Electrical power transmission line

Abstract

An electrical power transmission line is particularly adapted for the transmission of electrical power from relatively small and remotely located hydroelectric sites and over rugged terrain. The line has a plurality of conducting elements, preferably assembled from copper tubing or pipe with loosely fitting slip joints to allow for thermal expansion, with concentric outer insulating elements of polyvinyl chloride pipe or tubing, which insulating elements are hermetically sealed together. The conducting element is spaced apart from the inner walls of the insulating element by plural spacers installed therebetween, to provide an air gap between conductor and insulator. The use of a combination of standard, off the shelf components provides a relatively economical construction, with the relatively light weight of the components providing for shipment by air to remote sites and the standardization of the components providing for ease of assembly in remote areas by relatively unskilled labor using minimal hand tools and equipment, without need for the construction of a right of way for a conventional electrical power line. A method of constructing such a line is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.