Energized Conductor Stringing via Transfer Busses

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage power transmission line maintenance often requires shutting off power, disrupting delivery and posing hazards due to induced currents, as existing methods lack the ability to work on or replace conductors without interrupting service or diverting load to other lines.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow high voltage power transmission lines to be worked on or replaced while energized by transferring power loads between conductors using temporary transfer busses and equal potential zones, enabling maintenance without power disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If power is shut off to work on conductors, then safety hazards are reduced, but power delivery is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety hazardsVSAvoidpower delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing transfer busses and equal potential zones before de-energizing the conductor. The transfer busses are connected to both the old and new conductors, and the equal potential zone is established in advance to ensure worker safety. This allows the conductor to be worked on safely while maintaining power delivery through the transfer busses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses transfer busses as an intermediary component to transfer power from the old conductor to the new conductor. The transfer busses act as a mediator that allows power flow to continue while the old conductor is de-energized and worked on. The equal potential zone also serves as an intermediary safety mechanism that allows workers to safely handle energized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If load is shifted to other power lines, then power delivery is maintained, but system capacity is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower deliveryVSAvoidsystem capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power transmission system by separating the old conductor from the new conductor using transfer busses. This allows the power load to be gradually transferred from the old conductor to the new conductor without overloading other lines. The segmentation enables controlled load distribution that maintains system capacity within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible and reversible power flow between old and new conductors through the transfer busses. The system can dynamically adjust power distribution during the conductor replacement process, allowing load to shift between conductors as needed without exceeding system capacity. This dynamic capability ensures reliability while maintaining power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If conductor replacement is performed traditionally, then maintenance is completed, but service interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance completionVSAvoidservice interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining power delivery throughout the entire conductor replacement process. The transfer busses and equal potential zones enable the system to continue transmitting power while the old conductor is replaced with a new one. This eliminates service interruption and allows maintenance to be completed without stopping power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer busses serve as intermediary components that maintain power flow during conductor replacement. By connecting both the old and new conductors, the transfer busses allow power to continue flowing through the system while the old conductor is disconnected and replaced. This intermediary mechanism eliminates service interruption and speeds up the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7535132B2Live conductor stringing and splicing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2009.05.19 QUANTA ASSOCIATES LP
  • US7535132B2 patent drawing
  • US7535132B2 patent drawing
  • US7535132B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus for handling and/or stringing energized conductor for a high voltage power line conductor for a high voltage power line is provided. The method includes bringing components and workers to the same electrical potential and transferring power from one contractor to another. Associated apparatus is also described.