US 11,807,153 B2
Modular systems and methods for transporting tower assembly of wind turbine
Evan Keller, Houston, TX (US); Marco A. Poisler, Houston, TX (US); and Joseph M. Sindelar, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to BNSF Logistics, LLC, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed by BNSF Logistics, LLC, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/934,517.
Application 16/934,517 is a continuation of application No. 15/603,172, filed on May 23, 2017, granted, now 10,752,154.
Application 15/603,172 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/057,765, filed on Mar. 1, 2016, granted, now 9,683,546, issued on Jun. 20, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/261,183, filed on Nov. 30, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0170936 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. F03D 13/40 (2016.01); B60P 3/40 (2006.01); E04H 12/00 (2006.01); E04H 12/34 (2006.01); B61D 3/16 (2006.01); B61D 45/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60P 3/40 (2013.01) [B61D 3/166 (2013.01); B61D 45/003 (2013.01); E04H 12/00 (2013.01); E04H 12/344 (2013.01); F03D 13/40 (2016.05); F05B 2240/122 (2013.01); F05B 2240/912 (2013.01); Y02E 10/728 (2013.01)] 33 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of transporting a tower section of a wind turbine, the tower section having a longitudinal length and a circumference, the method comprising:
positioning end supports at end locations on a bed of a transport device;
positioning at least one intermediate support at at least one intermediate location on the bed of the transport device;
adjusting at least one of the end supports as at least one adjustable end support in a longitudinal direction to accommodate the longitudinal length of the tower section;
loading the tower section on the transport device by supporting a circumference of the tower section on pivoting cradle surfaces pivotable about longitudinal pivots disposed on opposing cradle saddles;
accommodating differences in the circumference of the tower section along the longitudinal length of the tower section by:
adjusting a lateral separation between the longitudinal pivots disposed on the opposing cradle saddles, the opposing cradle saddles being moveable in a lateral direction on the at least one intermediate support against which the tower section rests and the opposing cradle saddles attaching to a base component of the at least one intermediate support; and
allowing the pivoting cradle surfaces to pivot in a radial direction about the longitudinal pivots, wherein the longitudinal pivots are attached to the opposing cradle saddles without attaching to the base component of the at least one intermediate support; and
affixing the tower section to the end supports.