Remotely operated vehicle for inspection and intervention of a live line

• US 6,494,141 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2001
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hydro-Quebec (Province of Québec)
• Original Assignee: Hydro-Quebec (Province of Québec)
• Inventors: Montambault, Serge, Cote, Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US09/789,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 104/112, 104/116, 104/229, 104/230, 104/236, 104/233, 104/235, 105/30, 105/32, 105/33
• US Class Current: 104/112
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/02 for overhead lines or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/16 Devices for removing snow or ice from lines or cables

Abstract

A vehicle for use on a live line. The vehicle is provided with three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom. The vehicle is also provided with two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom. The vehicle has a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels. The motor has a source of energy, such as batteries. The vehicle has a pressure mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels. The vehicle has a control mechanism coupled to the motor for controlling the motor. Thereby, in use, the vehicle is moved along the line. The vehicle can also be provided with a de-icing tool. The de-icing tool has a collar with two parts opening and closing around the line. The collar supports several blades concentrically spaced apart from each other and forming an open cone in a forward moving direction of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle for use on a live line, comprising:

three powered coplanar wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom;

two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom;

a driving motor mounted on the frame, for powering each of the powered wheels, the motor having a source of energy;

pressure means mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the powered wheels and the pressure wheels; and

control means coupled to the motor for controlling the motor, and thereby in use, the vehicle is moved along the line.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the pressure wheels is mounted on an arm pivotally connected to the frame, and wherein the pressure means comprises:

a drum pivotally mounted on the frame, the drum rotating between a first blocked position and a second blocked position of the drum;

a lever connected to the drum for manually rotating the drum between the blocked positions;

a pair of cables, each of the cables having portions wound about the drum and pulleys, each of the cables having a first end attached to the drum and a second end attached to the arm of each of the pressure wheels;

thereby, in use, in the first blocked position of the drum, the pressure wheels are brought close together with the powered wheels, whereas in the second blocked position of the drum, the pressure wheels are moved away from the powered wheels.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising:

a tension spring connected in series on a section of each of the cables; and

a return spring connected between the arm of each pressure wheel and the frame.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means further comprise additional control means for controlling the pressure means.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a core of at least one wheel is made of polyurethane.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein an additive of an abrasive type can be added to the polyurethane.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the additive comprises a silicate or a metal type.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a core of at least one wheel is made of natural rubber or thermoplastic synthetic rubber.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the source of energy of the motor comprises a battery.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the battery is of a nickel metal hydride type.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprise a remote control system.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the remote control system comprises a wireless radio system.

13. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising cleaning, de-icing, maintenance or surveillance systems.

14. A vehicle for use on a live line, comprising:

three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom;

two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom;

a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels, the motor having a source of energy;

a pressure applicator mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels;

a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the motor; and

thereby in use, the vehicle is moved along the line; and

a de-icing tool mounted on the vehicle comprising a collar having two parts opening and closing around the line, the collar supporting blades concentrically spaced apart from each other and forming an open cone in a forward moving direction of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the blades is fixed on a pivoting plate forming an integral part of the collar.

16. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the collar comprises three or four blades.

17. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising means for moving the collar back and forth in a direction parallel to the line, thereby, in use, breaking ice accumulated on the line.

18. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the collar is mounted on a first rod longitudinally sliding along the vehicle, the vehicle further comprising an impacting system for striking the first rod.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the impacting system comprises:

a motor coupled via a camshaft to a second rod sliding longitudinally along the vehicle; and

a spring coupled to the second rod for storing energy when the motor moves the second rod; and

thereby, in use, when the second rod is uncoupled from the motor, the second rod strikes the first rod pushing the collar in a forward direction.