Antenna tower

• US 6,173,537 B1
• Filed: 06/13/1996
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mafi AB (PIMI Holding AB), Transmast Limited
• Original Assignee: Mafi AB (PIMI Holding AB), Transmast Limited
• Inventors: Davidsson, Mikael, Miettinen, Heikki
• Primary Examiner(s): CALLO, LAURA ANTOINETTE
• Application Number:
  US08/652,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 343/890, 343/891, 343/878, 454/237, 454/251, 454/184, 52/40, 527/261, 527/263, 527/264, 527/361, 527/374, 527/376, 527/381, 527/362, 527/323, 526/510.1, 526/510.2, 526/510.4, 526/510.7
• US Class Current: 52/40
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/08 of metal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial

Abstract

The invention relates to a tower (1) serving as an antenna carrier and having a space (3) for electronic equipment, such as radio equipment, provided in connection therewith, whereby the tower (1) is formed of a number of interconnectable, generally ring-shaped sections (2, 2a, 3, 3a) of which a lower section (3) forms an electronic equipment integrated in the tower (1).

Claims

1. A tower for carrying at least one antenna, comprising tubular tower sections having a generally ring-shaped cross section, which are mounted to each other in series, one on top of the other, wherein the tubular sections are adapted to receive cables connecting the at least one antenna with electronic equipment (RBS, R) associated with the at least one antenna;

wherein at least one of the tubular sections is provided with attachments for the at least one antenna;

one of the tubular sections is a bottom section comprising substantially vertical side walls and being adapted to accommodate the electronic equipment (RBS, B) and accessible from the outside;

one of the tubular sections is a connecting section having a substantially frusto-conical shape and being provided between the bottom section and the lowermost one of the remaining tubular tower sections; and

the remaining tubular sections have a cross section becoming gradually smaller towards an upper end and wherein each tubular tower section consists of a steel plate bent to the tubular shape.

2. The tower according to claim 1, comprising a free air passage extending from the bottom section to a free end of the uppermost tubular tower section, an intake air opening in a lower portion of the bottom section, and an exhaust air opening in connection with an upper end of the uppermost tubular tower section.

3. The tower according to claim 2, wherein the intake air opening comprises a controllable intake air valve and wherein the exhaust air opening is provided with a controlled exhaust air valve.

4. The tower according to claim 3, wherein said exhaust air opening comprises weather protection.

5. The tower according to claim 3, wherein said controlled exhaust air valve comprises automatic controls.

6. The tower according to claim 2, comprising a fan mounted in connection with at least one member selected from the group consisting of the intake air opening and the exhaust air opening.

7. The tower according to claim 2, wherein air sucked in through the intake air opening is conducted in a circuit comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of loops around a foundation for the tower and loops under a foundation for the tower before being conducted to the bottom section.

8. The tower according to claim 1, wherein said tubular tower sections of the tower comprise high-strength galvanized steel plate, and wherein the lowermost one of the remaining tubular tower sections has a length of about 3 meter, and wherein the remaining tubular sections of the tower are of a standardized length of about 6 meter and wherein the bottom section, including the connecting section, has a length of about 3 meter.

9. The tower according to claim 1, wherein said steel plates comprise ends connected together so as to form said shape.

10. The apparatus comprising the tower according to claim 9, wherein said antenna carrying tower comprises a tapered cross-section.

11. The tower according to claim 10, wherein said antenna carrying tower comprises tubular tower sections having tapered cross sections tapering in a direction towards said top end.

12. The tower according to claim 1, wherein said antenna carrying tower comprises a tubular tower section having a top end.