US 2013/0091784 A1 · FLUID-ACTUATED TELESCOPING TOWER FOR SUPPORTING HEAVY LOADS

Abstract

A fluid-actuated telescoping tower supporting an associated load at a height above an associated foundation includes a fluid barrier, first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, a fluid port configured to receive compressed fluid from an associated source into an interior space of the tower defined by the first and second tubular sections, and a fastening system for holding the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid received in the interior space of the tower and for mechanically connecting the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid exhausted from the interior space of the tower by the fluid port. A method of erecting a tower includes inflating nested first and second telescoping tubular tower sections, fastening the sections in an extended position, and depressurizing the tower. A method of collapsing uses a reversal of the erecting process.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fluid-actuated telescoping tower for supporting an associated load at a selected height above an associated tower foundation, the tower comprising:

a fluid barrier;
a first tubular tower section coupled on one end thereof and in closed fluid communication with the associated tower foundation;
a second tubular tower section coupled on one end thereof and in closed fluid communication with the associated load and being telescopically received in the first tubular tower section forming a nested retracted arrangement oriented in a generally vertical position, the first and second tubular tower sections being mutually fluid-tight by the fluid barrier when so nested and throughout relative axial movement between the first and second tower sections between opposite retracted and extended positions;
a fluid port configured to receive compressed fluid from an associated source of compressed fluid into an interior space of the tower defined by the first and second tubular sections thereby urging relative motion between the first and second sections from the retracted relative position to the extended relative position to effect relative vertical movement of the associated load relative to the associated foundation raising the associated load to the selected height;
and,
fasteners selectively connectable with the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid received in the interior space of the tower, and for mechanically coupling and holding the first and second tubular sections in the extended position with the compressed fluid exhausted from the interior space of the tower by the fluid port.

3 more elements

A method of erecting a telescoping tower structure for supporting an associated load operatively coupled with a first end of the tower structure at a selected vertical height above an associated tower foundation operatively coupled with a second end of the tower structure opposite from the first end, the method comprising:

disposing a plurality of tower structure sections in a retracted nested arrangement wherein central longitudinal axes defined by the plurality of tower structure sections are substantially mutually coextensive;
coupling a first end of an outermost tower structure section of the retracted nested arrangement with the associated tower foundation in a vertical orientation;
coupling a first end of an innermost tower structure section of the retracted nested arrangement with the associated load;
receiving compressed fluid into the retracted nested arrangement;
establishing relative vertical movement between the innermost and outermost tower structure sections by the compressed fluid thereby raising the associated load relative to the associated tower foundation;
arresting the relative vertical movement between the innermost and outermost tower structure sections at a selected relative extended position between the innermost and outermost tower structure sections;
forming the plurality of tower structure sections in a first extended nested arrangement by rigidly coupling a second end of the innermost tower structure section opposite the first end with an end of a next inner tower structure section;
and,
exhausting the compressed fluid from the first extended nested arrangement.

6 more elements

A structure for supporting an associated load relative to an associated base member, the structure comprising:

a first cylindrical member defining a first space and being supported on a first end thereof by the associated base member;
a second cylindrical member having a first end telescopically received in the first cylindrical member and defining a second space, the second cylindrical member being configured on a second end thereof to selectively couple with the associated load;
a fluid coupling configured to provide a fluid seal between the first and second cylinders;
a port on at least one of the first and second cylindrical members, the port being configured for communicating compressed fluid between an associated source of compressed fluid and the first and second spaces, whereby the second cylindrical member is selectively urged into telescopic movement between extended and retracted positions relative to the first cylindrical member by the associated compressed fluid;
and,
fastener interlock means for selectively fixing the second member in the extended position relative to the first cylindrical member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid-actuated telescoping tower for supporting heavy loads

Life of this patent

Fluid-actuated telescoping tower for supporting heavy loads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20