Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plurality of modules that can be vertically coupled to each other, having a triangular prismatic configuration in which the vertical edges are defined by vertical tubes (1) having a circular cross-section, finished at the ends thereof with fastening flanges (2) for fastening to modules of the same type, as well as to the foundation (3) and to a top closure module (4). The vertical tubes (1) are linked to each other by means of diagonal tubes (6), while a series of horizontal angular profiles (8) to which the corresponding stairs (9) are braced are established on one of the vertical faces of the triangular prism forming the module. The tower further includes a carrier structure (10) for carrying the telecommunications equipment, based on two horizontal tubular rings (11) that are parallel to each other.

Description

[0001]LIGHTWEIGHT MODULAR TOWER FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a structure from which support towers for antennas or telecommunications equipment can be obtained, the purpose of which is to offer an extremely lightweight modular structure, with material savings compared to other towers of this type, with a lower visual impact, a smaller carbon footprint, resistant, economical and versatile, all without reducing its load capacity. It is therefore a modular and expandable tower, which starting from a capacity for one operator, is expandable to reach the capacity of 2, 3 or 4 operators with the same initial structure. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of telecommunications, as well as other areas in which lattice towers are used as a means of supporting equipment, these towers usually have a structure that, although it fulfills the functions for which they have been intended,They present the following limitations or problems: • They are expensive structures, due to their complex assembly and manufacturing. • They are heavy structures. • Their strength can be compromised if the equipment installed on them is modified. • Access to said equipment is not easy, which is further complicated when the structure is shared between several operators. • Once the structure is completed, it is immovable, meaning it cannot be expanded. In an attempt to overcome this problem, the applicant himself is the holder of invention patent EP 21204727.8, which describes a lightweight modular tower, comprising a vertical central tube, a series of perimeter uprights around said central tube, which are connected to each other by horizontal rings concentric to the central tube,elements obtained from hollow round tubes and a lattice structure that extends from the uprights to the central tube in which diagonal and horizontal bars participate that are distributed forming three vertical planes equiangularly distributed over the central tube defining three independent openings, at least one of them equipped with a staircase associated with the central tube. Although this tower satisfactorily fulfills the function for which it has been designed, the incorporation of a central tube, as well as the arrangement and configuration of the perimeter uprights, mean that many parts are involved in the tower, which makes the product more expensive, complicates its assembly, and entails a significant carbon footprint. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The proposed lightweight modular tower for telecommunications antennas fully satisfactorily resolves the problems previously described in each and every one of the aspects discussed,based on a simple but highly effective solution, with material savings of up to 33%, a lower visual impact and a consequent reduction in the carbon footprint during its manufacture. To this end, and more specifically, the structure of the invention is made up of a series of modules that can be connected vertically until the desired height is obtained, which are finished off with a peak closure that can be removed to subsequently expand the structure of the tower, modules in which three vertical hollow round tubes participate, forming a prism with a triangular base, finished at their ends in the corresponding coupling flanges between modules, tubes that are linked together through diagonal uprights, also based on hollow round tubes, establishing on only one of the faces of the triangular prism formed by these tubular profiles a series of horizontal uprights, based on angular profiles,necessary for bracing the stairs and acting as waveguides, that is, for securing the cables leading down from the equipment located at the top of the structure, which are located on both sides of the stairs and on the same angular support profile. From this type of modules, as many modules as necessary can be coupled vertically in an extremely simple manner by screwing them together between the flanges at the ends of the modules to obtain the desired height of the tower. This tower, as previously mentioned, will be finished at the top with a peak closure, also based on hollow circular tubes, forming a pyramid. A structure supporting the telecommunications equipment will be mounted on the upper area of ​​the tower, based on two horizontal tubular rings parallel to each other, to which a plurality of vertical circular section tubes are fixed around the perimeter.and which define the fixing means for this telecommunications equipment, tubular rings that are circumscribed and fixed to the three vertical tubes of the upper module of the tower. To achieve increased resistance without increasing the resistant surface on the structure and due to wind factor, a laminated / folded profile is optionally incorporated inside the round tube cavity and joined to the screws that join the diagonal with the upright, taking advantage of the existing screws (another factor to take into account for reducing the carbon footprint). Similarly, to increase the resistance of the tower, it has been planned that the vertical tubular profiles that constitute the uprights and that are joined between flanges, these are likely to include tubular profiles joined by flanges and located in turn inside the main tubes concentrically,The flanges have an external diameter consistent with the internal diameter of the uprights. In this way, both in uprights and diagonals, the reinforcement does not increase the surface area exposed to the wind, and therefore, the resistance that the tower must withstand will not be affected. Consequently, an increase in rigidity and a reduction in the overturning moment are achieved, and all this without increasing the tension and resistance moment caused by the effect of the wind. As for the tower's foundation, it will be designed to support the maximum load expected for the tower, normally four telecommunications operators, regardless of the initial number of operators to be installed, so that only one excavation is required in which a module similar to the rest of the tower's modules is embedded in concrete, including additional vertical uprights corresponding to each vertical tube, also finished in the corresponding fixing flanges.This allows for the subsequent reinforcement of the structure by including additional vertical tubes, parallel and fixed to the three original vertical tubes of each module. The tower will be provided with a double upright in the anchor foundation, with three of the uprights (external ones arranged at 120º) inserted into the anchor concrete as standbys for possible future reinforcement of vertical uprights due to a possible increase in the load to be supported. In the event that the capacity (expressed in m, 2) a riser will be incorporated over these anchors and attached to the existing riser using a clamp system. This structure offers the following advantages: • Material reduction of up to 38% compared to other lightweight towers. • Reduced carbon footprint. • Lower environmental impact due to its smaller volume. • Facilitates the installation and removal of new equipment on the structure itself, with great accessibility and safety. • Easy restructuring of the structure itself should the expected stresses on the tower increase. • Lightweight, strong, and economical structure. • Separation of cabling by operator / independence of installations. • The tower's load-bearing capacity is increased by the addition of elements; this means that the installed material never becomes obsolete and therefore does not need to be replaced. This way, no waste material is generated.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to complement the description that follows and in order to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1. - Shows a perspective view of the three main components that participate in a lightweight modular tower made in accordance with the object of the present invention, elements that appear unrelated to each other. Figure 2. - Shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the tower appears mounted on the foundation, and on said tower the support structure for the telecommunications equipment is mounted. Figure 3. - Shows a plan view of the tower's summit closure. Figure 4.- Shows a top plan view of the tower on its corresponding foundation and with the telecommunications equipment support structure mounted thereon. Figure 5.- Shows a perspective view of the foundation planned for the tower. Figure 6.- Shows a perspective detail of the tower at its middle zone. Figure 7.- Shows a perspective detail of the tower at its peak. Figure 8.- Shows a perspective detail of the telecommunications equipment-supporting structure. Figure 9.- Shows a perspective detail of the assembly of Figures 7 and 8 duly assembled. Figure 10.- Shows a perspective view of the reinforcing elements planned for the vertical uprights, in different relative positions. Figure 11.- Shows a perspective view of the reinforcing elements planned for the diagonal reinforcements. Figure 12.- Finally, it shows a perspective view of the tower, in which the double upright structure provided in the foundation of the tower can be observed. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the figures described, and in particular of figure 6, it can be seen how the tower of the invention is constituted from a plurality of modules that can be coupled vertically with each other, which have a triangular prismatic configuration, in which the vertical edges are defined by vertical tubes (1) of circular section, finished at their ends in flanges (2) for fixing to modules of the same type, as well as to the foundation (3), and even a cusp closing module (4), the vertical tubes (1) being linked to each other by means of diagonal tubes (6), also of circular section, and which are fixed by screwing to lugs (5) provided in the vertical tubes, by means of end fins (7) in which the ends of said diagonal tubes (6) are finished.As previously stated, on one of the faces of the triangular prism that constitutes the module, a series of horizontal angular profiles (8) are additionally arranged, which are also screwed to the lugs (5), to which the corresponding ladders (9) are braced, and which together with the vertical profiles of the ladders (9) serve to guide and support the cables of the equipment located at the top of the structure. From this modular structuring, and as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the modules can be screwed together through the extreme flanges (2) to obtain the desired height of the tower, which, as previously mentioned, will be finished at the top with a cusp closure (4), also based on hollow circular tubes, forming a pyramid that extends below in vertical tubes provided with flanges (2) for fixing to the flanges (2) of the upper end of the upper module.In accordance with another of the characteristics of the invention, a supporting structure (10) for the telecommunications equipment will be mounted on the upper area of ​​the tower, the one shown in detail in figure 8, based on two horizontal tubular rings (11) parallel to each other, around the perimeter of which a plurality of vertical support tubes (12) of circular section are fixed, and which define the fixing means for this telecommunications equipment. These tubular rings (11) are circumscribed between the three vertical tubes (1) of the upper module to which they are linked, by means of screwable clamps (13). In parallel, it is provided that a platform (14) can be arranged on the supporting structure (10) on which the operators can work, provided with an access window (15) through the corresponding ladder.According to figure 5, the foundation (3) of the tower is designed to support the maximum load expected for the tower, normally four telecommunications operators, regardless of the initial number of operators to be installed, materializing in a concrete block in which a module similar to the tower modules described above is embedded, but with the particularity that parallel to each vertical tube (1) a second more external vertical tube (1') is arranged, also finished in the corresponding upper flange (2') that will serve as a means of fixing additional vertical tubes, when it is necessary to reinforce the tower, tubes that are not shown in the figures, and that would be fixed by means of clamps that can be screwed to the vertical tubes (1), thus increasing the resistance of the tower by means of an extremely quick and simple subsequent installation operation.Although the specification describes that the angular profiles (8) are distributed only over one of the faces of the triangular prism that constitutes each module, said profiles may be used very occasionally at points that require greater reinforcement, on the other two faces of the prism. Optionally, and in accordance with Figure 10, to increase the resistance of the tower, it has been provided that the vertical tubes (1) may include tubular profiles (1') joined by means of flanges (2'') as well as with intermediate annular reinforcements (2''') that will have a diameter in accordance with the internal diameter of the uprights, thus increasing the resistance of the structure without increasing the surface area exposed to the wind. In parallel, and in accordance with Figure 11, a laminated / folded profile (6') is optionally incorporated inside the diagonal tube (6) gap, joined by the screws (6'') that join this piece with the upright or vertical tube (1).As can be seen in Figure 13, the tower will be provided with a double upright in the anchor foundation, with three of the uprights or vertical tubes (external ones arranged at 120°) inserted into the anchor concrete as a standby for possible future reinforcement of the vertical uprights due to a possible increase in the load to be supported. In the event that the capacity (expressed in m) needs to be increased, 2 ) a stud will be incorporated over these anchors and will be attached to the existing stud using a clamp system.

Claims

CLAIMS 1st.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, characterized in that it is made up of a plurality of modules that can be coupled vertically together, which have a triangular prismatic configuration, in which the vertical edges are defined by vertical tubes (1) of circular section, finished at their ends in flanges (2) for fixing to modules of the same type, as well as to the foundation (3), and even a cusp closing module (4), the vertical tubes (1) being linked to each other by means of diagonal tubes (6), while on one of the vertical faces of the triangular prism that forms the module a series of horizontal angular profiles (8) are established to which the corresponding ladders (9) are braced, and define the means for guiding the cables of the equipment located at the top of the structure,it having been foreseen that the tower is complemented with a support structure (10) of the telecommunications equipment, based on two horizontal tubular rings (11) parallel to each other, around the perimeter of which a plurality of vertical support tubes (12) are fixed, the tubular rings (11) being circumscribed between the three vertical tubes (1) of the module to which they are fixed. 2nd. - Light modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the foundation (3) consists of a concrete block in which a module equivalent to the modules that participate in the tower is embedded, with the particularity that parallel and external to each vertical tube (1) there is a second vertical tube finished in the corresponding upper flange (2 ') that determines a selective fixing means for a vertical reinforcement tube, fixable by means of clamps screwed to the vertical tubes (1),of the different modules. 3rd.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the vertical tubes (1) include lugs (5) for screw-fixing both the diagonal tubes (6), by means of end fins (7) provided therein, and the horizontal angle profiles (8). 4th.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the supporting structure (10) includes a work platform (14) for the operators, provided with an access window (15) through the ladder (9)., 5th.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal tubular rings (11) are fixed to the vertical tubes of the upper module of the tower by means of screwable clamps (13). 6th.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the cusp closing module (4) is obtained from hollow circular tubes, adopting a pyramid-shaped configuration, which extends inferiorly in vertical tubes provided with flanges (2) for fixing to the flanges (2) of the upper end of the upper module. 7th.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the vertical tubes (1) are capable of internally incorporating tubular profiles (1') joined by flanges (2''), provided with intermediate annular reinforcements (2''') that have a diameter according to the internal diameter of the uprights in which they are inserted. 8th.- Lightweight modular tower for telecommunications equipment, according to claim 1, wherein the diagonal tubes (6) are capable of internally incorporating a laminated / folded profile (6') that is joined by means of screws (6'') to the fixing means of said diagonal tubes to the uprights or vertical tubes (1).

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