Abstract: A hinged pole having a base plate secured to the lower end thereof with the base plate having a plurality of upstanding brackets secured thereto. A cart is provided which is mounted on the foundation of the pole and is secured thereto and which is connected to the pole. The cart includes a power cylinder which is connected to the pole and which is used to lower the pole from its upstanding position to a horizontal position. The pole may be serviced when the pole is in its horizontal position. When the servicing of the pole has been completed, the pole is raised to its upright position and re-secured to the foundation therefore. The cart is then removed from the pole for use at a different location.

Abstract: A structural member such as a wind turbine tower comprising a plurality of elongated hollow pole sections secured together in an end-to-end relationship with each of the hollow pole sections comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending peripheral sections joined together. Each of the peripheral sections is bent along at least one longitudinally extending break line to define a plurality of angled wall sections extending between longitudinally inwardly extending edge portions. The edge portions of the peripheral sections are bolted together to form a hollow pole section.

Abstract: A wind energy tower erection device is disclosed together with the method of assembling the same and the method of utilizing the device to erect a wind energy tower. The tower erection device successively places tower sections one upon the other until the tower is erected.

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.