# US 7,609,224 B2 · Reducing wind loads on monopoles to provide increased capacity without structural reinforcement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,224 B2 - Document ID: US7609224B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/101,956 - Filed: 2005-05-23 - Published: 2007-05-03 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-23 - Inventors: Thomas B. Watson, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609224B2 ## CPC - H01Q 1/1242: {Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial} - H01Q 1/005: {Damping of vibrations; Means for reducing wind-induced forces} - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract Apparatus and methods that reduce wind loads on polygonal monopoles, such as antenna towers and other telecommunication structures, exposed to winds. A multiplicity of connected segmented truncated conical shrouds are attached along at least a portion of the length of a polygonal monopole (telecommunication structure or antenna tower) that surround it. The presence of the multiplicity of segmented conical shrouds changes the profile of the monopole from multi-sided or faceted polygonal to conical. Based on the specifications of the TIA/EIA-222-F which is the governing code for telecommunication structures, the reduction of the wind load on a 12-sided polygonal monopole is on the order of about 42 percent, on a 16-sided polygonal monopole is on the order of about 18 percent, and on a 18-sided polygonal monopole is on the order of about 9 percent. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Wind load reduction apparatus for use in reducing wind loads on a polygonal monopole, comprising: a multiplicity of connected, segmented, truncated conical shrouds that each telescope from top to bottom to encase the monopole without structural connection to a foundation of the monopole and provide a relatively smooth conical outer surface, each conical shroud comprising a plurality of sections that are secured together, each truncated conical shroud comprising a fixed joint formed at its top and a telescoping joint formed at its bottom, and wherein the telescoping joint of an upper truncated conical shroud overlaps the fixed joint of an adjacent lower truncated conical shroud. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the polygonal monopole comprises a telecommunication structure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the polygonal monopole comprises an antenna tower. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of connected, segmented, truncated conical structures are disposed along at least a portion of the length of the polygonal monopole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise four to eight foot long segments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise two sections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise three sections. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the truncated conical shrouds are installed from about mid-height to the top of the polygonal monopole. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein inner surfaces of the multiplicity of truncated conical sections contact the polygonal monopole. ### Claim 10 A method for reducing wind load on a polygonal monopole, comprising: fabricating a multiplicity of truncated conical sections that each comprise a plurality of segmented pieces that attach together to form a telescoping member, and wherein the telescoping member has an upper fixed joint at its upper end and a lower telescoping joint at its lower end, and wherein the multiplicity of truncated conical sections, when overlapped, form an elongated telescoping shroud; and sequentially securing together the multiplicity of truncated conical sections around the polygonal monopole, without providing structural connection to a foundation of the monopole, with the telescoping joint of an upper conical section overlapping an adjacent fixed joint of a lower truncated conical section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the polygonal monopole comprises a telecommunication structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the polygonal monopole comprises a antenna tower. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the multiplicity of segmented, truncated conical shrouds are attached along at least a portion of the length of the polygonal monopole. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise four to eight foot long segments. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise two sections. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the truncated conical shrouds comprise three sections. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method recited in claim 10 wherein the truncated conical shrouds are installed from about mid-height to the top of the polygonal monopole. ### Claim 18 Wind load reduction apparatus for use in reducing wind loads on a polygonal monopole, comprising: a multiplicity of connected, segmented, truncated conical shrouds that each telescope from top to bottom to encase the monopole and provide a relatively smooth conical outer surface, wherein an inner surface of each truncated conical shroud contacts the polygonal monopole, each truncated conical shroud comprising a fixed joint formed at its top and a telescoping joint formed at its bottom, and wherein the telescoping joint of an upper truncated conical shroud overlaps the fixed joint of an adjacent lower truncated conical shroud. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein each conical shroud comprises a plurality of sections that are secured together. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein the truncated conical shrouds are installed from a predetermined distance above ground level to the top of the polygonal monopole.