Signaling sphere

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signaling sphere for transmission lines, comprising: a lifting eye arranged for connection to a lifting device and positioned on the upper portion of the signaling sphere; a channel positioned on the lower portion of the signaling sphere and arranged to fit onto the transmission line cable; a cable fastening device positioned within the channel and comprising a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, wherein the movable jaw comprises a trigger arranged to be actuated upon contact with the transmission line cable, and wherein the movable jaw moves towards the fixed jaw when the trigger is actuated.

Description

SIGNALING SPHERE FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a signaling sphere for transmission lines, which can be installed and uninstalled remotely by drone, whose cable fastening device is activated when a trigger is pulled, regardless of the cable diameter. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The installation of signaling spheres requires the transmission line worker to "crawl" along the cable to the installation position, this being the case when the sphere is installed on the cable with a screw fastening system or, at a minimum, climbing the tower and placing the sphere on the cable and sliding it with the use of ropes to the installation position; the rope is also used to close a locking system on the cable.

[0003] The adoption of drones was motivated by the need for the technician to avoid climbing the tower, making the work safer. Thus, the drone operator will perform the installation at the desired location on the transmission line remotely, using GPS. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a signaling sphere capable of easier, faster, and safer installation and removal.

[0005] Another objective of the invention is to provide a product with better quality in cable fastening, since it does not depend on a craftsman, as is the case, for example, for tightening a nut.

[0006] Another objective of the invention is to eliminate the time spent climbing the tower and consequently the installation time, and since there is no need to climb the tower, the risk of accidents involving workers is eliminated.

[0007] Another objective of the invention is to provide a signaling sphere that can be installed and removed remotely by a drone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention relates to a signaling sphere for transmission lines comprising: a lifting eye configured for connection to a lifting device and positioned at the top of the signaling sphere; a channel positioned at the bottom of the signaling sphere and configured to fit into the transmission line cable; A cable fastening device positioned in the channel and comprising a fixed clamp and a movable clamp, wherein the movable clamp comprises a trigger configured to be actuated by contact with the transmission line cable and wherein the movable clamp moves towards the fixed clamp when the trigger is actuated. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only and in which: Figure 1 illustrates the transport of a sphere to the cable via drone according to the invention.

[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a signaling sphere according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the signaling sphere according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4a illustrates a fixed gripper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4b illustrates the fixed gripper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 illustrates a movable gripper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 illustrates a pivot shaft with a spring effect according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 illustrates a pivot axis mounted on the fixed gripper and the movable gripper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 illustrates a spring mounting axis according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates a spring-loaded fastening shaft mounted on the movable gripper and the fixed gripper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates a spring according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 11 illustrates the completed installation of the signaling sphere according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 12 illustrates a signaling sphere according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a signaling sphere according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 14 illustrates the completed installation of the signaling sphere according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 15 illustrates a central eyelet according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 16a illustrates a fixed gripper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 16b illustrates the fixed gripper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 17 illustrates a movable gripper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 18 illustrates a pivot axis mounted on the fixed gripper and movable gripper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 19 illustrates a spring fixing shaft mounted on the movable claw and the fixed claw according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The following description will be based on preferred embodiments of the present invention, as applied to a signaling sphere for transmission lines comprising a lifting eye configured for connection to a lifting device and positioned at the top of the signaling sphere; a channel positioned at the bottom of the signaling sphere and configured to fit into the transmission line cable; A cable fastening device positioned in the channel and comprising a fixed clamp and a movable clamp, wherein the movable clamp comprises a trigger configured to be actuated by contact with the transmission line cable and wherein the movable clamp moves towards the fixed clamp when the trigger is actuated.

[0031] However, as will be evident to a person skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described.

[0032] Figure 1 generally illustrates a schematic representing the installation of a signaling sphere using a drone on a transmission line cable of an electrical system. As shown in the diagram in Figure 1, the drone is connected to a transport device such as a transport cable that must be attached to the signaling sphere to allow its transport to a height above the lightning protection cable, enabling positioning on the cable. After positioning, it is necessary to install the signaling sphere by securing it to the lightning protection cable.

[0033] The following describes the signaling sphere modalities according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a signaling sphere 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The signaling sphere 10 comprises a body whose purpose is to identify to aircraft that there is a transmission line at that location. The body of the signaling sphere 10 comprises a channel in its lower part intended for fitting the transmission line cable. More specifically, the channel is formed by a cavity that extends from the lower point to a substantially central region of the signaling sphere 10, where there is a surface that allows contact with the cable as seen in Figure 3.

[0035] Referring back to Figure 2, the signaling sphere 10 comprises a fastening device comprising a fixed claw 20 and a movable claw (Figure 5) positioned in the innermost part of the channel near the center of the signaling sphere body for fastening to the transmission line cable.

[0036] Figures 4a and 4b illustrate in detail the fixed claw 20, with Figure 4a showing a rear view and Figure 4b showing a front view of the fixed claw 20. As can be seen, the fixed claw 20 comprises a stop for cable installation and a stop to limit trigger opening. The stops are used to limit the maximum opening of the movable claw 30 using a steel pin.

[0037] Preferably, the signaling sphere 10 comprises towers, formed as conical projections, configured for fitting the fixed claw 20 and comprising holes, while the fixed claw 20 is fixed by means of fixing screws in the corresponding holes using nuts.

[0038] The fixed claw 20 additionally comprises a pair of larger holes b to allow the mounting of a pivot shaft i (Figures 6 and 7) for moving other components that perform the clamping. The larger holes b are concentric and spaced holes to allow the positioning of the movable claw 30 for clamping. Additionally, the fixed claw 20 comprises a smaller hole c for the snap-fit ​​mounting of the spring clamping shaft j. Furthermore, the fixed claw 20 comprises mounting points for cushions d. The cushions d are mounted, preferably glued, at specific points of contact with the cable, to protect the claws and the cable. As a second feature, the cushions d help prevent slippage of the ball assembly on the cable.

[0039] Figure 5 illustrates a movable gripper 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The movable claw 30 comprises a larger hole e to allow its mounting on the pivot shaft i (Figures 6 and 7) next to the fixed claw 20. In addition, the movable claw 30 also has a smaller hole f for mounting the spring fixing shaft. The movable claw 30 also comprises a mounting location h for the cushion.

[0041] The movable claw 30 is configured to be activated when a trigger g touches the cable, to complete the fastening. The trigger g is an integral part of the movable claw 30, being formed by an arched claw that projects from its intermediate portion, resting on the ends of the fixed claw 20 and the movable claw 30 when positioned opposite each other. When the trigger g is activated, the movable claw 30 is moved towards the fixed claw 20, automatically fastening the sphere to the transmission line cable.

[0042] Figure 6 illustrates the pivot axis i, which is mounted via the fixed gripper 20 and the movable gripper 30, holding them together and allowing rotation about its central axis without permitting disassembly of the parts. Figure 7 illustrates the pivot axis i mounted via the pair of larger holes b of the fixed gripper 20 and the larger hole e of the movable gripper 30.

[0043] The spring fixing shafts allow the springs to be fixed, featuring details such as recesses at both ends for positioning them, preventing their disassembly during the locking action on the cable. One spring fixing shaft is mounted on the movable claw 30 and another on the fixed claw 20. Figure 8 illustrates a spring fixing shaft including spring positioning details j. The springs have sufficient tensile force to keep the sphere in the desired location, without slipping under climatic effects.

[0044] As described above, the present invention has as its concept and characteristic the possibility of performing the installation from the ground by drone, using a trigger locking system, which when activated moves one claw over two opposing claws, automatically fixing the sphere to the cable.

[0045] In addition to ease of installation, it is safer because it eliminates the need for someone to climb the tower, which is between 40m and 70m high, or crawl along the cable to install the sphere.

[0046] The following is a description of a second embodiment of the present invention that enables the remote installation and removal of the signaling sphere using a drone. According to the second embodiment, the present invention also relates to a signaling sphere for transmission lines, which can be installed and removed remotely by drone, whose cable fastening device acts when a trigger is activated, regardless of the cable diameter, and is removed when the drone exerts a lifting force on the external central lifting eye 40, and through this movement a cable moves the trigger releasing the sphere from the cable.

[0047] Figures 12 to 14 illustrate a signaling sphere 10 according to the second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a signaling sphere 10 comprising a sphere body substantially similar to the sphere described in the first embodiment having a channel in its lower region. On the upper part, the signaling sphere 10 comprises a strip 11 on the upper part helping the pilot to orient the sphere on the cable during installation. In addition, the sphere 10 comprises upper eyelets 12 which, when attached to the drone, stabilize the signaling sphere during movement. Additionally, the sphere 10 comprises a central lifting eyelet 40, as detailed in Figure 15, which is positioned on top of the sphere.The central lifting eye 40 is guided by the sphere body and linked to the cable so that when the aircraft exerts a lifting force, the central eye will move and consequently move the movable claw, releasing the sphere from the cable, as will be detailed later. The cable is fixed to the central lifting eye 40 by means of a knot, as is the movable claw 30. Alternatively, it is possible to use a mechanical system that allows the opening and closing of the movable claw instead of a cable.

[0048] In this embodiment, the signaling sphere 10 also comprises a fastening device consisting of a fixed claw 20 and a movable claw 30 positioned inside the channel near the center of the sphere.

[0049] Figures 16a and 16b illustrate the fixed claw 20 according to the second embodiment, with Figure 16a showing a rear view and Figure 16b showing a front view of the fixed claw 20. In contrast to the first embodiment, the fixed claw 20 does not include stops. In this embodiment, stops are installed on the body of the sphere 10 itself to limit the maximum opening of the movable claw. Furthermore, the signaling sphere 10 includes towers for fitting the fixed claw 20 and includes holes allowing for fixing by means of fixing screws in the corresponding holes of the sphere using nuts.

[0050] Additionally, the fixed clamp 20 comprises a pair of larger holes b to allow the mounting of a pivot shaft i for moving other components that perform the fastening. The larger holes b are concentric and spaced holes to allow the positioning of the movable clamp 30 for fastening. Additionally, the fixed clamp 20 comprises a smaller hole c for the snap-fit ​​mounting of the spring fastening shaft, and marks the mounting location of the rubbers. Furthermore, the fixed clamp 20 includes mounting locations for the cushion d. In this embodiment, the fixed clamp 20 also includes holes for fitting inserts m of the cushions.

[0051] Figure 17 illustrates a movable claw 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that this feature presents one of the main differences in relation to the first embodiment and that it allows the remote removal of the signaling sphere.

[0052] As in the first version, the movable claw 30 comprises a larger hole e to allow its mounting on the pivot shaft i next to the fixed claw 20. In addition, the movable claw 30 also has a smaller hole f for mounting the spring fixing shaft. The movable claw 30 also includes a mounting location h for the cushion. Furthermore, the movable claw 30 is configured to be activated when a trigger g touches the cable, to complete the fixation. The trigger g is an integral part of the movable claw 30, being formed by a projection in the intermediate portion of the claw, resting on the ends of the fixed claw 20 and the movable claw 30 when positioned opposite each other. When the trigger g is activated, the movable claw 30 is moved towards the fixed claw 20, automatically fixing the sphere to the transmission line cable.More specifically, the g-trigger is engaged when eyelet 40 is lifted by the drone, and there is movement between the internal parts that open the movable claw, keeping the g-trigger positioned so that, when it touches the lightning rod cable, relieving the weight of the drone's sphere assembly, the g-trigger acts by moving the movable claw 30 and finally fixing it to the cable.

[0053] As illustrated in Figure 18, a pivot axis i is mounted on the fixed gripper 20 and the movable gripper 30 through their concentric holes. Note that the pivot axis i also has the additional function of keeping the grippers mounted and properly positioned. Additionally, spring fixing axes are arranged as shown in Figure 19, with a first axis l mounted on the fixed gripper and a second axis k on the movable gripper. The springs are installed on the details of the axes lek at each end and must have sufficient tensile force to keep the sphere in the desired location without slipping under climatic effects.

[0054] In the second embodiment, the movable claw 30 further comprises a lever n which is configured to enable the movement of the trigger during the removal of the signaling sphere. The lever n is an integral part of the movable claw 30, formed by a protrusion that projects from its upper portion near the larger hole and, perpendicularly to the trigger g. The lever n comprises a hole at its end that allows connection with the central eyelet 40 positioned on the upper part of the body of the signaling sphere 10 by means of a linking element. The linking element can be flexible or rigid, such as a cable (steel, aramid, nylon, among others) or any material strong enough to move the trigger during removal. Thus, the cable or a linking element is responsible for the movement of the movable claw 30 when a lifting force is applied to the central eyelet 40.

[0055] Thus, during the sphere removal operation, the drone applies lifting force to the central eyelet 40, which, through the cable, pulls the lever n of the movable claw 30, releasing the cable. In this way, the second embodiment of the invention enables both the installation and removal of the signaling sphere remotely by means of drones.

[0056] Thus, the invention as described above presents a signaling sphere for transmission lines that can be installed remotely by drone, whose cable fastening device activates when a trigger is activated, regardless of the cable diameter.

[0057] Although only a few examples of product embodiments have been presented here, it should be understood that changes to the shape and arrangement of the different component parts of the product may be made without departing from the proposed inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIM 1. Signaling sphere for transmission lines (10) characterized in that it comprises: a lifting eye (40) configured for connection with a lifting device and positioned at the top of the signaling sphere (10); a channel positioned at the bottom of the signaling sphere (10) and configured to fit into the transmission line cable; a cable fastening device positioned in the channel and comprising a fixed claw (20) and a movable claw (30), wherein the movable claw (30) comprises a trigger (g) configured to be actuated by contact with the transmission line cable and wherein the movable claw (30) moves towards the fixed claw (20) when the trigger (g) is actuated.

2. Signaling sphere according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed claw (20) comprises a stop for cable installation, a stop to limit trigger opening (g), towers with screws (a) for fixing the fixed claw (20) to the sphere body (10) by means of nuts and mounting locations (d) for cushions.

3. Signaling sphere according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cable fastening device further comprises: a pivot axis (i) for moving the fastening device, and wherein the fixed gripper (20) comprises a pair of larger holes (b) spaced apart and the movable gripper (30) comprises a larger hole (e), wherein the larger hole (e) of the movable gripper (30) is positioned between the larger holes (b) of the fixed gripper (20) in a concentric manner and wherein the pivot axis (i) is housed in the holes to rotatably fix the fixed gripper (20) and the movable gripper (30).

4. Signaling sphere according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cable fastening device further comprises: a spring fastening shaft (j), wherein the spring fastening shaft (j) comprises, at each of its ends, a fitting configured to secure one end of a spring; and wherein the fixed claw (20) comprises a smaller hole (c) and the movable claw (30) comprises a smaller hole (f), wherein the smaller hole (c) of the fixed claw (20) and the smaller hole (f) of the movable claw (30) are concentric holes configured to house the spring fixing shaft (j).

5. Signaling sphere according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable claw (30) comprises a lever (n) connected to the lifting eye (40) by means of a linking element, wherein the lever (n) is configured to be actuated and move the movable claw (30) to a sphere release position when the lifting eye (40) is pulled by a lifting device.

6. Signaling sphere according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever (n) is an integral part of the movable gripper and is formed by a protrusion extending perpendicularly to the trigger (g).

7. Signaling sphere according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the trigger (g) is an integral part of the movable gripper (30) and is formed by an arched or straight protrusion.

8. Signaling sphere according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises springs with sufficient tensile force to keep the sphere in the desired location without slipping under climatic effects.

9. Signaling sphere according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a cushion mounted at specific points of contact with the cable, to protect the grips and cable; and helps to prevent the sphere assembly from slipping on the cable.

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