Tension-Integrity Windbreak Tower for Ore Stack Wind Speed Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current windfence supporting towers are costly, interfere with infrastructure, and require extensive installation due to their large size and complex structure, causing obstructions and prolonged patio interdiction in mineral ore stockpiles.
Innovation Solution
A tubular metal tower design with a central post and inclined structural elements, anchored by vertical tensile bars to independent foundations, providing tension-integrity for wind force absorption with a simplified foundation system and reduced physical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional latticed steel section towers are used for windfence support, then wind force resistance is achieved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into distinct functional components: a central compression member, four inclined tension members, and four vertical tension members. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to traditional latticed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using compression members for primary structural support (traditional approach), this invention inverts the approach by using tension members as the primary structural elements. The four vertical tension members anchored to the ground provide the main structural support, while the central compression member serves a secondary role. This inversion simplifies the structure and reduces the number of required elements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large concrete bases are used for tower support, then structural stability is improved, but interference with infrastructure and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stability function from the large concrete base and redistributes it through four smaller independent foundations positioned around the central tube. This extraction eliminates the need for a single large base, reducing interference with infrastructure while maintaining stability through the distributed foundation system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single large base in one location, the stability function is distributed across four foundations in different spatial positions around the central tube. This dimensional distribution maintains stability while minimizing interference with infrastructure elements that may be located between the foundations.
3Reliability
If traditional tower designs are used, then windbreak function is provided, but installation time and patio interdiction period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower design incorporates adjustable tensioners on the vertical tension members, allowing for dynamic adjustment of tension forces during installation. This enables the structure to be quickly assembled and tuned to the required wind load conditions, reducing installation time while maintaining windbreak effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The four vertical tension members are pre-tensioned during assembly before the windfence is fully installed. This preliminary action ensures that the structural stability is established early, allowing for quicker completion of the overall installation and reducing the patio interdiction period.
4Strength
If latticed steel sections are used for towers, then structural strength is achieved, but material quantity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tower uses a composite system combining compression and tension members with different structural roles. The central compression member and four inclined tension members work together with the four vertical tension members to create a efficient load-distributing system that requires less total material than traditional latticed structures while maintaining equivalent or superior strength.
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
The new design reduces installation time, minimizes interference with existing infrastructure, and lowers costs by using fewer materials and a more efficient foundation layout, while maintaining effective wind speed reduction.
Implementation Method 1
four vertical tensile structural elements (6) connected to the outer ends of the yoke (4) and having lower ends tensioned by tensioners (7) anchored to the ground at four independent foundations (8) located around the foundation (8) of the central tube (1)
Implementation Method 2
absorbing forces caused by the wind
Data Source
AI summary
A windfence supporting tower with tension-integrity, includes a tubular metal tower having a central tubular post and four inclined tubular structural tensile elements attached to the post via the coupling ring and the lower ends attached to the free ends of a yoke of compression tubes, which is in turn attached to the post by the reaction flange of the yoke, further receiving at the free ends of the yoke four vertical tensile structural elements which are tensioned and anchored to the ground through four independent foundations located around the foundation of the central tube. These vertical ties pull on the connection point of the yoke and in turn the inclined structural elements connected to the coupling ring, thereby providing stability with tension-integrity, which is the main feature of the present supporting tower for absorbing forces caused by the wind.