Retractable Mast Tower for Safe Telecom Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge for telecommunications service providers is to effectively attach cellular radios and antennas to electrical infrastructure without compromising electrical line safety and structural integrity, as existing power transmission structures may not support additional loads, leading to costly structural modifications.
Innovation Solution
A tower design that includes an outer structure anchored to the ground with an inner structure and a movable mast that supports electronic equipment, allowing for safe and efficient attachment to existing electrical power structures without adding load, using a captive lifting cable system that eliminates the need for technicians to work at heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cellular radios and antennas are attached to existing electrical power transmission towers, then telecommunications service can be provided in urban areas, but the structural load capacity and electrical line safety clearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tower structure into an existing outer electrical tower and a separate inner communication tower. The inner structure is positioned within the outer structure and can be independently configured to support telecommunications equipment without adding significant load to the original electrical infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner communication tower structure is nested within the outer electrical tower structure. This allows the communication equipment to be housed inside the existing electrical infrastructure, utilizing the available space without requiring additional external structural support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If structural modification is made to existing electrical power transmission towers to support additional loads, then cellular equipment can be collocated, but construction costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the communication function from the electrical transmission function by creating a distinct inner structure. This segmentation allows the communication equipment to be added without modifying the original electrical tower structure, thereby reducing construction complexity and cost.
3Length of moving object
If technicians work at heights to install and maintain telecommunications equipment on electrical towers, then equipment can be mounted at optimal heights, but safety risks and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is designed to be movable between a stored position and an operational position, allowing equipment to be installed and maintained at ground level when the mast is in the stored position. This eliminates the need for technicians to work at heights while still achieving optimal antenna mounting heights when the mast is extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different heights and configurations. This dynamic capability enables ground-level maintenance while providing elevated mounting positions when needed, resolving the contradiction between height and safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A tower configured to be positioned adjacent to or as a part of existing electrical power utility structures, such as transmission towers, distribution towers, substation structures, etc., includes an outer structure having a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground, and an opposite upper end. An inner structure is positioned within the outer structure and is connected to the outer structure. The inner structure has a lower end configured to be anchored to the ground and an opposite upper end. A mast is movable within the inner structure between a lowered position and a raised position. The mast supports various electronic equipment, such as cellular antenna arrays, remote radio unit (RRU) arrays, microwave antennas, imaging equipment, acoustic sensors, tectonic or motion sensors, thermal sensors, chemical sensors, and/or nuclear sensors.