Patent · US Active

Flangeless wind tower

US8056297B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
22References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 25, 2008
Grant dateNov 15, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 25, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/55
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method for stiffening a wind turbine tower employing fingerplate assemblies on flangeless joints between adjacent tubular tower sections. The method includes limiting the intercan gap between adjacent end surfaces of the tower sections at the flangeless joints and selecting a number of fingerplates to fasten each flangeless joints to limit distortion. Establishing dimensions for the fingerplates may further minimize localized tower distortion. Selecting a material for the fingerplate with a lower Young's modulus than a material for the tubular section also results in reduced localized tower distortion. Attaching a coverplate to a top tubular section limits tip displacement for the tower.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.