Flip-Extension Insulator Cover for Remote Power Line Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current procedure for positioning protective devices on remote and high-positioned power lines is difficult and time-consuming, requiring manual manipulation with elongate poles, which is inefficient and poses risks.
Innovation Solution
An insulator cover apparatus with a base and pivotable extensions that can be remotely positioned and extended to cover power lines, using interior bores and flexible panels to securely attach to the power line, facilitating quick and efficient deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective devices are manually installed using elongate poles on remote power lines, then the power lines can be protected, but the installation process becomes very difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into a base portion and multiple extension portions that can be deployed independently. The base is first positioned on the power line, then extensions are sequentially flipped out to cover additional sections, allowing rapid coverage of long power line segments without requiring complete manual assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions are designed with pivot attachments that enable them to transition from a compact stored position to an extended protective position. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt its length and coverage area based on the power line segment being protected, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If protective devices are manually manipulated with hot sticks, then workers are protected from electric shock, but the installation procedure becomes very difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion is designed to be independently positionable on the power line using standard hot stick procedures, establishing a secure foundation before extensions are deployed. This preliminary positioning simplifies the remote manipulation process by breaking down the complex installation into manageable sequential steps that maintain worker safety
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot attachments serve as intermediary mechanisms that automatically guide the extension portions from compact to extended positions. These pivot points act as fulcrums that leverage the force applied through hot sticks to smoothly deploy extensions without requiring complex manual manipulation, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining safety
3Length of stationary object
If extensions are added to increase coverage length, then more power line can be protected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portions are designed to nest within or alongside each other when not in use, with each extension capable of being stored in a compact configuration near the base. This nesting arrangement allows multiple extensions to be incorporated into the device without proportionally increasing its stored size or operational complexity, as extensions can be deployed sequentially from a compact initial state
Data Source
AI summary
An insulator cover apparatus with flip extensions has a base of the apparatus that can be positioned over a remote portion of a power line, and has extensions of the apparatus that can then be flipped remotely from the base to cover over additional portions of the power line at opposite ends of the base to protect the covered portions of the power line.