Single-pole communication tower

Abstract

The invention discloses a single-pole communication tower which comprises a tower pole, the tower pole is rotationally sleeved with resistance reduction flow guide wings, and the resistance reduction flow guide wings form a streamline structure with the overall wing-shaped outer contour, so that a laminar flow streaming structure is formed when the tower pole is subjected to wind, and wind flow separation and lateral wind loading force are reduced. The anti-drag flow guide wings are arranged outside the tower pole of the communication tower, so that the whole appearance of the communication tower forms a streamline airfoil profile, and the transverse load generated by wind to the tower pole is remarkably reduced. The flow-around characteristic is improved, the Karman vortex street forming condition is broken, the risks of transverse vibration and structural resonance caused by vortex shedding are restrained, and the operation safety of the communication tower is improved. The wind-induced periodic stress is reduced, the service life of the tower body and accessory equipment is prolonged, and the maintenance frequency and cost are reduced. The anti-drag flow guide wings can freely rotate around the tower pole and are directionally arranged along with wind all the time, the optimal anti-drag posture is maintained, an external control system is not needed, and the structure is simple and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of communication towers, and in particular to a single-pole communication tower. Background Art

[0002] With the widespread deployment of communication networks, communication towers serve as critical infrastructure for carrying antennas, microwave equipment, and other communication devices. Single-pole towers typically utilize cylindrical or polygonal steel tube structures. When operating outdoors for extended periods, particularly in areas with high wind speeds or variable wind directions, they are highly susceptible to lateral wind loads and vortex-induced vibrations. Wind flowing around the cylindrical surface easily generates separation flows and alternating vortices, resulting in periodic aerodynamic forces that cause tower vibrations, leading to structural fatigue, component loosening, and even tower structural instability.

[0003] Existing technologies have increased wind resistance in some communication towers by increasing cross-sectional dimensions, thickening wall panels, or installing dampers. However, these methods often result in material waste and increased tower weight, hindering construction, maintenance, and economical control. Other attempts have also employed vibration isolation devices or prestressed cable structures, but these structures are complex and expensive to install, making them unsuitable for applications with limited space or demanding aesthetics.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the wind load and wind-induced vibration of a single-pole communication tower without significantly increasing the complexity and weight of the tower structure has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes a single-pole communication tower to reduce the wind load and wind-induced vibration on the single-pole communication tower.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is to design a single-pole communication tower, including a tower pole, and a drag-reducing guide wing is rotatably mounted on the outside of the tower pole. The drag-reducing guide wing constitutes a streamlined structure with an overall airfoil-shaped outer contour, so that the tower pole forms a laminar flow structure when exposed to wind, thereby reducing wind flow separation and lateral wind load force.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the tower is supported on a support base, the lower end of the drag-reducing guide wing is rotatably supported on the support base, and the center of gravity of the drag-reducing guide wing is located on the symmetrical central axis of the tower.

[0008] In some embodiments, the support base is fixed on the ground, and the bottom end of the tower pole is fixed on the support base.

[0009] In some embodiments, an annular groove is provided on the circumference of the support seat, and a bent body is provided at the lower end of the drag reduction guide wing that slides into the annular groove. The bent body allows the drag reduction guide wing to rotate freely around the tower but cannot move upward.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the bending body is located at the leading edge of the airfoil of the drag-reducing guide wing.

[0011] In certain embodiments, a support platform is provided above the annular chute, and the lower end of the trailing edge of the drag-reducing guide wing is slidably supported on the support platform.

[0012] In some embodiments, the bending body includes an upper bending portion connected to the airfoil leading edge of the drag reduction guide wing, a lower bending portion located in the annular groove, and a connecting portion connecting the upper bending portion and the lower bending portion.

[0013] In certain embodiments, an upward guide groove is provided on the support platform, and a guide slider slidably supported in the guide groove is provided at the lower end of the trailing edge of the airfoil of the drag reduction guide wing.

[0014] In some embodiments, rollers are provided in both the annular sliding groove and the guide groove.

[0015] In some embodiments, the guide slider is connected to the drag-reducing guide wing via a telescopic rod.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This invention incorporates drag-reducing guide vanes on the exterior of the communication tower, creating a streamlined airfoil profile. This significantly reduces the lateral loads imposed by wind on the tower. This improves flow characteristics, disrupts the formation of Karman vortex streets, suppresses the risk of lateral vibration and structural resonance caused by vortex shedding, and enhances the operational safety of the communication tower. Wind-induced cyclic stresses are reduced, extending the service life of the tower and its ancillary equipment, while reducing maintenance frequency and costs. The guide vanes rotate freely around the tower, always aligning with the wind to maintain optimal drag-reducing posture. No external control system is required, resulting in a simple and reliable structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. To illustrate details and facilitate understanding of its principles, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and similar reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The accompanying drawings generally illustrate the embodiments discussed herein by way of example and not limitation. Among them: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of vortex vibration generated by airflow passing through a traditional tower.

[0018] Figure 2It is a schematic diagram of an axial cross section of a tower provided with guide vanes.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 BB cross-section diagram.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the middle.

[0021] In the figure, 1. tower; 2. guide vane; 21. airfoil leading edge; 22. airfoil trailing edge; 3. support seat; 31. annular slide; 32. annular support platform; 321. guide groove; 4. bending body; 41. upper bending part; 42. lower bending part; 43. connecting part; 5. guide slider; 6. telescopic rod; 61. nut; 62. bolt; 7. roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to further illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the following embodiments do not limit the inventions involved in the claims. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily required for the solutions of the invention.

[0023] The principle and structure of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example

[0024] like Figure 2 、 3 As shown, the present invention relates to a single-pole communication tower, which includes a vertical tower 1. A rotatable drag-reducing guide wing 2 is provided on the outside of the tower 1. The guide wing 2 is axially arranged around the tower 1 to form a guide structure covering the outer surface of the tower 1.

[0025] The drag-reducing guide wing 2 is an airfoil curved surface structure, and its outer contour design follows the principles of laminar aerodynamics, such as adopting a NACA airfoil, fish shape or other downstream streamlined shape, and through a rotating socket or support mechanism, it can swing around the tower 1 with the wind direction or adaptively adjust the angle.

[0026] like Figure 1As shown in the figure, fluid mechanics indicates that when a fluid (such as air) flows around a cylindrical or blunt-body structure, vortex shedding will alternately form behind the object at Reynolds numbers above Re≈47. These vortices shed alternately on either side of the structure, forming a "Kármán vortex street." This asymmetric shedding generates alternating lateral forces (perpendicular to the wind direction) on the object, inducing lateral vibration of the structure. When the wind strikes the tower 1, the original cylindrical or polygonal cross-section of the tower 1 experiences significant flow separation and vortex street vibration, resulting in asymmetric lateral loads on the windward and leeward sides. Long-term effects of this can severely impact the structural stability and fatigue life.

[0027] By installing the drag-reducing guide vanes 2, the tower 1 exhibits a laminar airfoil profile, significantly delaying the flow separation point and mitigating boundary layer stall. This allows the wind to adhere more closely to the guide surface during the circumferential flow, thereby reducing wind resistance and vortex-induced vibrations. The laminar airfoil design ensures more uniform and flexible structural stress, reducing the risk of wind-induced instability and making it particularly suitable for communication tower deployment in strong wind areas, high altitudes, and typhoon-prone regions.

[0028] Furthermore, the rotatable design of the guide vane 2 allows it to automatically adjust its position with wind direction, maintaining the optimal drag reduction angle at all times without the need for electric control, thus achieving structurally adaptive wind resistance. The mechanically self-rotating structure of the guide vane 2 allows it to oscillate with the wind, eliminating the need for a complex control system and reducing maintenance costs and failure rates.

[0029] The drag-reducing guide wing 2 structure of this embodiment can be adapted to various existing communication tower pole 1 shapes, including new tower bodies and the installation, upgrading and reconstruction of existing tower bodies, and has strong adaptability.

[0030] To ensure adaptive rotation of the drag-reducing guide vanes 2 in response to changing wind directions, the tower 1 is vertically supported on a support base 3. The lower ends of the drag-reducing guide vanes 2 are supported on the support base 3 via a rotating connection structure, forming a rotatable, wraparound mount on the tower 1. The guide vanes 2 are symmetrically arranged around the tower 1, extending vertically, with their center of gravity positioned on the central axis of the tower 1, ensuring symmetrical rotational forces and a sensitive response.

[0031] The lower end of the drag-reducing guide vane 2 is supported on a support base 3. It rotates freely about the tower 1 via a bearing or rotating shaft. The guide vane 2 is symmetrically arranged, with its center of gravity on the central axis of the tower 1, allowing it to naturally maintain a centered position in calm conditions. When the wind direction changes, the hydrodynamic force pushes the guide vane 2 to deflect. Due to its symmetrical center of gravity and low-friction support structure, the guide vane 2 can quickly rotate with the wind to a new equilibrium position. The center of gravity of the guide vane 2 is set on the central axis of the tower 1, preventing gravity from generating an eccentric load moment during rotation, maintaining the structural stability and long-term operational reliability.

[0032] like Figure 4As shown, the support seat 3 is fixedly installed on the ground foundation and can be firmly connected to the ground through pre-buried anchor bolts 62, concrete pouring or steel structure base to form a stable support platform. The bottom end of the tower 1 is fixedly installed on the support seat 3, and axial pressure and anti-overturning support are achieved by welding, screwing or plugging. On this basis, the lower end of the drag reduction guide wing 2 is also supported on the support seat 3 by a rotating mechanism, so that the rotation fulcrum of the guide wing 2 and the vertical axis of the tower 1 are arranged in the same plane, ensuring that the guide wing 2 can rotate freely around the tower 1 and the tower 1 body remains in a vertical and stationary state. This structure forms a complete vertical installation system, which provides a structural basis for the wind direction following function of the drag reduction device, while ensuring the overall rigidity and stability of the tower body.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown, the support base 3 is circumferentially provided with an annular chute 31, which surrounds the bottom end of the tower 1, forming a closed, circumferential guide track. A curved body 4 is provided at the lower end of the drag-reducing guide vane 2. The free end of this curved body 4 slides into the annular chute 31 and slides along the chute. This curved body 4 is a rigid structure, generally in the shape of a barb or bend. One portion is fixedly connected to the guide vane 2, while the other portion is embedded within the chute. Its shape or stop prevents it from escaping the chute in the axial direction (i.e., vertically upward), but it can slide freely in the annular direction. This arrangement allows the drag-reducing guide vane 2 to rotate freely in the horizontal circumferential direction to adapt to wind direction without the risk of it escaping upward from its support track due to wind lift, vibration, or installation errors, significantly improving the safety and reliability of the system. The annular chute 31 cooperates with the curved body 4, allowing the guide vane 2 to rotate and adjust its angle with the wind without being constrained, ensuring that it always maintains its airfoil-shaped, drag-reducing posture facing the wind.

[0034] The bending body 4 is arranged at the leading edge 21 of the airfoil of the drag-reducing guide wing 2, that is, at the front of the windward side of the guide wing 2. The bending body 4 structure is embedded in the chute to form a mechanical limit, so that the guide wing 2 cannot derail or move upward in the vertical direction, thereby improving the safety of the structure. When the wind acts on the guide wing 2, due to the limiting effect of the annular chute 31 and the bending body 4, the lateral thrust of the guide wing 2 on the tower 1 is also reduced. The airflow thrust received by the guide wing 2 is transferred to the support seat 3 through the annular chute 31 and the bending body 4, so that the tower 1 is less affected by the wind. The structural rigidity of the leading edge is strong, and it can bear the vertical limit force generated by the chute connection structure, and the structural reliability is higher.

[0035] Above the annular chute 31, an annular support platform 32 is positioned. This platform surrounds the tower 1, forming an upper support structure concentric with the chute. The lower end of the trailing edge 22 of the drag-reducing guide vane 2 is slidably connected to the support platform, ensuring smooth support during rotation. This structure creates a dual-point support system at the lower end of the drag-reducing guide vane 2. The lower end of the leading edge slides into the annular chute 31 via the bent body 4, providing rotational guidance and vertical position limiting. The lower end of the trailing edge slides onto the support platform, assuming the weight of the guide vane 2 and providing lateral stability. It also transfers wind forces acting on the guide vane 2 to the support base 3, thereby reducing the lateral thrust exerted by the guide vane 2 on the tower 1. This dual-point support structure not only maintains the guide vane 2's rotational freedom within the horizontal plane but also effectively prevents it from swinging, wobbling, twisting, or tilting, thereby improving rotational stability and service life. The support platform can also integrate stoppers, cushions, and sensors for further intelligent control or rotation angle management.

[0036] In order to enable the drag-reducing guide wing 2 to rotate stably and flexibly in the circumferential direction of the tower 1, while ensuring that the structure has a limiting and supporting function in the vertical direction, the bending body 4 of this embodiment is a three-section structure, namely an upper bending portion 41, a lower bending portion 42 and a connecting portion 43 connecting the upper bending portion 41 and the lower bending portion 42.

[0037] The upper bend 41 is structurally fixedly connected to the airfoil leading edge 21 of the drag-reducing guide wing 2, serving as a structural extension connecting the guide wing 2 body. The lower bend 42 is located within the annular chute 31 of the support seat 3, acting as a sliding guide and vertical limiter. The connecting portion 43 connects the upper bend 41 and the lower bend 42, typically in the shape of a hook or an oblique transition structure, giving the overall shape a "bow" shape to accommodate the relative height difference between the chute position and the guide wing 2 body. This structure allows the bend 4 to form a rotatable but non-detachable structural limit connection within the annular chute 31, ensuring that the drag-reducing guide wing 2 is neither lifted by the wind and derailed during rotation nor can it rotate smoothly around the tower 1, maintaining a good drag-reducing airfoil posture.

[0038] In order to further improve the attitude control accuracy and structural operation stability of the drag reduction guide wing 2 during the rotational movement, the present invention provides an upward guide groove 321 on the support platform. The guide groove 321 is arranged in a ring shape and extends circumferentially around the tower 1; and the lower end of the airfoil trailing edge 22 of the drag reduction guide wing 2 is provided with a guide slider 5, which is slidably embedded in the guide groove 321.

[0039] Under the action of wind, the guide vane 2 rotates in the annular slide groove 31 by relying on the bent body 4 at the leading edge; at the same time, the guide slider 5 at the trailing edge slides synchronously along the guide groove 321 on the support platform; the front and rear ends are both restricted by their respective guide mechanisms, thereby forming a stable, controllable rotation path that will not shake or deflect.

[0040] The trailing-edge slider limits radial and tangential movement of the guide vane 2, ensuring a more stable and precise rotational path. The slider and guide groove 321 slide together, utilizing self-lubricating materials or lubricating strips to reduce wear and extend service life. The guide slider 5 and guide groove 321 feature a standard removable structure, facilitating maintenance, replacement, and on-site adjustment.

[0041] To further reduce the contact friction between the curved body 4 and the annular chute 31 during the rotation of the drag-reducing guide vane 2, multiple rollers 7 are installed within the annular chute 31. These rollers 7 are distributed along the circumference of the chute and provide rolling support and guidance for the curved body 4, replacing some or all of the sliding friction, thereby significantly reducing frictional resistance. Rollers are also installed within the guide groove to reduce the resistance to the movement of the guide slider relative to the guide groove.

[0042] In order to improve the coordination flexibility and angle fine-tuning capability between the drag-reducing guide wing 2 and the supporting platform, a telescopic rod 6 connection structure with adjustable length is provided between the guide slider 5 and the drag-reducing guide wing 2 in this embodiment.

[0043] The two ends of the telescopic rod 6 are respectively connected to the guide slider 5 and the airfoil trailing edge 22, so that the position of the lower end of the trailing edge of the guide vane 2 can be fine-tuned relative to the guide slot, thereby maintaining the trailing edge trajectory of the guide vane 2 during rotation and avoiding the slider offset due to manufacturing error or deformation; by pre-adjusting the length of the telescopic rod 6, the pitch angle of the tail of the guide vane 2 can be fine-tuned, thereby optimizing the deflection angle of the airfoil to the wind flow.

[0044] The telescopic rod 6 structure can be implemented using a bolt 62 and nut 61 mechanism. The lower end of the trailing edge of the guide vane 2 is fixedly connected to the nut 61. One end of the bolt 62 is hinged to the guide slider 5 and is movable to engage with the nut 61 in a threaded connection. The bolt 62 can thus control the vertical linear movement of the screw relative to the nut 61, thereby adjusting the distance between the guide slider 5 and the lower end of the trailing edge of the guide vane 2, thereby fine-tuning the inclination angle of the guide vane 2 relative to the tower 1. For example, in areas with strong winds, the telescopic rod 6 can be extended to tilt the leading edge of the guide vane 2 slightly toward the incoming wind, thereby counteracting wind loads. In this case, the vertical height of the annular chute 31 should be slightly greater than the vertical height of the lower bend 42, so that the lower bend 42 can move up and down within a certain range relative to the annular chute 31 when the telescopic rod 6 is adjusted. Of course, a length-adjustable telescopic support member can also be provided between the lower bend 42 and the annular chute 31 to adjust the inclination angle of the guide vane 2 relative to the tower 1.

[0045] In order to ensure that the drag-reducing guide wing 2 has an efficient guide function while minimizing the additional load of its own weight on the tower 1 structure, it is preferred to use lightweight materials to manufacture the guide wing 2 body. Its function is limited to airflow guidance and wind pressure relief, and it does not bear the structural load-bearing task; high-strength composite materials (such as glass fiber composite panels, carbon fiber reinforced plastics, etc.) can be selected; the interior of the guide wing 2 can be set to a honeycomb hollow structure, and a support frame that is both lightweight and has overall rigidity is formed through regularly arranged inner cavities; the outer shell can be a streamlined curved composite skin, which is embedded in the inner skeleton to achieve the unity of aerodynamic shape and structural strength.

[0046] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the present invention. Persons skilled in the art may make various modifications, additions, or substitutions to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A single-pole communication tower, comprising a tower pole, characterized in that: The tower is rotatably provided with a drag-reducing guide wing, which forms a streamlined structure with an overall airfoil-shaped outer profile, so that the tower forms a laminar flow structure when exposed to wind, reducing wind flow separation and lateral wind load.

2. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tower is supported on a support seat, the lower end of the drag-reducing guide wing is rotatably supported on the support seat, and the center of gravity of the drag-reducing guide wing is located on the symmetrical central axis of the tower.

3. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support base is fixed on the ground, and the bottom end of the tower pole is fixed on the support base.

4. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 3, characterized in that: An annular groove is provided on the circumference of the support seat, and a bent body is provided at the lower end of the drag reduction guide wing that slides into the annular groove. The bent body allows the drag reduction guide wing to rotate freely around the tower but cannot move upward.

5. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bent body is located at the leading edge of the airfoil of the drag-reducing guide wing.

6. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 5, characterized in that: A support platform is provided above the annular chute, and the lower end of the trailing edge of the airfoil of the drag-reducing guide wing is slidably supported on the support platform.

7. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bending body includes an upper bending portion connected to the airfoil leading edge of the drag reduction guide wing, a lower bending portion located in the annular chute, and a connecting portion connecting the upper bending portion and the lower bending portion.

8. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 6, characterized in that: An upward guide groove is provided on the support platform, and a guide slider which is slidably supported in the guide groove is provided at the lower end of the airfoil trailing edge of the drag reducing guide wing.

9. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 8, characterized in that: Rollers are arranged in the annular sliding groove and the guide groove.

10. The single-pole communication tower according to claim 8, characterized in that The guide slider is connected to the drag-reducing guide wing via a telescopic rod.

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