# US 2015/0308097 A1 · Flange of a wind turbine

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- Number: US 2015/0308097 A1
- Document ID: US20150308097A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/622,833
- Filed: 2015-02-14
- Published: 2015-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-25
- Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
- Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
- Inventors: Srinivas Ratna Kosuri
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150308097A1

## CPC

- E04B 1/388: {Separate connecting elements (Connecting devices specially adapted for embedding in concrete E04B1/41; Dowels, i.e. members adapted to penetrate the surfaces of two parts and to take the shear stresses E04B1/48)}
- F03D 13/10: Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors
- F03D 13/20: Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
- F03D 80/00: Details, components or accessories not provided for in groups F03D1/00 - F03D17/00
- F05B 2220/7066: via a direct connection, i.e. a gearless transmission
- F05B 2250/183: zigzag
- F05B 2250/184: sinusoidal
- F05B 2260/301: Retaining bolts or nuts
- Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
- Y02E 10/728: Onshore wind turbines
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

An improved flange in a wind turbine is provided. The flange has a flange plate that is connected to a part of the wind turbine. The flange plate and the part of the wind turbine are connected via an edge to form an L-shaped flange. The flange plate includes a connection side to be detachable connected to a counterpart. The flange plate includes a plurality of holes to be used with a connector when the flange is connected to the counterpart. A recess is arranged in the surface of the connection side between the edge of the flange plate and the plurality of holes, to reduce fatigue loads in the area of the holes of the flange plate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A flange of a wind turbine comprising
a flange plate that is connected to a part of the wind turbine,
wherein the flange plate and the part of the wind turbine are connected via an edge to form an L-shaped flange,
wherein the flange plate comprises a connection side to be detachable connected to a counterpart,
wherein the flange plate comprises a plurality of holes to be used with connectors when the flange is connected to the counterpart,
wherein a recess is arranged in the surface of the connection side between the edge of the flange plate and the plurality of holes, to reduce fatigue loads in the area of the holes of the flange plate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The flange according to claim 1,
wherein the recess leads along the surface of the connection side of the flange plate between the edge and the holes.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The flange according to claim 2,
wherein the cross-section of the recess is mainly half circular-shaped.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The flange according to one of the claims 2,
wherein the recess is arranged in a zig-zag pattern in the surface of the connection side.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The flange according to claim 2,
wherein the recess is arranged in a wave-pattern in the surface of the connection side.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The flange according to claim 4,
wherein the zig-zag pattern is arranged such that the parts of the recess arranged between a hole and the edge of the flange are located closer to the edge of the flange, than the parts of the recess arranged between two adjacent holes and the edge of the flange, so that the recess shows a mainly constant distance to the holes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The flange according to claim 1,
wherein the flange is a circular flange, whereby the surface of the connection side is ring-shaped, and the recess leads along a certain predetermined part of the ring shaped surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The flange according to claim 4,
wherein the recess comprises a first end and a second end, and the ends of the recess point towards the edge of the flange and away from the holes.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The flange according to claim 1,
wherein the recess is arranged in an area of the connection side where a maximum of force is induced into the flange during the operation of the wind turbine.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The flange according to claim 1,
wherein the connection side of the flange is arranged mainly vertical during the operation of the wind turbine and at least one recess is arranged in the upper area of the connection side of the flange.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A direct driven wind turbine comprising the flange according to claim 1.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The direct driven wind turbine according to claim 11,
whereby the flange is a flange of the support structure of the nacelle of the wind turbine, and the flange is used to connect the electric generator to the support structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The flange according to claim 5,
wherein the wave-pattern of the recess is arranged such that the parts of the recess arranged between a hole and the edge of the flange are located closer to the edge of the flange, than the parts of the recess arranged between two adjacent holes and the edge of the flange, so that the recess shows a mainly constant distance to the holes.