Patent Publication Number: US-2016222688-A1

Title: Telescoping Mast Utility Line Management

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Extendable mast structures are commonly used to raise and lower sensor and/or antenna systems to perform required operations. The extended height of these mast systems can be as much as 10 meters or more, and require many electrical connections to the mast mounted equipment. A typical mast installation simply drapes a cable for such connections around the outside of the mast, coiling the cable like a spring. The typical alternate approach to this is to contain the cable system in a central open area within the mast, which is typically unused space or where drive components for the mast or electronic equipment may reside. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a telescoping mast in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the telescoping mast of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of a telescoping mast utility line management system in accordance with an example of the present disclosure, showing an extended configuration. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the telescoping mast utility line management system of  FIG. 3A , showing a configuration between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the telescoping mast utility line management system of  FIG. 3A , showing a retracted configuration. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of a utility line in accordance with an example of the present disclosure, shown in an extended configuration and isolated from telescoping mast structure. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the utility line of  FIG. 4A , showing a configuration between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration and isolated from telescoping mast structure. 
         FIG. 4C  is a side view of the utility line of  FIG. 4A , showing a retracted configuration and isolated from telescoping mast structure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a telescoping mast utility line management system in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of an exemplary utility line that can be utilized with a telescoping mast structure. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. 
     As used herein, “adjacent” refers to the proximity of two structures or elements. Particularly, elements that are identified as being “adjacent” may be either abutting or connected. Such elements may also be near or close to each other without necessarily contacting each other. The exact degree of proximity may in some cases depend on the specific context. 
     An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and then specific technology embodiments are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Although the current telescoping mast cable routing management designs are generally functional, the existing approaches do have drawbacks. For example, in a typical mast installation where the cable is around the outside of the mast, extension and retraction of the mast stretches the coiled cable “spring.” The coils of the cable are free to move and come into contact with one another as well as with the outside of the mast, which exposes the cable to both mechanical and environmental damage possibilities. In the typical alternate approach to this where the cable is contained in a central open area within the mast, space is limited for the amount of cable length required for full mast extension, which must compete for space with other mast systems and mechanisms, such as the mechanism for raising and lowering the mast sections. Thus, telescoping mast installations can benefit from an improved cable management approach, which can protect cables while preventing entanglement or kinking of the cables throughout extension and retraction of the telescoping mast and that avoids the interior spaces within the telescoping mast that are typically used or occupied by other components or payload, such as a drive motor and/or electronics. 
     Accordingly, a telescoping mast utility line management system is disclosed that protects utility lines from environmental hazards, prevents tangling and kinking during operation of the mast and maintains interior space within the mast for other required mast components. In one aspect, multiple utility lines for the mast can be incorporated. The telescoping mast utility line management system can include first and second panels for adjacent translatable portions of a telescoping mast, and a utility line arranged in a coil. A first coil portion can be coupled to the first panel and a second coil portion can be coupled to the second panel, such that relative telescoping translation of the first and second panels laterally displaces the first and second coil portions relative to one another. 
     A telescoping mast is also disclosed. The telescoping mast can comprise first and second translatable portions to extend and retract the mast. The first and second translatable portions can have first and second walls, respectively. The telescoping mast can also comprise a utility line arranged in a coil. A first coil portion can be coupled to the first wall and a second coil portion can be coupled to the second wall, such that relative telescoping translation of the first and second translatable portions laterally displaces the first and second coil portions relative to one another. 
     One embodiment of a telescoping mast  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The telescoping mast  100  can include any number of translatable portions  110   a - n  to extend and retract the mast  100  in directions  102 ,  103 , respectively. The telescoping mast  100  can also include a utility line  120 , which can be used for any suitable purpose for the telescoping mast  100 . For example, the utility line  120  can be coupled to a sensor or antenna system  104 , such as to transmit electricity and/or a signal to or from the sensor or antenna system  104 . In another example, the utility line  120  can be used to extend and/or retract the telescoping mast  100 , such as by housing a structural cable or containing hydraulic fluid. The utility line  120  can therefore include a cable, a wire, a hose, a conduit, a tube, a power line, a hydraulic line, a pneumatic line, and/or any other suitable type of utility line. In one aspect, the utility line can comprise an electrical cable, an optical cable, a coaxial cable, a twinaxial cable, a paired cable, a ribbon cable, a shielded cable, a twisted cable, a braided cable, and/or any other suitable type of cable. Thus, for example, the utility line  120  can comprise a group of wires, glass fibers, etc. covered in plastic or rubber (i.e., for protection, insulation, and/or shielding) and can be used to carry or transmit electricity and/or telecommunication signals (i.e., electrical signals). The utility line  120  can therefore include any suitable wiring or cable technology utilizing any suitable shielding technology. 
     The telescoping mast  100  can be of any suitable shape or configuration. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a top view of the telescoping mast  100 , the translatable portions  110   a - n  can comprise a polygonal cross-sectional configuration, such as the octagon shape shown in the figure. R should be recognized, however, that a telescoping mast in accordance with the present disclosure can have any suitable cross-sectional configuration or combination of cross-sectional configurations, such as an elliptical cross-sectional configuration, and/or a circular cross-sectional configuration. The translatable portions  110   a - n  can include walls or panels  111   a - n , which can serve to at least in part define the cross-sectional configuration of the translatable portions  110   a - n . Thus, as shown in the figures, the walls or panels  111   a - n  can comprise a planar configuration, although a wall or panel can be of any suitable configuration as part of a particular cross-sectional configuration or shape of a translatable portion. 
     In one aspect, described in more detail hereinafter, at least a portion of the utility line  120  can be disposed or located in spaces within and/or between adjacent translatable portions  110   a - n , such as between walls or panels  111   a - n . Such integration of the utility line  120  into or within the mast structure can provide a utility line management system that facilitates effective routing of the utility line  120  through the telescoping mast  100  to house and protect the utility line  120  while preventing entanglement or kinking of the utility line  120  throughout operation (i.e., extension and retraction) of the telescoping mast  100 . In another aspect, the routing of the utility line  120  in such a manner can avoid interior spaces within the telescoping mast  100  that are typically used or occupied by other components or payload, such as a drive motor and/or electronics. 
     For example, a telescoping mast utility line management system  201  in accordance with an example of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C . The telescoping mast utility line management system  201  can include any suitable number of panels or walls (represented here by two panels  211   a,    211   b ) for translatable portions of a telescoping mast and a utility line  220 , which may be similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The exemplary representative panels  211   a,    211   b  illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C  are for adjacent translatable portions of a telescoping mast, which portions are shown in an extended configuration ( FIG. 3A ), a retracted configuration ( FIG. 3C ), and an intermediate configuration ( FIG. 3B ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , the utility line  220  can be arranged in a coil within the mast structure. For example, a coil portion  221   a  of the utility line  220  can be coupled to the panel or wall  211   a  and a coil portion  221   b  can be coupled to the panel or wall  211   b.  In one aspect, the utility line  220  can be coupled to the panels  211   a,    211   b  via one or more clips  230   a,    230   b,    231   b,    232   b,  which can maintain the coil portions  221   a,    221   b  coupled to the respective panels  211   a,    211   b.  The panels  211   a,    211   b  can optionally include utility line openings  212   a,    212   b,  respectively, and the utility line  220  can extend through the utility line openings  212   a,    212   b  as the coiled utility line  220  extends from panel to panel, although the utility line  220  may simply extend or wrap around the panels  211   a,    211   b.    
       FIGS. 4A-4C  show a utility line  320  isolated from any telescoping mast structure, such as a panel or wall, for clarity in illustrating the movement of the utility line  320  during operation of a mast to extend and retract. The utility line  320  is illustrated as if coupled to three telescoping portions or panels (similar to the manner and arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ), but can be coupled to any suitable number of telescoping portions or panels. In this case, illustrated is movement of two coil portions  321   a,    321   b  during extension and retraction as if coupled and operable with three telescoping portions. 
     The coil portions  321   a,    321   b  can be coupled to the telescoping portions such that relative telescoping translation of the telescoping portions, such as in directions  302 ,  303  parallel to an extension axis of the telescoping mast, laterally displaces the coil portions  321   a,    321   b  relative to one another. Thus, in contrast to a coil with coil portions that are displaced parallel to an axis about which the coil is formed (i.e., stretched or compressed like a coil spring), the coil portions  321   a,    321   b  experience lateral movement relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  305  (axis extending into the page) ( FIG. 4C ) about which coil is formed. Thus, in a retracted configuration of the telescoping mast, the longitudinal axis  305  of the coil can be oriented perpendicular to an extension axis of the telescoping mast. The coil portions  321   a,    321   b  can therefore change shape from a loop shape when in line with one another ( FIG. 4C ), to a loop and stem shape when laterally displaced from one another ( FIGS. 4A and 4B ), this being dependent upon the length of the utility line  320  and the displacement distance of the mast portions. The stem portions  322   a,    322   b  can be formed by the limited straightening or uncoiling of the coil portions  321   a,    321   b  as the coil portions are laterally displaced. For example, when extending from the fully retracted configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4C , two upper telescoping portions can move together in direction  302  to arrive at the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4B . Here, the coil portion  321   b  has been laterally displaced and transformed from a loop shape to a loop and stem shape. The coil portion  321   a  has also been laterally displaced, but because the two telescoping portions that affect its shape have moved in unison, the coil portion  321   a  has maintained its loop shape from the fully retracted configuration. The shape of the coil portion  321   a  changes, however, when the uppermost telescoping section moves further in direction  302  to arrive at the fully extended configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4A . Here, the coil portion  321   a  has been laterally displaced and transformed from a loop shape to a loop and stem shape. The coil portion  321   b  has remained in the loop and stem shape from  FIG. 4B  because the two telescoping portions that affect its shape have not moved. The telescoping mast can be retracted from the fully extended configuration of  FIG. 4A  to the fully retracted configuration of  FIG. 4C  in the reverse order described above, with the coil portions  321   a,    321   b  transitioning from loop and stern shapes to loop shapes around the common axis  305 . It should be recognized that telescoping portions of a telescoping mast can extend and retract in any suitable order, which may differ from that illustrated in the figures (e.g., uppermost telescoping portion extended first and retracted last). In some cases, multiple telescoping portions can move relative to one another simultaneously, thus stretching and/or contracting multiple coil portions at once. In other words, the telescoping mast utility line management system can facilitate and enable selective, random or out of order telescoping of the various portions making up the telescoping mast, as each portion comprises a utility line coupled therewith in a manner as described herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art will recognize the myriad of possible movement scenarios of the telescoping mast. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3A-3C  with an understanding of the manner in which the utility line  220  moves during extension and retraction of the telescoping mast, the coil portions  221   a,    221   b  can be coupled to the panels  211   a,    211   b  in the manner illustrated to maintain predictable and consistent movement of the utility line  220 . For example, the coil portion  221   a  can comprise a segment that is fixed relative to the panel  211   b  and a segment that is movable relative to the panel  211   a,  with a sufficient amount or length of utility line being provided between telescoping portions to allow the telescoping mast utility line management system to function as intended and described herein. The fixed segment can be established at least in part by coupling the coil portion  221   a  to the panel  211   b  with dips  231   b  and  232   b.  The segment of the utility line  220  between clips  230   b  and  231   b  is also fixed and can represent the transition between coil portions  221   a  and  221   b  as the utility line  220  extends through the utility line opening  212   b.  These fixed points of attachment for the utility line  220  to the panel  211   b  can maintain a desired shape and/or location of the utility line  220  during extension and retraction operations of the telescoping mast to prevent damage, tangling, kinking, etc. of the utility line  220 . For example, the fixed segment between clips  230   ab  and  231   b  can be coupled to opposite sides of the panel  211   b  to prevent movement of the utility line  220  that may cut or damage the utility line on sides of the utility line opening  212   b.  In one aspect, the location of the attachment points for the fixed segment can maintain the utility line  220  at a radius greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of the utility line  220 , thus preventing damage to the utility line  220  during operation of the telescoping mast. 
     The movable segment can be established by coupling the coil portion  221   a  to the panel  211   b  with clip  232   b  and to the panel  211   a  with clip  230   a.  This movable segment can change shape by partially straightening or uncoiling during relative movement of the panels  211   a,    211   b  to extend the telescoping mast or by bending to form a loop shape when the panels  211   a,    211   b  move relative to one another to retract the telescoping mast. Thus, the utility line  220  can be coupled or affixed to the panels  211   a,    211   b  in certain locations to facilitate movement and bending of the utility line  220  in a controlled space and in a repetitive manner. 
     In one aspect, inward-turned edges of the panels (not shown) can serve or act as natural utility line guides and contain the utility line within the panel structure on one or more sides. In another aspect, the telescoping mast utility line management system  201  can include a utility line guide  240  coupled to provide a boundary for movement of the utility line  220  as the coil portions  221   a,    221   b  laterally displace relative to one another. For example, in one example, the utility line guide  240  can comprise a base having a surface operable to interface with the utility line  220 , and to facilitate the movement of the utility line  220  as described herein. The utility line guide  240  can be coupled to the panel  211   b  and positioned proximate the movable segment of the coil portion  221   a  to maintain a desired shape and/or position of the movable segment during relative movement of the panels  211   a,    211   b.  In this case, the utility line guide  240  is oriented in a direction parallel to an extension/retraction direction  202 ,  203  of the telescoping mast. In one aspect, the location of the attachment points for the movable segment and/or the location and configuration of the utility line guide  240  can maintain the utility line  220  at a radius greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of the utility line  220 , thus preventing damage to the utility line  220  during operation of the telescoping mast. 
     The attachment points of the utility line  220  and/or the utility line guide  240  can also establish and/or maintain a desired shape or configuration of the utility line  220  in retracted and extended configurations of the telescoping mast. For example, in a retracted configuration of the telescoping mast, the coil portions  221   a,    221   b  can comprise elongated loop shapes that coil/uncoil in a direction parallel to the extension/retraction direction  202 ,  203  of the mast as shown in  FIG. 3C , which can facilitate fitting the utility line  220  to a particular panel or set of panels. In an extended configuration of the telescoping mast, the coil portions  221   a,    221   b  can comprise loop shapes laterally offset from one another in a direction parallel to the extension/retraction direction  202 ,  203  of the mast, as shown in  FIG. 3A , which can be connected to one another by a stem portion formed at least in part by the fixed segment between clips  231   b,    232   b  and the movable segment proximate the utility line guide  240 . Thus, the utility line  220  can occupy any portion of the space about or between the adjacent panels  211   a,    211   b.  In one aspect, the utility line coil portions  221   a,    221   b  can be substantially the same size and shape and can be substantially aligned with one another when in the retracted configuration. In this case, due to the difference in panel sizes of a telescoping mast, an outer boundary of an innermost coil portion may occupy substantially all of the available usable space about the panel and an outer boundary of an outermost coil portion may occupy only a portion of the available space about the panel. In another aspect, utility line coil portions of the same size and shape can be laterally and/or vertically offset from one another when in the retracted configuration. For example, each coil portion can be located to one lateral side of its corresponding panel. In this case, due to the difference in panel sizes of a telescoping mast and the resulting lateral offset of the panel edges, the coil portions will be laterally offset from one another. Similarly, coil portions of different sizes and/or shapes can be aligned or offset when in the retracted configuration. 
     The two panels  211   a,    211   b  and associated utility line  220  shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C  may represent only a portion of the panels and utility line utilized in a telescoping mast. Although the size of the panels may vary from panel to panel for telescoping portions of a mast, as represented in the figures, the features and geometry represented here can be repeated with as many panels as desired for a given application, with the only limit being practical considerations that may exist, such as the size or number of telescoping portions of the mast. 
     In one aspect, the telescoping mast utility line management system  201  can be incorporated in a telescoping mast by coupling the utility line  220  to an inner panel, such as panel  211   a,  which is smaller than panel  211   b.  The utility line  220  can be coupled to the panel  211   a  as illustrated in the figures or in any other suitable manner. The panel  211   a  can then be coupled to a corresponding inner telescoping portion of the mast. The utility line  220  can also be coupled to a panel that is an “outer” panel relative to the inner panel just installed, such as panel  211   b.  The utility line  220  can be coupled to the panel  211   b  as illustrated in the figures or in any other suitable manner. The panel  211   b  can then be coupled to a corresponding telescoping portion of the mast that is outward of the previous telescoping portion. This process can be repeated for any number of panels and telescoping portions of the mast. In one aspect, the installation procedure is performed on a retracted telescoping mast. This installation procedure can also be used to retrofit a telescoping mast utility line management system to an existing mast. In this case, certain panels of the mast can be removed and modified if needed and reinstalled with the utility line according to the installation procedure outlined above. Furthermore, the panels can be replaced by different panels during the installation procedure. 
     In one aspect, multiple utility lines can be incorporated into a single telescoping mast. For example, each “face” of the octagonal shape of the telescoping mast  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  can potentially be associated with a utility line as described herein. Thus, multiple “sides” of a telescoping mast can be used to accommodate multiple utility lines in a single telescoping mast. 
     In another example, shown in  FIG. 5 , a telescoping mast utility line management system  401  can include multiple utility lines  420   a,    420   b  associated with a single “side” of a telescoping mast, as illustrated with panels  411   a,    411   b.  In this case, the utility lines  420   a,    420   b  can be disposed adjacent one another with the utility line  420   b  being located “inside” the utility line  420   a,  such that the utility line  420   b  forms at tighter bend radius than that of utility line  420   a.  The utility lines  420   a,    420   b  can be coupled to the panels  411   a,    411   b  in the manner described above, such as with clips  430   a,    430   b,    431   b,    432   b,  which can be configured to couple with multiple utility lines. Any suitable number of utility lines can be included, being limited only by considerations, such as size and/or space constraints, or the minimum bend radius of the utility lines. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of a utility line  520  that can be utilized with a telescoping mast as described herein. Due to the nature of the repeated bending of a utility line that may occur in a tight space during extension and retraction operation of a telescoping mast, the utility line  520  includes some features and attributes that can facilitate such bending to minimize or eliminate damage to the utility line  520 . For example, the utility line  520  can include wires  524  that can be tightly spiraled to maximize cable flexibility for the tight radius motion that may be required for extension and retraction of the mast. In one aspect, particular wires or conductors can be located within the utility line  520  to enhance flexibility of the utility line  520 . In addition, the utility line  520  can include a protective jacket  525  to house and protect the wires  524  while facilitating bending of the utility line  520 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of installing a utility line for a telescoping mast is disclosed. The method can comprise coupling first and second coil portions of a utility line to first and second panels for a telescoping mast, respectively. The method can also comprise coupling the first and second panels to adjacent translatable portions of the telescoping mast, wherein relative telescoping translation of the first and second panels laterally displaces the first and second coil portions relative to one another. In one aspect, the method can further comprise removing the first and second panels from the adjacent translatable portions of the telescoping mast. In another aspect, the method can further comprise extending the utility line through a utility line opening in at least one of the first and second panels. In an additional aspect, the method can further comprise fixing the utility line to opposite sides of the first panel. It is noted that no specific order is required in this method, though generally in one embodiment, these method steps can be carried out sequentially. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     While the foregoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.