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US 6,170,607 B2Granted
Electrical hazard warning system for aerial devices
AssigneeAltec Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Freeman, William J. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A warning system for an aerial device which provides an alarm signal when a worker on an aerial work platform is exposed to an electrical hazard. The aerial device has an insulated boom which carries the work platform on its upper end. An electrostatic charge is introduced to all conductive components near the platform. The electrostatic charge is harmless to the worker and dissipates upon contact with an energized power line or grounded object. The absence of charge is then sensed by a warning device which provides an alarm signal.
Claims24
An aerial device comprising:
- an elongated boom having a base end and a tip end and means for electrically insulating said tip end from said base end;
- an aerial platform on the tip end of said boom for carrying personnel, said platform having an electrically conductive portion;
- and
- means for providing a warning signal when said conductive portion actually contacts an energized conductor or a grounded object, said means for providing a warning signal being ineffective to provide a warning signal when said conductive portion is near said energized conductor or a grounded object but not in actual contact therewith.
1 more element
An aerial device comprising:
- an elongated boom having a base end and a tip end, said boom being electrically insulated;
- an aerial platform carried on the tip end of said boom for holding a worker, said platform having an electrically conductive portion;
- and
- means for providing a warning signal in the event of a condition where a worker on said platform actually contacts said conductive portion and an energized conductor or a grounded object, said means for providing a warning signal being ineffective to provide a warning signal in the event of a condition where a worker on said platform is near to but not in actual contact with said energized conductor or a grounded object.
1 more element
An aerial device comprising:
- an elongated boom having a base end and a tip end;
- an aerial platform on said tip end of the boom for carrying personnel;
- means for normally electrically insulating said boom for the safety of personnel in the platform;
- a voltage source located in proximity to the base end of said boom;
- means for applying voltage at a selected electrical potential from said voltage source to said conductive portion of the platform along said boom in a manner to maintain the boom electrically insulated for the safety of personnel in the platform;
- means for sensing when said conductive portion is subjected to a potential which deviates from said selected potential;
- and
- means for providing an alarm signal in response to sensing of a deviant potential.
5 more elements
An aerial device comprising:
- an elongated boom having a base end and a tip end, said boom including upper and lower sections connected together for relative pivotal movement at an elbow join having an electrically conductive component;
- an aerial platform on said tip end of the boom for carrying personnel, said platform having an electrically conductive portion;
- means for normally electrically insulating both the upper and lower sections of said boom for the safety of personnel in the platform;
- a voltage source located in proximity to the base end of said boom;
- means for applying voltage at a selected electrical potential from said voltage source to said conductive portion of the platform;
- means for sensing when said conductive portion is subjected to a potential which deviates from said selected potential;
- and
- means for providing an alarm signal in response to sensing of a deviant potential, said means for providing an alarm signal being operable to provide said alarm signal when said insulating means fails to insulate either boom section to a predetermined level of effectiveness.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.