Spiral Hanger Installation on Messenger Lines for Safe Cable Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for installing spiral hangers on messenger lines face challenges in safely removing old cables while maintaining pole clearance and avoiding safety hazards, as they require dropping or lowering cables over long distances, which is unsafe and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving incremental installation of spiral hangers while incrementally removing lashing wires, allowing existing cables to be supported and easily removed from a single location, thereby mitigating pole overloading and ensuring safe cable removal and installation of new cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cables are removed by dropping or lowering them over long distances, then cable removal is completed, but safety hazards increase and pole loading issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable removal efficiencyVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cable removal process into segments by installing spiral hangers at intervals along the messenger line. Each spiral hanger supports a section of the cable, allowing the cable to be removed in manageable sections rather than dropping it entirely at once. This segmentation enables workers to safely detach and remove cable portions between adjacent spiral hangers, eliminating the safety hazards of dropping cables over long distances while maintaining efficient removal productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple cables are added to existing poles using new messenger lines, then new cable installation is achieved, but pole clearance restrictions are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable installation capabilityVSAvoidpole clearance height

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical pole mounting to horizontal messenger line suspension. Instead of adding multiple cables vertically to existing poles (which consumes pole clearance height), the system uses horizontal messenger lines strung between poles, with spiral hangers supporting cables at intervals along the horizontal span. This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal cable support eliminates pole clearance restrictions while maintaining full cable installation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If lashing wire is used to attach cable to messenger line, then cable attachment is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable attachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional lashing wire method with disposable spiral hangers that are quickly installed and then discarded after use. Each spiral hanger is a temporary installation aid that supports the cable during attachment, then is removed and discarded. This eliminates the time-consuming process of wrapping and securing lashing wire while maintaining secure cable attachment, as each spiral hanger provides reliable temporary support during the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The spiral hanger design enables self-service installation where the hanger's own spiral structure provides the attachment mechanism. The hanger is simply positioned around the cable and messenger line, and its spiral geometry automatically creates the necessary friction and mechanical interlock for secure attachment without requiring additional fastening operations. This self-service characteristic dramatically reduces installation time while maintaining attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Force

If old cables are removed before installing new ones, then pole loading is reduced, but the removal process creates safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole loadingVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first installing multiple spiral hangers along the messenger line before removing the old cable. These pre-installed spiral hangers create support points that allow the old cable to be safely detached and removed in sections. The preliminary installation of spiral hangers transforms the dangerous process of dropping a full-length cable into a safe, controlled section-by-section removal process, thereby reducing pole loading while eliminating safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11616348B2Method of installing spiral hangers about a messenger line while removing lashing wire

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 HIEN ELECTRIC INDS LTD

AI summary

There is provided a method of installing spiral hangers about a messenger line installed between first and second utility poles with a cable being lashed to the messenger line with a lashing wire. The method includes attaching a first and second spiral hangers to the messenger line between first and second utility poles with the first spiral hanger disposed about the messenger line and the cable. The method includes removing the lashing wire from being around the messenger line and the cable adjacent the second spiral hanger. The method includes moving the second spiral hanger towards the second utility pole. The method includes attaching a successive spiral hanger to the messenger line between the spiral hangers, and repeating the moving of the second spiral hanger and attaching another successive spiral hanger.