Fallen conductor warning system having a disruption assembly

• US 7,973,672 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Southern Company
• Original Assignee: Southern Company
• Inventors: Holsomback, Van L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US12/197,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20090103224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/540, 174 40 R- 45 R
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/085 in power transmission or distribution lines, e.g. overhead

Abstract

A system for notifying and/or warning of fallen or downed insulated conductor generally includes a distribution system for distributing a utility, such as power, and a sensor system for sensing whether the distribution system is properly operating. The warning system can include a support structure; an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom; a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm; a communication cable transmitting a signal; a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure. The disruption assembly is loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable; and a sensor system is adapted to monitor the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable.

Claims

1. A warning system comprising:

a support structure;

an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom;

a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm;

a communication cable transmitting a signal;

a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure, the disruption assembly loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable, wherein a disruption in the signal indicates the wire has fallen; and

a sensor system for monitoring the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable.

2. The warning system of claim 1, the at least one wire comprising an insulated conductor transmitting electricity therethrough.

3. The warning system of claim 1, the support structure comprising a power pole.

4. The warning system of claim 3, the arm comprising a breakaway or release means, such that when an object falls on the distribution system, the arm breaks or releases at the breakaway or release means.

5. The warning system of claim 1, the arm positioned near a top of the support structure, the arm carrying both the wire and communication cable, which are positioned near an end of the arm opposite to the support structure.

6. The warning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a messenger device comprising a cable and comprising conductive characteristics, the messenger device carried by the arm; and

a hanger system carried by the messenger device and carrying the at least one wire.

7. The warning system of claim 1, the disruption assembly comprising a disruption device for interrupting the signal transmitted through the communication cable.

8. A warning system providing notification of a fallen conductor, the warning system comprising:

a power distribution system for distributing electrical power, the power distribution system comprising;

at least one insulated conductor;

a support structure;

an arm coupled to the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom;

a messenger device connected near a far end of the arm, opposite the support structure, the messenger device comprising conductive characteristics; and

a hanger system for securing the at least one insulated conductor aloft, the hanger system carried by the messenger device; and

a sensor system for sensing whether the power distribution system is operating properly, the sensor system comprising;

a communication cable transmitting a signal;

a disruption assembly comprising a channel for carrying the communication cable, the disruption assembly adapted to disrupt the signal transmitted by the communication cable upon the occurrence of an event, wherein a disruption in the signal is indicative of the occurrence of the event; and

a signal processing system for providing the signal to the communication cable.

9. The warning system of claim 8, the hanger system comprising a hanger comprising a plurality of clamps defining a channel sufficiently large enough to receive and secure the at least one insulated conductor.

10. The warning system of claim 8, the support structure comprising a plurality of power poles, each positioned in an approximate vertical orientation and distant from another.

11. The warning system of claim 8, the arm comprising a breakaway or release mechanism, such that when an object falls on the distribution system, the arm breaks or releases at the breakaway or release mechanism.

12. The warning system of claim 11, the arm positioned near a top of the support structure;

the at least one insulated conductor and the communication cable positioned near an opposing end of the arm relative to the support structure.

13. The warning system of claim 8, the communication cable comprising a fiber optic cable.

14. The warning system of claim 8, the disruption assembly comprising a cutting device for slicing the communication cable.

15. The warning system of claim 8, the signal processing system generating a continuous signal transmitted by the communication cable.

16. The warning system of claim 8, the signal processing system generating a pulsed signal transmitted by the communication cable.

17. The warning system of claim 8, the sensor system further comprising a communication device remotely communicating the status of the sensor system.

18. The warning system of claim 8, the disruption assembly integral with the arm.

19. The warning system of claim 8, the disruption assembly comprising:

a body;

a channel receiving the communication cable; and

a disruption device tethered to an element of the messenger device and loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable.

20. A method of monitoring the status of an insulated conductor to determine if the insulated conductor has fallen in an electrical distribution system comprising at least one insulated conductor, a support structure, an arm coupled to the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom, a messenger device connected near a far end of the arm opposite the support structure, and a hanger system carried by the messenger device for securing the at least one insulated conductor aloft, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal through a communication cable, the communication cable carried by a channel in a disruption assembly, the disruption assembly disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable upon the occurrence of an event;

monitoring the signal transmitted through the communication cable at predetermined locations with a sensor system; and

generating a notification upon failure of the signal to reach a predetermined signal receipt point.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising extending the communication cable along a plurality of power poles.