Vertically Oriented (e.g., Tower, Etc.) Patents (Class 52/651.01)
  • Patent number: 8522502
    Abstract: Tower structures of wind power installations having a height of more than 80 meters have a mast structure with corner posts composed of sub-profiles. The corner posts are each formed a sub-profile A and a sub-profile I which are not integrally connected to one another. The sub-profiles together form a closed overall profile. Separating joints of the closed overall profile are arranged aligned with corresponding separating joints of an adjacent corner post which is connected to struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
    Inventor: Klaus Huesemann
  • Publication number: 20130219821
    Abstract: A method of assembling a tubular building structure 1 comprising a circumferential wall structure formed from a plurality of wall elements 2,20. The method comprises mutually assembling at least some of the wall elements 2,20 by use of screw sockets 4 mounted in holes in the wall elements 2,20 and bolts. The wall elements may be superposed tube sections 2 arranged on top of each other, and these tube sections 2_may be formed by interconnecting axially extending tube segments 20. In some embodiments of the invention, the screw sockets 4 are mounted at the manufacturing site, and the wall elements 2,20 are subsequently transported to the erection site of the tubular building structure 1. Preferably the mutual assembly of the wall elements 2,20 is performable solely by people working inside the tubular building structure 1 fastening the bolts 5 to the pre-mounted screw sockets 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Andresen Towers A/S
    Inventor: Tom Andresen
  • Publication number: 20130212972
    Abstract: A tower that includes a junction having a sufficient yield strength and can easily ensure the accuracy of used tower sections, and a wind turbine generator having the tower, are provided. The tower configured by stacking a plurality of tower sections in a vertical direction and connecting the tower sections to each other includes a connecting member arranged in the tower section, the connecting member dividing an inside of the tower section into a plurality of regions in a horizontal plane, and having at least one end connected to an inner wall of the tower section, and a frictional joint part for connecting by frictional joint the connecting member to another connecting member connected to another adjacent tower section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Minoru KAWABATA
  • Patent number: 8499513
    Abstract: Tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components including pre-cast concrete, cast-in place concrete, reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, pre-tensioned concrete and post-tensioned concrete, for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Tony Jolly
  • Patent number: 8499455
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for installing a land wind power generator by using lead rails, and the method includes the steps of: locating a lower support having an insertion protrusion, a horizontal stepped surface, and a ground anchor, under the ground; locating a pair of posts of a tower crane and a cage for each post at the horizontal stepped surface of the lower support, ascending a nacelle assembly and an overhead crane, and locating an intermediate support by means of an outside crane; and locating the lead rails along the ground and the front surface of the intermediate support and ascending an upper support along the lead rails by means of the overhead crane. Next, after a nacelle base, a support frame, the lead rails, and the tower crane are disassembled from the located positions, a plurality of propellers connected to rollers located inside a rotary part of the nacelle assembly are lifted by means of a winch and are inserted into a plurality of coupling grooves of the rotary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Dong Taek Suh
  • Publication number: 20130180199
    Abstract: A flange connection for two tower sections of a wind energy system is described. The wind energy system includes a first flange including a first portion and a second portion, and a second flange including a first portion and a second portion. The wind energy system further includes a first connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring and a second connecting element having substantially the shape of at least a segment of a ring. The first connecting element and the second connecting element are adapted for being connected to each other and are adapted for connecting the first portion of the first flange with the first portion of the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Venkata Krishna VADLAMUDI, Rajkumar Sivanantham, Jay F. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8474212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower for a wind power plant having a plurality of corner bars (1) for forming a mast construction, wherein the corner bars (1) are each made up of a plurality of partial profiles (2) connected to each other and having opposing connection areas (3a, 3b) at which the adjacent partial profiles (2) of a corner bar (1) can be connected to each other, and wherein the partial profiles (2) each have two kink points in cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the partial profiles (2) in a segment located between opposite connection areas (3a, 3b) of the partial profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rautaruukki Oyj
    Inventors: Klaus Husemann, Willi Meiners
  • Patent number: 8438815
    Abstract: Non-cementitious tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the non-cementitious tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower. This foundation structure may be filled with non-cementitious fill of any type to provide the required mass to stabilize the foundation and the tower. A non-cementitious tower foundation structure includes a central shaft; a storage tank; and structural members coupling the central shaft to the storage tank. The storage tank comprises one or more voids for containing non-cementitious fill as ballast to stabilize the central shaft. The total volume capacity of the voids may be at least a threshold volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Tony Jolly
  • Publication number: 20130115054
    Abstract: A tower-internal-equipment bracket structure with a welded structure that can ensure a fatigue strength classification equal to or greater than that of butt welding (BW) or that requires no welding and a wind turbine generator provided with this tower-internal-equipment bracket structure are provided. In a tower-internal-equipment bracket structure provided inside a pole-type steel tower, employing a cylindrical shell (11), to support tower internal equipment, a ring-shaped member (20) having a protruding portion (21) toward the tower interior is interposed, by means of butt welding (BW), between divided portions formed by dividing the cylindrical shell (11) at a desired position in an axial direction, and the protruding portion (21) serves as a bracket-member support portion for the tower internal equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki YOKOYAMA, Yoshisuke ITOH, Minoru KAWABATA, Tsuyoshi HARAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130104489
    Abstract: A tower construction for a wind turbine is proposed. The tower construction has a number of axially disposed hollow cylindrical tower sections. Each of the axially disposed hollow cylindrical tower sections has a number of circumferentially disposed first tower section segments and a number of circumferentially disposed second tower section segments. The first tower section segments and the second tower section segments are alternated with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 8418413
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower (12) configured to support a wind turbine (18, 20). The tower (12) comprises a mass assembly (22) suspended by suspension apparatus (24) from the tower (12) such that the mass assembly (22) is movable to and fro in relation to the tower. The tower (12) also comprises at least one coupling apparatus mechanically coupled to the mass assembly (22) and to the tower (12), the coupling apparatus being operable to couple energy between the mass assembly and the tower as the mass assembly (22) moves to and fro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: XI Engineering Consultants Limited
    Inventors: Brett Marmo, Mark-Paul Buckingham, Charles Keepax, John Paul McKeown, Barry Carruthers, Donald Black
  • Patent number: 8413405
    Abstract: A method for erecting a tower of a wind power plant made of at least three tube-shaped tower segments. For this a tower segment is connected at its ends with another tower segment in each case: in which the tower segments are arranged in a predetermined sequence of the type tower segment A-tower segment B-tower segment C one upon the other, in which the first tower segment A is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality i?2 of first tower segments Ai which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, in which the second tower segment B is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality m?2 of second tower segments Bm which are constructed in the same way among themselves and exchangeable one for the other, and in which the third tower segment C is selected arbitrarily from a provided plurality n?2 of third tower segments Cn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Repower Systems SE
    Inventor: Uwe Meesenburg
  • Publication number: 20130081350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower (1) comprising a lower tubular tower section (2) made of concrete, an upper tubular tower section (3) made of steel and an adapter piece (7) for connecting the two tower sections (2, 3). The adapter piece (7) consists of an annular concrete element (8) and a steel element (9), the steel element (9) containing at least one annular flange (9a) that covers preferably entirely a surface of the concrete element (8), said surface being at the top in the installed state. The steel element (9) is directly cast together with the concrete element (8), wherein the annular flange (9a) is completely underpoured, essentially without air inclusions. In a method for producing a tower (1) comprising an adapter piece (7), a steel element (9) having an annular flange (9a) is placed head down into an annular formwork in order to produce said adapter piece (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: MAX BOGI BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bögl, Martin Hierl, Josef Knitl
  • Patent number: 8375650
    Abstract: A rapidly deployable structure for remote installation and method of constructing same is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of vertical support columns topped with guiding structures. Each guiding structure has a narrow top and flares toward a comparatively wider bottom end. The structures have horizontal members including apertures that interface with the guiding structures as the horizontal members are lowered into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Towers, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Gratzer
  • Patent number: 8359798
    Abstract: A foundation, particularly a foundation of a wind turbine, is provided. The foundation includes a central foundation member and a plurality of foundation segments which are segments of a circular, ring shaped or polygonal foundation element and which are connected to the central foundation member using a plurality of locking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Achim Armbrecht, André Frank
  • Publication number: 20130019556
    Abstract: The invention discloses a space truss support device in a large-scale tower, the large-scale tower is provided with a foundation beam therein, pillars are distributed on the surface of the foundation beam at intervals, both layering and horizontal support of X-direction cross beams and Y-direction cross beams are realized between the pillars and between the pillars on the periphery and a tower body, and the X-direction cross beams and the Y-direction cross beams of all layers horizontally support functional members inside the tower respectively. The device consisting of the foundation beam, the pillars, the X-direction cross beams and the Y-direction cross beams has the characteristics of large intensity, good rigidness and small flexibility, in particular, the multi-pillar structure of the device achieves the division of the existing large-span long cross beam into small-span short cross beams, thus high levelness of tower tray can be guaranteed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ru Wen Zhao
  • Patent number: 8353132
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a sectional mast assembly for erection and disassembly of a rig. The sectional mast assembly includes a bottom section having at least a back and a pair of opposed sides with each of the opposed sides having at least one pivoting ratchet support. A scoping dog assembly is moveable on a track on the bottom section. The scoping clog assembly includes wheels which engage the track and a pivoting ratchet support. A cylinder extends between the bottom section and the scoping dog assembly to move the scoping dog assembly on the track. The pivoting ratchet support of the scoping dog assembly engages each of the mast sections in sequence to raise the entire mast assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Woolslayer Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewayne G. Vogt, Paul Landis
  • Publication number: 20130000241
    Abstract: A wall portion for a tower of a wind turbine is provided. The wall portion has a first wall segment having a first flange at a lateral side of the first wall segment; a connection plate having a surface portion being mounted at a front side surface portion of the first wall segment; a second wall segment having a second flange at a lateral side of the second wall segment; and a third wall segment. The second flange is mechanically connected to the first flange. The connection plate protrudes an edge at another lateral side of the first wall segment. Another surface portion of the connection plate is mounted at a front side surface portion of the third wall segment and the connection plate protrudes an edge at a lateral side of the third wall segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Steen Kirkegaard Jensen, Anders Nygaard Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20120317918
    Abstract: A method for connecting metal segments of a tower includes connecting at least two metal segments of the tower by the use of connecting elements. A paste is provided between the tower segments for filling at least a part of a gap between the segments. The paste is cured, wherein the cured paste absorbs at least a part of a load originated by the connected segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Anders Nygaard RASMUSSEN, Martin WINTHER-JENSEN
  • Patent number: 8334612
    Abstract: A wind-power unit with a wind turbine, a generator with vertical axis a supporting pillar which supports the wind turbine, and a foundation for the supporting pillar (2). The generator includes a stator which is integrated with the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Vertical Wind AB
    Inventor: Hans Bernhoff
  • Patent number: 8322107
    Abstract: A wind turbine tower in which a horizontal force received by an upper part of the tower is dispersed to a lower part of the tower or to a base so as to reduce the load acting on a tower shell and suppress deformation of the tower caused by an external force is provided. A monotype-type wind turbine tower 2 in which mainly a tower shell 21 is configured to bear load includes a platform 22 connected to an inner wall of the tower shell 21 and dividing an internal space of the tower in the vertical direction; an elastic bearing 30 attached by fixing one end thereof to the platform 22; and a load transmission member 23 disposed in the internal space of the tower and connecting another end of the elastic bearing 30 to the platform 22 located at a position facing the elastic bearing 30 or to a base B so as to transmit a horizontal force from the elastic bearing 30 to the tower shell 21 or the base B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Murata
  • Patent number: 8322105
    Abstract: Pultruded and extruded structures are presented. The pultruded and extruded structures are hollow structures, are used for structural distribution poles and transmission towers for electricity, may include lighting components and may include antenna wires in the hollow structures for telecommunications. The pultruded and extruded structures include combination pultruded-filament wound or “pull wound” structures. The pultruded and extruded structures are pultruded or extruded in pre-determined sizes and shapes, plural colors, are environmentally safe, aesthetic pleasing and resistant to damage from weather, animals, insects and resistant to corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Duratel, LLC
    Inventor: Donald S. Williams
  • Patent number: 8276322
    Abstract: An integrated mounting pole system for communication and surveillance infrastructures includes a plurality of stackable sections, which are rotationally attached to a system cabinet of the system and one another. The sections include arms supporting antennas, video cameras, and other functional devices. A conduit and/or wiring raceway thereof coupling electronic equipment disposed in the system cabinet and the functional devices propagates through interior of the sections and the arms. The system may be disposed on a trailer and may include an autonomous source of electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Landon Miller
  • Publication number: 20120222379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine (100) with a tower (10). The present invention is based on the task of advancing a wind turbine (100) in such a way that high degrees of efficiency in the use of input wind energy are maintained along with reduced production costs for wind turbines (100) and simple design features in the construction of the tower (10). The task is solved by said tower (10) being a timber-made hollow body, that said tower (10) consists of modules in the form of segments (16), which are arranged on top of each other, and that said segments (16) consist of timber panels (17, 18, 19, 20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Gregor Prass
  • Publication number: 20120210659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower for a wind power installation. The tower comprises a wall extending from a foundation in an upwards direction towards a nacelle and defines an enclosed space. Furthermore, the tower comprises a safety blanket which is distended across the tower interior along an inner surface of the wall to thereby split the enclosed space into an upper compartment above the blanket and a lower compartment below the blanket. The safety blanket is flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Borge Ollgaard
  • Publication number: 20120210668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tubular building structure or tower 10 comprising superposed tube sections 12. At least some of the tube sections 12 are provided with platform segments 28 that are hinge-connected and foldable from a collapsed position in which they are positioned close to the tube sections 12 to a position of use in which they extend radially inwardly into the tubular building structure 10 in the mounted position of the tube sections 12. In particular the invention relates to a tube segment 16 adapted to be interconnected with other tube segments 16 to 17 form a tubular building structure or tower 10 comprising superposed tube sections 12, each tube section being formed by interconnected axially extending tube segments 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Arne Kryger, Lars Ryholl
  • Patent number: 8245458
    Abstract: A wind turbine has a nacelle mounted atop a tower, with a support system configured around a base portion of the tower. The support system includes a plurality of support fins spaced radially around the base portion. Each of the support fins has a continuous header member secured to the tower and a continuous face member extending radially outward and downward from the header member towards ground. The support fins include a web extending between the header member and face member. The support fins extend from the tower with a length and at an acute extension angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tower so as to provide vertical and lateral support around the circumference of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Bertram Johnson, Danian Zheng, Balaji Haridasu, William Francis Gevers
  • Publication number: 20120192514
    Abstract: Attaching wind turbines to towers built for many uses is highly advantageous. The ways of doing that in novel uses and ways are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: LEVIATHAN ENERGY WIND LOTUS LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Farb, Joe Van Zwaren, Avner Farkash, Ken Kolman
  • Patent number: 8220213
    Abstract: Non-cementitious tower foundations and structures, kits and methods for making the non-cementitious tower foundations. Aspects of the present invention operate to decouple the required mass for the foundation from the structural components needed to resist compression and tension forces. Aspects of the present invention include a foundation structure made of structural components for resisting the expected forces transferred from the tower. This foundation structure may be filled with non-cementitious fill of any type to provide the required mass to stabilize the foundation and the tower. A non-cementitious tower foundation structure includes a central shaft; a storage tank; and structural members coupling the central shaft to the storage tank. The storage tank comprises one or more voids for containing non-cementitious fill as ballast to stabilize the central shaft. The total volume capacity of the voids may be at least a threshold volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Tony Jolly
  • Publication number: 20120174522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower for a wind power installation, with the walls of the tower being produced at least partially from individual wall sections, which are connected to one another via connecting means. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tower for a wind power installation, which can be assembled with adequate precision. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for erection of a tower such as this. With respect to the tower, the object according to the invention is achieved in that a falsework is provided at least partially in the tower interior, to which the wall sections are connected, holding them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Prass Gregor
  • Publication number: 20120168116
    Abstract: Method of constructing a wind turbine comprising a tower with a bottom section housing electric equipment, which is built in the bottom tower section before the bottom tower section is positioned on a foundation. Prefabricated bottom tower section for a wind turbine comprising electric equipment, e.g., positioned on two or more floors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: XEMC Darwind B.V.
    Inventors: Marianna Mello, Bonne Dijkstra, Franciscus Leonardus Hendricus Strik, Jan Willem Pasteuning
  • Patent number: 8209913
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to propose a tubular structure and a wind turbine generator in which work on an outer surface of the tower structure can be performed easily. A tubular structure comprises: a plurality of tubular sections 21 that are stacked one on top of another in a vertical direction, the adjacent tubular sections 21 being joined together with use of a splice plate 22 arranged on at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of abutting ends of the adjacent tubular sections 21 and a fastening member 25 fastening the splice plate 22 and the adjacent tubular sections 21; an opening for operation 26 which is arranged in a vicinity of the splice plate 22 on a circumferential surface of the tubular sections 21; and a reinforcing rib 28 arranged in the vertical direction on the circumferential surface of the tubular sections 21, wherein a vertical position of the reinforcing rib 28 includes at least a vertical range where the opening for operation 26 is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Murata
  • Publication number: 20120159873
    Abstract: A tower section for a wind turbine tower structure comprises at least two shell segments defining, in an assembled condition, a substantially hollow structure, and including first connecting means for mutually joining two adjacent shell segments along a joint, which comprise a column of concrete arranged overlapping at least part of the joint between adjacent shell segments. A method for building a tower section for a wind turbine tower structure and a wind turbine comprising a nacelle having rotatable blades and a vertical tower made of at least one of such tower sections are further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM WIND, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Jordi Puigcorbé Punzano, Albert Fisas Camañes, Alberto González Del Egido, Núria García Gómez
  • Publication number: 20120151864
    Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Willis, John Menichetti
  • Patent number: 8196358
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator tower is configured by arranging and connecting a plurality of approximately cylindrical tower sections in their axial direction. Each of the tower sections includes an approximately cylindrical tower section main body, and a plurality of approximately flat-plate protruding parts that are formed so as to protrude along the axial direction at at least an axis-wise end portion of the tower section main body on an outer circumferential surface and/or an inner circumferential surface of the tower section main body. The plurality of tower sections are connected when the protruding parts of one of the tower sections and the protruding parts of another one of the tower sections are friction-jointed with fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20120137621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower for a wind power plant having a plurality of corner bars (1) for forming a mast construction, wherein the corner bars (1) are each made up of a plurality of partial profiles (2) connected to each other and having opposing connection areas (3a, 3b) at which the adjacent partial profiles (2) of a corner bar (1) can be connected to each other, and wherein the partial profiles (2) each have two kink points in cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the partial profiles (2) in a segment located between opposite connection areas (3a, 3b) of the partial profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: RUUKI DORTMUND GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Husemann, Willi Meiners
  • Publication number: 20120137622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector assembly (20) for joining a main tower (102) to a base structure (104) where the axial alignment of the tower to the base structure needs to be adjustable, and to a method of using such a connector assembly to assemble a tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Rowan Warwick Patterson, Matthew Marcantonio
  • Publication number: 20120137620
    Abstract: A tower base section, a tower adapter and a wind turbine having the tower base section and the tower adapter are provided. The tower base section includes a tubular side wall and a flange portion. The flange portion has an inner radius and an outer radius and is configured as a T-flange. The tubular side wall is located closer to the outer radius than to the inner radius. The adapter is arranged outside the tubular side wall and includes a bottom surface pressing from above on the flange portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: William Gevers, Nina Kristeva, Hueseyin KARACA
  • Patent number: 8191316
    Abstract: An off-shore wind turbine includes a tower, a pile forming at least part of a foundation carrying the tower, a radial distance element extending outward from the tower and the pile, and a plurality of connecting elements extending from the radial distance element to at least one of the tower and pile, the plurality of connecting elements being configured to vertically align the tower on the pile. A method of erecting the wind turbine tower is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen
  • Publication number: 20120131876
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method for hoisting one or more tower sections (12, 25) of a wind turbine (10) or one or more tower sections (12, 25) of a wind turbine (10) preassembled to a nacelle (16), wherein the one or more tower sections (12, 25) include an uppermost flange (310, 320, 330, 340), is provided. The method includes: attaching one or more linking elements (19) to the one or more tower sections (12, 25) at or below the uppermost flange (310, 320, 330, 340); and hoisting the one or more tower sections (12, 25) of a wind turbine (10) or one or more tower sections (12, 25) of a wind turbine (10) preassembled to the nacelle (16) using a hoisting machine (130) that is connected with the one or more tower sections (12, 25) by the one or more linking elements (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes NIES
  • Patent number: 8186129
    Abstract: Top and bottom packing brackets for supporting respective smaller top and larger bottom ends of a tapered architectural column during shipment and storage. Each of the packing brackets includes a ring portion and a surrounding frame portion joined together by webbing extending therebetween. The ring portion of the respective top and bottom packing brackets are sized to closely receive the smaller top and larger bottom ends of the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: CW Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas N. Noirot, Joseph D. Leone
  • Patent number: 8171695
    Abstract: A structural member and method with an improved arm connection is provided that allows quick connection of an arm to the structural member. Pins are inserted through aligned apertures in first and second thru-vangs, as well as an abutting arm bracket. A flexible securement member is inserted through an aperture in the pins that is transverse to the pins. Last, an arm is secured to the arm bracket for support of electrical conductors strung thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas & Butts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Aubrey Jackson, David Nahlen, Jim Palmer, Timothy Stephens
  • Patent number: 8171674
    Abstract: A doorway for a tower of a wind turbine is disclosed. The doorway may generally comprise a doorway frame having a substantially rectangular shape and including an inner face and an outer face. An opening may be defined between the inner and outer faces and may be configured to provide access to an interior of the tower. Additionally, at least one of the inner face and the outer face may define a substantially planar surface along at least a portion of its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bharat Bagepalli, Russell Earle Walthers
  • Patent number: 8146320
    Abstract: The modular kit for a tower has a height ranging between a minimum height and a maximum height, in particular for a wind energy turbine, comprises a first conical tower segment (10) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (11), a second conical tower segment (12) comprising a steel tube having a predetermined length (12), and a first cylindrical tower segment (14) comprising a steel tube having a length between a predetermined minimum length and a predetermined maximum length. The length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14) can be adapted to the necessary height of the tower between its minimum height and its maximum height. The minimum height is the sum of the predetermined lengths (11,12) of the first and second conical tower segments (10,12) and the minimum length of the first cylindrical tower segment (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marc Seidel, Martin Von Mutius, Ulrich Uphues
  • Publication number: 20120066998
    Abstract: The fixed structure for this horizontal axis wind turbine comprises: a base fitting having an inner flange and that is fastened to the base; a tower having a inner flange on the bottom end thereof that is aligned with and connected to the top side of the inner flange of the base fitting; and a frame that is located inside the tower and that has a part mounting section and a leg section that supports the part mounting section above it. An inside end section that protrudes further inward than the inside end of the inner flange of the tower is provided on the inside end of the inner flange of the base fitting, and the leg section is placed on this inside end such that the frame is supported by the base fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ikuo TOBINAGA
  • Patent number: 8136329
    Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. The vertical connection includes an interior vertical friction plate positioned over a seam or gap between adjacent panels and an exterior vertical friction plate positioned over the seam or gap between adjacent panels. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey O. Willis
  • Publication number: 20120047840
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tower for a wind power installation, wherein the walls of the tower are at least partially produced from individual wall sections which are connected to one another by means of connection means. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a tower which can be assembled with a sufficient degree of precision. It is also the object of the invention to provide a method for erecting a tower of this kind. The object according to the invention in respect of a tower of this kind is achieved in that an empty framework is at least partially provided in the interior of the tower and the wall sections are retentively connected to said empty framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Prass Gregor
  • Patent number: 8122647
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission tower, which includes a tower body; first through sixth main insulation arms connected by one end thereof to the tower body with an angle with the tower body, respectively, and arranged radially and symmetrically about the tower body in a longitudinal direction; and first through eighth auxiliary insulation arms for selectively connecting the other end of the first through sixth main insulation arms and the tower body so that each of the auxiliary insulation arms constitutes each side of an octagon. Since the insulation arms are octagonally arranged, it is possible to reinforce a mechanical strength and enhance electric properties of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Electric Power Corporation
    Inventors: Won-Kyo Lee, Dong-II Lee, Koo-Yong Shin, In-Hyuk Choi
  • Publication number: 20120036798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for constructing a tower for a wind power installation and to a tower for a wind power installation. In this case, a coating is applied at least partially onto the exterior surface of the tower, wherein the coating is applied such that the coating absorbs tensile stresses which act on the exterior surface of the tower, and that the coating seals the exterior surface of the tower against environmental influences, in particular moisture, which act on the surface from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Giebel Holger
  • Patent number: 8109061
    Abstract: A tower part for a wind turbine includes at least one wall segment and at least one aperture segment including at least one aperture. The wall segment and the aperture segment are connected and the aperture segment is of a substantially uniform thickness and is thicker than the thickness of the wall segment. The tower part further includes an aperture cover system for covering at least one aperture in a tower part for a wind turbine, including cover plates and attachments for attaching the system to the tower part, where the attachments do not affect the fatigue limit of the tower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jonas Kristensen