Patent Description:
A modern wind turbine usually comprises several longitudinal hollow constructions, the most prominent of which is the relatively high tower built of several tower elements or tower segments, which are stacked on site when erecting the tower. For fixing two tower elements to each other each tower element comprises a specific connection interface. The element connection is realised by the connection interfaces. The connection may be a slip joint connection. The connection interfaces are conical, with the one conical connection interface engaging the other conical connection interface. This slip joint connection is a quite simple connection type, as no additional bolts or the like are used. The fixation is friction-based. Another connection type is the flange connection. Here both elements comprise respective flanges, which, when the elements are fixed to each other, are in direct contact. Each flange comprises a number of through bores, in which respective fixation bolts are inserted. These types of connections can also be found elsewhere at the wind turbine, as hollow constructions comprising two or more longitudinal hollow elements are used for building various turbine sections. An example is the turbine foundation, which can be built from hollow jackets.

Usually at the outside of the tower or of another hollow construction one or more specific equipment components are arranged, which are connected via a connection means like a cable or the like to another component arranged in the inner of the tower respectively the hollow construction. Therefore, the respective connection means like the cable is guided within the tower to a transition area, where the connection means is guided from the inside to the outside and finally is guided to the component. This component may for example be a lighting device like a flash light, a sensor device for measuring any relative parameter or any other external component, which either needs an electronic supply or connection or a liquid connection like the supply of a cooling means or a hydraulic oil or the like.

For guiding the respective connection means from the inside to the outside of the hollow construction respectively the tower the wall of the hollow element respectively the tower element is penetrated by drilling a respective hole directly in the wall. As the wall respective the element is weakened in this area due to the drilled hole, reinforcement means like a reinforcement plate surrounding the hole is attached to the wall, usually to the inner side of the hollow element wall by usually welding it to the wall. Any welding to the steel structure of the tower element however weakens this structure again, and is therefore not desirable.

<CIT> discloses a wind turbine known from the prior art.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an im-proved wind turbine.

A wind turbine according to claim <NUM> solves the problem.

The wind turbine, with at least one hollow construction comprising at least two longitudinal hollow elements each having a connection interface for connecting the elements by a slip joint connection , especially a tower comprising at least two hollow tower elements, is characterised in that at least one connection means is guided through the slip joint from an inner space to the outer of the wind turbine.

According to the invention, the connection area, in which both elements are connected by a slip joint is not only used as the connection site, but also as the area where the connection means is guided from the inside to the outside of the hollow construction respectively the tower. In the following the description refers to a tower and tower segments, although the whole disclosure also refers to any other hollow construction comprising longitudinal hollow construction elements. As in this area the respective connection interfaces are arranged and are adjacent to each other, both connection interfaces for realising the slip joint connection, realise an area which is mechanically extremely stable, so that the integration of the at least one connection means is possible without influencing the stability of any of the elements respectively the connection itself. Even if any mechanical arrangements like through bores are provided in the respective connection, what is, as will be explained below, not necessary, this would not negatively influence the mechanical stability, and due to the adjacent or overlapping connection interfaces a very high stability in this area is given. The respective slip joint advantageous allows the arrangement of the connection means without drilling any through holes or, if any mechanical modification is necessary, this modification is neglectable regarding the stability of the element respectively connection.

As mentioned above, one type of element connection is the slip joint connection. Such a wind turbine having elements connected by a slip joint connection is characterised in that the connection interfaces for establishing a slip joint connection are conical connection interfaces, and that at least one intermediate flexible mat-like means is arranged between the adjacent connection interfaces, through which the connection means is guided. As already explained, both elements comprise respective conical connection interfaces, with the one connection interface engaging into the other connection interface, which radially surrounds the inner connection interface. According to the invention at least one intermediate flexible mat-like means is arranged between both adjacent connection interfaces. This flexible mat-like means, which may be a one-piece conical mat element or which may comprise two or more separate mats arranged in a circular arrangement, is inserted between the connection interfaces to seal the connection and/or to compensate small tolerance differences between the two parts to be joint. So, the mat-like means distances or spaces the connection interfaces a little bit in a radial direction. This small space allows the integration of the connection means between both conical connection interfaces respectively surfaces, so that the connection means is directly guided between these interfaces from the inside to the outside without the need of drilling any hole in these connection parts or interfaces. As usually the conical connection interface of the lower element engages in the conical connection interface of the upper element, the connection means like the cable or a liquid pipe, which is guided in the inner of the tower, is guided to the upper end of the conical ring space and guided into this space. It runs through this space to the lower end of this conical ring space, where it exits to the outside and is finally guided to the component arranged at the outside of the tower. So, this inventive way of connection respectively guidance of the connection means does not need any specific mechanical adaption like the provision of bores or the like, as a given small ring space between the connection interfaces is used for accommodating the connection means in this connection area.

The mat-like means, for example the one-piece conical and ring-shaped mat element, extends along at least half of the length of the overlapping area, along which the connection interfaces overlap, at least preferably over two third of this overlapping area and preferably it extends along the whole overlapping area.

As already mentioned, the mat-like means preferably extends around the circumference of the connection interface. It may be a one-piece mat-like means, which is already worked to a closed conical <NUM>° ring form, so that it can be slipped over the conical connection interface. It may also be slitted, so that a small slit is realised between the adjacent edges. In an alternative the mat-like means may comprise two or more mat elements arranged equidistant around the circumference of the connection interfaces. In this case for example four mat elements extending around <NUM>° are for example glued to the connection interface with a space of <NUM>° between two adjacent mat elements.

If a mat-like means extending around the circumference is used, this is, as mentioned, preferably a conical ring-shaped means. In an alternative the mat-like means may also comprise two or more mat elements which are arranged in a ring form with their edges abutting each other.

Regarding the integration of the connection means in the space between the adjacent conical connection interfaces, two alternatives are given. According to a first alternative the connection means is integrated into the mat-like means. Here the connection means is directly arranged or fixed or embedded in the mat-like means. In an alternative the connection means may also be arranged in a space or slit between adjacent ends of the mat-like means or of two adjacent mat elements. As mentioned above, it is possible that the mat-like means is slitted or that a slit is provided between adjacent mat elements. This slit or space may be used to accommodate the connection means. So here the connection means is not integrated respectively is not a part of the mat-like means.

The connection means may comprise a cable, which either is directly inserted in the mat-like means or in a channel formed in the mat-like means or in the space or slit between two adjacent ends or edges of the mat-like means or of the mat elements. According to this embodiment, the cable, which may be an electric cable or which may be a pipe-like cable for providing any liquid or the like, is directly arranged in the mat-like means or in the space or slit. In an alternative it is also possible to integrate a hollow pipe as a connection means in the mat-like means or in the space, in which pipe the cable, in this case preferably an electric cable, or the liquid pipe is inserted. This hollow pipe acts as a protection means for protecting the inserted cable or hollow pipe in view of any loads resting on the connection, which loads may arise in the operation of the wind turbine due to varying wind loads, wave movement, vibrations etc..

Preferably, the outer diameter of the connection means, especially of the cable or the pipe, is smaller than the thickness of the mat-like means. This is also advantageous to avoid any loads negatively influencing the connection means. In this circumstance it is also possible that the cable or the pipe are made of or comprise a flexible material that can be compressed to a certain extend without damaging it and without influencing its function in a negative way.

Most preferably the connection means is pre-installed in the flexible mat-like means, when it is directly inserted into this mat-like means. According to this embodiment of the invention a pre-fabricated mat-like means already comprising the integrated, e.g. embedded connection means like the integrated cable or the hollow pipe is used. The mat-like flexible means may be made of or comprise any suitable elastic material, preferably a polymer material, especially a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material, like polyurethane, rubber polyethylene, polyamide or the like, which listing is not restricting, as any suitable flexible or elastic material having long-lasting properties and a good wear resistance may be used. When producing this mat-like means especially using polymer material, it is easily possible to integrate or embed the connection means. The mat-like means or the mat elements preferably comprise at least one layer of an elastic material. The term "mat" comprises any kind of larger, flat item, which may be made of a bulk material, but which may also be made of a woven or knitted or foamed material. The elastic material may be provided as a single layer, which is advantageous especially when a bulk material is used, but it may also be a multi-layer arrangement comprising several layers of the elastic material stacked upon each other, for example when the respective layers are made of woven or knitted material etc. Also, these examples of the various types of "mats" or mat-configurations are not restrictive. No matter how the mat-like means is set up, the integration of the connection means is always possible and quite simple.

In a non-claimed alternative to the slip joint connection the elements may also be connected by a flange connection. In this case the connection interfaces are respective flanges arranged at each of the elements, preferably extending into the inner of the respective element, with at least one of the flanges being provided with a channel for accommodating the connection means. This channel, which preferably extends in a radial direction through the flange, is arranged to accommodate the connection means and is therefore open to the inside and to the outside of the tower. As the flange is a very stable, bulky metal ring element, the arrangement of the channel does in no way affect the stability of the flange and therefore the stability of the connection respectively the element itself. It is a quite small channel, as it only needs to accommodate at least one connection means, which itself is quite small in its diameter. If more than one connection means is provided, the channel width may be adapted, or two or more channels may be provided, which are for example evenly distributed around the flange circumference.

The channel itself is preferably a groove, which is open to the adjacent flange. According to this non-claimed embodiment at least one of the flanges is provided with a groove, which is covered by the opposite flange. This channel or groove can easily be provided in the flange, for example by milling, which can be done already in the factory or even on side during installation. If the flange is a cast item, the channel or groove may also be prepared in the casting process.

If a larger connection means needs to be guided through the flange connection, or if two or more connection means need to be guided through the flange connection, it is also possible that not only one flange is provided with the groove, but that both flanges are provided with the grove, while both grooves complete each other to a larger channel. In this case the adjacent surfaces of the flanges are both provided with a groove, which complete to a larger channel or a double groove having a double size, which allows the accommodation of a larger connection means or of several connection means.

Preferably, the connection means, however this connection means is set up, is embedded in a sealing means provided in the space provided between the adjacent conical connection interfaces or in the channel provided in the flange(s). This sealing means may for example be a sealing element, or a hardened sealing means like a silicone sealing or the like. This sealing means tightens the space or channel, if this is necessary.

Finally, the connection means, especially the cable or the pipe, is preferably fixed by a glue, if the connection means is not an integral part of the mat-like means of the embodiment comprising the slip joint connection. The fixation of the connection means by a glue allows for a very strong and long-lasting fixation of the connection means in the respective area, where it is guided through the slip joint or flange connection.

<FIG> shows a principle sketch of an inventive wind turbine <NUM>, comprising a foundation element <NUM> here in form of a monopile <NUM>, which foundation element may alternatively also be a tripod, a suction bucket or a gravity foundation.

The wind turbine <NUM> further comprises a tower <NUM> comprising two tower segments <NUM>, <NUM> attached to each other. The tower <NUM> further comprises a tower adapter <NUM>, which is attached to the upper tower element <NUM>, to which adapter <NUM> a nacelle <NUM> comprising a rotor <NUM> with the respective blades <NUM> is attached.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, two connection zones <NUM>, <NUM> are realised. The first connection zone <NUM> is realised between the two tower elements <NUM>, <NUM>. The second connection zone <NUM> is realised between the upper tower element <NUM> and the tower adapter. In both connection zones <NUM>, <NUM> different connection types are realised. The connection zone <NUM> is realised by a flange connection <NUM>, while the connection zone <NUM> is realised by a slip joint connection <NUM>. Through each connection zone <NUM>, <NUM> respectively directly through either the flange connection <NUM> or the slip joint connection <NUM> a connection means <NUM>, <NUM> is guided, which connection means for example is a cable or is a hollow pipe. The respective connection means provides a connection from the inside of the tower <NUM> to the outside of the tower <NUM>, so that the connection means respectively for example the cable, which is guided in the inner of the tower <NUM> to the connection, is guided through this connection area to the outside. In the shown embodiment for example two lighting devices <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged at the outside of the tower <NUM>, to which the respective connection means respectively the electric cable is guided.

<FIG> shows an enlarged view of the area II of <FIG>. The figure shows the first connection zone <NUM> respectively the flange connection <NUM>, by which the lower tower element <NUM> is connected to the upper tower element <NUM>. As <FIG> clearly shows, the connection means <NUM> here in form of a cable <NUM> is directly guided through the interface respectively the flange connection, where both tower elements <NUM>, <NUM> abut each other.

For realising the transfer of the connection means <NUM> respectively of the cable <NUM> from the inner of the tower <NUM> to the outside, at least one of the flanges, which are arranged at the respective ends of the tower elements <NUM>, <NUM>, is provided with a channel, through which the connection means <NUM> respectively the cable <NUM> is guided.

<FIG> shows the upper end of the lower tower element <NUM> and the lower end of the upper tower element <NUM>. Each end is provided with a flange <NUM>, <NUM>, which are provided with a plurality of respective bores <NUM>, <NUM>, which accommodate respective bolt connections.

When mounted, the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> abut each other or are closely adjacent to each other.

For providing a possibility to guide the connection means <NUM> respectively the cable through this flange interface, in the shown embodiment the flange <NUM> is provided with a channel <NUM> in form of a groove <NUM>, see also <FIG>, extending radially, which groove <NUM> is open to the adjacent flange <NUM>. The arrangement is shown in detail in <FIG>, where, as indicated with the dotted line, also the flange <NUM> may be provided with a channel <NUM> in form of a respective groove <NUM>, which groove <NUM> is open to the groove <NUM> so that they both complement each other to build a larger channel comprising the two grooves <NUM> and <NUM> for accommodating a larger connection means <NUM> or several connection means <NUM>.

The channel <NUM> (or together with the channel <NUM>) provides a radial guidance or opening to the inside and to the outside of the tower <NUM>, so that it is possible to guide a connection means <NUM> through this channel.

<FIG> shows the possibility that in the groove <NUM> a hollow pipe <NUM>, preferably made of an elastic material, is inserted and fixed there by means of a sealing means or a glue <NUM>. This hollow pipe works as a guiding means for the connection means and enables a tight seal of the connection means <NUM> respectively the cable <NUM> inserted in the pipe <NUM>, it guides and protects the cable <NUM>. So it is possible to guide the cable <NUM> from the inner of the tower <NUM> to the outside, where it is connected to the lighting device <NUM>, or to any other component arranged at the outside of the tower <NUM>. In the inside the cable <NUM> is connected to a respective other component, what ever and where ever this component may be.

Although the above mentioned embodiment describes an electric cable <NUM>, it is certainly also possible that the cable <NUM> is a hollow cable or a hollow pipe used for guiding a liquid, for example a cooling liquid or a hydraulic liquid from a component arranged in the inner of the tower <NUM> to the component at the outside of the tower.

<FIG> also shows the possibility that the second flange <NUM> is also provided with a respective groove <NUM> as shown by the dotted line, in which groove <NUM> another hollow pipe <NUM> is inserted, accommodating another connection means <NUM> in form of another cable <NUM>. This embodiment shows that it is easily possible to enlarge the resulting channel by the corresponding grooves <NUM> and <NUM>.

Aside the shown embodiment, it is certainly also possible to provide several channels <NUM> respectively grooves <NUM> distributed around the circumference of only one flange <NUM> or <NUM>, or to provide several channels or grooves at both flanges <NUM>, <NUM>, if several connection means <NUM> need to be guided from the inner to the outer of the tower <NUM>.

The stability of the flange connection, as described in regard to the <FIG>, is not negatively influenced due to the provision of a respective channel(s) or groove(s). The flanges <NUM>, <NUM> are very stable metal pieces, which are not affected in their stability by providing the small grooves, which have a diameter or square surface adapted to the thickness of the pipe or cable which shall be accommodated in the groove. Thus, a very simple but effective guidance of any kind of connection means from the inner of the tower to the outer of the tower can be realised.

According to the invention, <FIG> shows an enlarged view of the area IV of <FIG>. It shows the upper connection zone <NUM>, which is realised in form of a slip joint connection <NUM>. It comprises a conical connection interface <NUM> at the upper tower element <NUM> and a second conical connection interface <NUM> at the tower adapter <NUM>.

As <FIG> shows, the connection means <NUM> respectively the cable <NUM> exits the slip joint connection <NUM> at the lower end of this slip joint connection <NUM> and runs to the lighting device <NUM>, while also here any other component than the lighting device may be connected via the electric or hollow liquid guiding cable <NUM>.

The cable <NUM> is guided directly through the space, which is realised between the conical interface <NUM> provided at the tower element <NUM> and the conical interface <NUM> provided at the tower adapter <NUM>, which interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, see <FIG>, are adjacent to each other, as the conical interface <NUM> engages into the outer conical interface <NUM>, when the tower adapter <NUM> is placed on the tower element <NUM>.

Between both interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> an intermediate flexible mat-like means <NUM>, which is shown in <FIG> in detail, is arranged. This flexible mat-like means is in this embodiment realised in the form of a pre-fabricated conical ring element <NUM>, for example made of a single layer of an elastic polymer like polyurethane or polyamide or the like. When erecting the tower, this mat-like means <NUM> is slipped over the connection interface <NUM>, whereupon the connection interface <NUM> is slipped over this arrangement.

As <FIG> shows, a hollow pipe <NUM>, which is shown by the dotted line, is integrated respectively embedded in the flexible respectively elastic mat-like means <NUM>. It extends almost vertically and is open to the upper and lower end of the conical mat element <NUM>, as <FIG> shows. This hollow pipe <NUM> is adapted to accommodate the connection means <NUM> respectively the cable <NUM>. The cable <NUM> is guided in the inner of the tower <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. It runs for example from a component arranged in the lower area of the tower <NUM> upwards and enters the hollow pipe <NUM> at its upper end, see <FIG>. It runs through the hollow pipe <NUM> and exits at the lower end of the pipe <NUM> and finally runs to the lighting device <NUM>. As <FIG> clearly shows, the cable <NUM> is directly guided through the mat-like means <NUM> and thus through the space between both interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, which space is realised by the intermediate mat-like means <NUM>, which provides a certain radial distance between both interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. No through bore or the like is necessary to be provided in any of the connected elements, as the cable is directly guided through the slip connection zone using the respective space provided between the interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

The diameter of the pipe <NUM> is preferably smaller than the thickness of the mat element <NUM>, so that it is completely embedded in the elastic mat material. This ascertains that no higher forces are acting on the pipe <NUM> and thus the cable <NUM> guided in the pipe <NUM>. However, the pipe <NUM> may be made of a flexible material that can be compressed without damaging the pipe, while also the cable <NUM> may be provided with an elastic cover or sheath.

<FIG> finally shows another embodiment with a slip joint connection <NUM> joining the tower element <NUM> and the tower adapter <NUM>, which adapter is only shown by the dotted line. Also, here an intermediate mat-like means <NUM> in form of a mat element <NUM> is arranged, which mat element <NUM> is provided with the slit <NUM>. This slit extends almost vertically, so that the cable <NUM> is guided through this slit, as <FIG> shows. It enters the slit <NUM> at its upper end and leaves the slit <NUM> at its lower end and finally runs to the lighting device <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the cable <NUM> is directly arranged in the conical circular space between both connection interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, it is not guided in a hollow pipe, but it certainly could be accommodated in a hollow pipe which would then also be arranged in the slit <NUM>. Although not shown, it is possible to fix the cable <NUM> by means of a glue or a sealing directly in the slit <NUM>.

Also, here the cable <NUM> is guided directly through the connection zone respectively the space between the interfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. Not drilling holes or the like are necessary for guiding the connection means respectively the cable from the inside to the outside. The stability of the slip joint connection is not influenced in a negative way due to the guiding of the connection means <NUM> through the connection area, as the connection elements are not worked to provide any guiding holes or channels etc..

Claim 1:
Wind turbine, with at least one hollow construction comprising at least two longitudinal hollow elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) each having a connection interface for connecting the elements by a slip joint connection (<NUM>), especially a tower comprising at least two hollow tower elements, wherein at least one connection means (<NUM>) is guided through the slip joint connection (<NUM>) from an inner space to the outer space of the wind turbine (<NUM>), wherein the connection interfaces for establishing a slip joint connection (<NUM>) are conical connection interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), and that at least one intermediate flexible mat-like means (<NUM>) is arranged between the adjacent connection interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the mat-like means (<NUM>) spaces the connection interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a radial direction creating a conical ring space, wherein the connection means (<NUM>) is guided through the mat-like means (<NUM>) between the connection interfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the inner space to the outer of the wind turbine (<NUM>), wherein the connection means (<NUM>) enters an upper end of the conical ring space on the inner space of the wind turbine (<NUM>) and runs through the conical ring space to a lower end of the conical ring space, where it exits to the outer space of the wind turbine (<NUM>).