James D Lott

US Patent:

7877934, Feb 1, 2011

Filed:

Jan 3, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/649033

Inventors:

Tracy Livingston - Heber City UT, US
Terry Schrader - Southlake TX, US
James Goldhardt - Salt Lake City UT, US
James Lott - Newburgh IN, US

Assignee:

Wind Tower Systems, LLC - Park City UT

International Classification:

B66C 23/62

US Classification:

52 40, 5274517, 52296, 52848

Abstract:

The disclosed invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention generally includes a frame or truss that is pivotally secured to the top bay assembly of the tower. A transverse beam is connected to the frame or truss and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground.

US Patent:

8069634, Dec 6, 2011

Filed:

Oct 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/906771

Inventors:

Tracy Livingston - Heber UT, US
James Goldhardt - Heber City UT, US
Terry Schrader - Southlake TX, US
James Lott - Newburgh IN, US
David Oliphant - Heber City UT, US
Harry Daugherty - Whitehouse OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

E04B 1/00

US Classification:

5274517, 52 40, 52120, 52296, 52848

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.

US Patent:

20100236161, Sep 23, 2010

Filed:

Jan 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/696297

Inventors:

Tracy Livingston - Heber City UT, US
James Goldhardt - Salt Lake City UT, US
Terry Schrader - Southlake TX, US
James Lott - Newburgh IN, US
David Oliphant - West Jordan UT, US
Harry Daugherty - Whitehouse OH, US

Assignee:

WIND TOWER SYSTEMS, LLC

International Classification:

E04H 12/00
E04B 1/38
E04C 2/38
E04G 21/14
E04H 12/34

US Classification:

521252, 5274518, 5274521, 52578, 5265107

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.