Wind turbine installation comprising an apparatus for protection of anchor bolts and method of installation

Abstract

An apparatus for use in providing a level grout surface for placement of a wind turbine tower flange, the apparatus comprising a template member levelly suspended on the anchor bolts above the grout trough, wherein the template member comprises a surface to which grout will not adhere. The template member can comprise an upper layer and a lower grout engagement layer, wherein the grout engagement layer comprises a surface to which grout will not adhere. The upper layer can comprise a metallic layer, and the lower layer can comprise a plastic layer, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are bonded together. The lower layer can comprise polypropylene. The means of bonding are selected from the group consisting of mechanical bonding, thermal bonding and chemical bonding. The grout can comprise an epoxy grout. The template member can be suspended through the use of magnetic nuts or the use of a rotating sleeve. The template member can comprise a plurality of sections, and can comprise a circular form.

1 . An apparatus for use in providing a level grout surface for placement of a wind turbine tower flange wherein the wind tower flange supports and stabilizes a wind turbine tower, the wind turbine tower flange installed on a foundation comprising a concrete base, a grout trough formed in the cement base for the placement of a grout used to support the wind turbine flange, and a plurality of upwardly disposed anchor bolts extending through the grout, wherein the anchor bolts retain and support the wind turbine flange, the apparatus comprising:
 a template member levelly suspended on the anchor bolts above the grout trough, wherein said template member comprises a surface to which grout will not adhere.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said template member comprises an upper layer and a lower grout engagement layer, wherein said grout engagement layer comprises said surface to which grout will not adhere. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said upper layer comprises a metallic layer, and said lower layer comprises a plastic layer, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are bonded together by a bonding means. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the lower layer is polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the bonding means are selected from the group consisting of mechanical bonding, thermal bonding and chemical bonding. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the grout is an epoxy grout. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the template member is suspended by one or more nuts made up on respective anchor bolts, the bottom of each nut comprising a magnetic substance which adheres to the metallic surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the template member is suspended through the use of one or more rotating sleeves made up on the respective anchor bolts, wherein said sleeve extends through said template member, said sleeve further comprising a support member, said support member in rotatable engagement with said template member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the template member comprises a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the template member comprises a circular form. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use in leveling a wind turbine tower flange installed on a foundation comprising a plurality of upwardly disposed anchor bolts, the apparatus comprising:
 a template member and a plurality of anchor bolt engagement means, the anchor bolt engagement means comprising a means for leveling said template member relative to the anchor bolts.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the anchor bolt engagement means are one or more nuts made up on respective anchor bolts, the bottom of each nut comprising a magnetic substance which adheres to the metallic surface. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the anchor bolt engagement means are one or more rotating sleeves made up on the respective anchor bolts, wherein said sleeve extends through said template member, said sleeve further comprising a support member, said support member in rotatable engagement with said template member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the template member comprises a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         15 . A method for levelly installing a wind turbine tower onto a wind turbine foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing an anchor bolt assembly using a circular template to lift said anchor bolt assembly and place said anchor bolt assembly into an excavation and pouring concrete to form a foundation;   removing said circular template from the foundation thereby creating a grout trough;   suspending a template member above said grout trough using suspension means attached to said anchor bolts;   leveling said template member;   introducing a grout into the space defined by said template member and said grout trough and allowing said grout to cure;   removing said template member; and installing the wind turbine flange.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said template member comprises an upper metallic layer and a lower layer to which grout will not adhere. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said grout comprises an epoxy grout. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said suspension means are one or more nuts made up on respective anchor bolts, the bottom of each nut comprising a magnetic substance which adheres to the metallic surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said suspension means are one or more rotating sleeves made up on the respective anchor bolts, wherein said sleeve extends through said template member, said sleeve further comprising a support member, said support member in rotatable engagement with said template member.