Tension conversion device and method

A method comprising steps for (a) providing a tower, the tower comprising a guy wire having a tension force, wherein the guy wire is anchored to a ground and connected to the tower; and (b) placing a device on the guy wire, at a location between the ground and the tower, wherein the guy wire is discontinued while passing through the device creating a first guy wire and a second guy wire, the device converts the tension force into a compression force, and the tension is calculated from the compression force.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a tension conversion device and method, and more particularly to a tension conversion device and method for measuring the tension in a guy wire on a guyed tower.

2. Description of Related Art

Tall towers, or guyed towers are supported by cables that are anchored to the ground called guy wires. Guy wires are located on all the sides of the towers supporting the towers and preventing the towers from damage, deflection, and possible failure under high winds.

In the art of measuring tension in a guy wire on a guyed tower, many different techniques and processes are available. Setting and adjusting the tension in a guy wire to maintain a desired level is critical, as improper tension could result in failure. One problem and disadvantage with existing processes is the accuracy of measuring the tension. Most processes measure the tension in a guy wire directly or indirectly.

Glass, U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,466 discloses a device for measuring a tension force in a cable, wire, or rope system. The device includes a first portion for measuring a system force at a first end of the device and including a measurement means, a second portion for adjusting or setting the system force at a second end of the device and including an adjustment means, a housing, where the first portion corresponds to the first end of the housing and the second portion corresponds to the second end of the housing, a resilient means within the measurement means, for generating a resistance force, and, a visual means for indicating an amount of the system force that is related to the physical position of the adjustment means and the resistance force created by the resilient means.

Russell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,894 discloses a method of determining the tension in a guy wire using natural frequency of vibration. The first fifteen natural frequencies of vibration for the flexible member at the design tension are calculated, as well as the first fifteen natural frequencies at tensions above and below the design value. The actual natural frequencies of the member are then measured with an accelerometer and FFT signal analyzer. Each actual natural frequency is compared to the corresponding calculated natural frequency at various tensions until the tension is found which provides the best match between the actual and calculated values for that natural frequency. Since each actual natural frequency can correspond to the calculated values, with interpolation, at a slightly different value of tension, the base tension for the guy wire is determined as the average of the tensions determined from each actual natural frequency.

The disadvantages to the aforementioned tension measuring device and method are accuracy and complication. Consequently, there is a need for a tension measuring device and method to simply and accurately determine the tension in a guy wire.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention a method is provided, comprising steps (a) providing a tower, the tower comprising a guy wire having a tension force, wherein the guy wire is anchored to a ground and connected to the tower; and (b) placing a device on the guy wire, at a location between the ground and the tower, wherein the guy wire is discontinued while passing through the device creating a first guy wire and a second guy wire.

In one embodiment, in step (b), the location is close to the ground. In one embodiment, in step (b), the device converts the tension force into a compression force. In one embodiment, the tension force is calculated from the measured compression force.

In another aspect of the invention a device is provided, comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member, a first guy wire, and a second guy wire, wherein the first guy wire is anchored to the first rigid member and the second wire is anchored to the second rigid member, a compression member is affixed between the first rigid member and the second rigid member, and the first guy wire is connected to a tower, the second guy wire is anchored to a ground.

In one embodiment, the first guy wire and the second guy wire are in tension such that: the first rigid member and the second rigid member are forced in a direction towards each other, wherein the compression member is compressed at a compression value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a system100in which a hydraulic tension conversion device150is installed on a guyed tower according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the system comprises a guyed tower110constructed on a solid ground120. The guyed tower includes a guy wire130anchored to the ground using anchor140and connected to the guy tower as well known in the art. The system further includes a tension conversion device150located on the guy wire between the ground and the guy tower, preferably at a location close to the ground allowing the device to be more accessible. The guy wire130is discontinued while passing through the tension conversion device creating a first guy wire131and a second guy wire132. Both the first and second guy wire is in tension. The operation of the tension conversion device will be described in detail below. Although one guy wire is shown, it is understood that a plurality of guy wires may be included, each having a tension conversion device installed.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a tension conversion device200according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 2, the tension conversion device comprises wing shaped plates210/220attached at hinge215. The plates are constructed from a strong alloy, preferably steel. Plate210includes an aperture230, in which a first guy wire250is tied to, or connected to the aperture in any method known in the art. The first guy wire is connected to the tower, as seen inFIG. 1. Likewise, plate220includes an aperture240, in which a second guy wire260is tied to, or connected to the aperture in any method known in the art. The second guy wire is anchored to the ground, as seen inFIG. 1. Both the first and second guy wire is in tension.

Still referring toFIG. 2, the tension conversion device further comprises a hydraulic cylinder270and a compression gauge275, the cylinder is filled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil. The hydraulic fluid is under compression from piston rods280/290. Rod280is attached to plate210on the opposite side in relation to aperture230. Likewise, rod290is attached to plate220on the opposite side in relation to aperture240.

In operation, the tension in the first and second guy wires cause the winged shaped plates to rotate on hinge and force the corresponding rods in direction285and direction295respectively. The rods compress the hydraulic fluid which can be measured with the compression gauge. Once the compression is measured the tension in the guy wire (FIG. 1) can be calculated.

FIG. 3aillustrates an example of a tension conversion device300according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tension conversion device comprises a hydraulic cylinder370, and a compression gauge380. The hydraulic cylinder includes a piston rod375, and the hydraulic cylinder is filled with a hydraulic fluid, preferably oil. The hydraulic cylinder is located between two rectangular plates305/310. The rectangular plates are constructed from a strong alloy, preferably steel.

Rectangular plate310includes a cable anchor345anchoring cable340to the plate. Cable340runs tangent to the outside of the rectangular plate310, then passes through the plate using apertures325/328(FIG. 3c). Next, cable340passes through rectangular plate305via apertures322/323(FIG. 3c), and attaches to a first guy wire365with attachment means360. Similarly, rectangular plate305includes a cable anchor335anchoring cable330to the plate. Cable330runs tangent to the outside of the rectangular plate305, then passes through the plate using apertures321/324(FIG. 3b). Next, cable330passes through rectangular plate310via apertures326/327(FIG. 3c), and attaches to a second guy wire355with attachment means350. The first guy wire365is attached to the tower, as seen inFIG. 1. The second guy wire355is anchored to the ground, as seen inFIG. 1.

In operation, the tension in the first and second guy wires cause the plates to be forced towards each other as shown by direction390and direction395. This force pushes the piston rod to compress the hydraulic fluid which can be measured with the compression gauge. Once the compression is measured the tension in the guy wire (FIG. 1) can be calculated.

FIGS. 3band 3care top and bottom views of the tension conversion device ofFIG. 3aaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3bis a top view showing rectangular plate305, with apertures321-324for cables330/340.FIG. 3cis a bottom view showing rectangular plate310, with apertures325-328for cables330/340. The cables which are tangent to both plates are crossed, to prevent any momentum force on the hydraulic cylinder (FIG. 3a).

FIG. 4illustrates a flowchart of a method of a tension conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In operation400, a guyed tower comprising a guy wire is provided. In operation410, the guy wire is anchored to the ground and connected to the tower in tension. In operation420, a tension conversion device is placed on the guy wire, at a location between the ground and the tower. In operation430, the location of the tension conversion device is close to the ground, allowing the device to be more accessible. In operation440, the tension conversion device converts the tension into compression. That is, the device, such as tension conversion devices (FIG. 2,FIG. 3a) converts the tension in the guy wire into compression. In operation450, the compression is measured with a gauge. In operation460, the tension is calculated from the measured compression, as recorded from the gauge.

It will be apparent to the skilled person that there may be many alterations in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although hydraulic cylinder systems are shown to measure compression, other methods can be used to measure the compression, such as using materials that change their electric conductivity when a force is applied, or a compression spring as the hydraulic cylinder systems are only shown as an example.