US 11,894,663 B2Granted

Device and methods for replacing or repairing a power transmission line support structure

AssigneeAnderson & Wood Construction Co., Inc.

InventorsChase C Oliver, Fred S Oliver, Devin Bruett

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Abstract

A winch column holds electric power conductors and static lines separate and distanced from an existing power line pole/structure during repair or replacement of the pole/structure. The winch column is temporarily anchored and stabilized to be vertical and adjacent to the existing pole/structure, and winch cables extend from the winch column height-adjustable frame to support the load of the disconnected conductors. Hoist lines also extend from the frame to support the disconnected static lines. After the repair or replacement of the pole/structure, the conductors and static lines are moved, and reconnected, to the new pole, and the winch column may be moved to another existing pole or power line or folded for storage. Whenever the winch cables handle the conductors, tension sensors provided on the frame are used to monitor and report conductor tension, for safe and effective handling and reinstallation on the new pole.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A device for handling power transmission conductors and static lines each supported at a respective in-use position of an existing pole of a power line system, which existing pole is to be replaced or repaired, the device comprising:

an elongated winch column having a main body with top end a bottom end and a longitudinal axis between the top end and bottom end, and right, left, front and rear sides, a coupler on the rear side between the top end and the bottom end for connection to a stabilizing vehicle that is on the ground, the main body being adapted to be orientated vertically adjacent to the existing pole with the bottom end anchored to the ground;
a frame that is slidable relative to the main body to raise the frame upward toward the top end and lower the frame downward toward the coupler, the frame comprising right and left lower arms and right and left upper arms extending from the main body, each of the lower arms comprising a winch sheave receiving a winch cable extending from and controlled by a respective winch mounted on the main body, and each of the upper arms comprising multiple connection points;
and
the outer ends of the winch cables being for connection to one or more of said conductors for supporting the one or more conductors during disconnection of, and moving, the one or more conductors away from the existing pole, and the upper arm connection points being for connection to one or more of said static lines for supporting the one or more static lines during disconnection, and moving of, the one or more static lines away from the existing pole, for replacement or repair of the existing pole.

1 more element

A winch column system for supporting power transmission lines and static lines during repair or replacement of a power line existing pole, the winch column having a longitudinal axis, a front side, rear side, and right and left sides, the winch column system comprising:

a winch column main body comprising a lower beam adapted to be connected to a vehicle and held by the vehicle to be vertically adjacent to the existing pole, an upper beam, and a hinge connecting the lower beam and upper beam and being adapted for pivoting the upper beam to be parallel to the lower beam in a winch column in-use configuration, and to be folded to be side-by-side with the lower beam in a winch column transport configuration;
wherein, when the winch column is in the in-use configuration:
a frame is slidable up and down the upper beam, and is lockable in multiple positions on the upper beam, wherein the frame comprises lower arms extending forward and each having a sheave receiving a winch cable controlled by a winch mounted on the main body, and upper arms extending upward and each having multiple connection points;
wherein the winch cable of each of the lower arms is adapted for connection to a power transmission conductor, for supporting the conductor upon disconnection of the conductor from the existing pole, and moving of the conductor away from the existing pole and toward the main body, wherein each sheave comprises a load sensor for sensing the tension on the conductor;
and
wherein the upper arms are each adapted to connect to one of the static lines for supporting the static lines, by hoist systems being attached to a selected one of the multiple connection points on each of the upper arms and being connected to one of the static lines;
wherein, when the conductors and the static lines are disconnected from the existing pole, the winch cables in the sheaves of the lower arms and the hoist systems connected to the upper arms support, and hold at a distance from the existing pole, the conductors and the static lines, respectively, so that the existing pole can be repairs or replaced.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.