G02B6/486

Method of installing spiral hangers about a messenger line while removing lashing wire
11616348 · 2023-03-28 ·

There is provided a method of installing spiral hangers about a messenger line installed between first and second utility poles with a cable being lashed to the messenger line with a lashing wire. The method includes attaching a first and second spiral hangers to the messenger line between first and second utility poles with the first spiral hanger disposed about the messenger line and the cable. The method includes removing the lashing wire from being around the messenger line and the cable adjacent the second spiral hanger. The method includes moving the second spiral hanger towards the second utility pole. The method includes attaching a successive spiral hanger to the messenger line between the spiral hangers, and repeating the moving of the second spiral hanger and attaching another successive spiral hanger.

ROBOTIC STABILIZATION MECHANISMS AND RELATED METHODS
20230087375 · 2023-03-23 ·

Stabilization mechanisms may include at least one gripper mounted to a powerline-crawling robot, which may be configured to grasp a powerline supporting the powerline-crawling robot. At least one controller may be configured to control a lateral position of the at least one gripper. At least one inertial measurement unit may be configured to sense at least one of lateral movement and axial rotation of the powerline-crawling robot. The controller may control the lateral position of the gripper based on data from the inertial measurement unit. Various other related systems, devices, mechanisms, and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for installing fiber optic cable onto a powerline conductor

The disclosed robotic system may include (1) a drive subsystem that translates the robotic system along a powerline conductor and (2) a rotation subsystem coupled to the drive subsystem, where (a) the rotation subsystem is coupled to a container that defines an arcuate volume about an axis such that the container partially surrounds the powerline conductor when the axis aligns with the powerline conductor, (b) the container carries a segment of fiber optic cable coupled to the powerline conductor, and (c) the rotation subsystem, while the drive subsystem translates the robotic system along the powerline conductor, rotates the container about the powerline conductor while the axis is aligned with the powerline conductor such that the segment of fiber optic cable is wrapped helically about the powerline conductor. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for installing fiber optic cable onto a powerline conductor

The disclosed system may include (1) a drive subsystem that translates along a powerline conductor, (2) a rotation subsystem that rotates a segment of fiber optic cable about the powerline conductor while the drive subsystem translates along the powerline conductor such that the segment of fiber optic cable is wrapped helically about the powerline conductor, and (3) an extension subsystem that (a) mechanically couples the rotation subsystem to the drive subsystem, and (b) selectively extends the rotation subsystem away from the drive subsystem and the powerline conductor to avoid obstacles along the powerline conductor. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Spool-free fiber optic cable configuration for cable installation onto a powerline conductor

A method may include (1) coating a segment of fiber optic cable with an adhesive substance, (2) forming a coil of the segment of fiber optic cable, (3) deforming the coil into a noncircular shape defining a slot external to the coil while obeying a minimum bend radius requirement for the segment of fiber optic cable, and (4) activating the adhesive substance to stabilize the noncircular shape of the coil. Various other methods and apparatuses, such as those for performing the deforming operation, are also disclosed.

SPOOL-FREE FIBER OPTIC CABLE CONFIGURATION FOR CABLE INSTALLATION ONTO A POWERLINE CONDUCTOR

A method may include (1) coating a segment of fiber optic cable with an adhesive substance, (2) forming a coil of the segment of fiber optic cable, (3) deforming the coil into a noncircular shape defining a slot external to the coil while obeying a minimum bend radius requirement for the segment of fiber optic cable, and (4) activating the adhesive substance to stabilize the noncircular shape of the coil. Various other methods and apparatuses, such as those for performing the deforming operation, are also disclosed.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING FIBER OPTIC CABLE ONTO A POWERLINE CONDUCTOR

The disclosed robotic system may include (1) a drive subsystem that translates the robotic system along a powerline conductor and (2) a rotation subsystem coupled to the drive subsystem, where (a) the rotation subsystem is coupled to a container that defines an arcuate volume about an axis such that the container partially surrounds the powerline conductor when the axis aligns with the powerline conductor, (b) the container carries a segment of fiber optic cable coupled to the powerline conductor, and (c) the rotation subsystem, while the drive subsystem translates the robotic system along the powerline conductor, rotates the container about the powerline conductor while the axis is aligned with the powerline conductor such that the segment of fiber optic cable is wrapped helically about the powerline conductor. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for installing fiber optic cable about a powerline conductor

The disclosed system may include (1) a drive subsystem that translates along a powerline conductor, (2) a rotation subsystem that rotates a segment of fiber optic cable about the powerline conductor while the drive subsystem translates along the powerline conductor such that the segment of fiber optic cable is wrapped helically about the powerline conductor, and (3) an extension subsystem that (a) mechanically couples the rotation subsystem to the drive subsystem, and (b) selectively extends the rotation subsystem away from the drive subsystem and the powerline conductor to avoid obstacles along the powerline conductor. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Spool-free fiber optic cable configuration for cable installation onto a powerline conductor

A method may include (1) coating a segment of fiber optic cable with an adhesive substance, (2) forming a coil of the segment of fiber optic cable, (3) deforming the coil into a noncircular shape defining a slot external to the coil while obeying a minimum bend radius requirement for the segment of fiber optic cable, and (4) activating the adhesive substance to stabilize the noncircular shape of the coil. Various other methods and apparatuses, such as those for performing the deforming operation, are also disclosed.

METHOD OF INSTALLING SPIRAL HANGERS ABOUT A MESSENGER LINE WHILE REMOVING LASHING WIRE
20210265824 · 2021-08-26 ·

There is provided a method of installing spiral hangers about a messenger line installed between first and second utility poles with a cable being lashed to the messenger line with a lashing wire. The method includes attaching a first and second spiral hangers to the messenger line between first and second utility poles with the first spiral hanger disposed about the messenger line and the cable. The method includes removing the lashing wire from being around the messenger line and the cable adjacent the second spiral hanger. The method includes moving the second spiral hanger towards the second utility pole. The method includes attaching a successive spiral hanger to the messenger line between the spiral hangers, and repeating the moving of the second spiral hanger and attaching another successive spiral hanger.