Circular Anchor for Tower Foundation Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching tower-like structures to foundations, such as wind power plants and antenna masts, require waiting for concrete to cure, leading to idle crane time and high costs due to the need for large, expensive cranes and the risks associated with welding joints.

Innovation Solution

A method where a circular element is anchored partially inside the concrete foundation, allowing the tower-like structure to be attached via a screw connection, eliminating the need for welding and enabling separate part shipment and installation without additional frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flange with through holes and anchoring bolts is used to attach the tower-like structure to the foundation, then the structural connection is achieved, but the base must be fitted onto the solder layer before final curing, requiring waiting time and idle crane operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural connectionVSAvoidwaiting time for solder curing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into separate components: the circular element is anchored to the foundation independently, and the tower base is attached separately via screw connection. This eliminates the need for solder curing等待时间, as the circular element provides immediate mechanical anchoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circular element acts as an intermediary component between the foundation and the tower base. It is anchored to the foundation and provides a mounting surface for the tower base, eliminating the need for solder layers and the associated curing waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If two large mobile cranes are used to lift the heavy base of the tower into vertical position, then the installation is completed, but the cranes stand idle during solder curing time, incurring high costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation completionVSAvoididle crane operation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The circular element is anchored to the foundation in advance, before the tower base is installed. This preliminary action creates a ready-to-use mounting point, allowing the tower base to be attached immediately without waiting for solder curing, thus eliminating idle crane time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The installation process becomes continuous: the circular element is anchored first, then the tower base is attached immediately via screw connection. There is no interruption or waiting period for solder curing, maximizing the productive use of cranes and minimizing idle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If an adapter is used between the foundation and the base of the tower-like structure, then one smaller crane can be used, but the adapter is expensive to produce and requires heavy-duty crane for handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrane size requirementVSAvoidadapter production cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The circular element is a simple, inexpensive component compared to the expensive forged or welded adapter structures. It can be produced economically and installed once, providing a cost-effective solution without the high manufacturing costs of traditional adapters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The circular element serves multiple functions: it acts as an anchoring point for the foundation, provides a mounting surface for the tower base, and eliminates the need for separate adapters. This self-sufficient design reduces overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If welding is used to join the flange to the tower base, then the structure is assembled, but welding joints create risks especially in dynamically loaded joints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure assemblyVSAvoidwelding joint reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical screw connection system. The tower base is attached to the circular element using screws, eliminating welding joints entirely. This mechanical connection is particularly suitable for dynamically loaded structures, providing reliability without the risks associated with welding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8782979B2Method and arrangement for attaching a tower-like structure to a foundation

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 PEIKKO GROUP

AI summary

The invention relates to method and arrangement for attaching a tower-like structure to a foundation. In the invention, a circular element is anchored to the concrete forming the foundation. The circular element is fitted on the surface of the foundation such that the circular element remains partially inside the concrete. The lowest part of the tower-like structure is attached by a screw connection to the circular element.