Flange assembly for a tower segment

Abstract

A flange assembly for a tower segment is provided. The flange assembly includes a number of flange portions each with a first interface to the tower segment and a second interface to connect to another flange portion. A production method for a flange is further provided.

1 . A flange assembly for a tower segment, the flange assembly comprising:
 a number of flange portions each with a first interface to the tower segment and a second interface to connect to another flange portion.   
     
     
         2 . The flange assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of flange portions each interconnectable with at least another flange portion via their second interfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The flange assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein complementary second interfaces of the plurality of flange portions are realized to interconnect by means of a form fit. 
     
     
         4 . The flange assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the second interfaces of the plurality of flange portions are realized to interconnect by means of a force closure. 
     
     
         5 . The flange assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second interface of at least one flange portion of the number of flange portions comprises a protruding element that protrudes from an end of the at least one flange portion with respect to a circumference of the tower segment. 
     
     
         6 . The flange assembly according to  claim 5 , comprising a first flange portion, the second interface of which comprising a first protruding element that protrudes from the end of the first flange portion at a first level and wherein the second interface of an adjacent flange portion comprises a second protruding element that protrudes from the end of that adjacent flange portion at a second level in such way that the first and second protruding elements are positioned one above the other when the first and second flange portions are connectedly aligned at a substantially same level along the circumference of the tower segment. 
     
     
         7 . The flange assembly according to clam  2 , wherein the second interface of a first flange portion of the plurality of flange portions comprises a tooth that corresponds in shape and position with an inlet opening of a second interface of an adjacent flange portion to interconnect with the inlet opening. 
     
     
         8 . The flange assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of flange portions has the same shape and size. 
     
     
         9 . A flange for a tower segment comprising a flange assembly according to  claim 2 , the plurality of flange portions of which are interconnected. 
     
     
         10 . A tower segment of a tower of a wind turbine, comprising a flange according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         11 . A tower of a wind turbine, comprising at least one tower segment according to  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A method of construction of a flange assembly for a tower segment, comprising the step of:
 providing a flange portion and equipping the flange portion with a first interface to the tower segment and with a second interface to connect to a further flange portion.   
     
     
         13 . A method of construction of a flange for a tower segment comprising the steps of providing a flange assembly comprising a plurality of flange portions each with a first interface to the tower segment and a second interface to connect to another flange portion; and interconnecting the plurality of flange portions via their second interfaces to form the flange. 
     
     
         14 . A method of construction of a tower segment of a tower of a wind turbine, comprising the steps of
 providing a flange constructed using the method according to  claim 13 ; and connecting the flange to the tower segment via the first interfaces.   
     
     
         15 . A method of constructing a tower of a wind turbine, wherein a number of tower segments are interconnected, at least one tower segment of which is produced according to the method according to  claim 14 . 
     
     
         16 . The flange assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the force closure is achieved by at least one of a number of fasteners and a means of welding.