EP0907807B1 - Improved power transmission support structures - Google Patents

Improved power transmission support structures Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP0907807B1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: support structure; engaging; pole; transmission line; securing
Prior art date: 1996-06-28
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Expired - Lifetime

Application number

EP97930177A

Other languages

German (de)

English (en)

French (fr)

Other versions

EP0907807A4 (en

EP0907807A1 (en

Inventor

Earl K. Stanley

John R. Mott

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

MARYLAND COMPOSITES CORPORATION

Original Assignee

Maryland Composites Corp

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

1996-06-28

Filing date

1997-06-26

Publication date

2004-08-18

1997-06-26 Application filed by Maryland Composites Corp filed Critical Maryland Composites Corp

1999-04-14 Publication of EP0907807A1 publication Critical patent/EP0907807A1/en

2002-11-06 Publication of EP0907807A4 publication Critical patent/EP0907807A4/en

2004-08-18 Application granted granted Critical

2004-08-18 Publication of EP0907807B1 publication Critical patent/EP0907807B1/en

2017-06-26 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Status Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Images

Classifications

- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/22—Sockets or holders for poles or posts
- E04H12/2253—Mounting poles or posts to the holder
- E04H12/2261—Mounting poles or posts to the holder on a flat base

Definitions

This invention relates to the art of structures for supporting high tension power transmission lines and high tension substation structures.
Known structures for supporting high tension power transmission lines present several problems.
Some support structures are made of wood, but these structures are usually small and expensive to maintain. Larger poles are typically made of steel, and these are conductive and present the problem of induction and the risk of a short to ground. Similar problems exist throughout the high tension infrastructure, for example, in the structures used in substations.
plastic materials that are not inductive. These structures have not been successful because such structures having adequate strength are quite expensive. Further, plastic towers are flexible, which makes them vulnerable to excessive vibration in windy conditions. These vibrations are transmitted to the power lines causing them to break and resulting in often serious damage. Another drawback to the use of plastics is that they degrade significantly in the harsh environment to which the structures are exposed, particularly UV-radiation from the sun.
US-A-4088808 discloses shaped articles, including hollow utility poles of hydraulic cement compositions reinforced with fiber glass fabric or with chopped fiber glass, and having a smooth, reflective surface, produced by the admixture of "super" water reducers to the aqueous cementitious slurries followed by casting or spraying into synthetic polymer molds, or molds coated with such synthetic polymers which are water repellent and non-sticking to hydraulic cements, to yield cured articles of high flexural strength with at least one surface which is an exact reproduction of the surface of the synthetic polymer mold, such as high gloss and patterned design.
the present invention is directed to apparatus having the construction set out in the accompanying claim 1. Preferred features are set out in the subclaims 2 to 10.
the high tension support poles are made of a composite material having physical and chemical properties that make it ideal for this purpose.
the material is a composite made of an inorganic cement and inductively transparent glass fibers. This material is preferably that disclosed in United States patent 4,921,222 (Mott).
the composite material utilized for the structures of the invention has a high strength-to-weight ratio and high torsional rigidity. It is also non-corroding in a variety of environmental conditions, and the exterior of this material may easily be sealed whereby there is no significant absorption of water. These properties allow the material to be used in harsh weather over extended periods of time. Electrically, the material is transparent to electromagnetic fields of the frequencies employed in high tension transmission and has high dielectric strength.
the high tension power poles and other such structures made of the preferred composite material are inductively transparent, fewer expensive insulators are required to support a power line on the structure, and the poles may be smaller. Moreover, because of the physical properties of the material, the poles will have a very long life, which further reduces costs.
the support structures in accordance with the invention are preferably manufactured in the form of poles by winding fiberglass under tension around a mandrel while supplying the inorganic cement, to form a fiberglass winding in an inorganic-cement matrix.
Poles such as this may be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the number of transmission lines to be supported and the terrain.
a support pole is a single, elongated element tapered from the bottom to the top having one or more cross pieces with insulators for engaging the transmission lines.
the support structures may, however, be of other shapes, such as that of a tower having trusses constructed from individual pieces made of the inorganic cement composite material.
the support structure When the support structure is in the shape of a pole, it may be attached to the ground in any of several ways.
the bottom portion of the pole may simply planted in the ground.
the pole is provided with a bottom flange for engaging a base structure, such as a concrete base that has been installed previously.
the flange is attached to the pole is any of several ways.
the cross pieces may be attached to the pole by any of several techniques.
a tapered receptacle is formed in the composite material during manufacture and a cross piece made of the same composite material is held in the receptacle by grout, which is preferably expanding grout for ensuring a secure connection.
An object of this invention is to provide an inductively transparent structure for supporting high tension transmission lines.
Another object of this invention is to provide a support structure for high tension transmission lines that is inexpensive and yet highly resistant to environmental conditions.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a support structure for high tension transmission lines that has superior physical strength.
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein an apparatus 2 for supporting high-tension power lines comprises a support structure 4 and line securing elements 6 made of inductively transparent, substantially continuous glass fibers and inorganic cements, such as those described in the aforementioned Mott patent.
the support structure shown in figure 1 is in the shape of a tapered pole and is supported in the ground by placing a lower end of the pole in a hole in the ground.
the pole illustrated in figure 1 may be made by winding glass fibers under tension about a tapered mandrel while supplying the inorganic cement. The mandrel is then withdrawn after the composite material has cured and the line-securing elements are added.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate one method for attaching the line-securing elements to the support structure.
the line securing element 6 comprises a cross beam 8 that supports an insulator 10, the transmission line itself (not illustrated) being attached to the insulator 10.
Figure 3 illustrates the connection between the cross beam 8 and the support structure 4.
a receptacle 12 in the shape of two truncated cones placed back-to-back is first made from the inductively transparent inorganic cement composite material.
the glass may be wound on a cardboard mandrel of the desired shape or a collapsible mandrel of that shape.
the receptacle is then made a part of the support structure by winding it into the composite material during manufacture of the support structure.
the crossbeam 8 is wound with known techniques except that a central section 14 is enlarged to provide an exterior shape similar to the interior of the receptacle.
the maximum outside diameter of the cross beam 8 is just less than the smallest inside diameter of the receptacle to allow the cross beam to be inserted into the receptacle.
the cross beam is secured to the receptacle by filling the gap 16 with grout, which preferably expands as it cures, to hold the cross beam securely to the support structure 4.
Other means may be used to secure the cross beam to the support structure, such as by providing threaded holes for bolting the two parts together.
other prior art structures may be used in combination with the components made of inductively transparent composites. For example, a wood crossbeam, and metal parts, such as bolts or brackets that are small and induct only insignificantly may be employed.
Figure 2 illustrates one technique for holding a insulator 10 to the cross beam 8.
the insulator includes a shaft 18 that has the insulator at one end and is threaded at the other for receiving a nut.
the shaft passes through holes that have been drilled in the cross beam 8.
the end of the cross beam may also be filled with grout or cement 20 by placing a plug of foam 22 in the end of the beam and pouring the grout in the end. This will seal the end of the beam and allow the nut to be tightened without damaging the beam.
Figures 4 through 6 illustrate several techniques for attaching the support structure to the ground.
the embodiments of these figures attach the support structure to a base that has previously been secured to the ground, whereas the embodiment shown in figure 1 simply places the bottom of the pole in a hole in the ground.
the top of the pole should be capped.
a pole made of the disclosed composite materials may have characteristics different from those of normally used poles, it may be desirable to add weight to other parts of the pole to adjust these characteristics.
Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment where a cylindrical sleeve 24 having a flange 26 attached thereto, as by welding, is placed in the lower end of the support structure.
the preferred method of constructing the support structure is by winding on a mandrel, and this results in the support structure's being hollow.
the cylindrical sleeve can be placed inside the support structure such that the flange can be attached to a base 28 having threaded studs 30 by nuts 32.
a gap 34 between the sleeve and the inside of the pole is filed with grout to hold the pole to the sleeve.
Figure 5 shows an embodiment wherein a sleeve 36 is secured to the exterior of the pole 4. This sleeve is attached to a flange 26, which is bolted to the base 28 as shown in figure 4.
the gap 38 is filled with grout.
Figure 6 illustrates yet another embodiment wherein the iower end of the pole is tapered such that it narrows toward the end and is provided with a conical sleeve 40.
the sleeve 40 is used as a mandrel during winding and the pole is provided with an increased number of circumferential windings to provide increased hoop strength in this area. Also, the sleeve 40 may be provided with a rough exterior to provide increased gripping with the interior of the pole.
the sleeve 40 is provided with a bottom plate 42 having a central hole and a nut 44 aligned with the hole and welded to the plate.
the bottom portion of the pole is received in an outer sleeve 46, which is secured to a flange 26 and supported by a conical shoulder 48, which is secured to the outer sleeve at its upper edge and also to the flange 26.
the plate 42 is held in the outer sleeve by a bolt 50, which pulls the conical bottom part of the pole into the conical sleeve 46 to secure the pole to the flange. It will be appreciated that this is a quite secure arrangement because tension forces on the pole are resisted by the strength of the inwardly tapered bottom part of the pole. Because this part is provided with extra hoops, it is very strong and, thus, is capable of resisting such forces.

Landscapes

Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
Architecture (AREA)
Civil Engineering (AREA)
Structural Engineering (AREA)
Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
Materials Engineering (AREA)
Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
Reinforcement Elements For Buildings (AREA)
Electric Cable Installation (AREA)
Insulators (AREA)
Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
Foundations (AREA)
Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
Organic Insulating Materials (AREA)
Macromolecular Compounds Obtained By Forming Nitrogen-Containing Linkages In General (AREA)

EP97930177A 1996-06-28 1997-06-26 Improved power transmission support structures Expired - Lifetime EP0907807B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
US2075396P	1996-06-28	1996-06-28
US20753P		1996-06-28
PCT/US1997/010794 WO1998000615A1 (en)	1996-06-28	1997-06-26	Improved power transmission support structures

Publications (3)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP0907807A1 EP0907807A1 (en)	1999-04-14
EP0907807A4 EP0907807A4 (en)	2002-11-06
EP0907807B1 true EP0907807B1 (en)	2004-08-18

Family

ID=21800371

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP97930177A Expired - Lifetime EP0907807B1 (en)	1996-06-28	1997-06-26	Improved power transmission support structures

Country Status (8)

Country	Link
EP (1)	EP0907807B1 (es)
AT (1)	ATE274117T1 (es)
AU (1)	AU723443B2 (es)
CA (1)	CA2259182C (es)
DE (1)	DE69730329T2 (es)
ES (1)	ES2225978T3 (es)
NZ (1)	NZ333575A (es)
WO (1)	WO1998000615A1 (es)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
ITMI20002104A1 (it) *	2000-09-28	2002-03-28	Iguzzini Illuminazione Srl	Lampione per illuminazione stradale
NL1027605C2 (nl) *	2004-11-26	2006-05-29	Laszlo Imre Vakar	Hoogspanningsmast, energietransportsysteem, energietransportwerkwijze en assemblagewerkwijze.
CN101309875A (zh) *	2005-07-29	2008-11-19	专业复合材料有限责任公司	用于和耐碱性玻璃纤维一起使用的含水泥合成物以及这种合成物制成的杆状物
NO20160271A1 (no) *	2016-02-16	2016-11-04	Comrod As	Anordning og fremgangsmåte for innfesting og oppretting av en komposittmast.
NO346092B1 (no) *	2020-08-27	2022-02-07	Comrod As	Feste for en komposittmast til en oppover-ragende konisk formet festesøyle med en ringformet flens, og fremgangamåte for å feste en komposittmast med en slik konisk formet festesøyle til grunnen

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US4088808A (en) *	1976-01-16	1978-05-09	Cornwell Charles E	Shaped articles of hydraulic cement compositions with a glossy reflective surface and reinforced with fiber glass

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US839272A (en) *	1906-09-24	1906-12-25	Anderson G Crow	Cement pole.
US1711824A (en) *	1926-07-12	1929-05-07	George E Barnhart	Tapered drawn structural element
US2066419A (en) *	1934-07-26	1937-01-05	Pfistershammer Josef	Tubular post
US2128294A (en) *	1936-04-18	1938-08-30	Robert B Gage	Post
US2702103A (en) *	1948-11-10	1955-02-15	Pfistershamer Josef	Tubular pole
US3713262A (en) *	1970-12-10	1973-01-30	J Jatcko	Taper lock break-away pole structure
US4007075A (en) *	1973-12-10	1977-02-08	Cascade Pole Company	Method of making a fiberglass pole
US4312162A (en) *	1979-08-15	1982-01-26	Jonas Medney	Reinforced pole
US5285613A (en) *	1992-01-31	1994-02-15	Goldsworthy W Brandt	Pultruded joint system and tower structure made therewith
US4785593A (en) *	1986-10-27	1988-11-22	Munoz Jr Jose C	Structural building system
US4921222A (en)	1988-04-05	1990-05-01	Advanced Metals Technology Corp.	Fiber composite article and method of manufacture
US4813651A (en) *	1988-06-30	1989-03-21	Rutledge Terry G	Fence post with saddle support construction and method therefore
US5197253A (en) *	1990-12-31	1993-03-30	Johnson David W	Interlocking joint pultrusion construction
US5175971A (en) *	1991-06-17	1993-01-05	Mccombs P Roger	Utility power pole system

1997
- 1997-06-26 WO PCT/US1997/010794 patent/WO1998000615A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-06-26 EP EP97930177A patent/EP0907807B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-06-26 AU AU58328/98A patent/AU723443B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-06-26 AT AT97930177T patent/ATE274117T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-06-26 DE DE69730329T patent/DE69730329T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-06-26 NZ NZ333575A patent/NZ333575A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-06-26 ES ES97930177T patent/ES2225978T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-06-26 CA CA002259182A patent/CA2259182C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
US4088808A (en) *	1976-01-16	1978-05-09	Cornwell Charles E	Shaped articles of hydraulic cement compositions with a glossy reflective surface and reinforced with fiber glass

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
CA2259182A1 (en)	1998-01-08
CA2259182C (en)	2002-11-19
AU5832898A (en)	1999-01-25
DE69730329D1 (de)	2004-09-23
EP0907807A4 (en)	2002-11-06
ES2225978T3 (es)	2005-03-16
DE69730329T2 (de)	2005-09-08
EP0907807A1 (en)	1999-04-14
NZ333575A (en)	1999-10-28
ATE274117T1 (de)	2004-09-15
AU723443B2 (en)	2000-08-24
WO1998000615A1 (en)	1998-01-08

Publication	Publication Date	Title
US6851231B2 (en)	2005-02-08	Precast post-tensioned segmental pole system
CA2940979C (en)	2022-04-05	Hybrid concrete - composite tower for a wind turbine and method of manufacturing
AU2010241529B2 (en)	2014-03-06	Tower foundation system and method for providing such system
US9416555B2 (en)	2016-08-16	Structure for supporting electric power transmission lines
US20120233959A1 (en)	2012-09-20	Reinforcement system for poles
JPH03505476A (ja)	1991-11-28	支柱、特に電力供給ケーブルを保持するための支柱
US6834469B2 (en)	2004-12-28	Utility line support member
CN101798882A (zh)	2010-08-11	用于输配电网的混合结构复合杆塔及其制造方法
US5880404A (en)	1999-03-09	Power transmission support structures
EP0907807B1 (en)	2004-08-18	Improved power transmission support structures
WO2001002662A3 (en)	2001-07-19	Environmentally compatible pole and piling
US4388787A (en)	1983-06-21	Pole construction
CN102859076A (zh)	2013-01-02	铺设地基的方法
US5986216A (en)	1999-11-16	Reinforced insulator
US6910826B1 (en)	2005-06-28	Breakaway coupling
CN204385762U (zh)	2015-06-10	一种岩石锚杆基础结构
CN206512623U (zh)	2017-09-22	一种铁路线附属设施
CN214303116U (zh)	2021-09-28	一种设有预制桩基础的通信塔
RU153340U1 (ru)	2015-07-10	Фундамент многоразового использования под композитную опору линии электропередачи
CN213174294U (zh)	2021-05-11	一种安装间钢筋混凝土侧墙结构
CN209905000U (zh)	2020-01-07	一种水利工程用监测浮筒
CN210714041U (zh)	2020-06-09	一种电力通信塔支撑装置
CN220790781U (zh)	2024-04-16	一种电线杆固定结构
CN219365601U (zh)	2023-07-18	一种10kV配网复合材料电杆
AU2003204889B2 (en)	2008-06-12	Hybrid utility pole

Legal Events

Date	Code	Title	Description
1999-02-26	PUAI	Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012
1999-04-14	17P	Request for examination filed	Effective date: 19990106
1999-04-14	AK	Designated contracting states	Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
2002-11-06	A4	Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched	Effective date: 20020924
2002-11-06	AK	Designated contracting states	Kind code of ref document: A4 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
2002-11-06	RIC1	Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant	Free format text: 7E 04C 3/36 A, 7E 04H 12/22 B, 7E 04H 12/02 B, 7E 04H 12/24 B
2003-04-02	17Q	First examination report despatched	Effective date: 20030212
2003-05-14	RAP1	Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)	Owner name: MARYLAND COMPOSITES CORPORATION
2004-01-24	GRAP	Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1
2004-06-25	GRAS	Grant fee paid	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3
2004-07-02	GRAA	(expected) grant	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210
2004-08-18	AK	Designated contracting states	Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
2004-08-18	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20040818
2004-08-18	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D
2004-08-31	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP
2004-09-22	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D
2004-09-23	REF	Corresponds to:	Ref document number: 69730329 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20040923 Kind code of ref document: P
2004-11-18	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20041118 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20041118 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20041118
2005-02-01	NLV1	Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
2005-02-28	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL
2005-03-16	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2225978 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3
2005-05-27	ET	Fr: translation filed
2005-06-24	PLBE	No opposition filed within time limit	Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261
2005-06-24	STAA	Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent	Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT
2005-06-26	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050626
2005-06-27	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050627
2005-06-30	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050630
2005-08-10	26N	No opposition filed	Effective date: 20050519
2006-03-22	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A
2008-01-02	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20050118
2010-07-30	PGFP	Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20100617 Year of fee payment: 14 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20100615 Year of fee payment: 14
2010-08-31	PGFP	Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20100622 Year of fee payment: 14
2010-11-30	PGFP	Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20100401 Year of fee payment: 14 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20100630 Year of fee payment: 14
2012-02-29	GBPC	Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee	Effective date: 20110626
2012-02-29	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110626
2012-03-23	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20120229
2012-04-12	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 69730329 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20120103
2012-04-30	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110630 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20120103
2012-06-29	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110626
2012-07-17	REG	Reference to a national code	Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20120717
2012-07-31	PG25	Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]	Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20110627