An in-line power disconnect assembly for electrical power distribution systems is provided. The in-line power disconnect assembly includes a first end section, a second end section, at least one insulator positioned between the first end section and the second end section, and a switch assembly positioned between the first end section and the second end section. Each of the first and second end sections include a conductor clamp that can be rotated or twisted relative to a longitudinal axis of the first or second end section between a clamping position and an open position.

A utility pole degradation detection system according to the present disclosure includes: a sensing optical fiber (10) laid on a plurality of utility poles (30); a receiving unit (201) that receives vibration information detected by the sensing optical fiber (10); an identifying unit (202) that identifies a natural frequency of each of the plurality of utility poles (30) on the basis of the vibration information; and an analyzing unit (203) that analyzes a degradation state of at least one utility pole (30) among the plurality of utility poles (30) on the basis of a natural frequency of each of the plurality of utility poles (30).

A utility pole degradation detection system according to the present disclosure includes: a sensing optical fiber (10) laid on a plurality of utility poles (30); a receiving unit (201) that receives vibration information detected by the sensing optical fiber (10); an identifying unit (202) that identifies a natural frequency of each of the plurality of utility poles (30) on the basis of the vibration information; and an analyzing unit (203) that analyzes a degradation state of at least one utility pole (30) among the plurality of utility poles (30) on the basis of a natural frequency of each of the plurality of utility poles (30).

A state specifying system according to the present disclosure includes a cable (20) disposed in a utility pole (10), the cable (20) containing a communication optical fiber, a receiving unit (331) configured to receive an optical signal from at least one optical fiber contained in the cable (20), and a specifying unit (332) configured to specify a state of the utility pole (10) or an environmental state around the utility pole (10) corresponding to a pattern of the optical signal received by the receiving unit (331).

A system for performing work on electrical power lines and/or splices on electrical power lines comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a power line tool adapted to perch on an electrical power line and/or a splice on an electrical power line, a support frame selectively releasably attached to the UAV, and a plurality of flexible dielectric support lines attaching the power line tool to the support frame. Each of the support lines are attached to a corresponding attachment point on the support frame and a corresponding attachment point on the power line tool.

A socket tool is disclosed. The socket tool includes a body extending between a first end and a second end and having a centerline along a longitudinal axis of the socket tool; a socket bounded by a peripheral wall and formed at the first end, the socket including a first driving element extending through the peripheral wall, bisecting the peripheral wall into first and second wall sections; and a drive recess at the second end of the body to receive a nose of a driving tool.

A flip socket is disclosed. The flip socket including a socket body having a central section extending between a first socket positioned on a first end of the central section and a second socket positioned on a second end of the central section, wherein a centerline extends through a longitudinal axis of the socket body; and a coupler adapted to engage one of the first and second sockets, the coupler connecting the flip socket to a driving device to drive a fastener or device.

An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

An exemplary unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mountable to a conductor of an aerial power transmission line system includes a body having a rotor system, a motivation system attached to the body to motivate the UAV along the conductor, a battery carried by the body and electrically connected to at least one of the rotor system and the motivation system, a monitoring tool mounted with the body and an inductive coil carried by the body and in electric connection with the battery, wherein the inductive coil is configured to harvest electricity from the aerial power transmission line system and charge the battery.

A method is for mounting an object, such as a line sensor, to a power line. The method includes: i) suspending and tensioning at least two ropes between a physical ground and a power line; ii) coupling a rope robot with the at least two ropes in such a way that the rope robot can climb up and down the at least two ropes in operational use; iii) providing an object on the rope robot; iv) making the rope robot climb up to the power line to bring the object close to the power line; v) mounting the object to the power line with the rope robot, and vi) decoupling the rope robot from the object and making the rope robot climb down the at least two ropes. A rope robot is disclosed for carrying out this method.