Fallen conductor warning system

• US 8,054,195 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• 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:
  US13/111,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20110216479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 173 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. In a distribution system comprising a support structure carrying at least one conductor, a sensor system comprising:

a communication cable transmitting a signal; and

a disruption assembly receiving the communication cable and in communication with the distribution system, the disruption assembly configured to disrupt the signal transmitted by the communication cable when the at least one conductor falls.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the disruption assembly comprises:

a body positioned proximate the support structure;

a channel receiving pathway receiving the communication cable; and

a disruption device loaded with the potential to disrupt the signal transmitted by the communication cable.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein the disruption device is loaded with the potential to disrupt the signal transmitted by the communication cable by cutting at least a portion of the communication cable.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the disruption assembly is tethered to an element of the distribution system.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the communication cable is a fiber optic cable.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a signal processing system for providing the signal to the communication cable.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the signal is a continuous signal.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a communication device remotely communicating the status of the sensor system.

9. In a distribution system comprising a support structure carrying at least one conductor, a method of monitoring the status of the at least one conductor to determine if the conductor has fallen, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal with a communication cable, the communication cable carried by the support structure;

loading a disruption assembly with the potential to disrupt the signal through the communication cable; and

disrupting the signal through the communication cable with the disruption assembly when the at least one conductor falls.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating a notification upon failure of the signal to reach a predetermined signal receipt point.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the disruption in the signal is indicative that the at least one conductor has fallen.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of disrupting the signal through the communication cable comprises cutting at least a portion of the communication cable.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal is a continuous signal.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of loading the disruption assembly comprises tethering the disruption assembly to an element of the distribution system.

15. A disruption assembly for disrupting a signal transmitted through a communication cable to provide notification of a fallen conductor in a distribution system, the disruption assembly comprising:

a body;

a cable receiving channel; and

a disruption device having a first end pivotably attached to the body such that a disruption portion of the disruption device is enabled to enter at least a portion of the cable receiving channel.

16. The disruption assembly of claim 15, wherein the disruption device comprises a tethering element proximate a second end of the disruption device.

17. The disruption assembly of claim 15, wherein the disruption portion of the disruption device comprises a blade.

18. The disruption assembly of claim 15, wherein the disruption portion of the disruption device comprises a cutout.