Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship – Shaft reinforcement adjacent earth's surface
Patent
1997-06-12
1998-10-06
Smith, Creighton
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
Shaft reinforcement adjacent earth's surface
52153, 52154, E02D 2742
Patent
active
058159940
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the strengthening of poles and, more particularly has application to the reinstatement of poles particularly damaged poles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be applied to poles used by utilities for carrying telecommunications lines, electric power lines and the like. It is to be appreciated however that the invention has application to other forms of poles including pylons, stumps, flagpoles, mooring posts and the like.
Poles of the type to which this invention has particular application are typically wooden poles and it is well known that a wooden pole is most vulnerable to rot, decay or similar degradation at about ground level including the area from slightly above to slightly below the ground line of a standing pole. This is the area in which rot generally begins and as the decay spreads the pole is weakened. If a utility pole should fail, there may be serious disruption to telecommunications and/or power supply. Further, the sudden failure of a pole is a risk which linesman working on such poles face regularly. In addition to the risks of a faulty pole falling and bringing down not only the lines but also linesmen with it, there are risks to passers-by and neighbouring buildings or other structures. Similar dangers and inconvenience may result from the failure of poles used in other applications.
The reinstatement of damaged poles is accordingly an important consideration. However it can be difficult to properly identify damage to a pole. Accordingly it may sometimes be necessary or advisable to provide added strength to a sound pole. The terms reinstate and reinstatement are accordingly used herein to refer to the addition of strength to a pole irrespective of whether the pole has been previously damaged and/or weakened in any way.
When a pole carrying transmission lines fails, the pole is generally supported by the overhead lines in the longitudinal direction of the lines. Accordingly, it is more typical for a utility pole which fails to fall sideways, ie. transversely of the overhead transmission lines.
There has been a number of proposals for providing support members for adding strength to a pole. However, the previously known members suffer the disadvantage that the added strength is typically provided substantially normally to the support member and limited support is provided tangentially thereto. Accordingly, in order to provide sufficient support to restrain a failed pole from falling transversely of an overhead transmission line, it is necessary for the prior art support members to be placed beside the pole rather than between neighbouring poles.
In urban areas, underground services which may include gas, water, power, stormwater and other services are typically located in an easement which runs substantially beneath and parallel to the overhead transmission lines. Accordingly other services may run beside transmission poles but generally are not placed between neighbouring poles. Therefore, there is an added risk in the prior art arrangements that installation of such prior art support members beside a pole rather than between neighbouring poles may cause disruption to underground services.
Moreover, prevailing winds can play a significant role in the direction of fall of a failed pole and it is not always possible to predict accurately the direction from which the fatal wind gust will appear and to orient a support member accordingly. Furthermore in the event of a single conductor failing a power pole can be subjected to a twisting moment about its longitudinal axis.
Accordingly, there exists a need for the capacity to reinstate poles in a manner which provides improved support in both the normal and tangential directions relative to the support member, ie. longitudinally and transversely with respect to the lines carried by a transmission pole as well as resistance to twisting about the longitudinal axis of the pole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention accordingly provides in one preferred emb
REFERENCES:
patent: 1817342 (1931-08-01), Beecher
patent: 4516365 (1985-05-01), Chapman
patent: 4697396 (1987-10-01), Knight
patent: 5345732 (1994-09-01), Knight et al.
Knight John Keith
Murray Noel William
Edwards W. Glenn
Powerbeam Pty, Ltd.
Presta Frank P.
Presta Joseph S.
Smith Creighton
LandOfFree
Strengthening of poles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Strengthening of poles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Strengthening of poles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-67481