Tower base assembly for a wind turbine

Abstract

A pre-assembled tower base assembly for a wind turbine configured for transportation to a wind turbine site is disclosed. The tower base assembly includes a tubular side wall defining an internal volume, a first flange portion at a first end of the tubular side wall, a second flange portion at a second end opposite the first end, and a down-tower electrical assembly installed within the internal volume of the tubular side wall. The first flange portion is configured to couple to a foundation. The second flange portion is configured to couple to a tower section. Further, the first and second flanges define a maximum longitudinal extension therebetween. The maximum longitudinal extension is a maximum height permitted for rail or truck transport. As such, the tower base assembly is configured for transportation in an upright position to a wind turbine site with the down-tower electrical assembly pre-assembled within the internal volume.

1 . A pre-assembled tower base assembly for a wind turbine configured for transportation to a wind turbine site in an upright position, the tower base assembly comprising:
 a tubular side wall defining an internal volume;   a first flange portion at a first end of the tubular side wall, the first flange portion configured to couple to a tower foundation;   a second flange portion at a second end of the tubular side wall opposite to the first end, the second flange portion configured to couple to an adjacent tower section, wherein the first and second flange portions define a maximum longitudinal extension therebetween, the maximum longitudinal extension is greater than 3.8 meters and less than about 4.3 meters;   at least one platform assembly installed within the internal volume; and,   a down-tower electrical assembly installed within the internal volume of the tubular side wall atop the at least one platform assembly such that the pre-assembled tower base assembly can be transported in the upright position with the down-tower electrical assembly configured therein.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular side wall comprises a maximum lateral extension, wherein the maximum lateral extension ranges from about 4.3 meters to about 4.6 meters. 
     
     
         4 . The tower base assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the maximum lateral extension corresponds to a maximum diameter of the tower base assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tower base assembly has a weight equal to or less than 20,000 kilograms. 
     
     
         6 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the down-tower electrical assembly comprises any one of or combination of the following components: one or more electrical cabinets, a transformer, a plurality of circuits, one or more fixtures, one or more appurtenances, or a control system. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform assembly is integral with the first flange portion. 
     
     
         9 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the platform assembly is installed between the first flange portion and the second flange portion. 
     
     
         10 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular side wall comprises a plurality of annular segments, each annular segment coupled to another annular segment to form the tubular side wall, wherein each annular segment is welded together at a weld seam. 
     
     
         11 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange portion extends perpendicularly to the tubular side wall, and wherein the second flange portion extends perpendicularly to the tubular side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The tower base assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first flange portion has an outer portion extending outside of the tubular side wall and an inner portion extending inside of the tubular side wall, wherein the first flange portion and the tubular side wall form a T-shaped flange, wherein the second flange portion extends inwardly from the tubular side wall, and wherein the second flange portion and the tubular side wall form an L-shaped flange. 
     
     
         13 . The tower base assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an access opening within the tubular side wall so as to provide access to the internal volume. 
     
     
         14 . A pre-assembled tower base assembly for a wind turbine configured for transportation to a wind turbine site in an upright position, the tower base assembly comprising:
 a tubular side wall comprising a plurality of annular segments, wherein each annular segment is coupled to another annular segment at a seam, wherein, the coupled annular segments define a maximum longitudinal extension, a maximum lateral extension, and an internal volume, the maximum longitudinal extension being less than about 4.3 meters;   at least one platform assembly installed within the internal volume; and,   a down-tower electrical assembly installed atop the platform assembly within the internal volume such that the pre-assembled tower base assembly can be transported in the upright position with the down-tower electrical assembly configured therein.   
     
     
         15 . The tower base assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the maximum longitudinal extension is greater than about 3.8 meters, and the maximum lateral extension ranges from about 4.3 meters to about 4.6 meters. 
     
     
         16 . The tower base assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the tower base assembly has a weight equal to or less than 20,000 kilograms. 
     
     
         17 . The tower base assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the down-tower electrical assembly comprises any one of or combination of the following components: one or more electrical cabinets, a transformer, a plurality of circuits, one or more fixtures, one or more appurtenances, or a control system. 
     
     
         18 . A method for transporting a pre-assembled tower base assembly of a wind turbine, the method comprising:
 providing a tower base assembly defining a maximum longitudinal extension, a maximum lateral extension, and an internal volume, the maximum longitudinal extension being less than about 4.3 meters;   installing at least one platform assembly within the internal volume;   installing a down-tower electrical assembly atop the platform assembly within the internal volume of the tower base assembly; and,   after installing the down-tower electrical assembly, transporting the tower base assembly to a wind turbine site in an upright position with the down-tower electrical assembly configured therein.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising joining a plurality of annular segments together to form the tower base assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein installing the down-tower electrical assembly further comprises:
 securing the down-tower electrical assembly within the internal volume of the tower base assembly, wherein the down-tower electrical assembly comprises any one of or combination of the following components: one or more electrical cabinets, a transformer, a plurality of circuits, one or more fixtures, one or more appurtenances, or a control system.