Utility tower lifting apparatus and method

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An electrical or communication transmission tower lifting device for elevating an upper frame portion of the electrical transmission tower with respect to a lower frame portion of the tower from a first elevation to a second elevation, the frame portions including a series of vertical frame members, the lifting device comprising:
a lower lifting structure positioned within the tower, having a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced apart mounts that are adapted to be coupled along a length of the vertical frame members of the lower frame portion to allow the lower lifting structure to be releasably secured to the lower frame portion of the tower a distance from the foundation of the tower, the lower lifting structure including a series of horizontal brace members that extend between the mounts and a series of diagonal support members that extend diagonally between the vertically spaced apart mounts and are interconnected at their proximate midpoint by hubs to form the lower lifting structure; an upper lifting structure, that is positioned above the lower lifting structure and within the tower, the upper lifting structure having a plurality of pairs of vertically spaced apart mounts that are adapted to be coupled along a length of the vertical frame members of the upper frame portion to allow the upper lifting structure to be releasably secured to and adapted to support the entire upper frame portion of the tower, the upper lifting structure including a series of horizontal brace members that extend between the mounts and a series of diagonal support members that extend diagonally between the vertically spaced apart mounts and are interconnected at their proximate midpoint by hubs to form the upper lifting structure; a lifting cylinder that is to the lower and upper lifting structures, the lifting cylinder configured to assist in moving the upper lifting structure away from the lower lifting structure to raise the upper frame portion of the tower to the second elevation; and a controller that is configured to control the movement of the lifting cylinder to raise the upper frame portion of the tower.