Arrangement for cable installation

EP4728603A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-04-22VOLTIGO OY
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
VOLTIGO OY
Filing Date
2024-06-16
Publication Date
2026-04-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing cable installation methods face challenges in managing the pull force during cable installation, as minor power may not move the cable effectively while excessive power can damage it, especially in installations with complex routes and limited spaces, where the winch and cable puller forces can exceed the maximum allowed pull force, risking cable damage.

Method used

A system comprising a winch and at least one cable puller, with a control unit that adjusts the pull speed and forces to ensure they operate within the maximum allowed pull force, using communication equipment to synchronize their efforts and prevent excessive force application, allowing for precise control of the cable installation process.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively prevents cable damage by ensuring that the forces applied during installation remain within the safe limits, allowing for successful and efficient cable installation even in complex routes and limited spaces, while providing real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An invention relates to a cable installation, especially inside buildings The invention concerns an arrangement (100) for installing a cable (101) by using a winch (102) and a cable puller (103). The arrangement (100) further comprises a control unit (106), communication equipment (107), an input device (108) for installation information, and a controller (109) for a speed value. The arrangement (100) is configured to receive via the input device (108) a maximum pull force of the cable (101), to calculate in the control unit (106) on the basis of the speed value a computational force (110) directed by the winch (102) to the cable and a second computational force (111) directed by the cable puller (103) to the cable, and to cut the power when the force to the cable by the winch (102) or the force to the cable by the cable puller (103) exceeds the maximum pull force.
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Description

[0001] Arrangement for cable installation

[0002] Area of technology: an invention relates to cable installation, especially installations inside buildings or in indoor spaces.

[0003] Background of the technology

[0004] A cable means is this context a power cable or a telecommunication cable. Usually cables, which are light in weight and have a small diameter, are installed using an installation pipe. Heavy cables, which are long and have large diameter, are usually installed indoor using a cable shelf.

[0005] An installation route from a starting point to an ending point may be long and curvy and it may include acclivities and / or declivities, and friction may alternate along the installation route. When the cable to be installed is a power cable, there are copper or aluminum conductors inside the protection cover of the cable. Correspondingly, a telecommunication cable includes optical fibers. Conductors, fibers, or the protection cover of the cable may break up when pulling the cable with a winch. Therefore, the challenge in a cable installation is that with a minor power the winch cannot move the cable and with a major power the winch may damage the cable.

[0006] A cable manufacturer usually notifies what is the maximum of pull force allowed to be used in the installation. The pull force is notified as mass units, for example, in kilograms (kg) or in pounds (lb). Alternatively, the pull force is notified as Newton (N) units. On Earth 100 g corresponds approximately to one Newton (1 N).

[0007] Publication KR101439833 shows a cable installation example related to a pipeline. The publication describes a system in which a cable is released from a drum and the end of the cable is lead via an inlet into a pipe. The end of the cable is attached to a rope by which a winch tows the cable. The tension of the cable is monitored using a monitoring device placed in the proximity of the drum. The monitoring device outputs data and the data is collected wirelessly and simultaneously stored in a control box when an operator (person) supervises the cable installation. In more detail, the operator uses a remote terminal by which he has a communication connection to the control box. The state of the cable is identified on the basis of the following pieces of information: 1) the length of the cable released so far from the drum, 2) the exact perimeter of the cable, and 3) and the photographs of the cable surface. Use of a motorized large-sized drum described in KR101439833 is problematic in in very limited spaces. Another problem is missing of a review. In other words, the operator should receive immediately a message, for example, when the cable gets twisted, which may interrupt the cable installation.

[0008] KR20150077230 shows a system intended for shipbuilding in which a cable installation is monitored by a moveable camera. Twisting of the cable can be detected and avoided using a camera system. The camera system provides picture data for the present review of the cable installation.

[0009] US11581714 shows a system for pulling a cable through a pipe. The system uses a cable puller that comprises a camera on its head. The camera sends images to a remote controller and the cable puller is managed from the remote controller. Also this system provides image data for the review of the cable installation. The cable puller shown in said publication includes flexible rings by which cable puller gets a grip from the inner surface of a pipe and is able to move forward in the pipe.

[0010] Publication KR101486212 shows a method related to shipbuilding. The method utilizes one or more device pairs which are permanently mounted to a ship. One device in a device pair pushes a cable, i.e. it operates as a cable pusher, and the other device in the pair pulls the cable, i.e. it operates as a cable puller. Torque of the device propelling the cable is measured between certain time intervals. When the device reaches its maximum torque ability the device or the cable may get damaged, due to which the all devices propelling the cable are temporally stopped. Later on, one or the both of devices in the device pair are started again.

[0011] WO2022047216 shows a wireless control module for guiding a cable installation. The control module can operate in two modes: as a repeater or as an endpoint. The control module enables that a winch for towing a cable and a cable feeder are simultaneously used. The cable feeder comprises two spools with traction surface (made of rubber) and the cable feeder is used such that the cable is placed between the spools and by rotating at least one spool, the cable is released from a reel.

[0012] A cable pulling grip is one common tool for cable pulling. It may be attached by a manufacturer to end of the cable. Alternatively, it is attachable later on to the cable. Summary of the invention

[0013] One aspect of the invention is to solve the above mentioned technical challenge related to a cable installation in an arrangement in which a winch and at least one cable puller are used in the cable installation.

[0014] One aspect of the invention is to receive implementation information from a supervisor or some other user. The implementation information includes a maximum pull force that is the maximum pull force for the cable when using a cable pulling grip attached by the cable manufacturer, or the maximum pull force for the cable when using a cable pulling grip attachable to the cable later on.

[0015] One aspect of the invention is to provide a controller to control simultaneously a winch and at least one cable puller such that the winch and said at least one cable puller move a cable on the same pull speed. The user can adjust via the controller the pull speed with or without steps. The pull speed value to be given with the controller is, for example, a percent number 0 - 100, wherein 0 means an interruption of the cable installation and 100 means the maximum pull speed.

[0016] One aspect of the invention is to calculate on the basis of the speed value obtained from a user the forces that would be targeted to the cable, and adjust the speed value, if use of the speed value would mean exceeding of the maximum pull force. In this manner, a cable damage caused by too large force is avoided.

[0017] The invention concerns an arrangement for a cable installation and comprises a winch for pulling the cable by a rope, a cable puller including a first wheel and a second wheel such that the cable is moveable by the cable puller when placing the cable between the first wheel and the second wheel, a control unit for simultaneous usage of the winch and the cable puller, communication equipment for communication between the control unit, winch, and the cable puller, an input device for installation information, and a controller for a speed value describing a pulling speed of the cable. The arrangement is configured to receive via the input device a maximum pull force for the cable, calculate in the control unit on the basis of the speed value obtained from the controller a computational force directed by the winch to the cable and a second computational force directed by the cable puller to the cable, and use the winch and the cable puller via the communication equipment at most on a power in accordance with the maximum pull force when the computational force or the second computational force exceeds the maximum pull force.

[0018] Brief description of the drawings

[0019] For a more complete understanding of examples and embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] FIGURE 1 shows an arrangement for a cable installation,

[0021] FIGURE 2 shows a network server for storing the installation information,

[0022] FIGURE 3 shows a control unit, display, and a wireless terminal,

[0023] FIGURE 4 shows a tablet to be used as an input device and a controller,

[0024] FIGURE 5 shows an example of placing cameras in the arrangement,

[0025] FIGURE 6A shows a cable puller comprising wheels,

[0026] FIGURE 6B shows a cable puller comprising a caterpillar track,

[0027] FIGURE 6C shows a cable puller comprising wheels and a caterpillar track.

[0028] FIGURE 7 shows an arrangement comprising multiple cable pullers.

[0029] Detailed description of the invention

[0030] It is appreciated that the following embodiments in the specification are exemplary and although a piece of text describing an embodiment may refer to some other embodiment, the reference is usually just one option. Features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments. FIGURE 1 shows an arrangement 100 for assembling a cable 101. Arrangement 100 comprises a winch 102 for pulling cable 101 with a rope. Winch 102 and the other components in the figure are symbols, not real objects. Arrangement 100 comprises a cable puller 103 that can be implemented in a number of various manners. Generally speaking, the cable puller has a first wheel 104 and a second wheel 105 such that cable 101 can be propelled by placing cable 101 between first wheel 104 and second wheel 105. In one embodiment, cable 101 is propelled forward by using a power source that rotates first wheel 104 and second wheel 105 to opposite rotation directions. In another embodiment, cable 101 is propelled forward by using a power source that rotates either first wheel 104 or second wheel 105.

[0031] Arrangement 100 further comprises a control unit 106 to use simultaneously winch 102 and cable puller 103 as well as communication equipment 107 to communicate between control unit 106, winch 102, and cable puller 103.

[0032] Arrangement 100 comprises an input device 108 for receiving implementation information before starting the implementation of cable 101. Input device 108 is a tablet, for example. The largest allowed force for pulling cable 101, i.e. the maximum pull force, is the most important piece of the implementation information in arrangement 100. Some other pieces of the implementation information are a cable identifier e.g. ‘AHXAMK- W_20kv_3joht’ and an identifier (the name and the birthday) of a person who has input the implementation information.

[0033] Arrangement 100 further comprises a controller 109 for adjusting a speed value with steps or without steps. In one embodiment, the steps are percentages such as 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100, where 0 means a (temporal) interruption of the installation of cable 101 and 100 means a maximum pull speed. In this case, there are two pull devices and thus the maximum pull speed for cable 101 is the greatest (possible) pull speed of either winch 102 or cable puller 103. In one embodiment, the maximum pull speed is the maximum pull speed of the slowest pull device.

[0034] In one embodiment, a speed value to be given with controller 109 is a multiplier having value 0 - 1. The value indicates how large portion of the maximum pull speed a user wants to use for pulling cable 101. For example, multiplier 0.5 means that a user wants to have a half (50 %) of the maximum pull speed. When the user can give the speed value with two decimals the speed value is adjustable almost without steps. In one embodiment, the speed value to be given with controller 109 is a value that discloses a distance in relation to a time unit. The present pull speed is 1 m / min, for example, and the maximum pull speed of winch 102 is 6 m / min. Meters per second (m / s) can alternatively be used as the unit of speed.

[0035] Controller 109 is a visible and movable icon on the touch screen of a tablet, for example, or controller 109 is an input field for a speed value. The speed value obtained via controller 109 to arrangement 100 is originated from a supervisor, or more generally, from a user of arrangement 100. The user gives the speed value at least once during the installation of cable 101.

[0036] Arrangement 100 calculates in control unit 106, on the basis of the speed value obtained, a computational force 110 directed by winch 102 to the cable and a second computational force 111 directed by cable puller 103 to the cable.

[0037] Arrangement 100 reduces forces to the maximum pull force (or smaller) when computational force 110 or second computational force 111 exceeds the maximum pull force. In other words, arrangement 100 affects the power beforehand when winch 102 or cable puller 103 (or they both) would direct too large force to cable 101. The power means in this context electrical power, the power generated by compressed air, or the power generated by hydraulic to produce a force of a certain magnitude.

[0038] In one embodiment, arrangement 100 uses the power exactly in accordance with the speed value when the maximum pull force does not exceed. In other words, if computational force 110 directed by winch 102 to cable 101 and second computational force 111 directed by cable puller 103 to cable 101 are at most on the level of the maximum pull force, the factual force used by winch 102 is computational force 110 and the factual force used by cable puller 103 is second computational force 111.

[0039] Arrangement 100 comprises controller 109 by which a user can simultaneously adjust the pull speed of the all pull devices. The user can adjust the pull speed so that it is, at the moment, the most appropriate pull speed for installing cable 101.

[0040] The installation route from a starting point, such as cable reel 112, to an ending point, such as winch 102, may be long. Then more than one cable puller is needed on the installation route. In addition to the cable length, curves, and friction multipliers on the installation route affect the number of the needed cable pullers. A person skilled in the art can calculate the pull force to be required for pulling a cable. Therefore the calculation of the pull force is shortly discussed in three examples based on two mathematic formulas. Calculating the required pull force is important for determining how many cable pullers are needed in the cable installation.

[0041] A straight pull means that the installation route is straightforward, i.e. bends / curves are missing. The pull force to be required in the straight pull is calculated:

[0042] F = G x p, where

[0043] F is the pull force to be required daN (deka Newtons),

[0044] G is the cable mass (installation route in meters x cable mass per meter), and p is the friction multiplier.

[0045] Let us assume that the cable mass is 10 000 kg and the friction multiplier is 0.20. Then the pull force (F) to be required in the straight pull is obtained as follows:

[0046] 10 000 x 0.20 = 2 000 kg = 2 000 daN.

[0047] A bend pull means that the installation route includes bends / curves. The pull force to be required in the bend pull is calculated:

[0048] F = G x p x K, where G and p are the same as in the above, and

[0049] K is the product of bend multipliers.

[0050] A single bend multiplier is marked with a small letter k and the bend multipliers to be used are, for example: k = 1.1 when the bend angle is about 30°, k = 1.25 when the bend angle is about 60°, and k = 1.40 when the bend angle is about 90°.

[0051] Let us assume that the cable mass is 10 000 kg, the friction multiplier is 0.20, and the implementation route includes three bends each of which is 60°. Then the product of the bend multipliers is calculated:

[0052] K = k3= (1.25)3= 1.95. The pull force (F) to be required is therefore:

[0053] 10 000 x 0.20 x 1.95 = 3 900 kg = 3 900 daN.

[0054] Let us consider an equipment requirement in a situation when the pull force for propelling the cable is e.g. 1 140 daN. Let us assume that the pull force to be required must be reached by using 80 % power. The power means here an ability to propel cable 101 with a certain velocity. Then the equipment requirement is 1450 daN.

[0055] Let us consider then the maximum pull force which is defined by the cable producer and which is e.g. 900 daN. This means that by using only a winch in the cable installation the equipment requirement (1450 daN) cannot be reached without exceeding the maximum pull force (900 daN). Let us assume that a cable puller can pull the cable with the force of 700 daN using 80 % power. When the portion of the cable puller is subtracted from the equipment requirement, we get:

[0056] 1450 daN - 700 daN = 750 daN, thus the portion of the winch is 750 daN.

[0057] The portion of the winch (750 daN) remains below the maximum pull force (900 daN) and correspondingly the portion of the cable puller (700 daN) remains below the maximum pull force. Therefore, the cable can be installed without damaging it, by using the winch and one cable puller.

[0058] As mentioned in the above, a user handles controller 109 to set a speed value for arrangement 100. Let us next consider in which manner the speed value affect the devices to be used in the installation of cable 101.

[0059] It is important in arrangement 100 that the speed value to be given with controller 109 affect in the same manner winch 102 and cable puller 103. In more detail, winch 102 and cable puller 103 must propel cable 101 on the same speed so that the mass of cable 101 is divided among the pull devices in a pre-planned manner.

[0060] Let us mark the speed value SV and let us define the speed value as a multiplier which has value 0 - 1 and is adjustable without steps. Let us assume that winch 102 and cable puller 103 has the same maximum force. Then the computational force for winch 102 and cable puller 103 is equal and it’s calculated: computational force = FMAXXSV, where FMAX means the maximum force. Let us then assume that winch 102 and cable puller 103 have different maximum forces for propelling a cable. Let us mark their maximum forces 103 • Because the maximum forces are not equal, neither the computational forces are equal, i.e. computational force 110 directed by winch 102 to the cable differs from second computational force 111 directed by cable puller 103. The computational forces are calculated as follows: computational force 110 = xSV, second computational force 111 = xSV.

[0061] Arrangement 100 reduces the force of winch 102 such that it is at most the maximum pull force of cable 101, if computational force 110 is larger than the maximum pull force. Correspondingly, arrangement 100 reduces the force of cable puller 103 such that is at most the maximum pull force of cable 101, if second computational force 111 is larger than the maximum pull force.

[0062] Let us assume as in the previous example that the force to be required for winch 102 (to install cable 101) is 750 daN and the force to be required for cable puller 103 is 700 daN. When these forces are 80 % of the maximum forces of the devices, we get: 938 daN and 838 daN.

[0063] Let us assume according to the previous example that the maximum pull force of cable 101 is 900 daN. When considering 103 shown in the above it is obvious that cable puller 103 can be used with its maximum force 103 but winch 102 cannot, because 102 exceeds 900 daN.

[0064] In addition to adjusting the pull speed, Fig. 1 includes other characteristics.

[0065] In one embodiment, control unit 106 is a desktop computer that includes a display and whose wireless keyboard operates as input device 108 and as controller 109.

[0066] In one embodiment, communication equipment 107 for communication between winch 102 and cable puller 103 comprises wireless modems 113, 114, 115. Arrangement 100 is configured to use winch 102 and cable puller 103 via communication equipment 107 at most on the power in accordance with the maximum pull force. In one embodiment, arrangement 100 is configured to store the value of the maximum pull force into the nonvolatile memory included in control unit 106, where said piece of information is available for arrangement 100.

[0067] In one embodiment, arrangement 100 is configured to receive via input device 108 an identifier for cable 101 and store the identifier into nonvolatile memory 116. The identifier may be unique, i.e. it names a single cable. Alternatively, the identifier discloses a cable type. When the identifier discloses the cable type, there are a number of cables having the same identifier. In one embodiment, the installation information to be received via input device 108 comprises at least one of the following pieces of information: a) the length of cable 101, b) a friction multiplier, c) a bend angle value.

[0068] In one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory 116 in arrangement 100 is intended to store at least one of the following pieces of information: a) an identifier for cable 101 and b) the maximum pull force of cable 101. In one embodiment, nonvolatile memory 116 is further intended to store at least one of the following information: c) a speed value from controller 109, d) computational force 110 and second computational force 111.

[0069] The information to be stored into nonvolatile memory 116 enables reporting about the installation of cable 101. The use of force during to the installation of cable 101 is one reason for the reporting. In more detail, disclosing whether too much force is used? The report includes at least the before-mentioned information pieces a) and b) and possibly at least one of the information pieces c) or d). There may be a number of speed values from controller 109, i.e. the information pieces c), and they are attached to the report.

[0070] In one embodiment arrangement 100 creates a report about the installation of cable 101. Creating of the report can be executed such that spoofing its content is not basically possible. One option is that the information is written in encrypted form into the report file. The encryption must be decrypted before it’s possible to edit the report content (and the ciphering key is needed for the decryption).

[0071] FIGURE 2 shows a network server 201 for storing the installation information. One or more component such as nonvolatile memory 116 can be implemented in a different manner than in Figure 1. In one embodiment, nonvolatile memory 116 is located on network server 201 and the report file including the above-described subject matters will be created at network server 201. In one embodiment, the creation of report file starts from a moment when a user inputs the installation information for arrangement 100. Figure 2 shows the embodiment in which network server 201 is reachable via internet 202. In another embodiment, control unit 106 and network server 201 are the nodes of the same LAN (Local Area Network).

[0072] In one embodiment, a login to network server 201 requires knowing of a user identifier and a password, thus it’s impossible / unlikely that an outsider can edit the report.

[0073] Generally speaking, the intention in arrangement 100 is that the report describing the installation of cable 101, i.e. the report file, has reliable content.

[0074] FIGURE 3 shows a control unit 106, a display 301, and a wireless terminal 302. The arrangement can be implemented without a display by using analog buttons or controllers. Display 301, however, is useful in various purposes.

[0075] In one embodiment wireless terminal 302 operates as control unit 106. A laptop computer including display 301 is one example of wireless terminal 302. The keyboard of the laptop operates as input device 108 of the installation information and, in addition, as controller 109 of the speed value.

[0076] FIGURE 4 shows another example of wireless terminal 302, i.e. a tablet 401. Tablet 401 has touch screen that functions as display 301 intended for showing the pieces of information needed in the arrangement. The touch screen further operates as input device 108 and controller 109. Figure 4 shows a situation in which the cable installation is to begin, thus tablet 401 asks a supervisor (or a user) to input the maximum pull force into the input field.

[0077] FIGURE 5 shows an example of placing cameras for arrangement 100. At least one camera 500 is placed on the installation route of cable 101 between cable reel 112 and winch 102. A first camera 501 is placed in the proximity of cable puller 103 and a second camera 502 is placed in the proximity of winch 102. Figure 5 further shows an alternative for wireless modems. In this embodiment, communications equipment 107 comprises a communication cable 503 that connects winch 102 and cable puller 103 to control unit 106. Communication cable 503 is e.g. an Ethernet cable.

[0078] In one embodiment, communication cable 503 further connects first camera 501 and second camera 502 to control unit 106. Wireless terminal 302 and control unit 106 are in the embodiment shown in

[0079] Figure 5 different devices and they have a wireless connection which is presented with a dashed line. Control unit 106 does not need a display because tablet 401 comprises a display. Control unit 106 is, for example, a work station or a desktop computer.

[0080] Tablet 401 operates as wireless terminal 302 that is configured to receive video stream, or more generally, image data, from first camera 501. First camera 501 is mounted parallel with cable 101 such that it films propelling of cable 101 away from cable puller 103 (i.e. towards winch 102). Second camera 502 is mounted parallel with cable 101 such that it films propelling of cable towards winch 102.

[0081] FIGURE 6A shows cable puller 103 comprising wheels. Besides a cable puller the apparatus is also termed in the prior art a ‘cable pusher’ or a ‘cable dog’.

[0082] Cable puller 103 has wheels for propelling cable 101 including first wheel 104 and second wheel 105. The wheels are, for example, air-filled rubber tires such that first wheel 104 comprises a first (rubber) friction surface 601 and second wheel 105 comprises second (rubber) friction surface 602 for propelling cable 101. Cable 101 is placed between first friction surface 601 and second friction surface 602.

[0083] Propelling of cable 101 requires that at least one of the wheels is motorized. An electric motor intended for propelling second wheel 105 is placed inside the case / shell of cable puller 103.

[0084] A distance between the surfaces of first wheel 104 and second wheel 105 should be adjustable. In this example first wheel 104 and second wheel 105 are air-filled and thus the distance is increased by letting air out of the wheels. Then cable 101 can be guided between first wheel 104 and second wheel, after which air is pumped into the wheels.

[0085] Cable puller 103 must stay put during the pulling of cable 101. Therefore cable puller 103 comprises shackles, such as a shackle 603.

[0086] FIGURE 6B shows cable puller 103 comprising caterpillar tracks. There are two caterpillar tracks intended for propelling cable 101 such that cable 101 is located between a caterpillar track 611 and a second caterpillar track 612. Cable puller 103 operating with the two caterpillar tracks enables dividing the force to the large area on the outer surface of cable 101, which can be considered as a benefit of this embodiment. First wheel 104 is included in a wheelwork that rotates caterpillar track 611 and second wheel 105 is included in another wheelwork that rotates second caterpillar track 612. First wheel 104 and second wheel 105 are marked with dotted lines because they are located inside the case of cable puller 103.

[0087] The distance between caterpillar track 611 and second caterpillar track 612 is adjustable by hydraulic cylinders 613. Those cylinders are placed to the comers of cable puller 103. Cable puller 103 operates with pressurized liquid which it receives through a hydraulic hose 614.

[0088] Generally speaking, in the embodiment comprising caterpillar track 611, first wheel 104 or second wheel 105 of cable puller 103 touches caterpillar track 611 that is intended for propelling cable 101. Caterpillar track 611 has, for example, a friction surface made of rubber or plastic to ensure a firm grip. Alternatively, the friction surface is implemented by roughing a steel made caterpillar track.

[0089] FIGURE 6C shows cable puller 103 equipped with wheels and a caterpillar track. Cable puller 103 includes one caterpillar track and two wheels pressing cable 101 against caterpillar track 611. First wheel 104 is included here in a wheelwork that rotates caterpillar track 611.

[0090] First wheel 104 is marked with a dotted line because it is located inside the case of cable puller 103. Second wheel 105 and a third wheel 620 press cable 101 against caterpillar track 611.

[0091] The equipment of cable puller 103 further comprises a triangle structure to which second wheel 105 and third wheel 620 are attached to. Triangle structure 621 is attached from one of its corner (with bolts and nuts) to a body 622 in cable puller 103.

[0092] In one embodiment, body 622 of cable puller 103 is made of aluminum, thus the weight of body 622 is about 1 / 3 compared to the body made of steel. The lightness of body 622 is a benefit when cable puller 103 is put on a cable shelf, or into some other place where the volume is very limited. An upper side 623 in triangle structure 621 is adjustable in length, for example, with a turnbuckle. In more detail, the distance of first wheel 104 and third wheel 620 from caterpillar track 611 can be adjusted by increasing / decreasing the length of upper side 623.

[0093] In one embodiment, cable puller 103 comprises a permanent magnet motor 624 as its power source and cable puller 103 further comprises a frequency converter 625. Permanent magnet motor 624 is light in weight compared to other electric motors and the frequency converter enables adjusting a mechanical power of the permanent magnet motor without steps. Frequency converter 625 runs permanent magnet motor 624 by altering the frequency and voltage in the power supply system.

[0094] FIGURE 7 shows arrangement 100 comprising two cable pullers. More than two cable pullers can be used, if needed, but in this example cable puller 103 and a second cable puller 701 are capable to propel cable 101 on an installation route.

[0095] The installation route from cable reel 112 to winch 102 includes one vertical elevation 702 after which the installation route continues on a cable shelf made of aluminum or steel. There may be a need to use rollers, such as a roller 703, for preventing cable 101 to become excessively curved.

[0096] Control unit 106 is a device comprising at least one processor and one (RAM) memory. In addition to controlling cable puller 103, it is intended for controlling cable puller 103 via communication equipment 107. Control unit 106 has a task to calculate on the basis of the speed value obtained from controller 109 computational force 110 directed by winch 102 to cable 101, second computational force 111 directed by cable puller 103 to cable 101, and a third computational force 704 directed by second cable puller 701 to cable 101. If some of the computational forces exceed(s) the maximum pull force obtained via input device 108, control unit 106 uses winch 102, cable puller 103, and second cable puller 701 via communications equipment 107 at most on the power in accordance with the maximum pull force.

[0097] Pulling of cable 101 can be watched on the display of wireless terminal 302 on the basis of the video stream originated from at least one camera 500 when wireless terminal 302 has a communication connection to control unit 106.

[0098] Let us assume that frequency controller 625 runs permanent magnet motor 624 of winch 102 by altering the frequency and voltage in the power supply of the motor. The electric power follows the formula:

[0099] P = UI, where U is the voltage and I is the current.

[0100] Mechanical power is the product of the torque and the angular velocity in the rotation created by winch 102 (or by the cable puller). A portion of electrical power is lost because of the friction, thus the mechanical power is less than the electric power. Let us mark the mechanical power PMand L is a known multiplier that describes loosing of the electric power. The mechanical power PMof a motor having certain electrical power can be illustrated with the following formula:

[0101] PM = PxL, where L > 1.

[0102] In the example, in Figure 1, it was stated that winch 102 should not be used with its maximum force because then the maximum pull force 900 daN of cable 101 is exceeded. Let us assume that the situation is similar in Figure 7 and the above-shown formula is used such that PM is replaced with 900 daN and P is replaced with the product UI. When the voltage U is 230 V, the formula looks the following:

[0103] 900 daN = 230 V x I x L.

[0104] Because the value of multiplier L is known, the equation is solvable, i.e. the current I can be calculated. Arrangement 100 is configured to use winch 102 via communications equipment 107 at most with the power that results in the maximum pull force when computational force 110 exceeds the maximum pull force of cable 101. If needed, the power (of winch 102) can be reduced reducing the current I.

[0105] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 cable puller 103 is identical with second cable puller 701. In another embodiment, they are different among themselves. Figures 6 A, 6B, and 6C show various cable puller options. The object sizes and the distances between the objects are coincidental in Figures 7, 5, and 1.

[0106] The invention is defined within the following claims.

Claims

Claims1. An arrangement (100) for a cable (101) installation, the arrangement comprising a winch (102) for pulling the cable by a rope, a cable puller (103) including a first wheel (104) and a second wheel (105) such that the cable is moveable by the cable puller when placing the cable between the first wheel and the second wheel, a control unit (106) for simultaneous usage of the winch and the cable puller, communication equipment (107) for communication between the control unit, winch, and the cable puller, an input device (108) for installation information, the arrangement (100) being configured to receive via the input device a maximum pull force for the cable (101), and a controller (109) to a user for adjusting a speed value during pulling of the cable, the speed value describing a pulling speed of the cable (101), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the arrangement (100) is configured to calculate in the control unit (106) on the basis of the speed value obtained from the controller (109) a computational force (110) directed by the winch (102) to the cable and a second computational force (111) directed by the cable puller (103) to the cable, and use the winch (102) and the cable puller (103) via the communication equipment (107) at most on a power in accordance with the maximum pull force when the computational force (110) or the second computational force (111) exceeds the maximum pull force.

2. The arrangement according to claim ^ c h a r a c t e ri z e d in that the speed value is one of the following quantity describing a pull speed of the cable (101): a) a percent number, number 100 meaning a maximum pull speed that is a greatest pull speed of either the winch (102) or the cable puller (103), b) multiplier having a value 0 - 1, value 1 meaning the maximum pull speed, c) a relation between distance and time.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in the arrangement the winch (102) or the cable puller (103) comprises a permanent magnet motor (624) as its power source and a frequency converter (625), the frequency converter enabling adjusting a mechanical power of the permanent magnet motor without steps.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement is configured to receive via the input device (108) an identifier for the cable (101), and the arrangement comprises a nonvolatile memory (116) for storing at least some of the following pieces of information: a) the identifier for the cable, b) the speed value obtained from the controller (109), c) the maximum pull force received from the input device (108) , and d) the computational force (110) and the second computational force (111).

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the nonvolatile memory (116) is placed on a network server (201) and the network server is usable from the control unit (106).

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication equipment (107) comprises wireless modems (113, 114, 115).

7. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication equipment (107) comprises a communication cable (503) for coupling the winch (102) and the cable puller (103) to the control unit (106).

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement comprises at least one camera (500) placed on an installation route of the cable (101) and the control unit (106) is configured to receive via the communications equipment (107) image stream from the at least one camera (500).

9. The arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a display (301) for showing the image stream originated from the at least one camera (500).

10. The arrangement according to claim 4 and 9, characterized in that at least one of the following components is placed into the control unit (106): the input device (108), the controller (109), the nonvolatile memory (116), the display (301).

11. The arrangement according to claim ^characterized in that the arrangement comprises a wireless terminal (302) which includes at least one of the following components: the input device (108), the controller (109), the nonvolatile memory (116), the display (301), and in the arrangement, the wireless terminal (302) and the control unit (106) are configured to mutual communication.

12. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first wheel (104)comprises a first friction surface (601) and the second wheel (105)comprises a second friction surface (602).

13. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first wheel (104) or the second wheel (105) touches a caterpillar track (611) and the caterpillar track is intended for moving the cable.

14. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the first wheel (104) touches the caterpillar track (611) and the second wheel (105) is intended for pressing the cable (101) against the caterpillar track (611).

15. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that along an installation route the arrangement comprises a second cable puller (701) for moving the cable (101) and, in addition to the cable puller (103), the control unit (106) is intended for controlling the second cable puller (701) via the communication equipment (107).