Module for deicing a cable sheath and method for using the same

• US 10,113,278 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2018
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ringneck And Son, LLC
• Original Assignee: American Bridge Maintenance Services Co.
• Inventors: Carney, Carson T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S
• Application Number:
  US15/977,658
• Time in Patent Office: 172 Days
• Field of Search: 14 18, 14 22
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/162 characterised by a plastic or rubber enveloping sheathing
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2401/203 Low temperature resistance
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2501/203 Bridges
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 5/002 Making parallel wire strands
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 11/04 Cable-stayed bridges
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/16 Suspension cables; Cable clamps for suspension cables ; Pre- or post-stressed cables

Abstract

A module for deicing a cable sheath has a mass, a vibrator, and a base. The module may be placed inside a sheath, such as a sheath surrounding stay strands in a cable stayed bridge, for vibrating the sheath to prevent and/or remove snow and/or ice accumulation from the sheath.

Claims

1. A module for placement inside a sheath having a longitudinal axis and for vibrating the sheath comprising a body having:

a) a mass;

b) a vibrator attached to the mass;

c) a base supporting the mass and vibrator and adapted to contact an inner wall of the sheath; and

d) wherein the body has a tether attached thereto adapted for towing the body along the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the vibrator is activated by one of electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic power.

3. The module according to claim 1, wherein the base has a curved shape to conform to a curved inner wall of the sheath.

4. The module according to claim 3, wherein the base is the bottom of the mass and has a curved shape adapted to conform to a portion of the inner wall of the sheath.

5. The module according to claim 3, wherein the base is attached to the mass and the base has a curved shape adapted to conform to a portion of the inner wall of the sheath.

6. The module according to claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the base has a layer of low friction material.

7. The module according to claim 1, wherein the base has rollers adapted to contact the inner wall of the sheath.

8. The module according to claim 7, wherein the rollers are powered to propel the module.

9. The module according to claim 7, wherein the base has ends and the ends are sloped upwardly.

10. A vibrating system comprising:

a) a sheath, wherein the sheath surrounds a plurality of strands and there is an interstitial space between the strands and the inner wall of the sheath; and

b) a module having a body with;

i) a mass;

ii) a vibrator attached to the mass; and

iii) a base supporting the mass and vibrator;

wherein the module fits within the interstitial space and contacts the inner wall of the sheath.

11. The vibrating system according to claim 10, wherein the base conforms to the inner wall of the sheath.

12. The vibrating system according to claim 11, wherein the base has a layer of low friction material.

13. The vibrating system according to claim 10, wherein a tether is attached to the module for moving the module within the sheath.

14. The vibrating system according to claim 10, further including at least one additional module with a mass attached wherein at least one additional module fits within the interstitial space for vibrating the inner wall of the sheath.

15. A method for vibrating a sheath surrounding a plurality of strands and having an interstitial space beneath the strands and the inner wall of the sheath, wherein the method uses a module with a vibrating mass and comprises the steps of:

a) positioning the module within the interstitial space of the sheath and against the inner wall of the sheath;

b) vibrating the mass to impart vibration to the sheath; and

c) moving the module along the sheath to impart vibration along the sheath.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the module travels within the sheath by gravity.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the module is tethered and moved within the sheath using the tether.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the module has rollers and the rollers are powered to move the module through the sheath.