Patent Application
20200256319
The present invention relates to a foundation and raising system for a monopole tower. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable, modular monopole having an adjustable foundation and raising system for a monopole tower that can support one of a number of pieces of equipment including wind turbines, solar panels, street lights, communication devices, monitoring systems where the system can be stored and transported in a disassembled state and assembled on site and leveled on uneven terrain and stabilized with weight.
Monopole towers are becoming increasingly utilized in numerous industries including, for instance, renewable wind energy and solar energy. Monopole towers are also utilized in the satellite and wireless communication industries. Monopole towers provide the necessary structural support to maintain equipment in an elevated position. Typical equipment supported by monopole towers include wind turbines, typically 100 kW and smaller, solar panels or antennae. Monopole towers also require less capital expenditure when compared to a typical support structure. Monopole towers can also be utilized to support meteorological equipment such as an anemometer, wind direction vanes, temperature sensors and pressure sensors. Monopole towers can also be utilized to support streetlights or any other industry where an elevated lighting source is required, such as the construction industry.
Typically, monopole towers are secured to concrete foundations having footings buried into the ground. Concrete foundations are typically expensive to construct and often times require a construction permit. Once constructed, the foundation cannot be moved. Therefore, if a location for a monopole tower location is abandoned or becomes obsolete, the foundation either is removed at a substantial cost or abandoned in the location, becoming a potential hazard.
Many monopole tower constructions require a substantially flat surface area for set-up. For instance, an area may need to be leveled using earth moving equipment before setting up the foundation so as to provide a stable support for the foundation. The present disclosure includes a modular portable adjustable foundation and raising device to conveniently raise and lower the monopole tower and the attached equipment.
A first aspect of the present disclosure includes a monopole foundation. The foundation has a central portion having a platform for pivotally supporting the monopole tower thereon and a plurality of legs where each leg secured to and extending from the central base portion. Each leg includes a proximal end and a distal end. Arms are each attached to the distal end of each leg and each arm is configured to independently support ballast. The ballast are plates that can be secured to each arm in one of a first position on top of the arm, and a second position below the arm. The ballast stabilizes the monopole foundation in a level position on a ground surface. Each arm is configured with a first ballast mounting plate and a second ballast mounting plate, the plates being spaced apart and supported by the arm and each plate having an aperture for securing ballast plates thereto.
The ballast plates are configured to be stackable plates where each ballast plate has opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of a first plate nests within the second surface of a second plate for substantially flush stacking of two or more ballast plates.
Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a frame secured to the central portion of the foundation for supporting one or more solar panels.
The monopole tower may support a communications system thereon and further comprise a wind turbine for capturing renewable energy, which may be stored in batteries supported on the foundation.
Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a device configured to retain equipment in a leveled and elevated position. The device includes the foundation having a central portion and the plurality of legs, each leg secured to and extending from the central portion wherein each leg includes a proximal end and a distal end. The device includes the plurality of arms, wherein each arm is attached to the distal end of each leg, and where each arm is configured to independently support one or more ballast plates. The device also has a platform pivotally attached to the central portion wherein the platform is configured to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position and a monopole tower having a bottom end and a top end wherein the bottom end of the monopole tower attaches to the platform and the top end is configured to retain the equipment. The equipment includes a renewable energy capture device and a communications system with one or more antennas.
The arms each have a mounting plate configured to be coupled to the arm to the distal end of the leg; an upper ballast support plate and a lower ballast support plate, each support plate having a plurality of securing apertures therein; and a tubular arm extending from the mounting plate to the upper and lower ballast support plates.
The monopole can be a multi-section monopole that can be assembled on-site.
The device further includes a lifting mechanism having a top end attached to the platform and a bottom end attached to the central portion wherein the lifting mechanism is manipulated to pivotally move the platform from the vertical position to the horizontal position.
A portable and adjustable foundation for supporting, elevating and lowering a monopole tower 12 is generally illustrated in
The foundation 10, monopole 12, and ballast 14 can be transported in a compact, disassembled state. The design of the foundation 10 also allows the components to be assembled with standard tools. The design of the foundation therefore allows for compact packing for travel and storage, and also allows the foundation 10 to be easily assembled in a short amount of time. The foundation 10 provides increased convenience and accessibility to the use of monopole towers 12 in remote locations and in diverse terrain.
Similarly, the monopole 12 can be a multi-section monopole. For example, the monopole illustrated in the figures is a five-section monopole. The interlocking sectional design of the monopole 12 also allows for compact packing of the pole sections for travel and/or storage, and also allows the monopole 12 to be easily assembled in a short amount of time. Five sections are exemplary in nature, however two, three, or more sections are contemplated and any number of sections for forming the monopole are within the scope of this disclosure.
The foundation 10 includes a central portion 16 having an upper plate 18 and a lower plate 19 that are spaced apart by proximal ends 22 of legs 20. Four legs 20 are typically utilized and are evenly spaced apart around the central portion 16. While four or more legs 20 are typical, three or more legs 20 are contemplated.
As illustrated in
The leg 20 includes an upper bar 38 and a lower bar 40 that are attached to the tubular portion 24 proximate the upper and lower bosses 26 and 28, respectively. The upper bar 38 and the lower bar 40 attach to a mounting plate 42 at a distal end 41 of the leg 20 where the distance between the upper bar 28 and the lower bar 40 gradually converges such that the upper bar 38 is at a steeper angle than the lower bar 40. The upper and lower bars 38 and 40 are reinforced by intermediate bracing plates 43 which prevent the bars 38 and 40 from bending or bowing when supporting the monopole 8 and a piece of equipment.
A tab 44 extending from the upper bar 38 is positioned within a slot 46 in the upper plate 18 where the engagement of the tab 44 with the slot 46 prevents rotation of the leg 20 about the bolt and therefore retains the leg 20 in a fixed position relative to the central portion 12. The slots 46 are typically located ninety degrees apart from each other on the upper plate 18 for a four leg foundation 10. However, the location of the slots 46 and apertures 30 and 32 will vary depending on the number of legs 20 utilized in the foundation 10.
Referring to
The ballast support adapter 50 includes a lower plate 52 having apertures 54 and an upper plate 56 having apertures 58 therein. Front and rear side walls 60 and 62 extend upwardly from the bottom plate 52 to the top plate 56 and the front side wall 60 has an opening 63 that accepts a mounting bar 64. The mounting bar 64 has flat surfaces that engage flat surfaces on the aligned opening 63 to prevent the mounting bar 64 from rotating with respect to the ballast support adapter 50. The mounting bar 64 thus extends through the front side wall 60 and between the lower and upper plates 52 and 56. The lower and upper plates 52 and 56 are substantially flat plates that are positioned in a plane parallel to the length of the mounting bar 64. Proximal end 66 of the mounting bar 64 has a mounting bracket 68 that is securable to the mounting bracket 42 at the distal end 41 of the leg 20. A threaded engagement utilizing bolts 45 is typically utilized to secure the mounting brackets 68 and 23 together such that the ballast support adapter 50 is non-rotatably and securely attachable to the leg 20, however other securing mechanisms are contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure.
As discussed in further detail below, ballast can be secured below the ballast support adapter 50 by connection with the lower plate 52 independently on each of the plurality of legs 20 of the foundation 10 to level the foundation. Ballast can be secured on top of the ballast support adapter 50 by connection with the upper plate 26 to further stabilize the foundation 10 and the monopole tower 12.
Also securable to the mounting bracket 42 is an adapter plate 70 as illustrated in
The ballast support adapter 50 and adapter plate 70 together allow for numerous orientations for securing and leveling the foundation 10 and supporting the monopole tower 12 on various terrain, including uneven terrain. The ballast support adapter 50 can move vertically with respect to its attachment with the respective leg 20, which allows for better leveling of the foundation 10 when used on uneven terrain. For example, the ballast support adapter 50 can be mounted at various locations with respect to the corresponding leg 20 via securing the apertures 55 on the ballast support adapter 50 to any one of the various pairs of spaced apart apertures 74 in the mounting plate 70 when the mounting plate 70 is secured between the ballast support adapter mounting bracket 54 and the mounting bracket 42 at the distal end 41 of the leg 20.
As illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated, the respective rods 92 and 94 are substantially vertical rods 92 and substantially horizontal rods 94 with respect to a ground surface when the foundation 10 is installed and substantially leveled with respect to said ground surface. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the rods 92A and 92B are secured in a generally upright manner to the top of each top wall 80 secured to the foundation 10 to provide a perimeter to the frame 90. The rods 92A and 92B are secured using bolts, screws, clips or other suitable fasteners. The rods 94A, 94B, and 94C are then positioned in a generally horizontal manner and are spaced apart along a length of two adjacent rods 92A and 92B and secured thereto. The horizontal rods 94A, 9B, and 94C are secured to the vertical rods 92A and 92B at one or more connection points 93 via clips, ties, or other suitable fasteners. While the embodiment illustrated shows the rods 92 in a generally vertical installation and the rods 94 in a generally horizontal installation, the frame 90 is not so limited in installation.
In general, the support frame 90 comprises a lower rod 94A that is greater in length than a middle rod 94B, which is greater in length than an upper rod 94C. First ends of the rods 94A, 94B and 94C are secured to a first rod 92A and second opposing ends of the rods 94A, 94B, and 94C extend beyond the connection with second rod 92B to provide an inclined support surface for securing the solar panel 95 to the framework 90. The rods may be angled with respect to the attachment to the foundation and with respect to the attachment to one another. For example, the rods 94 may be secured across to the rods 92 where the rods 92 and 94 form an angle other than approximately 90° with respect to one another. Further this support frame 90 may be configured to support anywhere from one to ten solar panels 95.
Referring back to
The plates 100 each include one or more apertures 116 configured to receive a securing mechanism 108 for mounting one or more plates 100 to the ballast support adapter 50. The plates 100 are configured to be stackable such that one or a plurality of plates 100 can be secured on top of the support adapter 50 and/or below the support adapter 50. A threaded engagement utilizing bolts 108 having varying lengths depending on the number of plates secured to the support adapter 50 can also be provided. Bolts 108 and corresponding washers and nuts 110 are typically utilized to secure the one or more ballast plates 100 to the top or bottom support plate 58 or 60, respectively.
In the embodiment illustrated herein, each ballast plate 100 is generally rectangular in shape, although other geometric shapes are contemplated. The first surface 102 of each plate has a recessed surface portion 112 wherein one or more apertures 116 are located therein. Correspondingly, the second surface 104 of the plate is the opposing surface of the plate and includes a protruding surface area 114 corresponding to the recessed surface area on the other side of the plate 100. Thus, the plates 100 are configured to be stackable as the protruding surface area 114 of one plate rests in the recessed surface area 112 of an adjacent plate. This also allows the plates 100 to be used in a first orientation, for example, with the recessed surface area 112 facing upwardly and outwardly when the plate 100 is mounted to the top support plate 58 of the ballast support adapter 50. A reverse side of the plate 100 allows the plate 100 to be used in a second orientation, for example, wherein the protrusion 114 is facing upwardly and inwardly when the plate 100 is secured to the bottom support plate 60. The second surface 114 is the surface contacting the top or bottom plate for securing the plate 100 to the ballast support arm 50, and the plates 100 are attached either above or below the ballast support arm 50 for leveling the foundation and supporting the monopole tower 6 in the upright position concurrently. A method of mounting of the ballast plates 100 onto the foundation 10 is illustrated in
The ballast plates 100 can be utilized both as counter weights and also to adjust the height of the legs 20 while also providing support and stability to the foundation 10 and monopole 12. The ballast plates 100 are coupled to the ballast support adapter 50 where the weight of the ballast plates 100 retains the foundation 10 in the selected position and resists the monopole 12 and the attached equipment from toppling, such as due to wind loading. The foundation 10 is configured to support stackable ballast allowing the monopole tower to be leveled on a slope of us to about 20 degrees.
In some embodiments, batteries 120 can also be utilized for stabilizing the monopole tower 12. Additionally, or alternatively, the batteries 120 can be positioned on top of an installed ballast plate 100 and operably connected to equipment supported by the foundation 10 or monopole tower 12. For example, the batteries 120 can provide electricity to a remote site as the electricity can be captured by solar and/or wind driven generation and stored in the batteries 120.
For example, one or more solar panels 95 may be operably mounted to and/or supported by the foundation 10. In one embodiment, one or more 2.8 kW solar panels 95 are installed on the frame 90 around the foundation 10. The solar panel 95 is electrically connected to the battery for storage of the energy captured. While 2.8 kW solar panels are illustrated, any lower or higher wattage panel, cell or panel number and physical size is contemplated as the solar panels supported on the foundation are selected based in part on the kilowatt hour (kWh) consumption in the environment where the foundation 10 is installed.
For example, a wind turbine 122 may be operably secured to the monopole tower 12 and electrically connected to the batteries 120 for transferring electricity to the batteries 120 for storage. In the embodiment illustrated, the wind turbine 122 is a small wind turbine, examples including but are not limited to a 1.2 kW wind turbine. Wind turbines of various sizes and capable of generating more or less energy are contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure. The wind turbine 122 is installed at the terminal top end of the monopole tower 12.
A communications module 124 may also be operably secured to the monopole tower 12. The communications module 124 includes one or more antennas 126 and 128. For example, a first and second antenna 126 and 128 are secured at spaced apart locations along a length of the monopole tower 12. The first antenna 126 may be a directional antenna having multiple parallel elements in a line such as half-wave dipoles made of metal rod, commonly referred to as a Yagi antenna and having a frequency in the range of 698-2700 MHz. The second antenna 128 may be a dual band, single port, planar antenna with a frequency range of approximately 1695-2180 MHz. Alternative antennas for purposes of communication are contemplated and are within the scope of this disclosure.
Referring back to
To raise the monopole tower 12, a plate 134 attached to the bottom end of the monopole tower 12, is secured to a mounting bracket 136 attached to the upper plate 19. The mounting bracket 136 includes a lower portion 138 having two spaced apart lower members 140 and 142 having aligned through bores proximate an upper end. An upper portion 144 having spaced apart upper members 146 are fixedly attached to the plate 134. A pivot pin is secured through the aligned apertures to pivotally attach the lower and upper portions 138 and 144, respectively such that the monopole tower 12 can be pivotally raised and lowered relative to the foundation 10, as illustrated in
The foundation 10 provides a compact modular design that can be easily transported and constructed on site. The foundation 10 has numerous securing and leveling features which allow the foundation 10 to be secured in several ways such that the foundation 10 can be utilized on almost any surface or terrain. Finally, the foundation 10 is safe, efficient and easily constructed piece of equipment that can be utilized for raising and lowering the monopole tower 6 without the need of additional equipment or more than one person.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16271406 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Child | 16856334 | US |
