Movable Segmented Cover for Electrical Insulators and Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wildlife, such as birds, can come into contact with electrical insulators and conductors, compromising utility reliability and safety, and existing solutions do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A cover apparatus comprising movable cover portions and a restraining structure, designed to cover electrical insulators and conductors using non-conductive materials, allowing for flexible attachment and movement to accommodate various configurations while preventing wildlife contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cover structure is used to protect electrical insulators and conductors, then wildlife protection is provided, but the structure cannot adapt to different configurations and movements
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure is divided into multiple segments (first cover portion and second cover portion) that can move independently relative to each other, allowing each segment to adapt to different positions and configurations while maintaining the overall protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure transitions from a fixed design to a dynamic one with movable connections between segments, enabling the structure to adjust its configuration to accommodate wildlife movement and different installation scenarios while remaining relatively simple in its basic components
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable cover structure is used to accommodate wildlife movement, then adaptability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates movable connections between the first and second cover portions, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust to wildlife movement and different configurations without requiring complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portions are designed with flexible characteristics that allow them to move and deform to accommodate wildlife while maintaining structural integrity, avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanical joints
3Stability of the object's composition
If a restraining structure is added to limit movement between cover portions, then structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining structure controls the degree of movement between cover portions by adjusting physical parameters such as movement distance and angular rotation, providing stability while maintaining adaptability through quantifiable limits rather than complex mechanical constraints
Data Source
AI summary
A cover apparatus is provided for covering an electrical insulator and a conductor. The cover apparatus includes a first cover portion extending along a first axis. The first cover portion includes a first segment covering a first portion of the electrical insulator and a second segment coupled to the first segment and covering a first portion of the conductor. The cover apparatus includes a second cover portion extending along a second axis. The second cover portion includes a third segment movably attached to the first segment and a fourth segment coupled to the third segment and covering a portion of the conductor. An example method of forming a cover apparatus for covering an electrical insulator and a conductor is also provided.