Tower-Mounted Conductor Lifter with Crank Arm Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance and refurbishment of high voltage power lines require energized conductors to remain live and insulated, making it difficult to relocate them without ground-based support vehicles, which are often impractical due to terrain or rights of way issues.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, elongate, rigid mounting arm with a pivotally mounted insulator and crank arm mechanism that can be temporarily attached to a transmission line tower, allowing for vertical lifting and rotation of the conductor out of the way, using a combination of actuators for sequential vertical lifting and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ground-based support vehicles are used to relocate energized conductors, then the conductor relocation capability is improved, but the adaptability to terrain and rights of way constraints deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple modular components: a mounting bracket that attaches to the tower, a support arm that provides structural extension, and a relocation mechanism that performs the actual conductor movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates deployment in constrained spaces where ground-based vehicles cannot access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from ground-based support to tower-based support, utilizing the vertical dimension and the existing tower structure to achieve conductor relocation. By mounting the relocation mechanism on the tower itself, the system bypasses terrain and rights of way constraints that limit ground-based vehicle access.
2Strength
If conventional heavy support structures are used, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of installation and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into discrete, transportable components including the mounting bracket, support arm, and relocation mechanism that can be assembled on-site. This modular approach maintains the required structural strength while improving portability and ease of installation compared to conventional heavy monolithic support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the existing tower structure and the new relocation mechanism. This intermediary allows the system to leverage the tower's inherent strength while adding only the necessary minimal structural components for the relocation function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the conductor is relocated out of the work zone, then the safety of maintenance workers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket and support arm are integrated into a unified assembly that attaches to the tower and provides both structural support and the relocation function. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device while achieving the safety objective of relocating the energized conductor away from workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the relocation mechanism, positions the conductor during relocation, and can be adjusted to accommodate different conductor configurations. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A conductor lifter adapted to be mounted to a tower for temporarily supporting an energized conductor comprises a support arm having a base end and an opposite cantilevered end and a crank arm pivotally mounted on the cantilevered end, the crank arm having lower and upper crank arms. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm, and an elongate member is mounted to, so as to extend between, the upper crank arm and a first driver of the first actuator so as to rotate the crank arm about the pivotal coupling when the first actuator is actuated. A lower end of the lower crank arm is selectively elevatable by a second actuator relative to the upper crank arm so as to elevate a conductor when held by a conductor retainer on an insulator mounted to the lower crank arm. A method for using the conductor lifter is also provided.