Methods and devices for electrically insulating a power line

A drone comprising:

• multiple sensors or actuators;
• a wireless communication system;
• an on-board charge-receiving system configured to directly or indirectly connect with an external charging station operable to provide energy;
• an energy storage system directly or indirectly connected or connectable to the on-board charge-receiving system, wherein the energy storage system is configured to store energy provided by the external charging system;
• a flight mechanism powered by the energy storage system;
• and
• an insulation application assembly configured for applying insulation to a power line, wherein insulation application assembly comprises:
• an open-ended enclosure configured or configurable to partly or fully enclose a segment of the power line, wherein the open-ended enclosure has an interior surface;
• one or more sensors or tools connected directly or indirectly to the open-ended enclosure;
• an insulation material applicator connected directly or indirectly to the interior surface of the open-ended enclosure;
• insulation storage that is configured for storing insulation material;
• an insulation material conveying mechanism configured for causing the insulation material to move from the insulation storage to the insulation material applicator;
• a communication network or port configured for conveying sensor information directly or indirectly from one or more of the sensors, for conveying instructions directly or indirectly to the insulation material conveying mechanism or the insulation material applicator, or for both conveying sensor information directly or indirectly from one or more of the sensors and for conveying instructions directly or indirectly to the insulation material conveying mechanism or the insulation material applicator;
• and an energy conveyance mechanism configured for conveying energy to the insulation material conveying mechanism and/or the insulation material applicator.

A method for insulating a segment of an established power line, comprising:

• positioning an open-ended enclosure of an insulation application assembly around the segment of the power line, wherein the open-ended enclosure has opposing interior cover surfaces that are spaced apart from and partly surround the power line;
• applying an insulation material, from one or more insulation material applicators positioned in proximity to the interior surfaces of the open-ended enclosure, to the segment of the power line;
• and
• displacing the insulation application assembly away from the power line.