Patents by Inventor Todd D Andersen

Todd D Andersen 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: 9951754
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for assembling a tower section of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine on a tower assembly fixture may generally include installing a first trolley onto a first fixture arm of the fixture and installing a second trolley onto a second fixture arm of the fixture. In addition, the method may include securing a first support leg of the tower section to the first trolley, securing a second support leg of the tower section to the second trolley and coupling at least one secondary support member between the first and seconds support legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Don Conrad Johnson, Cyler Barclay Beard, Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant, Caroline Christine Williams, Jose Luis Virgen
  • Patent number: 9845612
    Abstract: A system for assembling a tower section of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine may generally include a tower assembly fixture having a plurality of radially extending fixture arms, wherein each fixture arm extends between a first end and a second end. In addition, the system may include a plurality of trolleys. Each trolley may include a base frame configured to be coupled to one of the fixture arms between its first and second ends and a leg mount pivotally coupled to the base frame. The leg mount may be configured to be coupled to a bottom end of a support leg of the tower section such that, when each of the support legs is coupled to its respective leg mount, the support legs are supported above the tower assembly fixture at a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Don Conrad Johnson, Cyler Barclay Beard, Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant, Caroline Christine Williams, Jose Luis Virgen
  • Publication number: 20170009747
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for assembling a tower section of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine on a tower assembly fixture may generally include installing a first trolley onto a first fixture arm of the fixture and installing a second trolley onto a second fixture arm of the fixture. In addition, the method may include securing a first support leg of the tower section to the first trolley, securing a second support leg of the tower section to the second trolley and coupling at least one secondary support member between the first and seconds support legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Don Conrad Johnson, Cyler Barclay Beard, Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant, Caroline Christine Williams, Jose Luis Virgen
  • Publication number: 20160376807
    Abstract: A system for assembling a tower section of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine may generally include a tower assembly fixture having a plurality of radially extending fixture arms, wherein each fixture arm extends between a first end and a second end. In addition, the system may include a plurality of trolleys. Each trolley may include a base frame configured to be coupled to one of the fixture arms between its first and second ends and a leg mount pivotally coupled to the base frame. The leg mount may be configured to be coupled to a bottom end of a support leg of the tower section such that, when each of the support legs is coupled to its respective leg mount, the support legs are supported above the tower assembly fixture at a substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Don Conrad Johnson, Cyler Barclay Beard, Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant, Caroline Christine Williams, Jose Luis Virgen
  • Publication number: 20150152851
    Abstract: One of the major structural components in a space frame tower is the tower leg. A novel and nonobvious tower leg structure is provided which provides significant advantages and benefits over previously available structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: David D. Oliphant, Todd D. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20140331568
    Abstract: A bolt connection assembly is provided that is particularly well-suited for connecting structural members of a lattice tower structure for a wind turbine. The bolt connection assembly includes a bolt component having a head and a shaft and a structural bore component having a bore defined therethrough for receipt of the bolt component. The shaft includes a knurled surface such that the knurled surface defines an outermost shaft diameter. Moreover, the knurled surface includes a plurality of knurls, each defining a non-arcuate edge. The bore defines a bore diameter, wherein the outermost shaft diameter is greater than the bore diameter. In an assembled state of the bolt component and the structural bore component, the bolt component may be inserted within the bore such that the knurled surface may be deformed to friction fit within the bore diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Andersen, David D. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 7308739
    Abstract: An adjustable clip for gripping a tarp or the like. There are first and second jaw portions having first ends that are joined by a hinge and second ends that are spread apart to form a receiving area. A finger-operated screw or threaded knob is mounted to the jaw portions at a location between the first and second ends, so that the jaw portions are urged together in response to tightening of the screw or knob. The hinge may be a live hinge for resiliently biasing the jaw portions apart, and the jaw portions and live hinge may be formed as a unitarily molded structure. An attachment portion extends from the hinge and has at least one opening for receiving a rope or other cord therein. The jaw portions are provided with surface contouring for securely gripping the sheet material of the tarp while minimizing damage thereto. The grip force of the assembly can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the threaded knob or screw as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventors: Todd D Andersen, Robert M Cameron
  • Patent number: 7243402
    Abstract: A clip assembly having first and second pivoting gripping members that are locked in gripping engagement to a tarp or other material and attached to a rope or shock cord. The gripping members include jaws and arms that are joined by a pivot connection so that the jaws are forced into engagement when the arms are pressed together. At least one of the arms is formed of a resiliently flexible material so that the arm bends as the jaws are forced into gripping engagement. There is a hook or other attachment portion on one of the arms that the arms are locked in the compressed position when a portion of the cord is passed therethrough. The hook may include a primary opening for receiving a bight of a rope and a secondary opening for receiving a hook on the end of a shock cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: The Phoenix Product Design Group LLC
    Inventors: Todd D Andersen, Robert M Cameron
  • Publication number: 20040081512
    Abstract: A clip assembly having first and second pivoting gripping members that are locked in gripping engagement to a tarp or other material and attached to a rope or shock cord. The gripping members include jaws and arms that are joined by a pivot connection so that the jaws are forced into engagement when the arms are pressed together. At least one of the arms is formed of a resiliently flexible material so that the arm bends as the jaws are forced into gripping engagement. There is a hook or other attachment portion on one of the arms that the arms are locked in the compressed position when a portion of the cord is passed therethrough. The hook may include a primary opening for receiving a bight of a rope and a secondary opening for receiving a hook on the end of a shock cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Todd D. Andersen, Robert M. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20020000027
    Abstract: An adjustable clip for gripping a tarp or the like. There are first and second jaw portions having first ends that are joined by a hinge and second ends that are spread apart to form a receiving area. A finger-operated screw or threaded knob is mounted to the jaw portions at a location between the first and second ends, so that the jaw portions are urged together in response to tightening of the screw or knob. The hinge may be a live hinge for resiliently biasing the jaw portions apart, and the jaw portions and live hinge may be formed as a unitarily molded structure. An attachment portion extends from the hinge and has at least one opening for receiving a rope or other cord therein. The jaw portions are provided with surface contouring for securely gripping the sheet material of the tarp while minimizing damage thereto. The grip force of the assembly can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the threaded knob or screw as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Todd D. Andersen, Robert M. Cameron