Patent Application
20080088299
Like reference numerals identify like parts throughout the drawings.
A schematic of an isometric view of the preferred embodiment attachment device for fastening an electrical cable monitoring instrument to an electrical cable is shown in
During the processes of attachment and disconnection of the electrical cable monitoring instrument said elongated elastic member 110 transients through a state characterized by high mechanical energy. When relaxed to the a shape characterized by lower mechanical energy than said high mechanical energy shape, with the electrical cable 100 positioned to pass through said sensitive volume 20, said elongated elastic member 110 applies elastic force to said electrical cable 100 to hold the electrical cable 100 passing through the sensitive volume 20 firmly and securely in contact with the cable monitoring instrument with no relative motion.
In the preferred embodiment device, at least one elongated elastic member 110 is securely attached by the attachment piece 150 to the Faraday shield 130 that encapsulate electronics compartment of the cable monitoring instrument by the use of latch 140. Faraday shield that partially encloses the electrical cable monitoring instrument also caries a mounting bracket 80 to which the hot stick adapter 160 is attached.
A schematic of an isometric view of a different embodiment attachment device for fastening an electrical cable monitoring instrument to an electrical cable is shown in
The principle feature of the attachment device embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4., is security and stability of the attachment. The electrical cable monitoring instrument contact the electrical cable 100 in at least six points 230 (two points are clearly visible in
An additional embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5., during the process of attachment of the cable monitoring instrument to the electrical cable 100. The elastic elongated members 110 and short helical spring 120 are depicted in a deformed state close to the state of maximum mechanical energy achieved during the attachment process. In this embodiment the mechanical energy is shared between the elongated elastic members 110 and short helical springs 120.
An additional embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in
The elastic body 300 of this embodiment can be an elastomeric body that can be made of elastomers such as polyurethane, synthetic rubber such as Buna or Neoprene, or any other elastic material elastically deformable in the directions perpendicular to the longest dimension of said elongated elastic member or members. When deformed, any elastomeric body acts as a reservoir storing mechanical energy.
In addition to elastomeric bodies, the elastic body 300 may consist of relatively tightly wound helical spring which is also deformable in the directions perpendicular to the longest dimension of said elongated elastic member or members. When deformed, said tightly wound helical spring acts as a reservoir storing mechanical energy.
Same embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 8., during the process of attachment. The elastic force F acts on the electrical cable 100 while the reaction force Fr deforms the elastic body 300 to a shape characterized by high mechanical energy such that deformed elastic member allows said electrical cable to travel along relative path 400 to gain access to the sensitive volume 20 at least partially surrounded by said monitoring instrument sensor 10.
Relaxing the force on the electrical cable 100 such that the resulting reactive force Fr on the elongated elastic member or members allowing the elongated elastic member or members to relax to a shape characterized by lower mechanical energy than said high mechanical energy shape, and to apply elastic force to said electrical cable to hold the electrical cable passing through the sensitive volume firmly and securely in contact with the cable monitoring instrument with no relative motion.
As discussed previously while summarizing the invention in the “SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION” section, capability to perform listed operations intuitively, as a single continuous motion using a hot stick, is in the interest of safety and efficiency.
Particular features of the device in accordance with this embodiment is exceptional stability against the translational motions along the electrical cable axis 500, and stability against any rotation with respect to any rotational axis perpendicular to the electrical cable axis 500.
Any action by external forces Fe, directed to produce relative motion, induces the attachment device to apply additional stabilization force or forces Fs against the electrical cable resulting in action to prevent relative motion and further stabilize the device in secure contact with the electrical cable.
Those features may be of special interest when electrical cables under surveillance exhibit high angles with respect to the horizontal plane, like power lines traversing steep hills, ore in places with prevailing strong winds along the transmission lines.
