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: 10690120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Inventors: Sonny K. Fraughton, Broque L. Fraughton, Dustin Jensen
-
Publication number: 20180087490Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Sonny K. Fraughton, Broque L. Fraughton, Dustin Jensen
-
Patent number: 8544484Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Publication number: 20130122211Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Publication number: 20130122210Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Patent number: 8347900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Patent number: 8347899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Publication number: 20120258252Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Publication number: 20110318496Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton
-
Publication number: 20110088723Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Dustin Jensen, Broque L. Fraughton, Sonny K. Fraughton