Technical Field

The present invention relates to a foundation for installing composite poles. The invention also relates to a tool and a method for installing composite poles in the foundation.

Background Art

The common method for installing poles for a distribution and regional grid, is to bury corrugated tubes in the ground or pre-blasted rock matter, and later install a pole into the corrugated tube. Three poles and steel masts are usually attached with bolts where it is rock.

It is also known foundations where the foundation is provided by to hinged parts and where the individual parts are attached to the ground and the pole, respectively. Publications US 331 1333 and US 3671738 show examples of such solutions. EP 2463440 and GB 2027769 show foundations for traffic signs. These foundations will not be suited for power grid composite poles since these have a larger dimension and will require other dimensions on the attachment than traffic signs.

US 5794387 shows an apparatus and method for installing a pole to a foundation. The foundation is casted into the ground and the pole is mounted on top of this.

The foundation according to present invention saves costs for the grid operator for blasting and digging rock. This concept will also reduce the environmental footprint in a large degree, since it only requires drilling of four holes in the rock. The foundation also gives an improved attachment of the composite pole. The tool and method for installing the composite pole also makes possible an effective and cost optimal installation of the pole. The tool is temporarily fastened to the foundation and the pole and can be reused for installation of further poles. Further advantages with the foundation are that it is not necessary to fasten the pole with a backstay or install support struts on the pole, since the foundation is strong enough to take up the whole momentum.

Further, it is not necessary to use a crane truck or a helicopter by installing by use of the tool. The pole may be installed by use of ATV or a winch.

It is also a reasonable installation in inaccessible locations. A further advantage is that the foundation reduces the impact on the nature compared to existing solutions.

The foundation according to present invention is especially useful for composite poles used in the distribution and regional power grids. It is also especially advantageous where the poles are installed on rocks. The unique feature of the invention is how the composite pole is attached in the foundation and the system as such.

Summary of invention

The invention relates to a foundation for attaching a composite pole to the ground, said foundation comprising:

- a load distribution panel adapted to receive at least one attachment device for attachment to the ground. The foundation further comprises:

- an outer tube and an inner tube angularly attached to the load distribution panel, wherein the outer tube and inner tube respectively are arranged to bear against a part of the composite pole when the pole is located in the foundation, said foundation further comprises apertures provided transversely in the inner and outer tubes, respectively, adapted to receive a pole bolt for securing the composite pole to the foundation.

Advantageously, the foundation further comprises an outer tube and an inner tube provided in right angles on the load distribution panel, said outer tube is concentrically provided on the inside of the outer tube, said inner and outer tube having a mutual distance corresponding to the thickness of the part of the composite pole provided to contact the foundation, such that this part is fitting into the interstice between the inner and outer tube.

Advantageously, the apertures are directed such that each of the transverse apertures in the inner tube, the outer tube and the pole correspond and create horizontal open lines when the pole is situated in the foundation.

Advantageously, the apertures in the outer tube have a larger diameter than the apertures of the inner tube. Advantageously, the apertures in the inner and outer tube, respectively, have the same diameter through the thickness of the tube.

Advantageously, it is provided a plurality of apertures which are evenly distributed around the circumference if the inner and outer tubes, respectively.

Advantageously, the foundation comprises apertures located transverse in the inner and outer tubes to receive a pole bolt for fastening the foundation to the composite pole respectively.

Advantageously, the inner and outer tubes are ring-shaped.

Advantageously, the inner and/or outer tube are provided right-angled to the foundation.

Advantageously, the load distribution panel and the inner and outer tubes make an integrated unit.

Advantageously, the foundation comprises at least on aperture for receiving an attachment device, such as a rock bolt. Attachment system for attaching a composite pole for use in a distribution or regional power grid to the ground, wherein the attachment system comprises a foundation according to one of the claims.

The invention also relates to an attachment system for attaching a composite pole for use in a distribution or regional power grid to the ground, wherein the attachment system comprises a foundation according to the invention and a pole bolt comprising at least two sections, one threaded section and an outer section, where the outer section has a larger diameter than the threaded section.

Advantageously, the pole bolt further comprises an intermediary section provided between the outer section and the threaded section, where the diameter of the outer section is larger than the diameter of the intermediary section.

Advantageously, the intermediary section of the pole bolt has a length corresponding to the thickness of the composite pole, and the length of the outer sections corresponds to the thickness of the outer tube, such that the intermediary section and the outer section is in contact with the composite pole and the outer tube, respectively, when the pole bolt secures the pole and foundation.

Advantageously, the intermediary section further comprises a conical section provided between the threaded section and an intermediary section part with constant diameter.

The invention also relates to a tool for securing a composite pole to a foundation, the tool comprises a foundation part provided to be releasably attached to the foundation, a pole part provided to be releasably secured to the composite pole, the foundation part and the pole part are hingedly

interconnected in one end, such that the pole part can rotate about an axis intersecting the hinged end.

Advantageously, the foundation part comprises brackets for attachment to the threaded bars securing the foundation to the ground.

Advantageously, the tool comprises an auxiliary support assembly hingedly connected to the foundation part and the pole part.

Advantageously, the pole part comprises apertures corresponding with some of the apertures in the composite pole for attaching the pole part to the composite pole by means of bolts.

Additionally, the invention relates to a method for attaching a composite pole a foundation by means of the tool, the method further comprises:

- connecting the foundation part to the foundation;

- connecting the pole part to the composite pole;

- rotating the pole part against the foundation such that the pole is lead towards the foundation and can be secured to this;

- connecting the foundation to the composite pole by means of pole bolts which are lead through apertures in the inner and outer tubes, and also apertures in the composite pole.

Advantageously, the method further comprises removing the pole part from the composite pole to place the composite pole into the foundation in the area between the inner and outer tubes.

Advantageously, the method further comprises removing the tool from the foundation.

The method further comprises connecting an auxiliary support assembly to the pole prior to connecting the pole part to the pole.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the foundation with a section of the composite pole.

Figures 2a-2b show an embodiment of the foundation with a composite pole seen the side and from above.

Figure 3 shows a section through the foundation and the part of the composite pole attached to this.

Figure 4 shows a bolt for use of attaching the composite pole.

Figures 5a-5b show a first embodiment of the tool used for installing the composite pole to the foundation in its simplest form.

Figures 6a-9b show a second embodiment of the tool used for installation of the composite pole to the foundation in different positions, seen from the side and in perspective.

Figures 10a-1 Of show the tool according to the second embodiment when the composite pole is situated vertically above the foundation, seen from different angles.

Figures 1 1 a-1 1 c show an assembly for installation of the composite pole to the foundation by use of the tool.

Figures 12 is a perspective view showing the installation.

Detailed description of the invention

By the term composite pole, is meant a pole made of a mixed material of fiber and matrix. Typically, this can be glass fiber and a thermosetting plastic, but can also be other kinds of fibers and matrices. In the present case, the poles are made of glass fiber and polyurethane. This kind of poles are especially suitable for use as poles for use by transferring electricity in the distribution or regional power grid. Preferably the composite pole is hollow shaped. The foundation is also useful for composite poles for other purposes, such as for example foundations for bridges, quay structures, supports for roofs in warehouses or foundation for wind turbines.

The foundation is especially useful for areas where the ground is rock.

Threaded rods from the foundation into the ground give a solid attachment for the foundation.

Figures 1 -3 depict one embodiment of the foundation according to the invention. Figure 1 shows that the foundation is attached to the ground on one side and to the composite pole on the other side. Figures 2a and 2b show the foundation 1 with the pole 2 seen from the side and above, respectively.

In the shown example, the foundation is attached to the ground by means of four fastening devices in the form of rock bolts 6, 7a and 7b. The fastening devices 6, 7a, 7b comprise threaded rods 6 which is fastened vertically to the ground and nuts 7a, 7b, which are fastened above and underneath the foundation 1 to keep the foundation 1 stable. This will be further elaborated in relation to the method.

The foundation 1 further comprises a load distribution panel 3 and an inner and outer tube 4, 5. In its simplest form, the foundation can however comprise an inner 5 or outer tube 4. The foundation 1 can be made of galvanized steel but is not limited to this material.

The inner and outer tubes 5, 4 are provided concentrically and have a mutual distance to each other. The distance is defined by the thickness of the hollow shaped composite pole 2, such that this part of the pole 2a which is being attached to the foundation 1 , can be provided into the interstice between the inner and outer tubes 5, 4. As shown in the figures, the inner and outer tubes 5, 4 are also provided in right angles in the load distribution panel 3. A cross section of the foundation 1 with the composite pole’s position in the interstice between the inner 5 and outer tube 4 is shown in figure 3. The load distribution panel 3 transfer the load from the pole 2 to rock bolts 6,

7a, 7b in addition to the inner and outer tubes 5, 4 transferring loads to the pole 2.

There is provided transverse apertures in the inner tube 5, the outer tube 4 and the pole 2. The apertures are directed such that each of the apertures in the inner tube 5, the outer tube 4 and the pole 2 correspond and create horizontal vertical lines when the pole is placed in the foundation 1.

The pole 2 in the figure is interconnected with inner tube 5 and outer tube 4 via sixteen pole bolts 10 which are led through these apertures in the inner and outer tube 5, 4 and the pole 2. The invention is not limited to sixteen pole bolts 10. The number of pole bolts 10 can be higher or lower that sixteen as long as the pole 2 is safely secured to the foundation 1. The design of the pole bolts 10 is shown in more detail in figure 4 and will be further explained below.

The pole bolt 8 is provided with a threaded section 15 innermost which extends to the inner tube 5 in the foundation having threaded apertures. The pole bolt 8 will thereby be driven forward and be pushed through the composite pole 2. The pole 2 have here pre-drilled holes with a narrow tolerance, such that when the pole bolts 8 are installed, it will result in a“tight fit” and no play. Further, the pole bolt 8 has an intermediate section 13. The intermediate section 13 comprises a conical section 14 after the threaded section 15, to ease entering apertures in the pole 2 and an intermediate section 16 with a larger diameter than the threaded section to secure a tight fit to the aperture of the pole 2. Outermost towards a head 1 1 of the pole bolt 8, the bolt 8 has an outer section 17 with even larger diameter to provide a good engagement with the bolt aperture in the outer tube 4, but without creating difficulties for entering before this section 17 comes into engagement. The outer section 17 can correspondingly comprise a conical section 18 and an outer part section 12. The inner and outer tubes 5, 4, on both the outside and inside are provided to relieve the bolts 8 sufficient to take up the considerable momentum produced when bending the pole 2.

The pole bolt 8 also comprises an outermost head part 1 1. This part 1 1 having a larger diameter than the aperture in the outer tube to provide a stop for the pole bolt 8 when this is inserted into the foundation 1 and pole 2. Figures 5-1 Of depict different embodiments of a tool 20, 20’ for use during the installation of the composite pole 2 to the foundation 1 in different positions, from the start of the installation until the pole is positioned above the foundation and ready to be lowered onto this.

Figures 5a and 5b show a first embodiment of the tool in its simplest design. Figures 6a-1 Of show a second embodiment of the tool. Similar elements have the same reference numerals in the two embodiments of the tools.

The tool 20, 20’ comprises a foundation part 21 provided to be attached to the foundation 1. The foundation part 21 is in the figures shown as two elongated elements 21 a interconnected by a stay 21 b in one end. Each of the elongated elements 21 have brackets 25 which can be attached to the foundation 1 via each of the threaded bars 6. The figures show two brackets 25 attached to each of the elongated elements 21 a.

The tool 20, 20’ further comprise a pole part 22 which is provided to be attached to the pole 2. The pole part 22 are in the figures depicted as a frame of two elongated elements 22a and two transverse elements 22b. These are interconnected and provided to enclose the pole 2. The elongated elements 22a area hingedly connected to the elongated elements of the foundation part 21 a.

The elongated elements 22a and the transverse elements 22b have transverse apertures fitting with the apertures in the pole, such that the pole can be attached to the pole part via bolts 24.

The pole part 22 can during use rotate about an axis A which is coincident with the center of the axis of the stay 23. This results in that the tool 20 can guide the movement of the pole 2 from a reclined position to an upright position where the pole 2 is aligned to fit into the foundation 1.

Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of the tool seen from the side, in a position where the pole 2 is placed reclined in the tool 20, an approximately initial position for this embodiment. In this position, the tool 20 is attached to the foundation 1 and the pole 2. Figure 5b shows the tool 20 from figure 5a in a position where the pole part 22 is guided closer to the foundation part 21 to align the pole 2 above the foundation 1. This figure shows the brackets 25 in more detail. The apertures for attaching the brackets 25 to the foundation part can be oblong to have a play when attaching them to the foundation 1. The apertures are also oblong/slit-shaped to be adaptable to different foundation dimensions, for example 9, 1 1 - and 13-meters high poles or masts. The bottom diameter can be slightly different on the different poles 2. Similarly, it is provided disks on the stays or axle 21 b between the foundation 21 and the pole part 22 in order to be adapted to the different foundations.

Figures 6a-1 Of show a second embodiment of the tool 20’. Similar elements have the same reference numerals in the two embodiments of the tools.

In addition to the pole part 22 and the foundation part 21 , this embodiment has an auxiliary support 26. This part is hinged around the same axis A as the foundation part 21 and the pole part 22 in the other end. The auxiliary support 26 can be shaped as two elongated elements 26a which area interconnected by a transverse bar 26b. In the free end of the auxiliary support 26, there is provided at guidance means 27a and an attachment means 27b. The guidance means 27a is shown in figure 10c as beams or similar, which are provided to extend along the pole 2. The beams are held together by a transverse beam as shown in the figure. The attachment means 27b is in this embodiment shown as a band or similar, which extends around the periphery of the pole 2. The guidance means 27a and the attachment means 27b are thereby attaching the tool 20’ to the pole 2 at a distance from the end point of the pole 20. This results in that the tool according to this embodiment provides an additional support when installing the pole 2 in the foundation 1. The attachment means 27b and the guidance means 27a are hingedly connected to the support part in points 28b, 28a, respectively. The auxiliary support 26, the attachment means 27b and the guidance means 27a provides an auxiliary support assembly 26, 27a, 27b.

Figure 6a-6b shows the tool 20’ according to the second embodiment in an initial position where the pole is positioned reclined in the tool 20’. In this position, it is only the auxiliary support assembly by the guidance means 27a, and the attachment means 27b which area attached to the pole 2.

Figure 7a-7b show the tool according to the second embodiment where the pole part 22 of the tool 22 is guided towards the pole to be attached to the end of the pole 2.

As shown in the figure, the auxiliary support 26 can be hingedly connected to the stay 26b via an extension 29. This can further be fixedly connected to the auxiliary support 26. The auxiliary support 26 can also be hingedly connected directly to the stay 21 b.

Figure 8a-8b shows the pole part 22 attached to the end of the pole 2 by means of bolts 24.

Figures 9a, 9b show the tool 20’ in a position where the pole 2 is on its way up to be positioned towards the foundation 1.

Figure 10a-1 Of show the tool 20’ in a final position. In this position, the pole 2 is upright and vertically aligned in position above the foundation 1 or, alternatively, placed in the foundation 1. The figures 10a-1 Of show the system from different angles, such as from different sides and from above.

The method of installation of a composite pole in a foundation 1 as installation procedure. This is shown in figures 1 1 a-c and figure 12 for the tool 20’ according to the second embodiment. Flowever, the method is the same for both embodiments of the tool 20, 20’.

1. The foundation part 21 of the tool 20, 20’ is installed on the top of the foundation 1. Further, it is attached to the threaded rods 6 which protrude somewhat from the upper side of the foundation 1.

2. The pole is attached to the pole part 22 of the tool 20, 20’. In the first embodiment shown in figures 5a-5b, this is done by means of four special bolts 24. A preferred embodiment is to attach the pole 2 to the tool with four bolts in order obtain a pole which is attached on all the sides and thereby achieve a stable pole. Flowever, the number of bolts is not limited to this number. The pole 2 and the tool 20, 20’ can be attached in any other suitable way as long as the attachment mechanism is easy to attach and provides a stable attachment of the pole in the tool. As shown in figure 11 a, the tool 20’ according to the second embodiment is attached to the pole via the auxiliary support 26 prior to lifting the pole part in position on the pole. This auxiliary support 26 provides and additional support to make the construction lighter, and make it easier to attach the pole 2 in the pole part 22. The pole part is attached to the pole 22 by means of special bolts 24 as mentioned above.

3. A winch wire 31 being attached to the free end to the composite pole 2 and an associated winch 30 pulls the composite pole 2 up into a vertical position.

4. The bolts attached between the tool 20, 20’, and the pole 2 are loosened and the pole 2 will enter the foundation 1. Thereafter, the pole 2 can be attached to the foundation 1 by the bolts 8 as explained above.

5. After the pole 2 has been attached to the foundation 1 , the tool 20, 20’ is removed by detaching the tool 20, 20’ from the foundation 1.

It can also be advantageous that a rope is secured around the pole on the opposite side of the winch in order to adjust the speed when the pole is closing into a vertical position.

In addition, a spacer element 32 is shown in figures 11 b, 1 1 c and 12. This spacer element 32 is provided between the pole and the wire 31 and obstruct wires from laying close to the pole when erecting the pole 2 to a vertical position.

The foundation 1 is attached to the ground prior to this installation procedure by drilling a number of holes into the ground 10 making use of a template. In the embodiments shown in the figures, this corresponds to four holes. One in each corner of the load distribution panel 3.

Further, threaded rods 6 are being cemented into the ground by use of a template. The threaded rods 6 can be secured by other methods to obtain a fixed connection between the threaded rods 6 and the ground 10.

The foundation 1 additionally have holes provided in the load distribution panel 3 provided to receive the threaded rods 6. The foundation 1 can thereby be thread onto the threaded rods 6 and further attach the foundation to the ground. In the embodiment, this is obtained by screwing on nuts 7 on the upper side and the underside of the foundation 1 as shown in figure 2. It will then be one nut 7a above and one nut 7b below each bore in the foundation 1. The foundation is thereafter leveled and adjusted in a well-known manner. The tool can also be driven by hydraulic, electromechanical or by other actuating mechanisms such as a threaded rod or trapezoid-screw, driven by a crank or drill to move the pole part 22 between the extreme positions of the tool 20, 20’ to place the pole 2 onto the foundation 1.