IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,233,662
Granted Patent B2
US 10,233,662 · App. 15/516,235 · Granted Mar 19, 2019

Strut linkage for a steel construction, and steel construction having a strut linkage

Inventors: Stephan Drewes (Mönchengladbach, DE); Mark Hirt (Bochum, DE); Lothar Patberg (Moers, DE); Adrian Paton (Dinslaken, DE); Konstantinos Savvas (Düsseldorf, DE)
Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG; THYSSENKRUPP AG
E04H12/10E04C3/04F03D13/20F03D80/70E04C2003/026E04C2003/0495E04H2012/006F05B2230/50F05B2240/9121Y02E10/728Y02P70/523
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,233,662
App. No.
15/516,235
Granted
Mar 19, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A strut linkage for a steel construction may involve a tower of a wind turbine and/or a corner post of a lattice tower. In order that high forces can be removed via the strut linkage without causing increased stress concentrations, excessive use of material, and/or an excessive structural outlay, a plate element is provided for arranging between, preferably load-bearing, steel construction components. At least one connection element, which may be connected to the plate element, may be utilized to fasten at least one strut and/or guy of the steel construction to the steel construction components via the plate element.

Claims (39)

1. A strut linkage for a steel construction comprising:

a plate element configured to be disposed between two load-bearing steel construction components, wherein the plate element is configured as a band with at least a portion that protrudes outward; and

a connection element connected to the portion of the plate element that protrudes outward, the connection element for fastening at least one of a strut or a guy of the steel construction to the two load-bearing steel construction components via the plate element;

wherein the connection element comprises a first connection limb that extends at an upwards oblique angle relative to horizontal from a first side of the plate element, and a second connection limb that extends at an opposing downwards oblique angle from a second side of the plate element; and

wherein an outer diameter of at least 50% of the plate element is substantially the same as an outer diameter of each of the respective load-bearing steel construction components.

2. The strut linkage of claim 1 wherein the plate element and the connection element are at least one of screwed or welded to one another.

3. The strut linkage of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plate element or the connection element is manufactured substantially from metal and comprises at least one of a cast part or sheet metal.

4. The strut linkage of claim 1 wherein the connection element is at least one of bent, deep drawn, stamped, or welded.

5. The strut linkage of claim 1 wherein the connection element comprises a plurality of connection element parts that are at least one of screwed or welded to one another.

6. The strut linkage of claim 5 wherein the connection element is configured as at least one of a deformed sheet metal part, a forged part, a heavy plate, or a cast part.

7. The strut linkage of claim 1 wherein the steel construction is configured as a tower of a wind turbine.

8. The strut linkage of claim 1 , wherein the first connection limb and the second connection limb are vertically stabilized by at least one metal plate extending therebetween.

9. A steel construction system, comprising:

a first load-bearing component comprising an inner edge having a first diameter and an outer edge having a second diameter, the inner and outer edges defining a shoulder;

a second load-bearing component operatively coupled to the first load-bearing component;

at least one of a strut or a guy; and

a strut linkage, including comprising:

a plate element comprising a ring disposed between two load-bearing components of the steel construction, the ring having an inner diameter substantially corresponding to the first diameter of the first load-bearing component and an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the second diameter of the first load-bearing component and positioned to rest upon the shoulder of the first load- bearing component, and

a connection element connected to the plate element, wherein the connection element comprises a first connection limb that extends at an upwards angle relative to horizontal from a first side of the plate element, and a second connection limb that extends at an opposing downwards angle from a second side of the plate element, for fastening the at least one of the strut or the guy at the free ends of the limbs and to the two load-bearing components of the steel construction via the plate element.

10. The steel construction of claim 9 wherein the steel construction is configured as a tower of a wind turbine.

11. The steel construction of claim 9 wherein the plate element further comprises a protrusion that extends outward relative to the two load-bearing components, wherein the at least one strut or the guy is fastened to the two load-bearing components via the connection element and the protrusion.

12. The steel construction of claim 9 wherein the two load-bearing components engage one another in a form-fitting manner, the plate element being disposed between the two load-bearing components.

13. The steel construction of claim 12 , wherein the construction is devoid of fasteners between the strut linkage and the two load-bearing components when the strut linkage is disposed between the two load-bearing components.

14. The steel construction of claim 9 wherein either the at least one of the strut or the guy, or a connection limb of the connection element extends obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis of the two load-bearing components.

15. The steel construction of claim 9 wherein the plate element includes a protrusion that extends outward.

16. The steel construction of claim 9 , wherein the first connection limb and the second connection limb are vertically stabilized by at least one metal plate extending therebetween.

17. A strut linkage for a steel construction comprising:

a plate element configured to be disposed between two load-bearing steel construction components, wherein the plate element is configured as a ring; and

a connection element connected to the plate element, the connection element for fastening a strut or a guy of the steel construction to the two load-bearing steel construction components via the plate element;

wherein the connection element comprises:

a first metal plate having a distal end secured to and extending at an upwards oblique angle from a first side of the plate element, a first connection plate abutting and extending from a proximal end of the first metal plate, and a support plate secured adjacent to a portion of the first metal plate and the first connection plate; and

wherein the strut or guy is attached to the first connection plate.

18. The strut linkage of claim 17 , further comprising:

a second metal plate having a distal end secured to and extending at a downwards oblique angle from a second side of the plate element, a second connection plate abutting and extending from a proximal end of the second metal plate, and a support plate secured adjacent to a portion of the second metal plate and second connection plate;

wherein the strut or guy is attached to one of the first connection plate and the second connection plate.

19. The strut linkage of claim 17 , wherein:

at least one of the load-bearing components comprises an inner edge having a first diameter and an outer edge having a second diameter, the inner and outer edges defining a shoulder; and

the plate element has an inner diameter generally corresponding to the first diameter of the load-bearing component and an outer diameter generally corresponding to the second diameter of the load-bearing component and is positioned to rest upon the shoulder of the load-bearing component.

20. The strut linkage of claim 19 , wherein the plate element further comprises a protrusion that extends outwardly therefrom, and wherein the connection element is connected to the protrusion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2017
From: DREWES, STEPHAN; HIRT, MARK; PATBERG, LOTHAR; PATON, ADRIAN; SAVVAS, KONSTANTINOS
To: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG; THYSSENKRUPP AG
Reel/Frame 043834/0228 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2014 114 472 · Oct 6, 2014 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170292283A1 · Oct 12, 2017