Marker Ball Clamp Release for Safe Overhead Cable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting marker balls on aboveground cables, such as overhead power lines, pose risks to human personnel due to high-altitude work near live electricity and are inefficient for inaccessible sections.
Innovation Solution
A marker ball mounting device with a spring-loaded clamp and collapsible trigger that automatically clamps onto cables, detachably connecting to a suspension device, allowing deployment from an air vehicle or manually, ensuring secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual mounting methods using man-lift crane baskets or helicopters are used, then marker balls can be mounted on aboveground cables, but human personnel are placed at risk of high altitudes and near live electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is designed to automatically clamp onto the cable and secure the marker ball without requiring human operators to be near the cable. The spring-loaded clamp automatically engages with the cable when the device is lowered, and the marker ball is automatically secured in the clamped position, enabling the system to service itself and eliminating human risk exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical mounting system (requiring human operators to physically attach marker balls) with an automated mechanical deployment system. The spring-loaded clamp mechanism automatically engages the cable through mechanical force, and the marker ball is automatically positioned and secured, substituting human manual labor with an autonomous mechanical system
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual mounting methods are used, then marker balls can be mounted on accessible cables, but sections of aboveground cables become inaccessible due to rough terrain and various physical obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a suspension device as an intermediary between the mounting device and the cable. This suspension device can be deployed from aerial platforms and lowered to inaccessible cable sections, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the deployment platform and the target cable location, thereby enabling access to previously unreachable areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based manual mounting to aerial deployment by introducing a suspension device that operates in the vertical dimension. The mounting device is lowered from above the cable rather than approached from the side, enabling access to cable sections that are inaccessible from ground level due to rough terrain or physical obstacles
3Extent of automation
If a spring-loaded clamp is used to automatically clamp onto cables, then deployment can be automated, but the device must ensure secure attachment and simultaneous detachment from the suspension device
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded clamp is pre-loaded and held in a compressed state by the collapsible trigger mechanism during deployment. The trigger is designed to automatically release and allow the spring to expand, propelling the clamp onto the cable in a single automated action. This preliminary preparation enables the complex automatic clamping action to occur in one straightforward motion
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device incorporates a collapsible trigger mechanism that transitions from a stable held state to an active deployment state. The trigger allows the spring-loaded clamp to dynamically change from a compressed ready-position to an expanded clamped-position on the cable, and can be collapsed again for detachment, enabling automated dynamic operation
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 safe and efficient deployment of marker balls on cables without human risk, facilitating improved visibility and reducing manual labor, particularly for inaccessible areas.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded clamp that automatically clamps onto a cable
Implementation Method 2
a collapsible trigger capable of forcibly holding said spring-loaded clamp in an open state, and to trip said collapsible trigger by said cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A
AI summary
A marker ball mounting device (130,230), comprises: a) a spring-loaded clamp (231), adapted with a spring-loaded arrangement to force and maintain said spring-loaded clamp in a closed state, and with a collapsible trigger (232) capable of forcibly holding said spring-loaded clamp in an open state, wherein said spring-loaded clamp comprises pivotally connected rotatable jaws (231a), the top portions (231b) of which are capable of detachably connecting with a suspension device (120), and the bottom portions (231c) of which are capable of clamping a cable (2); and b) a seat (230a) that attaches to the side of a marker ball (1) and supports said spring-loaded clamp (231), wherein said spring-loaded clamp is configured to detachably connect with a suspension device (120) while being held in an open state by said collapsible trigger (232), and to clamp onto a cable (2) and simultaneously disconnect from said suspension device when said cable trips said collapsible trigger, forcing said spring-loaded clamp to close.