Patents by Inventor David Drue Oliphant

David Drue Oliphant has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9394715
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports and a plurality of inner and outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower assembly also includes a tower covering having one or more panel elements retained in position between the supports. Further, the panel elements are configured with an exterior side of the outer cross-support members so as to cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. In addition, the lattice tower covering includes a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Biao Fang, Robert Allan Phelps, David Drue Oliphant, William Clark Weber
  • Publication number: 20150247334
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports and a plurality of inner and outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower assembly also includes a tower covering having one or more panel elements retained in position between the supports. Further, the panel elements are configured with an exterior side of the outer cross-support members so as to cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. In addition, the lattice tower covering includes a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Biao Fang, Robert Allan Phelps, David Drue Oliphant, William Clark Weber
  • Publication number: 20150167644
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports, a plurality of inner cross-support members, and a plurality of outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower covering includes one or more panel elements. Each of the panel elements are retained in position between the supports and cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. Further, the lattice tower covering has a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Biao Fang, Robert Allan Phelps, David Drue Oliphant, William Clark Weber
  • Patent number: 9038348
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a lattice tower covering and/or assembly for a wind turbine. The lattice tower assembly includes a plurality of structural members connected together to define an open lattice tower. The structural members include a plurality of supports, a plurality of inner cross-support members, and a plurality of outer cross-support members. The inner and outer cross-support members are connected between the supports so as to define one or more openings. The lattice tower covering includes one or more panel elements. Each of the panel elements are retained in position between the supports and cover at least a portion of one or more of the openings. Further, the lattice tower covering has a surface area defined by the plurality of supports and the one or more panel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Biao Fang, Robert Allan Phelps, David Drue Oliphant, William Clark Weber