Poletop switch automation system

A device for engaging and disengaging a poletop-mounted switch through actuation of linkage connected to said switch and extending axially along said pole, said device comprising:

• a cylinder having first and second ends and having a reciprocating piston disposed therein, said piston being positionable between said first and second ends and said linkage connected to said first end of said cylinder, and wherein said switch is engaged when said piston is positioned at said second end of said cylinder and said switch is disengaged when said piston is positioned at said first end of said cylinder;
• a connecting rod attached to said piston and extending axially away from said piston and out of said second end of said cylinder;
• a lever having a handle end and a pivot end wherein said pivot end is pivotally mounted to said pole below said cylinder and said connecting rod operatively attached to said lever, said lever manually operable to disengage said switch through rotation of said lever about said pivot point when said piston is positioned adjacent said second end of said cylinder;
• a position sensor indicating the position of said cylinder relative to said piston;
• and
• a remotely-operated control system to operate said switch, said control system varying the relative positions of said piston and said cylinder in response to signals received by said control system.

A device for selectively opening and closing high voltage power switches wherein said switches are mounted on an upper end of an electric pole and said device is mounted on a lower end of said pole, and wherein said switches and said device are mechanically connected by an elongated rod, said device comprising:

• a piston and cylinder assembly having an upper end and a lower end, wherein said cylinder is formed with an interior chamber for receiving said piston and allowing translational movement therein by said piston, said piston dividing said interior chamber into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, said upper end of said assembly attached to said rod;
• and
• a control system connected to said piston and cylinder assembly, said control system operative to receive signals and direct fluid to said cylinder in response to said signals to actuate said assembly;
• and
• a manually operable override controller operably coupled to said rod to open said switches in response to a force applied to said manually operable override controller.

A method of converting an existing manually operated set of electric poletop switches attached to an electric power pole wherein said poletop switches are mechanically attached to a distal operating lever by a rod running therebetween, to an automated system for actuating said poletop switches in response to an electronic command comprises the following steps:

• providing a translatable cylinder assembly capable of movement between two positions in response to the flow of fluid, said flow of fluid controlled by a remote receiving and processing unit;
• removing a section of said rod near said operating lever;
• substituting said cylinder assembly for said section of said removed rod so that said assembly is linearly aligned with said rod;
• securing one end of said cylinder assembly to said rod and securing an opposite end of said cylinder assembly to said operating lever permitting said poletop switches to be manually opened in response to movement of said operating lever;
• and
• mounting said remote receiving and processing unit to said power pole in a position for operative association with said cylinder assembly.

A system for operating a high-voltage power switch wherein said switch is mounted to a top end of a utility power pole and movement of said switch is controlled through actuating linkage extending along the length of said pole towards the ground, said system comprising:

• an automated controller positioned toward the bottom of said pole and connected to said linkage, said controller capable of movement between a first position to close said switch and a second position to open said switch;
• a manual controller connected to said automated controller and capable of movement between a first position to close said switch and a second position to open said switch;
• and
• wherein said switch is open when one of said automated or said manual controllers is in said respective second position even if said other of said automated or manual controllers is in said respective first position.