Axially Loaded Vertical Structure (e.g., Column, Derrick) Patents (Class 52/223.4)
  • Patent number: 11732459
    Abstract: A locating pin assembly for coupling a first modular frame to a second modular frame is disclosed. The locating pin assembly has a first gusset plate positioned between the first modular frame and the second modular frame. The first gusset plate has a first gusset plate aperture and a second gusset plate aperture for receiving fastening means for coupling the first-modular-frame-first-beam and the second-modular-frame-first-beam the gusset plate. The pin assembly also has a pin engaging the first gusset plate, the first modular frame and the second modular frame. Also disclosed are modular frame units having the pin assembly, system of modular frame units having the pin assembly and a method of coupling modular frame units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Z-MODULAR HOLDING, INC.
    Inventor: Julian Bowron
  • Patent number: 11578580
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a slide out platform integrated into the first area, the slide out platform being driven between a retracted position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Patent number: 11352790
    Abstract: There is provided a method of introducing prestress into a beam-column joint of PC construction to make it into a triaxially compressed state, in which the beam-column joint is made into a triaxial compression state and reasonable prestress is introduced into cross section areas of the ends of the members forming the beam-column joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KUROSAWA CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryohei Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 11313436
    Abstract: A tensioning device includes a housing, a drive member, an inner sleeve and a driven member. The housing includes a first attachment feature. The driven member includes a second attachment feature. The inner sleeve is disposed at least partially in the housing and is rotatably coupled with the housing. The drive member is rotatably coupled with the housing and is operably coupled with the inner sleeve such that rotation of the drive member facilitates rotation of the inner sleeve. The driven member is movable with respect to the guide member between a retracted position and an extended position along a centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Revolok Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Squires, Ronald J. Hanna, Kenneth J. Lamb, Joseph Krumme Bullard
  • Patent number: 11111664
    Abstract: There is provided a method of prestressing a beam-column joint with an appropriate ratio among the magnitudes of compression in the directions of X, Y, and Z axes. The method introduces prestress in a beam-column joint with a tensile introducing force generated by tensionally anchoring prestressing tendons that are arranged in PC beams extending along two horizontal directions (or X axis and Y axis) and PC columns extending along the vertical direction (or Z axis) and passed through the beam-column joint to bring the beam-column joint in triaxial compression, the prestress being introduced such that a diagonal tensile force T generated by an input shear force due to a seismic load of an extremely great earthquake that may occur very rarely will be cancelled completely or partially so as not to allow diagonal cracks to occur. The ratio of the prestresses introduced in the directions of the respective axes satisfies the following equation (1): ?x:?y:?z=1:1:0.3?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: KUROSAWA CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryohei Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 10914155
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a slide out platform integrated into the first area, the slide out platform being driven between a retracted position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Patent number: 10774631
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a slide out platform integrated into the first area, the slide out platform being driven between a retracted position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Patent number: 10472907
    Abstract: A walled work platform or man basket configured for positioning near a surface to be drilled, the platform comprising at least one drill assembly mounting point on a leading edge of the platform wall and a tension member connected to the platform wall adjacent the drill assembly mounting point and extending rearwardly for connection at a rear portion of the platform wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Saskatoon Material Handling Ltd.
    Inventor: Troy Dean Johnson
  • Patent number: 10323431
    Abstract: A precast concrete post-tensioned segmented equipment tower including a lower segment of a relatively larger diameter, an upper segment of a relatively smaller diameter, and a transition segment there between, with a post-tensioning tendon spanning these segments and imparting a compressive pre-load between the segments, and a slot formed in an inwardly protruding surface of the transition segment for receiving and laterally retaining the tendon during installation and tensioning. The slot may be defined in a saddle formed of high density polyurethane which is cast into the inwardly protruding surface. An intrados surface of the saddle may be curved to impart a bend in the tendon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: WIND TOWER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY, INC
    Inventors: James D. Lockwood, Panos Kiousis
  • Patent number: 10132098
    Abstract: A technique for reinforcing a telecommunication tower includes attaching a temporary structure to a vertical portion of the tower, transferring antenna equipment from the vertical portion of the tower to the temporary structure, and reinforcing the vertical portion of the tower while the transferred antenna equipment continues to operate. Once the vertical portion of the tower has been reinforced, the antenna equipment is transferred from the temporary structure back to the vertical portion of the tower. The temporary structure may then be moved to any other vertical portion of the tower, where the above acts may be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ATC IP LLC
    Inventors: Diego Michi, Heriberto Puga, Iván Rubio, Jaime Gómez, José Tlaxcala, Karina Cortés, Marco Velázquez, Miguel Soto, Saraí Bernal
  • Patent number: 9637923
    Abstract: A structural member having a longitudinal axis comprises: an exterior shell member defining an elongated channel with an inner surface; an interior shell member having an outer surface and defining an inner channel, inserted in the elongated channel of the exterior shell member and extending longitudinally therein and defining an inter-shell spacing therebetween; and concrete filling the inter-shell spacing and including at least one reinforcement bar having a longitudinally extending section extending in the inter-shell spacing and being disconnected from the inner surface of the exterior shell member and from the outer surface of the interior shell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GENIE S.E.C.
    Inventors: Masmoudi Radhouane, Abouzied Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9062662
    Abstract: A hybrid wind turbine tower support structure that combines pultruded fiber glass composites lineals with reinforced concrete, effectively creating a low cost structure for holding large, laterally-forced-thrusts from wind turbine rotor blades. The structure is designed to be lower in installed costs then its counterpart steel support structure, yet be capable of withstanding very large thrust loads, deflecting-under-load less than or equal to, but no more, under extreme wind loading, than its counterpart, steel support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ebert Composites Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Johnson, H. Peter Fay
  • Patent number: 9032674
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower arrangement (10), having: a concrete tower (12) including an upper portion(14) and a base portion (16); a footer (22) beneath the base portion; a plurality of tendons (30), each tendon spanning an entire height of the concrete tower, at least a portion of each tendon arranged external to concrete (42) forming the concrete tower, and each tendon is pre-stressed to provide compressive force to the concrete in the concrete tower; and a plurality of pilings (28). The tendons are secured by the plurality of pilings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karsten Schibsbye
  • Patent number: 9016022
    Abstract: Embodiments provide apparatus for supporting at least one utility cable for spanning above ground, the apparatus comprising a centrifugally cast prestressed concrete pole, a structural adapter, and a cable support structure including an open lattice frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Trinity Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley J. Oliphant
  • Patent number: 8904722
    Abstract: Structures with interlocking components include a plurality of interlocking structure sections, each of the interlocking structure sections including at least one tensioning component and a plurality of compression components carried by the at least one tensioning component. The at least one tensioning component secures alternating ones of the plurality of compression components in adjacent ones of the plurality of interlocking structure sections in end-to-end, interlocking compression with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Nathan H. Smith
  • Patent number: 8857119
    Abstract: Wooden member to be easily joined to another member, with good appearance of decreased size fixation structure for tensile member to improve the load bearing performance. Metal screw members including cylindrical shaft portions having an axial direction through hole and blade spirally protruding from the shaft portion are axially threaded into wooden member at two locations. Groove or hollow hole is between the two screw members, and steel rod extends from the through hole of one of the screw members through the groove or hollow hole into the through hole of the other. Both ends of the steel rod with tensioning force are locked to the screw member by nuts. Cutout recesses are formed in the wooden member, and the screw members are threaded into the wooden member through the recesses and the steel rod is locked to the screw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakashima, Junichi Imai, Hiroki Ishiyama
  • Publication number: 20140245671
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower system includes a wind turbine tower with a height of at least 100 meters, said wind turbine tower. The wind turbine tower includes a plurality of hexagonal-shaped or other shapes of vertical columns comprised of a concrete composition and a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels extending between adjacent vertical columns. The plurality of vertical columns and the plurality of panels are arranged to provide a hexagonal cross-section for the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Sivalingam Sritharan, Thomas J. Lewin, Grant M. Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20140237919
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower is made of reinforced concrete with fibre rovings as reinforcements, wherein the fibre rovings are basalt fibre rovings. In one embodiment, the basalt fibre rovings may include, for example, a bundle of multiple parallel oriented basalt fibers forming a thin rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Karsten Schibsbye
  • Patent number: 8726589
    Abstract: A wind turbine installation comprises anchor bolts having a sheath or sleeve which extends above the cement foundation and the overlying grout layer. If desired, the sleeve may partially extend inside the base flange of the wind turbine tower. The sleeve may be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or other materials having satisfactory mechanical properties, primarily that the material be capable of withstanding sufficient plastic deformation to cause the material to conform to the shape of the threads of the anchor bolts without the material failing. This swaging operation results in a crimped end which forms an interference fit with the threads of the anchor bolt thereby preventing or limiting the intrusion of water or other liquids into the bolt-sleeve annulus during the installation of the turbine foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Norman L. Tooman
  • Patent number: 8701369
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tower for a wind turbine, comprising one or more tubular tower sections, having an outer jacket wall and an inward directed flange in its lower and upper ends, and at least one platform arranged inside the tower for facilitating access for maintenance and repairs to the inner of the tower and to the nacelle. The tower also comprises a support structure including at least three elongated tensile load carrying members, which each is attached in its upper end to the upper flange of the tower section and in its lower end to the lower flange of the tower section and which supports one or more platforms that are suspended by the tensile load carrying members while at least one ladder is attached to the platforms. The at least one ladder is stabilized in the horizontal direction by transversal tensile load carrying members extending from the ladder to the tensile load carrying members that are vertically arranged between the upper and lower flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Publication number: 20140075864
    Abstract: A transition element between a jacket having four legs and a tower where the lower portion of the tower is fixed to a torsion plate that is connected to an upper portion of the legs. A brace extends from each leg. Each brace includes a strut. The strut has a first end portion and a second end portion. The strut is fixed to the upper portion of each leg and a plate that is fixed to the tower at a contact portion above the torsion plate. The planar plate is fixed to the tower in the circumferential direction and has a common axis of symmetry with the strut. The plate is fixed to the first end portion of the strut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: OWEC Tower AS
    Inventor: Gunnar Foss
  • Publication number: 20140041314
    Abstract: A tower structure including a central, vertical mast and a plurality of tensioned elongate elements arranged to support the mast against buckling, the plurality of tensioned elements together defining a generally hyperboloid structure and including a first plurality of elongate elements which define a multiplicity of junctions therebetween, a second plurality of junction-to-mast joining elongate elements which join at least some of the multiplicity of junctions to the central, vertical mast; and a third plurality of junction-to-junction joining elongate elements which are connected at a plurality of mutually spaced fixed locations therealong to the at least some of the multiplicity of junctions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicants: S. COHEN & CO. - TRUST COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Yossi AMIR
  • Patent number: 8555600
    Abstract: A method for erecting a pre-stressed sectionalized and segmented concrete tower for wind power or heliostatic generator or chimney is provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of assembling supports and lifting harnesses in order to support to the concrete segments for assembling concrete section from the concrete segments using a small capacity crane, and installing, with a high capacity crane the assembled concrete sections to conform the concrete tower. The lifting harness provides safety scaffolds for personnel during prestressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cortina Innovations, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Alejandro Cortina-Cordero, Jose Pablo Cortina Ortega, Jose Pablo Cortina Cordero
  • Patent number: 8534026
    Abstract: A reinforced triangular truss column having two vertical pipe reinforcing columns added to the three rods of the truss column is provided. Also provided is a method of reinforcing triangular truss columns comprising adding two vertical pipe reinforcing columns to a triangular truss column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: AeroSolutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin P. Bauman, Curtis J. Porr
  • Patent number: 8516774
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Tindall Corporation
    Inventors: Bryant Allan Zavitz, Kevin Lee Kirkley
  • Publication number: 20130212963
    Abstract: A wind tower erected on a foundation in which individual levels are formed by connecting a plurality of cast concrete panels along their vertical joints. Additional levels are installed on each prior level and secured with an all-thread post tensioning system and couplers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FABCON, INC.
    Inventors: George E. Miks, Thomas M. Kuckhahn, Gregory J. Havlik
  • Patent number: 8511043
    Abstract: Reinforcing system (10) for reinforcing structures with irregular surfaces, such as shaped columns. Fiber-reinforced plastic sheathing (25) is wrapped around or over the surface to be reinforced and fiber anchors (50) are installed at high stress areas, such as re-entrant corners. Cover strip (30) spreads force among fiber anchors (50) and provides a smooth finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Fyfe Co., LLC
    Inventor: Edward R. Fyfe
  • Patent number: 8484915
    Abstract: A concrete filled tubular steel column includes a longitudinally extending vertical tubular steel shell and an inner tubular steel member disposed at the center of the steel shell. A plurality of spaced vertical steel plates extend from the inner members toward but not abutting the steel shell. In addition a plurality of horizontally disposed perforated pipes extend outwardly from the inner member and have a plurality of meltable polymer plugs or caps to prevent plastic cement from flowing into or closing the openings. In the event of fire the plastic or polymer plugs or caps melt and allow gases and smoke to flow into the pipes and up through the inner member and out therefrom at the top of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Husain Abbas, Yousef A. Al-Salloum, Saleh H. Alsayed, Mohammed S. Alhaddad
  • Publication number: 20130133278
    Abstract: A non-welding type concrete-filled steel tube column utilizing a slot, in which an external steel tube is bended and retracted to allow a jointing portion thereof to be formed as a T-shaped bending part is provided. A slot is inserted into the T-shaped bending part in a sliding manner to construct in a non-welding manner, and a multi-perforated penetrating part can be formed on the external steel tube to secure fire resistance capacity thereof. A method of fabricating the same is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: HYUNG-JUN KIM, HEUNG-YOUL KIM, IN-HWAN YEO, CHAN-SOL AHN
  • Patent number: 8424252
    Abstract: A buckling restrained brace includes an axial member and a restraining unit. The axial member extends along an axial direction, and has two coupling sections for connecting respectively to two connecting plates of a framework of a building, and a middle section connected between the coupling sections. Each coupling section has a supplying plate portion coplanar with an elongated plate body of the middle section, and a contacting plate portion extending perpendicularly from the supporting plate portion. An outer end of the supplying plate portion of each coupling section has a groove formed therethrough along a transverse direction of the axial member, extending along the axial direction, and permitting a respective one of the connecting plates to engage fittingly therewith and contact the corresponding contacting plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Keh-Chyuan Tsai, Chih-Yu Wei
  • Publication number: 20130081342
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower is made of reinforced concrete with fibre rovings as reinforcements. The fibre rovings may include, for example, glass fibre rovings, or armid fibre rovings, or carbon fibre rovings. The fibre rovings may comprise, for example, a bundle of multiple parallel oriented fibers forming a thin rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • Publication number: 20120266552
    Abstract: A hollow column having a wall surrounding an inner space is erected. Pre-stressing cables comprising tendons and two cable terminations are pre-assembled. Each tendon is contained in a respective jacket with a protective substance. Each cable termination comprises a block for anchoring each tendon of a pre-stressing cable, a chamber filled with a protective substance on a rear side of the block and a sealing system closing the chamber opposite the block. Each tendon of the pre-stressing cable extends through the sealing system and has its jacket interrupted in the chamber. The pre-assembled pre-stressing cables are installed in the inner space of the hollow column, with the two terminations of each cable bearing against abutment portions provided at the upper and lower parts of the column. The pre-stressing cables can then be tensioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Alain Huynh Tong, Benoît Melen
  • Patent number: 8272173
    Abstract: An anchoring assembly part for a wind turbine tower, which part is in a ring- or ring segment shape and prefabricated from a concrete material, and which has at least one projecting reinforcement element for the connection with a lower tower portion made of a concrete material, and at least one bore for receiving an anchor bolt for the detachable connection with an upper tower portion made of steel, an anchor sleeve with an internal thread for screwing in the anchor bolt being arranged in said bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 8225565
    Abstract: Interior insulation slots cut vertically through natural logs align to form a full wall interior insulation space within the stacked natural log wall. A plank cut out of the interior of each log is used in the interior structure of the building. Solid ends of the logs form corners with intersecting walls. Structural metal posts within the interior insulation space bind the logs together. Foam and vapor barrier insulation fill the interior insulation space. Only the curved natural log surfaces are exposed on the exterior and interior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jesse Barton Cox
  • Patent number: 8104242
    Abstract: A metal pole is pre-stressed and filled with concrete. The metal pole includes shear transfer connectors projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the metal pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Valmont Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Fouad H. Fouad, Earl R. Foust
  • Patent number: 8006446
    Abstract: CO2-sequestering formed building materials are provided. The building materials of the invention include a composition comprising a carbonate/bicarbonate component. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the CO2-sequestering formed building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Calera Corporation
    Inventors: Brent R. Constantz, Andrew Youngs, Terence C. Holland
  • Patent number: 7987638
    Abstract: A retrofit assembly for reinforcing a structural member including a plurality of retrofit segments including a first retrofit segment and a last retrofit segment, wherein the first retrofit segment connects to the last segment, and wherein each of the retrofit segments comprises a connecting rod, a brace, and a threaded nut, wherein the connecting rods each include a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends are each fixedly secured to one of the braces, and the second ends are each operatively threaded to engage with one of the nuts, and wherein the braces each include a hole operatively sized to receive the second end of one of the connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Lee Fang
  • Patent number: 7975438
    Abstract: A joining device (8) for hybrid wind turbine towers (5) intended for the fixation of a metal portion (6) of a wind turbine tower (5) to a concrete portion (7) of said wind turbine (1) which comprises a metal body (9) having a generally tubular configuration that is suitable to be fixed to the metal portion (6) of the tower (5) which in use is adjacent to the concrete portion (7), and suitable for being at least partially embedded into said concrete portion (7), said metal body (9) being provided with a number of anchoring openings (11) adapted such that the material of the concrete portion (7) passes therethrough. A hybrid wind turbine tower (5) comprises such a joining device (8) provided between one metal portion (6) and one concrete portion (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ecotecnia Energias Renovables, S.L.
    Inventors: Jordi Puigcorbé Punzano, Enrique Elkoroberezibar Markiegi
  • Patent number: 7886490
    Abstract: There is provided a strand that can reduce the trouble in constructing an object to which compression force is applied by the strand and that can keep the construction cost down. A strand 1 is placed in a bore hole provided in a wall or roof surface, and is gripped by a wedge in a tensioned state so as to apply a tensile force to the wall or roof surface. The strand 1 of the present invention includes a pipe-shaped member (corrugated tube 11) made of metal, and a plurality of metal wires 12 arranged on the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 11. The metal wires 12 are arranged to surround the corrugated tube 11 on the cross section of the corrugated tube 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo (SEI) Steel Wire Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoya Maekawa, Toshihiko Niki, Yoshihiko Touda, Katsuhito Oshima
  • Patent number: 7832178
    Abstract: A column includes a foundation, a plurality of column segments mounted to the foundation and extending upwardly, and a cap mounted to at least one of the plurality of column segments. A yield plate connects adjacent column segments to one another. An elastic strip connects to an exterior surface of at least two of the plurality of column segments and is adapted to permit deformation between the plurality of column segments and also return the plurality of column segments to their original orientation. A banding strip is connected at a junction between adjacent column segments and is adapted to limit the movement of the adjacent column segments at the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Jon Matthews Rouse
  • Patent number: 7805895
    Abstract: A foundation for enabling anchoring of a wind turbine tower thereto by means of replaceable through-bolts includes a foundation sole with a set of through-holes for accommodating the through-bolts, wherein the through-holes extend from an upper surface to a lower surface of the foundation sole; a workspace arranged beneath the foundation sole for enabling access to lower ends the through-bolts when arranged in the through-holes; and a passage allowing access to the workspace from a location outside an area of the foundation sole to be covered by the tower. A method for providing such a foundation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Patent number: 7762037
    Abstract: The segment for a tower of a wind energy turbine comprises a tubular section having a longitudinal axis and inner and outer sides, and at least one group of supporting elements arranged at the inner side of the tubular section. The segment further comprises at least one platform supportable by the supporting elements of the at least one group of supporting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Meiners
  • Patent number: 7752824
    Abstract: A continuity system for a building is designed to compensate for the downward settling of building elements over time, which occurs due to the shrinkage of wooden building members. The continuity system comprises one or more hold-down assemblies each having a stud-connector secured to a generally vertical stud, a generally vertical rod inserted into an opening of the stud connector, a rod-gripping member in toothed engagement with the rod above the opening, and one or more positioning elements exerting a downward force on the rod-gripping member. The rod has a lower portion secured to a stable building element such as the building's foundation. The opening of the stud-connector defines a frustoconical bearing surface on the upper surface of a portion of the stud-connector, or on a gripper support element in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Brown, Robert D. Lucey
  • Publication number: 20100139181
    Abstract: A method for erecting a pre-stressed sectionalized and segmented concrete tower for wind power or heliostatic generator or chimney comprising the steps of (a) building a tower foundation; (b) fabricating a plurality of concrete segments having internal ducts for introducing pre-stressing tendons; (c) fabricating a plurality of assembling supports and lifting harnesses for proving a support to the concrete segments when assembled in tower sections; (d) installing, with a crane the concrete segments to conform the concrete tower section; (e) engaging a lifting harness to the concrete tower section, lift the whole section of tower, mount such concrete section on the foundation and disengage the lifting harness and/or the assembling support; (f) assembling the following concrete tower sections though the use of assembling supports and mounting such tower sections through the use of lifting harnesses; and (g) joining the concrete sections through prestressing tendons to provide a rigid tower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Alejandro CORTINA-CORDERO, Jose Pablo CORTINA ORTEGA, Jose Pablo CORTINA CORDERO
  • Patent number: 7707797
    Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Allan P. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7694473
    Abstract: A wind energy plant tower with a tower portion made of a concrete material and a steel-made tubular tower segment, which has on its foot a plurality of connection bores for the connection to the tower portion made of the concrete material, wherein the tower portion made of the concrete material has a head portion with a plurality of openings and a plurality of anchor bolts are provided, which can be fastened after the completion of the tower portion made of the concrete material each at a time in or on one of the connection bores on the foot of the steel-made tower segment and one of the openings in the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jakubowski, Joachim Nitzpon
  • Publication number: 20090000227
    Abstract: A wind energy plant tower with a tower portion made of a concrete material and a steel-made tubular tower segment, which has on its foot a plurality of connection bores for the connection to the tower portion made of the concrete material, wherein the tower portion made of the concrete material has a head portion with a plurality of openings and a plurality of anchor bolts are provided, which can be fastened after the completion of the tower portion made of the concrete material each at a time in or on one of the connection bores on the foot of the steel-made tower segment and one of the openings in the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jakubowski, Joachim Nitzpon
  • Publication number: 20080245004
    Abstract: A tension connection for a building includes a first elongated tension member having proximal and distal ends, the first elongated tension member being anchored at its distal end, a second elongated tension member having proximal and distal ends, the second elongated tension member being anchored at its distal end, and the proximal ends of the first and second elongated tension members being disposed in close proximity and connected by a coupler, having a surrounding sleeve, the coupler being formed with a connection end and a take-up end, and a central bore wherein at least a portion of the central bore is formed as a substantially cylindrical inner surface and wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical inner surface is formed with a thread, the coupler also being formed with a first rotational member, having a distal end and a proximal end, the rotational member being received in the central bore of the surrounding sleeve and operatively connected to the surrounding sleeve, the first rotational member ha
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Steven E. Pryor, Lisa M. McGurty, William F. Leek, Richard Proctor
  • Patent number: 7374369
    Abstract: A method for the earthwork of a foundation sunk for a wind energy facility, which has the following steps: an anchor cage is provided, consisting of an anchor plate and several anchoring bolts which are connected with the anchor plate, the free ends of the anchoring bolts are guided through bores in at least one load distribution plate the load distribution plate lays on at least three bolt nuts, which are screwed on the anchoring bolts, a reinforcement for the foundation sunk is mounted and the anchor cage is poured in with the reinforcement, the anchoring bolts protruding with the bolt nuts in this, upon subsequent tightening of the anchoring bolts between anchor plate and load distribution plate, the bolt nuts are stripped over the thread of the anchoring bolt and loose their supporting capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Jakubowski, Joachim Nitzpon, Ralf Wederhake, Markus Marburger
  • Patent number: 7360342
    Abstract: A wedge for an anchor system is disclosed. One embodiment of the wedge includes at least two circumferential wedge segments. Each segment defines an exterior tapered surface and an interior surface. The interior surface has gripping elements thereon. The gripping elements define a difference between a major diameter and a minor diameter of about 0.25 to 0.75 of an amount of a difference defined by a conventional thread having substantially a same axial spacing and major diameter as the gripping elements on the interior surface. Another embodiment of the wedge has an interior surface shaped to substantially conform to an exterior surface of a tendon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hayes Specialty Machining, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norris O. Hayes, Randy Draginis