Abstract: A wind power plant comprising a tower carrying a power system including a power house and vanes rotatable by the wind. The tower has a lower natural frequency of vibration between the lower and higher critical frequencies of vibration of the power system, and the tower has a higher natural frequency of vibration above the higher critical frequency of vibration of the power system. A ring surrounds and is disconnectably attached to the tower, and guy wires extend from the ring to the ground. The power system is assembled on the ground and so that it surrounds the tower, and the power system is then elevated, together with the ring, along the tower. Elevation may be accomplished with cables and a winch. Alternatively, a thread-like ledge may surround the tower and the power house may carry means for engaging and moving along the ledge to elevate and lower the power house.

Abstract: A shaped metal base component is formed, such as by casting or forging. The component is then thinly coated with a material, such as a ceramic material, having a higher melting point than the material of the shaped component. The coated component is then heated under zero gravity conditions up to a temperature which is below the melting point of the coating, but which is high enough to soften the component, the coating maintaining the shape of the component during the heating step. After completion of the heating step, the coated component is cooled under zero gravity conditions. The forming and coating of the component take place on earth, and the steps of heating and cooling the coated component are performed in space. After cooling the coated component, the coating is either stripped off the component or left on the component to form an integral part of the shaped body.

Abstract: A part is formed of a metal-base material having high heat-resistance. The part may be formed by sintering or sinter forging. The part is provided with a skin formed of a material having a melting point above the melting point of the material of which the part is formed. The skin-bearing part is then heat treated in a vacuum at a temperature near the melting temperature of the material of which the part is formed, but below the melting temperature of the skin material. The skin material may be evaporable and precipitated from a gaseous phase on to the part. Precipitation may take place at the heat treatment temperature. The part preferably shrinks during heat treatment so as not to put tensile stress on the skin.