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US 4,814,550 AGranted
Power line isolating apparatus and method
AssigneeBlack Hills Engineering & Development Corp.
InventorJames C. Newberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for isolating electric power lines includes an insulator assembly to which is pivotally connected two line clamps. After the clamps clamp to the wire, the wire is cut so that the insulator isolates the line. In one form the clamping surfaces are curved in the longitudinal direction to make up for the loss of line length due to the elongation of the assembly under line tension. Cut-out assemblies for fuse and disconnect purposes are readily applied to the assembly by a lineman standing on the ground below.
Claims25
Isolating apparatus for electric power lines comprising:
- an insulator,
- a pair of line clamps pivotally mounted to opposite ends of said insulator to provide an isolating assembly, each said line clamp including a first clamp member connected to pivot about an end portion of said insulator about a first pivot and a second clamp member movable relative to said first clamp member between clamping and non-clamping positions, each said line clamp having an actuator operable from a distance to clamp each line clamp to the power line whereby upon the cutting of said clamped power line between said line clamps to provide two line ends, said line clamps pivot about the associated first pivots under the tension in said power line to move to a second position and said isolating assembly connects said line ends together via said insulator with said insulator electrically isolating said line ends,
- hook-up means on said isolating assembly which enables said assembly to be lifted by a lift device to an overhead power line, and
- support means on said isolating assembly for enabling said assembly to be supported on said power line.
1 more element
Isolating apparatus for electric power lines under tension comprising:
- an insulator assembly including an elongated insulator body and conducting end fittings mounted to each end of said body,
- a pair of line clamps pivotally mounted to opposite ends of said insulator assembly to provide an articulated power line isolating assembly, each said line clamp including a first clamp member connected to pivot about an end portion of said insulator about a first pivot and a second clamp member movable relative to said first clamp member between clamping and non-clamping positions, each said clamp having releasable holding means to hold each clamp at a selected angle to a longitudinal axis of said insulating assembly, each said line clamp having an actuator operable from a distance to clamp each line clamp to the power line whereby upon, the cutting of said clamped power line between said line clamps to provide two line ends, said line clamps pivot about the associated first pivots under the tension in said power line to move to a second position and said isolating assembly connects said line ends together via said insulator with said insulator electrically isolating said line ends,
- a hook-up eye bolt mounted to said insulator assembly at the center of balance of said line isolating assembly which enables said line isolating assembly to be lifted by a lifting device to an overhead power line, and
- a support clip on each second clamp member of said isolating assembly for enabling said isolating assembly to be supported on said power line.
1 more element
The method of electrically isolating a power line comprising the steps of:
- lifting a line isolating assembly to a power line, said assembly including an insulator, a line clamp pivotally connected at opposite ends of said insulator, and support means connected with either of said insulator and line clamps to be movable as an integral unit, each said line clamp including a first clamp member and a second clamp member movable relative to said first clamp member between clamping and non-clamping positions,
- hanging said assembly from said power line by placing said support means on said power line,
- locating said power line between said first and second clamping members of each line clamp in a non-clamping position by applying a force to said assembly to pull the power line between said first and second clamp members of each line clamp,
- clamping said line clamps to said power line,
- said lifting, hanging, locating and clamping being carried out from a distance from said assembly by the use of an elongated tool, and
- cutting said line between said clamps to provide two line ends whereby said line isolating assembly connects said line ends and said insulator electrically isolates said cut line ends.
3 more elements
The method of electrically isolating a power line comprising the steps of:
- lifting a line isolating assembly to a power line, said assembly including an insulator, a line clamp pivotally connected at opposite ends of said insulator, and hook-up means and support means connected with either of said insulator and line clamps to be movable as an integral unit, each said line clamp including a first clamp member and a second clamp member movable relative to said first clamp member between clamping and non-clamping positions, each said line clamp having an actuator operable to clamp each line clamp,
- hanging said assembly from said power line by placing said support means on said power line,
- locating said power line between said first and second clamping members of each line clamp in a non-clamping position by applying a downward force to said assembly to pull the power line between said first and second clamp members of each line clamp,
- clamping said line clamps to said power line by actuating each actuator,
- said lifting, hanging, locating and clamping being carried out from a distance from said assembly by the use of an elongated tool, and
- cutting said line between said clamps to provide two line ends whereby said line isolating assembly connects said line ends and said insulator electrically isolates said cut line ends.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.