Base Angle Attachment Assemblies for Utility Poles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility poles anchored to the ground for supporting overhead equipment often experience weakened weld joints and corrosion, necessitating costly and logistically challenging replacements.
Innovation Solution
A base angle attachment assembly that includes a connector with a first and second connecting member, where the second connecting member receives fasteners to couple with the pole, and a containment assembly aligns these fasteners within the pole, providing reinforcement without relying on welds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If weld joints are used to attach the base to the pole, then the structural strength is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to corrosion and weakening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical joining) with a mechanical fastening system using bolts, nuts, and washers. The connector assembly with multiple fasteners provides a purely mechanical attachment method that avoids the corrosion and weakening issues associated with weld joints, while maintaining structural strength through distributed fastener loading.
2Reliability
If replacement of corroded poles is performed, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time and productivity worsen due to costly and logistically challenging replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is pre-installed on the base structure during initial construction, creating a permanent attachment point that eliminates the need for future pole replacements. This preliminary action of installing the connector with the base ensures that the pole can be easily removed and replaced without affecting the base structure, thereby reducing downtime and logistical complexity when pole replacement becomes necessary.
3Reliability
If a connector with multiple fasteners is used to couple the base and pole, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: a connector body with multiple fastener receptacles, individual bolts, nuts, and washers. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, inspected, and replaced, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability through distributed fastening points that reduce the impact of any single fastener failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A base angle attachment assembly includes a connector for coupling to a base and a pole supported by the base. The connector has a first connecting member and a second connecting member extending generally perpendicularly with respect to the first connecting member. The first connecting member of the connector defines an aperture for receiving a fastener configured to couple the connector with the base. The second connecting member of the connector defines apertures for receiving fasteners configured to couple the connector with the pole. The base angle attachment assembly also includes a containment assembly configured for insertion into an interior cavity of the pole for receiving and aligning the fasteners with the apertures defined in the second connecting member of the connector.