Patent Publication Number: US-2016222689-A1

Title: Tension conversion device and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/611,236, filed on Jan. 31, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference. 
    
    
     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 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, wherein the device converts the tension force into a compression force continuously, the compression force readily visible on a compression gauge. 
     In one embodiment, in step (b), the location is close to the ground. 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 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, 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 by the tension in the first guy wire and the second guy wire, wherein the compression member is compressed continuously at a compression value, the compression value readily visible on a compression gauge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a system in which a tension conversion device is installed on a guyed tower according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a tension conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 a    illustrates an example of a tension conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a top view of the tension conversion device of  FIG. 3 a    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 c    is a bottom view of a tension conversion device of  FIG. 3 a    according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method of a tension conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a system  100  in which a hydraulic tension conversion device  150  is installed on a guyed tower according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system comprises a guyed tower  110  constructed on a solid ground  120 . The guyed tower includes a guy wire  130  anchored to the ground using anchor  140  and connected to the guy tower as well known in the art. The system further includes a tension conversion device  150  located 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 wire  130  is discontinued while passing through the tension conversion device creating a first guy wire  131  and a second guy wire  132 . 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. 2  illustrates an example of a tension conversion device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the tension conversion device comprises wing shaped plates  210 / 220  attached at hinge  215 . The plates are constructed from a strong alloy, preferably steel. Plate  210  includes an aperture  230 , in which a first guy wire  250  is 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 in  FIG. 1 . Likewise, plate  220  includes an aperture  240 , in which a second guy wire  260  is 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 in  FIG. 1 . Both the first and second guy wire is in tension. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the tension conversion device further comprises a hydraulic cylinder  270  and a compression gauge  275 , the cylinder is filled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil. The hydraulic fluid is under compression from piston rods  280 / 290 . Rod  280  is attached to plate  210  on the opposite side in relation to aperture  230 . Likewise, rod  290  s attached to plate  220  on the opposite side in relation to aperture  240 . 
     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 direction  285  and direction  295  respectively. The rods compress the hydraulic fluid which can be measured with the compression gauge. It is a particular advantage of the present invention, that the compression is continuously applied to the hydraulic cylinder, thus a value of compression force is readily visible on the compression gauge. The compression gauge is a visible compression gauge comprises an easy to read dial providing a pressure reading in PSI (pounds per square inch), BAR, pascal, PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge), or atmospheric pressure. Once the compression is measured the tension in the guy wire ( FIG. 1 ) can be calculated. The calculation can be performed as follows: the hydraulic fluid compression, as measured with the compression gauge as a compression value is multiplied by the area or cross section area of the hydraulic cylinder providing an overall compression value which is equivalent to the tension in the guy wire. 
       FIG. 3 a    illustrates an example of a tension conversion device  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tension conversion device comprises a hydraulic cylinder  370 , and a compression gauge  380 . The hydraulic cylinder includes a piston rod  375 , and the hydraulic cylinder is filled with a hydraulic fluid, preferably oil. The hydraulic cylinder is located between two rectangular plates  305 / 310 . The rectangular plates are constructed from a strong alloy, preferably steel. 
     Rectangular plate  310  includes a cable anchor  345  anchoring cable  340  to the plate. Cable  340  runs tangent to the outside of the rectangular plate  310 , then passes through the plate using apertures  325 / 328  ( FIG. 3 c   ). Next, cable  340  passes through rectangular plate  305  via apertures  322 / 323  ( FIG. 3 c   ), and attaches to a first guy wire  365  with attachment means  360 . Similarly, rectangular plate  305  includes a cable anchor  335  anchoring cable  330  to the plate. Cable  330  runs tangent to the outside of the rectangular plate  305 , then passes through the plate using apertures  321 / 324  ( FIG. 3 b   ). Next, cable  330  passes through rectangular plate  310  via apertures  326 / 327  ( FIG. 3 c   ), and attaches to a second guy wire  355  with attachment means  350 . The first guy wire  365  is attached to the tower, as seen in  FIG. 1 . The second guy wire  355  is anchored to the ground, as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     In operation, the tension in the first and second guy wires cause the plates to be forced towards each other as shown by direction  390  and direction  395 . This force pushes the piston rod to compress the hydraulic fluid continuously which can be measured with the compression gauge. It is a particular advantage of the present invention, that the compression is continuously applied to the hydraulic cylinder, thus a value of compression force is readily visible on the compression gauge. The compression gauge is a visible compression gauge comprises an easy to read dial providing a pressure reading in PSI (pounds per square inch), BAR, pascal, PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge), or atmospheric pressure. Once the compression is measured the tension in the guy wire ( FIG. 1 ) can be calculated. The calculation can be performed as follows: the hydraulic fluid compression, as measured with the compression gauge as a compression value is multiplied by the area or cross section area of the hydraulic cylinder providing an overall compression value which is equivalent to the tension in the guy wire. 
       FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c    are top and bottom views of the tension conversion device of  FIG. 3 a    according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3 b    is a top view showing rectangular plate  305 , with apertures  321 - 324  for cables  330 / 340 .  FIG. 3 c    is a bottom view showing rectangular plate  310 , with apertures  325 - 328  for cables  330 / 340 . The cables which are tangent to both plates are crossed, to prevent any momentum force on the hydraulic cylinder ( FIG. 3 a   ). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method of a tension conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In operation  400 , a guyed tower comprising a guy wire is provided. In operation  410 , the guy wire is anchored to the ground and connected to the tower in tension. In operation  420 , a tension conversion device is placed on the guy wire, at a location between the ground and the tower. In operation  430 , the location of the tension conversion device is close to the ground, allowing the device to be more accessible. In operation  440 , the tension conversion device converts the tension into compression continuously. That is, the device, such as tension conversion devices ( FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 a   ) converts the tension in the guy wire into compression. In operation  450 , the compression is measured with a gauge. In operation  460 , the tension is calculated from the measured compression, as recorded from the gauge, as previously mentioned. 
     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.