On Shaft Or Tower Patents (Class 52/40)
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Patent number: 8720153Abstract: A method for creating a tapered spiral welded conical structure where the overall shape of the cone is first graphically slit axially and unwrapped, and then a series of construction arcs and lines are created to form the edge lines of a strip that can then be wrapped (rolled) to form a tapered conical structure. The edges of the spirally wound strip can be welded together, and a very large conical structure can thus be achieved. Various construction options are presented from a constant width strip to strip made from straight segments. Equations are given for the formation of the strips to enable those skilled in the art of spiral welded tubing to practice the invention.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric Smith, Alexander Slocum
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Patent number: 8701369Abstract: This invention relates to a tower for a wind turbine, comprising one or more tubular tower sections, having an outer jacket wall and an inward directed flange in its lower and upper ends, and at least one platform arranged inside the tower for facilitating access for maintenance and repairs to the inner of the tower and to the nacelle. The tower also comprises a support structure including at least three elongated tensile load carrying members, which each is attached in its upper end to the upper flange of the tower section and in its lower end to the lower flange of the tower section and which supports one or more platforms that are suspended by the tensile load carrying members while at least one ladder is attached to the platforms. The at least one ladder is stabilized in the horizontal direction by transversal tensile load carrying members extending from the ladder to the tensile load carrying members that are vertically arranged between the upper and lower flanges.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Jonas Kristensen
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Publication number: 20140083022Abstract: A hybrid tower structure (1), and a method for building the same, which tower structure includes a lower portion (3) in form of a lattice structure (8, 9), an upper portion (5) with continuous outer surface, and an adapter construction (4) between the lower and upper portions, wherein the tower structure (1) further includes plurality of stay cables (6) connected to the tower structure, and that the lower portion (3) of the tower structure has a hollow cross-section through its length where the load bearing lattice structure (8, 9) extends only on the circumference of the cross section, and the lattice structure is formed from hollow steel profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: EUROSTAL OYInventors: Jukka NUMMI, Tuomo KUUSI
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Patent number: 8646219Abstract: A fixture is provided for locating wind turbine equipment on a foundation within an inner envelope for a wind turbine tower, prior to erecting the wind turbine tower. The fixture includes a mounting section, adapted to mate with guidepoints at predesignated locations on the wind turbine foundation; and a locating section, extending inward from the mounting section, adapted to locate the position for wind turbine equipment on the foundation for the wind turbine tower and within the inner envelope of the wind turbine tower.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas E. Lyness
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Patent number: 8641002Abstract: A tower mounting apparatus consists of tower mounting brackets, track members, a roller assembly, platform mounting brackets, and platform members. The tower mounting brackets are attached to a tower at a first interface, and are attached to the track members at a second interface. The roller assemblies are attached to the platform mounting brackets at a first interface, while the platform members are attached to the platform mounting brackets at a second interface. The roller assemblies are designed to rotate freely over the track members. One or more devices—such as a wind turbine, a cellular communication system, a transmitter/receiver for radio or television signals, or solar arrays—may be mounted onto the platform. The apparatus may further comprise a slip-ring assembly that provides a continuous electrical connection to such devices. The platform mounting apparatus may be installed on a variety of different towers.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventor: Art Hand
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Publication number: 20140000180Abstract: Street lighting is positioned with lamp posts of sheet metal that have a round or polygonal cross-section and one or more longitudinal welded joints (17-20; 24). Posts are used that have one longitudinal welded butt joint with a weld that covers only a part of the sheet metal thickness and the posts are positioned so that this joint is directed towards the traffic.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Northcone ABInventor: Fredrik Moberg
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Patent number: 8607508Abstract: A stayed connection for a wind turbine (1) is provided with a tower (4) having an upper pipe-shaped tower portion (12) and a lower tower portion (14) and where the upper pipe-shaped tower portion (12) is connected to the lower tower portion (14) by means of a stayed connection (16), and wherein the stayed connection (16) comprises pipe-shaped diagonal stays (18) extending from the lower tower portion (14) and in toward the outside of the upper pipe-shaped tower portion (12), as the diagonal stays (18) at their toward the upper pipe-shaped tower portion (12) facing end portion (28) are compressed and connected directly or via a plate portion (30) to the upper pipe-shaped tower portion (12) by means of a welded connection.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Owec Tower ASInventor: Gunnar Foss
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Patent number: 8601748Abstract: A wind turbine system erection apparatus may include a body portion having a window, a section handler secured to the body portion and extending through the window, the section handler adapted to pick, lift, axis-align, and set a mast section, and a movement mechanism secured to the body portion, the movement mechanism adapted to moveably reposition the body portion along the length of the mast of the wind turbine system. A method is also disclosed and may include positioning an erection apparatus near a base of a mast of the wind turbine system, the positioning including locating the erection apparatus substantially concentrically with the mast. The method may also include picking a mast section from near the base of the system with the erection apparatus, lifting the mast section along the length of the mast, and translating the mast section into the erection apparatus and into alignment with the mast.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Pierre Cornelius Delago, Wayne Robert Long
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Patent number: 8590276Abstract: The invention concerns a tower element for a tower, preferably for a wind power plant, where several tower elements with an outer surface and an inner surface are mounted on top of each other, where the periphery of the tower element is made up of a number of segments provided with inwardly facing flanges at the longitudinal sides, the flanges being connected to corresponding flanges on laterally arranged segments. The individual segments are made with an overlap on the outer surface in the transverse joints and with a butt joint at the inwardly facing flanges. By the invention there is achieved flexibility in production and during transport and mounting. With an overlap on the outer surface between two segments, mechanical joining can be performed between two segments in transverse direction. This mechanical joint between two segments results in a more stable construction and a rigidity substantially corresponding to the rigidity that may be achieved in segments joined by welding.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Andresen Towers A/SInventors: Arne Kryger, Lars Ryholl
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Patent number: 8572926Abstract: A method of erecting a wind turbine comprising the following steps: Providing the hub (9), the blades (11), the nacelle (13) and a lattice tower (15) comprising first and second sections (21, 27) pivotally connected along an axis (17) at a height H, in which the tower lower part, below height H, is composed by the second section (27), including the tower lower and upper legs (31, 33) and a first part (23) of the first section (21) and in which the tower upper part, above height H, is composed by a second part (25) of the first section (21). Assembling on ground the wind turbine, with the nacelle (13) resting on a carrier (19). Raising the second section (27) and fixing the upper legs (33) to second foundation corners (43). Raising the first section (21) and fixing its first part (23) to the second section (27).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventors: Bent Vangsy, Mogens Christensen
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Patent number: 8573950Abstract: A tower-internal-equipment bracket structure with a welded structure that can ensure a fatigue strength classification equal to or greater than that of butt welding (BW) or that requires no welding and a wind turbine generator provided with this tower-internal-equipment bracket structure are provided. In a tower-internal-equipment bracket structure provided inside a pole-type steel tower, employing a cylindrical shell (11), to support tower internal equipment, a ring-shaped member (20) having a protruding portion (21) toward the tower interior is interposed, by means of butt welding (BW), between divided portions formed by dividing the cylindrical shell (11) at a desired position in an axial direction, and the protruding portion (21) serves as a bracket-member support portion for the tower internal equipment.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Yokoyama, Yoshisuke Itoh, Minoru Kawabata, Tsuyoshi Haraguchi
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Patent number: 8567131Abstract: A method of mounting elements in a wind turbine tower, whereby the elements are partly or completely attached to the wind turbine tower by means of magnetic attraction forces. Wind turbine suspension units may be attached to the wind turbine tower, preferably completely or partly to the inner wall by means of magnetic attraction forces, which present structure-weakening attachments to the tower or part of the tower.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Borge Ollgaard
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Patent number: 8544214Abstract: A wind turbine tower assembly includes a tubular section having a first longitudinal axis and a base section assembly including a plurality of legs. The base section assembly is configured to be assembled into a base section having the legs coupled together at an interface such that the base section has a second longitudinal axis and such that the legs are obliquely oriented relative to the second longitudinal axis at the interface, wherein the base section is configured to support the tubular section on the legs and in substantially coaxial alignment with the base section.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli, Roman Kolar
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Publication number: 20130219805Abstract: An advanced system for the installation of wire-climbing lifting devices on hollow towers is presented. This system allows two positions easily alternated by the operator of the installation: a resting position, in which the wires (5) are hidden inside the tower (1) and a maintaining position in which wires (5) are safely set up outside the tower (1) to allow a lifting device climbing on them. At the resting position the wire terminals are at ground level so the operators are able to inspect the conditions of them before their use and the safety of the system is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Norvento Energia Distribuida, S.L.Inventor: Norvento Energia Distribuida, S.L.
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Patent number: 8511044Abstract: A tower section for a wind turbine tower structure comprises at least two shell segments defining, in an assembled condition, a substantially hollow structure, and including first connecting means for mutually joining two adjacent shell segments along a joint, which comprise a column of concrete arranged overlapping at least part of the joint between adjacent shell segments. A method for building a tower section for a wind turbine tower structure and a wind turbine comprising a nacelle having rotatable blades and a vertical tower made of at least one of such tower sections are further provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Alstom Wind, S.L.U.Inventors: Jordi Puigcorbé Punzano, Albert Fisas Camañes, Alberto González Del Egido, Núria García Gómez
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Patent number: 8505244Abstract: A tower structure for a wind energy turbine, wind power, renewable energy, and other uses made of concrete, steel-reinforced concrete or other materials, and a method of manufacture thereof are described. The structure includes several pre-fabricated tower lengths, each tower length having at least three pre-fabricated wedges, such that a central protruding edge of each wedge approaches or lies at a center line of the tower structure when assembled. Tower lengths higher in the tower may be narrower and may be made up of fewer wedges than lower tower lengths. Each tower length may also include several apertures or channels adapted to accommodate a cable joining all the tower lengths of the tower. Also, tower lengths may have a circular or polygonal outer ring made up of bracing elements, each bracing element arranged when assembled to brace one or more wedges.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Inne021 S.L.Inventors: Miguel Angel Fernandez Gomez, Jose Emilio Jimeno Chueca
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Patent number: 8490337Abstract: A structural flange connection system and method that utilizes structural flanges having a standard bolted connection and a mechanical bond to effectively manage and assist the retention of bolt preloads and substantially eliminate movement between the flange faces due to a reduction in the need for friction load being generated by the bolt clamping force in the flange connection. The structural flanges of the structural flange connection system and method each include an outer rim and a flange lip having a face and a shoulder. The structural flange connection system and method may be utilized in the manufacture and installation of a wind turbine tower, which may be made up of one or more tower sections, and each tower section may terminate in structural flanges of the structural flange connection system and method. When properly aligned, the structural flanges may be bolted together. When each tower section is properly aligned and bolted, the mechanical bond of the structural flanges is also joined together.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventors: Thomas Nott Word, III, Cecil Leon Hartman, Jr.
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Patent number: 8484905Abstract: A number of pre-casted elements are stacked vertically to build the tower, while parts of the elements are forming the tower wall. Each element of the tower is fixed on its position and is connected with a tower foundation by a number of assigned post-tensioned cables. These cables are running inside the tower and they are pulled through the tower without embedding in dedicated channels. The post-tensioned-cables are fixed at certain points with the tower wall via damper-means to prevent their oscillation.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Poul Skjaerbaek, Henrik Stiesdal
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Patent number: 8458963Abstract: A device for a diagonal strut connection between a pipe (12) and an adjacent structure (14) including at least two diagonal struts (16), in which horizontal and vertical forces in the pipe are transmitted to the diagonal strut by means of a first set of shear forces along the attachment of the diagonal strut (16) to the pipe (12) and via a second set of shear forces along the attachment of the diagonal strut to an annular plate (18) surrounding and projecting radially from the pipe (12), the central axis of the diagonal strut (16) extending through or close to the intersection of the resultants of the first and the second sets of shear forces.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Owec Tower ASInventors: Gunnar Foss, Per Bull Haugsøen
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Patent number: 8418413Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower (12) configured to support a wind turbine (18, 20). The tower (12) comprises a mass assembly (22) suspended by suspension apparatus (24) from the tower (12) such that the mass assembly (22) is movable to and fro in relation to the tower. The tower (12) also comprises at least one coupling apparatus mechanically coupled to the mass assembly (22) and to the tower (12), the coupling apparatus being operable to couple energy between the mass assembly and the tower as the mass assembly (22) moves to and fro.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: XI Engineering Consultants LimitedInventors: Brett Marmo, Mark-Paul Buckingham, Charles Keepax, John Paul McKeown, Barry Carruthers, Donald Black
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Patent number: 8387331Abstract: A wind turbine tower which includes a number of sections, connected by bolted joints is disclosed. A bolted joint includes at least one connection of the bearing type and at least one connection of the slip resistant at serviceability type. In one aspect, the bearing type connection includes at least one non prestressed bolt and/or the connection of the slip resistant at serviceability type includes at least one prestressed bolt.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Christian Laursen
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Patent number: 8353488Abstract: A bicycle parking structure that is adapted to be mounted on and affixed to a vertical post wherein the mechanism for affixing the parking structure to the post includes a security rod that is hidden and inaccessible.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Palmer Group LLCInventor: Geoff Palmer
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Publication number: 20130008094Abstract: A mounting arrangement 10 for mounting a utility 26 to an end 16 of a post 17. The mounting arrangement 10 includes an attachment member 11 for attachment to the post 17 fixed against rotation when attached to the post 17. A rotatable member 12 is connected to the attachment member 11 and is rotatable relative to the attachment member 11 about the axis of the post 17. The rotatable member 12 includes a connection arrangement 13 for connecting a utility 26 to the rotatable member 12, so that the utility 26 can rotate with the rotatable member 12. The rotatable member 12 is rotatable between first and second positions. A cooperating arrangement comprising at least one abutment 35, 37, 38, 42 is provided for cooperation with the rotatable member 12 to facilitate accurate return of the rotatable member 12 from the second position to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: Invensys Rail Pty LimitedInventors: Daniel Wood, Dion Marriott
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Patent number: 8334612Abstract: A wind-power unit with a wind turbine, a generator with vertical axis a supporting pillar which supports the wind turbine, and a foundation for the supporting pillar (2). The generator includes a stator which is integrated with the foundation.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Vertical Wind ABInventor: Hans Bernhoff
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Patent number: 8316614Abstract: Method for establishing a wind turbine (1) on a foundation (7) where at least a part of the wind turbine rotor (4) is attached to a wind turbine tower (2). Further, the method comprises the steps of positioning the wind turbine tower including the attached wind turbine rotor on the foundation, elevating a wind turbine nacelle (3) to a use position on the tower, and directly or indirectly connecting the nacelle to the attached wind turbine rotor. The invention also relates to transport of a wind turbine tower, and a vessel (10) suitable for transporting a wind turbine tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Anders Soe-Jensen
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Patent number: 8307593Abstract: A tower is provided having a foundation, at least one concrete tower section located above the foundation and one or more upper tower sections. An adapter section is located between the concrete tower section and one of the upper tower sections. The adapter section is connected to one of the upper tower sections by a fastening system and to the foundation by a plurality of tensioning cables, which are configured to induce a compressive force on the concrete tower section. The fastening system and the plurality of tensioning cables are substantially vertically aligned so that tower loads are transmitted from the upper tower sections to the plurality of tensioning cables.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bharat Sampathkumaran Bagepalli
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Patent number: 8297025Abstract: In the method of building a hybrid tower, a metal mast is erected and connected to a foundation and a concrete structure having a plurality of superimposed concrete segments is built around the metal mast by using the metal mast as a support. Afterwards, the metal mast is disconnected from the foundation and lifted by telescoping and guiding the metal mast along concrete structure. Finally, the lifted metal mast is connected to the concrete structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Soletanche FreyssinetInventors: Alain Huynh Tuong, Benoit Melen
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Patent number: 8291646Abstract: A wind power installation comprising a pylon comprising a pylon, a generator supported by the pylon and rotor blades coupled to the generator. The wind power installation further includes a first door to allow entrance into and exit from the interior of the pylon, a first level disposed in the interior of the pylon and directly accessible via the first door, the first level having a lock space including living quarters or sanitary equipment disposed therein. In addition, the wind power installation includes a second door disposed between the lock space and other portions of the interior of the pylon, wherein the second door is moisture-tight, a second level, disposed in the interior of the pylon and accessible via the second door, and a power module including a transformer housed in a moisture-tight container and electrically coupled to the generator, wherein the power module is disposed in the other portions of the interior of the pylon.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventor: Aloys Wobben
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Patent number: 8276322Abstract: An integrated mounting pole system for communication and surveillance infrastructures includes a plurality of stackable sections, which are rotationally attached to a system cabinet of the system and one another. The sections include arms supporting antennas, video cameras, and other functional devices. A conduit and/or wiring raceway thereof coupling electronic equipment disposed in the system cabinet and the functional devices propagates through interior of the sections and the arms. The system may be disposed on a trailer and may include an autonomous source of electric power.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Landon Miller
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Patent number: 8272173Abstract: An anchoring assembly part for a wind turbine tower, which part is in a ring- or ring segment shape and prefabricated from a concrete material, and which has at least one projecting reinforcement element for the connection with a lower tower portion made of a concrete material, and at least one bore for receiving an anchor bolt for the detachable connection with an upper tower portion made of steel, an anchor sleeve with an internal thread for screwing in the anchor bolt being arranged in said bore.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbHInventor: Alexander Jakubowski
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Patent number: 8230660Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting at least one line in a tower of a wind power plant, the line is provided in the tower before its erection in shortened, preferably folded or wound-up form. The tower also includes a means for extending the line, after erection of the tower so that the lower end of the line is lowered in a controlled manner to the bottom of the tower and can be attached there to a connector and the upper end is extended to a connector at the top of the tower if not already connected to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co, KGInventor: Markus Mühlhäuser
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Patent number: 8228259Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an antenna tower structure comprising an essentially vertical elongated tower body with an internal installation shaft provided therein. One or more radio base stations are arranged in the installation shaft in the vicinity of one or more associated antennas at the top of the tower body. The installation shaft is formed to allow personnel access to the radio base station. The tower body is comprised of a metal-reinforced concrete material, and the mass ratio between the tower body and the radio base station equipment together with the antenna arrangement exceeds 15:1. The tower body is formed so that the mass center of the tower body and radio base station equipment is lower than ½ of the tower body height.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)Inventor: Peter Häger
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Patent number: 8225576Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine tower comprising a tower foundation, and at least two tower sections connected by numerous sets of connecting means positioned in close proximity of each other. The connecting means comprising at least one nut with at least one assembly opening for interacting with an assembly tool. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a wind turbine tower and a method for manufacturing a nut of connection means for fixating a wind turbine tower including at least two tower sections.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Jonas Kristensen
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Patent number: 8215084Abstract: An embeddable breakaway utility pole comprises separate upper and lower aluminum pole pieces, wherein the lower pole piece is to be embedded below ground surface. The upper and lower pole pieces are interconnected by a weld which defines a breakaway zone enabling the upper pole piece to break off the lower pole piece in response to vehicular impact. The weld can be connected to a backer ring which provides a guide surface that axially aligns the pole pieces. Alternatively, the pole can be formed of a single pole piece which is welded between its ends to form a weakened region that defines the breakaway zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Kearney-National, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Bowman, Greg D. Mercier
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Patent number: 8209913Abstract: An object of the invention is to propose a tubular structure and a wind turbine generator in which work on an outer surface of the tower structure can be performed easily. A tubular structure comprises: a plurality of tubular sections 21 that are stacked one on top of another in a vertical direction, the adjacent tubular sections 21 being joined together with use of a splice plate 22 arranged on at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of abutting ends of the adjacent tubular sections 21 and a fastening member 25 fastening the splice plate 22 and the adjacent tubular sections 21; an opening for operation 26 which is arranged in a vicinity of the splice plate 22 on a circumferential surface of the tubular sections 21; and a reinforcing rib 28 arranged in the vertical direction on the circumferential surface of the tubular sections 21, wherein a vertical position of the reinforcing rib 28 includes at least a vertical range where the opening for operation 26 is arranged.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Hajime Murata
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Patent number: 8196358Abstract: A wind turbine generator tower is configured by arranging and connecting a plurality of approximately cylindrical tower sections in their axial direction. Each of the tower sections includes an approximately cylindrical tower section main body, and a plurality of approximately flat-plate protruding parts that are formed so as to protrude along the axial direction at at least an axis-wise end portion of the tower section main body on an outer circumferential surface and/or an inner circumferential surface of the tower section main body. The plurality of tower sections are connected when the protruding parts of one of the tower sections and the protruding parts of another one of the tower sections are friction-jointed with fastening means.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yasuaki Shiraishi
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Patent number: 8191316Abstract: An off-shore wind turbine includes a tower, a pile forming at least part of a foundation carrying the tower, a radial distance element extending outward from the tower and the pile, and a plurality of connecting elements extending from the radial distance element to at least one of the tower and pile, the plurality of connecting elements being configured to vertically align the tower on the pile. A method of erecting the wind turbine tower is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Jonas Kristensen
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Patent number: 8186966Abstract: Provided is an offshore wind turbine generator capable of withstanding unevenly distributed stress with a simple and inexpensive structure and of maintaining reliability in terms of strength. An offshore wind turbine generator includes a nacelle that rotatably supports a rotor head, and a tower portion that supports the nacelle and yaws integrally with the nacelle, and a structure portion that bears the strength of the tower portion has a higher strength against a load in a direction included in a plane having a rotation axis of the rotor head and an extending direction of the tower portion than the strength of the structure portion against a load in a direction included in other planes including the extending direction of the tower portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Tomohiro Numajiri
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Patent number: 8182234Abstract: A wind turbine that includes a spaceframe mounted atop a support structure is provided. The spaceframe houses and is integrated with a wind turbine drivetrain. The spaceframe transfers primary rotor loads and drivetrain torque to the support structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Lawrence Donald Willey
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Patent number: 8171674Abstract: A doorway for a tower of a wind turbine is disclosed. The doorway may generally comprise a doorway frame having a substantially rectangular shape and including an inner face and an outer face. An opening may be defined between the inner and outer faces and may be configured to provide access to an interior of the tower. Additionally, at least one of the inner face and the outer face may define a substantially planar surface along at least a portion of its width.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bharat Bagepalli, Russell Earle Walthers
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Patent number: 8171695Abstract: A structural member and method with an improved arm connection is provided that allows quick connection of an arm to the structural member. Pins are inserted through aligned apertures in first and second thru-vangs, as well as an abutting arm bracket. A flexible securement member is inserted through an aperture in the pins that is transverse to the pins. Last, an arm is secured to the arm bracket for support of electrical conductors strung thereon.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Thomas & Butts International, Inc.Inventors: Aubrey Jackson, David Nahlen, Jim Palmer, Timothy Stephens
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Patent number: 8146320Abstract: The modular kit for a tower has a height ranging between a minimum height and a maximum height, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises a first conical tower segment (10) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (11), a second conical tower segment (12) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (12), and a first cylindrical tower segment (14) comprising a steel tube having a length between a predetermined minimum length and a predetermined maximum length. The length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14) can be adapted to the necessary height of the tower between its minimum height and its maximum height. The minimum height is the sum of the predetermined lengths (11,12) of the first and second conical tower segments (10,12) and the minimum length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Marc Seidel, Martin Von Mutius, Ulrich Uphues
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Patent number: 8122647Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission tower, which includes a tower body; first through sixth main insulation arms connected by one end thereof to the tower body with an angle with the tower body, respectively, and arranged radially and symmetrically about the tower body in a longitudinal direction; and first through eighth auxiliary insulation arms for selectively connecting the other end of the first through sixth main insulation arms and the tower body so that each of the auxiliary insulation arms constitutes each side of an octagon. Since the insulation arms are octagonally arranged, it is possible to reinforce a mechanical strength and enhance electric properties of the tower.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Korea Electric Power CorporationInventors: Won-Kyo Lee, Dong-II Lee, Koo-Yong Shin, In-Hyuk Choi
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Patent number: 8125403Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a hollow antenna tower structure for use in a wireless communications network. The tower comprises tubular tower sections made of concrete, and having a generally hollowed cross section. A movable base station unit, having at least one antenna and at least one micro wave link, is being disposed inside the tubular tower. The whole base station unit is movable up and down inside the tower by the aid of an elevator system. The tower further comprises at least one entrance into the tower and a climbing facility and/or a second elevator system, inside the tower, giving access to the base station unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)Inventor: Peter Hager
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Patent number: 8109061Abstract: A tower part for a wind turbine includes 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 tower part further includes 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, where the attachments do not affect the fatigue limit of the tower part.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Jonas Kristensen
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Patent number: 8099910Abstract: A roof hatch grab bar assembly for adding comfort to a person ascending or descending a roof hatch and its complementary through the roof ladder. The roof hatch grab bar assembly includes grab bar handrails and a cross support assembly with side supports on either side that include telescoping arms. The design is adjustable, easily installed and will not crush the insulation surrounding a roof hatch that is conventionally adhered to the hatch. Installation may be done while minimizing the potential for leaks in the roof.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Inventor: Robert G Gaines
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Patent number: 8069634Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Tracy Livingston, James Goldhardt, Terry Schrader, James Lott, David Oliphant, Harry Daugherty
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Patent number: 8056298Abstract: A support (4) for an elevated mass (6, 8), comprising at least three extended, mutually trussless supporting counts (14, 14?, 14?, 14??), and where the longitudinal axes of the supporting columns (14, 14?, 14?, 14??) meet near the center of gravity (20) of the elevated mass (6, 8).Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Owec Tower ASInventors: Per Bull Haugsøen, Gunnar Foss
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Patent number: 8056296Abstract: A method of assembling a wind turbine tower is provided, wherein the method includes providing a plurality of tower members having a top end and a bottom end, and coupling the bottom end of a first tower member to the top end of a second tower member such that the bottom end of the first tower member is interlocked within at least a portion of the top end of the second tower member. The method also includes coupling at least one support member to each of the plurality of tower members.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ronald Ralph Cairo
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Patent number: 8051609Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine tower comprising at least two annular tower rings placed vertically on top of each other. The wind turbine tower is characterized in that, a first tower ring overlaps at least a further tower ring of the at least two tower rings. The invention further relates to a wind turbine, a wind turbine tower elevator for use in a wind turbine tower and a method for assembling a wind turbine tower.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Borge Olgaard