Patents by Inventor Sonny K. Fraughton

Sonny K. Fraughton 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: 10690120
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus suitable for cleaning a horizontally curved metal tower can include a fluid directing channel configured to receive pressurized fluid from a fluid source; a slider or wheel positioned to contact and vertically traverse the horizontally curved metal tower; and a standoff which separates the fluid directing channel spatially from the slider or wheel. The apparatus can also include sprayer nozzles fluidly coupled to the fluid directing channel which can be directed toward or beyond the slider or wheel. A magnet can also be positioned on the apparatus that is configured to interact magnetically to pull the cleaning apparatus toward the horizontally curved metal tower, but the magnet is not close enough to touch the horizontally curved metal tower when the slider or wheel is in contact with the horizontally curved metal tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sonny K. Fraughton, Broque L. Fraughton, Dustin Jensen
  • Publication number: 20180087490
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus suitable for cleaning a horizontally curved metal tower can include a fluid directing channel configured to receive pressurized fluid from a fluid source; a slider or wheel positioned to contact and vertically traverse the horizontally curved metal tower; and a standoff which separates the fluid directing channel spatially from the slider or wheel. The apparatus can also include sprayer nozzles fluidly coupled to the fluid directing channel which can be directed toward or beyond the slider or wheel. A magnet can also be positioned on the apparatus that is configured to interact magnetically to pull the cleaning apparatus toward the horizontally curved metal tower, but the magnet is not close enough to touch the horizontally curved metal tower when the slider or wheel is in contact with the horizontally curved metal tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Sonny K. Fraughton, Broque L. Fraughton, Dustin Jensen
  • Patent number: 8544484
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wind turbine blade treatment apparatus comprises a support having a frame with an edge follower configured to be positioned near an edge of a wind turbine blade. The support also includes a side member connected to the frame, configured to extend at least partially along a width of the wind turbine blade and to be positionable near the wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade treatment apparatus further comprises a sprayer connected to the support, configured to spray fluid onto the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20130122211
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20130122210
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Patent number: 8347900
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Patent number: 8347899
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20120258252
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning or coating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A plurality of sprayers can be positioned circumferentially along the frame and configured to selectively spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20110318496
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a wind turbine blade treatment apparatus comprises a support having a frame with an edge follower configured to be positioned near an edge of a wind turbine blade. The support also includes a side member connected to the frame, configured to extend at least partially along a width of the wind turbine blade and to be positionable near the wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade treatment apparatus further comprises a sprayer connected to the support, configured to spray fluid onto the wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
  • Publication number: 20110088723
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton