CA2418021C

CA2418021C - Method of constructing and erecting a tower

Info

Publication number: CA2418021C
Application number: CA002418021A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Michel J. L. Auclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-06
Filing date: 2003-02-06
Publication date: 2005-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-06
Also published as: CA2418021A1

Abstract

A tower for supporting permanent or temporary wind power generation, communication, lighting and measurement apparatus comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected, flange associated tower sections, and a tower erection method not requiring the use of a crane. Tower sections are assembled at the ground level of the installation site by interconnecting the adjacent sections with hinges, with the base tower section temporarily hinged to the tower foundation. Winch assemblies secured to the tower foundation are activated to pull on winch cables attached to the hinged tower sections to lift and tilt the tower sections upwardly, in sequence using, in part, the ground surface vertical forces counter-acting the weight of the tower at the contact points with the ground. The addition of permanent leverage beam structures mounted on the upper tower section facilitates the pivoting of the upper tower section to a standing position.

Description

2of18 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AND ERECTING A TOWER
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tower support structures and method for erecting them, in particular, a multiple-section tilt-up tower where equipment mounted to the top of the tower such as a horizontal axis wind turbine, is accessible by lowering a portion of the said tower.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Wind power is typically harvested by positioning and holding a wind turbine into the wind at some elevation from the ground, in various types of terrain. To accomplish this, a tower structure standing vertically is used to mount a horizontally mounted electrical power generator.
A wind turbine is typically installed in an area with an uncluttered horizontal view at the hub level, to allow the wind to flow into the blades of the wind turbine with the least air turbulence generated by the surrounding.
Tower structures for horizontal axis wind turbines are constructed to accommodate and withstand the weight of the wind turbine assembly, the wind forces acting on the wind turbine blades and on the tower, the precession forces created by change of direction of the spinning wind turbine blades, the vibrations caused by aerodynamic forces on the blades, and by the wind turbine turning mechanisms. In addition, tower structures for horizontal axis wind turbines are constructed to adapt to methods available for erecting the assemblies. Key tower erection operation considerations include factors such as safety, damage avoidance to the wind turbine, and limiting installation cost such as that of using a crane.
Various types of towers have been used in the past to support small wind turbines generating electrical power. Supporting towers for horizontal axis wind turbines may be grouped under three common types, guyed towers, tilt-up towers, and self supporting towers. Tower structures are typically constructed with lattice, truss or tubular assemblies. The tower is typically assembled on the ground prior to starting the erection process.
Guyed towers are typically used for small wind turbines. The guyed tower may be installed with a crane that lifts the assembled tower to a standing position prior to tensing and securing the guy wires. Guyed towers can also be erected one section at a time without the use of a crane. A
temporary boom extending beyond the top of the tower is used to lift the next tower sections and finally, the small wind turbine or other top mounted equipment. Guyed towers require wide space access around the base of the tower for anchoring the guy wires.
Tilt-up towers are towers hinged at the ground level and can be lowered to perform maintenance on the equipment installed on top of the tower. Typically, the wind turbine and tower are assembled while the tower lies on the ground at the installation site. The tower is raised using a winch or a heavy vehicle located some distance away from the base of the tower to pull on cables attached to the top of the tower, with a pivoting gin pole transferring the initial horizontal force into a vertical lifting component. Guy cables are often required during the erection process to limit lateral movements of the tower structure.
Self-supporting towers are free-standing structures often pre-assembled on the ground and lifted to the upright position using a crane. The wind turbine may be installed and lifted with the tower, or may be lifted separately and then positioned on top of the tower. Once erected, the tower is typically not lowered again.
A built-in ladder provides access to the equipment on top of the tower. Free-standing towers are typically heavier and more expensive.

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Facilitating the erection of a tower assembly has been the subject of recently filed Canadian, United States of America and other foreign patents including:
2002/0171247 Willis et al 2002/0095878 Henderson 6,470,645 Maliszewski et al 6,408,575 Yoshida et al 4,272,929 Hanson CA2211807 Crissey CA946114 Egusa SU817185 Kovalenko et al GB1537290 Redpath Though some of the proposed concepts in the above referenced patents and prior art address the need to facilitate construction and erection of the tower, and the installation of the wind turbine on top of a tower structure at the installation site, other factors such as tower structure complexity, reliability and need for a large crane need careful review. Rising and lowering of a tower in a harsh environment in typically remotely accessible areas involving snow, ice or dirt build-up on telescoping, sliding and rail type structural elements such as proposed in patents number 2002/0171247, 2002/0095878, 4,272,929, CA2211807 and GB1537290 are technically challenging. Using special external structures or large lifting devices or vehicles such as proposed in patents 2002/0095878, SU817185, 2002/0171247 and CA946114 add burden and cost to installation operations. In general, tower structures and their erection method for wind turbine applications have evolved by adding complexity to the construction of the tower and lifting system.
Though non-telescopic tilt-up towers facilitate the access to the equipment located at the upper end of the tower structure and do not need a crane for their erection to a standing position, common tilt-up towers involve the pivoting of a lengthy structure with equipment load at its upper end which implies a single lifting maneuver which puts at risk the entire wind turbine and tower assemblies. The use of tilt-up towers is therefore generally limited to small wind turbines.
Other patents such as 6,408,575 from Yoshida et al do not permit external structural tower features such as externally protruding flanges that would prevent the rising of the wind turbine nacelle. Similarly, patent 6,470,645 offers a preferably welded structure made of multiple rings.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a tower general assembly and a tower erection method that overcomes constraints associated with tilt-up and self-supporting towers. In particular, the present invention avoids the need to rigidly assemble all the tower sections together prior to erecting the tower assembly in a single pivoting motion with equipment such as a wind turbine mounted on its top portion.
A main object of the present invention is the construction of a tower structure made of multiple interconnecting tower sections which are hinged to one another in preparation for and during the erection of the tower from the ground level up to a standing position. The main tower sections have flanges located at the interconnecting tower section contact points. Hinges are appropriately located and mounted on the outer edge of adjacent section flanges to connect tower sections together, to allow tilting of a tower section relative to an adjacent section during erection of the tower. The tower sections structure may be constructed of tubular, truss or lattice assemblies. The flanges are sufficiently wide on their hinged side as to secure a hinge assembly that provides lateral stability along the hinge axis during the tilting operation. The base tower section has a temporary hinge assembly located at its lower end that can be removed upon completion of securing the base tower section to the tower foundation. All tower section hinges are installed and aligned on the same side of the tower.
Another object of this invention is the use of the ground level surface vertical forces opposite to the weight of the tower at the ground level contact points to contribute to tilting the tower sections upwardly. To accomplish this, the upper tower section has a total longitudinal length of equal or greater value than that of the sum of the longitudinal length of the lower tower sections. The hinge interconnected tower sections lay on the ground with the hinges facing the ground. Winch assemblies are anchored to the tower foundation on either sides of the tower in the pivoting plan of the tower. The winch located on the outer side of the tower pivoting plan initiates the pivoting movement of the lower tower sections by pulling on the outer pivoting plan side of the lower end flange of the tower, while the winch on the inner side of the pivoting plan pulls the upper end of the upper tower section in a generally horizontal direction, forcing the lower tower sections to tilt to a standing position. The upper tower section contact point with the ground slides or rolls over the surface of the ground using a temporary load carrying device such as a cart, a sliding surface or skis which preferably creates some friction as to moderate the tilting speed of the tower sections during erection. Lower tower sections are secured to the ground and to one another when they reach a standing position, while the upper tower section is upside down alongside the erected lower tower sections, with its top end supported by the load carrying device.
Yet another object of the present invention is to use a inner leverage beam structure mounted on the lower end of the upper hinged tower section. The inner beam structure provides a winch cable resting point at a distance not extending beyond the inner flange side of the upper end of the adjacent tower section from the hinged point thereof during the tilting action of the upper tower section to and from a standing position so as to minimize the forces required on the winch cables to tilt the upper hinged tower section to a standing position. The leverage beam structure consists of a triangular geometry leverage beam structural arrangement, a A-frame structure, or similar geometrical structures.
Another object of the present invention is to mount permanent leverage beam structures protruding laterally in the pivoting plan of the upper tower section so as to provide attachment points for the winch cables and reduce pulling forces required to pivot the upper section to and from a standing position, Once the tower section pivoting actions are completed, tower sections are fastened to one another at the interconnecting flange to secure the tower structure rigidly in a standing position; therefore causing all the tower hinges to be non-supporting assemblies when the tower is in operation.

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Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the access to the equipment mounted on the upper end of the tower by providing a means to lowering the upper hinged tower section. The lower end flange of the upper tower section is preferably reached by ladder to perform such tasks as fastening or unfastening the upper hinged section from the section adjacent and below it, and installing or removing cables and temporary structures from the upper tower section, as required.
All winches and winch cables may be duplicated for safety of operation during the erection of the tower.
Pulleys may be used to augment the force of the winch assemblies, and therefore reduce the size and power of the winches required.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The benefits, advantages and characteristics illustrated in the drawings described below form part of the specification of this invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of the general arrangement of the assembled and erected tower. The tower is shown in a three hinged section assembly configuration consisting of an upper tower section, a middle tower section and a base tower section standing on a permanent tower foundation.
FIGS 2a.-2g. present schematic side elevation views of the sequence of erection of the tower sections, using winches, cables and leverage beam structures. More specifically, FIGS

2.b-2.e depict how the tower gravitational forces at the contact points with the ground are used to tilt the base tower section and middle tower section to a standing position.
FIGS 3a.-3c. are schematic side elevation views showing the laterally protruding cable leverage beam structures permanently or temporarily fixed to the upper tower section to facilitate rising and lowering actions of the upper tower section. The figures illustrate the corresponding erection sequence of the upper tower section after the base tower section and the middle tower section are tilted to a standing position. Provision for retracting cable assemblies within the tower is also presented.
FIGS 4a.-4d. are schematic side elevation view illustrating the construction and erection of a multiple hinge associated middle and upper tower section configuration with protruding cable leverage beam structures fixed to the lower end of the upper tower sections to facilitate the tilting to and from a standing position. The tower is shown standing on a non-permanent foundation.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although the preferred embodiment is described below with details of the structural components, assembly and sequence of erection, it is not intended that the invention be limited in its scope set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Any combinations of the embodiments of this invention are objects of this invention. Terminology used in describing the details of the embodiments encompasses the technical equivalent terms or phrases that describe similar arrangements and operation to accomplish a similar purpose.
In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, the tower structure assembled and erected in its vertical position is made of 3 hinged sections 1, 2 and 3. The base tower section 1 stands on the tower foundation 82 secured to the ground 81 with a removable hinge assembly 6.
Adjacent sections 1, 2 and 3 are interconnected to one another using hinges 5 aligned with hinge 6.
Adjacent section flanges 4 are fastened together using bolts after tilting of the adjacent sections is complete. Hinge assemblies 5 and 6 are sufficiently wide along their pivotal axis that it provides lateral stability during the tilting of sections.
The base tower section 1 is secured to the tower foundation 82.
The erected tower supports equipment such as a wind turbine mounted on the upper section of the tower.
Any wiring or connecting pipes or cables for the purpose of operating the equipment preferably are located on the inner side of the tower structure, along the hinged side of the tower as to prevent damaging them during erection of the tower.
FIG. 1 also shows the smooth rounded surfaces or rollers 8 positioned on the outer edge of the upper section flanges 4 of the base and middle tower sections where winch cables will apply lateral forces during the erection of the tower. The surtaces 8 will minimize cable wear and reduce wear on the cables.
The embodiment of the invention provides a method of assembling and erecting a tower structure made of sequentially arranged and longitudinally aligned hinged tower structure sections, without the use of a crane. The earth surface facing the hinged side of the tower offers a linear or semi-linear surface, preferably horizontal, where the tower sections can be laid and assembled together at their hinged points before tilting each tower section.
FIGS 2.a.-2.g. illustrate the preferred sequence of erecting the tower from its ground position to its upright position. The assembled base tower section 1 is carried to the tower foundation and the hinge assembly 6 is secured to the tower foundation 82. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, all sections 1, 2 and

3 are then interconnected sequentially using hinges 5 located on the side of the tower facing the earth.
Tower sections are supported at the hinged points 5 with support blocks 78, and the end of the upper tower section is supported with a load carrying device 76, as shown in FIG.
2.a. The type of load carrying equipment 76 is chosen to adapt to the earth surtace 81, to provide a sufficient vertical support to the weight of the tower structure at the location of the cart 76. In the embodiment shown in FIGS 2.a-2.e, the earth surface is a compacted ground surface where the wheels of the load carrying cart 76 can roll relatively free from obstacles.
FIG. 2.b. illustrates the use of winch and winch cable assemblies which provide the forces required to tilt the tower sections. A winch assembly 70 is firmly anchored to the tower foundation 82 near tower hinge 6, preferably using the existing foundation anchors for the tower, with cable assembly 74 extending from winch assembly 70 to a cable attachment point 9 located on the upper portion of the upper tower section.
Another winch assembly 72 is firmly anchored to the tower foundation 82 opposite to the side of the tower hinge 6 and relatively symmetrical to winch assembly 70, with a cable assembly 75 extending from winch assembly 72 to a cable attachment point 7 located on the upper portion of the base tower section 1 being erected.

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FIG. 2.b. also illustrates the added tower structure elements that facilitate the erection of the upper tower section. Leverage beam structures 14 are mounted to pivoting points located on flange 4 of the upper tower section on one side, and symmetrically on the opposite side of the flange. The winch cables 71 and 73 are firmly attached at one end to the upper tower section attachment point 16 on their respective side of the tower structure. The moving extremity 15 of the leverage beam structures 14 hold firmly their respective winch cables 71 and 73 on either side of the tower structure at a distance from the cable attachment points 16 sufficient to allow the leverage beam structures extremity 15 to rotate approximately 135 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the upper tower section, as depicted on FIG 2.e.
FIB 2.b. also illustrates the forces applied to the hinged tower structure by the winch assemblies 70 and 72 for pivoting the base tower section 1. The initial tilting movement is preferably created by the activation of winch 72 to minimize stress on the tower structural elements. The extremity of the cable assembly 75 extend from winch 72 to an attachment point 7 located at the flange of the base base tower section 1.
After the base tower section 1 has pivoted at least 15 degrees, winch 70 can be activated to pull on the cable 74 at the attachment point 9 located on the upper part of the upper hinged section to cause the base tower section 1 to pivot at its hinged ground point 6, until the base tower section is pivoted to its upright position on the tower foundation 82, as shown on FIG. 2.c. The vertical forces on the surface of the earth counter-acting the weight of the tower at the contact points of the tower and the ground, the base tower section hinge assembly 6 and the load carrying device 76, create a lifting and pivoting movement of the tower sections toward their upright position when a cable tension is applied between the end of the upper tower section and the base of the base tower section which brings them closer to each other. The base tower section 1 is fastened and secured firmly to the tower foundation 82 after being tilted.
FIG. 2.d. illustrates the activation of winch 72 to create a tension on cable assembly 75 attached to the lower flange of the middle tower section 2 at a point location 10 to initiate the pivoting of the tower section 2, and the concurrent activation of winch 70 to pull on cable assembly 74, causing tower section 2 to tilt toward its upright position on the base tower section, as depicted on FIG.
2.e.
Middle tower section 2 is then fastened and secured firmly to the base tower section 1 of the tower at the flange 4. Cable assemblies 74 and 75 can then be removed. FIGS 2.b.-2.d show that cable assemblies 71 and 73 have no tension applied to them until all the base tower and middle tower sections are tilted to the upright position. The length of cables 71 and 73 is sufficient to reach their respective winch assemblies 70 and 72.
FIG. 2.e. illustrates the tension applied to cable assembly 73 by activating winch 72 until the leverage beam 14 fixed to the cable assembly 73 pivots to its extended position relative to the upper tower structure longitudinal axis. By activating further winch 72, the upper tower section 3 will start pivoting and its top end will lift off the ground 81. Before the upper tower section is tilted and lifted off the ground, equipment requiring to be installed on the tower can then be affixed to the upper tower section. Any equipment wires or couduit required for its operation is installed inside the tower structure.
In an alternate arrangement, cables 73 and 75 are the same cable affixed to the attachment points 7 shown in FIGS 2.b. and 2.d, then to attachment point 10.
FIG. 2.f. illustrates the upper tower section 3 pivoted beyond the horizontal axis. In the last 15 degrees of rotation, a tension is maintained in cable 71, using winch 70, to create a counterbalancing force that will retain the upper tower section 3 when its center of gravity passes beyond the vertical line 83 passing at hinge point 5 until the upper tower section 3 stands in its upright position as depicted in FIG. 2.g.

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In an alternate configuration, the equipment mounted on the top of tower section 3 is positioned such as to cause a positive weight imbalance on the hinged side of upper tower section 3 causing the center of gravity of section 3 to not pass beyond the vertical line 83.
The upper hinged tower section 3 is then fastened and secured firmly to the adjacent middle tower section 2 flange resulting in an assembled erected tower structure as shown in FIG. 2.g.
Access to flanges 4, leverage beam structures 14 and cable attachment points 16 of the upper tower structure shown in FIG. 2.g. is made by a ladder structure, not shown, based on the type of structure and the height of the tower, when removal of the these assemblies is required. As an alternative, cable assemblies 71 and 73, and leverage beam structures 14 remain in place with the lower ends of the cables secured to the bottom of the tower. Upon completion of the securing and inspection of the erected tower, winch assemblies 70 and 72 are removed.
In another configuration, leverage beam structures 14 depicted in FIG. 2.b. to 2.g., are replaced with laterally protruding permanent structures 40 which provide winch cable attachment points 41, as shown in FIGS 3.a-3.d. This structure configuration primarily strengthens the upper tower section 3 for the rising and lowering of the upper tower section. It may also support a platform. In addition, a leverage beam structure 42 is secured to the upper tower section with a cable contact point 43 located below flange 4 of the upper tower section. The distance from hinge 5 to the cable contact point 43 is such that contact point 43 does not extend beyond the inner side of the flange 4 of the adjacent tower section 2 when pivoted around the hinge 5 as shown in FIG.3.b. This embodiment allows structure 42 to be concealed inside the tower section 2 adjacent and below it when the tower section 3 mounted on the middle tower section 2, as shown in FIG. 3.c.
In the basic embodiment of the invention, the upper tower section 3 can be lowered, for maintenance purpose, by performing the reverse sequence of events as shown in FIG 2e.-2g, and FIG. 3a.-3d., Winch 70 initiates the tilting of section 3 after it is unfastened from the adjacent middle tower section 2, and winch 72 is activated and slow down and restrain the pivoting of the section on its hinge until the top end of the upper tower section reach the required vertical height from the ground.
As an alternative to leaving the cables external to and alongside the tower after the tower sections are secured in their upright position, winch cables 71 and 73 are pulled inside the tower structure through lateral tower openings or passages 45 shown in FIG. 3.d. This is performed by attaching the upper end of the cables 71 and 73 to a lowering cable 47 passing through tower lateral openings 45, and attaching small weights 46 to the winch extremity of the cables 71 and 73. Lowering cable 47 is pulled downward inside the tower structure and firmly attached to an attachment point 48 located on the tower foundation.
The weights 46 facilitate the lowering of the cables when the upper tower section must be lowered. As an alternative, the lowering cable attachment point 48 is located on the top of the base tower section which is accessible with a ladder, to keep winch cables out or reach from ground level.
FIGS 4.a to 4.d depict an alternate tower structure with additional multiple hinged tower sections 33, 34, 35 and 36 that are erected in sequence using winch assembly 72 pulling on cables 73 fixed to each of the tower section as shown in FIGS 4.a to 4.d. Leverage beam structures 42 are secured to the tower sections, providing cable contact points 43 located below their respective lower flange 4 as shown in FIG.

4.a. This tower structure configuration is more appropriate for, but not limited to, temporary applications where the tower foundation is a temporary support structure 83 anchored to the ground, especially when the cables remain alongside the tower structure during operation of the equipment mounted on the top portion of the tower. The multiple uppermost hinged sections are erected sequentially by pulling on cable of 18 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING AND ERECTING A TOWER
assembly 73. A protruding structure 37 is fixed to the hinged side of the uppermost tower section to initiate the lowering operation of the uppermost sections, using winch assembly 70 and cable assembly 71 shown on FIGS 4.c to 4.d.
FIG. 4.a. shows the smooth rounded surfaces or rollers 8 positioned on the outer edge of the upper section flanges 4 of the tower section where winch cables will apply lateral forces during the erection of the tower. When a section is pivoted to its upright position, the lower end of cables 73 is secured temporarily at the base of the tower to hold the tower structure in its upright position while completing the assembly of the tower.
As an improvement to embodiments shown in FIGS 3.a-3.d, structures 40 and 42 are combined in a rigid structure fixed to the uppermost hinged tower section.
In another aspect of this invention, the load carrying device 76 depicted in FIGS 2.a- 2.e is replaced by other types of load carrying devices such as skis for snow and ice earth surfaces. In the case where the earth surface 81 on the side of the tower hinges 5 and 6 is Water, the load carrying device could be a barge or boat, with adequate buoyancy for supporting the tower weight at the top of the upper tower section during the tower erection process. The load carrying device can also be a propelled vehicle.
In a general aspect of the invention, the cable leverage beam structures located on the upper hinged tower section are used in any combination to facilitating the rising and lowering of the upper tower section.
In a particular embodiment where the top portion of the upper tower section holds physically dynamic structural components such as a rotating platform for a wind turbine, the dynamic structure is temporarily secured to the section to which it is assembled during the pivoting of the lower and middle tower sections to avoid damaging the dynamic structures and equipment.

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A tower for supporting permanent or temporary wind power generation, communication, lighting and measurement apparatus comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected, flange associated tower sections, and comprising:
a base tower section connected at a lower end thereof with a tower foundation through a removable hinge assembly so as to tilt from a lying position to a standing position when said base tower section is erected;
a middle tower section connected at a lower end thereof with the upper end of said base tower section through a removable hinge assembly located on the same side as the base tower section hinges so as to rotate from a tilted position to a standing position when said middle tower section is erected; and a upper tower section connected at a lower end thereof with the upper end of the said middle tower section through a hinge assembly located on the same side as the base tower section hinges so as to rotate from a tilted position to a standing position when said tower is erected, and to rotate from a standing position to a tilted position when said upper tower section is lowered.

2. The tower of claim 1, wherein the said upper tower section has a longitudinal length equal or greater than that of the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the erected and assembled middle tower section and base tower section to enable the upper end of the said upper tower section to rest on the tower foundation level surface until the said upper tower section is pivoted to a standing position.

3. The tower of claim 2, wherein an internal leverage beam structure is fixed to the lower end of the upper tower section, providing a resting point for a winch cable at a distance not extending beyond the inner flange side of the upper end of the adjacent upper end of the said middle tower section from the hinged point thereof during the tilting action of the upper tower section to and from a standing position.

4. The tower of claim 3, wherein permanent triangular geometry leverage beam structures protrude sideward on the upper tower section, one being located on the hinged side of the said section and the other one on the opposite side of the upper tower section, to provide lever attachment points to winch cables during the tilting action of the upper tower section to and from a standing position.

5. A method of assembling and erecting the tower of claim 3 without the use of gin poles and cranes, wherein gravitational forces of the said tower structure at the contact points with the tower foundation surface level contribute to pivoting the tower sections upwardly, and comprising the following steps:
a. resting the base tower section in a lying position and securing the said base tower section hinge assembly to the tower foundation;
b. interconnecting the upper, middle and base tower sections at the hinge points;
c. installing a load carrying device at the upper end of the upper tower section;

d. fixing a winch assembly to the tower foundation on the side opposite to the base tower section hinge assembly, and attaching the winch cable to the elevated lower end of the base tower section;
e. fixing a winch assembly to the tower foundation on the side of the base tower section hinge assembly, and attaching the winch cable to the upper end of upper tower section;
f. initiating the pivoting movement of the base tower section about the hinges thereof by activating tension in the winch cable attached to the lower end of the base tower section;
g. activating tension in the winch cable attached to the upper end of the upper tower section until the base tower section reaches a standing position on the tower foundation;
h. fastening the base tower section to the tower foundation;
i. resuming tension in the winch cable attached to the upper end of the upper tower section until the middle tower section reaches a standing position on the base tower section;
j. fastening the middle tower section to the base tower section;
k. activating tension in the winch cable attached to the lower end of the upper tower section with said winch cable resting on the internal leverage beam structure thereof until the upper tower section reaches a standing position on the middle tower section; and l. fastening the upper tower section to the middle tower section.

6. A method of assembling and erecting the tower of claim 4 without the use of gin poles and cranes, wherein gravitational forces of the said tower structure at the contact points with the tower foundation surface level contribute to pivoting the tower sections upwardly, and comprising the following steps:
a. resting the base tower section in a lying position and securing the said base tower section hinge assembly to the tower foundation;
b. interconnecting the upper, middle and base tower sections at the hinge points;
c. installing a load carrying device at the upper end of the upper tower section;
d. fixing a winch assembly to the tower foundation on the side opposite to the base tower section hinge assembly, and attaching the winch cable to the elevated lower end of the base tower section;
e. fixing a winch assembly to the tower foundation on the side of the base tower section hinge assembly, and attaching the winch cable to the upper end of upper tower section;
f. initiating the pivoting movement of the base tower section about the hinges thereof by activating tension in the winch cable attached to the lower end of the base tower section;
g. activating tension in the winch cable attached to the upper end of the upper tower section until the base tower section reaches a standing position on the tower foundation;
h. fastening the base tower section to the tower foundation;
i. resuming tension in the winch cable attached to the upper end of the upper tower section until the middle tower section reaches a standing position on the base tower section;
j. fastening the middle tower section to the base tower section;
k. activating tension in the winch cable attached to the protruding leverage beam structure of the upper tower section thereof opposite to the side of the hinge assembly thereof with said winch cable resting on the internal leverage beam structure thereof until the upper tower section reaches a standing position on the middle tower section; and l. fastening the upper tower section to the middle tower section.