Proprietary and Confidential Information
The
© 2012; 2013 – P.M.Schmidt
Last revised August 22, 2013
Schmidt Air
Tower
TM - PMS
THIS NEW TELESCOPING
TOWER HAS A NUMBER OF
ADVANTAGES OVER
CONVENTIONAL TYPES, IN
BOTH ONSHORE AND
OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS …
Invented by: Phillip M. Schmidt, P.E.
Geneva, Ohio
Learn More About Them
From This Presentation!!
Air Tower and Schmidt Air Tower
are Trade Marks of P.M. Schmidt
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Phone: (440) 466-6414
Cell: (440) 361-0728
pschmidt_pcsi@yahoo.com
Image of turbine
from Microsoft
Patents Pending – Patent Applications
filed in United States and Canada.
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
The Schmidt Air Tower is a Fluid-Actuated
Telescoping Wind Turbine Support Tower
Pushed up by compressed air or water – no giant crane needed
Can be utilized for both onshore and offshore turbines
Sections bolt together -- but quicker options available
(45 PSI INSIDE A 14-FT DIA TOWER LIFTS 445 US TONS!)
Ready
to
extend
First
stage
extended
Fully
extended
Land or water
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore
1. Large turbines can be erected
without the use of a giant crane
The nacelle, hub and blades are installed before the
tower is extended, so they are lifted only one third as
high as when installed on conventional towers.
AND WHEN THESE COMPONENTS DON’T HAVE TO BE
LIFTED SO HIGH, A SMALLER CRANE CAN BE USED!
THIS CAN SAVE MORE THAN $200,000 PER TURBINE!!
(Estimate is for Onshore Turbines)
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
2. Large turbines can be elevated to
greater heights than possible when
a giant crane is used to erect them
When a giant crane is used to erect a large turbine,
the height to which the turbine can be lifted is limited
by the capacity of the crane.
A FLUID-ACTUATED TELESCOPING TOWER CAN BE
DESIGNED AND BUILT WITH LONGER, OR ADDITIONAL,
TELESCOPING SECTIONS SO IT CAN PUSH THE TURBINE
TO WHATEVER HEIGHT THE TOWER IS DESIGNED FOR!
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
3. Allows offshore turbines to operate
at higher elevations where winds are
stronger, and lowered for hurricanes
As the height and diameter of an offshore tower increases,
the tipping force applied to the tower by the wind also
increases, even if the blades are feathered. If a tower is too
tall the wind from a strong hurricane could destroy it, BUT...
A TELESCOPING TOWER CAN BE LOWERED DOWN TO
REDUCE THE TIPPING FORCE OF A HURRICANE AND THEN
ELEVATED BACK TO ITS NORMAL HEIGHT AFTER THE STORM!
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
4. The cost of making major turbine
repairs is greatly reduced
If a turbine mounted on a conventional tower has to
be brought back down to the ground or sea level for
repair or replacement, it can only be done by bringing
back the giant crane.
A TELESCOPING TOWER CAN BE LOWERED DOWN SO
THE TURBINE CAN BE REMOVED WITH A MUCH
SMALLER CRANE!
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
5. Telescoping towers are compatible
with hybrid towers, various types of
foundations and floating platforms.
A telescoping tower’s ability to elevate large turbines to
greater heights than a crane might be able to reach
makes it ideal for use in hybrid towers – which are often
used when operation at higher elevations is desired.
EXCEPT FOR THE FEATURES WHICH GIVE IT THE ABILITY
TO TELESCOPE AND HOLD AIR PRESSURE, A TELESCOPING
TOWER IS QUITE SIMILAR TO A CONVENTIONAL TOWER,
AND IT CAN TYPICALLY BE USED INSTEAD.
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
6. The lifting capacity of a fluid-actuated
telescoping tower increases as tower
diameters increase.
As offshore turbines grow larger and heavier, larger tower
diameters are utilized to increase the tower’s strength
without significantly increasing the wall thickness.
FOR ANY SPECIFIC INTERNAL PRESSURE, THE LIFTING
FORCE OF A FLUID-ACTUATED TELESCOPING TOWER
INCREASES IN PROPORTION TO THE SQUARE OF THE
DIAMETER !
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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(7) Advantages, onshore and offshore (Cont)
7. A small number of turbines can be
erected more economically, especially
on land in rough terrain situations
It is an expensive undertaking to bring a giant crane to
where turbines are to be erected, even when the turbines
are offshore and floating or jack-up type cranes are used.
IF ONLY A FEW TURBINES ARE TO BE ERECTED ON ROUGH
TERRAIN AND A GIANT CRANE HAS TO BE USED, THE
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRANE CAN BE SO GREAT
THAT THE PROJECT IS NEVER UNDERTAKEN.
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Offshore Applications:
(No giant barge crane required)
Fig 4 – Offshore Applications
1. Float, or barge, pre-stacked (or individual) sections to installation site
2. Tip up and lower into place by partially flooding interior of tower
3. Secure to previously constructed foundation
4. Pour concrete around lower section of tower, if needed
5. Pump out, install electrical cabinets, nacelle, hub and blades
6. Pump compressed air in to extend, then secure
an (water can be used instead – install electricals after)
Can also improve floating platforms
typically used or proposed for deep
water offshore wind farms.
Ice Breaking
Cone
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Simplified
cross-sectional view
showing tower walls,
connecting flanges
and bolts
Fig 2
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
(Note: Inside and outside
surfaces of tower sections
are not fully machined, and
compressed air is typically
injected through an opening
in floor or foundation) .
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Drawing Showing
Key Features of
New Tower
(Note: This view
shows a tower
segment with an
extended section
and second flange
for greater tipping
stability; also a flap
seal)
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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A new “Giant” crane that is similar in construction
to a telescoping fluid-actuated wind tower :
Grove Company’s
GTK1100
Telescoping Tower Crane
(Not air-actuated)
NOTE: This crane is very similar
in how its main mast is a ROUND
TELESCOPING STRUCTURE,
and when it extends upward there
are no external wires, etc. giving it
lateral stability.
All crane photos in this slide series from:
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
CRANE PARTIALLY EXTENDED
NOTE:
The “guy-bars” are rigid bars, not
cables, and rigid bars cannot be
carefully unwound and kept fairly tight
as the crane is telescoped and extended
upward.
The guy-bars as shown in this picture
are loose and therefore not providing
any sideways stability to the crane as it
is extended upward.
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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CRANE FULLY EXTENDED AND IN USE
NOTE: The crane is at its full height
230 ft tower
and the guy-bars are now tight. The
“guy bars” are only to stabilize the
crane while it performs the heavy lifting
operations!
This telescoping crane therefore kept
itself going straight up until it reached
its full height without any external
support being required.
(70 m)
Nacelle:
Appx 80 tons
Appx 270 ft
and 14 ft dia
Blades add
appx 60 tons
3 Sections
50 to 70 tons
(each)
A FLUID -ACTUATED
TELESCOPING WIND TOWER
WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THE
SAME!
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
General note regarding tower internals:
The components typically installed in a wind tower can all be
designed with relatively minimal changes so they will fit and
function within a fluid-actuated tower.
Instead of being attached to the tower walls the cabinets, air
conditioning elements and walkways can be attached to a
centrally located frame with the walkways folding down into
place; ladders can telescope; and work platforms can either
be eliminated due to unique nut and bolt configuration, or
designed to hang (along with the power cables) inside the
upper tower section and then lowered and secured after
tower is extended.
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Example – arrangement of tower internals:
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Inventor’s Background and Qualifications
•Graduate P.E. (OSU-BSWE) with 40 yrs relevant
experience in engineering and business management
•Has twice demonstrated ability to conceive, design
and develop industry changing ideas:
B&W (NASA Space Shuttle) and GD EB Div (Hull Fabrication)
•Has worked in five of the largest corporations in the
USA; owned and operated steel fabricating business
for over 20 years; welding engineering consultant.
•Hard worker, deeply committed and involved in
Ashtabula County and NE OH area
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
Inventor’s Qualifications
– Experience with Similar Products
Lead Tooling Engineer
ASRM Rocket Motor Cases
14-ft dia x 126 ft long
98,000 lbs
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Inventor’s Qualifications – Engineering Ability
ASRM Rocket Motor
- Lead Tooling Engineer
•Designed & Built $6M Tools
•Done on time, per budget
15,000 Lb. Round-Out Tool For Use In Manufacturing Booster
Rocket Motor Cases For NASA’s Space Shuttle
– Conceived and developed under direction of P. M. Schmidt, P.E.
while employed by the Babcock & Wilcox Company.
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Inventor’s Qualifications – Engineering Ability
• Met all performance expectations
Tooling rounded parts out in 6 work-hrs vs previous 6 work days
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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Inventor’s Qualifications – Engineering Ability
Nuclear Submarine Pressure Hulls
• Conducted study of hull fabrication methods and tooling;
recommended new approach that was basis for $25 million
shipyard modernization.
Bigger than wind towers
Over 40 ft Dia x over 400 ft long
Roundness and quality critical
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
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To help ensure the growth and
greater utilization of wind energy
and to help the NE Ohio Area
PLEASE SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW TYPE
OF WIND TOWER!
Thank you!!
See following slide for inventor contact information
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada
Proprietary and Confidential Information
Inventor Contact Information:
Phillip M. Schmidt, P.E.
6297 N. Ridge Rd, West
Geneva, Ohio 44041
Phone: (440) 466-6414
Cell: (440) 361-0728
e-mail: pschmidt_pcsi@yahoo.com
U.S. and Canadian Patents Pending:
Filed By: Tucker Ellis and West, LLP
Phillip M Schmidt , PE © PMS-2011
Patents Pending in United States and Canada