Method and system for coupling a stair platform to a tower of a wind energy turbine

Abstract

A method and system for coupling a stair platform to a tower of a wind energy turbine that includes a stair platform comprising at least one side member and a doorway formed in a portion of the tower. The doorway further includes a casing that defines an outer perimeter of the doorway. At least one connection member extends outward from the casing. At least one attachment slot is defined in at least one side member of the stair platform. The attachment slot is configured to receive a portion of the at least one connection member therein to couple the stair platform to the doorway.

1 . A system for coupling a stair platform to a tower of a wind energy turbine, said system comprising:
 a doorway formed in a portion of said tower, said doorway comprising a casing defining an outer perimeter of said doorway;   a stair platform comprising at least one side member;   at least one connection member extending outward from said casing; and   at least one attachment slot defined in said at least one side member, said at least one attachment slot configured to receive a portion of said at least one connection member therein to couple said stair platform to said doorway.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one attachment slot comprises an alignment region and a retention region extending from said alignment region. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said retention region is tapered to facilitate maintaining said at least one connection member within said at least one attachment slot. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one connection member comprises at least one of a bolt, a rivet, a welded rod, and a press-fit pin. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one connection member is configured to at least partially circumscribe a portion of said side member. 
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said alignment region comprises at least one chamfered edge to facilitate insertion of said at least one connection member within said at least one attachment slot. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one attachment slot is defined on at least one of a front edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge of said side member. 
     
     
         8 . A method for assembling a tower for a wind energy turbine, said method comprising:
 coupling at least one connection member to a casing defining a doorway formed in the tower;   forming at least one attachment slot in a portion of a stair platform to be coupled with the tower;   positioning the at least one attachment slot of the stair platform adjacent to the at least one connection member; and   inserting the at least one connection member within the at least one attachment slot to couple the stair platform to the doorway casing.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said forming the at least one attachment slot comprises forming an alignment region and a retention region extending from the alignment region. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said forming the retention region comprises tapering the retention region to facilitate maintaining the at least one connection member within the at least one attachment slot. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said coupling at least one connection member further comprises welding the at least one connection member to the casing. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said coupling the at least one connection member comprises selecting at least one of a bolt, a rivet, a welded rod, and a press-fit pin. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said forming the alignment region comprises forming at least one chamfered edge to facilitate insertion of the at least one connection member within the at least one attachment slot. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein said forming the at least one attachment slot comprises defining at least one of a front edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge within the portion of the stair platform. 
     
     
         15 . A stair platform for use with a turbine tower, said stair platform comprising:
 at least one side member forming a portion of a structural frame of said stair platform, said at least one side member comprising a first end and second end, said first end configured to contact a ground surface, said second end configured to couple to the tower; and   at least one attachment slot defined in said second end of said at least one side member, said at least one attachment slot is configured to slidably receive a portion of the tower therein to couple said stair platform to the tower.   
     
     
         16 . A platform according to  claim 15  wherein said at least one attachment slot comprises an alignment region and a retention region extending from said alignment region. 
     
     
         17 . A platform according to  claim 16  wherein said retention region is tapered to facilitate maintaining at least one connection member within said attachment slot. 
     
     
         18 . A platform according to  claim 17  wherein said alignment region comprises at least one chamfered edge to facilitate insertion of the at least one connection member within said at least one attachment slot. 
     
     
         19 . A platform according to  claim 15  wherein said at least one attachment slot is defined on at least one of a front edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge of said second end of said side member. 
     
     
         20 . A platform according to  claim 15  wherein the at least one connection member is configured to at least partially circumscribe a portion of said second end of said side member.