Tower foundation system

Abstract

A tower foundation system for supporting a tower includes a base that defines an open receptacle for receiving a ballast material. The system also includes a cross-member that extends within the open receptacle between opposing sides of the base. Additionally, the system includes a tower coupler that is coupled to the cross-member. The tower coupler is configured to couple a tower to the cross-member

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tower foundation system for supporting a tower, comprising:
 a base defining an open receptacle for receiving a ballast material;   a cross-member extending within the open receptacle between opposing sides of the base; and   a tower coupler coupled to the cross-member, the tower coupler configured to couple a tower to the cross-member.   
     
     
         2 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a closed bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls extending substantially transversely away from the closed bottom wall, wherein the cross-member extends between two opposing side walls of the plurality of side walls. 
     
     
         3 . The tower foundation system of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises an open upper end defined by the plurality of side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is elongate in a lengthwise direction. 
     
     
         5 . The tower foundation system of  claim 3 , wherein the base has a length that is at least twice as long as a width of the base. 
     
     
         6 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing sides of the base each has an overhang extending partially over the open receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tower coupler is adjustable to adjust the orientation of the tower relative to the orientation of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ballast material comprises relatively loose material. 
     
     
         9 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the base has a relatively rectangular shape and the open receptacle defines has an elongate block-shaped volume. 
     
     
         10 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tower coupler is a first tower coupler and the tower is a first tower, the tower foundation system further comprising a second tower coupler coupled to the cross-member, and wherein the second tower coupler is configured to couple a second tower to the cross-member. 
     
     
         11 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing sides of the base each has an overhang extending away from the open receptacle at least partially over a space external to the open receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-member is a first cross-member that extends in a first direction within the open receptacle, the tower foundation system further comprising a second cross-member that extends in a second direction within the open receptacle, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction, and the tower coupler is coupled to the second cross-member. 
     
     
         13 . The tower foundation system of  claim 12 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         14 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is elongate in a lengthwise direction, and wherein the cross-member extends in a direction parallel to the lengthwise direction. 
     
     
         15 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is elongate in a lengthwise direction, and wherein the cross-member extends in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. 
     
     
         16 . The tower foundation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tower foundation resists overturning forces of at least 1,000 ft-lbs. 
     
     
         17 . A tower foundation system for supporting a tower, comprising:
 at least two spaced-apart stands each comprising a foot plate and upright member;   at least one cross-member extending between and coupled to the upright members of the at least two spaced-apart stands; and   a tower coupler coupled to the at least one cross-member, the tower coupler configured to couple a tower to the cross-member.   
     
     
         18 . The tower foundation system of  claim 17 , wherein the tower coupler is a first tower coupler and the tower is a first tower, the tower foundation system comprising first and second cross-members extending between and coupled to the upright members, and a second tower coupler coupled to the second cross-member, the second tower coupler being configured to couple a second tower to the second cross-member, and wherein the first coupler is coupled to the first cross-member. 
     
     
         19 . The tower foundation system of  claim 17 , wherein the foot plates are spaced below the cross-member by a distance equal to a height of the upright members. 
     
     
         20 . The tower foundation system of  claim 17 , wherein the foot plates are substantially flat.