WIND TURBINE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY
A wind turbine mounting assembly for mounting a wind turbine on a roof of a structure is provided. The wind turbine mounting assembly generally includes a ridge member, a mast, a first roof mounting assembly, and a second roof mounting assembly. The ridge member may be configured to extend along a ridge of a roof. The mast has a mast proximal end joined to the ridge member and a distal end for mounting a wind turbine. The first and second roof mounting assemblies may be joined at opposing ends of the ridge member and are configured to secure the mounting assembly to the roof. The first and second roof mounting assemblies may include a first and second ridge member elevator, respectively, to elevate the ridge member above the roof ridge. The assembly may include a third roof mounting assembly joined to the ridge member near a ridge member midpoint.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/165,583, filed on Apr. 1, 2009, all of which is incorporated by reference as if completely written herein.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTThis invention was not made as part of a federally sponsored research or development project.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to mounting assemblies, and more particularly, to a wind turbine mounting assembly for mounting a wind turbine on a roof of a structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWith the threat of global warming becoming more of a reality, people and governments around the world have begun to utilize and encourage the use of renewable and sustainable sources of energy. One of the more popular renewable energy sources is wind power.
In wind power, the wind's kinetic energy is transformed into a useful form of energy. For example, a wind turbine may be used to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into usable electrical energy. Homeowners and businesses alike have become increasingly interested in utilizing small-scale wind turbines to generate “green” energy for their own consumption or to reduce utility bills by putting electrical energy back on “the grid.”
Such small-scale wind turbines are generally installed on the roof of a building. Current methods and apparatus used to install wind turbines on roofs tend to result in exceptionally loud noises and vibrations inside of the building. Moreover, such methods and apparatus tend to interfere with roof vents that typically run along the ridge of a roof. Still further, such methods and apparatus do not provide the ability for installation on roofs of various pitch angles.
What is needed in the art is an apparatus for mounting a wind turbine on a roof that does not transfer noises or vibrations to the interior of the building, that does not interfere with roof vents, and that may be easily adjusted for installation at various roof pitch angles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn its most general configuration, the wind turbine mounting assembly advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. The wind turbine mounting assembly overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effective configurations. The wind turbine mounting assembly demonstrates such capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices and methods in new and novel ways.
The present disclosure relates to a wind turbine mounting assembly for mounting a wind turbine on a roof of a structure. The wind turbine mounting assembly generally includes a ridge member, a mast, a first roof mounting assembly, and a second roof mounting assembly.
The ridge member has a ridge member proximal end and a ridge member distal end separated by a ridge member length, including a ridge member midpoint. The mast includes a mast proximal end and a mast distal end separated by a mast length. A wind turbine may be mounted at the mast distal end, while the mast is joined to the ridge member at the mast proximal end.
The first roof mounting assembly includes a first sinistral leg and a first dextral leg. The first roof mounting assembly is joined to the ridge member near the ridge member proximal end such that the first sinistral leg and the first dextral leg extend in opposite directions from the ridge member to secure the assembly to the roof. Similarly, the second roof mounting assembly includes a second sinistral leg and a second dextral leg. The second roof mounting assembly is joined to the ridge member near the ridge member distal end such that the second sinistral leg and the second dextral leg extend in opposite directions from the ridge member to secure the assembly to the roof.
In one embodiment, the wind turbine mounting assembly may include a third roof mounting assembly that is similar to the first and second roof mounting assemblies. The third roof mounting assembly includes a third sinistal leg and a third dextral leg. The third roof mounting assembly may be joined to the ridge member near the ridge member midpoint such that the third sinistral and dextral legs extend in opposite directions from the ridge member to further secure the assembly to the roof.
In another embodiment, the first roof mounting assembly may include a first ridge member elevator. The first ridge member elevator is configured to elevate a portion of the ridge member so that the wind turbine mounting assembly may be installed over the ridge of a roof without damaging or interfering with the operation of a roof ridge vent. Furthermore, the first ridge member elevator is rotably connected to the first sinistral and dextral legs to provide the wind turbine mounting assembly with the ability to be adjusted for use with a wide range of roof pitch angles.
In yet another embodiment, the second roof mounting assembly may include a second ridge member elevator. The second ridge member elevator is configured to elevate a portion of the ridge member so that the wind turbine mounting assembly may be installed over the ridge of a roof without damaging or interfering with the operation of a roof ridge vent. Furthermore, the second ridge member elevator is rotably connected to the second sinistral and dextral legs to provide the wind turbine mounting assembly with the ability to be adjusted for use with a wide range of roof pitch angles.
In still another embodiment, the third roof mounting assembly may include a third ridge member primary elevator. The third ridge member primary elevator is configured to elevate a portion of the ridge member so that the wind turbine mounting assembly may be installed over the ridge of a roof without damaging or interfering with the operation of a roof ridge vent. Furthermore, the third ridge member primary elevator is rotably connected to the third sinistral and dextral legs to provide the wind turbine mounting assembly with the ability to be adjusted for use with a wide range of roof pitch angles.
In a further embodiment, the third roof mounting assembly may include a third ridge member secondary elevator, similar to the third ridge member primary elevator, which is also rotably connected to the third sinistral and dextral legs. In yet another embodiment, the rotable connections between the third ridge member primary and secondary elevators and the third sinistral and dextral legs may include a third roof mounting assembly vibration damper.
Without limiting the scope of the wind turbine mounting assembly as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:
These drawings are provided to assist in the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of a wind turbine mounting assembly as described in more detail below and should not be construed as unduly limiting the wind turbine mounting assembly. In particular, the relative spacing, positioning, sizing and dimensions of the various elements illustrated in the drawings are not drawn to scale and may have been exaggerated, reduced or otherwise modified for the purpose of improved clarity. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that a range of alternative configurations have been omitted simply to improve the clarity and reduce the number of drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe presently disclosed wind turbine mounting assembly (50) enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the embodiments of the claimed wind turbine mounting assembly (50), and is not intended to represent the only form in which the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the claimed wind turbine mounting assembly (50).
Referring generally to
Still referring to
With continued reference to
In one embodiment, the ridge member length (130) is configured such that it is greater than or equal to the mast length (230). Such an embodiment helps distribute the weight of the mounted wind turbine and the mounting assembly (50) over a larger surface area of the roof structure, which reduces the chance of damaging the structural integrity of the roof structure and reduces the likelihood of undesirable vibrations within the assembly (50) or the transmission of vibrations to the structure.
In the particular embodiment shown in
The first roof mounting assembly (300) includes a first sinistral leg (310) and a first dextral leg (320), as seen in
Similarly, the second roof mounting assembly (400) has a second sinistral leg (410) and a second dextral leg (420), also seen well in
In the particular embodiment shown in
It is contemplated that the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) may include multiple mounting assemblies in addition to the first and second roof mounting assemblies (300, 400). For example, in one embodiment, the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) may further include a third roof mounting assembly (500). The third roof mounting assembly (500) has a third sinistral leg (510) and a third dextral leg (520), as seen in
With reference now to
As seen in
As seen in
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
Referring now to
As seen in
As with the first ridge member elevator (350), the second ridge member elevator (450) is configured to elevate the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge. The second ridge member elevator (450) elevates the ridge member (100) above the roof ridge by at least a second elevator ridge member offset (452). As seen in
With continued reference to
In one embodiment, the first ridge member elevator (350) may further include a first elevator connection region (380), as seen in
In addition, the second ridge member elevator (450) may further include a second elevator connection region (480), as seen in
In a further embodiment, the first elevator connection region (380) may be configured such that it totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member proximal end (110), as seen in
In yet another embodiment, the ridge member (100) has a ridge member profile (140) and the first elevator connection region (380) is configured to cooperate with the ridge member profile (140). For example, the first elevator connection region (380) may be formed with a first connection region opening (382) having a first connection region opening profile (384). The first connection region opening profile (384) may be configured to cooperate with the ridge member profile (140), as seen in
Similarly, and as seen in
In another embodiment, as seen in
As previously explained, the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) may include a third roof mounting assembly (500), or even more roof mounting assemblies. In a particular embodiment of the mounting assembly (50) having a third roof mounting assembly (500), the third roof mounting assembly (500) may further include a third ridge member primary elevator (550), as seen in
As seen in
Still referring to
As with the first and second ridge member elevators (350, 450), the third ridge member primary elevator (550) is configured to elevate the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge. The third ridge member primary elevator (550) elevates the ridge member (100) above the roof ridge by at least a third primary elevator ridge member offset (552). As seen in
Still referring to
In yet another embodiment of the mounting assembly (50) having a third roof mounting assembly (500), the third roof mounting assembly (500) may further include a third ridge member secondary elevator (650), as seen in
As seen in
Still referring to
As with the third ridge member primary elevator (550), the third ridge member secondary elevator (650) is configured to elevate the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge. The third ridge member secondary elevator (650) elevates the ridge member (100) above the roof ridge by at least a third secondary elevator ridge member offset (652). As seen in
With continued reference to
In yet another embodiment, the third roof mounting assembly (500) may further include at least one third roof mounting assembly vibration damper (530). For example, as seen in
Similarly, the rotable connection of the third sinistral leg (510) to both the third primary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (562) and the third secondary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (662) may also include a third roof mounting assembly vibration damper (530), including a primary and secondary damper (532, 534) as described with respect to the third dextral leg (520) and the third primary and secondary elevator dextral leg proximal ends (572, 672). The primary and secondary damper (532, 534) may each comprise multiple, separate components, such as a series of elastomeric washers.
Preferably, the third roof mounting assembly vibration damper (530) comprises an elastomeric material, including but not limited to EPM rubber, EPDM rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polybutadiene, and nitrile rubbers, just to name a few. Constructing the vibration damper (530) with elastomeric materials allows the vibrations and noise generated by the mounted wind turbine to be efficiently absorbed so that any such noises or vibrations are not heard or felt in the interior of the building.
With reference now to
Referring now to
In still another embodiment, the third primary elevator connection region (580) may be configured such that it totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member proximal end (110), as seen in
In a further embodiment, the ridge member (100) has a ridge member profile (140) and the third primary elevator connection region (580) is configured to cooperate with the ridge member profile (140). For example, the third primary elevator connection region (580) may be formed with a third primary connection region opening (582) having a third primary connection region opening profile (584). The third primary connection region opening profile (584) may be configured to cooperate with the ridge member profile (140), as seen in
Similarly, and as seen in
In yet another embodiment, the third primary elevator sinistral leg (560), the third primary elevator dextral leg (570), the third primary elevator connection region (580), and the third primary elevator mast connection region (590) are integrally formed from a single piece of material, as seen in
The ridge member (100), the mast (200), and the roof mounting assemblies (300, 400, 500), including the elevators (350, 450, 550, 650), may be formed of virtually any material, such as metals, plastics, fiberglass, or any other material strong enough to support a wind turbine on a roof in heavy winds. Components formed of metal may be laser cut, heat formed, and bolted or welded together. Components formed of plastic may be injection molded. Moreover, the mounting assembly may be scaled up or down for use with various sizes of wind turbines. Still further, it should be noted that although the disclosure relates to a mounting assembly (50) for a wind turbine, the disclosed mounting assembly (50) may also be used for mounting solar panels or other objects on a roof.
Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the wind turbine mounting assembly (50), as claimed below. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative manufacturing processes and materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the wind turbine mounting assembly (50) as defined in the following claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.
Claims
1. A wind turbine mounting assembly (50) for mounting a wind turbine on a roof of a structure, comprising:
- a) a ridge member (100) having a ridge member proximal end (110) and a ridge member distal end (120) separated by a ridge member length (130), including a ridge member midpoint (132);
- b) a mast (200) having a mast proximal end (210) and a mast distal end (220) separated by a mast length (230), and a mast diameter (240), wherein the wind turbine is mounted at the mast distal end (220) and the mast (200) is joined to the ridge member (100) at the mast proximal end (210);
- c) a first roof mounting assembly (300) having a first sinistral leg (310) and a first dextral leg (320), wherein the first roof mounting assembly (300) is joined to the ridge member (100) near the ridge member proximal end (110), and the first sinistral leg (310) and the first dextral leg (320) extend in opposite directions from the ridge member (100) to secure the assembly (50) to the roof; and
- d) a second roof mounting assembly (400) having a second sinistral leg (410) and a second dextral leg (420), wherein the second roof mounting assembly (400) is joined to the ridge member (100) near the ridge member distal end (120), and the second sinistral leg (410) and the second dextral leg (420) extend in opposite directions from the ridge member (100) to secure the assembly (50) to the roof.
2. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 1, wherein:
- a) the first roof mounting assembly (300) further includes a first ridge member elevator (350) having: i) a first elevator sinistral leg (360) with a first elevator sinistral leg proximal end (362) and a first elevator sinistral leg distal end (364), wherein the first elevator sinistral leg proximal end (362) is rotably connected to the first sinistral leg (310); ii) a first elevator dextral leg (370) with a first elevator dextral leg proximal end (372) and a first elevator dextral leg distal end (374), wherein the first elevator dextral leg proximal end (372) is rotably connected to the first dextral leg (320); iii) wherein the first ridge member elevator (350) elevates the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge so that a first elevator ridge member offset (352) is a vertical distance from the lowest point of the ridge member (100) to the furthest vertical projection of the first elevator dextral leg proximal end (372), and the first elevator ridge member offset (352) is at least ten percent of the mast length (230); and iv) wherein the first ridge member elevator (350) has a first elevator spread (354) defined as the horizontal distance between the point at which the first elevator sinistral leg proximal end (362) is rotably connected to the first sinistral leg (310) and the point at which the first elevator dextral leg proximal end (372) is rotably connected to the first dextral leg (320), and the first elevator spread (354) is at least five times the mast diameter (240); and
- b) the second roof mounting assembly (400) further includes a second ridge member elevator (450) having: i) a second elevator sinistral leg (460) with a second elevator sinistral leg proximal end (462) and a second elevator sinistral leg distal end (464), wherein the second elevator sinistral leg proximal end (462) is rotably connected to the second sinistral leg (410); ii) a second elevator dextral leg (470) with a second elevator dextral leg proximal end (472) and a second elevator dextral leg distal end (474), wherein the second elevator dextral leg proximal end (472) is rotably connected to the second dextral leg (420); iii) wherein the second ridge member elevator (450) elevates the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge so that a second elevator ridge member offset (452) is a vertical distance from the lowest point of the ridge member (100) to the furthest vertical projection of the second elevator dextral leg proximal end (472), and the second elevator ridge member offset (452) is at least ten percent of the mast length (230); and iv) wherein the second ridge member elevator (450) has a second elevator spread (454) defined as the horizontal distance between the point at which the second elevator sinistral leg proximal end (462) is rotably connected to the second sinistral leg (410) and the point at which the second elevator dextral leg proximal end (472) is rotably connected to the second dextral leg (420), and the second elevator spread (454) is at least five times the mast diameter (240).
3. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 2, further including:
- a) a first elevator connection region (380) joined to the first elevator sinistral leg (360), the first elevator dextral leg (370), and the ridge member (100); and
- b) a second elevator connection region (480) joined to the second elevator sinistral leg (460), the second elevator dextral leg (470), and the ridge member (100).
4. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 3, wherein:
- a) the first elevator connection region (380) totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member proximal end (110); and
- b) the second elevator connection region (480) totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member distal end (120).
5. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 4, wherein the ridge member (100) has a ridge member profile (140), and wherein:
- a) the first elevator connection region (380) is formed with a first connection region opening (382) having a first connection region opening profile (384) that cooperates with the ridge member profile (140) such that the first elevator connection region (380) is slid over a portion of the ridge member (100) and prevents rotation of the ridge member (100); and
- b) the second elevator connection region (480) is formed with a second connection region opening (482) having a second connection region opening profile (484) that cooperates with the ridge member profile (140) such that the second elevator connection region (480) is slid over a portion of the ridge member (100) and prevents rotation of the ridge member (100).
6. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 5, wherein the first elevator sinistral leg (360), the first elevator dextral leg (370), and the first elevator connection region (380) are integrally formed from a single piece of material, and the second elevator sinistral leg (460), the second elevator dextral leg (470), and the second elevator connection region (480) are integrally formed from a second single piece of material.
7. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 1, further including a third roof mounting assembly (500) having a third sinistral leg (510) and a third dextral leg (520), wherein the third roof mounting assembly (500) is joined to the ridge member (100) near the ridge member midpoint (132), and the third sinistral leg (510) and the third dextral leg (520) extend in opposite directions from the ridge member (100) to secure the assembly (50) to the roof.
8. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 2, further including a third roof mounting assembly (500) having a third sinistral leg (510) and a third dextral leg (520), wherein the third roof mounting assembly (500) is joined to the ridge member (100) near the ridge member midpoint (132), and the third sinistral leg (510) and the third dextral leg (520) extend in opposite directions from the ridge member (100) to secure the assembly (50) to the roof, wherein the third roof mounting assembly (500) further includes a third ridge member primary elevator (550) having:
- a) a third primary elevator sinistral leg (560) with a third primary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (562) and a third primary elevator sinistral leg distal end (564), wherein the third primary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (562) is rotably connected to the third sinistral leg (510);
- b) a third primary elevator dextral leg (570) with a third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572) and a third primary elevator dextral leg distal end (574), wherein the s third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572) is rotably connected to the third dextral leg (520);
- c) a third primary elevator connection region (580) joined to the third primary elevator sinistral leg (560), the third primary elevator dextral leg (570), and the ridge member (100);
- d) wherein the third ridge member primary elevator (550) elevates the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge so that a third primary elevator ridge member offset (552) is a vertical distance from the lowest point of the ridge member (100) to the furthest vertical projection of the third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572), and the third primary elevator ridge member offset (552) is at least ten percent of the mast length (230); and
- e) wherein the third ridge member primary elevator (550) has a third primary elevator spread (554) defined as the horizontal distance between the point at which the third primary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (562) is rotably connected to the third sinistral leg (510) and the point at which the third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572) is rotably connected to the third dextral leg (520), and the third primary elevator spread (554) is at least five times the mast diameter (240).
9. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 8, further including a third ridge member secondary elevator (650) having:
- a) a third secondary elevator sinistral leg (660) with a third secondary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (662) and a third secondary elevator sinistral leg distal end (664), wherein the third secondary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (662) is rotably connected to the third sinistral leg (510);
- b) a third secondary elevator dextral leg (670) with a third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672) and a third secondary elevator dextral leg distal end (674), wherein the third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672) is rotably connected to the third dextral leg (520);
- c) a third secondary elevator connection region (680) joined to the third secondary elevator sinistral leg (660), the third secondary elevator dextral leg (670), and the ridge member (100);
- d) wherein the third ridge member secondary elevator (650) elevates the ridge member (100) above a roof ridge so that a third secondary elevator ridge member offset (652) is a vertical distance from the lowest point of the ridge member (100) to the furthest vertical projection of the third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672), and the third secondary elevator ridge member offset (652) is at least ten percent of the mast length (230); and
- e) wherein the third ridge member secondary elevator (650) has a third secondary elevator spread (654) defined as the horizontal distance between the point at which the third secondary elevator sinistral leg proximal end (662) is rotably connected to the third sinistral leg (510) and the point at which the third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672) is rotably connected to the third dextral leg (520), and the third secondary elevator spread (654) is at least five times the mast diameter (240).
10. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 9, wherein the rotable connection of the third dextral leg (520) to both the third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572) and the third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672) includes a third roof mounting assembly vibration damper (530).
11. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 10, wherein the third roof mounting assembly vibration damper (530) includes a primary damper (532) between the third primary elevator dextral leg proximal end (572) and the third dextral leg (520), and a secondary damper (534) between the third secondary elevator dextral leg proximal end (672) and the third dextral leg (520).
12. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 9, wherein:
- a) the third ridge member primary elevator (550) further includes a third primary elevator mast connection region (590);
- b) the third ridge member secondary elevator (650) further includes a third secondary elevator mast connection region (690); and
- c) the mast (200) is secured to the third primary elevator mast connection region (590) and the third secondary elevator mast connection region (690).
13. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 12, wherein:
- a) the third primary elevator connection region (580) totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member proximal end (110); and
- b) the third secondary elevator connection region (680) totally encloses a portion of the ridge member (100) between the ridge member midpoint (132) and the ridge member distal end (120).
14. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 13, wherein the ridge member (100) has a ridge member profile (140), and wherein:
- a) the third primary elevator connection region (580) is formed with a third primary connection region opening (582) having a third primary connection region opening profile (584) that cooperates with the ridge member profile (140) such that the third primary elevator connection region (580) is slid over a portion of the ridge member (100) and prevents rotation of the ridge member (100); and
- b) the third secondary elevator connection region (680) is formed with a third secondary connection region opening (682) having a third secondary connection region opening profile (684) that cooperates with the ridge member profile (140) such that the third secondary elevator connection region (680) is slid over a portion of the ridge member (100) and prevents rotation of the ridge member (100).
15. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 14, wherein the third primary elevator sinistral leg (560), the third primary elevator dextral leg (570), the third primary elevator connection region (580), and the third primary elevator mast connection region (590) are integrally formed from a single piece of material, and the third secondary elevator sinistral leg (660), the third secondary elevator dextral leg (670), the third secondary elevator connection region (680), and the third secondary elevator mast connection region (690) are integrally formed from a second single piece of material.
16. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 1, wherein the ridge member length (130) is greater than or equal to the mast length (230).
17. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 1, wherein the first sinistral leg (310) and the first dextral leg (320) are separated by a first pitch angle (325), and the second sinistral leg (410) and the second dextral leg (420) by a second pitch angle (425).
18. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 17, wherein the first pitch angle (325) and the second pitch angle (425) are between 70 degrees and 140 degrees.
19. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 2, wherein:
- a) the first elevator sinistral leg (360) and the first elevator dextral leg (370) are separated by a first elevator pitch angle (375); and
- b) the second elevator sinistral leg (460) and the second elevator dextral leg (470) are separated by a second elevator pitch angle (475).
20. The wind turbine mounting assembly (50) of claim 19, wherein the first elevator pitch angle (375) and the second elevator pitch angle (475) are between 70 degrees and 140 degrees.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 31, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2010
Inventor: Samuel Pierce Hargis (Hilliard, OH)
Application Number: 12/751,585