Helical Plate Embedded Pole Installation Method

Solution Overview

Problem

Installing embedded utility poles into a foundation is costly and time-consuming due to the need for digging holes, backfilling, and using additional materials like concrete or grout to secure the poles.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a leading pole with a helical plate and an intermediate pole with a larger diameter helical plate, where a rotational force embeds the plates into the foundation without penetrating further, allowing a utility pole to be coupled using friction or base plates, eliminating the need for backfilling and additional materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional embedded pole installation methods are used (digging holes, backfilling, adding concrete or grout), then the pole can be secured into the ground, but the installation process becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole securingVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the backfilling step from the traditional installation process. By using a helical plate that embeds into the foundation through rotational force, the method removes the need for digging holes, backfilling, and adding concrete or grout, thereby reducing installation time and cost while maintaining pole securing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of digging and backfilling with a rotational embedding mechanism. The helical plate converts rotational force into linear embedding action, allowing the pole to be secured through rotation rather than through excavation and manual backfilling, thus reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional embedded pole installation methods are used (digging holes, backfilling, adding concrete or grout), then the pole can be secured into the ground, but the installation process becomes costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole securingVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the backfilling step from the traditional installation process. By using a helical plate that embeds into the foundation through rotational force, the method removes the need for digging holes, backfilling, and adding concrete or grout, thereby reducing installation time and cost while maintaining pole securing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The helical plate design allows the pole to embed itself into the foundation through rotational force without requiring external materials like concrete or grout. The system is self-sufficient, using only the rotational force applied to the pole to achieve embedding, thereby reducing material costs and installation complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional embedded pole installation methods are used (digging holes, backfilling), then the pole can be secured into the ground, but spoil creation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole securingVSAvoidspoil creation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the backfilling step from the traditional installation process. By using a helical plate that embeds into the foundation through rotational force, the method removes the need for digging holes, backfilling, and adding concrete or grout, thereby reducing installation time and cost while maintaining pole securing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach simplifies the installation process by reducing costs and time, as the utility pole can be quickly and firmly secured into the ground with minimal spoil creation.

Implementation Method 1

The leading pole comprises a first helical plate disposed on a first portion of the leading pole. The intermediate pole is coupled to a second portion of the leading pole and comprises a second helical plate disposed on a first portion of the intermediate pole.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

The utility pole may be integrated with the pole once the pole is installed in the ground, which simplifies the installation process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9945145B2Embedded poles for utility poles and structures

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES LLC

AI summary

An embedded pole installation method including applying a rotational force to a leading pole and an intermediate pole. The leading pole comprises a first helical plate disposed on a first portion of the leading pole. The intermediate pole is coupled to a second portion of the leading pole and comprises a second helical plate disposed on a first portion of the intermediate pole. The diameter of the intermediate pole is greater than a diameter of the leading pole. Applying the rotational force embeds the first helical plate and the second helical plate into a foundation such that a second portion of the intermediate pole does not penetrate the foundation. The method further includes coupling a utility pole to the second portion of the intermediate pole.