Method and means for mounting a wind turbine on a tower

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a wind turbine on the upper end of a wind turbine tower is disclosed as well as the method of erecting the same. The tower is provided with a pair of spaced-apart guide rails positioned at one side thereof which extend from the lower end to the upper end of the tower. A carriage is movably mounted on the guide rails and has a platform pivotally mounted thereon adapted to support the wind turbine thereon. The carriage positions the wind turbine so that the spinner/hub and rotor blades may be secured thereto while the wind turbine is at the lower end of the tower and provides a means for slidably moving the wind turbine from the carriage to the upper end of the tower when the carriage has been winched to the upper end of the tower.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In combination: 
 a vertically disposed tower having upper and lower ends;    said lower end of said tower being positioned substantially at ground level;    and a ground engaging battered leg structure, having upper and lower ends, secured at its upper end to said tower intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom so that the lower end thereof is substantially positioned at ground level and anchored thereto.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of    claim 1    wherein said battered leg structure comprises a pair of leg members secured to said tower above the lower end thereof which extend downwardly and outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         3 . The combination of    claim 2    wherein a plurality of braces are secured to and extend between said leg members and said tower.