Heat-Shrink Pole Mounting Enclosure for Non-Damaging Utility Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for temporarily mounting overhead equipment on utility poles often damage the poles due to the use of damaging mechanisms or require extensive equipment and permissions for replacement, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in service.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multilayered enclosures with a rigid substrate and compressible gripping layers that apply clamping force without drilling, using heat-shrink tubing and adjustable tensioners to securely hold overhead equipment without damaging the pole, allowing for repeatable and safe mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional mounting methods (drilling, U-shaped brackets) are used to secure overhead equipment on utility poles, then the equipment is firmly held in place, but the utility pole is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a heat-shrink tubing enclosure that conformally wraps around the utility pole. This flexible yet rigidizing structure provides a mounting surface without drilling or damaging the pole. The tubing shrinks to tightly fit the pole's circumference, creating a secure base for mounting equipment while preserving the pole's integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure combines a rigid substrate layer (providing structural support) with a compressible gripping layer (providing conformal contact and secure fit). This composite structure achieves firm mounting security through the substrate while the gripping layer adapts to the pole's shape without causing damage.
2Reliability
If utility poles are replaced to repair damaged infrastructure, then service is restored, but extensive equipment (cranes, bucket trucks) and permissions are required causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary mounting of overhead equipment on temporary or existing poles using the non-damaging enclosure system. This allows service restoration to begin immediately without waiting for permanent pole replacement, with the equipment securely mounted via the heat-shrink enclosure that requires no pole damage or heavy equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a removable, replaceable enclosure system that can be quickly installed and removed without permanent modification to the pole. This temporary mounting solution allows rapid service restoration using existing infrastructure, avoiding the time-consuming pole replacement process while maintaining equipment security.
3Ease of manufacture
If excavation is performed for pole replacement or repair, then infrastructure can be accessed, but permission must be cleared with utilities to avoid damage to underground lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the ground/soil interface by using above-ground utility poles with the heat-shrink enclosure system. This eliminates the need for excavation entirely, as equipment is mounted on the pole surface rather than requiring ground access, thereby avoiding all permission clearance issues with underground utilities.
4Ease of repair
If repeated mounting and removal of equipment is performed on utility poles, then maintenance and repairs can be conducted, but traditional methods cause cumulative damage to the poles
Solution Approach 1:
The heat-shrink tubing enclosure can be repeatedly installed and removed without damaging the utility pole. Each installation involves wrapping and heating the tubing, which conforms to the pole and provides a secure mounting surface. Removal simply involves cutting the tubing, leaving no damage to the pole for the next maintenance cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure system is designed to be disposable or reusable without permanent attachment to the pole. After use, the enclosure can be removed and discarded or recovered for reuse, allowing repeated maintenance operations without cumulative damage to the pole infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a secure and repeatable clamping force to maintain overhead equipment in place without damaging the utility pole, reducing the need for extensive equipment and permissions, enabling faster and safer repairs and minimizing disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
Each tubing may be configured to shrink circumferentially upon the application of a predetermined amount of heat to conform to the curved shape of its substrate layer.
Implementation Method 2
The gripping layers of the parts are configured to apply a clamping force at a desired location along the longitudinal length of the pole
Data Source
AI summary
A system for temporarily mounting overhead equipment on a utility pole without damaging the pole and at least one assembly for use therein are provided. Each assembly includes an enclosure having a first and second opposed multilayered parts. Each of the parts has a rigid substrate layer underlying a compressible, gripping layer. The substrate layers are hingedly secured to one another by a hinge area which allows the parts to temporarily and repeatedly open and close in a closed configuration. The gripping layers of the parts are configured to apply a clamping force at opposite circumferential surfaces of the pole in the closed configuration. The assembly also includes a support member fixedly secured to one of the substrate layers and configured to support the overhead equipment. The clamping force is sufficient to maintain the assembly and the supported overhead equipment at a desired overhead location on the pole.