Transition piece for connecting an upper tower section to a lower tower section by means of connection profiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a transition piece for connecting an upper tower portion with connection profiles of a lower tower portion. The invention further comprises the respective connection profiles. The transition piece is particularly suitable for a hybrid tower, e.g. for a wind turbine, wherein the upper tower portion is configured, for example, as a steel tubular tower and the lower tower portion as, for example, a lattice tower structure.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A transition piece to connect an upper tubular tower portion with connection profiles,
 wherein the transition piece comprises
 an upper connection element to connect the transition piece to the upper tower portion and 
 a hollow structure which tapers towards the bottom, comprising
 a polygonal lower base area and 
 a circular upper base area or a polygonal upper base area, wherein the polygonal lower base area has fewer corners than the polygonal upper base area. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the lower base area is configured to be triangular, round, or polygonal, wherein the number of corners preferably corresponds to the number of connection profiles. 
     
     
         24 . The transition piece according to  claim 23 , wherein a largest lateral extent of the transition piece is at an upper side of the transition piece in the region of the upper connection element. 
     
     
         25 . The transition piece according to  claim 24 , wherein the transition piece comprises at least three connection faces arranged at an outer side of the transition piece, on which the transition piece is connectable with at least three connection profiles. 
     
     
         26 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the connection faces are, at least within a vertical projection of the connection profile longitudinal axis, arranged entirely below the connection element. 
     
     
         27 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the hollow structure has an inner lateral surface widening toward the top, wherein the inner lateral surface has a polygonal lower base area and a circular upper base area. 
     
     
         28 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the hollow structure has an inner lateral surface widening toward the top, wherein the inner lateral surface has a polygonal lower base area and a polygonal upper base area, wherein the polygonal lower base area has at least the same number of corners or fewer corners than the polygonal upper base area. 
     
     
         29 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the transition piece has, along its longitudinal axis, a total height of at least 50% of a diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, including at least 80% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, and/or at most 150% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion. 
     
     
         30 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the transition piece has, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a lateral extent of at least 0% of a diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, including at least 105% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, and/or at most 200% of the diameter of the upper tower portion at a lower edge of the upper tower portion, wherein a maximum lateral extent is configured to be at an upper edge of the transition piece. 
     
     
         31 . The transition piece according to  claim 22 , wherein the transition piece is formed, at least in part, as a supporting structure in the form of a shell. 
     
     
         32 . A connection profile to connect a transition piece with a lower tower portion wherein the connection profile comprises
 an upper flange corresponding to the connection faces of a transition piece in such a manner that the connection profile may be flange-mounted to the transition piece, and   a lower connection element to connect, preferably frictionally, a connection profile with a support member of a lower tower portion.   
     
     
         33 . The connection profile according to  claim 32 , wherein the connection profile comprises an upper profile element that is connectable to the transition piece, and a lower insert and that an insert recess is formed at a lower side of the profile element, which at least in part corresponds to the outer contour of the insert in such a manner that the insert is connected to the upper profile element in interlocking and/or integrally bonded fashion. 
     
     
         34 . The connection profile according to  claim 33 , wherein a cross-section of the connection profile changes continuously along an elongate extent along a longitudinal axis of the connection profile. 
     
     
         35 . The connection profile according to  claim 34 , wherein the insert is connected to the profile element at least in part along the insert recess by a weld connection. 
     
     
         36 . The connection profile according to  claim 35 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the connection profile in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connection profile decreases along this longitudinal axis from top to bottom. 
     
     
         37 . The connection profile according to  claim 35 , wherein at least one wall of the connection profile, in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection profile, has a convexly shaped outer contour at least in some regions. 
     
     
         38 . The connection profile according to  claim 37 , wherein at least one wall of the connection profile, in a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection profile, has a concavely shaped outer contour at least in some regions. 
     
     
         39 . The connection profile according to  claim 38 , wherein a wall of the connection profile is flat or curved once or more. 
     
     
         40 . The connection profile according to  claim 39 , wherein the connection profile is hollow, at least in some sections. 
     
     
         41 . The connection profile according to  claim 32 , wherein the insert is removably connectable to a lower tower section, including via a flange connection. 
     
     
         42 . The connection profile according to  claim 32 , wherein at least one wall of the connection profile comprises a side panel with a recess, including with an elongate recess.