On Shaft Or Tower Patents (Class 52/40)
  • Patent number: 11955700
    Abstract: Cellular base station antenna concealments, such as palm and tree concealments, utilize artificial branches with nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) interfaces to avoid loose metal-to-metal connections to mitigate the generation of passive intermodulation (PIM) interference by the branches. Representative embodiments include “palm concealments” with low-PIM artificial palm fronds, and “tree concealments” with low-PIM artificial tree branches. That is, “low-PIM fronds” and “low-PIM tree branches” are two representative examples of “low-PIM branches” illustrating representative embodiments of the invention. The low-PIM palm frond includes a nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) sleeve positioned between a metal frond shaft and a metal frond receiver. A first example of the low-PIM tree branch includes nonmetallic (e.g., polymeric) fastener isolators positioned between metal fasteners and a metal tree branch receiver. A second example of the low-PIM tree branch includes a nonmetallic (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Oberman, Mark R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11655601
    Abstract: Disclosed is a concrete block, preferably made of fiber-reinforced concrete, including a body and anchor intended for lifting the block. The anchor is secured to the body and arranged in blind cavities without protruding out of these cavities, particularly arranged at the level of one of the faces of the body of the block such as the upper face of the block when the block is in the installed position on the ground. The body includes reservations and/or attachment/association components, the reservations and the attachment/association component being intended for attaching, preferably removably, or associating, technical equipment that is to be associated with the block. The concrete block is intended to constitute an access-denial bollard and, as a secondary function, a block for supporting and to which to fix technical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Abdla Feghoul
  • Patent number: 11375812
    Abstract: In a wall-mounted shelving and/or storage system, vertical standards are mounted to a wall using a plurality of individual cleats arranged in vertical columns and horizontal rows. The width of each cleat is smaller than the width of the standard, so that it can be hidden within the standard when mounted. Formed on the back of each vertical standard are a plurality of transverse edges at predefined intervals, in known spatial relationships with bracket connection points, for cooperating with the cleats to properly position and orient the standards at the correct height with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Elfa International AB
    Inventors: Peter Nilsson, Lars Ryden
  • Patent number: 11286636
    Abstract: A foundation for an offshore structure is disclosed. The foundation includes a tower having an anchoring portion anchored in the seabed and a connecting portion arranged at the opposite end. The foundation also includes a power generation system arranged above the water surface connected to the connecting portion of the tower. A natural frequency of the offshore structure lies below an excitation component one times the rotational frequency 1P of at least one exciting component. The foundation also includes at least one restoring element connected to the tower via one or more transition pieces. The restoring element is designed such that, in a skewed position of the tower, tensile and/or compressive forces can be transferred to the tower by means of the restoring element such that the tower can be straightened up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: innogy SE
    Inventors: Daniel Bartminn, Bernadette Zipfel
  • Patent number: 11235959
    Abstract: Hoists, platforms and davits are described as well as methods of securing same to telecommunication and other towers. The hoists, platforms and davits may be secured to the towers on a temporary basis using clamps. The clamps may include brackets and cables. The cables may be attached to the brackets, may wrap around the outer surface/perimeter of the tower pole/leg and may use tension to keep the bracket in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: MATT'S ARM, LLC
    Inventor: James S. Mayfield
  • Patent number: 11225950
    Abstract: A multirotor wind turbine (1) comprising a vertical tower and at least two energy generating units (5), a load carrying structure (9, 10) extending transverse to the vertical direction and carrying the at least two energy generating units (5); and at least one escape route extending between a start and an exit. To provide a safe escape route, the load carrying structure forms at least a first section of the escape route from the start to an intermediate location, and the wind turbine comprises an escape opening in the nacelle, the escape opening leading from an interior space of a nacelle of the energy generating unit to a passage structure and the passage structure extending from the escape opening to the start of the escape route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Torben Ladegaard Baun, Brian Jørgensen, Per Holten-Møller, Jonas Lerche Schomacker
  • Patent number: 11111677
    Abstract: A siding clip may include at least one tab having a tab through hole, a base having at least one base through hole, and a side portion affixed to an edge of the at least one tab at a first side portion end and to an edge of the base at a second side portion end, thereby forming a gap between the at least one tab and the base. The tab through hole is disposed opposite to one of the at least one base through holes. The siding clip further includes at least one coupling flange having a plane parallel to a plane of the at least one tab, and having at least one insertion feature. The at least one coupling flange is disposed in a direction opposite to a direction of the at least one tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Fiber Composites, LLC
    Inventors: Petros D. Kotiadis, Rick A. Lappin, Eric J. Helda, Eric L. Niederer
  • Patent number: 10939756
    Abstract: The present application provides, in one embodiment, a modular shelf system having spaced apart upright subassemblies that each include a first and second removable support standard recessed within. The system further provides at least one shelf fixture configured to be removably mounted to at least one of the support standards in each of a first and second upright subassemblies selected. The shelf may receive retail product trays via snap-fit fasteners. And, a variably configurable hanger bar may support the modular shelf system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Product Miniature, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peck, Craig Fluegge, Michael Ford
  • Patent number: 10895089
    Abstract: Wind turbine tower with reinforcing elements. The wind turbine tower comprises at least a first section (1) comprising at least two segments (2) defining at least two vertical joints (3) disposed between the at least two segments (2), at least two reinforcing elements (4) placed in each vertical joint (3), and at least an upper region (5) disposed above at least a lower region (6). The reinforcing elements (4) are configured to provide a first shear strength (1ss) in the at least upper region (5) and a second shear strength (2ss) in the at least lower region (6), the first shear strength and the second shear strength having different values and being enough to bear a maximum expected shear force in the vertical joints (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: NORDEX ENERGY SPAIN, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Aitor Garduno Estebanez, Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Alexandre Cal Hernandez, Ivan Garcia Maestre, Jose Luis Aristegui Lantero, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Patent number: 10704220
    Abstract: An arrangement with a concrete foundation and a tower for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant wherein the tower comprises a number of tower segments which are arranged along a tower axis and at least an uppermost tower segment comprises a head flange and a foot flange, wherein an uppermost tower segment of the number of tower segments is formed as a steel element; and a number of tension or traction wires braces the concrete foundation with the head flange of the uppermost tower segment under tensile stress. A method for erecting a tower for supporting a nacelle of a wind energy plant and to a wind energy plant comprising an arrangement according to the present embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Coordes
  • Patent number: 10683847
    Abstract: Described is a self-supporting support structure for wind turbine equipment. The support structure can be accommodated in a hollow transition piece for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine to a foundation pile, or in a foundation pile itself. The support structure includes two or more floors placed vertically above each other and supported by upright supports. At least one floor connects substantially fittingly to an internal peripheral wall of the transition piece or the foundation pile, and said floor is provided with means for reducing its surface area, for instance foldable edge parts. Also described is a method for assembling at least a part of an offshore wind turbine, wherein the self-supporting support structure is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: DEME Offshore BE NV
    Inventors: Alexandra Sofia Gonçales Da Silva, Dieter Wim Rabaut, Wouter Haring
  • Patent number: 10622791
    Abstract: A field-mountable winch assembly comprising a boom, boom mount, motor, drum, rollers for supporting a line, base, rotating drum and a clamp is disclosed. The field-mountable winch assembly may rotate a drum pulling a line over rollers raising a power line to be attached to a utility pole. The winch may be clamped to the crossbeam of the utility pole freeing a utility platform of the tools necessary to raise the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason P. Turnbull
  • Patent number: 10563419
    Abstract: A tower for a wind power plant, including a tower section having multiple structural support elements which, arranged horizontally next one another, form part of an outer wall of the tower. The wall elements that are arranged directly next to one another are rigidly interconnected via horizontal end sections of the wall elements and not—or only in certain sections—via vertical edges of the wall elements. Expediently, the vertical edges of the wall elements, which are in each case arranged directly adjacent to one another, are arranged entirely or in certain sections at a distance from one another in the horizontal direction. A connection element, preferably a flange, is formed on each of the horizontal end sections for connecting the wall elements to a substrate, to other wall elements of a further tower section, to a tower head supporting a wind turbine, and/or to an adapter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: VENSYS ENERGY AG
    Inventor: Jürgen Rinck
  • Patent number: 10273705
    Abstract: A steel tower for a wind turbine, including a plurality of cylindrical and/or conical tower sections arranged one above another in a tower lengthwise direction which are joined together via horizontally running annular flanges, at least one tower section having at least two section pieces, which are welded together along their adjacent, horizontal and annular end faces and are welded to a horizontal annular flange along each of the free uppermost and lowermost end face, and the at least one tower section being divided into a plurality of section segments which are joined together by longitudinal profiles and connecting means to form a circumferential tower section. At least one of the annular flanges has at least two separation sections in which the annular flange is divided into annular flange segments. The at least one annular flange forms a monolithic annular flange prior to a severing of the section segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Ibrahim Tuerk
  • Patent number: 10100806
    Abstract: A bulkhead assembly for a wind turbine blade is described, wherein a pressure relief conduit is provided at the bulkhead to allow for pressure to equalise across the bulkhead. This helps to prevent faults or cracks in the bulkhead assembly due to differences in pressure on either side of the bulkhead. Furthermore, liquid traps and/or filter media can be accommodated in the conduit to prevent the passage of liquids or other matter across the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: LM WP PATENT HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Aanchal Saini, Utsa Majumder, Christian Munk Christensen, Christian Roed Lysemose, Peter Hansen, Finn Kjaer Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9903150
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower wall having an orifice for accessing the interior of the tower, and an outer surface defined by generatrices; and a reinforcement frame joined to the tower in the orifice zone, and comprising least two parts joined one to each other. Each part has a mid-plane that is parallel to at least one generatrix, the mid-planes of at least one pair of adjacent parts forming an angle other than 180° therebetween. It enables the obtention of a frame more conformed to the curvature of the tower, combining savings in the material of said frame, greater optimization of the resistance of the tower and reduced stress concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Gonzalo De los Rios Leiva, Jose Luis Aristegui Lantero, Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Patent number: 9725921
    Abstract: A kit for mounting one or more appliances on a pole, the kit comprising a central ring for being mounted around a pole and having a through-hole, a fitting surface and a support surface, and a carrier having a base part and at least one support arm extending from said base part for supporting one or more appliances, wherein said base part is adapted to be fitted on said support surface and has a through-hole adapted for being fitted around said fitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ACRONIMUS TECHNOLOGY SL
    Inventors: Jose Tresserras Picas, Javier Viñas Garcia De Falces, Antonio Fargas Angrill
  • Patent number: 9718494
    Abstract: A hollow structure for installation as cross member or longitudinal member in a motor vehicle includes a hollow member which is made of light metal and has at least one hollow chamber. The hollow member has a wall which is formed with a slot. A flange sized to extend through the slot has a leg configured to rest by a formfit against a side of an inner surface area of the hollow member and at least one area which is coupled to an outer surface area of the hollow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Edwin List Clausen, Kathy Hansen
  • Patent number: 9698585
    Abstract: A composite power transmission tower, and a composite cross arm structure of a composite tower for power grid transmission line is provided, including two sets of cross arm insulators arranged into a V-shaped arrangement horizontally, wherein a first end of each of the two sets of cross arm insulators is connected to the tower body of the composite tower at an opening of the V-shaped arrangement; and a set of oblique-pulling insulators, corresponding to each of the sets of cross arm insulators respectively, has one end connected to a second end of each of the two sets of cross arm insulators at an apex of the V-shaped arrangement, and the other end connected to the tower body over the two sets of cross arm insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Jiangsu Shenma Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Ma, Yong Zhu, Jie Yu, Weidi Cao, Xizhong Liu
  • Patent number: 9694971
    Abstract: An offset laminate seam system for storage bins for increasing the capacity of bolts in a seam of a storage bin. The offset laminate seam system for storage bins generally includes three or more panels connected together with two or more vertical rows of end fasteners to form a vertical seam. The interconnection of three or more panels continues to form a ring structure. A plurality of the ring structures are stacked upon one another and attached together with fasteners to form the wall of the storage bin and a roof is attached to the uppermost ring structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Claire M. Rauser
  • Patent number: 9693643
    Abstract: A product display assembly includes a post extending substantially vertically from a top surface of a display table, an elongated rod and a security bar. The elongated rod has first and second free ends and is mounted to a top of the post so that a length of the elongated rod is oriented substantially perpendicular to the post. The elongated rod has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the post. The security bar has a first end, a second end, an inner side and an outer side. The inner side of the security bar is mounted flush to a back of the elongated rod to secure product being displayed on the elongated rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam M. Laskowitz, Faith J. Hutchinson, Patricia S. Adler, Brett S. Bowman
  • Patent number: 9624640
    Abstract: A precast pole foundation having an elongated concrete body having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least two parallel concrete bolts extend from the upper surface of the concrete body. At least one cavity is disposed along the body of the concrete body for receiving a conduit. The pole foundation is preferably cylindrical and can be used to support a light pole, a utility pole, a sign pole of any such structure. At least a portion of the concrete body is reinforced with at least one reinforcing bar embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventor: Jay Abbey
  • Patent number: 9617068
    Abstract: An offset laminate seam system for storage bins for increasing the capacity of bolts in a seam of a storage bin. The offset laminate seam system for storage bins generally includes three or more panels connected together with two or more vertical rows of end fasteners to form a vertical seam. The interconnection of three or more panels continues to form a ring structure. A plurality of the ring structures are stacked upon one another and attached together with fasteners to form the wall of the storage bin and a roof is attached to the uppermost ring structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Claire M. Rauser
  • Patent number: 9279266
    Abstract: Reinforced hollow for a wind turbine tower comprising a lower ring (2) that determines an opening (3) for the installation of an access door (not represented) inside the tower (1). The hollow incorporates at least one structural element (4) that is fastened on both sides of the opening (3) of the tower's lower ring (2), providing the rigidness necessary to attach a door and permit the reduction of the thickness of the ring by 10-20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S. L.
    Inventor: Pablo Unanua Hermoso De Mendoza
  • Patent number: 9273466
    Abstract: A skeleton triangular tower frame structure comprising a series of vertical, horizontal and diagonal tubular members with flattened ends, joined together by means of threaded rods or studs, washers and nuts. Every three (3) vertical tubular members joined to three (3) horizontals and to three (3) diagonals, make a section which is connected to a similar section placed on a top level. There are as many sections as the tower require as per specific design. The length, diameter and thickness of the tubular members are determined by structural calculations for a given tower design loads and height. The three (3) horizontal tubular members conform an equilateral triangle of bigger section at the bottom portion of the tower and is reduced as the tower gets higher in a tapered manner. The first section of the tower is supported by a wider base formed by a tetrahedral frame for additional stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Anglade
  • Patent number: 9238923
    Abstract: The wind turbine assembly system of the present invention comprises a lifting structure comprising at least first structural support elements configured to transmit stresses to the wind turbine tower during the hoisting of a wind turbine component and a crane configured to displace the wind turbine component towards the tower axis, the system further comprising a displaceable climbing element with respect to the lifting structure by means of guiding mechanisms, the displaceable climbing element incorporating second structural support elements dimensioned to at least partly support the weight of the lifting structure, where the first structural support elements are displaceable so that their relative position can vary with respect to the lifting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa Arlaban Gabeiras, Jose Miguel Garcia Sayes, Ivan Garcia Maestre, Alfonso Ruiz Aldama, Asier Gomez Andueza, Jose Luis Aristegui Lantero, Ander Gaston Lujambio, Miguel Nunez Polo
  • Patent number: 9216798
    Abstract: A covering system for removably covering a vehicle, such as a boat, that includes a plurality of rotatively anchored swing arms rotatable between a covered position and an uncovered position. Each swing arm includes a mount and a pretensioner formed of one or more stays adjustably attached to part of a shaft of the arm to adjust an applied preload and transfer forces encountered during operation to part of the shaft rotatively anchored by the mount to a grounded structure such as a piling or post of a dock. The swing arms are pivotally connected to an elongate transversely extending carriage from which a cover is suspended with a boom of each arm connected to the carriage by a pivot assembly that also facilitates carriage and cover position adjustment. A pivot limiter can be included that limits or even stops pivoting of the carriage relative to the swing arm boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Marine Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Randy Kent
  • Patent number: 9015999
    Abstract: A tower with exterior cable support preferably includes a tower structure, a base plate, a middle support structure, a top plate and at least three cables. The tower structure may be a tapered monopole tower, a step mono tower or a lattice tower. The base plate is attached to a base of the tower. The middle support structure is attached to substantially a midway height of the tower. The top plate is secured to substantially a top of the tower. One end of the at least three cables are secured to the base plate, a perimeter of the at least three cables are supported by the middle support structure and the other end of the at least three cables are secured to the top plate. The modular base preferably includes at least four foundation base members, a tower base member, a perimeter wall base and at least four wall members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventors: Abel Echemendia, Abel J. Echemendia, Jr., Daniel S. Echemendia
  • Publication number: 20150096240
    Abstract: It allows simplificating the assembling of a wind turbine (1). The dowels (4) comprise: a) an upper surface (5); b) a lower surface (6); c) an inner side surface (7); d) an outer side surface (8); e) at least an intermediate fixing surface (12), located in one of the outer (8) or inner (7) side surfaces, between the upper (5) and lower (6) surfaces; and f) at least a first grooved housing (13) made in that of the side surfaces (7, 8) comprising the intermediate fixing surface (12), where the first grooved housing (13) communicates the intermediate fixing surface (12) with one of the upper (5) and lower (6) surfaces and is configured to accommodate joining cables (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa ARLABÁN GABEIRAS, José Miguel GARCÍA SAYÉS, Miguel NUÑEZ POLO, Alfonso Ruiz Aldama, Francisco Javier Sanz Corretge
  • Patent number: 8978315
    Abstract: The invention describes a flange assistant for connecting adjacent tower sections, whereby each tower section comprises a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition between the tower section shell and the tower section flange; wherein the flange assistant comprises an extension formed to complement the radius transition such that the flange assistant extends into a transition zone of a tower section. A tower section is disclosed for connecting adjacent tower sections, each comprising a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition over a transition zone between the shell and flange, wherein the tower section connecting arrangement comprises at least one flange assistant and a number of fasteners to connect together the flanges and the flange assistants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johnny Steven Lam
  • Patent number: 8973309
    Abstract: A tower structure including a central, vertical mast and a plurality of tensioned elongate elements arranged to support the mast against buckling, the plurality of tensioned elements together defining a generally hyperboloid structure and including a first plurality of elongate elements which define a multiplicity of junctions therebetween, a second plurality of junction-to-mast joining elongate elements which join at least some of the multiplicity of junctions to the central, vertical mast; and a third plurality of junction-to-junction joining elongate elements which are connected at a plurality of mutually spaced fixed locations therealong to the at least some of the multiplicity of junctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: S. Cohen & Co.-Trust Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Yossi Amir
  • Patent number: 8959870
    Abstract: A fluid-actuated telescoping tower supporting an associated load at a height above an associated foundation includes a fluid barrier, first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, a fluid port configured to receive compressed fluid from an associated source into an interior space of the tower defined by the first and second tubular sections, and a fastening system for holding the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid received in the interior space of the tower and for mechanically connecting the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid exhausted from the interior space of the tower by the fluid port. A method of erecting a tower includes inflating nested first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, fastening the sections in an extended position, and depressurizing the tower. A method of collapsing uses a reversal of the erecting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Phillip M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8935889
    Abstract: A wind power plant tower having a multiplicity of tower segments which are arranged one on top of the other and enclose an interior tower space, and at least two system components from the group of a conductor, a lighting and a climbing device for operating personnel arranged in the tower inner space. Segments for the system components are structurally combined with a beam to form a separate supply module spanning a number of tower segments. The laborious assembly of the system components can thus be carried out at ground level, and only the supply module thus completed, which spans a number of segments, is then mounted in the tower. This obviates the need for a considerable amount of work in the form of hazardous working in the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Senvion SE
    Inventor: Olaf Samuelsen
  • Patent number: 8915043
    Abstract: A bolt connection assembly is provided that is particularly suited for connecting components of a lattice structure wind tower. The assembly includes a pin component having a head and a shaft, with the shaft having a textured friction-fit outer circumferential surface. The shaft further includes a threaded internal bore. A bolt component having a threaded shaft engages within the threaded internal bore. In an assembled state of the pin component and bolt component, the threaded shaft has a free length section that extends into the threaded internal bore for increased distribution of a specified pretension of the bolt component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Danian Zheng, William Francis Gevers
  • Patent number: 8910446
    Abstract: One of the major structural components in a space frame tower is the tower leg. A novel and nonobvious tower leg structure is provided which provides significant advantages and benefits over previously available structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GE Wind Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Oliphant, Todd Andersen
  • Publication number: 20140361548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind power plant having a tower that has at least one bottom tower segment and a pre-manufactured fire protection module for fireproof receiving of a transformer. The fire protection module is placed within the bottom tower segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Holscher, Mischa Braske
  • Publication number: 20140331568
    Abstract: A bolt connection assembly is provided that is particularly well-suited for connecting structural members of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine. The bolt connection assembly includes a bolt component having a head and a shaft and a structural bore component having a bore defined therethrough for receipt of the bolt component. The shaft includes a knurled surface such that the knurled surface defines an outermost shaft diameter. Moreover, the knurled surface includes a plurality of knurls, each defining a non-arcuate edge. The bore defines a bore diameter, wherein the outermost shaft diameter is greater than the bore diameter. In an assembled state of the bolt component and the structural bore component, the bolt component may be inserted within the bore such that the knurled surface may be deformed to friction fit within the bore diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 8875451
    Abstract: A screw-in foundation anchor for traffic, lighting and utility poles and the like. The anchor comprises a shaft with an upper end fixed to a base plate on which the pole base is attachable. A helical blade on the shaft allows the anchor to be driven into the earth by rotation. At least two notches are provided on the edges of the base plate, each notch sized to engage the shaft of an adjacent anchor. Multiple anchors can be strapped together in groups or bundles for storage and shipment, with the notches engaging adjacent anchor. Such an arrangement prevents dislodgement or shifting of the anchors in transit. This reduces the cost of shipping the anchors, decreases the likelihood of damage to the anchors during shipment, and improves the safety of handling the bundles and unloading the individual anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pelco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Philip Parduhn, Kevin S. Shook
  • Publication number: 20140318033
    Abstract: The invention concerns a pylon base section for arrangement and fixing on a foundation and for the erection of a pylon of a wind power installation thereon including an outer lower annular flange for placement on the foundation and for fixing to the foundation, an inner upper annular flange for placement and fixing of a pylon segment with a corresponding lower pylon flange thereon, an inner lower support flange for placement on the foundation, and inner support elements, in particular support struts, for supporting the upper annular flange relative to the lower support flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Coordes
  • Patent number: 8845151
    Abstract: A basketball system having a basketball goal and a lighting system such that light is provided for the playing of basketball or other activities at night. The lighting system has a lighting apparatus and a pole with a vertical shaft and an arm. The lighting system is configured to couple to an existing basketball goal or be installed remote to the basketball goal. The lighting apparatus is configured to be lowered near to the ground by rotating the lighting system such that servicing may be done to the lighting apparatus without the use of a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Roger Hale
  • Patent number: 8841791
    Abstract: An access means for providing access to components within a stationary housing arrangement of an electrical machine with a stationary part and a rotatable part includes an arrangement of permanent fixtures arranged on the stationary housing arrangement of the electrical machine. Further, an electrical machine with a stationary part and a rotatable part is provided, which electrical machine includes such an access means arranged in a stationary housing arrangement of the electrical machine. Also, a wind turbine with such an electrical machine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: James Kenneth Booth
  • Patent number: 8839515
    Abstract: A contribution is made to the assembly of a wind turbine intended to comprise, in a final assembly condition, a tower (2) surmounted by a nacelle (4) cooperating with a rotor (5) receiving a plurality of blades (3a-3c). To this end, a temporary association is made between at least some blades from said plurality of blades and the tower, so that said blades extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Soletanche Freyssinet
    Inventors: Jean-Daniel Lebon, Charles-Emmanuel Ferrand De La Conte, Erik Mellier
  • Patent number: 8826614
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for joining a gondola to the concrete tower of an aerogenerator, wherein the concrete tower is formed by a lower annular section, one or several intermediate annular sections and an upper annular section, including a flat annular support which is inserted between an upper surface of the upper annular section of the tower and the lower surface of a yaw bearing that supports the gondola, the flat annular support comprising orifices wherethrough a plurality of joining means pass, each of which is fixed to the bottom of the upper annular section of the tower and to the bottom of the yaw bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Acciona Windpower, S.A.
    Inventors: Iván García Maestre, Eduardo Azanza Ladrón, José Miguel García Sayés, Miguel Nuñez Polo
  • Publication number: 20140237909
    Abstract: An antenna mast (2) for supporting at least one antenna of a wireless communication system is provided. The antenna mast (2) comprises a base section (4) with a bottom end (10) and a upper end (12), and a first elongated section (6). The base section (4) has a wider first cross section at the bottom end (10) than a second cross section at the upper end (12). The base section (4) comprises a substantially horizontal top end (14). The base section (4) comprises an outer shell assembled from sheet metal steel plates. The first elongated section (6) comprises an outer shell assembled from sheet metal steel plates. The first elongated section (6) is attached to the top end (14) of the base section (4) with an open inner connection between the base section (4) and the first elongated section (6). There is further provided a method of producing an antenna mast (2) for a wireless communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Arvind Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140237908
    Abstract: A method of building a foundation, a foundation element (2), and a foundation for an antenna mast of a wireless communication system are provided. The foundation comprises at least three foundation elements (2). Each foundation element (2) comprises an elongated body (4). The elongated body (4) comprising a first end (6). At least one bar (16) extends from the elongated body (4) at the first end (6). An attachment arrangement (18) for the antenna mast is provided on the foundation element (2). The at least three foundation elements (2) are arranged to extend substantially symmetrically from a central portion (24) of the foundation (30). A central concrete portion is cast in the central portion (24) of the foundation (30) to join the at least one bar (16) of each of the three foundation elements (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Arvind Kumar Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140230343
    Abstract: The invention describes a flange assistant for connecting adjacent tower sections, whereby each tower section comprises a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition between the tower section shell and the tower section flange; wherein the flange assistant comprises an extension formed to complement the radius transition such that the flange assistant extends into a transition zone of a tower section. A tower section is disclosed for connecting adjacent tower sections, each comprising a tower section shell, a tower section flange, and a radius transition over a transition zone between the shell and flange, wherein the tower section connecting arrangement comprises at least one flange assistant and a number of fasteners to connect together the flanges and the flange assistants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: JOHNNY STEVEN LAM
  • Publication number: 20140215930
    Abstract: A structure including at least two structural components arranged to form a channel therebetween, a post tensioning element configured to compress the at least two elements with respect to each other, and a thixotropic filler material located within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant A. ZAVITZ, Roger C. Knox
  • Patent number: 8763313
    Abstract: A method for assembling a tower is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of tower segments, wherein at least one tower segment includes an inner surface that defines a first cross-sectional area of the tower segment and a second cross-sectional area of the tower segment that is different from the first cross-sectional area. The method also comprises providing a platform including a plurality of mounting assemblies configured to mount the platform within the at least one tower segment at one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area, coupling the platform to the inner surface of the tower segment at one of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area, and coupling the plurality of tower segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Lyness, Senthil Kumar
  • Patent number: 8752337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower part for a wind turbine including at least one wall segment and at least one aperture segment including at least one aperture. The wall segment and the aperture segment are connected and the aperture segment is of a substantially uniform thickness and is thicker than the thickness of the wall segment. The invention further related to an aperture cover system for covering at least one aperture in a tower part for a wind turbine including cover plates and attachments for attaching the system to the tower part, wherein the attachments do not affect the fatigue limit of the tower part. Finally, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a wind turbine tower part and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Publication number: 20140151485
    Abstract: A device is provided for unfurling and refurling comprising at least one tape spring having an axis of unfurling and of refurling parallel to an axis X and a rotor capable of rotating about an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X, the tape spring being able, autonomously, to pass from a state in which it is wound around the rotor to an unwound state. The tape spring is mounted bent in two in the shape of a U and comprises a first end fixed rigidly to a first anchor point that may be secured to a stator or to the rotor and a second end wound around the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Yannick BAUDASSE, Stephane VEZAIN, Bernard BOULANGER, Francois GUINOT