High-voltage cable clamp with integral cable rollers

Abstract

A high voltage cable clamp supports a cable on a surface. The high voltage cable clamp includes a roller having a body, a first end, and a second end. A roller shaft is positioned within the roller. The roller shaft extends beyond the first end and the second end of the roller. The roller mounting bracket receives the roller shaft and supports the roller thereon. The lower clip is rotatably mounted on the roller shaft. The upper clip is secured to the lower clip above the cable positioned on the lower clip to form a high voltage cable clip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cable clamp, and more particularly, to a high-voltage cable clamp having an integral cable roller. Background Technology

[0002] The world is rapidly shifting towards renewable energy, and current power infrastructure will be unable to meet the enormous demand for more electricity. The world is increasingly struggling to meet these new demands. A significant portion of future upgrades will be achieved through the use of large underground high-voltage cables.

[0003] The installation of high-voltage cables is an extensive and difficult process due to their sheer size and weight. A trench leading to the tunnel entrance is excavated. A large cable reel is placed at the cable's starting point, and large rollers are positioned throughout the cable trench. The cable is pulled out and dragged along the rollers by heavy machinery. Once the cables reach the entrance, they are either pulled alongside pre-installed cable clamps in the tunnel lining (see Figure 1) and lifted into the clamps by heavy machinery, or pulled through the clamps using pre-placed external rollers. In both methods, the top of the cable clamp is removed, and then replaced once the cable is in place. Once the top portion of the clamp is bolted in place, the cable is secured and protected against potential short-circuit faults. Therefore, the immense weight and friction between the clamp and the cable make the latter part of the installation challenging. The process of removing and replacing the top clamp further increases the time required for this phase.

[0004] Current high-voltage cable clamps come in a variety of configurations, materials, and sizes. Most cable clamps consist of two parts: a top clamp and a bottom clamp, secured together around the cable by one or two bolts. Current cable clamps do not help improve cable movement through the clamps during installation. The current installation process requires additional equipment, such as rollers or machinery specific to tunnel projects, to guide and assist in pulling the cable through. This additional heavy machinery also adds complexity. The use of rollers also increases cost and difficulty, as rollers require time to set up and need regular maintenance or replacement. The added difficulty due to the use of rollers has also proven time-consuming.

[0005] There is a need for a clamp suitable for high-voltage applications requiring underwater installation. There is also a need for an improved cable clamp that facilitates cable installation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention relates to a high-voltage cable clamp used to support cables. The high-voltage cable clamp includes a roller having a body, a first end, and a second end. A roller shaft is positioned within the roller. The roller shaft extends beyond the first and second ends of the roller. A roller mounting bracket receives the roller shaft, which extends beyond the roller. The roller mounting bracket supports the roller thereon. A lower clamp is rotatably mounted on the roller shaft, which is mounted to the roller mounting bracket and extends beyond the roller. An upper clamp is fixed to the lower clamp above the cable positioned on the lower clamp to form the high-voltage cable clamp. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art clamp for aligning and installing clover-shaped cable structures in tunnels.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the high-voltage cable clamp of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An exploded view of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the rollers of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0011] Figure 5A yes Figure 2 A 3D view of the lower left clamp of the high-voltage cable clamp.

[0012] Figure 5B yes Figure 2 A 3D view of the lower right clamp of the high-voltage cable clamp.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the roller mounting frame for high-voltage cable clamps.

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the fastening bracket of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the upper clamp of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0016] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A top view of the upper clamp of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0017] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A front view of the upper clamp of a high-voltage cable clamp.

[0018] Figure 11This is a perspective view of the high-voltage cable clamp of implementation scheme 2, which is partially assembled with the cable portion positioned on the rollers.

[0019] Figure 12 This is a front view of the high-voltage cable clamp of implementation scheme 2, which is assembled together with two cables positioned on rollers.

[0020] Figure 13 yes Figure 2 A front view of a high-voltage cable clamp, in which a clover-shaped cable structure is mounted on the clamp.

[0021] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 A perspective view of a high-voltage cable clamp, in which a clover-shaped cable structure is mounted on the clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 2 A high-voltage cable clamp 20 of the present invention is shown. The cable clamp 20 is suitably sized for a specific cable diameter and has softened edges in all potential cable contact areas. As described below, the cable clamp 20 is positioned from an initial position that facilitates cable installation ( Figures 11 to 12 Rotate to the installed position, with the upper clamp 140 positioned above cable 300. Figures 13 to 14 ).

[0023] Figure 3 The components of the high-voltage cable clamp 20 of the present invention are shown. The cable clamp 20 includes a roller mounting bracket 30, a fastening bracket 50, rollers 70, a lower clamp 110, and an upper clamp 140. Figure 4 As shown, the roller 70 is barbell-shaped, having a cylindrical body 72, a first end 74, and a second end 78. The first end 74 includes a central opening 76 that extends through the roller 70 to a central opening 80 in the second end 78 (see...). Figure 12 This defines the hollow center portion 82 that passes through the roller 70. (For example...) Figure 3 As shown, the roller shaft 90 is positioned within the hollow center portion 82 of the roller 70. The roller shaft 90 includes a first end 92 with a pin hole 94 and a second end 96 with a pin hole 98. The length of the roller shaft 90 is longer than the length of the roller 70. Therefore, when the roller shaft 90 is positioned within the hollow center portion 82 of the roller 70, the pin hole 94 at the first end 92 and the pin hole 98 at the second end 96 of the roller shaft 90 can be reached from the outside of each end 74, 78 of the roller 70. Figure 3 As shown and described below, locking pins 200 are installed in pin holes 94, 98 at each end 92, 96 of roller shaft 90 to secure roller 70 to roller mounting bracket 30.

[0024] Figure 5A and 5B The lower clamp 110 is shown. Each lower clamp 110 includes a contact member 112 having two opposing ends 114, 116 and attachment members 122, 124 extending from each opposing end 114, 116, respectively. The ends 114, 116 of the contact member 112 also include mounting holes 118, 120 for receiving fasteners 190 for securing the upper clamp 140 to the lower clamp 110, such as... Figure 2 As shown. Attachment members 122, 124 include circular openings 126, 128 for receiving roller shafts 90 extending beyond roller 70. The circular openings 126, 128 of adjacent attachment members 122, 124 of the lower clamp 110, and the central openings 76, 80 in roller 70 and roller mount 30 (see...) Figure 12 They are aligned with each other to receive the roller shaft 90 extending through the roller 70.

[0025] like Figure 6 As shown, the roller mount 30 includes a base 32 having a first end 34 and a second end 40. A first set of arms 36 extends from the first end 34, and a second set of arms 42 extends from the second end 40. The first set of arms 36 are aligned and include a central opening 38 therethrough, and the second set of arms 42 are aligned and include a central opening 44 therethrough. The central openings 38, 44 are designed to receive and support roller shafts 90 extending through the roller 70, thereby enabling the roller 70 to be mounted to the roller mount 30.

[0026] Figure 7 A fastening bracket 50 is shown for securing a high-voltage cable clamp 20 to a ladder or other surface. The fastening bracket 50 is C-shaped, having a central portion 52 and opposing legs 54, 58. The first leg 54 includes a pair of square openings 56 for receiving the square head 172 of a fastener 170, and the second leg 58 includes a pair of round openings 60 for receiving the rod 174 of the fastener 170 to secure the fastening bracket 50 to the mounting surface. The fastener 170 is secured to the fastening bracket 50 by a nut 176. Before installing the fastener 170, roller 70, lower clamp 110, and upper clamp 140, the fastening bracket 50 is positioned above the roller mounting bracket 30 (see [link to image]). Figure 2 ).

[0027] Figures 8 to 10An upper clamp 140 is shown. The upper clamp 140 includes an arched member 142 having a first end 144 and a second end 150. Mounting members 146 and 152 extend from the first end 144 and the second end 150, respectively. Mounting members 146 and 152 each include circular openings 148 and 154 for receiving fasteners 190 to secure the upper clamp 140 to one of the lower clamps 110. The arched member 142 is designed to mount on a cloverleaf cable configuration. The arched member 142 includes an inwardly facing reinforcing recess 156. When the upper clamp 140 is mounted on a triangular cable configuration, the recess 156 engages the cable.

[0028] During cable installation, the cable clamp 20 is mounted on the surface via the fastening bracket 50. For example... Figures 11 to 12 As shown, the two lower clamps 110 have been rotated downwards to the initial mounting position for cable installation. The lower clamps 110 are rotated to a position that allows the cable to enter unobstructed through the rollers 70. Therefore, the rollers 70 can rotate freely and assist in pulling the cable in the cable management system.

[0029] Once the cable is placed in the desired position, the lower clamps 110 are rotated to the installed position, in which the contact members 112 of each lower clamp 110 engage with the underside of the cable.

[0030] like Figures 13 to 14 As shown, after the lower clamp 110 is rotated and positioned in the installed position, two upper clamps 140 are positioned above the cable 300. The upper clamps 140 are positioned such that the circular openings 148, 154 of each mounting member 146, 152 are positioned above one of the holes 118, 120 at the ends 114, 116 of the contact member 112 of the lower clamp 110. Fasteners 190 are installed through the aligned circular openings 148, 154 and holes 118, 120, and secured by nuts 192. Thus, the upper clamps 140 are secured to the lower clamp 110 in the installed position to form the cable clamp 20 of the present invention.

[0031] The cable clamp 20 of this invention can be used in high-voltage applications and underwater installations. The integral rollers, detachable upper clamp, and radial lower clamp accommodate any cable sag that may exist in a cable management system. The high-voltage cable clamp of this invention can accommodate various cable configurations and is easy to install onto surfaces.

[0032] Furthermore, although specific preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. The foregoing description and drawings are illustrative only and not limiting. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined appropriately in the appended claims based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A high-voltage cable clamp for supporting a cable, the high-voltage cable clamp comprising: A roller having a body, a first end, and a second end; A roller shaft, the roller shaft being positioned within the roller and extending beyond the first end and the second end of the roller; A roller mounting bracket that receives the roller shaft and supports the roller thereon; A lower clamp, rotatably mounted on the roller shaft; and The upper clamp is fixed to the lower clamp.

2. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower clamp rotates from the installation position that facilitates cable installation to the installed position.

3. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end of the roller includes a central opening, and the second end of the roller includes a central opening, the central opening at the first end of the roller extending to the central opening at the second end of the roller, defining a hollow central portion in the roller.

4. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 3, characterized in that, The roller shaft is positioned within the hollow center portion of the roller.

5. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller shaft has a first end with a pin hole and a second end with a pin hole, whereby a locking pin passes through the pin hole for positioning, thereby securing the roller shaft to the roller mounting bracket.

6. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller mount includes: a base having a first end and a second end; a first set of arms with aligned central openings extending from the first end; and a second set of arms with aligned central openings extending from the second end. The central opening of the first set of arms receives one end of the roller shaft, and the central opening of the second set of arms receives the opposite end of the roller shaft, so as to mount the roller on the roller mounting bracket.

7. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper clamp includes: an arched member having a first end and a second end; a first mounting member having a circular opening extending from the first end; and a second mounting member having a circular opening extending from the second end.

8. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circular opening of the first mounting member and the circular opening of the second mounting member are positioned above the hole at the end of the lower clamp, whereby a fastener is installed through the circular opening in the upper clamp and the hole at the end of the lower clamp to secure the upper clamp to the lower clamp, thereby forming the cable clamp.

9. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper clamp includes an inwardly facing recess for engaging a cable mounted in the high-voltage cable clamp.

10. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower clamp includes a contact member having two opposite ends and an attachment member extending from each opposite end.

11. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that, The end of the contact member includes a mounting hole for receiving a fastener to secure the upper clamp to the lower clamp.

12. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 10, characterized in that, The attachment member includes a circular opening for receiving the roller shaft extending beyond the first and second ends of the roller.

13. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 12, characterized in that, The circular opening of the adjacent lower clamp attachment member is aligned with the central opening in the roller and the central opening in the roller mount to receive the roller shaft extending beyond the first and second ends of the roller.

14. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fastening bracket for securing the cable clamp to the surface, wherein the fastening bracket includes a central portion having opposing legs.

15. The high-voltage cable clamp according to claim 14, characterized in that, One of the opposing legs includes a square opening for receiving a square head fastener, and the other of the opposing legs includes a circular opening for receiving a rod of the fastener to secure the fastening bracket.

16. A method for installing a high-voltage cable clamp, wherein a cable is fixed to the cable clamp, the method comprising: A roller with a roller shaft extending beyond a first end and a second end of the roller is provided, wherein the roller shaft is mounted to a roller mount and extends beyond the roller mount to support the roller on the roller mount. A lower clamp is provided, the lower clamp being positioned on the roller shaft, the roller shaft extending beyond the roller mount; The roller shaft is secured to the roller mounting bracket by at least one locking pin; and The lower clamp is rotated downwards to the mounting position to provide access to the rollers supported by the roller mount.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: The cable on the high-voltage cable clamp is pulled by rotating the rollers mounted to the roller mounting bracket.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Rotate the lower clamp to the installed position, wherein the contact member of the lower clamp engages the underside of the cable.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Position the upper clamp above the cable; as well as The upper clamp is secured to the lower clamp using fasteners.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Position the fastening bracket above the roller mounting bracket to secure the high-voltage cable clamp to the surface.

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