Tower flange for a wind turbine

A tower assembly for a wind turbine, the tower assembly comprising:

• a first tower section;
• a second tower section defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter separated by a radial thickness, and a horizontal interface surface;
• and
• a tower flange integral with the first tower section, the tower flange comprising a substantially cylindrical wall defining an outer diameter and an inner diameter separated by a radial thickness, the radial thickness being sized so as to accommodate tower sections of different diameters, the tower flange defining a horizontal interface surface, the horizontal interface surface of the first tower section abutting the corresponding horizontal interface surface of the second tower section,
• wherein the radial thickness of the tower flange is larger than the radial thickness of the second tower section, and
• wherein a radial offset is defined between the outer diameter of the tower flange and an outer diameter of the second the second tower section.

A wind turbine, comprising:

• a tower comprising at least one upper tower section, the upper tower section comprising a tower flange integral therewith, the tower flange comprising a substantially cylindrical wall defining an outer diameter and an inner diameter separated by a radial thickness, the radial thickness being sized so as to accommodate yaw bearings of different inner race outer diameters, the tower flange defining a first bolt hole pattern having a first diameter and a second bolt hole pattern having a second diameter so as to accommodate different yaw bearings having different diameters,
• a nacelle configured atop the tower;
• a yaw bearing coupled to the tower flange and the nacelle to permit rotation of the nacelle about a yaw axis, the yaw bearing comprising an inner race and an outer race;
• and,
• wherein a radial offset is defined between the outer diameter of the tower flange and an outer diameter of the inner race of the yaw bearing.