Robotic Bonding and Insulation for Live Power Line Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for maintaining power lines require disconnecting or turning off energized power lines for maintenance, leading to expensive downtime and safety risks for operators due to the inability to electrically bond with the lines while operational.

Innovation Solution

A remotely operated robotic assembly with robotic arms that establishes an electrical connection with the power line using an electrical bonding cable, monitors bonding conditions, and transmits sensory information across a dielectric gap to an operator, allowing for safe operation on energized lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation from within a bucket is used, then operators can perform maintenance on power lines, but operators face electrical shock risks and extensive pre-operation inspections are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operation capabilityVSAvoidelectrical shock risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated robotic system. The robotic assembly with robotic arms performs maintenance tasks on power lines without human operators being in close contact with energized lines, eliminating electrical shock risk while maintaining maintenance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrical bonding cable as an intermediary between the robotic assembly and the power line. This bonding cable establishes an electrical connection that allows the robotic system to work on energized lines safely by equalizing electrical potential, eliminating the need for extensive pre-operation inspections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing remote automation systems are used, then operator safety is improved, but the power line must be disconnected or turned off leading to expensive downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidpower line downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical bonding cable serves as a mediator that enables the robotic assembly to electrically bond with the energized power line. This bonding allows the system to perform maintenance on live lines without disconnection, eliminating downtime while maintaining operator safety through remote operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous operation of the power line during maintenance by using the robotic assembly to work on energized lines. The electrical bonding ensures the robotic system can operate safely on live lines, maintaining power supply continuity and eliminating expensive downtime associated with line disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If extensive pre-operation inspections are performed, then electrical insulation adequacy is ensured, but operation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulation adequacyVSAvoidpre-operation inspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical bonding cable acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for extensive pre-operation insulation inspections. By establishing an electrical bond with the power line, the robotic system creates a controlled electrical pathway that ensures safety without requiring time-consuming inspection procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical bonding process is self-verifying - the bonding cable automatically establishes the electrical connection and the system monitors bonding conditions in real-time. This self-service approach replaces manual inspection processes, ensuring electrical insulation adequacy without requiring time-consuming pre-operation checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 maintenance on energized power lines without downtime, reducing operational risks and costs by allowing electrical bonding and insulation, thus preventing electrical shocks.

Implementation Method 1

establishing, via one or more robotic arms of the aerial device, an electrical connection between the energized power line and a portion of the aerial device with an electrical bonding cable to maintain the portion of the aerial device at an electrical potential of the energized power line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

transmitting a communication signal across a dielectric gap from the portion of the aerial device to the operator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS11742108B1Operation and insulation techniques

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 ALTEC INDS

AI summary

Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.