IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,240,025
Granted Patent B2
US 12,240,025 · App. 18/084,368 · Granted Mar 4, 2025

Sheet transitioning in spiral formed structures

Inventors: Rosalind K. Takata (Denver, CO); Loren Daniel Bridgers (Golden, CO); Eric D. Smith (Denver, CO)
Assignee: KEYSTONE TOWER SYSTEMS, INC.
B21C37/185B23K31/027E04H12/08Y02E10/728
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,240,025
App. No.
18/084,368
Granted
Mar 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

Claims (9)

1. A structure comprising:

a first curved sheet having a pair of first longitudinal edges parallel to one another; and

a second curved sheet having a pair of second longitudinal edges, the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet forming at least a portion of a tapered conical segment, and the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet joined to one another along a first seam extending in a spiral and along a second seam oblique to the first seam, and the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet differing in thickness from one another along the second seam, wherein the pair of the second longitudinal edges of the second curved sheet are parallel to one another, and one of the second longitudinal edges of the second curved sheet abuts another one of the second longitudinal edges of the second curved sheet at an intersection of the first seam and the second seam.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the second seam spans a distance between the pair of the second longitudinal edges of the second curved sheet.

3. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the intersection is a T-shape intersection.

4. The structure of claim 3 , wherein the T-shape intersection has oblique angles.

5. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet each have a respective maximum width in a direction perpendicular to each of the first longitudinal edges and to the second longitudinal edges.

6. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet are formed of different materials.

7. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the first curved sheet and the second curved sheet have different yield strengths.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2022
From: TAKATA, ROSALIND K.; BRIDGERS, LOREN DANIEL; SMITH, ERIC D.
To: KEYSTONE TOWER SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062164/0666 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 17038059 · Sep 30, 2020
Continuation 16692523 · Nov 22, 2019
Continuation 16183231 · Nov 7, 2018
Continuation 15692461 · Aug 31, 2017
Provisional Application 62381749 · Aug 31, 2016
Related Publication 20230201901A1 · Jun 29, 2023
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