Flangeless support structures

Abstract

A flangeless assembly for connecting tubular sections of a tubular support structure. A flangeless finger plate assembly connects adjacent tubular sections of a tubular support strucure. The finger plate assembly includes an outer finger plate, an inner finger plate, and corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular section butted at a point. Throughhole arrays are provided on each finger plate such that one throughhole array connects to a matching throughhole array on the corresponding end of the adjacent tubular section. Fastening means are provided to connect the inner and outer finger plates to the adjacent tubular sections according to the throughhole array.

1 . A finger plate assembly for connecting two adjacent tubular sections of a tubular support structure, the finger plate assembly comprising:
 an outer finger plate;   an inner finger plate;   corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections butted at a point;   throughhole arrays on each finger plate, wherein each throughhole array provides connection to one of the two adjacent tubular sections;   a matching throughhole array located on the corresponding ends of the adjacent tubular sections; and   means to fasten the inner and outer finger plates to the adjacent tubular sections.   
   
   
       2 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein horizontal cross-section of tubular sections are circular-shaped. 
   
   
       3 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the outer finger plate comprises a plate curved inner diameter matched to a curvature of an outer surface of the tubular sections; and   the inner finger plate comprises a plate with a curved outer diameter matched to a curvature of an inner surface of the tubular sections.   
   
   
       4 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the tubular sections comprise sections of a support tower. 
   
   
       5 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the tubular sections comprise sections of a wind turbine support tower. 
   
   
       6 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein bolts and nuts comprise the means for fastening according to the throughhole array. 
   
   
       7 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the throughhole array is symmetric with respect to the adjacent tubular sections of the tubular support structure. 
   
   
       8 . The finger plate assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the throughhole arrays on the inner finger plate, the outer finger plate, and the adjacent ends of the tubular sections are machined prior to assembly of finger plate assembly. 
   
   
       9 . A flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure, the flangeless joint comprising:
 two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure;   a plurality of finger plate assemblies uniformly distributed around the periphery of the two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure.   
   
   
       10 . The flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure comprise sections of a support tower. 
   
   
       11 . The flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein cross-sections of the adjacent sections of the tubular support structure are circular-shaped. 
   
   
       12 . The flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the two adjacent sections of the tubular support structure comprise sections of a wind turbine support tower. 
   
   
       13 . The flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 12  wherein five finger plate assemblies are uniformly distributed around the periphery of the adjacent sections of the wind turbine support tower. 
   
   
       14 . The flangeless joint for connecting two sections of a tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the uniformly distributed finger plate assemblies employ bolting as a fastening means. 
   
   
       15 . A tubular support structure comprising:
 a plurality of tubular sections; and   a plurality of flangeless joints employing finger plates assemblies for connecting adjacent tubular sections, the finger plate assemblies being uniformly distributed around the periphery of the adjacent tubular sections.   
   
   
       16 . The tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the tubular support structure comprises a support tower. 
   
   
       17 . The tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the support tower comprises a wind turbine support tower. 
   
   
       18 . The tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the flangeless joints further comprise five finger plate assemblies uniformly distributed around the periphery of adjacent tubular sections. 
   
   
       19 . The tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the wind turbine support tower further comprises:
 a base supporting the tower;   tower sections joined by the flangeless joints;   a platform connected to the top of the modular sections; and   a wind turbine and wind turbine rotor supported on the platform section.   
   
   
       20 . The tubular support structure as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the tower sections further comprise modular sections of welded tubular segments.