Module for deicing a cable sheath and method for using the same
AssigneeAmerican Bridge Maintenance Services Company
InventorCarson T. Carney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A module for deicing a cable sheath has a mass, a vibrator, and a base. The module may be placed inside a sheath, such as a sheath surrounding stay strands in a cable stayed bridge, for vibrating the sheath to prevent and/or remove snow and/or ice accumulation from the sheath.
Claims18
A module for placement inside a sheath having a longitudinal axis and for vibrating the sheath comprising a body having:
- a) a mass;
- b) a vibrator attached to the mass;
- c) a base supporting the mass and vibrator and adapted to contact an inner wall of the sheath;
- and
- d) wherein the body has a tether attached thereto adapted for towing the body along the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
A vibrating system comprising:
- a) a sheath, wherein the sheath surrounds a plurality of strands and there is an interstitial space between the strands and the inner wall of the sheath;
- and
- b) a module having a body with:
- i) a mass;
- ii) a vibrator attached to the mass;
- and
- iii) a base supporting the mass and vibrator;
- wherein the module fits within the interstitial space and contacts the inner wall of the sheath.
A method for vibrating a sheath surrounding a plurality of strands and having an interstitial space beneath the strands and the inner wall of the sheath, wherein the method uses a module with a vibrating mass and comprises the steps of:
- a) positioning the module within the interstitial space of the sheath and against the inner wall of the sheath;
- b) vibrating the mass to impart vibration to the sheath;
- and
- c) moving the module along the sheath to impart vibration along the sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.