System for reinforcing towers and the like

Abstract

A system for reinforcing a tower is disclosed. The system includes a number of vertically elongated primary support risers. Each riser is attached to the tower at a series of spaced apart locations.

1 . A system for reinforcing a tower, comprising, in combination,
 a vertically elongated structure which may be subjected to wind loads or similar horizontally applied forces,   a structure top adapted to mount equipment which subjects the tower to a vertically applied load,   and a base for affixing the tower to a foundation;   the reinforcing system comprising   a plurality of vertically elongated primary support risers, each riser being attached to the tower at spaced apart locations.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said vertically elongated primary support risers are each attached to the base. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said tower is a monopole. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said tower is a free-standing structure. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said tower is a self-supported structure. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said tower is a guyed structure. 
   
   
       7 . A system for reinforcing a tower or like structure which includes a central vertically elongated structure which may be subjected to wind loads or similar horizontally applied forces, a structure top adapted to mount equipment which subjects the structure to a vertically applied load, and a primary base plate structure for affixing the central structure to a foundation,
 the reinforcing system comprising a plurality of vertically elongated primary support risers located outside the central vertically elongated structure,   each riser being attached to the central vertically elongated structures at spaced apart locations.   
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said vertically elongated structure is a monopole. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 7  wherein said risers comprise hollow pipe lengths. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 9  wherein said risers comprise pipes having polygonal cross-sectional shapes. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 7  further including
 a secondary base plate affixed to the vertically elongated structure and to the primary base plate at a location above and spaced apart from said primary base plate.   
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 7  further including
 at least one fin plate attached to the base plate and to a primary support riser.   
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 7  further including
 a chair element comprising   at least two vertical fin plates located adjacent to a bolted base-plate/vertically elongated structure interconnection.   
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 13  further including
 a horizontal fin plate affixed to said vertical fin plates and to said vertically elongated structure.   
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 14  further including
 an additional vertical fin plate affixed to said horizontal fin plate and to said vertically elongated structure at a position above said two vertical fin plates.   
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said vertically elongated support risers comprise riser section elements connected to each other in end-to-end array. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 16  further including connection devices for interconnecting adjacent sections of the vertically elongated support risers. 
   
   
       18 . A system according to  claim 7  further including lateral support bracket devices for connecting the vertically elongated support risers to the vertically elongated tower structure. 
   
   
       19 . A system for reinforcing a monopole tower or like structure which includes a central vertically elongated structure which may be subjected to wind loads or similar horizontally applied forces, a structure top adapted to mount equipment which subjects the structure to a vertically applied load, and a primary base plate structure for affixing the central structure to a foundation,
 the reinforcing system comprising a plurality of vertically elongated primary support risers located inside the central vertically elongated structure,   each riser being attached to the central vertically elongated structure at spaced apart locations.   
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said vertically elongated primary support risers are hollow but contain reinforcement webbing therein. 
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein at leased one of said vertically elongated primary support risers has cross-sectional modulus of maximum surface so as to provide maximum stiffening effect to the support riser and the supported tower. 
   
   
       22 . A system according to  claim 1  further including a grillage device for connecting the support risers to the central vertically elongated structure. 
   
   
       23 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein said grillage device includes at least one ring element for engaging at least one riser. 
   
   
       24 . A system according to  claim 22  wherein said grillage device includes at least one fin element and at least one ring element secured to said fin element for strengthening the riser-central vertically elongated structure interconnection.