Patent Application
20130205714
The present disclosure relates to a cover that functions as a wildlife guard for electrical systems. More particularly, it relates to a base cover for a horizontal post insulator extending from a utility pole to prevent wildlife, such as large birds, from simultaneously contacting conductive or energized and grounded surfaces, resulting in harm or death to the bird and/or disruption of energy transmission and distribution.
It is known that electric power distribution equipment used to supply electrical power employ wildlife protection to prevent wildlife from simultaneously contacting energized and grounded surfaces or adjacent phases. Conventional wildlife protection is applied to an equipment bushing or lightning arrester of the distribution or substation equipment. However, when such contact occurs at elevated voltages the voltage drop and resulting current flow through the wildlife can be lethal. Also short circuits and consequent power outages may occur.
Power lines, for example, power lines that transmit from 2,400 volts to 765,000 volts, are usually suspended between utility poles. There are posts extending out from the utility pole and although these post are generally referred to as line post insulators or horizontal posts, the proximal end of the horizontal post insulator, or base, is attached to the utility pole and the post extends outwardly either perpendicular to the pole or at an upward angle relative to the vertical axis of the utility pole. The power line is secured at the distal end of the horizontal post, resulting in a desired, predetermined distance between the utility pole and the power line. The connecting hardware at the distal end of the post usually is conductive metal hardware.
While there are other apparatus of the same general configuration the more a common horizontal post is illustrated herein by way of example. The post insulator is constructed from a non-conductive material. In one example the post has a cylindrical core of non-conductive fiber glass reinforced plastic such as polyester, vinyl ester or epoxy reinforced by fiberglass strands with a soft polymer sheath, for example silicon polymer, EPDM rubber or other synthetic rubber, molded around the core. The polymer sheath generally comprises radial circular skirts or fins. The fins can be of a uniform diameter or different diameters and can be evenly spaced apart along the axis of the core or unevenly spaced. The proximal end of the horizontal post insulator is attached to the utility pole with attachment hardware. The attachment hardware can be integral with the proximal end of the post or separate hardware. Such separate hardware is referred to as a base fitting of the horizontal post. In most cases the base fittings are molded, cast, or extruded from conductive material, such as steel or aluminum or aluminum and steel.
The horizontal post represents an ideal perch for wildlife, particularly large birds such as raptors or other migratory birds or birds of prey. Because of the large size of these birds, they can perch on the wire or horizontal post and simultaneously contact the base fitting and the energized distal end of the post, causing a voltage drop across the bird resulting in harm to the bird or death. Many of these birds are protected species and the power company and their management, can be held liable for the death of a protected bird.
Because the location of the horizontal post and attachment hardware and the presence of the transmission or distribution line, it can be very difficult or impractical and cost prohibitive to retrofit the apparatus with acceptable wildlife protection. It would be advantageous, therefore to have wildlife protection that can be easily affixed to cover the base plate of the horizontal post, preferably retrofitted, without removing the horizontal post or disrupting energy transmission.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a wildlife guard for electrical power equipment comprising a two piece, non-conductive cover for positioning over a horizontal post base fitting.
In another aspect, the two piece, non-conductive cover can be installed over the horizontal post base fitting without removing the horizontal post from the utility pole or interrupting power transmission.
In another aspect, the cover can be secured to the utility pole with attachment apparatus such as threaded bolts, screws, nails straps or any appropriate apparatus.
In another aspect, the invention comprises a horizontal post and base for securing the horizontal post to a utility pole, and a two piece, non-conductive cover over the base.
Briefly stated, a two piece, non-conductive cover for covering the conductive base of a horizontal post attached to a utility pole. The cover comprises a first or top section and a second or bottom section. The two sections overlap and fit together in an overlapping arrangement. The two sections could be connected by a hinge or living hinge. The two sections cooperate to define a cavity that encases the conductive end of the horizontal post base and fitting. The two sections also cooperate to define a pair of opposed curvilinear walls that define a semicircular space dimensioned to extend at least partially around a utility pole. Attachment apparatus for attaching the arms to the pole can include, but are not limited to, bolts, lag screws, screws, nails, straps or any other apparatus that serves to secure the cover to the utility pole.
While the disclose cover is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is described in detail preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered only as an example of the principles of the invention. This disclosure is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the illustrated embodiments. The scope of protection is defined by the appended claims.
In the drawings, the number 10 designates generally one illustrative embodiment of a cover of the present invention that functions as a wildlife guard for installation over the end of a horizontal post base proximal to a utility pole in electrical power transmission or distribution systems. Cover 10 is shown in
As can be seen in
The proximal end PE, that is, the end of the horizontal post that is proximate to the utility pole, includes a base fitting 18, one example of which is shown in greater detail in
It will be noted that the base fitting 18 and mounting hardware on the proximal end of the horizontal post are fashioned from conductive metal, such as steel or aluminum, or combination thereof. The base fitting can be grounded by ground wire (not shown). In any event, there is a voltage drop between the distal end of the horizontal post and the proximal end of the horizontal post. If wildlife, such as a large migratory bird or raptors, contact the distal and proximal ends of the horizontal post, or contacts different phases, it can be electrocuted.
As seen in
Cover 10 includes a first or top section 32 and a second or bottom section 33. There terms “top” and “bottom” are used for convenience and clarity since they ordinarily are positioned in these orientations in use, however, the terms of orientation should not be considered as limiting in any manner.
In any event, first section 32, shown in detail in
Second section 33, shown in detail in
Lateral compartments 68 and 70 of second section 33 seat within lateral compartments 48 and 50. The interior cavities of the lateral compartments accommodate the protruded ends of the laterally disposed bolts 24. Protuberances 46 and 66 accommodate the protruding heads of bolts 30 used to secure the horizontal post base to pole P. The respective curvilinear arms of the first and second sections wrap part way around the pole. The horizontal post base is housed within the covers; the described cavities 44, 64, 42 and 63 cooperate to house conductive attachment hardware at the proximal end of the post and the base fitting, respectively.
The first and second sections are assembled in an overlapping arrangement. In one aspect of the invention, cover 10 is secured to the pole by acceptable fastening means, such as lag screws inserted through holes 41 and 62. In another aspect, metal or plastic bands or zip ties or the like (not shown) may be employed to secure cover 10 to a pole. The metal bands can be positioned in space 56 between ribs 54, 55 on the first section and space 76 between raised ridges 74, 75 on the second section and tightened as known in the art. The two pairs of spaced apart ridges keep the bands in place and prevent the bands from slipping or moving. However, as stated above, alternative arrangements such as grooves or depressions formed in the wall of the cover would work.
It will be noted that the two sections can be introduced on the proximal end of the horizontal post without removing the post or disrupting the electric transmission or distribution network. A lineman, working at an appropriate safe working distance and using required personal protective equipment can cover a horizontal post base with cover 10 quickly and efficiently.
The components of cover 10 are formed from a relatively light weight, resilient, non-conductive material, such as plastic, rubber or other polymer. The sections can be vacuum molded, cavity molded, dip molded, rotation molded or manufactured by any other technique known to the art.
While the invention is described in use on utility posts employed in electric transmission or distribution systems, it will be understood that it may be employed in other settings where there are electrically energized parts such as in an electrified railway or the like.
Although two different aspects of fastener apparatus have been described for purposes of illustration, any fastener apparatus that helps secure cover 10 in place is intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/597,413 filed Feb. 10, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61597413 | Feb 2012 | US |
