US 12,263,776 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 Oct. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/497,278.
Application 18/497,278 is a continuation of application No. 16/934,517, filed on Jul. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,807,153.
Application 16/934,517 is a continuation of application No. 15/603,172, filed on May 23, 2017, granted, now 10,752,154.
Application 16/934,517 is a continuation of application No. 15/057,765, filed on Mar. 1, 2016, granted, now 9,683,546.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/261,183, filed on Nov. 30, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0059208 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B60P 3/40 (2006.01); B61D 3/16 (2006.01); B61D 45/00 (2006.01); E04H 12/00 (2006.01); E04H 12/34 (2006.01); F03D 13/40 (2016.01)
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)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of accommodating differences in a circumference of a tower section of a wind turbine along a longitudinal length of the tower section for transporting on a transport device, the method comprising:
positioning the tower section on pivoting cradle surfaces pivotable about longitudinal pivots configured to support a circumference of the tower section, wherein the pivoting cradle surfaces are disposed on opposing cradle saddles of a cradle support;
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 cradle support and the opposing cradle saddles attaching removably to a base component of the cradle support, wherein:
the base component comprises a plurality of struts; and
each opposing cradle saddle comprises two adjacent members that sit between the plurality of struts of the base component;
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 cradle support; and
affixing the tower section to one or more end supports of the transport device.