Line Post Insulator Wildlife Guard With Toggle-Closed Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wildlife guard assemblies for line post insulators are expensive, difficult to install, require de-energization of lines, and often fail to remain in the desired location, posing electrocution, damage, and fire hazards.
Innovation Solution
A wildlife guard assembly with two cover sections, a biasing member, and a toggle action lever mechanism that allows installation on energized line post insulators using a lineman hotstick, featuring a hinge axis, over-center position, and a toggle action lever mechanism that securely clamps around the insulator and conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art wildlife guards are used, then wildlife protection function is provided, but installation cost increases and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wildlife guard is divided into a first section and a second section that can be separately manipulated and installed. The first section is secured to the insulator while the second section is positioned to cover the conductor, allowing staged installation that reduces complexity and cost compared to single-piece solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard sections are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing them to be positioned and secured in different configurations during installation. This dynamic design enables adaptation to various insulator types and sizes, reducing the need for multiple specialized guards and lowering overall installation costs.
2Reliability
If prior art wildlife guards are installed, then wildlife protection is achieved, but line de-energization is required
Solution Approach 1:
The guard sections are designed to be installed using insulated tools and techniques that allow work on energized lines. The first section can be secured to the insulator body, and the second section positioned over the conductor without requiring direct contact that would compromise safety or require de-energization, thus maintaining line availability.
3Reliability
If prior art wildlife guards are installed, then wildlife protection is provided, but the guards fail to remain in the desired location
Solution Approach 1:
The first section is secured to the insulator before the second section is positioned over the conductor. This preliminary securing action establishes a stable base that prevents the entire guard assembly from shifting or falling, ensuring the guard remains in the desired location throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second sections work together as an integrated assembly, with the first section anchored to the insulator and the second section covering the conductor. This combined configuration provides both stability and protection, ensuring the guard remains securely in position while fulfilling its wildlife protection function.
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
Enables easy, cost-effective installation on energized insulators, minimizing gaps and securely capturing insulators and conductors, thereby preventing wildlife hazards and damage.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member normally biases the cover sections to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The cover sections are hinged for movement about a hinge axis between a closed position and an open position
Data Source
AI summary
A wildlife guard assembly is provided that includes two cover sections, a biasing member, and a toggle action lever mechanism. The cover sections are hinged so that the cover sections, when in a closed position, a cavity to capture a line post insulator is defined. The biasing member normally biases the cover sections to the closed position. The lever mechanism is connected to the cover sections and has an over-center position that releasably holds the two cover sections in an open position. The lever mechanism is positioned in the cavity such that, during installation on the line post insulator, the line post insulator interacts with the lever mechanism to move the lever mechanism from the over-center position to allow the biasing member and the lever mechanism to move the cover sections to the closed position.