Flange connection for a wind turbine and method of connecting parts of a wind turbine

Abstract

A flange connection for two tower sections of a wind energy system is described. The wind energy system includes a first flange including a first portion and a second portion, and a second flange including a first portion and a second portion. The wind energy system further includes a first connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring and a second connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring. The first connecting element and the second connecting element are adapted for being connected to each other and are adapted for connecting the first portion of the first flange with the first portion of the second flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flange connection for two tower sections of a wind energy system, comprising:
 a) a first flange including a first portion and a second portion;   b) a second flange including a first portion and a second portion; and,   c) a first connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring and a second connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring, wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting element are adapted for being connected to each other and are adapted for connecting the first portion of the first flange with the first portion of the second flange.   
     
     
         2 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first and the second flange extend in a substantially horizontal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first flange and the second portion of the second flange are adapted to be connected to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third connecting element adapted for connecting the first connecting element and the second connecting element. 
     
     
         5 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting element s adapted for being in contact with the first portion of the first flange and the second connecting element is adapted for being in contact with the first portion of the second flange in a mounted condition. 
     
     
         6 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of the first portion of the first flange, the first portion of the second flange, the first connecting element and the second connecting element has a tapered shape. 
     
     
         7 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and the second connecting elements substantially have an L-shape. 
     
     
         8 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first flange and the second portion of the second flange are adapted to be connected to each other by a third connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring and a fourth connecting element having substantiality the shape of at least a segment of a ring. 
     
     
         9 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of the first connecting element and the second connecting element substantially has the shape of a plate. 
     
     
         10 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first connecting element and the second connecting element is divided in more than one part in circumferential direction. 
     
     
         11 . The flange connection of  claim 1 , wherein the flange connection is adapted to connect two parts of a wind energy tower to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The flange connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting element and the second connecting clement are substantially comprised of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         13 . A wind energy system, comprising:
 a) a nacelle including a rotor;   b) a tower carrying the nacelle;   c) a flange on at least a part of the tower, wherein the flange includes a first portion and a second portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction; and,   d) a connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring, wherein the connecting element is adapted for being placed on the first portion of the flange and is adapted for securing at least a part of the tower.   
     
     
         14 . The wind energy system according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of the first portion of the flange and the connecting element provides a tapered shape. 
     
     
         15 . The wind energy system according to  claim 13 , wherein the connecting element is divided in more than one part in the circumferential direction. 
     
     
         16 . A tower section of a wind energy system, comprising:
 a) a flange on at least a part of the tower section, wherein the flange includes a first portion and a second portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction; and,   b) a connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring, wherein the connecting element is placed on the first portion of the flange and is adapted for securing the tower section.   
     
     
         17 . The tower section according to  claim 16 , wherein the connecting element is divided in more than one part in circumferential direction. 
     
     
         18 . The tower section according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first portion of the flange and the connecting element provides a tapered shape. 
     
     
         19 . The tower section according to  claim 16 , further comprising a second connecting element adapted for being placed on the second portion of the flange and adapted for securing the tower section. 
     
     
         20 . The tower section according to  claim 16 , wherein the connecting element is adapted for securing the tower section to at least one of another tower section of the wind energy system, a tower base ring, and a bearing at a tower top of the wind energy system.