Remote Rotary Tool for Unwinding Live Power Line Wire Ties
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining power lines are hazardous due to the need for linemen to physically interact with energized wire ties, which can pose electrocution risks and are cumbersome to manage.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated rotary tool with a planetary gear system and a spring-loaded rod is used to manipulate wire ties on live power lines, allowing for safe and efficient unwinding and cutting of wire ties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lineman manually manipulates wire ties on energized power lines, then the wire ties can be removed and maintained, but the lineman is exposed to electrocution hazards and high voltage shock risks
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic manipulator with a rotary tool serves as an intermediary device between the lineman and the wire ties on energized power lines. The robotic system performs the dangerous manipulation tasks remotely, allowing the lineman to work from a safe location while the robot handles the wire tie removal and manipulation operations near the energized conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of a lineman directly handling wire ties with an automated robotic mechanical system. The robotic manipulator uses a rotary tool with specialized components (ring gear, spring-loaded rod, wire bristles) to automatically perform wire tie manipulation, cutting, and removal operations that were previously done manually.
2Productivity
If a ring tool is rotated about a conductor to unwind a wire tie, then the wire tie is removed from the conductor, but the unwound portion becomes a dangling high voltage hazard that is easily blown by wind
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded rod acts as an intermediary tool inserted between the conductor and the wire tie during the unwinding process. This rod provides controlled interaction with the wire tie, allowing it to be unwound and removed while minimizing the creation of long dangling sections that could become hazardous.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the wire tie from the conductor in a controlled manner using the rotary tool and spring-loaded rod combination. The system is designed to completely remove the wire tie from the conductor rather than leaving a dangling portion, thereby eliminating the high voltage hazard associated with unwound wire ties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wire ties are manipulated on energized power lines, then maintenance can be performed, but the operation is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary tool incorporates self-service features including a spring-loaded rod that automatically maintains contact with the conductor during rotation, and wire bristles that automatically abrade corrosive material from the conductor surface. These self-service capabilities reduce the time and manual intervention required for wire tie manipulation and conductor preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary tool enables continuous useful action by combining multiple functions in one rotating mechanism: the spring-loaded rod continuously maintains contact with the conductor, the wire bristles continuously abrade corrosive material during rotation, and the entire system continuously manipulates the wire tie until complete removal. This eliminates the need for separate discrete operations and reduces total maintenance time.
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
The solution enables safe remote operation on live power lines, reducing the risk of electrocution for linemen and improving the efficiency of wire tie management by allowing for automated unwinding and cutting.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary tool may comprise a drive system configured as a planetary gear set. In some embodiments, a ring gear of the planetary gear set comprises a receiving portion in which a free end of the wire tie is received.
Implementation Method 2
the ring gear is coupled to a spring-loaded rod that is inserted between the conductor and the wire tie. The spring-loaded rod may rotate with the ring gear and, by staying between the conductor and the wire tie, unwinds the wire tie from the conductor.
Implementation Method 3
The spring-loaded rod may comprise external wire bristles to abrade corrosive material off the conductor.
Data Source
AI summary
Rotary tools for operating on energized power lines are described herein. The rotary tool may be used to manipulate wire ties wrapped around the conductors and to clean the conductors. The rotary tool may comprise a planetary gear set. A ring gear may comprise a receiving portion through which an end of the wire tie is received and, as the ring gear rotates, the wire tie is fed through the receiving portion and unwound about the conductor. A spring-loaded rod assembly may also be used, having a rod that is kept proximal to the conductor by the spring. The rod may be inserted between the conductor and the wire tie and rotated along with the ring gear to unwind the wire tie. The rod may comprise wire bristles to abrade corrosive material off the conductor. The rotary tool may be remotely operated by a robotic unit.