Concentric Layered Support Structure for Stronger Lightweight Utility Poles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility structures, such as those made of wood, steel, and concrete, face issues like decay, corrosion, lack of resiliency, excessive weight, and electrical conductivity, which limit their effectiveness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A layered multi-body support structure composed of concentrically disposed elongated bodies, each with a unique length and configuration, providing added strength, engineered lifting balance points, and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional materials (wood, steel, concrete) are used for utility structures, then structural strength is achieved, but the structures suffer from decay, corrosion, excessive weight, and electrical conductivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of multiple elongated bodies (conductive and non-conductive) arranged concentrically. This composite design combines the strength benefits of different materials while eliminating their individual weaknesses - the non-conductive body provides structural strength and corrosion resistance, while the conductive body offers grounding capabilities without compromising the overall durability against decay and corrosion.
2Strength
If steel structures are used, then structural strength is improved, but the structures become highly electrically conductive and expensive to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the structural function into separate segments - the non-conductive elongated body provides structural strength and electrical isolation, while the conductive elongated body is a separate component that can be selectively positioned for grounding. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without the harmful electrical conductivity affecting the structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical conductivity function from the structural support function. By separating these functions into different elongated bodies, the structural component remains electrically isolated while the grounding function is provided by a dedicated conductive element that can be independently managed.
3Strength
If concrete poles are used, then structural strength is achieved, but the structures become excessively heavy and electrically conductive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite configuration of hollow elongated bodies that provides structural strength comparable to concrete while significantly reducing weight. The hollow cylindrical design with optimized wall thicknesses delivers the necessary mechanical strength without the excessive mass of solid concrete structures.
4Strength
If wood structures are used, then structural strength is achieved, but toxic chemicals are required for preservation which are environmentally unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-conductive elongated bodies made from durable, low-maintenance materials that do not require toxic chemical treatments for preservation. These materials are selected to provide long service life without the environmental harm associated with traditional wood preservatives, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A layered multi-body support structure that comprises a plurality of elongated bodies concentrically disposed within each other. The plurality of elongated bodies comprising an innermost elongated body, an outermost elongated body and at least one intermediate elongated body disposed therebetween. Each elongated body has a proximal end, a distal and a respective length that is different that the lengths of all the other elongated bodies, and wherein the length of at least one of the at least one intermediate elongated bodies and/or the outermost elongated body is longer than the innermost elongated body.