Tool for mounting a sensor module on a live power transmission line

• US 4,794,328 A
• Filed: 04/07/1986
• Issued: 12/27/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Undersground Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (National Grid PLC)
• Inventors: Burbank, John E. III, Fernandes, Roosevelt A., Sieron, Richard L., Smith-Vaniz, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURNS, WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US06/848,979
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 324/112, 324/127, 324/117 R, 324/117 H, 324/129, 324/126, 81/436, 81/440, 81/450, 29/240
• US Class Current: 324/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/143 for measuring surface temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/142 Arrangements for simultaneous measurements of several parameters employing techniques covered by groups G01R15/14 - G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53687 by rotation of work part

Abstract

A "hot-stick" mountable sensor module for attachment and removable from a live power transmission line. A tool is insertable into a mounted module to attach the module to the tool and permit removal of the module from the line.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mounting a sensing device on a live power transmission line comprising:

a housing for containing said sensing device;

a mounting tool for removably attaching said housing to said live transmission line;

said housing including two hinged sections connected to move to an open position to receive said transmission line and connected to move to a closed position about said transmission line;

said housing including a threaded nut and an operating means for moving said hinged sections, said operating means including a splined opening;

said mounting tool including a splined shaft for complementary engagement with said splined opening in said operating means; and

said mounting tool including a threaded member for complementary engagement with said threaded nut; and

whereby

said tool is rotated in a first direction to engage said threaded member with said nut to attach said tool to said housing and further to engage said splined shaft with said splined opening to cause said operating means to move said hinged sections to an open position,

and said tool is rotated in a second direction to disengage said threaded member from said nut and to remove said tool from said housing and further to engage said splined shaft with said splined opening to cause said operating means to move said hinged sections to a closed position.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting tool further includes:

a base;

a stick member attached to said base; and

a universal motion mounting means for mounting said shaft and said threaded member to said base, whereby said universal motion mounting means provides for correction of any misalignment between said tool stick member and said splined opening in said operating means.

3. Apparatus for removably attaching a sensor module to a power conductor comprising:

a module housing including an axial splined opening;

a tool including a splined shaft for complementary engagement with said axial splined opening in said module housing; and

said tool including a threaded member axially aligned with said shaft for complementary engagement with a threaded opening in said module housing;

whereby

said shaft, in complementary engagement with said splined opening in said module housing, is rotated in one direction to open said module to receive said conductor and said shaft is rotated in a second direction to close said module around said conductor; and

whereby

said threaded member engages said threaded opening in said module housing to attach said tool to said module when said shaft is rotated in one direction to open said module, and said threaded member is disengaged from said threaded opening to remove said tool from said module when said shaft is rotated in a second direction to close said module.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said tool further includes:

a base;

a stick member attached to said base; and

a universal motion mounting means for mounting said shaft and said threaded member to said base, whereby said universal motion mounting means provides for correction of any misalignment between said tool stick member and said axial opening in said module housing.