Power Line Insulation Assembly for Remote Aerial Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power lines lack effective insulation, leading to electrocution of animals and potential hazards for humans, especially in difficult-to-access locations and remote areas where replacing or insulating deployed lines is costly and risky.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for insulating deployed power lines using an insulation application assembly with a drone equipped with sensors, a wireless communication system, and an energy storage system, which applies insulation material to the power lines while navigating challenging terrain and remote areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power lines are replaced with insulated lines, then safety is improved, but cost and disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcost and disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power line system is divided into segments, with insulation applied selectively to critical areas such as bird perching zones and animal contact points rather than the entire line. This allows safety improvements at targeted locations without the need to replace entire spans of power line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulation is applied to power lines during their initial deployment phase, integrating the insulating function into the original installation process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for costly retroactive replacement of existing lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If power lines are insulated in remote areas, then animal electrocution is reduced, but accessibility and cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal electrocutionVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation application system is designed to be self-contained and portable, requiring minimal external infrastructure. The system can be deployed from ground-based vehicles or helicopters, allowing insulation to be applied in remote areas without extensive access infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A portable insulation application platform serves as an intermediary between the insulation material and the power line, enabling insulation application in difficult-to-reach areas. The platform can be transported via conventional means and deployed at remote locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional aerial work platforms are used, then human safety is improved, but accessibility to difficult terrain worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehuman safetyVSAvoidaccessibility to terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insulation application system transitions from ground-based platforms to aerial deployment methods, utilizing the vertical dimension and air space to reach difficult terrain. Helicopters and drones provide access to areas inaccessible to conventional ground-based equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces heavy mechanical aerial work platforms with lighter, more versatile aerial vehicles such as helicopters and drones. This substitution maintains human safety through remote operation while dramatically improving accessibility to difficult terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11948703B2Methods and devices for electrically insulating a power line

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 GETMAN ANYA L

AI summary

An insulation application assembly for applying insulation to a power line employs an open-ended enclosure to partly surround a segment of the power line. The assembly employs an insulation material conveying mechanism to move insulation material from insulation storage to the insulation material applicator connected to the interior surface of the open-ended enclosure.