Hydraulic Transmission Tower Leveling Without De-Energization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical transmission towers tilt due to ground settling or frost heave, necessitating costly and disruptive de-energization and reconstruction, which affects utility service availability.
Innovation Solution
A tower leveling device with side supports, support beams, and hydraulic cylinders that allow for controlled rotation and leveling of the tower without de-energization, using a lattice brace structure and hydraulic rams to adjust the tower's alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If towers are taken out of service and reconstructed, then tower stability is improved, but service availability deteriorates and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling device is installed and positioned around the tower before any leveling action begins. The support beams, side supports, and hydraulic cylinders are pre-assembled and attached to the tower structure, allowing the tower to be leveled in-place without dismantling or taking it out of service. This preliminary setup enables continuous operation while maintaining tower stability.
2Reliability
If towers are taken out of service and reconstructed, then tower stability is improved, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling device acts as an intermediary system between the tilted tower and the ground. The support beams and side supports create a temporary stable structure that allows the tower to be leveled while remaining in service. This intermediary apparatus eliminates the need to take the tower out of service for reconstruction, thereby reducing downtime and associated costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic cylinders are used to level the tower, then leveling precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic cylinders are employed to provide controlled, precise movement for leveling the tower. The hydraulic system allows for fine-adjustment of the tower's position by controlling the extension and retraction of the cylinders. This hydraulic mechanism achieves high leveling precision despite the increased complexity of the device, as the controlled fluid pressure enables accurate positioning.
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 in-situ leveling of tilted towers, maintaining utility service continuity by allowing controlled adjustment and reinstallation of supports without de-energization, thus reducing downtime and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a series of hydraulic cylinders that extend from the lift beam to the first support beam. Linear movement of the cylinders causes the transmission tower to rotate about the axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A lattice type transmission tower leveling device for leveling a transmission tower with respect to a ground surface. The tower leveling device includes a series of side supports positioned at first and second sides of the transmission tower. The leveling device also includes a support beam that is secured to a third side of a transmission tower that is leaning and a second support beam that is secured to a fourth side of the transmission tower opposite the third side. The device further includes a series of brace members that are interconnected to form a lattice brace structure. The lattice brace structure is coupled to the upright members of the transmission tower. The tower leveling device also includes a lift beam secured to the side supports of the tower and a series of hydraulic cylinders that extend from the lift beam to the first support beam. Linear movement of the cylinders causes the transmission tower to rotate about the axis of rotation so that the tower can be leveled and new tower base supports can be installed.