Distributing And/or Plural Point Support Patents (Class 174/43)
  • Patent number: 11148554
    Abstract: A hanger for an overhead railway line adapted to be fixed between a carrying cable or a bracket and a power supply contact wire comprises: a clamp to tighten an undercut portion of the contact wire, and a negative-stiffness elastic device connected to the clamp, the elastic device comprising: a. a pre-compressed elastic assembly along a first direction and having a movable point to shift in a second direction transverse to the first direction so as to decrease the pre-compression following a load disturbance; b. an elastic element connected to the pre-compressed elastic assembly to apply, in the second direction, an action onto the movable point when the clamp is moved upon the passage of a pantograph on the contact wire; c. a spacer to connect the clamp to the elastic element under traction/compression; d. a calibrated friction action being generated upon the movement of the movable point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: OFFICINA FRATELLI BERTOLOTTI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Marchesiello, Luigi Garibaldi, Dario Anastasio, Alessandro Fasana
  • Patent number: 10586668
    Abstract: A HVDC disconnector is disclosed. The HVDC disconnector comprises a fixed contact comprising a guide and a pair of conducting members positioned in the guide wherein the first and second conducting members are both tulip contacts; a movable contact comprising a fixed arm and a mobile arm having a conducting terminal, wherein the mobile arm is movable from an open position to a closed position to close a connection between the fixed contact and the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TENCHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Vincenzo Girlando, Marco Nosilati, Enrico Zozzolotto
  • Patent number: 10277022
    Abstract: A cable suspension may allow a cable to be pivoted about a pivot axis that passes through a thickness of a cable. A bend radius of the cable entering and exiting the cable suspension may be increased and/or the degree of bend by a cable entering and exiting the cable support may be decreased. The cable may comprise insulated electrical cables, non-insulated electrical cables (e.g., conductors), shielded cables, non-electrical signal cables (e.g., optical cables), and/or assemblies thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO.
    Inventors: Philip Timbrell, Nat Allen, Dan McGonigal, Jason Ryan
  • Patent number: 10246253
    Abstract: In a fluid reservoir tank such as an oil tank, the metal roof floats. The American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) number 545 requires a floating roof to tank resistance of less than 30 milli-ohms. The improved cable system uses a preferred aluminum braided cable to provide low resistance combined with resistance to sour fluids. Prior art used copper and tinned copper braided cables. The new reel is factory pre-assembled and tensioned using a new cable guide with a cable stop bar which stops a cable stop attached near the end of the (approximately 80 foot) cable. A new spring assembly increased tension and extends cable life by minimizing slack in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Kirk S. Chynoweth, Lee B. Howard
  • Patent number: 10199150
    Abstract: The power transmission tower mounted series injection transformer (TMIT) injects impedance and/or voltage on a transmission tower power line. A tension bearing tower uses vertical and horizontal insulators to support and stabilize the TMIT. The TMIT can be much heavier than a transformer device clamped to the high-voltage transmission line. The TMIT is connected in series with the tension bearing tower's jumper allowing it to use a multi-turn transformer. By operating at the line voltage potential, the TMIT does not require the large bushings and oil drums used by sub-station injection transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Wires Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Carrow, Ali Farahani, Haroon Inam, David Munguia, Amrit Iyer, Debrup Das, Arthur Kelley
  • Patent number: 10044091
    Abstract: An antenna mount assembly disclosed herein provides for an efficient and elegant solution for installation of antenna equipment on existing wooden poles. An implementation of the antenna equipment mount includes one or more concave mounting plates, each of the plurality of concave mounting plates configured to be attached to a pole and a plurality of mount elements, each of the plurality of mount elements irremovably attached at a first end to one of the concave mounting plates and attached at another end to a C-channel bracket. Each of the concave mounting plates includes a threaded opening aligned with a threaded opening in the C-channel bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Wireless Solutions, Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. DiPiero
  • Patent number: 9882359
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for transferring a power load between adjacent electrical conductors using a temporary transfer bus, and the transfer bus apparatus itself, wherein the transfer bus includes first and second conductive sections rigidly mounted to and separated by a rigid bus insulator, and a selectively operable transfer bus closing device adapted to selectively electrically connect the first and second conductive sections to each other, the method including suspending the first and second conductive sections from the adjacent conductors, whether directly or using suspension insulators, electrically connecting the conductive sections to the conductors, and closing the transfer bus closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David Karl Wabnegger, Daniel Neil O'Connell
  • Patent number: 9732517
    Abstract: An earthquake resistant and reinforcing device for buildings and bridges is provided. In this device, two support mandrels are disposed on two ends of a main tube, and one ends of the two support mandrels are inserted in to the main tube. Baffle plates are disposed near the ends of the two support mandrels in the main tube, and sheath covers are disposed at the ends of the two support mandrels outside the main tube. A first elastic part is disposed in the main tube and between the baffle plates of the two support mandrels. A second and a third elastic parts are respectively disposed between the baffle plates of the support mandrels and the sheath covers. This device can be installed between beams and columns of buildings and bridges for effectively absorbing the energy waves acting thereon and thus increase the safety of the buildings and bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Chun-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9642758
    Abstract: An embodiment linear actuator for an electrically adjustable piece of furniture includes a brushless DC motor arranged to effect a linear movement of the linear actuator, as well as a control device for controlling the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Logicdata Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Koch, Siegfried Silber, Herbert Grabner, Peter Hutterer
  • Patent number: 9616825
    Abstract: A wire harness includes one or more conductive paths, and a conductive path protection member that covers the conductive path. The conductive path protection member is formed into a cylindrical shape by spirally winding a metal wire material and portions of the metal wire material positioned to be adjacent to each other contact with each other at side end faces opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichi Toyama, Shigemi Hashizawa
  • Patent number: 9528289
    Abstract: A cable supporting device includes a channel member. The channel member has a curved section bounding an interior. A top flange, a bottom flange, and an outer wall define a channel. The channel has an opening facing the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Kyle Bradford Gilbreath, Joseph Forrester, Joshua Charles Wilson
  • Patent number: 9413092
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting electrical power transmission lines where the electrical connector is capable of conducting 1×106 to 2.5×106 siemens per meter squared (S/m2), and includes a base metal having a surface layer doped with a conductive material dopant. The conductive dopant material improves the reliability and performance of the electrical connector. An electrical power transmission system includes electrical power transmission lines connected by the electrical connector, and a method of joining power transmission lines with the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Chan, Gary Charles Sibilant, Jy-An Wang, Fei Ren
  • Patent number: 9054503
    Abstract: A support apparatus for an insulator arm is disclosed. The support apparatus for an insulator arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first key cap connector and a second key cap connector coupled, respectively, with a first insulator arm and a second insulator arm that are divided, respectively, from a pair of insulator arms; a Y-shaped saddle coupled with the first key cap connector and the second key cap connector; and an insulator arm support metal fitting coupled with the Y-shaped saddle and connecting the pair of insulator arms with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Won-Kyo Lee, Chan-Hyeong Park, Ho-Kwon Lee, Koo-Yong Shin
  • Publication number: 20150105930
    Abstract: An overhead infrastructure platform includes at least one horizontal support member configured to be positioned over equipment racks contained in a data center. The overhead infrastructure platform includes a module network formed by the interconnection, through a module interconnection bus, of a controller module, at least one power module and at least one I/O module. Each power module and each input/output module is physically attached to the horizontal support member proximate an equipment rack to which the module is electrically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan Sparrowhawk, Jeffrey P. Seefried
  • Patent number: 8985528
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a cable system. The cable system has a plurality of cables and a plurality of cable hangers. The cable hangers are configured to support the plurality of cables in a building. The plurality of cable hangers have one or more cable supports configured to hold at least one of the plurality of cables and a support configured to couple the cable support to the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Colvin Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Colvin
  • Publication number: 20140262412
    Abstract: An overhead electrical grounding mesh and mechanical grid structure for a data center includes a plurality of orthogonally arranged grid beams. Each of the grid beams is a rigid and electrically conductive grid beam to provide an overhead structure configured to be positioned over electronic equipment in the data center. The grid structure is configured to provide support for electronic equipment connected to the grid structure and to provide support for mechanical equipment in the data center that is connected to the grid structure. The grid structure is further adapted to be electrically coupled to the electronic equipment to provide an electrically conductive ground mesh for the electronic equipment in the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Bryan SPARROWHAWK, Jeffrey P. SEEFRIED
  • Publication number: 20140224515
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a transition splice that joins a cable tray and cable basket to form a cable routing system. The cable tray and cable basket each include a plurality of longitudinal wires and a plurality of transverse wires. An end transverse wire of the cable basket is positioned adjacent to an end transverse wire of the cable tray. A plurality of the longitudinal wires of the cable tray and the cable basket are aligned to form a pathway. The transition splice is secured to an end of the cable tray and to an end of the cable basket to maintain the pathway for routing cables thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Rouleau
  • Patent number: 8618414
    Abstract: A holding device has a supporting frame with at least two carrying legs at the respective ends of which is arranged a holding element for accommodating a conductor wire. A holding insulator extends in a longitudinal direction which is mounted between the carrying legs of the supporting frame and which has a free end for fixing to a mast crossbeam. The supporting frame is sized in such a way that the carrying legs extend in the longitudinal direction beyond the free end of the holding insulator. Furthermore, an overhead line configuration has such a specified holding device. With this device, masts which are configured for low rated voltages to be made accessible for carrying conductor wires at high rated voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Lapp Insulators GmbH
    Inventor: Viktor Frenkel
  • Patent number: 8536451
    Abstract: A high-voltage connection between two post insulators which can be moved relative to one another. In order to be able to implement such a high-voltage connection in the most compact form possible with regard to insulating air gaps, the high-voltage connection has a current conduction rod, which is surrounded by an insulating body and mounted at one end thereof on the one post insulator at an adjustable distance and at the other end thereof is held on the other post insulator. Outgoing current leads are connected to each end of the current conduction rod. An electric rail vehicle has at least two cars, each having a high-voltage line run in the roof and each having a post insulator on the roof in the area of the mutually facing ends of the cars. The high-voltage connection according to the invention is used in order to achieve an aerodynamically favorable design in the bridging area of the roof area of the cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110253410
    Abstract: A high-voltage connection between two post insulators which can be moved relative to one another. In order to be able to implement such a high-voltage connection in the most compact form possible with regard to insulating air gaps, the high-voltage connection has a current conduction rod, which is surrounded by an insulating body and mounted at one end thereof on the one post insulator at an adjustable distance and at the other end thereof is held on the other post insulator. Outgoing current leads are connected to each end of the current conduction rod. An electric rail vehicle has at least two cars, each having a high-voltage line run in the roof and each having a post insulator on the roof in the area of the mutually facing ends of the cars. The high-voltage connection according to the invention is used in order to achieve an aerodynamically favorable design in the bridging area of the roof area of the cars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Gerhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7838766
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for stabilizing a wire, cable (10), line, or cord system. The present invention involves systems that allow a cable (10), such as a power line cable (10) and the insulator strings (20), the ability to extend during loading conditions and to regain their previous geometry once loads, such as ice loads, have been shed. The present invention may be utilized in a number of applications, including but not limited to, being used with anchor, angle, and dead-end structures and with suspension structures to counterbalance loads on cables (10) and supports included by ice and wind. A combination of suspension structure with anchor structure and the present invention may, on any given section of a cable (10), result in uniformity of supports and in reduction of their weight and cost, in addition to providing reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Mario Dau
  • Publication number: 20100276172
    Abstract: A holding device has a supporting frame with at least two carrying legs at the respective ends of which is arranged a holding element for accommodating a conductor wire. A holding insulator extends in a longitudinal direction which is mounted between the carrying legs of the supporting frame and which has a free end for fixing to a mast crossbeam. The supporting frame is sized in such a way that the carrying legs extend in the longitudinal direction beyond the free end of the holding insulator. Furthermore, an overhead line configuration has such a specified holding device. With this device, masts which are configured for low rated voltages to be made accessible for carrying conductor wires at high rated voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: LAPP INSULATORS GMBH
    Inventor: Viktor Frenkel
  • Patent number: 7723612
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for inhibiting theft of electrical wiring through the access opening of an electrical fixture supporting pole, such as a street light pole. Prior to securing the pole to the base, a wire clamping element is placed on the base around the passage for the power supply cable. The electrical power supply cable is clamped to a vertical surface of the clamping element, and the free end of the cable is extended to a location proximate the second opposed vertical surface of the clamping element. The electrical connection cable from the electrical fixture is then attached to the power supply cable, and the pole and the clamping element are secured to the base such that the access opening is positioned to provide access to the connections of the power supply cable and electrical connection cable from the electrical fixture, but access to the clamping device which secures the power supply cable to the first surface is not possible without removing the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy Earnest Butler
  • Patent number: 7687710
    Abstract: Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with at least two different conductors, and method of selecting and installing the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anton F. Jachim, Douglas E. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090283289
    Abstract: A cable wedge assembly that can streamline installation of cabling assemblies upon trees and other structures is provided. For example, the cable wedge assembly need not require specialized tools for installation. Rather, the unique features and functions of the assembly attach to a cable merely by inserting a cable through the assembly, tightening a portion of the connector upon another and establishing tension in the cable. Once cable tension is established, the integral wedges seat causing attachment to and retention of the cable. This attachment and retention is effected by way of split conical inserts disposed within the housing of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Casenhiser, Christopher Mook
  • Patent number: 7558705
    Abstract: Generating a routing system for a three-dimensional model of a real-world object includes specifying a set of connections, applying a filter to the connections to prevent more than one connection having the same first connector and the same second connector from being rendered more than once, creating geometric entities that are curves and that represent the connections, and displaying the routing system in a visually simplified manner by rendering the plurality of geometric entities. Additionally, the connections can automatically be merged into a harness bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Charles Hughes, Gordon Norrie
  • Patent number: 7547843
    Abstract: Dead-end-to-dead-end overhead electrical power transmission line with composite (e.g., aluminum matrix composite) core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection and another, different core overhead electrical power transmission conductor tension subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Herve E. Deve, Douglas E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7446491
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for intelligent power management of actuators such as those used in papermaking. Multiple power supply units are connected to a common power bus. The power bus is connected at predetermined locations to a communications bus. The communications bus is connected in series with all of the actuators. The actuators are arranged in predetermined groups. A computing device determines if electrical power can be supplied to some or all of the actuators that are requesting simultaneous movement and if there is insufficient power for all such actuators the computing device issues permission for actuators to move based on a preselected criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: John O'Higgins, John Collins, Cathal Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7323636
    Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with a cable retainer and vertically disposed strengthening tabs or ribs. The cable retainer includes a cable retaining arm. A mid portion of the cable retaining arm has a non-rectangular plus “+” shaped cross section. The plus “+” shaped cross section engages and exerts a force on the cable as the cable retaining arm bends to a closed position. The arm is flexible so as to create a resilient force in conjunction with the plus “+” shaped cross section to securely hold the cable on a cable seat of a main body portion of the aerial cable spacer. A pawl is carried on the arm at a predetermined orientation to engage a corresponding set of teeth on the spacer body for enhanced cable clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Preformed Line Products Company
    Inventors: Paulo Sergio Pinto Borges, Carlos Alberto Fernandes
  • Patent number: 7164079
    Abstract: An overhead service drop extending between a utility pole and a customer location includes at least one power conductor, a neutral conductor messenger supporting itself and the power conductor, and a separable power connector between the power conductor and a corresponding utility power conductor adjacent the utility pole. The overhead service drop further includes a separable neutral connector between the neutral conductor messenger and a corresponding utility neutral conductor, and a mechanical breakaway member between the neutral conductor messenger and the utility pole. The mechanical breakaway member breaks away prior to breakage of the neutral conductor messenger to permit preferential separation of the separable power and neutral connectors based upon increased tension imparted to the neutral conductor messenger by a falling object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 6979775
    Abstract: A security apparatus for enclosing the branch connections of a cable-TV aerial tap unit to prevent unauthorized used thereof including a box like structure mounted on the bottom of the tap unit to enclose the cables and connections thereof and providing a keyed hinged door to allow access to the interior of the box like structure to access the cables and the method of securing the same by providing either a slidable clip or a rotatable clip attached to the box like structure that has an opening that engages the shank of the existing bolt of the tap unit when the bolt is loosened while the bolt head bears against the slidable or rotatable clip to hold the box like structure in place so as to allow the tightening thereof to secure the apparatus in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Bryan D. Ritter, Ronald G. Ritter
  • Patent number: 6965074
    Abstract: A pole-top insulator for carrying overhead electrical cables on pole legs or similar supporting structures located along power lines. One or more self-supporting tubular supporting arms made of electrically insulating composite material to which supporting cables are fixed are arranged on the top end of the supporting structures. The tubular supporting arms are joined to the supporting structure via an intermediate center part that can be attached to the supporting structure from which the tubular supporting arms extend outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Björn Lindberg, Johan Engström
  • Patent number: 6545880
    Abstract: Energy distribution and conversion system suitable for high-rise structures, large building complexes, factories, ships, airplanes, city blocks, etc., based on: High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) and Cryogenic Power and Energy Conversion (CPEC) using Low-Temperature Operated Semiconductor Devices (LOTOS). Energy from an AC source is converted to DC by LOTOS, distributed as DC, and reconverted at low temperatures to AC at levels and fequencies to satisfy individual end-users of energy. The DC energy is distributed via a plurality of super-conductive leads that are submerged in cryogenic liquid. Substantial savings in energy, cost, size, weight are produced. Additionally, load shedding, power quality, and fire protection are provided. The new system supports air conditioning/cooling systems. Expensive floor space is saved; electrical energy savings of 5-10% are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Otward M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6448493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cable suspension device and cable carriage. To enable a cable suspension device (1) to be used also as a cable carriage, the suspension device has been provided with a rotatable cable support (2) which can be moved upwards in the device providing a rotatable support for the cable when the cable is moved out of contact with the cable abutment surfaces (3) in the suspension device. This type of device that incorporates a cable carriage facility enables a cable to be drawn and secured and released as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonatiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Lars Efraimsson, Per Dahlberg, Johan Tapper, Jonas Nordlöf
  • Patent number: 6429375
    Abstract: A safety contact or switch hose having a plurality of electrically conductive projections which generate a switching pulse when coming into contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventors: Karlheinz Beckhausen, Jurgen Menz
  • Patent number: 6303856
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Hendrix Wire & Cable, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Bello
  • Patent number: 6239362
    Abstract: A device for compensating length variations of tensioned cables, with a substantially constant tension, including a contrast element, which is meant to be interposed between one end of the tensioned cable and an anchoring element and is adapted to generate an elastic reaction which can vary as a function of the length variation of the cable. The device includes elements for connecting the contrast element to the cable which are suitable to convert the elastic reaction of the contrast element into a substantially constant tension applied to the cable, regardless of its length, over a preset length variation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Pfisterer S.r.l.
    Inventor: Osvaldo Nannini
  • Patent number: 6227749
    Abstract: A swivel base assembly for mounting an insulator to a support structure, including a base member having a pair of opposed bearing seats spaced apart from one another in alignment along a bearing axis, and a one-piece coupling member having a first end received within the pair of opposed bearing seats and a second end adapted to be coupled to the insulator. The first end defines a first pivot axis for the insulator and the second end defines a second pivot axis for the insulator, wherein the first pivot axis is substantially coincident with the bearing axis and the second pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The assembly also includes a mechanism for securing the base member to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 6229086
    Abstract: An adapter for mounting multiple 3-phrase circuits to a utility pole. The adapter includes a base unit having a centrally positioned, female socket member, and three, angularly offset legs extending radially outwardly from the bottom of the socket member. Each of the three legs include bottom surfaces extending in a common plane, so as to permit the base unit to be securely attached to a standard cross-arm assembly by passing fasteners through holes formed through each of the legs. A candlestick holder includes a male socket member which is securely positioned within the base unit's female socket member, and further includes three angularly offset, bored holes for receiving three candle sticks therein. By mounting the base unit to the end of a cross-arm assembly and attaching the candle stick holder to the base unit, a 3-phrase circuit can be assembled in minimal space on a utility pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas Blanding
  • Patent number: 6229089
    Abstract: An inlet power feed for longitudinally slotted current contact lines having conductor rails disposed in a longitudinal direction inside an elongated plastic profile, includes a cover defining an inlet feed region and electrically insulating the inlet feed region to the outside, with the cover receiving a power supply cable which terminates at a location above the elongate plastic profile. The power supply cable includes a plurality of cores for connection to a plurality of conductor rails in one-to-one correspondence. Electrically connecting the cores of the cable to the conductor rails are a plurality of flat junction bars, each of the junction bars connecting one core of the cable to one conductor rail and having a flat side which confronts an outer side wall of the elongate plastic profile and, at least partially, bears in flat engagement on the outer side wall, with the junction bar extending inside the cover from the conductor rail vertically upwards into the area above the elongate plastic profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kohlenberg, Uwe Lichtenvort, Klaus-Dieter Oemus, Michael Röhr, Uwe Schulte
  • Patent number: 6201184
    Abstract: For locally supporting an overhead electrical power line, a suspension includes a suspension clamp, the bottom part of which is open laterally and forms a cradle which is associated with a pivoting clamping assembly. The suspension clamp includes, in addition to the clamping system, a pivoting closure clamp which closes the cross-section of the bottom part when required. Applications include installing and supporting low-voltage overhead electrical power lines formed of insulated cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Construction d'Appareils et de Materiel Electriques S.I.C.A.M.E.
    Inventors: Pierre François, Michel Saurina
  • Patent number: 6127625
    Abstract: A tubular channeling unit including a grounded external metal sheathing and an internal longitudinal cavity, and method for laying such a tubular channeling unit by suspension on a high voltage aerial power line system including at least two towers supporting a set of high voltage electrical conductors suspended from the towers at a specified height above the ground and at a minimum predetermined safety level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Professional Communications, S.A.
    Inventor: Ruben Carlos Castano
  • Patent number: 6096970
    Abstract: A clamp for an overhead line including a clamp body in which a first gripping groove for gripping the overhead line is formed; a clamp cap in which a second gripping groove for gripping the overhead line is formed and which is pivotably attached to the clamp body via a hinge unit; a fastening unit for fastening the clamp body and clamp cap in a manner enabling free opening and closing so that the overhead line is affixed between the first and second gripping grooves so as to be unable to move in an axial direction at the pivot position of the final fastening state; and an expansion unit for causing the clamp cap to stop at a position where it is forcibly kept open by a predetermined clearance from the clamp body against a fastening force given by the fastening unit so that the clamp body and the clamp cap are not located at the pivot position of the final fastening state and in addition so that a clearance is formed between the first and second gripping grooves and the overhead line and a method for attachmen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Chubu Electric Power Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Katoh, Naoshi Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Watanabe, Takaharu Mitsuhashi, Yoshitake Shibata, Kazuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6078008
    Abstract: A load-breaking and load-returning apparatus and method of breaking and returning a load are provided for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line. The apparatus preferably includes at least one power line jumper cable including first and second cable ends and a first connector connected to the first cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for connecting the at least one power line jumper cable to a portion of a power line. A load-breaking and load-returning device is preferably connected to the second cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line responsive to a user thereof. The load-breaking and load-returning device preferably includes a second connector for connecting the load-breaking and load-returning device to a portion of a power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Utility Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene H. Wood, Michael G. Nolte, David A. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6057508
    Abstract: The invention uses one or more scissor devices, or disks, or cogs such that the axial thermal expansion of a coupling member is amplified such that this amplified movement is used to automatically mitigate the sag of a suspended line; the same ambient temperature change that causes the line to sag concomitantly causes the coupling member to expand, so that sag mitigation is passive and automatic. The invention includes a device for automatically mitigating thermal expansion sag in suspended lines comprising a coupling member or actuator rod (140) that expands axially with increasing temperature and that is mounted between the proximal arms (110) of a reverse-scissor component (60), said reverse-scissor component having first arms (70) and second arms (80) and a hinge (90) and the arms having distal ends (100) longer than proximal ends (110). The distal arms are insulated by insulators (130). The reverse hinge acts such that when the proximal arms are moved apart, the distal arms are brought together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Manuchehr Shirmohamadi
  • Patent number: 5789701
    Abstract: A drop cable arrangement in which a carried line (9) is supported by a strength member (3), the carried line being attached to the strength member via a tubular member (7) that is a sufficiently loose fit around the strength member to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween. In the event of additional loading on the drop cable the strength member extends due to the increased tension, but this tension is not transferred to the carried line due to the permitted relative movement of the tubular member and strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: British Telecommunictions public limited company
    Inventors: Paul Frederick Wettengel, Peter David Jenkins
  • Patent number: 5308923
    Abstract: The cover and base of the enclosure of the assembly are releasably connected by latches and flanges integral with the cover and base. A mounting bracket facilitates mounting of the assembly upon a telephone pole or other exposed static structure. Vertically spaced upper and lower cable strain-relieving members underlie each cable passageway of the base of the enclosure. Each strain-relieving member is of generally u-shaped configuration. The open ends of the upper and lower strain-relieving members face in different directions. Each pair of the strain-relieving members collectively extends about the entire circumference of a cable engaged thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Luis O. Puigcerver, Mark A. Harvell, Barry W. Allen, William J. Rathbun
  • Patent number: 5288946
    Abstract: A strain relief member is provided for use with a closure member, which strain relief is formed with a web having tabs formed therein, each with a fastener receiving slot and each formed to be bent angularly from the plane of the web to aid in nesting the cables to reduce the space necessary for the joining the cables electrically and providing strain relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerry D. Jackson, James R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5036162
    Abstract: A mount for securing a load, for example a strut insulator, to a stationary support has a pair of end parts one of which is fixed to the load and the other of which is fixed to the support and a pair of respective intermediate parts. Respective end pivots connect the intermediate parts to the end parts for pivoting thereon about respective axes that are perpendicular to each other and a central pivot connects the intermediate parts to each other for relative pivoting about a center axis lying substantially perpendicular to the end axes. One of these end axes is at least generally horizontal and at least generally aligned with the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Lapp Insulator Company
    Inventor: Stefan S. Zajfert
  • Patent number: 4774622
    Abstract: A connecting apparatus includes a connecting conductor for connecting a supporting insulator supporting an overhead transmission line and a lightning arrester through a disconnecting member. The connecting conductor includes at least first and second conductor segments having given lengths. The first conductor segment connected to the lightning arrester is greater in bending strength than the second conductor segment connected to the disconnecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Shirakawa, Shigeo Kikuchi