INSTALLATION AND SUPPORT METHOD INCLUDING A TOWER CRANE FOR SUPPORTING A HIGH-VOLTAGE LINE ELECTRIC CABLE

Abstract

A support installation includes support members for supporting an electric cable, a tower crane, a mast and a jib linked to an upper portion of the mast. The jib and the mast respectively extend according to a jib direction and a substantially vertical mast direction. The support members are secured to the jib and disposed at a plurality of locations distant according to the jib direction. The support members extend transversally to the jib direction to protrude laterally from the jib. The jib is cantilevered when the support installation is in the service configuration.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A support installation for supporting at least one electric cable belonging to a high-voltage line, for example during implantation or maintenance work of the high-voltage line, the support installation comprising support members configured to support said at least one electric cable, and further comprising: a tower crane, the tower crane comprising a mast and a jib linked to an upper portion of the mast, the jib extending according to a jib direction and the mast extending according to a mast direction which is substantially vertical when the support installation is in a service configuration, wherein, the support members are secured to the jib and disposed at a plurality of locations spaced along to the jib direction, the support members extending generally transversally to the jib direction so as to protrude laterally from the jib when the support installation is in the service configuration, and wherein, the jib is cantilevered when the support installation is in the service configuration.

19. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein the support installation further comprises a locking device configured to lock the jib in rotation relative to the mast when the support installation is in the service configuration.

20. The support installation according to claim 19, wherein the jib has a free end portion, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one guy cable linked to the free end portion.

21. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the support members forms an angle comprised between 90 degrees and 30 degrees with a vertical plane including the jib direction.

22. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein the support members protrude laterally from each side of the jib.

23. The support installation according to claim 22, wherein at least two support members located on the two opposite sides of the jib are arranged at the same location (X8.1) according to the jib direction.

24. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the support members comprises a generally straight part.

25. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein each of the support members is displaceable between an unfolded configuration, in which each support member protrudes laterally from the jib, and a folded configuration, in which each support member is disposed adjacent the jib.

26. The support installation according to claim 18, further comprising retaining elements, each retaining element extending in an end area of a respective support member, each retaining member being configured to retain said at least one electric cable bearing on the respective support member.

27. The support installation according to claim 18, further comprising traction elements, each traction element being linked, on the one hand, to the jib and, on the other hand, to at least one support member, each traction element being configured to transmit forces to the jib (8) from at least one respective support member.

28. The support installation according to claim 18, further comprising lateral stabilizing elements, each lateral stabilizing element being configured to link at least two neighboring support members so as to transmit forces according to the jib direction between these neighboring support members.

29. The support installation according to claim 28, wherein each support member comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion connecting the proximal portion and the distal portion, each lateral stabilizing element being arranged so as to link the proximal portion of a support member to the intermediate portion of the neighboring support member.

30. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein, when the support installation is in the service configuration, at least one of the support members is linked to a lower chord member of the jib.

31. The support installation according to claim 18, further comprising fastening frames, each fastening frame being configured to fasten at least one support member to the jib at one of said distant locations.

32. The support installation according to claim 18, wherein the jib comprises reinforcing tubes, each reinforcing tube linking a lower chord member to an upper chord member, each reinforcing tube being sized by complying with a predetermined criterion of resistance to compression buckling.

33. The support installation according to claim 32, wherein the jib comprises a number of reinforcing tubes comprised between 65 and 200, and wherein a distance between two consecutive reinforcing tubes according to the jib direction is comprised between 1 meter and 3 meters.

34. A support method for supporting at least one electric cable belonging to a high-voltage line, for example during implantation or maintenance work of the high-voltage line, the support method comprising the steps of: providing for a tower crane comprising a mast and a jib, placing the tower crane in the service configuration so that: the jib is linked to an upper portion of the mast, the jib extends according to a jib direction, and the mast extends according to a mast direction which is substantially vertical, equipping the tower crane with support members secured to the jib and configured to support said at least one electric cable at a plurality of locations distant according to the jib direction, extending the support members generally transversally to the jib direction so that the support members protrude laterally from the jib, positioning the jib with a free end portion located opposite the mast so that the jib is cantilevered when the support installation is in the service configuration, and locking the jib in rotation relative to the mast with a locking device.

35. A tower crane comprising: a mast extending in a mast direction; a jib connected to an upper portion of the mast and extending in a jib direction, wherein the jib is cantilevered on the mast in a cantilevered condition; and support members secured to the jib at a plurality of locations spaced in the jib direction along a length of the jib so as to extend laterally outward from the jib, wherein the support members are configured to support cables with the jib in the cantilevered condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The present disclosure will be well understood and its advantages will also emerge in the light of the following description, given only by way of non-restrictive example and made with reference to the appended figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and/or functionally identical or similar elements. In the appended figures:

[0077] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a part of a support installation according to an embodiment and in the service configuration;

[0078] FIG. 2 is a top view of a jib of the support installation, taken along II in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment;

[0079] FIG. 3 is a section view taken at the plane III-III in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment;

[0080] FIG. 4 is a view of the detail IV in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment;

[0081] FIG. 5 is a partial bottom view of the detail V in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment;

[0082] FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the detail V of a jib of the support installation in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment;

[0083] FIG. 7 is a front view of the detail VII of the jib in FIG. 6, according to an embodiment; and

[0084] FIG. 8 is a front sequential view illustrating steps for establishing the support installation of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

[0085] The present embodiments will now be further described. In the following passages, different aspects of the embodiments are defined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous.

[0086] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate a support installation 1 for supporting electric cables 80 belonging to a high-voltage line, according to embodiments described herein. The support installation 1 can, for example, be used during implantation or maintenance work of the high-voltage line.

[0087] The support installation 1 comprises:

i) support members 2 configured to support each electric cable 80, and
ii) a tower crane 4.

[0088] The tower crane 4 comprises a mast 6 and a jib 8. The jib 8 is linked to an upper portion 6. 1 of the mast 6. The jib 8 extends according to a jib direction X8. The mast 6 extends according to a mast direction Z6 which is substantially vertical when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration, as in FIG. 1.

[0089] When the support installation 1 is in the service configuration, the jib 8 is articulated relative to the mast 6 in rotation (tower crane) about the mast direction. Moreover, the mast 6 and the jib 8 are articulated so as to fold the tower crane 4 into a transport configuration.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 1, the jib 8 is cantilevered when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration. In other words, the jib 8 has a free end portion located opposite the mast 6 when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration. Therefore, the support installation 1 is devoid of an auxiliary bearing leg supporting the jib 8 opposite the mast 6.

[0091] In addition, the support installation 1 comprises a locking device 10 (FIG. 1) which is configured to lock the jib 8 in rotation relative to the mast 6 when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration. In the example of the Figures, the locking device comprises a locking mechanism arranged on a crown configured to link in rotation the mast 6 and the jib 8.

[0092] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the support members 2 are 10 in number. However, the number of support members 2 may vary. The support members 2 are secured to the jib 8. The support members 2 are disposed at a plurality of locations X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5 etc. The locations X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5, etc. are spaced in pairs according to the jib direction X8. In the example of the Figures, several of the locations X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5 etc. are spaced substantially evenly according to the jib direction X8.

[0093] The support members 2 extend generally transversally to the jib direction X8 so as to protrude laterally from the jib 8 when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration. In the example of Figures, each of the support members 2 extends in a plane orthogonal to the jib direction X8.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, each support member 2 may comprise a generally straight part 2.1. Each support member 2 forms, with a vertical plane Z6.X8 including the jib direction X8, an angle A2 approximately equal to 70 degrees. Each support member in this embodiment may have a length L2 approximately equal to 7m, for example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0095] The support members 2 protrude laterally on either side of the jib 8. Two support members 2 located on the two opposite sides of the jib 8 are arranged in pairs in the same location X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5 etc. According to the jib direction X8. In other words, the support members 2 are paired so as to be located in pairs at the same location according to the jib direction X8.

[0096] Several of the support members 2 which protrude laterally on the same side of the jib 8 together define a support plane P2. In the example of FIG. 5, the upper portions of all support members 2 which protrude laterally on the right side of the jib 8 are coplanar (support plane P2). Likewise, the upper portions of all the support members which protrude laterally on the left side of the jib 8 are coplanar.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 4, the support installation 1 further comprises retaining elements 12. Each retaining element 12 is configured to retain the electric cables 80 bearing on the respective support member 2.

[0098] Each retaining element 12 here extends to the end of a respective support member 2. Each retaining element 12 comprises a bar which extends according to a retaining direction Z12 forming a retaining angle approximately equal to 0 degrees, for example, with the mast direction Z8 when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration. Each retaining element here has a length approximately equal to 60 cm, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 3, the support installation 1 further comprises traction elements 14. Each traction element 14 is linked, on the one hand, to the jib 8 and, on the other hand, to a support member 2. Each traction element 14 is configured to transmit forces to the jib 8 from at least one respective support member 2. In use, each traction element 14 operates in traction.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the support installation 1 further comprises lateral stabilizing elements 16. Each lateral stabilizing element 16 is configured to link two neighboring support members 2 so as to transmit forces according to the jib direction X8 between these neighboring support members 2. In use, each lateral stabilizing element 16 operates in traction.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 4, each support member 2 comprises a proximal portion 2.8, a distal portion 2.12 and an intermediate portion 2.14. For each support member 2, the intermediate portion 2.14 connects the proximal portion 2.8 and the distal portion 2.12. Each lateral stabilizing element 16 is arranged so as to link the proximal portion 2.8 of a support member 2 to the intermediate portion 2.14 of the neighboring support member 2.

[0102] The support installation 1 further comprises fastening frames 20. Each fastening frame 20 is configured to fasten a respective support member 2 to the jib 8 at one of the spaced locations X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5 etc.

[0103] Each fastening frame 20 has dimensions matching with the cross section of the jib 8. Each fastening frame 20 is configured to slide along the jib 8 before being immobilized on the jib 8 by immobilization accessories.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 4, when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration, each support member 2 is linked by means of the fastening frame 20, to a lower chord member 8.1 of the jib 8. When the support installation 1 is in the service configuration, each traction element 14 is linked, by means of the fastening frame 20, to an upper chord member 8.2 of the jib 8.

[0105] The jib 8 and the mast 6 are configured to resist or withstand the forces induced by the electric cables 80 resting on the support members 2. For this purpose, the jib 8 comprises reinforcing tubes 22. Each reinforcing tube 22 links a lower chord member 8.1 to an upper chord member 8.2. Each reinforcing tube 22 can be dimensioned by complying with a predetermined criterion of resistance to compression buckling (absence of buckling). Each reinforcing tube 22 here has a ratio of its diameter over its length greater than or equal to 10%.

[0106] The jib 8 comprises a number of reinforcing tubes 22 approximately equal to 65, but not limited thereto. A distance between two consecutive reinforcing tubes 22 according to the jib direction X8 is comprised between 1m and 3m, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 8, each of the support members 2 is displaceable between an unfolded configuration (low FIG. 8), in which each support member 2 protrudes laterally from the jib 8, and a folded configuration, in which each support member 2 is disposed adjacent the jib 8 (high FIG. 8).

[0108] Moreover, an object of the present disclosure is a support method for supporting the electric cables 80 belonging to the high-voltage line. The support method comprises the steps of: [0109] providing for a tower crane 4 comprising a mast 6 and a jib 8 (FIG. 1), [0110] placing the tower crane 4 in the service configuration so that (FIG. 1): the jib 8 is linked to an upper portion of the mast 6, the jib 8 extends according to a jib direction X8, and the mast 6 extends according to a mast direction Z6 which is substantially vertical, [0111] equipping the tower crane 4 with support members 2 secured to the jib 8 (FIGS. 1 to 5) and configured to support said at least one electric cable 80 at a plurality of locations X8.1, X8.2, X8.3, X8.4, X8.5 etc. spaced along the jib direction X8, [0112] extending the support members 2 (FIG. 8) generally transversally to the jib direction X8 so that the support members 2 protrude laterally from the jib 8 (FIG. 4), [0113] positioning the jib 8 with a free end portion located opposite the mast 6 (in other words, so that the jib 8 is cantilevered when the support installation 1 is in the service configuration), and [0114] locking the jib 8 in rotation relative to the mast 6 by means of a locking device 10.

[0115] The support installation 1 is then in the service configuration.

[0116] Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the present patent application, or to embodiments that are within the reach of those skilled in the art. Other embodiments can be considered without departing from the scope of the invention, starting from any element equivalent to an element indicated in the present patent application.