AU2014201518A1

AU2014201518A1 - A portable tower assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2014201518A1
Application number: AU2014201518A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Grant Christopher REYNOLDS
Original assignee: Feflp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Feflp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-13
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: AU2014265022A1

Abstract

This invention relates toe portable tower assembly comprising a base supporting a tower and a solar panel assembly, where each of the base, the tower and the solar panel assembly have, and are movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport.

Description

A PORTABLE TOWER ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a portable tower assembly. In a particular form the present invention relates to a portable tower assembly for use in remote locations, such as mines and mining camps, although application of the invention need not be so limited. BACKGROUND [0002] Trailer mounted generator driven lighting towers are well known and widely used in applications where they will not be left unattended for long periods, such as lighting road works. [00031 These trailer mounted units are not ideally suited to applications where their high degree of mobility is a potential liability, or the generator's fuel supply is not going to be attended to regularly. As such, they would not be well suited to use as street or security lights at remote mines or mining camps. [00041 Nor however, are they well suited to applications where the noise generated by the generator will affect people or animals in close proximity. As such they would not be well suited to mines, mine accommodation, construction sites, public events and/or venues, agricultural properties or communities that are not otherwise connected to mains power grids. [0005] It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed. [00061 Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY [0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided a portable tower assembly comprising a base supporting a tower, where both the base and the tower have, and are movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport, and wherein the base comprises at least one ballast receptacle of selectively variable weight for selectively anchoring the portable tower assembly. [0008] In one form, the tower supports one or more of lighting equipment, communications equipment, and/or security equipment.

2 [0009] In one form, the portable tower assembly further comprises power supply means and control means for the equipment. In this way the portable tower assembly is substantially self-contained. 100101 In one form, the power supply means comprises one or more of a solar panel, a wind turbine, at least one battery, and a battery charger. [00111 In one form, the power supply means comprises a solar panel assembly having, and movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport, and to protect this from damage. [0012] In one form, the base comprises a plurality of outrigger assemblies, at least one of which is configurable by way of having, and being movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport. [00131 In one form, the or each configurable outrigger assembly comprises a fixed inner portion, and a movable outer portion which can be moved into its deployed configuration, or inward into its stowed configuration for transport. In one form, the lighting equipment comprises an electric light assembly whose light intensity and positioning are remotely adjustable. [0014] In one form, the security equipment comprises a security camera. [00151 In one form, the communications equipment comprises one or more of antennae, transceivers and/or a wireless communications device providing internet connectivity. [0016] In one form, the control means controls one or more of operation of the equipment, power supply to the equipment, and/or the configuration of one or more parts of the portable tower assembly. [0017] In one form, the control means tracks the sun and directs the solar assembly so that its efficiency is maximised. [0018] In one form, the tower moves between its deployed configuration and stowed configurations by folding. [0019] In one form, in an alternative, the tower moves between its deployed and stowed configurations by telescoping. [0020] In one form, the or each ballast receptacle is adapted to be substantially purged to aid movement of the portable light tower assembly.

3 [00211 In one form, in an alternative, the tower is separable from the base for transport. [0022] According to a second aspect, there is provided a portable tower assembly comprising a base supporting a tower and a solar panel assembly, where each of the base, the tower and the solar panel assembly have, and are movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport. [0023] The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured. [00241 A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [00251 Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable tower assembly in its deployed configuration; [0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the deployed portable tower assembly of Figure 1; [00281 Figure 3 is a side view of the deployed portable tower assembly of Figure 1; [0029] Figure 4 is a front view of the deployed portable tower assembly of Figure 1; [00301 Figure 5 is an underside view of the deployed tower assembly of Figure 1; [0031] Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of the portable tower assembly in its stowed configuration; [0032] Figure 8 is a front end view of the stowed portable tower assembly of Figure 7; 4 [0033] Figure 9 is a side view of the stowed portable tower assembly of Figure 7; [0034] Figure 10 is a rear end view of the stowed portable tower assembly of Figure 7; [0035] Figure 11 is a top view of the stowed portable tower assembly of Figure 7; and [0036] Figure 12 is an underside view of the stowed portable tower assembly of Figure 7. [0037] In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0038] Referring now to Figures 1 through 6, where there is shown a portable tower assembly 1 in its deployed configuration, for use as a lighting and communications tower. [0039] The portable tower assembly 1 comprises a base 2 supporting a tower 4 from which there depends a first electric light 3 whose light intensity and positioning are remotely adjustable, a wireless communications device 5, a second electric light 6, and a camera 7. [0040] The tower 4 is pivotally connected to the base 2 and it is comprised of multiple tower segments 14 connected by hinge assemblies 15 so that the tower segments 14 are articulated with respect to one another. This way, when the tower 4 is deployed (i.e. erected), the tower segments 14 stand upright and end to end; when stowed (i.e. folded), the tower segments lay lengthwise atop one another (as illustrated in Figures 6 through 12). [00411 The tower segments 14 may be secured in either of their extended or deployed configuration by bolted or magnetic connections. Folding and unfolding of the tower segments 14 may be driven by electrical linear actuators or slewing drives extending or attached between or to the tower segments 14 and hinge assemblies 15. [0042] The base 2 comprises a central support column 10 comprising a central tower support 8, and four outrigger assemblies 11 A, 11B, 11C and 1ID extending out from and equi-spaced around the central support column 10. The outrigger assemblies 11 A, 11B, 11 C and 11 D may be either permanently secured to the central support column 10 (such as by welding) or removably secured thereto (such as by bolted connection). [0043] Each outrigger 11 comprises a support arm comprising a frame comprising a mount M (see Figure 6) on which a ballast receptacle 12 can be seated. Each ballast receptacle 12 has the form of a 5 generally cuboid tank formed from engineered plastic material. In use, when the ballast receptacles 12 are filled with ballast (generally water) they anchor the portable tower assembly I in position. [0044] Three of the outriggers I IA, 11 B and IID comprise a hinge assembly 21 which divides the outrigger into a fixed inner portion, and a movable outer portion which can be swung outward into its deployed configuration, or inward into a stowed configuration. [0045] Outrigger 11 A supports a cabinet 13 housing at least some parts of a distributed control system, so it will hereinafter be referred to as a distributed control system hub 16. The distributed control system comprises one or more programmable logic controllers, batteries, battery chargers, fuses, switches, controls and communication equipment via which the distributed control system hub 16 may be contacted for controlling and reprogramming. [00461 The distributed control system may control any or all of the time of operation of the light 3, and/or the intensity of the light 3, and/or the positioning of the light 3, and/or the lux pattern of the light 3 and/or the function of the wireless communications device 5, and/or the function of the camera 7, and/or the raising or lowering of the mast 4, and/or the deployment or retraction or movement of solar panels 19 (which are discussed in detail below). Any customisation of the function of any or all of the aforementioned is saved by the control system through a power cycle of when the portable light and communication tower is stowed. [00471 The distributed control system incorporates a power saving and safety mode facilitating automatic dimming of the electric light 3 or lights 3 and 6, restricted function of the wireless communications device 5 and restricted function of the camera 7. The power saving and safety mode is autonomous in that the control system adjusts settings based on analysis of the previous days/weeks/months data relating to charge levels in particular, and accounts for climatic fluctuations, environmental conditions and hardware performance. This function provides extended battery life cycle through mitigating and regulating harmful battery discharge depth. [00481 The distributed control system also monitors the performance of hardware including the electric lights 3, 6, wireless communications device 5, camera 7, solar panels 19, batteries etc. This allows detection of hardware failure or general wear. [00491 Depending from outriggers 11 B, 11 C and 1ID of the base is an arm 17 supporting a solar panel assembly 18. This solar panel assembly 18 too has deployed and stowed configurations with respect to the base.

6 [00501 When folded and stowed, the solar panel assembly 18 moves to a position adjacent to the base 2 and folds around the base 2, as illustrated in Figures 6 through 12. 10051] The solar panel assembly 18 depends from a head which is pivotally attached to the arms 17 so that the solar panel assembly 18 may be tilted by an electrical linear actuator or slewing drive. When deployed, the solar panels 19 are directed for maximum efficiency, and when stowed they are swung into a substantially vertical orientation. [00521 The solar panel assembly 18 comprises a bank of three panels 19, where the two outer panels are pivotally supported so that these can be driven by electrical linear actuators to fold between the deployed and stowed configurations. When deployed, the solar panels 19 are substantially coplanar, when stowed, the outermost panels swing rearwardly. [0053] The distributed control system incorporates a single axis, hour angle sun tracking function based on geographical location of the portable light and communications tower which facilitates the movement of the solar panel assembly 18 so that this remains perpendicular to the sun. This function provides increased efficiency of the solar panels in collecting energy and storing in the batteries. Moreover, in the event of a hail storm or high winds the solar panels 19 can be repositioned to reduce the likelihood of damage to these. [0054] In the event that the portable tower assembly 1 must be relocated, it is reconfigured into its stowed configuration (as illustrated in Figures 6 through 12) for transport. The tower 4 is stowed by folding this (optionally it can also be separated from the base), the ballast receptacles 12 are purged via draining, and then each is separated from its respective outrigger I IA through D, the outriggers]1 IA, 11 B and I1D are stowed by folding the movable portions of these inwardly, and the solar panel assembly 18 is stowed by folding this and tilting it vertically. The stowed configuration is not only a more compact one, but it is also one in which damage resulting from transport is less likely. [0055] Once the portable tower assembly 1 has been relocated, it can be deployed again by reversing the procedure for stowing it. [0056] The mast 4 and base 2 may be made of lightweight materials, such as aluminium or composites, to lighten weight and aid portability. [0057] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

7 [00581 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims. [00591 Please note that the following claims are provisional claims only, and are provided as examples of possible claims and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any future patent applications based on the present application. Integers may be added to or omitted from the example claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention.

Claims

1. A portable tower assembly comprising a base supporting a tower, where both the base and the tower have, and are movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport, and wherein the base comprises at least one ballast receptacle of selectively variable weight for selectively anchoring the portable tower assembly.

2. The portable tower assembly of claim 1, wherein the tower supports one or more of lighting equipment, communications equipment, or security equipment.

3. The portable tower assembly of claim 2, wherein this further comprises power supply means and control means for the equipment.

4. The portable tower assembly of claim 3, wherein the power supply means comprises one or more of a solar panel, a wind turbine, at least one battery, and a battery charger.

5. The portable tower assembly as in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the power supply means comprises a solar panel assembly having, and movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration.

6. The portable tower assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises a plurality of outrigger assemblies, at least one of which is configurable by way of having, and being movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport.

7. The portable tower assembly of claim 6, wherein the or each configurable outrigger comprises a fixed inner portion, and a movable outer portion which can be moved into its deployed configuration, or inward into its stowed configuration.

8. The portable tower assembly as in any one of claims 2 through 7, wherein the lighting equipment comprises an electric light assembly whose light intensity and positioning are remotely adjustable.

9. The portable tower assembly as in any one of claims 2 through 8, wherein the security equipment comprises a security camera.

10. The portable tower assembly as in any one of claims 2 through 9, wherein the communications equipment comprises one or more of antennae, transceivers and/or a wireless communications device providing internet connectivity. 9

11. The portable tower assembly as in any one of claims 3 through 10, wherein the control means controls one or more of operation of the equipment, power supply to the equipment, and/or the configuration of one or more parts of the portable tower assembly.

12. The portable tower assembly as in any one of claims 5 through 11, wherein the control means tracks the sun and directs the solar assembly so that its efficiency is maximised.

13. A portable tower assembly comprising a base supporting a tower and a solar panel assembly, where each of the base, the tower and the solar panel assembly have, and are movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport.

14. The portable tower assembly of claim 13, wherein the tower supports one or more of lighting equipment, communications equipment, or security equipment.

15. The portable tower assembly as in either of claims 13 or 14, wherein the base comprises a plurality of outrigger assemblies, at least one of which is configurable by way of having, and being movable between, a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration for transport.

16. The portable tower assembly of claim 15, wherein the or each configurable outrigger comprises a fixed inner portion, and a movable outer portion which can be moved into its deployed configuration, or inward into its stowed configuration.