# US 8,782,966 B2 · Base support for wind-driven power generators > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,782,966 B2 - Document ID: US8782966B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/874,741 - Filed: 2013-05-01 - Published: 2013-12-12 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-13 - Assignees: Tindall Corporation - Applicants: Tindall Corporation - Inventors: Bryant Allan Zavitz; Kevin Lee Kirkley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782966B2 ## CPC - E04H 12/20: Side-supporting means therefor, e.g. using guy ropes or struts - B28B 1/24: by injection moulding {(injection moulding of ceramic slips B28B1/265; of tubular articles B28B21/38)} - B28B 13/06: Removing the shaped articles from moulds (by means incorporated in, or carried by, the moulds B28B7/10) - E02D 27/425: {specially adapted for wind motors masts (wind motors per se F03D1/00)} - E04B 1/20: the supporting parts consisting of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete, or other stonelike material - E04H 12/12: of concrete or other stone-like material, with or without internal or external reinforcements, e.g. with metal coverings, with permanent form elements - E04H 12/342: {Arrangements for stacking tower sections on top of each other (E04H12/344 takes precedence)} - F03D 13/10: Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors - F03D 13/22: {Foundations specially adapted for wind motors} - F05B 2240/9121: on a lattice tower - F05B 2240/913: on a mast - Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction - Y02E 10/728: Onshore wind turbines - Y10S 416/06: Supports for natural fluid current motors - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - B28B: SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (foundry moulding B22C; working stone or stone-like material B28D; shaping of substances in a plastic state, in general B29C; making layered products not composed wholly of these substances B32B) - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - F03D: WIND MOTORS - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A support tower, comprising: a ring foundation pad; and a base structure, secured to said foundation pad, and comprising a steel structure, and a plurality of adjacent circular sections stacked on top of one another, each said circular section having a diameter and respectively comprising a plurality of blocks; wherein the diameter of each said circular section is greater than the diameter of the adjacent circular section stacked on top of said circular section, and wherein the steel structure abuts and supports the plurality of said adjacent circular sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A support tower as in claim 1, wherein said blocks are constructed primarily of concrete. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A support tower as in claim 2, wherein said blocks further include integral ribs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A support tower as in claim 1, further including a mast, secured to said base structure, and configured to support a wind turbine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A support tower as in claim 4, further including a transition piece between said base structure and said mast. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A support tower as in claim 4, wherein said mast comprises a plurality of stacked concrete tubular structures. ### Claim 7 A method for constructing a support tower, the method comprising: constructing a ring foundation pad; and stacking a plurality of circular sections on top of such ring foundation pad to construct a base structure, each such circular section having a diameter and comprising a plurality of blocks, the diameter of each such circular section being greater than the diameter of the circular section stacked on top of such circular section; providing a steel structure; and supporting the plurality of said circular sections by placing the plurality of said circular sections in contact with the steel structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein such blocks are constructed primarily of concrete. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein such blocks are constructed with integral ribs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further including: constructing a central foundation pad in a location interior to that of the location for such ring foundation pad; providing a tower structure supported on such central foundation pad; placing a transition piece on top of such tower structure; and securing such base structure to such transition piece. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further including removing such tower structure after such base structure is secured to such transition piece. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further including securing a mast to such transition piece, such mast configured to support a wind generator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein such mast comprises a plurality of stacked concrete tubular structures.