Remote Manipulator for Energized Sub-conductor Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for maintaining and repairing high voltage transmission lines are labor-intensive and hazardous, requiring de-energization or use of limited fiberglass tools, and struggle to achieve optimal surge impedance loading and phase spacing in energized single phase bundles.
Innovation Solution
A remote manipulator system with independently actuable actuators and insulators mounted on a boom extension, allowing for selective coupling and separation of sub-conductors in a single phase bundle to optimize surge impedance loading and phase spacing without de-energizing the lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fiberglass insulated tools are used for hot line repair, then worker safety is improved through insulation protection, but the device complexity and labor intensity increase due to complex rigging arrangements and limited tool functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary cross arm as an intermediary device between the crane and the energized conductors. This auxiliary cross arm serves as a mediator that temporarily supports the conductors, enabling repair work without direct manual handling of energized lines. The auxiliary cross arm with conductor hooks and insulating properties mediates the interaction between the repair system and the live conductors, reducing rigging complexity while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If de-energization is performed to enable repair work, then worker safety is improved by eliminating electrical hazard, but productivity decreases due to service interruption and power source requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary cross arm system enables self-service repair of energized conductors without requiring de-energization. The device allows linemen to perform repair tasks on live conductors by providing temporary support and isolation, making the system self-sufficient for hot line work. This eliminates the need to interrupt service or bring in alternative power sources, maintaining productivity while ensuring safety through proper insulating design.
3Device complexity
If multiple sub-conductors in a single phase bundle are not optimally spaced, then device complexity is reduced by maintaining bundle configuration, but surge impedance loading decreases affecting transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable spacing mechanisms on the auxiliary cross arm that allow the separation distance between sub-conductors to be varied during operation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of surge impedance loading by spacing sub-conductors appropriately while maintaining the bundled configuration. The system transitions from fixed to variable spacing, allowing energy efficiency optimization without sacrificing the benefits of bundle configuration.
4Productivity
If auxiliary cross arms are used to temporarily support conductors, then labor intensity is reduced by eliminating stick work, but device complexity increases due to additional equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary cross arm is designed as a multi-functional device that combines conductor support, insulation, spacing adjustment, and positioning capabilities in a single integrated structure. It serves multiple purposes: supporting energized conductors, providing electrical isolation, enabling precise spacing control for surge impedance optimization, and facilitating various repair operations. This universality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high labor efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A manipulator for separating sub-conductors in an energized single phase bundle includes a rigid support member and first and second actuators mounted on the support member, wherein each actuator is independently actuable of the other. Insulators are mounted on each actuator. A selectively releasable coupler is mounted on each insulator for selectively releasable coupling of each insulator to a corresponding sub-conductor. The actuators extend corresponding insulators independently of one another from the support member to thereby separate from each other by an optimized separation distance the distal ends of each insulator. When the corresponding sub-conductors of the single phase bundle are releasably coupled to the corresponding distal ends of the insulators the surge impedance loading of the single phase bundle may be improved by separation of the corresponding distal ends of the insulators and the sub-conductors by the optimized separation distance.