Utility tower lifting apparatus and method

Abstract

A utility tower lifting apparatus and method for raising a lattice tower in addition to carried transmission cables without disturbing the tower foundation, disconnecting the cables, or requiring de-energization of the transmission lines.

Claims

1. A method of raising transmission cables carried by an upright lattice tower including a lower tower section formed of lattice frame members which is supported on a foundation and an upper tower section formed of lattice frame members supported above the lower tower section and supporting the transmission cables thereon, the method comprising: providing a lifting assembly comprising a plurality of spaced upper mounts, a plurality of spaced lower mounts and an actuator coupled between the upper and lower mounts so as to be arranged for lifting the upper mounts relative to the lower mounts; coupling the upper mounts to the lattice frame members of the upper tower section in spaced apart relation to each other; coupling the lower mounts to the lattice frame members of the lower tower section in spaced apart relation to each other; separating the upper tower section from the lower tower section and transferring the weight of the upper tower section from being directly supported on the lower tower section to being supported on the lower tower section through the lifting assembly; actuating said actuator of the lifting assembly to raise the upper mounts and the upper tower section coupled thereto relative to the lower mounts and the lower tower section coupled thereto from a first elevation to a second elevation; fixing a plurality of auxiliary frame members between the lattice frame members of the upper tower section and the lattice frame members of the lower tower section; removing the lifting assembly from the upper and lower tower sections such that the upper tower section is supported on the lower tower section at the second elevation by the auxiliary frame members; and wherein the lifting assembly includes a plurality of lower frame members interconnected between the lower mounts and a series of diagonal support members that extend diagonally between the spaced apart mounts and are interconnected at their proximate midpoint by hubs.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the lattice frame members of the upper tower section immediately adjacent the lower tower section comprise vertically oriented frame members.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the tower includes an inclined foundation portion in which a horizontal width of the tower becomes narrower with increasing distance from the foundation, the method includes separating the upper and lower tower sections such that the lower tower section is attached to the foundation and and the upper tower section is fully spaced above the foundation portion.

4. The method according to claim 3 further including the step of assembling the lifting assembly such that the lifting assembly is fully contained within a perimeter boundary defined by the lattice frame members of the upper and lower tower sections.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said actuator of the lifting device comprises a linear hydraulic actuator.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said actuator comprises a plurality of linear hydraulic actuators and wherein the method includes connecting each hydraulic actuator between a respective one of the upper mounts and a respective one of the lower mounts.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the method includes configuring the hydraulic actuators to be individually lockable.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the method includes associating a fluid volume control with each hydraulic actuator and actuating the hydraulic actuators by delivering a controlled volume of hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic actuator to evenly raise the upper tower section relative to the lower tower section.

9. The method according to claim 8 providing the hydraulic actuators with a pressure relief arranged to release the actuation thereof in response to a hydraulic fluid pressure which exceeds a prescribed upper limit indicative of deformation of the lattice frame members of the upper or lower tower sections.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the lifting assembly includes a plurality of upper frame members interconnected between the upper mounts and a series of diagonal support members that extend diagonally between the spaced apart mounts and are interconnected at their proximate midpoint by hubs.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the method includes providing a worker platform arranged to support a worker thereon and supporting the worker platform on the tower by supporting the worker platform on either one of the upper mounts or the lower mounts of the lifting assembly.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the method includes supporting the worker platform to be fully contained within a perimeter boundary defined by the lattice frame members of the upper and lower tower sections.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein the upper and lower tower sections are joined to one another by a splice plate and wherein the method includes separating the upper tower section from the lower tower section at the splice plate.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein the upper and lower tower sections are joined frame members connected therebetween and wherein the method includes separating the upper tower section from the lower tower section by cutting the frame members connected between the upper and lower tower sections.

15. A method of raising the transmission cables carried by a lattice tower having a base end supported by a ground foundation supporting the tower in upright position, without disturbing the tower foundation, and while the line remains energized comprising the steps of: a. attaching a mounting system either through bolted/pinned connections or a friction clamp to serve as anchor points to the tower wherein the anchor points are spaced apart from one another; b. arranging a temporary jacking system composed of lifting jacks, which are secured to tower structural members of the tower through the previously attached mounting system, to provide lift capacity and structural support for the tower during the period of time in which an upper tower section is separated from a lower tower section for the purpose of raising the tower; c. raising said upper tower section a predetermined distance above said lower tower section; d. fixing the lower end of said upper tower section to said lower section with a tower extension insert at a spaced distance above said lower section; and e. removing said mounting system and lifting jacks; and wherein the mounting system includes a series of diagonal support members that extend diagonally between said anchor points and are interconnected at their proximate midpoint by hubs.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the method includes providing a worker platform arranged to support a worker thereon wherein the worker platform is supported by said mounting system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tower lifting apparatus showing a lower lifting structure and an upper lifting structure, the lower lifting structure configured to include four independently controllable hydraulic lifting cylinders interconnected by a series of brace members to form a lower lifting cube, the upper lifting structure including four vertical supports coupled to the shafts of the hydraulic lifting cylinders, the vertical supports being interconnected by a series of brace members to form an upper lifting cube, the lower and upper lifting cubes configured to be secured to vertical members of a utility lattice tower to permit lifting of an upper portion of the lattice tower, as shown in FIGS. 3-7;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tower lifting apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the lower and upper lifting cubes interconnected by the shafts of the hydraulic cylinders and showing the interconnection of the brace members used to form the lower and upper lifting cubes, the lower and upper lifting cubes including a series of brackets that permit attachment to the utility lattice tower;

(3) FIGS. 3-7 illustrate the steps used to elevate an upper portion of a utility lattice tower from an original first height to an elevated second height by use of the tower lifting apparatus;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a utility lattice tower at its original first height before being lifted by the tower lifting apparatus to an elevated second height;

(5) FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the utility lattice tower of FIG. 3 showing the tower lifting apparatus positioned within the utility lattice tower prior to lifting the upper portion of the utility lattice tower;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the utility lattice tower showing the upper portion separated and being raised from the lower portion of the utility lattice tower to the elevated second height by extending the hydraulic cylinders of the lower lifting cube;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the utility lattice tower showing new tower inserts in position to couple the upper portion of the utility lattice tower to the lower portion;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the utility lattice tower showing the tower lifting apparatus removed from the extended utility lattice tower;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tower lifting apparatus positioned within the utility lattice tower prior to lifting the upper portion of the utility lattice tower to the elevated second height;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tower lifting apparatus lifting the upper portion of the utility lattice tower from the original first height to the elevated second height;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the utility lattice tower and tower lifting apparatus showing one of four tower inserts being installed to reconnect the upper portion to the lower portion of the utility lattice tower;

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the connection joints of the upper lifting cube showing the interconnection of the brace members, and also showing the connection of the upper lifting cube to one of the vertical members of the upper portion of the utility lattice tower, the upper portion of the hydraulic ram shaft being threaded to permit incremental adjustment of the upper lifting cube with respect to the lower lifting cube to allow for proper positioning of the lifting tower apparatus with respect to the utility lattice tower;

(13) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a remote controller that is used to control the hydraulic cylinders of the lower lifting cube permitting individual and/or simultaneous lifting of the hydraulic cylinders to permit balanced lifting of the upper portion of the utility lattice tower; and

(14) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical and hydraulic components and lines used to control the hydraulic cylinders of the lower lifting cube of the tower lifting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(15) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

(16) A tower lift device 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Tower lift device 10 is configured for use in connection with electrical transmission towers 12 used in the electrical power industry to raise a portion of the transmission towers 12 from a first height to a second height to elevate associated power lines, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3-7.

(17) Tower lifting device 10 includes a lower lifting structure 14 and an upper lifting structure 16 that can be raised and lowered with respect to the lower lifting structure 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Lower lifting structure 14 includes four independently controllable hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 that are used to elevate the upper lifting structure 16 and an upper portion 20 of the transmission tower 12 from a lower portion 22, as shown in FIGS. 3-7.

(18) Lower lifting structure 14 includes the four lifting cylinders 18 that are controlled by a hydraulic controller 24, as shown, for example in FIG. 12. Lifting cylinders 18 include upper brackets 26 located at a first end 28 of the lifting cylinders 18 and lower brackets 30 positioned at a second end 32, as shown in FIG. 2. Each bracket 26, 20 includes a tower mount 34, used to secure the lower lifting structure 14 to a lower portion 22 of the transmission tower 12. Second end 32 of lifting cylinders 18 include hydraulic connections 36, to allow lifting cylinders 18 to be coupled to a hydraulic distribution block 38, as shown in FIG. 13.

(19) Lower lifting structure 14 also includes a series of brace members 40 that are coupled at a first end 42 to the brackets 26, 30 and to a central hub 44 at a second end 46 to form the lower lifting structure 14. The brace members 40 include removable pins 48 at their ends to permit removal and assembly. Brace members 40 are adjustable so that they can be lengthened or shortened as needed to properly square lower lifting structure 14. Some brace members 40 extend diagonally between lift cylinders 18 and some extend horizontally to for a rigid lower lifting structure 14. Upper ends 28 of lift cylinders 18 include a boot 50. Boot 50 is an independent piece, which threads onto second end 56 of vertical supports 52 to allow for fine adjustment between the connection of the upper and lower lifting structures.

(20) The upper lifting structure 16 including four vertical supports 52 that are coupled to the shafts 54 of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18, as shown in FIG. 2. Vertical supports 52 of upper lifting structure 16 each include mounts 56 and 58, to allow the vertical supports 52 to be secured to upper portion 20 of the transmission tower 12. Vertical supports 52 also include brackets 60 formed and first and second ends 62, 64 thereof.

(21) Upper lifting structure 16 also includes brace members 40 that are coupled at a first end 42 to the brackets 60 and to a central hub 44 at a second end 46 to form the upper lifting structure 16. The brace members 40 include removable pins 48 at their ends to permit removal and assembly. Brace members 40 are adjustable so that they can be lengthened or shortened as needed to properly square upper lifting structure 16. Some brace members 40 extend diagonally between vertical supports 52 and some extend horizontally to for a rigid upper lifting structure 16.

(22) Overall height of transmission tower 12 is increased by use of tower lift device 10, as shown in FIGS. 3-7. Transmission tower 12 commonly referred to as a lattice tangent structure, is shown as comprising lattice members 66, joined with bolts 68, for supporting power transmission hardware, generally including power transmission conductors or cables, telecommunications cables, grounding, and other electrical hardware and equipment. Transmission tower 12 includes one or more cross arms 70 and braces 72. Ends of cross arms 70 include mounting hardware 74 for attachment of power transmission conductors or cables.

(23) While a four legged tower is shown, it is to be understood that the tower lifting device 10 can be applied to any lattice tower configuration including multiple column framed structures and three and four legged structures. An example would be an H-frame lattice structure, which includes four legs in each of its columns. The tower lifting device 10 can also be used with any voltage source including AC or DC and for any voltage level, for low voltage distribution to high voltage transmission and from single circuit to multiple circuit tower configurations. The tower lifting device 10 can also be utilized to raise tangent and angle and dead-end towers including unequal span tensions across the cable attachment points.

(24) As FIG. 3 indicates, the transmission tower 12 is supported by a foundation which could be one of various designs including but not limited to; grillage, cast in place concrete, direct buried concrete or power screw anchors. The tower structure as shown in FIG. 3 can be separated into an upper tower section 20 and a lower tower section 22 interconnected by a splice plate 76 which can be disconnected allowing separation of the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22. The lower tower section 22 is formed of lattice frame members 66 and is supported on the foundation.

(25) The upper tower section 20 is similarly formed of lattice frame members 66, as shown in FIG. 3. The upper tower section 20 is supported above the lower tower section 22 and serves to support the transmission cables thereon. In the illustrated embodiment the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 are selected so that the upper section and lower section are defined by existing splice plates 76 in the transmission tower 12. In this instance the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 are separated at the selected splice plates 76. In other embodiments however there may not be an existing splice plate in the transmission tower 12 at a preferred location which defines the upper tower section 20 thereabove and the lower tower section 22 therebelow. In this instance any frame members or tower legs joined between the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 can be cut at any selected location desired to define and separate the upper tower from the lower tower section.

(26) When the transmission tower 12 includes an inclined foundation portion 78 in which a horizontal width of the tower becomes narrower with increasing distance from the foundation, the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 are selected such that the foundation portion 78 is fully defined within the lower tower section and such that the upper tower section is fully spaced above the foundation portion. Accordingly, the lattice frame members 66 between upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 comprises vertically oriented frame members.

(27) In the next step in the process, mounting locations for the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 and vertical supports 52 are identified as illustrated at in FIGS. 4 and 8 with holes drilled or punched for bolted/pin connections or the surface areas prepared for friction clamp connections 34, 56 and 58. These mounting locations are then used as support locations to transfer static/dynamic loads from the tower lifting device 10 reinforcement structure back to the lower tower section 22 of the lattice tower 12 and through the foundation supports. Hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 and vertical supports 52 are then attached to the tower.

(28) In the next step in the process, tower lifting device 10 is installed in lattice tower 12 and splice plates 76 are removed from the tower 12, as shown, for example in FIGS. 5 and 9. Tower lifting device 10 is installed in the center of the lattice tower 12 with the power lines still energized. In this step, hydraulic controller 24 is used to actuate lifting cylinders 18 to elevate the upper tower section 20 in direction 80, as shown in FIG. 5. At this stage, the load from the upper tower section 20 is transferred through the tower lifting device 10 to the lower tower section 22. Tower lifting device 10 maintains the orientation of the upper tower section 20 so that it remains square with the lower tower section 22.

(29) In the next step of the process and after the upper tower section 20 of the lattice tower 12 is elevated to the desired height, tower extensions 82 are installed, reconnecting the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. Tower extensions 82 are coupled to the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22 by use of bolts or other fasteners to secure sections together. Upper tower section 20 of lattice tower 12 is now raised and secured at the desired height. Once upper tower section 20 of lattice tower 12 is raised and secured, tower lifting device 10 can be removed from lattice tower 12. Installation and removal of the tower lifting device 10, including the raising of the upper tower portion 20 all can occur without de-energizing the power lines coupled to the lattice tower 12.

(30) The hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 and the vertical supports 52 collectively define a lifting assembly. The vertical supports 52 of the upper lifting structure 16 include mounts 56, 58 for coupling to the lattice frame members 66 of the upper tower section 20. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 also include a plurality of lower mounts 34 for coupling to the lattice frame members 66 of the lower tower section 22.

(31) The size and number of hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are pre-determined based on the weight of the upper tower section 20 to be lifted and load carrying capacities of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18. While the system illustrated herein includes four hydraulic lifting cylinders 18, depending on tower size and lift 10 requirements a single hydraulic lifting cylinder 18 may be sufficient or a grouping of four (or more) may be required.

(32) Additional temporary bracing in the form of the upper and lower brace members 40 are secured to the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 through pin/bolted connections at mounting locations in order to transmit static/dynamic loading from the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 back to the original tower lattice structure 12. The tower lifting device components are arranged to be assembled so that they are fully contained within a perimeter boundary defined by the lattice frame members 66 of the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22. The reinforcement structure also provides structural support for temporary working platforms 83 from which personnel can carry out required activities, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. While tower lifting device 10 is shown mounted inside the lattice tower structure 12, tower lifting device 10 could also be assembled on the outside of the lattice tower in the same vertical location to raise the upper tower section 20. In this arrangement, hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 and vertical supports 52 would be located outside of lattice frame members 66.

(33) The worker platform 83 which is arranged to support workers thereon is preferably supported on either one of the lower or upper lifting structures 14, 16 of the tower lifting device 10 so as to be also fully contained within the perimeter boundary defined by the lattice frame members 66 of the upper and lower tower sections 20, 22. The material, component thicknesses, and geometric orientation of the temporary supporting truss structure are pre-determined so as to provide the required additional structural support as required to ensure the original lattice frame members 66 are not overloaded.

(34) Once lifting and temporary bracing components have been secured the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are pre-loaded so as to remove tension/compression from the lattice tower frame members 66 by applying pressure from the jacking system in the appropriate direction(s). Pre-loading of the lifting system permits the loosening of tower bolts on the splice plates 76 joining the upper tower section 20 and the lower tower section 22.

(35) Once the splice section bolts are loosened the lifting jack pressure(s) are adjusted until the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 and temporary vertical supports 52 are taking up the entire upper section static load and then the splice bolts are removed allowing separation of the upper tower section 20 from the lower tower section 22.

(36) Once the upper tower section 20 is free from the lower section 22 the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 can be used to raise the upper section 20 to a desired raised height as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, separation of the upper tower section 20 from the lower tower section 22 begins by initially transferring a load of the upper tower section 20 from being directly supported on the lower tower section 22 to being supported on the lower tower section 22 through the components of the tower lifting device 10.

(37) Once the load of the upper tower section 20 and cables is carried by the tower lifting device 10, the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 of the are uniformly actuated to raise the vertical supports 52 and the upper tower section 20 coupled thereto relative to the lower tower section 22 coupled thereto from a first elevation to a second elevation. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 include respective individual fluid volume controls such that each actuator individually and independently lockable for statically supporting the upper tower section 20 relative to the lower tower section 22 at either one of the first or second elevations or any desired elevation in between.

(38) The fluid volume controls associated with the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 permit the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 to be uniformly extended by delivering a controlled volume of hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic lifting cylinder 18 to evenly and uniformly raise the upper tower section relative to the lower tower section even if some of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are under tension and other hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are under compression. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are also provided with a pressure relief arranged to release the actuation thereof in response to a hydraulic fluid pressure which exceeds a prescribed upper limit indicative of deformation of the lattice frame members 66 of the upper or lower tower sections 20, 22.

(39) With the upper tower section 20 raised, tower extensions 85 are installed in any safe construction fashion, including aerial framing piece by piece in a safe and efficient manner. The tower extensions 85 comprises a plurality of auxiliary frame members which are fixed between the lattice frame members 66 of the upper tower section 20 and the lattice frame members 66 of the lower tower section 22 with suitable bolted or pinned connections for permanently supporting the upper tower section 20 on the lower tower section 22 at the second elevation.

(40) Depending on tower configuration the tower extensions 85 can be secured to either the upper or lower sections 20, 22 first and then to the opposing section next. In this step, it is preferred if the bolts are left loose to allow for easier attachment of the opposing end of the tower extensions 85. After the tower extensions 85 have been loosely secured, the tower can be checked for level and plumb and adjusted accordingly using the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18.

(41) After ensuring the inserted tower extension 85 is level and plumb all the bolts attaching the new tower extension 85 can be torqued to the appropriate specification. Once all the tower bolts are tightened, the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 can operated to transfer the load to the auxiliary frame members of the inserted tower extensions 85 which then supports the upper tower section 20 on the lower tower section 22 at the second elevation. The tower lifting device 10 can then be removed with any temporary modifications to the original tower and or bracing including the addition or removal of additional bracing restored to pre-lift conditions. Any field drilled holes are to be treated as per the utility specifications to prevent corrosion.

(42) FIG. 12 illustrates a controller 24 that can be used to control the movement of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 in raising the upper tower section 20. Controller 24 includes a power switch 84 and hydraulic lifting cylinder control buttons 86, 88, 90, and 92. When the power switch 84 on the controller 24 is activated, it overrides the ground based control unit so the hydraulic lift cylinders 18 cannot be accidentally activated by ground personnel. Depressing any of the control buttons energizes a particular hydraulic lifting cylinder 18. Each control button has a corresponding indicator light 94, 96, 98, and 100 that indicate when a particular the hydraulic lifting cylinder 18 is activated. Direction and movement of activated cylinders is controlled by the lift and lower buttons 102, 104. Emergency shutoff 106 stops movement of cylinders 18.

(43) FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the control system for the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 are hydraulic coupled to hydraulic distribution block 38. Hydraulic distribution block 38 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18. Control system includes a generator 107 that powers an electric motor 108 to power a hydraulic power unit 110. Hydraulic power unit 110 supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to hydraulic distribution block 38. Control system also includes a wireless transmitter 112 and a receiver 114 to receive signals from the transmitter. Transmitter 112 can be in the form of controller 24. There is also a ground controller 116 that can also be used to control cylinders 18. Control system further includes a main panel 118 that includes power switches, monitors and overload alarms. The intake lines feed directly from the hydraulic power unit to the intake valves on the hydraulic lifting cylinders 18. The return lines travel from the output valves of hydraulic lifting cylinders 18 to the hydraulic distribution block 38.

(44) While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.