US 12,281,483 B2
System and method for manufacturing a tower structure
Norman Arnold Turnquist, Sloansville, NY (US); Xiaopeng Li, Niskayuna, NY (US); and Gregory Edward Cooper, Greenfield Center, NY (US)
Assigned to GE Infrastructure Technology LLC, Greenville, SC (US)
Appl. No. 17/778,081
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 22, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/062733
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 19, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/101558, PCT Pub. Date May 27, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412107 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/00 (2017.01); E04G 11/22 (2006.01); E04G 21/04 (2006.01); E04H 12/12 (2006.01); E04H 12/34 (2006.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01)
CPC E04G 21/0463 (2013.01) [B29C 64/00 (2017.08); E04G 11/22 (2013.01); E04H 12/12 (2013.01); E04H 12/341 (2013.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); E04G 2021/049 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
13. A method of manufacturing a tower structure, the method comprising:
depositing one or more layers of an interlocking form ring with a first printhead assembly, the interlocking form ring defining a plurality of recesses in at least one of a radially inner face or a radially outer face, the first printhead assembly including, at least, a first printhead oriented in a first direction;
depositing a cementitious material within one or more of the plurality of recesses with a second printhead assembly so as to form at least one of an inner tower wall or an outer tower wall, the second printhead assembly including a second printhead oriented in a second direction, the second direction being different than the first direction;
positioning at least one reinforcing member at least partially within the recess with the second printhead assembly;
positioning an articulable forming element of the second printhead assembly adjacent to the cementitious material during curing thereof so as to provide a slip form for the curing of the cementitious material; and
simultaneously depositing the cementitious material at least partially within one or more of the plurality recesses with a third printhead assembly, the third printhead assembly being disposed radially opposite the second printhead assembly, the third printhead assembly including a third printhead oriented in the second direction.