Method and device for de-icing conductors of a bundle of conductors
First Claim
1. A method of de-icing conductors of a bundle of conductors, comprising steps of:
- (a) supplying a total current load in the bundle of conductors, the total current load being distributed between all the conductors of the bundle;
(b) selecting at least one of the conductors for de-icing;
(c) blocking, for a period of time, current circulation in conductors which have not been selected in step (b) at a given location along the bundle of conductors;
(d) re-routing for the same period of time the total current load upstream the given location in the at least one of the conductors;
(e) redistributing the current load between all the conductors downstream said given location, and(f) returning to step (a),whereby said at least one of the conductors are de-iced by heating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for removing ice from overhead conductors of a bundle of conductors or preventing an accumulation of ice on these conductors. The method includes forcing the entire current load of the line in one or a portion of the conductors, the excessive power dissipated in this manner de-ices the conductor by Joule heating. The method is repeated for different conductors of the bundle until they have all been de-iced or for the entire duration of an ice storm. Electric power units are provided on each conductor to control the current circulation as needed, and a command module controls the entire system. Conducting elements are provided at the beginning and at the end of the line to allow a distribution of the current as needed.
76 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of de-icing conductors of a bundle of conductors, comprising steps of:
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(a) supplying a total current load in the bundle of conductors, the total current load being distributed between all the conductors of the bundle; (b) selecting at least one of the conductors for de-icing; (c) blocking, for a period of time, current circulation in conductors which have not been selected in step (b) at a given location along the bundle of conductors; (d) re-routing for the same period of time the total current load upstream the given location in the at least one of the conductors; (e) redistributing the current load between all the conductors downstream said given location, and (f) returning to step (a), whereby said at least one of the conductors are de-iced by heating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for de-icing conductors of a bundle of conductors, each conductor being provided with an electric power unit, the electric power units being controlled by a command module, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) supplying a total current load in the bundle of conductors, the total current load being distributed between all the conductors of the bundle; (b) monitoring a climatic condition in the vicinity of the bundle of conductors to detect an ice storm; (c) when the ice storm is detected, sending a triggering signal to the command module, said command module then carrying on the sub-steps of; (i) selecting at least one of the conductors for de-icing; (ii) sending a signal to power unit corresponding conductors which have not been selected in step (i) to block, for a period of time, current circulation in said corresponding conductors at a given location along the bundle of conductors; (iii) re-routing for the same period of time the total current load upstream the given location in the at least one of the conductors; (iv) redistributing the current load between all the conductors downstream said given location; and (v) returning to sub-step (i), said sub-steps (i) to (v) being repeated until the end of the icing event; and (d) returning to step (a).
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12. A de-icing device for conductors of a bundle of conductors, the bundle of conductors carrying a total current load distributed between them, the device comprising:
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an electric power unit for each of the conductors of the bundle, said electric power unit being adapted to regulate a current circulation in a corresponding conductor; first and a second connecting means each electrically connected to each conductor of the bundle, the first connecting means being located proximate a first end of said bundle of conductors upstream the electric power units, and the second connecting means being located proximate a second end of said bundle downstream the electric power units; and controlling means adapted to repetitively select at least one of the conductors for de-icing and send a signal to the electric power units corresponding to the conductors not selected for de-icing to stop the current therein for a period of time, so that during said period of time, the total current load is re-routed through the first connecting means to circulate in the at least one of the conductors, the total current load being redistributed between all the conductors through the second connecting means, the circulation of the total current load in the at least one of the conductors heating said at least one of the conductors to remove ice thereon. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification