Patents by Inventor Eric D. Smith
Eric D. Smith 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).
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Patent number: 10493509Abstract: Spiral forming methods can be used to join edges of a rolled material along a spiral joint to form conical and/or cylindrical structures. Alignment of the edges of the rolled material can be controlled in a wrapping direction as the material is being joined along the spiral joint to form the structure. By controlling alignment of the edges of the material as the edges of the material are being joined, small corrections can be made over the course of forming the structure facilitating control over geometric tolerances of the resulting spiral formed structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Daniel Ainge, Loren Daniel Bridgers
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Patent number: 10486212Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Eric D. Smith
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Publication number: 20190160505Abstract: Spiral forming methods can be used to join edges of a rolled material along a spiral joint to form conical and/or cylindrical structures. Alignment of the edges of the rolled material can be controlled in a wrapping direction as the material is being joined along the spiral joint to form the structure. By controlling alignment of the edges of the material as the edges of the material are being joined, small corrections can be made over the course of forming the structure facilitating control over geometric tolerances of the resulting spiral formed structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Daniel Ainge, Loren Daniel Bridgers
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Publication number: 20190151920Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Eric D. Smith
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Publication number: 20190119344Abstract: A control system for forming a tapered structure includes a sensor providing feedback for a machine for forming a tapered structure including at least three rolls having at least one bend roll and at least two guide rolls. The guide rolls may include rollette banks having a plurality of rollettes. The machine may also include an adjustment mechanism to position at least one of the rolls, where a diameter of the tapered structure being formed is controlled by relative positions of the rolls. The machine may also include a joining element to join edges of a stock of material together as it is rolled through the rolls to form the tapered structure. The control system may also include a controller to receive feedback from the sensor and to send a control signal based on the feedback to the adjustment mechanism for positioning at least one of the rolls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Eric D. Smith, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Daniel Ainge, Alexander H. Slocum
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Publication number: 20190063101Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Alexander H. Slocum
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Patent number: 10201841Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Eric D. Smith
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Patent number: 10195653Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Alexander H. Slocum, Samir A. Nayfeh
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Patent number: 10189064Abstract: A control system for forming a tapered structure includes a sensor providing feedback for a machine for forming a tapered structure including at least three rolls having at least one bend roll and at least two guide rolls. The guide rolls may include rollette banks having a plurality of rollettes. The machine may also include an adjustment mechanism to position at least one of the rolls, where a diameter of the tapered structure being formed is controlled by relative positions of the rolls. The machine may also include a joining element to join edges of a stock of material together as it is rolled through the rolls to form the tapered structure. The control system may also include a controller to receive feedback from the sensor and to send a control signal based on the feedback to the adjustment mechanism for positioning at least one of the rolls.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Eric D. Smith, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Daniel Ainge, Alexander H. Slocum
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Patent number: 10060149Abstract: 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: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Alexander H. Slocum
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Publication number: 20180195345Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to mounting an auxiliary component to a tower based at least in part on a force distribution in which a normal force is greater than a shear force exerted by the auxiliary component on a shell of the tower such that the auxiliary component may be held in place relative to the tower without penetrating the shell of the tower. Thus, as compared to mounting techniques requiring penetration of the shell of the tower, this force distribution along the shell of the tower may facilitate mounting the auxiliary component to the tower with little to no impact on cost and/or structural requirements of the tower. Further, or instead, as compared to other mounting techniques, mounting the auxiliary component based at least in part on this force distribution may reduce or eliminate the need for specialized tools, thus facilitating in-field installation of the auxiliary component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Loren Daniel Bridgers
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Publication number: 20180193892Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to formation of tubular structures, such as spirally formed structures, having spirally extending reinforcing material. In particular, tubular structures can be formed in a continuous process in which a first material is spiral formed along a first spiral and a second material is joined to the first material along a second spiral to reinforce the spirally formed first material. As compared to manual application of reinforcing material, such a continuous process can facilitate producing tubular structures at rates suitable for high-volume, commercial fabrication. Further, or instead, as compared to the use of circumferentially extending reinforcing material to support a spiral formed tube, reinforcing the spirally formed first material with a spiral of the second material may offer certain structural advantages, such as improved resistance to buckling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventor: Eric D. Smith
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Publication number: 20180133769Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Alexander H. Slocum, Samir A. Nayfeh
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Publication number: 20180056354Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata, Loren Daniel Bridgers, Eric D. Smith
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Publication number: 20170009479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Alexander H. Slocum
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Publication number: 20160375476Abstract: Spiral forming methods can be used to join edges of a rolled material along a spiral joint to form conical and/or cylindrical structures. Alignment of the edges of the rolled material can be controlled in a wrapping direction as the material is being joined along the spiral joint to form the structure. By controlling alignment of the edges of the material as the edges of the material are being joined, small corrections can be made over the course of forming the structure facilitating control over geometric tolerances of the resulting spiral formed structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Daniel Ainge, Daniel Bridgers
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Patent number: 9475153Abstract: 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: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Alexander H. Slocum
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Publication number: 20160107213Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Alexander H. Slocum, Samir A. Nayfeh
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Patent number: 9302303Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Alexander H. Slocum, Samir A. Nayfeh
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Patent number: 9266157Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Keystone Tower Systems, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Smith, Rosalind K. Takata, Alexander H. Slocum, Samir A. Nayfeh