Extendable Beacon Mount for Tower Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack a simple means to adjust the height of beacons on communication or transmission towers without additional construction, and servicing beacons requires workers to climb to extreme heights, failing to meet FAA regulations for safety and visibility.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable, extendable beacon mount system with a hand-cranked lever mechanism that raises and lowers the beacon through a gear and ratchet pawl system, allowing for easy height adjustment and safe servicing, potentially replaceable with an electric motor or other powered elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed beacon mounting system is used on a tower, then the beacon height remains stable and meets FAA regulations, but the beacon cannot be adjusted or serviced without additional construction or worker climbing to extreme heights
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon mounting system transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The upper weldment assembly can be raised and lowered along the tower structure using a hand-cranked lever mechanism with gear and ratchet pawl components, allowing the beacon height to be changed as needed while maintaining structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper weldment assembly containing the beacon is nested within the tower structure, allowing it to move vertically along the tower while remaining contained and supported by the tower framework. This nesting approach enables height adjustment without requiring external construction additions.
2Ease of repair
If workers climb to extreme heights to service beacons, then beacon maintenance can be performed, but worker safety is compromised and servicing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon mounting system allows the beacon to be dynamically lowered to accessible heights for maintenance activities. The hand-cranked mechanism enables workers to bring the beacon down from extreme heights to a safe, ground-level or near-ground position for servicing, eliminating the need for workers to climb to dangerous heights.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional construction is performed to adjust beacon height, then FAA compliance can be achieved, but construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: a lower weldment assembly attached to the tower, and an upper weldment assembly containing the beacon that can move independently along the tower. This segmentation allows the beacon height to be adjusted by moving the upper assembly rather than performing additional construction work on the entire structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient adjustment of beacon height without additional construction, allowing single-person operation and safe access for maintenance, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations and improved visibility for aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
a hand-cranked lever which activates a gear and, in turn, a ratchet pawl engages receiver notches on the upper weldment assembly, raising and lowering the upper weldment assembly
Implementation Method 2
a hand-cranked lever which activates a gear and, in turn, a ratchet pawl engages receiver notches on the upper weldment assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable, extendable beacon mount for a wireless communication or transmission tower. The mount mounts a beacon and allows the beacon to be raised and lowered as needed. The mount includes a lower weldment assembly with a base element and an upper weldment assembly to which a beacon is mounted. The upper weldment assembly is raised and lowered by a hand-cranked lever which activates a gear and, in turn, a ratchet pawl engages receiver notches on the upper weldment assembly, raising and lowering the upper weldment assembly. Alternatively, the hand crank could be replaced with an electric motor or other alternatively powered element to raise and lower the upper weldment assembly. The purpose is to raise the beacon above the communications or transmission antennas surrounding the top of a tower to provide a 360 degree unobstructed view for passing aircraft.