Antenna Mount Work Platform for Wind Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna mounts contribute significantly to the Effective Projected Area (EPA), increasing wind loading and posing safety risks for technicians, while also requiring extended time for maintenance due to inefficient design.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an antenna frame with horizontal and vertical members, featuring a work platform mounted on multiple vertical members with locking brackets to prevent downward slipping, allowing for efficient antenna placement and reduced technician time on towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional antenna mounts are used, then antennas can be mounted on towers, but the mount contributes significantly to Effective Projected Area (EPA) increasing wind loading
Solution Approach 1:
The mount structure is divided into separate vertical members that are spaced apart, with antenna frames mounted between them. This segmentation reduces the continuous projected area that contributes to EPA while maintaining structural integrity and antenna mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a traditional solid horizontal mount to a three-dimensional structure with vertical members spaced apart. By utilizing the vertical dimension and spacing members apart, the projected area in the horizontal plane (which contributes to EPA) is reduced while maintaining mounting functionality.
2Productivity
If antennas are mounted on towers well above the ground, then wireless communication capacity is increased, but technicians face safety risks and require extended time for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the antenna frames, act as mounting points for work platforms, and offer attachment points for safety equipment. This multi-functionality addresses both communication capacity and technician safety needs within a single structural system.
Solution Approach 2:
Work platforms are introduced as intermediary structures between the vertical members and the ground, providing safe working surfaces for technicians at elevated positions. Safety rails and fall protection systems are also introduced as intermediary protective elements that mediate between the height requirement and technician safety.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional mount designs are used, then antennas can be installed, but maintenance requires extended technician time on towers
Solution Approach 1:
Work platforms are pre-installed on the vertical members during manufacturing or initial installation. This preliminary action ensures that maintenance personnel have immediate access to safe working surfaces when needed, eliminating the need to set up temporary platforms during each maintenance visit and reducing overall maintenance time.
Data Source
AI summary
A work platform mounted to an antenna frame includes: an antenna frame comprising a plurality of horizontal members and a plurality of vertical members mounted on the horizontal members; at least one piece of communications equipment mounted on one of the plurality of vertical members; and a work platform mounted on at least two of the vertical members, one of the vertical members on which the work platform is mounted being the vertical member on which the communications equipment is mounted.