Tower with tensioning cables

Abstract

A tower, which may be used for a wind turbine, is provided. The tower includes at least one concrete tower section having a plurality of tensioning cables. The tensioning cables are configured to induce a compressive force on the concrete tower section. The tensioning cables are spaced from an exterior surface of the concrete tower section by a substantially uniform distance.

1 . A tower comprising:
 at least one concrete tower section having a plurality of tensioning cables, the plurality of tensioning cables configured to induce a compressive force on the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are spaced from an exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section by a substantially uniform distance.   
     
     
         2 . The tower of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one anchor plate attached to a top portion of the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to the at least one anchor plate.   
     
     
         3 . The tower of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to a foundation of the tower. 
     
     
         4 . The tower of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more upper tower sections;   an adapter section located between the at least one concrete tower section and the one or more upper tower sections;   at least one anchor plate attached to at least one of the one or more upper tower sections;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to the at least one anchor plate.   
     
     
         5 . The tower of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to a foundation of the tower. 
     
     
         6 . The tower of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one upper tower section attached to the at least one concrete tower section.   
     
     
         7 . The tower of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one upper tower section is comprised of rolled steel. 
     
     
         8 . The tower of  claim 1 , the at least one concrete tower section further comprising:
 a plurality of grooves disposed in an exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are contained substantially within each of the plurality of grooves.   
     
     
         9 . The tower of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one cover configured to be attached to the tower;   wherein the plurality of tensioning cables within the plurality of grooves are substantially covered by the at least one cover.   
     
     
         10 . The tower of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are configured to be closer to a top exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section than to a bottom exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section. 
     
     
         11 . A wind turbine tower, comprising:
 at least one concrete tower section having a plurality of tensioning cables, the plurality of tensioning cables configured to induce a compressive force on the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are spaced from an exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section by a substantially uniform distance.   
     
     
         12 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one anchor plate attached to a top portion of the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to the at least one anchor plate.   
     
     
         13 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are also attached to a foundation of the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
         14 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 one or more upper tower sections;   an adapter section located between the at least one concrete tower section and the one or more upper tower sections;   at least one anchor plate attached to at least one of the one or more upper tower sections;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to the at least one anchor plate.   
     
     
         15 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are attached to a foundation of the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
         16 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one upper tower section attached to the at least one concrete tower section.   
     
     
         17 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 16 , wherein at least one upper tower section is comprised of rolled steel. 
     
     
         18 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 11 , the at least one concrete tower section further comprising:
 a plurality of grooves disposed in an exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section;   wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are contained substantially within the plurality of grooves.   
     
     
         19 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 at least one cover configured to be attached to the wind turbine tower;   wherein the plurality of tensioning cables within the plurality of grooves are covered by the at least one cover.   
     
     
         20 . The wind turbine tower of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of tensioning cables are configured to be closer to a top exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section than to a bottom exterior surface of the at least one concrete tower section.