Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of (1) providing continuous monitoring of various operating and environmental characteristics using RFID technology or similar wireless technology and (2) capturing data on historical events that have occurred on the circuits used for the transmission and distribution of electric power. The invention has the additional capability to communicate the information to operators at the site, in remote locations, or to other equipment (peer to peer). The invention provides a low cost method and apparatus to monitor and store operating characteristics and events on the electric power distribution circuit. The information can be used to reduce the duration of outages, for improving system reliability, to study the impact on the power grid of various environmental factors, to enhance the ability to react to operating conditions such as overloads, etc.

Abstract: Spacers for use on power distribution lines are disclosed that include a body, a messenger hook, and a conductor hook. A messenger clamp is pivotally connected to the messenger hook, and is rotatable from an open position to a messenger engaging position. A conductor clamp is pivotally connected to the conductor hook, and is rotatable from an open position to a conductor engaging position.

Abstract: A material combination that is designed to replace current high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) materials for use with electrical transmission comprising at least one low density, cross-linkable polymer resin, at least one high density polymer, a cross-linking catalyst and an optional color masterbatch The material combination provides all of the existing properties found in the HDPE material with the addition of a higher temperature capability at/above 250° C.

Abstract: An electric street light controller apparatus and monitoring method allows automatic street light turn-on and turn-off characteristics to be field programmable using RFID technology, lamp current magnitude recording, auxiliary sensor input, diagnostic alarming and data storage for later retrieval in a remote electric street lighting monitoring system. The apparatus and method includes, from a remotely located exciter apparatus using an antenna to transmit a specific frequency and code key to the antenna of an electric street light control and monitoring apparatus associated with the electric street light allowing remote wireless field programming of turn-on light levels, turn-off light levels, rate of change of light levels, specific turn-on, turn-off, and turn back on sequences during dark hours, and specific remote wireless sensors or internal sensor inputs useful for radiological, biological, chemical, or environmental sensing and alarming.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of (1) providing continuous monitoring of various operating and environmental characteristics using RFID technology or similar wireless technology and (2) capturing data on historical events that have occurred on the circuits used for the transmission and distribution of electric power. The invention has the additional capability to communicate the information to operators at the site, in remote locations, or to other equipment (peer to peer). The invention provides a low cost method and apparatus to monitor and store operating characteristics and events on the electric power distribution circuit. The information can be used to reduce the duration of outages, for improving system reliability, to study the impact on the power grid of various environmental factors, to enhance the ability to react to operating conditions such as overloads, etc.

Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with an anti-dislodging cable retainer. The anti-dislodging cable retainer includes a cable seat. Adjacent the cable seat on one side are ratchet teeth and a guide. Adjacent the cable on the opposite side is a slot. The slot receives a retaining arm. At the end of the retaining arm is a ratchet tooth for engagement with the ratchet teeth. The end of the arm also includes either an abutment or groove to engage the guide and to maintain the engagement of the ratchet tooth with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with a cable retainer. The cable retainer includes a cable seat and a cable retaining arm. A resilient pad is secured to either or both of the cable seat and the cable retaining arm. With a cable located in the cable seat and the cable retaining arm closed upon the cable, the resilient pad is compressed and acts like a spring to maintain a force on the cable.

Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with a cable retainer. The cable retainer includes a cable retaining arm. A mid portion of the cable retaining arm includes a fulcrum point. The fulcrum point engages and exerts a force on the cable as the cable retaining arm bends to a closed position. In the closed position, the bent arm maintains a force on the cable.

Abstract: System neutral to earth grounding, over the entire length of an electrical cable is achieved by adding one or more strips of semi-conductive material over the helically or otherwise wound concentric neutral conductors and completing the cable jacket with insulating material. The strip engages the soil when buried to provide a continuous ground path for the neutral conductors. In a second form protrusions of semi-conductive material project from a semi-conductive layer and encircle certain ports of the neutral conductors while the remainder are partially surrounded by the semi-conductive layer. Insulating material segments complete the cable jacket. The free ends of the protrusions engage the soil about the cable to provide a continuous ground for the neutral conductors helically wound or extending in parallel with the cable longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In order to decrease or eliminate environmental contaminants from fluent particulate matter that is removed from bulk material carriers by conventional vacuum conveyor systems, the bulk material carrier is moved into an enclosure which can be closed off from the environment after the carrier is within the enclosure. Clean air containing a prescribed maximum number of particles above a given size floods the entire enclosure and air of even greater cleanliness is fed to a selected discharge valve of the material carrier to entrain the particulate matter in the clean air streams which pass through the bulk material under the influence of the vacuum conveyor.

Abstract: System neutral to earth grounding, over the entire length of an electrical cable is achieved by adding one or more strips of semi-conductive material over the helically or otherwise wound concentric neutral conductors and completing the cable jacket with insulating material. The strip engages the soil when buried to provide a continuous ground path for the neutral conductors. In a second form protrusions of semi-conductive material project from a semi-conductive layer and encircle certain of the neutral conductors while the remainder are partially surrounded by the semi-conductive layer. Insulating material segments complete the cable jacket. The free ends of the protrusions engage the soil about the cable to provide a continuous ground for the neutral conductors helically wound or extending in parallel with the cable longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical insulator having opposed jaws with at least one of the jaws being adjustable in relation to the other jaw for clamping an electrical conductor therebetween. The jaws are part of plastic pieces which are molded at elevated temperatures and which undergo thermal contraction when cooled subsequent to the molding process. Opposed grooves are provided in the confronting surfaces of the jaws. Liner members consisting of a material different from that of the jaws are received in the grooves. The liner members are sized for ready insertion into the grooves while the interior groove dimensions are expanded as a result of the elevated molding temperatures. The subsequent thermal contraction of the internal groove dimensions during cooling results in the liner members being firmly anchored within the grooves.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an insulator for clamping and holding an electrical conductor above the ground for aerial power distribution and transmission. The insulator includes a body member, first jaw means integral with one end of the body member, slide means, second and third jaw means integral with the slide means and means for mounting the slide means in the end of the body member for longitudinal movement substantially normal to the first jaw means. It also includes bolt means for causing movement of the third jaw means towards a concave neck portion of the body member for gripping a conductor between the third jaw means and the body member.This disclosure is also directed to a method of stringing an electrical conductor on a plurality of insulators which are supported above the ground on a series of poles.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a device for stringing an electrical conductor on an insulator above the ground for aerial power distribution or transmission. The stringing device includes first and second semi-tubular members each of which has an outwarddly extending flange at one end and means for detachably securing the semi-tubular members together to form a circular passage between them. One embodiment also includes first ear means projecting outwardly from one side of the flange means of the first semi-tubular member, second ear means projecting outwardly from one side of the outwardly extending flange of the second semi-tubular member, the ear means includes transverse orifices which register with each other when the semi-tubular members are detachably secured together and means passing through the registering orifices for preventing complete separation of the semi-tubular members when the means for detachably securing them together is released.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a spacer for aerial cables for supporting one of more electrical conductor cables above the ground. It includes a body member having at least one concave seat adapted to receive a conductor cable, at least one generally arcuate retaining means adapted to engage a surface of the conductor cable and toggle means adapted to cooperate with the retaining means to firmly hold the conductor cable in its seat. One end of the cable retaining means is pivotally supported on the body member. The toggle means is pivotally supported on the other end of the cable retaining means. The toggle is provided with second ratchet tooth means and also generally arcuate third ratchet tooth means. Ratchet tooth means are also provided on the body member outwardly of the concave seat.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a spacer for aerial cables for supporting one or more electrical conductor cables above the ground. It includes a body member having at least one concave seat adapted to receive a conductor cable and at least one generally arcuate cable retaining means adapted to engage a surface of the conductor cable and hold it in its seat. One end of the cable retaining means is pivotally supported on the body member. Generally arcuate ratchet tooth means are provided adjacent to the other end of the cable retaining means. Generally arcuate ratchet tooth means are also provided on the body member outwardly of the concave seat. The teeth of the retainer ratchet tooth means are engageable with the teeth of the body member ratchet tooth means when the retaining means is rotated about its pivotal support thereby to firmly hold the conductor cable in the concave seat.