US2013122210A1PendingUtilityA1

Wind turbine fluid application apparatus

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Assignee: Jensen dustinPriority: Oct 20, 2009Filed: Jan 8, 2013Published: May 16, 2013
Est. expiryOct 20, 2029(~3.2 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Dustin JensenBroque L. FraughtonSonny K. Fraughton
F03D 80/50B05B 13/0436Y02E10/72F03D 80/55B08B 3/024
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PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

A wind turbine tower cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame which circumferentially extends at least partially around a wind turbine tower. A separator structure can be attached to the frame and extends between the frame and the wind turbine tower to position the frame at a predetermined distance away from the wind turbine tower. The separator structure can also include an attachment end which is attached to the frame and a slidabe end positionable near the wind turbine tower. A slider can be attached to the slidabe end of the separator structure and can slide on the surface of the wind turbine tower as the frame is raised and lowered on the wind turbine tower. A frame lift device can raise and lower the frame on the wind turbine tower. A sprayer can spray fluid onto the wind turbine tower to clean the wind turbine tower.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for cleaning, treating, or painting a wind turbine tower, comprising:
 positioning a frame around a circumference of a wind turbine tower, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of sprayers;   moving the frame along a height of the wind turbine tower;   adjusting a circumference of the frame automatically according to a diameter of the wind turbine tower as the frame is moved along the height of the wind turbine tower; and   spraying a fluid onto the tower as the frame as moved along the height of the wind turbine tower.   
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the fluid is a cleaning fluid which is sprayed onto the tower as the framed is moved upward along the height of the wind turbine tower, and wherein a rinsing fluid is sprayed onto the tower as the frame is moved downward along the height of the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein spraying the cleaning fluid comprises using different nozzles used in spraying the rinsing fluid. 
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the fluid is paint or a coating fluid. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising telescopically expanding or contracting the frame to adjust the circumference of the frame. 
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising expanding or contracting the frame using pivoting frame expansion members to adjust the circumference of the frame. 
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising using a winch with a cable extending from the winch to the frame to move the frame along the height of the wind turbine tower. 
     
     
         28 . A method in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the winch is attached to a utility vehicle.

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