Guy Anchor Reinforcement via Supplemental Shaft Encasement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guy anchor reinforcement methods are costly, labor-intensive, and provide only temporary solutions to corrosion, requiring frequent replacements due to the inherent vulnerability of anchor shafts to corrosion.

Innovation Solution

A reinforcing system for guy anchors that includes a solid structure around the anchor shaft, a supplemental anchor shaft encased within this structure, and a retaining structure, which reduces exposure to corrosive soil and provides redundant support, allowing the original anchor shaft to corrode without compromising the anchor's integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional guy anchor reinforcement methods are used, then the anchor can be strengthened temporarily, but the solution is costly, labor-intensive, and requires frequent replacements due to corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor integrityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor system is divided into two independent components: the original anchor shaft and a supplemental anchor shaft. The supplemental shaft is attached to the anchor head and extends into the ground separately, creating redundant support that operates independently from the original shaft's corrosion state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supplemental anchor shaft is installed in advance to prevent future anchor failure. By proactively adding this redundant shaft before the original shaft completely fails, the system ensures continuous support without waiting for actual failure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional reinforcement methods are used, then some support is provided, but the original anchor shaft remains exposed to corrosive soil and will continue to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor supportVSAvoidcorrosion exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of soil contact is extracted from the supplemental anchor shaft by encasing it in a solid protective structure. This structure allows the supplemental shaft to provide support while being isolated from the corrosive environment that affects the original shaft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure combines multiple materials (concrete or masonry enclosure with steel reinforcement) to create a composite system that provides both mechanical support and corrosion protection. This composite approach shields the supplemental anchor shaft from environmental degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the original anchor shaft is replaced, then corrosion resistance can be improved, but the process is expensive and requires significant labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The original anchor shaft is treated as a disposable component that is allowed to corrode and fail. Instead of investing in expensive replacement, the system uses a supplemental shaft with protective encasement that provides long-term service at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structure serves as beforehand cushioning by pre-protecting the supplemental anchor shaft from corrosion. This preventive encasement avoids the need for future repairs or replacements, reducing long-term costs and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2596187B1Guy anchor reinforcement
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 ATC IP LLC
  • EP2596187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2596187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2596187B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A reinforcing system for a guy anchor (100) used in a guyed or additionally guyed tower includes a concrete structure (210) formed around the guy anchor (100). The concrete structure (210) has a top surface (21 Of) slightly above grade level. The reinforcing system further includes a supplemental anchor shaft (220). The supplemental anchor shaft (220) is attached to the existing anchor head (1 14) and extends down into the concrete structure (210), where it is retained and encased therein. The concrete structure (210) preferably has a base (210a) and at least one wall (e.g., 210b, 210c) that extends down from the base and has a surface that faces the tower to resist horizontal forces. The reinforcing system is sufficiently strong to keep the guy anchor (100) in place even if the original anchor shaft (1 16) completely corrodes. The supplemental anchor shaft (220) does not generally come into contact with soil. It therefore resists corrosion and is expected to provide a long service life.