Tower Support Patents (Class 52/745.04)
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Patent number: 11274432Abstract: A method of constructing a building includes constructing a vertical support core of the building, and attaching a climbing rail to an exterior of the vertical support core. The climbing rail includes holes spaced vertically. A first floor plate is constructed around a periphery of the vertical support core, at a ground elevation, and includes at least one connecting rail having vertically spaced holes. A climbing jack is attached to the climbing rail, and moved vertically upward on the climbing rail to raise the first floor plate to a first floor final elevation. The first floor plate is permanently attached to the climbing rail at the first floor final elevation by inserting a pin through aligned holes in the connecting rail and the climbing rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: BIG TIME INVESTMENT, LLCInventors: Stephen T. Houston, Joseph Michael Benvenuto, Yaroslav Stakhiv
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Patent number: 11162270Abstract: A building complex consisting of multi-storey ring-shaped buildings (R) is described, said ring-shaped buildings having sectors (1) which are trapezoidal in plan view, form a regular polygon ring and enclose a courtyard having a central stairwell (4), the storeys (3) of said sectors being uniformly offset from one another in the height direction and being connected to the stairwell (4) by passages (5) which run in a spoke-like fashion, said stairwell having a staircase which circulates in the direction of ascent of the storeys and which has a height of ascent (a) between the passages (5) corresponding to the storey offset (h).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Inventor: Johannes Zittmayr
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Patent number: 10753080Abstract: A method of constructing a building includes constructing a vertical support core of the building, and attaching a climbing rail to an exterior of the vertical support core. The climbing rail includes holes spaced vertically. A first floor plate is constructed around a periphery of the vertical support core, at a ground elevation, and includes at least one connecting rail having vertically spaced holes. A climbing jack is attached to the climbing rail, and moved vertically upward on the climbing rail to raise the first floor plate to a first floor final elevation. The first floor plate is permanently attached to the climbing rail at the first floor final elevation by inserting a pin through aligned holes in the connecting rail and the climbing rail.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: BIG TIME INVESTMENT, LLCInventors: Stephen T. Houston, Joseph Michael Benvenuto, Yaroslav Stakhiv
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Patent number: 9631436Abstract: An apparatus including a support; a first upper frame and a second upper frame each attached to the support; and removable actuators extending vertically from a base and located below the support and between the first and second upper frames, wherein the actuators are vertically extendable and retractable; wherein the actuators are adapted to engage the support and raise or lower the support upon the extension or retraction of each actuator; wherein the actuators are adapted to extend to a first height at which a first middle frame may be arranged below the first upper frame and a second middle frame may be arranged below the second upper frame; and wherein the actuators are adapted to retract to a second height at which the first middle frame may be attached to the first upper frame and the second middle frame may be attached to the second upper frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Nabors Drilling International LimitedInventors: Padira Reddy, Ashish Gupta, Sean M. Bailey
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Patent number: 9290903Abstract: The invention concerns a support for offshore foundation structures, in particular for tripods, having a bearing surface for receiving gravitational force, a base surface for applying gravitational force to the ground, and a supporting structure for the transfer of force from the bearing surface to the base surface. The invention concerns in particular such a support having two separate frame elements which respectively have a bearing sub-surface and a base sub-surface, as well as a bridge member which can be coupled to the frame elements in the region of the bearing sub-surfaces for the transfer of force between the frame elements in a substantially horizontal direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: BLG LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Thorsten Hebestreit, Carsten Rogge
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Patent number: 8973309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignees: S. Cohen & Co.-Trust Company Ltd.Inventor: Yossi Amir
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Patent number: 8935889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Senvion SEInventor: Olaf Samuelsen
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Patent number: 8707656Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower for a wind power installation. The tower comprises a wall extending from a foundation in an upwards direction towards a nacelle and defines an enclosed space. Furthermore, the tower comprises a safety blanket which is distended across the tower interior along an inner surface of the wall to thereby split the enclosed space into an upper compartment above the blanket and a lower compartment below the blanket. The safety blanket is flexible.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Vestas Wing Systems A/SInventor: Borge Ollgaard
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Patent number: 8584429Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for erecting a tower. The subject system includes a tower, which may include a base portion and a plurality of tower sections. The subject system may further include a frame provided on the tower, a crane provided on the frame, and a self-hoist system for elevating and lowering the frame relative to the tower. Erection of the tower is facilitated through use of the self-hoist system to elevate the frame, and use of the crane to provide various tower sections on the base portion and an initial tower section or sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Tindall CorporationInventors: Bryant A. Zavitz, William Lowndes, III
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Patent number: 8499455Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for installing a land wind power generator by using lead rails, and the method includes the steps of: locating a lower support having an insertion protrusion, a horizontal stepped surface, and a ground anchor, under the ground; locating a pair of posts of a tower crane and a cage for each post at the horizontal stepped surface of the lower support, ascending a nacelle assembly and an overhead crane, and locating an intermediate support by means of an outside crane; and locating the lead rails along the ground and the front surface of the intermediate support and ascending an upper support along the lead rails by means of the overhead crane. Next, after a nacelle base, a support frame, the lead rails, and the tower crane are disassembled from the located positions, a plurality of propellers connected to rollers located inside a rotary part of the nacelle assembly are lifted by means of a winch and are inserted into a plurality of coupling grooves of the rotary part.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Inventor: Dong Taek Suh
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Patent number: 8496423Abstract: A conveyance system and method for delivering at least one component of a windmill to a location is provided. The system is provided with a transporter and a transfer system. The transporter is positionable adjacent a base at the location. The transfer system is provided with a plurality of rails, a support and at least one slider. The rails are positionable on the base and the transporter. The support has a first portion of the rails of the transporter thereon. The support is positionable along a second portion of the rails on a surface of the transporter, and slidably movable between a retracted and an extended position whereby the support is selectively positionable adjacent the base. The slider carries the component(s) of the windmill. The slider is slidably movable along the rails of the transporter and the base whereby the component(s) is/are slidably transferrable between the transporter and the base.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Dean Allen Bennett
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Patent number: 8443573Abstract: Blast-resistant foundations are presented that can be used to support a tower, a building, a building supporting a tower, and a tower supporting a building. These foundations can be transported to an installation site and rapidly deployed. They are comprised of one or more precast foundation blocks that do not penetrate the ground beneath them, do not require adjacent foundation blocks to be bound to one-another at their sides with interconnecting steel, and do not require the buildings and/or towers they support to use guy-wires. They can include protected cavities that contain utility equipment and supplies, and they can include conduits from these cavities that can be extended upward through one or more legs of a tower.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Kontek Industries, Inc.Inventor: Roger Allen Nolte
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Patent number: 8438815Abstract: Non-cementitious tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the non-cementitious tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower. This foundation structure may be filled with non-cementitious fill of any type to provide the required mass to stabilize the foundation and the tower. A non-cementitious tower foundation structure includes a central shaft; a storage tank; and structural members coupling the central shaft to the storage tank. The storage tank comprises one or more voids for containing non-cementitious fill as ballast to stabilize the central shaft. The total volume capacity of the voids may be at least a threshold volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Inventor: Tony Jolly
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Patent number: 8353141Abstract: A method and a device for assembling a structure that is formed from several modules that are disposed on top of each other, e.g. a wind power plant. An auxiliary mast of modular construction is erected parallel to and laterally of the structure to be erected, wherein the length of an auxiliary mast module approximately corresponds to the length of a structural module. A respective auxiliary mast module is previously detachably connected to a respective structural module to form an overall module, such that the auxiliary mast module can accept the weight of the structural module. The overall modules that are each formed from one auxiliary mast module and one structural module are moved by means of the lifting gondola in an upward direction along the auxiliary mast of previously erected structural modules to the level of the assembly position.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Mario BergInventor: Mario Berg
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Patent number: 8281545Abstract: A method for retrofitting a reinforced concrete column by compressing a reinforcing plate including a steel plate using an external pressure is provided. The reinforcing plate is compressed to double-layer or more, that is, multi-layer in due order, on the reinforced concrete column. Accordingly, since a workability of the retrofit is excellent and since the reinforcing plate is easily compressed on the surface of the reinforced concrete column by a small lateral pressure, sufficiently the reinforced concrete column could be reinforced. Besides, a compressive strength of the reinforced concrete column could be increased. In addition, the flexibility of the reinforcing plate and the energy absorption force of the reinforcing plate could be increased.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignees: Kwang-Won Ind Co., Ltd., Eun Soo ChoiInventor: Eun Soo Choi
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Patent number: 8146323Abstract: In a foundation for a wind turbine, the foundation has a large number of anchor bolts which are axially placed within the bore hole for mounting a tower flange of the wind turbine. In contrast to the practiced method, the present invention utilizes the fabrication of separate bolt packages, in which the bolts of each bolt package are configured to have an inner arc of bolts and outer arc of bolts, where each bolt in the bolt package is retained, by position retention means, in a fixed position with respect to the position of the other anchor bolts in the pre-assembled package. The present invention describes the position retention means for forming each pre-assembled package and a method of using the position retentions for constructing a foundation for a wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Inventor: Norman L. Tooman
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Patent number: 8117799Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of erecting a tower comprising; —providing a foundation (1); —providing at least one top section (20) of a tower; —providing a first lifting mechanism (10) adapted to carry the top section (20); —providing at least one lower most tower section (25) onto the foundation (1); —lifting said at least one top section (20) of the tower by lifting the first lifting mechanism (10) relative said at least one lower most tower section (25); —adding at least one second lower most section (24) above said at least one lower most tower section (25); —lifting said at least one top section (20) of the tower by lifting the first lifting mechanism (10) relative said at least one second lower most tower section (25). Preferably a second lifting mechanism is carried by a nacelle which is rotatably arranged on the top section, thereby allowing the second lifting mechanism to be orientated in different orientations relative the top section.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Jonas Kristensen
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Patent number: 8051625Abstract: The invention relates to a wind-power unit having a turbine having a vertical turbine shaft (3), an electrical generator (6) connected to the turbine and a vertical hollow supporting pillar (2) supporting the turbine. According to the invention the material of the supporting pillar is in all essentials wood. The invention also relates to a supporting pillar for such a wind-power unit, an electric mains connected to the wind-power unit, a use of the wind-power unit and a method for the manufacture of such a supporting pillar.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Vertical Wind ABInventors: Mats Leijon, Hans Bernhoff
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Patent number: 8033078Abstract: A method of mounting elements inside a wind generator tower which is made from various different sections of metal. Elements such as ladders, platforms, and electric cables are fixed to auxiliary supports such as beams or rings which are in turn fixed to the above-mentioned sections so as not to reduce the fatigue strength thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventor: Jose Ignacio Llorente Gonzalez
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Patent number: 7765766Abstract: Structure and procedure for erecting concrete towers used in wind turbines in which said towers consist of sections, which in turn may each comprise a different number of segments or longitudinal sections. The procedure includes two differentiated cycles, which may take place alongside each other: the pre-assembly of each section of tower and their assembly. The sections may be pre-mounted on bases placed on the ground, with the segment in turn fitted with the help of struts and mechanical clamps. This procedure is extremely versatile in that it makes the best logistic use of the material, resources and requisite assembly times since the assembly procedures for each section can be developed alongside each other in the different wind farm towers, and also greater heights can be achieved than is traditionally possible.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: INNEO21, S.L.Inventors: Miguel Angel Fernandez Gomez, Jose Emilio Jimeno Chueca
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Patent number: 7735293Abstract: A practical method of manufacturing, assembling, and constructing a single silo or building or a cluster of polygonal storage silos using a column comprising horizontally-arrayed structural column panels. A structure built with these columns can be constructed using a cost-effective and relatively safe method of lifting. In addition, three or more of these structural columns can be connected together with wall panels or beams to fashion a polygonal compartment or multiple polygonal compartments, to serve as structural support for heavy loads, as a process tower for supporting equipment, a multi-story building for human occupancy (such as an apartment complex), or as bulk storage silo(s). The column can join standard and customized beams and wall panels. Columns can be attached to wall panels of round structures, to serve as stiffeners, or to the sides of polygonal structures, to serve as side-wall supports.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Inventor: Dwight Eric Kinzer
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Patent number: 7707797Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
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Patent number: 7665273Abstract: The method for generating a substantially uninterrupted connection of the peripheral wall portions of two adjacent tubular segments each provided with flanges having holes therein, of a tower, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises the steps of: arranging a first tubular segment (18) and a second tubular segment (20) with said flanges (26, 28) thereof facing each other and said holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28) aligned with each other; connecting said tubular segments (18, 20) by prefastening screws (38) extending through said aligned holes (34, 36) in said flanges (26, 28); forming into the side (50) of the tubular segments (18, 20) opposite to the flanges (26, 28) a notch (52) of a predetermined width at least at a location of said contacting flanges (26, 28) where a gap (48) having a width greater than a minimum width exists; inserting into said notch (52) at least one insert part (60) having a width substantially equal to the width of said notch (52); and completely fastening said screwsType: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wolfgang Fuellhaas, Holger Lühn
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Patent number: 7663263Abstract: The invention relates to a method of constructing a wind energy plant and to a wind energy plant as such. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for constructing wind energy plants at lower expenses and more rapidly. According to one embodiment, a method for constructing a wind energy plant that comprises a tower that is based on a foundation and an electrical power module, the power module is mounted on the tower foundation before the tower itself is constructed. The power module includes a transformer and may optionally an inverter and/or other electrical installations, such as for example switch cabinets, that are provided for controlling the wind energy plant and/or for guiding the electrical power that is provided by the generator of the wind energy plant and that is fed to a network.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Inventor: Aloys Wobben
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Publication number: 20090282776Abstract: The invention proposes a method and a device for assembling a structure that is formed from several modules that are disposed on top of each other, e.g. a wind power plant, wherein a first module of the structure is initially erected and at least one further structural module is subsequently disposed onto the first structural module or the previously erected structural modules by moving at least the at least one further structural module by means of a lifting gondola in an upward direction to the level of its assembly position such that contact between the lifting gondola and the previously erected structural module(s) is prevented at least during movement of the lifting gondola.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventor: Mario Berg
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Publication number: 20080086976Abstract: A system for manufacturing homes is provided. An embodiment includes a sub-assembly plant for assembling planar sections of a home according to production schedule for custom homes. The embodiment also includes at least one final assembly facility located proximal to a subdivision where a plurality of the custom homes are to be situated. The final assembly facility is for receiving the planar sections from the sub-assembly plant and for constructing the homes from planar portions according to the production schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: THE MATTAMY CORPORATIONInventor: Peter Gilgan
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Publication number: 20080072511Abstract: A wind turbine foundation having a central pedestal, a bottom support slab, and a plurality of prefabricated radial reinforcing ribs. The pedestal and support slab are poured in situ at the site. When the concrete cures the support slab is united to the prefabricated ribs and the ribs are also united to the pedestal. The result is a continuous monolithic foundation wherein loads are carried across the structure vertically and laterally through the continuous structure by doweled and spliced reinforcing steel bars which are integrally cast into the pedestal, ribs and support slab. The slab thus behaves structurally as a continuous slab reducing deflections, improving fatigue conditions and increasing the stiffness of the foundation as well as allowing for the benefits of an economical design.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventor: Ahmed Phuly
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Patent number: 6944950Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing at least one load-bearing section of a tower assembly which apparatus includes two leg members, at least one brace member for connection to both of the leg members, and at least one connecting plate for attachment to a respective flange plate of the section of the tower assembly and for attachment to an end of one of the leg members, which flange plate is attached to or integral with the section of the tower assembly. The apparatus components form a reinforcing panel which is attachable to the load-bearing section of the tower assembly, so that the two leg members bear at least a portion of the section load when the panel is attached. The apparatus may include adjustable length leg members which enable the length of the panel to be adjusted and at least a portion of the section load to be transferred to the legs.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventors: Thomas B. Watson, III, Thomas B. Watson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6935025Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing one or more load-bearing sections of a tower assembly, which apparatus comprises two leg members, a plurality of brace members, sized and configured for connection to both of the leg members and at least one connecting plate sized and configured for attachment to a respective flange plate of the section of the tower assembly and for attachment to a leg member, which flange plate is attached to or integral with the section of the tower assembly. The leg members, plurality of brace members and at least one connecting plate are sized and configured for attachment to one another to form a panel or a plurality of panels so that the two leg members bear at least a portion of the section load when installed. Related methods of reinforcing load-bearing sections of a tower assembly are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Inventors: Thomas B. Watson, III, Thomas B. Watson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6705053Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position underneath the existing building. At least a first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape and first and second ends is located within the earth at a position underneath the existing building. A cap support section is placed in contact with the second end of the first non-cylindrical support section. A jack is disposed on the upper side of the cap support section and raised until the foundation of the existing building has been lifted to a desired height. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Mark Dimitrijevic
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Patent number: 6594968Abstract: An improved method of making a foundation for a wind turbine comprises: a) forming a pit, b) providing a cylindrical open-bottomed steel can, c) lowering the can into the pit, d) accurately aligning the steel can, e) concreting the steel can in position in the pit, and f) back-filling the interior of the can.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Oceans Engineering LimitedInventors: Neil Tracey Harris, Matthew Bristow