Patent Application
20160082582
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in an extension for use with high voltage power lines. More particularly, the present extension allows a high voltage worker to safely loosen and tighten nuts on high voltage power lines.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Working on high voltage power lines requires a high level of care for insulation from the high voltage that runs through the power lines. Typical high voltage lines have voltages as high as 2.4 to 756 kilo-volts. The high voltage power lines consist of aluminum or copper conducting lines. The aluminum and copper elements improve the conductivity. A high-voltage line has a reduced surface space. Since less heat is lost through the surface of the conductor, less electrical energy is lost through the process. This enables a greater abundance of electric power to reach the substations more efficiently. The high voltage requires a worker to insulate themselves from the high voltage to prevent electrocution.
Because the took are for high voltage handling are for special purposes the number of related patents are limited to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,747 issued on Mar. 14, 2000 to Joseph Valela discloses an Extension for Socket Wrenches Having Improved Torque Characteristics. This extension is fabricated from a steel shaft with metal sockets on each end. The extension shaft provides improved torque characteristics that provide optimal forces to loosen or tighten a nut or bolt. Because this is a conductive extension electricity can easily pass from the nut or bolt to the person working on the nut or bolt. The improved torque characteristics further can damage the nut or bolt by over torqueing. Both the conductive nature and the high torque capability are features that are not desirable when working with high voltage power lines.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,934 issued on Sep. 12, 2006 to Eric Hsu et al discloses a Multipurpose Combination Pliers. The pliers have a male socket on one end where a wrench can be secured. Once the wrench is secured a user can use a socket wrench to turn a nut, bolt or other object being gripped by the jaws of the wrench. Again, the conductive nature of the pliers and the ability to damage a nut or bolt secured by the pliers creates undesirable features.
What is needed is an insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench that provides electrical isolation of the user from the nut or bolt and limits the amount of torque that can be applied from an attached wrench to a nut.
It is an object of the insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench to provide electrical isolation between an operator located at one end of the insulated high voltage extension and a nut or bolt located at the other end of the insulated high voltage extension. Due to the potential for high voltage electricity to jump between conductive elements the insulated high voltage extension provides electrical isolation to reduce or prevent electrocution of an installer when the installer is working with high voltage power transmission lines. This can especially be a problem when working with high voltage power transmission lines in high humidity and in wet conditions. Typically repair is performed on high power transmission lines following a storm.
It is an object of the insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench to be available is different lengths to allow an installer to use an extension that is optimal for the voltage, conditions and the distance between the installer and the fastener. While the length of the extension can be between four (4) feet and 15 feet depending upon the voltage, other shorter and longer lengths are contemplated.
It is another object of the insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench to include a universal joint option. The universal joint option allows an operator to be slightly out-of-alignment with the nut or bolt. In many installations the operator is not at an optimal location due to the equipment the operator is standing upon and or the configuration of the high power lines. The universal joint accommodates the miss-alignment without limiting other functions of the insulated high voltage extension. While the universal joint can be integrated into the insulated high voltage extension, it is also possible that the operator can install their own universal joint onto either or both ends of the insulated high voltage extension.
It is still another object of the insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench for the wrench to have a sacrificial torque limiter. The sacrificial torque limiter prevents an installer to continue to tighten or loosen a nut or bolt beyond a limit that can cause damage to the high voltage extension. In some cases an installer will continue to apply greater forces to turn a nut or bolt in an attempt to form or cut threads. While the over torqueing can allow the nut or bolt to be initially installed, the cause of the problem is not addressed and the result can cause damage that must be repaired in the future.
Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
As the voltage increases the height above the ground also typically increases as well as the safe distance between the operator 15 and the power line 19. The insulator 14 is usually made of glass or other material that provides insulation and is non-porous. The insulator 14 is shown mounted to the horizontal cross-member 17 of a power pole. As this figure shows, the worker 15 is able to perform maintenance of installation tasks at a distance from the insulator 14 on the power line 19.
The other end 40 of the extension 21 is shown connected to a wrench 16. In this case the wrench 16 is an battery powered driver, but could also be a mechanical wrench with a torque indicator that allows an operator to set the desired amount of torque for the given fastener 18. The electric driver wrench 16 allows the operator to quickly thread and remove the fastener 18 into the insulator 14. The first end, or driven end 30 accepts standard sockets and has a square drive of ½ inch but can have larger or smaller sizes as well as metric sizes. The driven end has at least one universal type coupler to accept some rotational axial miss-alignment between the centerline of the shaft 21 and the centerline where the fastener 18 will be driven and seated.
The insulated tube 21 is preferably fabricated from a material that has high torque capability. The connection from the female drive socket 40 to the insulated tube is with a pin 22. In one embodiment the pin 22 is a shear pin that can shear is the torque being applied exceeds a desired limit. The shear pin 22 can be retained on the insulated tube with a cotter pin or other mechanism where the shear pin 22 can be replaced based upon the desired amount of torque limit desired. In many cases the person applying torque to a fastener can easily exceed the optimal torque as they quickly try to replace, install or repair the power line
To prevent parts of the extension tube 20 from falling if the pin should shear an “E” clip or “C” ring 41 retainer is utilized.
The broken area of the insulated tube 21 is shown as hollow or filled with foam 25. While a solid insulated shaft 21 could be used, in the preferred embodiment the insulated shaft is hollow and foam filled 25 to prevent moisture contamination. At the opposing or driven end of the extension tube, the insulated shaft 21 is connected to a collar 24 with a fastener 23. The fastener 23 could also be a sheer pin, but a duplicate sheer pin 23 is functionally redundant. At the end of the collar 24 an impact swivel 30 that is connected to the collar 24.
A ball joint in the coupler 30 with a male socket 31 that has a square drive 31. The ball joint allows the square drive 31 to pivot to accommodate some axial miss-alignment between the centerline of the extension tube 20 and the centerline of a fastener that is being installed or removed. The square drive 31 is the preferred ½″ drive cross-section, but could be a hex drive or larger if required. The square drive 31 has a spring loaded ball 32 that retains a socket onto the square drive 31.
In operation the operator ascends to the area where they will work. The operator selects an insulated extension pole based upon the minimal safe distance to the power line. The operator selects a socket that matched the head of the fastener and secures the socket to the male end of the extension pole. The fastener is then inserted into the socket. The extension is then moved to align the fastener to the threaded hole. The fastener can then be hand started to thread the fastener into the hole. A power driver can then be secured to the female hole in the extension and the power driver can be operated to seat the fastener.
Thus, specific embodiments of an insulated high voltage extension for a socket wrench have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.
