Tower structure and method of assembling
US8136329B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/728
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
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. The horizontal connection comprises an interior friction plate that covers a seam or gap between the adjacent sections and an exterior friction plate that covers the seam or gap between the adjacent sections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.