Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.

Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. The vertical connection includes an interior vertical friction plate positioned over a seam or gap between adjacent panels and an exterior vertical friction plate positioned over the seam or gap between adjacent panels. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower is disclosed as well as the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower and the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of guide rails positioned on opposite sides thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A sled is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform mounted thereon which is adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. In one form of the invention, the sled is self-contained in that it has an engine and a winch mounted thereon. In another form of the invention, the winch and engine are mounted on a self-propelled vehicle which is designed to transport the sled from one tower location to another. In another form of the invention, the winch is detachable from the self-propelled vehicle so that the winch may be anchored to the ground.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of guide rails positioned on opposite sides thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A sled is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform mounted thereon which is adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. In one form of the invention, the sled is self-contained in that it has an engine and a winch mounted thereon. In another form of the invention, the winch and engine are mounted on a self-propelled vehicle which is designed to transport the sled from one tower location to another. In another form of the invention, the winch is detachable from the self-propelled vehicle so that the winch may be anchored to the ground.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of guide rails positioned on opposite sides thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A sled is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform mounted thereon which is adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. In one form of the invention, the sled is self-contained in that it has an engine and a winch mounted thereon. In another form of the invention, the winch and engine are mounted on a self-propelled vehicle which is designed to transport the sled from one tower location to another. In another form of the invention, the winch is detachable from the self-propelled vehicle so that the winch may be anchored to the ground.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of guide rails positioned on opposite sides thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A sled is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform mounted thereon which is adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. In one form of the invention, the sled is self-contained in that it has an engine and a winch mounted thereon. In another form of the invention, the winch and engine are mounted on a self-propelled vehicle which is designed to transport the sled from one tower location to another. In another form of the invention, the winch is detachable from the self-propelled vehicle so that the winch may be anchored to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower is disclosed as well as the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention also relates to the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.