Wind turbine with improved tower and method of assembling same

Abstract

A wind turbine and method for assembling a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine is configured to stand on a foundation, and the wind turbine assembly includes a tower and an elevated tower foundation. The elevated tower foundation has multiple support members having a plurality of main support members and a plurality of bracing members. The bracing members are connected to the main support members. The tower is mounted on the elevated tower foundation.

1 . A wind turbine assembly configured for standing on a foundation, the wind turbine assembly comprising:
 a tower;   an elevated tower foundation having multiple support members, said multiple support members comprising a plurality of main support members and a plurality of bracing members connected to said main support members;   wherein, said tower is mounted on said elevated tower foundation.   
     
     
         2 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tower is comprised of a plurality of tower segments. 
     
     
         3 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tower has at least one of the following shapes:
 tubular, cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical, frustum, elliptical and rectangular.   
     
     
         4 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the tower is constructed as one or more of the following:
 lattice, free standing lattice, pipe, cantilevered pipe, tubular, guyed lattice and guyed poles.   
     
     
         5 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said elevated tower foundation is configured to be about 20 to about 60 meters in height. 
     
     
         6 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said elevated tower foundation is configured to be about 20 meters or more in height. 
     
     
         7 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of main support members are comprised of one or more of the following group:
 fabricated pipes, seamless pipes, fabricated tubes, seamless tubes, beams, and fabricated beams.   
     
     
         8 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of bracing members are comprised of one or more of the following group:
 fabricated pipes, seamless pipes, fabricated tubes, seamless tubes, beams, and fabricated beams   
     
     
         9 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said elevated tower foundation is assembled by welding or fastening said plurality of main support members and said plurality of bracing members at or near the location of a wind turbine. 
     
     
         10 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tower is about 80 to about 100 meters in height, and said elevated tower foundation is configured to be about 20 to about 60 meters in height. 
     
     
         11 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said tower is about 80 to about 100 meters in height, and said elevated tower foundation is configured to be about 20 meters or more in height. 
     
     
         12 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a foundation for supporting said elevated tower foundation.   
     
     
         13 . A wind turbine assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said foundation is comprised of a plurality of foundation elements, said plurality of foundation elements supporting said plurality of main support members. 
     
     
         14 . A method of fabrication a wind turbine tower comprising the steps of:
 shipping tower components to a wind turbine location, at least some of said tower components shipped in an un-assembled state;   assembling said tower components to form an upper tower portion and a lower tower portion;   placing said lower tower portion on one or more foundation elements;   placing said upper tower portion on said lower tower portion.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said upper tower portion is comprised of about two to about four tower sections, said upper tower portion having a height of about 80 to about 100 meters. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said lower tower portion is comprised of a plurality of main support members and a plurality of bracing members connected to at least some of said main support members, said lower tower portion having a height of about 20 to about 60 meters. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said main support members are assembled by welding. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said bracing members are assembled by welding. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said upper tower portion is attached to said lower tower portion via a tower mounting flange.