Method and apparatus for breaking ice accretions on an aerial cable
First Claim
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1. A method for breaking ice accretions formed on an aerial cable, said aerial cable having a longitudinal axis, a rigidly fixed first end and a second end opposed thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) gripping a portion of the aerial cable proximate to the second end thereof;
b) rotating the portion of the aerial cable around the longitudinal axis to twist said aerial cable for a predetermined number of turns, thereby accumulating elastic energy therein; and
c) releasing the portion of the aerial cable, thereby liberating the accumulated elastic energy therein, instantly untwisting said cable and breaking the ice accretions formed thereon.
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for de-icing aerial cables are provided. The cable is gripped and slowly twisted for a predetermined number of turns within the elastic domain of deformation of the cable. Mechanical elastic energy is therefore accumulated in the cable. The cable is then released and untwisted under the spring back effect, releasing the energy accumulated therein which breaks and shakes off the ice accumulated on the cable.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for breaking ice accretions formed on an aerial cable, said aerial cable having a longitudinal axis, a rigidly fixed first end and a second end opposed thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) gripping a portion of the aerial cable proximate to the second end thereof;
b) rotating the portion of the aerial cable around the longitudinal axis to twist said aerial cable for a predetermined number of turns, thereby accumulating elastic energy therein; and
c) releasing the portion of the aerial cable, thereby liberating the accumulated elastic energy therein, instantly untwisting said cable and breaking the ice accretions formed thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for breaking ice accretions formed on an aerial cable, said aerial cable having a longitudinal axis, a rigidly fixed first end and a second end opposed thereto, the apparatus comprising:
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gripping means for gripping a portion of the aerial cable proximate the second end thereof;
a motorised rotating assembly engageable with said gripping means for rotating the portion of the aerial cable around the longitudinal axis to twist said aerial cable, thereby accumulating elastic energy therein; and
a release mechanism for releasing the portion of the aerial cable, thereby liberating the accumulated elastic energy therein, instantly untwisting said cable and breaking the ice accretions formed thereon. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
an electromagnet coaxially mounted on the output shaft of the motorised rotating assembly;
a conducting ring extending around the electromagnet and being separated therefrom by an air gap, the conducting ring between rigidly fixed to the gripping means; and
current supplying means for supplying current to the electromagnet.
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16. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a control unit connected to the electric motor and the magnetic clutch for controlling therethrough the twisting and untwisting of the aerial cable.
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17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a power supply powering the electric motor, magnetic clutch and control unit.
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18. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a torque sensor coupled to the portion of the aerial cable for measuring a torque applied thereon by said motorised rotating assembly, the torque sensor being connected to the control unit.
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19. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising an ice detector for detecting the ice accretions formed on said aerial cable, said ice detector being connected to the control unit.
Specification