RU2482550C2 - Flagpole - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction.

SUBSTANCE: flagpole with a forcedly streaming flag, comprising a flagpole proper with a device for flag support in its upper part, besides, the flagpole is made hollow, a source of compressed air and a base, differing by the fact that the flagpole is made in the form of a hollow pipe of telescopic design, comprising several cylindrical pipes of different diameter, for maintenance there are hatches located in the zone of access to mechanisms, the height of the flagpole depends on the number of link pipes that make it and is limited by the mass in respect to size and the mass of the base, in the upper part of the flagpole in the area of flag location along the vertical line there are several holes with thread, onto thread of these holes attachments are screwed, which are intended for air supply from the source of compressed air to the flag, attachments may differ from each other by direction of the output hole, which varies direction of air supply to the flag at the angle α, the direction of the output hole of the attachment relative to the flag may be adjusted by rotation of the attachment on its thread, attachments may be arranged along the vertical line in series, in parallel, helically, in staggered order, plugs are installed onto attachments when the flag is being conserved.

EFFECT: improved reliability and simplified maintenance of a flagpole.

14 cl, 12 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a flagpole on which a flag is fixed, forcibly developing regardless of weather and atmospheric conditions.

Flagpoles are known on which flags are fixed - state or company with emblems and logos, see, for example, US patents No. 3798816, 5450811 (1, 2).

The closest technical solution to the claimed one is US Pat. No. 3,997,993, which is a flagpole with a forcing flag, comprising a flagpole with a device for supporting the flag in its upper part, the flagpole being hollow, at least one hole for supplying compressed air in the direction of the flag, there is a source of compressed air and a base (3).

However, analogues, including the prototype, have a limitation on the mode of operation.

The objective of the present invention is the functioning of the flagpole in both automatic and manual modes, and the technical solution to improve reliability and simplify maintenance of the flagpole. Thus, the design can be complicated or simplified depending on the functional need.

The proposed design of the flagpole 1 (figure 1) allows you to raise it with a flag or pennant to constantly develop it even in the complete absence of wind. You can enter or remove function blocks or elements into the design, as each of them can perform its function autonomously and not affect the operation of other blocks or elements.

The flagpole is made in the form of a hollow pipe, the optimal form of execution is the telescopic design (Figure 2). The design consists of several cylindrical pipes of different diameters - item 2 of figure 2. Pipes enter one another as their diameter decreases and are fixed relative to each other by bolts 3 (Figs. 1, 2). For maintenance, hatches 4 are located in the access zone to the desired mechanism.

The height of the flagpole depends on the number of constituent pipe links and is limited by weight in relation to the size and weight of the base. So, a flagpole with a height of 8-12 m can consist of three to four links (the length of one link is 2-3 m with an inner diameter of the lower link of 30 cm or more).

In the upper part of the flagpole at the location of the flag 20 vertically there are several holes with thread 7 (figure 3). Nozzles 8, 9 are screwed onto the threads of these holes, designed to supply air from the compressor to the flag. The nozzles may differ from each other in the direction of the outlet, which changes the direction of the air supply to the flag at an angle α (pos. 10 of FIG. 4), improving the dynamics of the air supply. The direction of the nozzle outlet relative to the flag can be adjusted by turning the nozzle on its thread 9a (Fig. 3). The nozzles can be arranged vertically in several versions (Fig. 4): sequentially - pos. 10, parallel - pos. 11, snake - pos. 12, staggered - pos.13.

When preserving the flagpole to prevent pollution and moisture on the nozzles are plugs made of elastic rubber 14 (figure 3). In the upper part inside the flagpole, a profile pipe 15 is installed, designed to reduce the turbulence of the air flow (shown by arrows) from the compressor 5 to the nozzles 8, 9. The profile pipe may consist of several parallel sections 15 (Fig. 3) for dividing the air stream into smaller ones , which not only reduces turbulence, but also makes the air flow more stable. The profile pipe also isolates the electromechanical part of the control system 16 from unwanted exposure to compressed air from the compressor.

The flagpole has a common connection with the flag 20 through only one sling of the cable 17 (figure 5). The cable has the shape of a closed ring passing through two guide rollers 18.

To raise and lower the flag, the cable is manually actuated. The rollers are mounted on the flagpole in such a way that the flag is located relative to the nozzles on only one line 19. The other part of the cable line is at a distance equal to the diameter of the roller 22. Thus, this line does not interfere with the air flow coming from the nozzles to the flag .

An elastic U-shaped frame 21 is sewn inside the flag along the edge adjacent to the nozzles, which gives the flag a stiffener to improve its dynamics. The flag is attached to the sling with paper clips 23 located between the nozzles. On the flagpole there is a cable clamp 24 (figure 1) in the form of a spring clip.

At the top of the flagpole is the control system 25 (Figs. 1, 6), closed by a decorative sphere. The internal cavity of the decorative sphere freely communicates with the atmosphere, which is necessary for the operation of the weather vane and anerubometer. The shape of a sphere (ball) repeatedly dissected in the horizontal plane is held by stiffeners 26. The decorative sphere, as the highest point of the flagpole, has grounding 27.

Mounting basket

The mounting basket 28 (Fig.7, 12) is one of the power links connecting the flagpole with its base. The flagpole is attached to the basket with bolts 29. The basket is a "skeletal" structure of a cylindrical shape connected to its axial part by power elements 30 (Fig. 7). These force elements in cross section 31 are elliptical in shape. Such an aerodynamic “flow around” shape is imparted to the elements 30 to reduce the resistance to air flow passing through the mounting baskets. In the central part, the basket has a circular groove 32 over its entire height for the axis of rotation to pass through it. In the upper part there is a thread 33 for fastening the axis of rotation 43 (Fig.9). The fastening basket together with the flagpole is mounted on the upper part of the rotation gear (Fig. 8), while the flagpole is a rigid connecting link between the basket and the rotation gear.

This occurs due to the screw connection 29 of the flagpole with the basket (Fig. 7) and through the flanges 38 (Fig. 8) with the rotation gear.

Axis of rotation

The axis of rotation 42 (Fig.9, 12) acts as a power link through the basket with the flagpole and its base. In the upper part of the thread 43 (Fig.9), the axis is attached to the mounting basket 33 (Fig.7). Thus, the flagpole, the mounting basket, the rotation gear and the axis are structurally rigidly interconnected structural members. The axis 32 extends vertically through the attachment basket, the rotation gear 35 (Fig. 8), the bearing of the base plate 55 (Fig. 10) and the cylinder bearing of the base 64 (Fig. 11). The axis of rotation is fixed from possible oscillations in the horizontal plane due to its axial bearings. Due to the bearings 50 of the base plate and axial bearings 55, 64 (Fig. 10, 11), the axis and the mounting basket are rotated in the horizontal plane with the flagpole and the rotation gear in any direction without restrictions. In the internal cavity of the axis there is a vertical channel 44 (Fig. 9), through which an electrically conductive cable passes connecting the tracking and control systems.

In the upper part of the axis there is a plug connector 45, in the middle part of the axis in the radial grooves 46 there are commutation rings through which the electrical connection between the various flagpole systems is provided when the axis is rotated to any angles with the contacts 47 of the plug connector pressed to them through springs. At the lower point of the internal vertical channel of the axis there is a branch 48, designed to remove condensate.

Gear wheel

The rotation gear 35 (Fig. 8, 12) is designed to transmit torque from the gear system 6 (Fig. 1, 12) from the electric drive 7 to the flagpole.

The rotation gear is a ring-shaped structure of large diameter. In the middle part it is hollow. The teeth 36 are located along its outer perimeter. In the upper part there are several holes with a thread 37, on which the flanges 38 are mounted to fix it through bolts to the flagpole. In the upper part there is a hole with a nozzle for the grease fitting 39. This hole through the internal channel 40 is connected with a radial groove 41, which is designed to move the upper part of the bearings 50 of the base plate along it (Fig. 10). To improve the conditions of movement of the rolling bearings, the lubricating oil through the grease fitting 39 and its channel is fed into the radial groove 41 of the gear.

Flagpole base. Base plate

The base of the flagpole consists of two main elements - the base plate 49 (figure 10, 12) and the base cylinder 62 (figure 11, 12).

The base plate perceives the entire vertical load of the flagpole through bearings 50 located in its upper part, which are equidistant from each other along the perimeter of the plate (their number is at least three and varies depending on the load on them). Each bearing is mounted in a plate in a seat 51, in which it fixes its axis from horizontal movements. The inner race of bearings against horizontal movements is fixed on both sides by washers 52. At the bottom of each seat there is a drainage channel 53 to remove condensate and excess oil. The bearings are lubricated through a channel 39, 40, connecting the upper part of the rotation gear with its radial groove under the bearings 50 of the base plate. The lower part of the bearings in the seat has a clearance 54 with the base plate and is not in contact with it. In the central part of the base plate, an axial bearing 55 is located below. With its outer cage, it is fixed with the base plate, and the inner cage is fixed with the axis of rotation. Under the bearing in the groove of the plate is a washer 56 (figure 10), which has openings 57 for removing condensate and excess oil. The bearing is lubricated through channel 58 from the top of the base plate. The axial bearing of the base plate simultaneously provides the stiffness of the flagpole against horizontal displacements and the free rotation of the axis relative to the plate itself.

Thus, due to the rotation of the gear along the bearings of the plate, the flagpole, the basket and the axis connected together rotate together with it.

The base plate has through windows in the central part for the passage of air from the compressor into the cavity 59 of the flagpole. The number of windows in the plate depends on the number of nozzles coming from the compressor.

In the plate there is an opening 60 for the vertical axis of the gears of the electric drive. The base plate itself, through bolts, is rigidly fixed to the upper part of the base cylinder 61. A protective skirt 86 is attached to the base plate along the outer perimeter with screws (Fig. 12), which serves to protect the rotating parts of the flagpole from accidental contacts, and also the skirt creates additional leakage resistance air coming from the compressor.

Base cylinder

Together with the base plate, the base cylinder 62 (FIGS. 11, 12) is part of the structure for fixing the flagpole in a vertical plane. The base cylinder consists of a hollow cylinder in which a sleeve with a flange 63 is mounted. A rolling bearing 64 is mounted on the flange, which is fixed with its outer cage to the base cylinder and the inner cage to the axis of the flagpole. Bearing lubrication is ensured by the lubricant entering the axial bearing 55 of the base plate. In the base cylinder there is a hatch 65 for maintenance (11, 12). In the lower part of the cylinder there is a spring ground compensator 66, which is designed to provide reliable grounding 67 of the flagpole and which consists of a core with a compensation spring 68. The core under the action of a compressed spring ensures reliable contact of the axis of the flagpole with grounding 67. The spring of the lower part leans through the flat washer 69 on an annular liner 70, which, like the core, has drainage channels 71, 72 common to the entire base cylinder.

In the upper part, the base cylinder has cylindrical grooves-windows 73, to which air is supplied from the compressor. There is also a hole 74 for the axis of the gear drive of the electric motor and a hole 75 for attaching the base plate to the base cylinder.

Flagpole tracking and control systems

The tracking system is located in the upper part of the flagpole and is closed by a decorative sphere 25 (Figs. 1, 6), which creates reliable mechanical protection and at the same time provides free communication with the atmosphere of the devices inside it. The sphere is electrically isolated from the flagpole and has an individual ground wire to avoid damage from static electricity or lightning. The following devices are included in the tracking system: weather vane 79, anerubometer 80, humidity sensor 81. The weather vane is designed to determine the direction of air movement and plays an important role in the operation of the flagpole. It practically should be included in the work constantly, unlike other units and systems. The work of the weather vane consists in the fact that when rotating about its vertical axis when changing the direction of the wind, it transmits an electrical signal-command through the servo unit 78 to the control unit 77 of the electric drive. The design of the wind vane has a mechanical or electric damping system that slows down the supply of a control signal during sudden movements of the wind vane. Upon receipt of a command from the control unit, the electric motor unfolds the flagpole so that its nozzles repeat the direction of the weather vane, which does not allow the flag to “sweep”, because the direction of the nozzles and the direction of air movement are combined. If necessary, the vane block can be turned off by de-energizing it.

The anerubometer 80 is aligned with the weather vane. Depending on the air flow rate measured by it, it automatically turns the compressor on or off. This depends on the speed set on the dial of the compressor control unit 84. In the manual compressor control mode, the signal from the anerubometer is turned off.

The air humidity sensor 81 is located in the decorative sphere at the top of the flagpole. Depending on the air humidity controller located in the servo unit of the humidity sensor 82, a signal is sent to the control unit of the compressor 84. In the automatic operation mode of the compressor, the air humidity sensor turns on or off the air heating. The signal from the humidity sensor can be turned off and the air warmed up in manual mode.

Compressor

One of the main structural elements is the compressor 5 (figure 1). The compressor supplies compressed air to the internal cavity 5 (Fig. 12) of the flagpole. Passing through the cavity, air exits through the outlet openings and nozzles affecting the flag. The type and power of the compressor are selected depending on the size of the flagpole and the flag itself. The compressor can be activated automatically or manually. When you turn on the compressor in manual mode, it works forcibly, regardless of the signals of the control system 77 (Fig.6). In automatic mode, the compressor is turned on and off by a signal from the control system associated with the anerubometer. In the compressor, there may be an air heating system, which is included in the operation both manually and automatically from the control signal 84 (Fig.6).

Turning on the air heating system in manual mode is done for preventive purposes. Heated air is needed to dry the flag in conditions of high humidity or precipitation. In winter, warm air passing through the cavity of the flagpole also warms the bearing lubricating oil. The heating element is located in the system depending on the design of the compressor. The compressor itself is located at the base of the flagpole.

Electromechanical drive

The system consists of two blocks:

- a drive motor with a gear block 6, 7 (Fig. 1);

- block control system 77 (Fig.6).

The type and power of the electric motor are determined depending on the rated load and its control system. The electric drive has two operating modes - automatic and manual. In manual mode, the electric drive operates continuously regardless of the signal coming from the control system unit, and the flagpole rotates around its axis. This mode is needed both for certain moments of the ceremonial, and for prevention - after greasing the bearings.

In automatic mode, the electric drive is operated by the command of the control unit 77 (Fig.6). The control unit receives a signal from the vane tracking system unit 78 located at the top of the flagpole. This unit controls the position of the weather vane 79, when changing the position of which an electrical signal is generated for the control system of the electric drive. The block of gears of the electric drive system 6 (Fig. 1), 6 (Fig. 12) is calculated depending on the calculated power of the location of the electric motor.

Flagpole work with flag forcing

The flagpole works as follows. The main mode of operation of the flagpole is automatic. In this mode, all the constituent blocks and structural elements are ready for operation.

If the air flow rate is less than the specified one, then the signal from the anerubometer turns on the compressor, which leads to the fact that the flag develops even in the complete absence of air flow. If the air humidity is higher than the set, then the air heating system is turned on, which improves the dynamics of the developing flag. At an air flow rate greater than the set value, the compressor automatically shuts off along with heating the air if it was turned on.

When changing the direction of the air flow, a weather vane comes into operation. He issues a command to test the electric drive so that the flagpole unfolds the same angle after the wind vane. Thus, the flagpole, as it were, copies the position of the weather vane, occupying the position when its output nozzles are located so that the air flow from them is added to the external air flow. With this effect, the flag will not overlap the mast of the flagpole.

In manual control mode, the tracking system is turned off. Turning the compressor on or off, as well as heating the air, is done in manual control mode. U-turn or rotation of the flagpole can also be done in manual mode.

The flagpole can be used as an important part of the ceremonial, when the presence of the flag is a necessary attribute.

A constantly evolving flag in the absence of wind creates a strong visual and emotional impact on the participants of the celebration. This produces an additional effect when the opening of sports games or competitions at stadiums, at various festivals, with the awarding of athletes, at events of various levels. The flagpole can be installed in front of buildings with a federal or regional status, office buildings, hotels, airports, etc.

Information sources

1. US patent No. 3798816, G09F 17/00, F04D 25/02, 25/08, publ. 03/26/1974.

2. US patent No. 5450811, B60Q 7/00, E01F 9/012, G09F 7/18, publ. 09/19/1995.

3. US patent No. 3799993, G09F 17/00 (20060101); G09F 017/00, publ. 12/21/1976.

Claims (14)

1. Flagpole with a forcibly developing flag, containing the actual flagpole with a device for supporting the flag in its upper part, the flagpole made hollow, a source of compressed air and a base, characterized in that the flagpole is made in the form of a hollow pipe of a telescopic structure consisting of several cylindrical pipes of different diameters, for maintenance are hatches located in the access area to the mechanisms, the height of the flagpole depends on the number of pipe links making up it and is limited by the weight in relation to the size and weight of the base, in the upper part of the flagpole in the vertical position of the flag there are several threaded holes, nozzles designed to supply air from the compressed air source to the flag are screwed onto the threads of the holes, nozzles may differ from each other in the direction of the outlet that changes the direction of air supply to the flag at an angle α, the direction of the nozzle outlet relative to the flag can be adjusted by turning the nozzle on its thread, the nozzles can be laid vertically in series, parallel, serpentine, staggered, with preservation of the flagpole nozzle mounted on a stub. 2. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that in the upper part inside the flagpole there is a profile pipe designed to reduce air flow turbulence, which may consist of several parallel sections for dividing the air stream into smaller ones, and also isolates the electromechanical part of the control system . 3. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a common connection with the flag through one sling of a cable having the shape of a closed ring passing through two guide rollers. 4. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that inside the flag along the edge adjacent to the nozzles, an elastic U-shaped frame is sewn, the flag is attached to the sling with staples located between the nozzles, there is a cable clamp on the flagpole. 5. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that at the top of the flagpole there is a control system closed by a decorative sphere, the internal cavity of the decorative sphere freely communicates with the atmosphere and is made in the form of a ball repeatedly cut in the horizontal plane held by stiffeners. 6. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a mounting basket, which is a "skeletal" structure of a cylindrical shape, connected to its axial part by power elements, in the central part of the basket has a round groove along the entire height for the axis of rotation to pass through it, the fastening basket, together with the flagpole itself, is mounted on the top of the rotation gear. 7. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a rotation axis, which acts as a power link through the basket with the flagpole itself and its base, in the upper part the axis is attached to the mounting basket, passes vertically through the mounting basket, the rotation gear, the base plate bearing and the base cylinder bearing, in the inner cavity of the axis there is a vertical channel through which an electrically conductive cable connecting the tracking and control systems passes, in the upper part of the axis there is a plug connector, in the middle part of the axis, there are commutation rings through which the electrical connection between the various flagpole systems is provided when the axis is rotated at any angles, there is a tap at the bottom of the internal vertical channel of the axis to remove condensate. 8. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a rotation gear that is designed to transmit torque from the drive gear to the flagpole, the rotation gear is a ring-shaped structure of large diameter, in the middle part it is hollow, in the upper part there are several threaded holes on which the flanges are attached for fixing to the flagpole. 9. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that its base consists of two main elements - the base plate and the base cylinder, the base plate has bearings in its upper part that are equidistant from each other around the perimeter of the plate, the lower part of the bearings in the seat has the gap with the base plate and does not come into contact with it, in the central part of the base plate there is an axial bearing at the bottom, which is fixed with the base plate with the outer cage and fixed with the rotation axis of the base with the inner cage, ensuring the stiffness of the flagpole against horizontal displacements and the free rotation of the axis relative to the plate itself, the base plate has through holes in the central part for air to pass from the compressor into the cavity of the flagpole, there is a hole in the plate for the vertical axis of the electric drive gear, to the base plate along the outer perimeter with screws a protective skirt is attached, which serves to protect the rotating parts of the flagpole from accidental contacts, and also the skirt creates additional resistance to leakage of air coming t compressor. 10. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a base cylinder, which, together with the base plate, is part of a structure designed to fix the flagpole in a vertical plane, the base cylinder consists of a hollow cylinder in which a sleeve with a flange is installed, the flange is mounted the rolling bearing, which is fixed with its outer cage to the base cylinder, and the inner cage to the axis of the flagpole, in the upper part of the base cylinder has cylindrical grooves-windows to which air is supplied from the compressor, There is also a hole for the axis of the gear drive of the electric motor and holes for mounting the base plate to the base cylinder. 11. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a tracking system located in the upper part of the flagpole, the tracker includes a weather vane, anerubometer, humidity sensor, the weather vane transmits an electrical signal-command through the servo unit to the control unit of the electric drive, the anerubometer is located coaxially with a weather vane, depending on the air flow rate measured by it, it automatically turns the compressor on or off, the air humidity sensor is located in the decorative sphere at the top of the flagpole, depending on the setter azhnosti air located in the servo unit of the humidity sensor system, a signal to the control unit of the compressor. 12. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that a compressor is used as the source of compressed air, which supplies compressed air to the internal cavity of the flagpole, while passing through the cavity, the air exits through the outlet openings and nozzles, there may be an air heating system in the compressor. 13. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an electromechanical drive, which consists of an electric motor with a gear block and a control system unit, while in automatic mode the electric drive operates on the command of a control unit receiving a signal from the block of the tracker system of the weather vane, block controls the position of the weather vane, when changing the position of which an electrical signal is generated for the control system of the electric drive. 14. The flagpole according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two operating modes - automatic and manual.

Images