Patent ID: 8056297
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: E04H,F05B,Y02E,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A wind turbine tower comprising: a plurality of tubular sections, wherein each tubular section of the plurality of tubular sections includes substantially planar end surfaces defining an intercan gap between adjacent tubular sections, the intercan gap being limited to a predetermined value promoting tower stiffness; a plurality of flangeless joints, wherein each individual flangeless joint is arranged between opposing end surfaces of adjacent tubular sections; a plurality of fingerplate assemblies uniformly distributed around a periphery of each flangeless joint, wherein each fingerplate includes a circumferential angle, a longitudinal dimension, and a radial thickness; and a coverplate attached within a top end of a top tubular section of the plurality of tubular sections, the coverplate defining a radius substantially equal to an inner radius of the top tubular section, the coverplate being formed from a material having a higher Young's modulus than a Young's modulus for a material used to form each of the plurality of fingerplate assemblies.