than the second maximum admissible yield stress.

5. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 4 , wherein at least one structure element forms a segment of the wind turbine steel tower.

6. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 5 , wherein each segment is formed essentially tubular and the plurality of segments are arranged to form the essentially tubular steel tower.

7. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 6 , wherein the segments are connected by welding, bolts and/or rivets.

8. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 5 , wherein a plurality of structure elements forming a segment are connected by welding, bolts and/or rivets.

9. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 4 , wherein structure elements subjected to higher static loading are manufactured using steel having a higher quality.

10. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 4 , wherein a structure element of the upper portion of the wind turbine steel tower comprises steel having a higher quality than a structure element of a lower portion of the wind turbine steel tower.

11. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 10 , wherein the structure elements of the upper portion of the wind turbine steel tower are thinner than structure elements of a lower portion of the wind turbine steel tower.

12. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 4 , wherein the first steel is selected to form the highest structure based on a static load at the highest structure during an operation of the wind turbine steel tower.

13. The wind turbine steel tower according to claim 4 , wherein the second steel is selected to form the lowest structure based on frequency characteristics of the steel tower.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2019
From: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
To: SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY A/S
Reel/Frame 048003/0631 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2011
From: RASMUSSEN, ANDERS NYGAARD
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 026213/0795 →