Transmission line advancement system

A transmission line installation system comprising:

• a control unit comprising a processing device, a computer-readable storage device, a communication device, a display device, and at least one input device, the control unit being configured to display status information and to receive input from a user;
• a transmission line source configured to supply a transmission line to an advancement device drive assembly;
• a plurality of advancement devices, the plurality of advancement devices configured receive a transmission line at a drive assembly first end and advance the transmission line into a conduit at a drive assembly second end, wherein the plurality of advancement devices comprise a sensor for measuring a speed of the transmission line as it is advanced by the plurality of advancement devices;
• a plurality of local controller configured to communicate with other local controllers positioned in other advancement devices via a global controller, wherein the local controllers are configured to communicate the measured speed of the transmission line as it is advanced through each of the plurality of advancement devices to each of the other plurality of advancement devices via the global controller, wherein the local controllers are configured to receive the measured speed of each of the other local controllers via the global controller and synchronize the speed of the transmission line as it passes through each advancement device;
• and
• a power source configured to power the plurality of local controllers.

A method of retrofitting a pipeline with a power cable using a transmission line installation system, comprising:

• accessing the pipeline at a first location through a first access point;
• operating a first advancement device at the first location to advance the power cable to a second location;
• connecting the power cable to a second advancement device at the second location;
• operating the second advancement device at the second location to advance the power cable to a desired location;
• using a plurality of sensors, measuring a speed of the transmission line at the first advancement device and the second advancement device as the transmission line passes through the first advancement device and the second advancement device;
• using a local controller at each of the advancement devices, communicating the measured speed with the other advancement devices along the transmission line installation system via a global controller;
• and
• using the local controller at each of the advancement devices, adjusting the speed of the transmission line as it passes through each of the advancement devices to a uniform speed.