Towers And Anchors Patents (Class 14/21)
  • Patent number: 10669680
    Abstract: A method for installing a prestressing element in an anchor block, in which the prestressing element is attached to a holder, includes the holder being moved to the anchor block, the prestressing element being introduced into a through-opening of the anchor block, and the prestressing element being fixed to the anchor block. The holder can be attached to the prestressing element at a distance which is selected so that the length of the projection of the prestressing element on the side of the holder facing the anchor block is greater than the length of a portion of the prestressing element, which is required for introducing the prestressing element into the through-opening and fixing the prestressing element to the anchor block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DYWIDAG-SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Bauer, Werner Brand, Hagen Keiner
  • Patent number: 10280575
    Abstract: A cable-stayed suspension bridge structure suitable for super long spans by comprising a horizontally arranged main bridge main beam, wherein vertical main towers are arranged at ends of the main bridge main beam, and each main tower is anchored by stay cables; a main bridge vertical support and a longitudinal elastic damping stopper are arranged at positions of the main bridge main beam close to the main tower, and the main beam is kept stable longitudinally by virtue of the geometric stiffness of the cable force of the stay cable and the longitudinal elastic damping stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CCCC SECOND HIGHWAY CONSULTANT CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yuancheng Peng, Zhongsheng Yang, Chulong Chen
  • Patent number: 9850630
    Abstract: A cable anchorage anchors a cable, for example a stay cable having multiple strands (50), against a longitudinal tension force. The anchor block (11) of the anchorage includes multiple channels, through which the strands (50) are individually threaded. Once in position and tensioned, the space around the strands (50) in the anchor block (11) is injected with a liquid, such as a polyurethane, which subsequently sets to form a tough elastic bedding material (51) within the anchor block (11). The elastic bedding material (51) has a durometer at 23° C. in the range 10 to 70 Shore, so as to form bedding cushion extending substantially around the strand (50) in the strand-channel (6) along a bedding region (54) of strand-channel (6), the bedding cushion reducing the bending stresses in the strand (50) by absorbing bending stresses along the bedding region (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: VSL International AG
    Inventors: Rachid Annan, Adrian Gnagi
  • Patent number: 9446541
    Abstract: The method is for protecting the end of a cable made of a plurality of parallel tendons (10) anchored using a block (15) having a front side, a rear side and channels (16) extending between the front and rear sides. Each tendon of the cable is held in a respective channel of the anchor block with a blocking member (19). The method comprises performing a first phase of injecting protective material (100) into at least some of the channels of the anchor block. A chamber (30) is formed on at least one side of the anchor block (15) so as to contain portions of the plurality of tendons. A second phase of injecting protective material (200) into the chamber (30) is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventors: Jerome Stubler, Aurelien Sylvestre, Stephane Joye, Erik Mellier
  • Patent number: 8959692
    Abstract: The structural cable has several stretched tendons (4). It is diverted in a device comprising a body crossed by conduits (10). Each conduit has a wall to guide one of the tendons along a curved path. The wall of the conduit has a tendon support area (11) directed toward the interior of the curve of the path. This support area presents, in the center portion of the conduit and transverse to the curved path, a section in the shape of a circular arc whose radius is appreciably equal to half the external diameter of the tendon. The central portion of the conduit has a cross-section enlarged outside the support area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Soletanche Freyssinet
    Inventors: Erik Mellier, Stephane Joye
  • Patent number: 8869476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing arrangement (202) for a building element comprising tension members. The sealing arrangement (202) is arranged to seal off an internal part of the building element. The sealing arrangement (202) comprises: (a) a first pressing element (500) of rigid material; (b) a transition pad (501) of deformable material; (c) a sealing pad (503) of elastic material; and (d) a second pressing element (505; 507) comprising a rigid layer (507) for pressing the transition pad (501) and the sealing pad (503) against the first pressing element (500). The transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are provided with holes for the tension elements to pass through. When operationally in place, the first pressing element (500), the transition pad (501), the sealing pad (503) and the second pressing element (505; 507) are pressed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: VSL International AG
    Inventors: Thibault Collin Delavaud, Rachid Annan
  • Patent number: 8695142
    Abstract: Provided are partially and fully earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges, each of which uses a prestressing unit including anchor units and a prestressing member from deck segments installed at its main span such that the prestressing unit serves as a conventional windproof cable and can simultaneously introduce a tensile stress. Thereby, a magnitude of the maximum compressive stress acting on a cross section of each main-span deck segment is reduced, so that it is possible to reduce a cross-sectional area of each main-span deck segment and thus to ensure economical construction. All or part of the compressive stress generated at the main span can be offset by the tensile stress caused by the prestressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: GS Engineering & Construction Corp., Ove Arup & Partners Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hwi Noh, Sang Hoon Lee, Jong Heon Park, Naeem U. Hussain, Matt Carter, Niels J. Gimsing
  • Patent number: 8662363
    Abstract: The golf car accessory includes a bag divider adapted for attachment to a golf car to separate bags placed in the golf car. A first arm extends upwardly from the bag divider and a second arm operatively connected to the first arm and extending outwardly to support a ball washer. Preferably the first arm is a telescoping arm so that the height of the ball washer is adjustable. Preferably the second arm is also a telescoping arm so that the horizontal position of the ball washer can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Williams
  • Patent number: 8572787
    Abstract: A bridge deck suspended from a support beam where the deck describes a laterally curved shape, for example an arch having an apex between two deck ends. The support beam describes a laterally curved shape similar to that of the deck, for example an arch having an apex and two ends opposite to the apex that are secured in a base (foundation) in the ground. The support beam is generally inclined from the support's base foundations to the apex at an angle sufficient to position the support above the deck. The support's relative position, dimensions and shape are such that the majority of the supporting beam is above and approximately horizontally aligned with corresponding points of the deck, thereby allowing suspension cables to extend near vertically between attachment points on the support beam and corresponding attachment points on the aligned portions of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: David S. Toguchi
  • Publication number: 20130255170
    Abstract: The structural cable has several stretched tendons (4). It is diverted in a device comprising a body crossed by conduits (10). Each conduit has a wall to guide one of the tendons along a curved path. The wall of the conduit has a tendon support area (11) directed toward the interior of the curve of the path. This support area presents, in the center portion of the conduit and transverse to the curved path, a section in the shape of a circular arc whose radius is appreciably equal to half the external diameter of the tendon. The central portion of the conduit has a cross-section enlarged outside the support area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventors: Erik Millier, Stephane Joye
  • Publication number: 20130160224
    Abstract: Provided are partially and fully earth-anchored cable-stayed bridges, each of which uses a prestressing unit including anchor units and a prestressing member from deck segments installed at its main span such that the prestressing unit serves as a conventional windproof cable and can simultaneously introduce a tensile stress. Thereby, a magnitude of the maximum compressive stress acting on a cross section of each main-span deck segment is reduced, so that it is possible to reduce a cross-sectional area of each main-span deck segment and thus to ensure economical construction. All or part of the compressive stress generated at the main span can be offset by the tensile stress caused by the prestressing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicants: OVE ARUP & PARTNERS KOREA LTD., GS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CORP.
    Inventors: Jung Hwi Noh, Sang Hoon Lee, Jong Heon Park, Naeem U. Hussain, Matt Carter, Niels J. Gimsing
  • Publication number: 20130007966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a strand guiding device that comprises a curved body having a first end and a second end. The strand guiding device further comprises at least one channel extending from the first end to the second end inside the strand guiding device, the channel being arranged to be traversed longitudinally by a strand of a cable, and further arranged to hold the strand in place when under tension. The body of the guiding device is filled with a protective material for protecting the strand from corrosion and allowing later removal of the strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: VSL International AG
    Inventors: Thibault Collin Delavaud, Rachid Annan
  • Publication number: 20110283467
    Abstract: An erection method by simple tower instrument during upper bridge construction installation, consists of installing 8 bolt?1 ½?-400 and lower joint plate 24 mm bold, ?50 cm on head of bridge construction pillar as hook designed tower, installing 5 locking plates from lower plate with 24 mm bold, 42 cm height as joint of premier steel pile?30 cm, 6.5 mm bold, through 8 bolts and lower joint plate on every head of bridge construction pillar, installing and locking wind fastener?15 cm through joint plate 16 mm bold and 4 bolts ?¾? to unite premier tower 3?30 cm, 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Ben Brahim S. Bahat
  • Publication number: 20090158535
    Abstract: Guiding device (1) for strands (2), the guiding device (1) comprising a body (5) in which at least one curved channel (6) is made, including a longitudinal axis curved according to the curvature of said channel (6) and a first part (8) which, situated in principle at the side of the intrados of the longitudinal axis (7), permits, in the limit of the length of the channel (6), the support of the strand (2) on at least one portion of the peripheral face (10) which this strand (2) presents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Gnagi Adrian, Tschaggelar Hans, Yves Bournand
  • Patent number: 7478450
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel construction method to longitudinally offset a traditional bridge substructure to a desired location by utilizing unconventional link-support or alternative support systems. This invention describes an approach to achieve longer span length, wider opening and/or greater lateral underclearance for the needed facility below a bridge span that no other traditional bridge construction methods could provide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Charles Fong
  • Patent number: 7441380
    Abstract: A tie anchor for strip-type tension members includes an anchor body disposed on at least one side of the tension member. The anchor body includes a plurality of clamping blocks arranged at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the tension member. The clamping blocks are connected to tension member by adhesive and/or friction (clamping friction). An end-most (final) one of the clamping blocks is attached to a fixed abutment. Adjacent clamping blocks are interconnected by expansion members whose spring stiffness becomes progressively stronger toward the end-most clamping block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Leonhard, Andrä und Partner Beratende Ingenieure VBI GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Andrä, Gert König, Markus Maier
  • Publication number: 20080022468
    Abstract: A bridge for crossing a passage of a navigation channel includes a section in the form of a single span, which may be displaced by vertical translation between a base position spanning the passage, in which the span rests on fixed support sections of the bridge, and a raised position, for opening the passage, and a support structure for the span on displacement of the span, and a drive for lifting the span. The bridge has only one support structure, with the drive, located on one side of the passage to be spanned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Societe Europeenne D'Ingenierie Mecanique-Eurodim
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Ghilardi
  • Patent number: 7124460
    Abstract: The cable, in particular of the stay cable type, comprises a set of traction reinforcements, two devices for anchoring the reinforcements in two respective zones of the construction, the reinforcements being spaced apart from one another at the anchoring devices, means for deviating the reinforcements in order to cause the reinforcements to converge toward a running part of the cable into a substantially parallel bundle which is more compact than at the anchoring devices, and a guide member which is in closely set contact around the set of reinforcements. This member has an inner surface, the cross section of which is adapted to the peripheral shape of the parallel bundle and the longitudinal section of which has a convex curvature which, over the length of the guide member, allows angular deflections of the reinforcements which are substantially greater than the maximum angle of convergence of the reinforcements between the anchoring device and the running part of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (Stup)
    Inventors: Benoit Lecinq, Jean-Pierre Messein
  • Patent number: 7010824
    Abstract: The structural cable (2) to be anchored, such as a main suspension cable or a stay cable, is made of a compact bundle of parallel metallic wires. The cable wires are distributed into seven-wire units (18) in a portion of the cable adjacent to an anchor block (13), and these seven-wire units are individually anchored on the anchor block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Jérôme Stubler, Mike McClenahan, Ivica Zivanovic
  • Patent number: 7003835
    Abstract: A cable-stay cradle system (“cradle system”) for cable stayed bridges is mounted onto a cable stay, the opposite ends of which are attached to anchors on a bridge deck. The cradle system is disposed along the length of the cable stay and located in a pre-formed opening in a pylon. The cradle system includes axially spaced sleeve centering plates that have radially spaced holes through which the cable strands of the cable stay are threaded. The cradle system ensures that a distance from center-points of adjacent cable strands remains essentially constant along the entire length of the cradle system. The invention also provides a method of installing a cable stay including a cradle system, which includes the steps of threading the cable stay through the opening in the pylon so as to locate the cradle system in the opening, and attaching the cable stay to anchors on the bridge deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Figg Bridge Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Figg, legal representative, W. Denney Pate, Eugene C. Figg, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 6880193
    Abstract: A cable-stay cradle system (“cradle system”) for cable stayed bridges is mounted onto a cable stay, the opposite ends of which are attached to anchors on a bridge deck. The cradle system is disposed along the length of the cable stay and located in a pre-formed opening in a pylon. The cradle system includes axially spaced sleeve centering plates that have radially spaced holes through which the cable strands of the cable stay are threaded. The cradle system ensures that a distance from center-points of adjacent cable strands remains essentially constant along the entire length of the cradle system. The invention also provides a method of installing a cable stay including a cradle system, which includes the steps of threading the cable stay through the opening in the pylon so as to locate the cradle system in the opening, and attaching the cable stay to anchors on the bridge deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Figg Bridge Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Figg, W. Denney Pate, Eugene C. Figg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6785925
    Abstract: A modified suspension bridge which comprises a continuous cable in which tension is developed by operation of turnbuckles or the like, instead of hanging weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Curtis L. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 6578328
    Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for anchoring one end (2A) of a stay (2) to a base (3), this end (2A) of the stay (2) comprising at least two strands (2B) which diverge from its longitudinal axis (2C) in such a way as to come to be anchored in the device (1), these strands (2B) each being made up of a core wire (2D) and a protective sheathing (2E), the device itself being intended to be positioned and immobilised in translation in a bore (3A) provided in the base (3), this device (1) comprising a first rigid unit (4), which: is delimited transversally by a cylindrical face (4A) and longitudinally by two opposite faces (4B, 4C) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (4D) of said first unit (4), is traversed by perforations (4E) which, made substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis (4D), are each intended for passage of one end (2F), devoid of sheathing (2E), of a strand (2B) of the stay (2), and each including a bearing surface (4F) intended to co-operate with an immobilisation piece (4G) of such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: VSL International AG
    Inventors: Yves Bournand, Adrian Gn{overscore (a)}gi, Juan Ayats
  • Patent number: 6530101
    Abstract: A multiple-use, cable-supported bridge in which the primary lateral and vertical deck-stiffening elements are prestressed cables, or strands, extending along one or both sides of the bridge, and methods of fabricating such bridges, are shown and described. One embodiment of the strand bridge of the present invention is designed to span from a first location to a second location. A first anchor member is fixed near the first location and an opposing second anchor member is fixed near the second location. A number of tensioned cables extend between the first and second anchor members. At least one post is attached to the cables at a point between the first and second anchor members. A cross member is attached to the post and projects from the post in a direction transverse to the lengths of the cables. Decking material extends from the first location to the second location, and can be coupled to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc.
    Inventor: William Dennis Nottingham
  • Patent number: 6421864
    Abstract: A bridge cable fixing structure, including a fixing plate having multiple cylindrical insertion holes and cylindrical fixing grips corresponding to the insertion holes, each fixing grip being attached to an end of a twisted steel wire. The fixing grips are positioned in the insertion holes on a compression side of the fixing structure, such that the twisted steel wires extend from a tensile side of the fixing structure. When a load is applied to the twisted steel wires attached to the fixing grips, the fixing plate deforms toward the tensile side, compressing the insertion holes against the fixing grips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Fanuc LTD
    Inventors: Hisashi Daiguji, Makoto Tomimoto, Tsutomu Kadotani
  • Publication number: 20010039686
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a bridge cable fixing structure in which an outer diameter and a thickness of the fixing plate for use in accepting a tensile load of the cable can be reduced and an anchor socket can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: HISASHI DAIGUJI, MAKOTO TOMIMOTO
  • Patent number: 6301735
    Abstract: The device comprises a collar consisting of two shells, designed to provide a link with the load-transmitting element. The cable has an assembly of tensioned strands contained, at the level of the collar, in a matrix filling the interstices between the strands. This matrix is totally or partially made from a plastic material susceptible to creep under the effect of the clamping action of the collar. The clamping action is applied by elongate elements transmitting a clamping force to the shells of the collar. These elongate elements are stressed so as to produce a longitudinal elastic deformation that is much greater than the maximum settlement of the matrix due to creep. This prevents any undesirable loosening of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Freyssinet International STUP
    Inventors: Pierre Jartoux, Jérô ;me Stubler
  • Patent number: 6018834
    Abstract: Method for building bridges and bridge built according to the method especially a girder bridge with one, two or more girders or longitudinal beams resting on supports at abutments or the like. The novelty lies therein that the girder or longitudinal beams have end portions extending beyond the supports at the abutments and that between such extending ends and the abutments are arranged anchoring devices which after being fixed to the ends of the extending ends of each girder exert a supporting moment to the portion of the girders between the abutments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Jada AB
    Inventor: Lars Svensson
  • Patent number: 5896609
    Abstract: A method of construction a prestressed cable-stay bridge is provided. The method includes the constructing at least a tower having a pier, a pair of masts and a girder between the masts for securing a deck, a main beam supported on the deck along a longitudinal direction of the bridge, a pair of sub-beams connect to two ends of the main beam and suspended from a plurality of temporal stay cables from the top of the masts, an upper portion and a plurality of segment secured on the top of the main beam and the sub-beam after the performance of on the spot prestressing procedure, a plurality of side reinforcements secured to the elongate gaps at two lateral side of the bridge, a plurality of permanent stay cables instead of the temporal stay cables for suspending the bridge from the inner side of the masts and a roadway paved on the top of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Wei-Hwang Lin
  • Patent number: 5850652
    Abstract: A method of suspending a bridge-girder of a suspension bridge is provided. The method is characterized in that where the bridge-girder is suspended by main cables supported by main towers through hanger ropes, the central portion of each of a plurality of horizontal beams mounted on each of the main towers in spaced part relationships with one another vertically are connected to the lateral sides of the bridge-girder by means of obliquely extending auxiliary cables 7. According to this suspension method, the torsional natural frequency of the bridge-girder increases so that the flutters and vortex induced oscillation harmful to the bridge-girder are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumichi Yamamura, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5325557
    Abstract: A portable, demountable bridge to ford rivers and the like, includes a pair of footings for supporting the bridge buried at different heights in the soil on one side of the river. The footing closer to the river receives a load in a downward direction, and the footing further from the river resists an upward force produced by the weight of the bridge and objects on the bridge. Soil located over this further footing acts as a counterweight of the bridge. At least two bridge supporting units are located over the footing closer to the river. Preferably each supporting unit includes two support tubes. A removable first bracket is fixed to each supporting unit, and a second bracket is connected to the first bracket. The panels forming a roadway track for the bridge are connected to the second bracket via a first elongated support. A second elongated support connects to the footing further from the river to the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Julio P. Penuela
  • Patent number: 5208932
    Abstract: A bridge of the cable-stay type, in particular of a very large span, the deck of which is supported by stays deflected by passing over towers (21). Some of the stays (22) are anchored on the deck at two points of the deck situated on either side of a same tower (21), and the central part of a span between two towers is supported exclusively by other stays (25) which, after having been deflected at the top of a tower, are each anchored in an anchor block (26). The tensile stress to which the central part of the deck is subjected under the effect of these stays (25) directed towards the tops of the two towers situated on either side of the span is compensated for by an axial compressive prestress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Societe Centrale d'Etudes et de Realisations Routieres-Scetauroute
    Inventor: Jean M. Muller
  • Patent number: 5121518
    Abstract: A cable-stayed bridge including at least one concrete platform consisting of an assembly of caisson elements, at least partly prefabricated, extending transversely to the bridge. Each element is composed of an upper table and a lower table separated by spaces which extend transversely to the platform, and are connected by walls at the side and the end, and with longitudinal intermediate partitions and transverse partitions. The piers of the bridge extend preferably upwards to the platform and carry both a part of the platform and the pylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Jean Muller
  • Patent number: 5070566
    Abstract: A hybrid bridge construction comprises a pair of piers enclosed in the earth at a fixed predetermined distance apart with a cantilever section supported on each pier. Each cantilever section comprises one or more vertical towers with a pair of inner and outer rigid compression members fixed to and extending upwardly and outwardly from the base of each tower. Outer tension members are attached to the top portions of each tower and to upper end portions of the compression members. A suspension section interconnecting the cantilever sections comprises catenary cable members attached to the upper end portions of inner compression members. A road deck extends between the piers, and vertical suspender members extend between the cable members and the road deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: T. Y. Lin International
    Inventors: Tung-Yen Lin, Philip Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 5060332
    Abstract: A cable stayed bridge which includes a pair of towers on either side of a gap and a roadway deck extending across the gap between the towers and cable stays fanning out from the top of each tower to separate longitudinally spaced load-bearing points on the decks such that a pair of cable stays extends from each load-bearing point on the deck to the tops of the respective towers with a span between towers 10 to 20 times tower height above the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: H. J. G. McLean Limited
    Inventor: David R. Webster
  • Patent number: 4907312
    Abstract: A bridge and a method of constructing the bridge over water. A bridge span is positioned longitudinally in portion through a slot in a bridge pier; then the span is moved laterally through the slot to a position in the center of the pier at a low level. Then the span is hoisted up to its correct position. The hoisting step may be preceded by or may include placing jacks under the span and directly above the bottom of the pier and then employing the jacks in the hoisting step. The bridge or bridge segment comprises a pair of pier portions with a span-accepting slot between them, each pier portion comprising an underwater footing and a vertical pier portion resting on, secured to, and rising from the footing to a deck-support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: T. Y. Lin International
    Inventors: Y. C. Yang, Philip Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 4866803
    Abstract: A bridge structure for large water crossing with inclined towers as main substructure members. The superstructure is a combination of suspension cables and stay cables supported by inclined towers which transfers the bridge loads to the ground. The inclined towers are tied with horizontally cables posttensioned in a such way to introduce a horizontal force which combined with the vertical forces from the bridge gives axial forces for the inclined towers, improving its load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Lucian I. Nedelcu
  • Patent number: 4863733
    Abstract: There are disclosed methods for use in plastic or cosmetic surgery in which a predetermined volume of blood is withdrawn from a donor-patient; and the blood is separated to yield a fraction containing 38% globulins and 54% albumin. This fraction is heated and then reintroduced in conjunction with the respective cosmetic surgery procedures, such as the treatment of scars, breast augmentation, lines near the mouth, in the forehead, and the like. There are also disclosed the corresponding compositions for use in plastic surgery, and these compositions may additionally contain compositions with anesthetic properties and/or coagulants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventors: Jack P. Startz, deceased, by Jonathan D. Startz, heir, by Jerry A. Startz, heir, by James A. Startz, heir, by Janet West, heir
  • Patent number: 4837885
    Abstract: A cable-stayed bridge. At least one vertical bridge tower supported by a pier is used in conjuction with a horizontal traffic-supporting deck having a cable girder beneath it and supporting it. A plurality of cable stays, are each anchored to the upper end of the tower and extend at an angle to and through the deck and are anchored to the cable girder. Each stay is prestressed and comprises an inner cable group of greased strands enclosed in an inner rigid structural pipe and an outer cable group of cemented grouted strands outside the inner pipe and enclosed by an outer rigid structural pipe. This outer rigid structural pipe surroundings the outer cable group and is separated therefrom by cement grouts. Each cable group has anchors for its extreme upper end and for its extreme lower end. Prestressing is done between the extreme ends to a desired tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: T.Y. Lin International
    Inventor: Y. C. Yang
  • Patent number: 4662019
    Abstract: A cable stayed bridge is constructed as having approach deck spans and at least one cable stayed deck bridge section assembled as a unit by employing the deck surfaces of the approach spans as in situ work surfaces for erecting equal deck lengths of the unit. A bridge pylon is supported on a floatable support and extends through an open gap provided in an approach span deck, and cable stays are extended from the pylon for supporting the deck lengths. The completed unit is moved away from the work surfaces and into alignment with a last of the approach spans, and is permanently anchored in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean M. Muller
  • Patent number: 4648147
    Abstract: A tension tie member is anchored between two spaced locations on a structure, such as a diagonal cable in a stayed girder bridge. The tie member is supported on the structure adjacent at least one anchor location by an annular bearing member encircling an outer protective casing of the tie member. The bearing member is positioned within an annular chamber in the structure at the point where the tie member extends through the structure toward the anchor location. The diameter of the annular chamber is larger than the diameter of the tie member so that there is a certain amount of play between the bearing member encircling the tie member and the surface of the annular chamber whereby lateral movement of the tie member can occur. With the tie member anchored in place the space between the outside of the bearing member and the inside surface of the annular chamber can be filled with grout to support the tie member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Inventors: Egbert Zimmermann, Oswald Nutzel
  • Patent number: 4648146
    Abstract: In the assembly of a tension tie member between spaced anchors when the tie member is made up of a number of individual tension elements, such as steel wires, steel strands or the like, enclosed within a tubular sheathing, the tension elements are inserted individually and successively between the anchors and it is necessary to insert the annular wedges which anchor each element before the tension elements are released from a threading device. To prevent the annular wedges from prematurely entering into the boreholes in the anchor plate, an auxiliary plate is positioned spaced from the anchor plate. The auxiliary plate has at least one through borehole axially alignable with the boreholes in the anchor plate. A tubular section is secured to the auxiliary plate and forms an extension of the borehole therein. An annular wedge to be inserted into one of the boreholes and the anchor plate can be held on the tubular section by resiliently expanding the wedge about the outer surface of the tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oswald Nutzel, Egbert Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 4633540
    Abstract: A tie member includes at least one tension element, such as a steel wire or strand, enclosed within a tubular sheathing. An anchoring unit is located at each end of the tie member for transmitting the tension force to a part of a structure. Each anchoring unit includes an anchor plate with at least one conically shaped bore so that a tension element can be secured in the borehole by a multi-part annular wedge. To provide additional corrosion protection and improve fatigue strength in the anchorage, the tension element is enclosed within a coating of a synthetic resin for its entire length. The inside surface of the wedge is shaped between the ends with a series of coarse or rough teeth with the tips rounded off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Jungwirth, Gerd Thielen, Otmar Langwadt
  • Patent number: 4631772
    Abstract: A structural system for use in bridges, buildings and other structures. The system supports part of its load by tension action and part of its load by arch action. Cables are stretched and anchored between end supports. Lateral compressive elements are placed over the cables and fit over grooves across the bottoms of the elements. The grooves vary in depth. The cables are near the bottom of the elements at the center span and near the top of the elements at the end supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: Samuel G. Bonasso
  • Patent number: 4557007
    Abstract: An anchor socket for bridge cables having bundles of stranded steel wires. It has a plurality of ribs formed on its inner wall. The larger the inner diameter of the ribs, the smaller the distance from the point where the cables are fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignees: Harumoto Iron Works Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Daiguji, Ikuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4473915
    Abstract: In an anchored tension member individual elements, such as steel rods or the like, extend between a pair of anchoring discs each of which is secured on a support. One support is spaced horizontally and vertically from the other so that the tension member extends at an acute angle to the horizontal. In assembling and installing the tension member, first one individual element is placed through a tubular casing resting on the support of a support structure which incorporates one of the supports. Next, the individual element is tensioned between and anchored to the anchoring discs. During this operation, the tubular casing is lifted off the surface and extends rectilinearly between and is spaced from both of the anchoring discs. In turn, the remaining individual elements are placed through the tubular casing, tensioned and then anchored to the anchoring discs. As a result, the tension member can be installed in position without additional auxiliary apparatus, such as lifting devices and scaffolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klemens Finsterwalder
  • Patent number: 4264996
    Abstract: A suspended railway has a track hung via a plurality of hangers from a suspension cable which is supported at intervals at the tops of towers. A beam is provided at each of these towers which bows the track when unloaded downwardly at the tower. A saddle is furthermore provided at the top of each of the towers and has an upwardly open seat receiving and supporting the suspension cable. This seat has a length measured parallel to the length of the beam which is equal to at least one-third of the length of the beam. Furthermore the seat has a central portion with a larger radius of curvature than its flanking end portions. The saddle is carried on rollers for rolling in a horizontal direction parallel to the suspension cables, and can even twist about a vertical axis perpendicular to this horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Inventors: Rudolf Baltensperger, Hans B. Pfister
  • Patent number: 4211171
    Abstract: A suspended railway has a fixed tower spaced horizontally from a fixed station. A suspension cable is slung between this tower and the station and a plurality of horizontally spaced upright hangers depending from this cable support a suspended section of a horizontally extending track also having a fixed section secured in the station. As a car travels along the track it vertically deflects the track from an upper unloaded position to a lower loaded position. A substantially rigid guide beam projects from the station between the track and the cable toward the tower and has a lower guide surface bearing downwardly on the track in the unloaded position thereof. Thus as the car approaches the fixed section of the track at the station the suspended section is pulled downwardly away from the guide beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Inventors: Rudolf Baltensperger, Hans B. Pfister