EP0864185A1 - Structure de type tour - Google Patents

Structure de type tour

Info

Publication number
EP0864185A1
EP0864185A1 EP96940005A EP96940005A EP0864185A1 EP 0864185 A1 EP0864185 A1 EP 0864185A1 EP 96940005 A EP96940005 A EP 96940005A EP 96940005 A EP96940005 A EP 96940005A EP 0864185 A1 EP0864185 A1 EP 0864185A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arm members
mast
tower structure
members
tower
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96940005A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Graeme Hill
William Neilson
Dale Sinclair
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dynamic Concepts
Original Assignee
Dynamic Concepts
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9524666.6A external-priority patent/GB9524666D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9610457.5A external-priority patent/GB9610457D0/en
Application filed by Dynamic Concepts filed Critical Dynamic Concepts
Publication of EP0864185A1 publication Critical patent/EP0864185A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/1242—Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
    • E04H12/16—Prestressed structures

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a tower structure and especially but not exclusively to an antenna support structure designed for use in the telecommunications industry.
  • the current towers and masts are typically either lattice structures or monopole structures. These utilise technology from other industries (electricity pylons and motorway lighting masts) and have not been designed specifically with the telecommunication industry in mind. Lattice style towers are visually unattractive and onopole masts must be restricted to modest heights for telecommunications applications because of their tendency to sway.
  • a tower structure for supporting telecommunications transmission equipment or the like, comprising: a generally tubular mast; a first plurality of arm members secured to and extending radially outwards from said mast adjacent the upper end thereof; at least a second plurality of arm members corresponding in number to said first arm members, secured to and extending radially outwards from said mast below and in angular alignment with said first arm members; and a plurality of elongate bracing members, one of said bracing members extending between each pair of vertically adjacent, angularly aligned arm members and between each of the lowermost of said arm members and the ground adjacent the base of said mast.
  • said first arm members are at least three in number.
  • the arm members of each plurality of arm members are spaced substantially equiangularly about said mast.
  • said mast is generally circular in horizontal cross section, and most preferably is substantially generally cylindrical.
  • the tower includes at least a third plurality of arm members corresponding in number to said first arm members, secured to and extending radially outwards from said mast in angular alignment with said first plurality and said second plurality of arm members, said third and subsequent pluralities of arm members being located intermediate said first and second pluralities of arm members.
  • said mast comprises a plurality of tubular sections of predetermined lengths secured end to end in sufficient number to make up a mast of the required height.
  • each of said sections has a plurality of said radial arm members associated therewith.
  • a mast may therefore be assembled on site from a selection of parts including the correct number of tubular sections to make a mast of the required height, a number of pluralities of arm members adapted to be attached to said tubular sections and a number of bracing members.
  • said arm members of said first plurality of arm members have a first predetermined length
  • said arm members of said second plurality of arm members have a second predetermined length greater than the first
  • any succeeding pluralities of arms have predetermined lengths greater then the length of said arm members of said first plurality and less than the length of the arm members of said second plurality.
  • substantially conical member at the top of said mast.
  • Said substantially conical member may include light emission means.
  • the lengths of said arm members of said respective pluralities are such that, in use, the bracing members are inclined at less than 25° away from the vertical and most preferably at about 10° away from the vertical.
  • the antenna support structure has been designed to suit the specific structural requirements of the telecommunication industry; i.e.
  • the antenna support structure achieves these requirements by utilising a range of components: circular hollow sections, castings and elongate bracing members.
  • the disadvantage of existing towers is that they are designed using either a range of small scale components such as angles (lattice towers) or large scale components such as seamless welded tubes (lighting masts) .
  • This means that the scale of the towers or masts is either problematic from close up, or from a distance.
  • the towers which use small scale components are visually heavy close up, and from a distance.
  • These towers also do not appear, visually, capable of supporting the dishes which are fixed to them and the dishes have to be fixed to the outside of the structure.
  • the towers which use large scale components are visually acceptable from a distance but appear heavy close up.
  • the proposed antenna support structure resolves this problem by creating a hierarchy of components which are put together in a way which creates a solution appropriate when viewed from a distance or close up. This is achieved by using components of different weights (the circular hollow sections and the bracing members) and components capable of being modelled (the castings).
  • a further advantage is that the antennas may be fixed to the circular hollow section which not only looks as if it is capable of supporting the antennas but as they will be positioned close to the centre of the structure the overall visual mass will be reduced when these are added.
  • the silhouette Due to the triangular plan of the preferred embodiment and the strong definition of the castings the silhouette is unique and presents an identity which will differentiate the antenna support structure from current designs, which can be associated with other uses, and provides an identity which will be specific to the telecommunication industry. 4. The identity of the antenna support structure is achieved not only during the day but also at night by the addition of a lighting cone which caps the structure. Current masts and towers have no identity at night.
  • the antenna support structure has been designed as a kit of parts unlike the current towers which are fabricated as one-off structures. This enables a family of standard castings and spine components to be used.
  • the antenna support structure provides increased flexibility over existing towers and masts as it can be manufactured in smaller sections to give a greater range of heights to the user thus creating a unique family of antenna support structures.
  • the towers and masts utilised are manufactured by specialist companies.
  • the present antenna support structure will allow alternative procurement strategies to be investigated.
  • the current towers and masts are all prefabricated and bolted together on site.
  • the present antenna support structure offers the possibility of varying degrees of prefabrication and site erection which can be altered to suit the difficulties associated with accessing each site.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a tower structure embodying the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a tower structure embodying the invention, having items of telecommunications equipment mounted thereon
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a family of towers of differing heights, all embodying the invention
  • Figs. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) are plan views of, respectively, first and second prior art tower structures and of a tower structure embodying the present invention
  • Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a tower structure embodying the invention
  • FIG. 6(a), 6(b), 6(c) and 6(d) are schematic illustrations of types of radial arm forming part of tower structures embodying the invention
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a kit of parts for assembling a tower structure in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a family of towers of differing heights, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention
  • Figs. 9(a), 9(b), 9(c), 9(d) and 9(e) are more detailed side views of each of the tower structures of Fig. 8
  • Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line X-X of Fig. 9(a)
  • Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the tower structures of Figs.
  • Figs. 18(a) and 18(b) are, respectively, plan and side views of an example of a masthead structure suitable for use with the tower structures of Figs. 9(a) - 9(e) .
  • the tower structure in accordance with the invention intended particularly for use as an antenna support structure for the telecommunications industry, comprises the following four elements:
  • a tubular mast forming a spine The circular section spine is preferably manufactured in sections and is the main structural element of the antenna support structure upon which antennas are supported and from which access is gained.
  • the cables or other bracing members which act as guys to the mast via the arms, restrict sway movement of the antenna support structure to acceptable levels.
  • Figs. 1 to 3 show examples of tower structures in accordance with the invention, of varying heights.
  • the tower structure comprises a central, circular section, tubular mast 10 and at least two vertically spaced tiers of radially extending arms 12.
  • Each tier of arms 12 comprises at least three (preferably three) arms spaced equiangularly around the mast 10.
  • the outer ends of each angularly aligned pair of vertically adjacent arms 12 are interconnected by elongate bracing members 14, which also connect the lowermost arms 12 to the ground or tower foundation.
  • the elongate bracing members 14 comprise cables.
  • the bracing members 14 are placed in tension and act as guy lines to restrain swaying motion of the mast 10.
  • the lengths of the arms 12 in each tier increases from the top to the bottom of the structure, so that the bracing members extend outwardly at an angle from their uppermost points.
  • the angle of inclination of the bracing members 14 is preferably less than 25°, most preferably 10°.
  • a conical cap 16 at the top of the mast 10 may enclose a light source (not shown) .
  • Fig. 1 shows telecommunications antennae 20, 22 mounted on the tower.
  • the telecommunications equipment which is supported by the structure does not form part of the claimed invention. The nature and placement of such equipment will vary. In general, however, items may be mounted on the mast head portion above the uppermost tier of arms 12, or may be secured to the mast 10 between adjacent tiers of arms 12.
  • Fig. 4 shows a comparison between plan views of a conventional lattice-construction tower 24 (Fig. 4(a)), a conventional monopole (welded tube) mast 26 (Fig. 4(b)) and the present invention (Fig. 4(c)).
  • the masts 10 are preferably constructed in modular form from sections of tubing, the arms 12 being bolted to the tubing.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the general form of the arms 12, which are suitably cast from steel and taper in the radially outward direction in both plan and side views.
  • Apertures 28 are formed in the arms 12 to reduce weight and wind resistance, and to improve the visual appearance of the structure.
  • the bracing members 16 pass through or are connected to eyelets 30 formed at the outer ends of the arms 12.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates a kit of parts for a tower, comprising an upper mast section 32, lower mast section 34, intermediate mast sections 36, sets of arms 12, conical cap 16, and guy line cables 14.
  • the completed tower would also include the telecommunications apparatus 20, 22.
  • the design of the tower can be extended to any required height by the addition of mast sections 36 and additional arms 12.
  • Typical telecommunications towers will be in the range 15 meters to 30 meters in height.
  • Figs. 8 to 18 illustrate particularly preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • Fig. 8 again shows a family of towers ranging in height from 15 meters to 28.5 meters.
  • the basic design of these embodiments is essentially the same as those of Figs. 1 to 7, comprising a central mast 110, radial arms 112, bracing members 114 and conical caps 116.
  • the most significant differences are as follows.
  • the smaller towers have a mast of substantially uniform cross section as before. However, for the larger towers, the lowermost portion 150 of the mast 110 has a larger diameter than the upper portion 152.
  • the bracing members 114 comprise rigid steel tie-rods rather than flexible cables, and the masthead portion 154 includes modified arms 156, a supporting framework 158 mounted on the arms 156 for the masthead telecommunications equipment 120.
  • Fig. 8 also includes a plan view 160 of the masthead portion 154 and a plan view 162 illustrating the mounting of additional antennae 122 to the mast 110 itself.
  • Figs. 9(a) to 9(e) illustrate the towers of Fig. 8 in greater detail
  • Figs Dl to D9 show enlarged and/or exploded and/or sectional views of details Dl to D9 circled in Figs. 9(a) to 9(e).
  • Fig. Dl illustrates the connection between two upper/smaller diameter mast sections 136, using a tubular stub 200 which is welded to the interior diameter of the upper end of the lowermost of the two mast sections .
  • the lower end of the uppermost mast section is fitted over the end of the stub 200 and secured with bolts or the like.
  • Fig. D2 illustrates the connection between a lower/larger diameter mast section 138 and an upper/smaller diameter mast section 136.
  • a tapered portion 202 reduces the diameter of the lower section 138 to that of the upper section 136, the sections 136 and 138 being connected together by means of a stub 200 as in Fig. Dl .
  • Fig. D3 illustrates the connection of two lower/larger diameter mast sections 138, using a tubular stub 204 in a manner similar to Fig. Dl .
  • Fig. D4 illustrates the base of the smaller towers of Figs. 9(a) and 9(b), and the manner in which the base of the tower is secured to a suitable foundation.
  • a baseplate 206 is secured to the base of the mast 110.
  • the baseplate 206 is circular and has a diameter larger than that of the mast 110, stiffener plates 208 being welded into the angle between the mast 110 and the baseplate 206.
  • the baseplate 206 is secured to an anchor plate 210 in the foundation using bolts 212 spaced around the circumference of the baseplate 206.
  • An earthing plate 214 is also secured to the baseplate 206.
  • Fig. D5 illustrates the base of the larger towers of Figs. 9(c) 9(d) and 9(e) .
  • the larger towers are secured to a foundation in a manner similar to that of Fig. D4 , with baseplate 206, stiffeners 208, anchor plate 210 and bolts 212.
  • Fig. D6 illustrates the mounting of an access ladder 166 to the mast 110.
  • the ladder comprises a vertical member 216 secured to the mast at intervals by horizontal members 218. Rungs 220 are secured to the vertical member 216.
  • Fig. D7 illustrates the manner in which the tie rods 114 are coupled to the ends of the arms 112, using lock nuts 222 and a tensioning coupler 224.
  • Fig. D8 illustrates the manner in which the arms 112 are secured to the mast 110.
  • Arm supporting fixtures 226 are secured to the mast 110 and the arms 112 are attached to the fixtures 226 by means of bolts 228.
  • Fig. D9 illustrates the manner in which the lowermost tie rods 114 are secured to the foundation by means of a baseplate 230 secured to anchor plates 232 in the foundation by means of bolts 234.
  • a turnbuckle 236 is connected to the tie rod 114 above the baseplate connection.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a typical cross section of the towers at line X-X of Fig. 9(a), including the access ladder 166.
  • Fig. 11 shows a typical tier of arms 112 mounted on the mast 110.
  • Figs. 9(a) to 9(e) utilise a total of six types of arm, designated by the reference numerals 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 and 180. These different arm types are illustrated in greater detail in Figs . 12 to 17.
  • Fig. 12 shows the uppermost arms 170, which are adapted to support a masthead structure.
  • the outer ends of the arms 170 are cranked upwards and are fitted with transverse arms 236, 238 for connection to portions of the masthead structure (illustrated in Figs. 18(a) and 18(b)).
  • Figs. 12(c) - (g) are sectional views on lines 1 to 5 respectively of Figs. 9(a) and 9(b).
  • Figs. 13 to 17 show the other types of arm 172 to 180 in order of increasing length.
  • Figs, (c) - (e) show sectional views on lines 1 to 3 or 4 to 6 of Fig. (a).
  • the arms 170 to 180 all generally comprise an I-section inner portion having apertures formed therein.
  • Figs. 18(a) and 18(b) illustrate one example of a masthead structure comprising a framework 158 for supporting masthead telecommunications components, the framework 158 itself being supported by the modified, uppermost arms 170 (156 in Fig. 8).
  • the configuration of the masthead structure may vary according to need. Accordingly, the present example will not be described in detail.
  • Fig. 18(b) also shows a lightning rod 240 attached to the upper end of the mast adjacent the conical cap 116.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne une structure de type tour conçue pour supporter une installation de télécommunications. Cette structure a la forme d'un mât tubulaire pourvu d'un premier ensemble de bras disposés radialement vers l'extérieur à partir de l'extrémité supérieure dudit mât et un second ensemble de bras, alignés avec le premier ensemble de bras, disposés radialement à partir du mât, au-dessous desdits premiers bras. Cette structure comporte en outre des haubans oblongs reliant ses bras.
EP96940005A 1995-12-01 1996-11-29 Structure de type tour Withdrawn EP0864185A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9524666 1995-12-01
GBGB9524666.6A GB9524666D0 (en) 1995-12-01 1995-12-01 Tower structure
GB9610457 1996-05-18
GBGB9610457.5A GB9610457D0 (en) 1996-05-18 1996-05-18 Tower structure
PCT/GB1996/002931 WO1997021258A1 (fr) 1995-12-01 1996-11-29 Structure de type tour

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0864185A1 true EP0864185A1 (fr) 1998-09-16

Family

ID=26308214

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96940005A Withdrawn EP0864185A1 (fr) 1995-12-01 1996-11-29 Structure de type tour

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0864185A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7701496A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997021258A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6018325A (en) * 1997-10-14 2000-01-25 At&T Corp Monopole antenna mounting system
DE19934439A1 (de) * 1999-07-22 2001-02-08 Andreas Riker Variable Tragkonstruktion
DE10024527C1 (de) * 2000-05-18 2001-11-22 Pfleiderer Infrastrukturt Gmbh Antennenbefestigungsvorrichtung für Antennenmast-Plattformen
FR2826038A1 (fr) * 2001-06-19 2002-12-20 Escot Telecom Pylone monotube haubanne pour support d'antennes de telecommunications
DE10140441C2 (de) * 2001-08-10 2003-06-18 Fus Torsten Montagesystem zur Errichtung von Antennenanlagen mit Antennenhüllen
KR100481632B1 (ko) * 2002-02-19 2005-04-08 엘지전자 주식회사 이동통신 기지국용 안테나 설치구조물
CA2606335A1 (fr) * 2005-04-29 2006-11-09 Aat Inc. Segment modulaire de pylone
US9416555B2 (en) 2007-02-28 2016-08-16 Seccional Brasil SA Structure for supporting electric power transmission lines

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2099671A (en) * 1935-09-20 1937-11-23 Collins Radio Co Antenna system
US3110368A (en) * 1959-11-12 1963-11-12 John S Ross Sectional torsionally rigid mast

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9721258A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU7701496A (en) 1997-06-27
WO1997021258A1 (fr) 1997-06-12

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