DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AN OVERHEAD CABLE, SYSTEM OF AN OVERHEAD CABLE NETWORK CONFIGURED TO MANAGE AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL COMPRISING SUCH A SUPPORT DEVICE, AND CORRESPONDING MANAGEMENT METHOD

Abstract

A device for supporting a first overhead cable intended to be fixed to a hollow pole is described, the device including a first counterweight intended to be disposed inside the hollow pole, and a second cable for adjusting a mechanical tension of the first cable, the second cable being anchored, at its first end, to the first cable and being fixed, at its second end, to the first counterweight. A system for an overhead cable network configured to manage an electrical signal is also described, the system including such a support device and a generator of an electrical signal under the action of a displacement of the first counterweight in the hollow pole caused by a variation in the mechanical tension of the first cable.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a first overhead cable intended to be fixed to a hollow pole, the device comprising: at least a first counterweight intended to be disposed inside said hollow pole; at least a second cable for adjusting a mechanical tension of the first cable, the second cable being anchored, at its first end, to the first cable and being fixed, at its second end, to the first counterweight.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the support device includes a first tie comprising at least a first pulley, said second cable intended to be positioned in a rim of said first pulley.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: at least a second counterweight intended to be disposed inside said hollow pole; at least a third cable for adjusting a mechanical tension of the first cable, the third cable being anchored, at its first end, to the first cable and being fixed, at its second end, to the second counterweight.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the support device includes a second tie able to suspend the third cable from the hollow pole.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the second tie comprises at least a second pulley, said third cable intended to be positioned in a rim of said second pulley.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the first counterweight has a first mass, and wherein the second counterweight has a second mass distinct from the first mass.

7. A system for an overhead cable network configured to manage an electrical signal, the system comprising: the support device of claim 1; and a generator of an electrical signal under the action of a displacement of said at least a first counterweight in the hollow pole caused by a variation in the mechanical tension of said first cable.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein: said at least one counterweight comprises a core made of magnetic material; and the generator of an electrical signal comprises at least an inductance coil, disposed in the hollow pole, through which said at least one counterweight is intended to move.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein: said at least one counterweight comprises at least an inductance coil; and the generator of an electrical signal comprises at least a portion made of magnetic material disposed in the hollow pole, in front of which said at least one counterweight is intended to move.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the generator of an electrical signal comprises a converter of mechanical stresses into an electrical signal disposed in the hollow pole, the displacement of said at least one counterweight in the hollow pole applying mechanical stress to said converter.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the generator of an electrical signal comprises a piezoelectric material disposed in the hollow pole, the displacement of said at least one counterweight in the hollow pole applying a mechanical stress within said piezoelectric material.

12. The system of claim 7, further comprising at least an accumulator of energy for said generated electrical signal.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising at least a power supply able to provide one electrical signal among the following: a generated electrical signal provided by the generator; and an electrical signal provided by the accumulator.

14. A method for managing an electrical signal implemented by the system of claim 7, the method comprising: generating an electrical signal under the action of a displacement of said at least a first counterweight in the hollow pole caused by a variation in the mechanical tension of said first cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] Other characteristics and advantages of the disclosed technology will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate one exemplary embodiment thereof without any limitation.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an overhead cable network in which an embodiment of the disclosed technology is implemented.

[0055] FIG. 2A represents a pole cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0056] FIG. 2B represents a pole cut along the cutting plane II-II introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0057] FIG. 3 represents a pole cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0058] FIG. 4A represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0059] FIG. 4B represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0060] FIG. 4C represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a third embodiment of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Embodiments of the disclosed technology aim to slow down cable aging while reducing the risks of cable breakage.

[0062] Embodiments of the disclosed technology also aim, secondly, to ensure energy autonomy without introducing new mechanical stresses at the poles from which overhead cables are suspended, which could lead to accelerated aging or breakage of these cables.

[0063] This energy autonomy allows for example supplying sensors disposed at the poles and whose function is to collect information on the mechanical behavior of these poles or of the cable fixed to them. This information facilitates the monitoring and maintenance of these infrastructures since, by contributing in particular to the determination of a level of mechanical fatigue of the cable and/or poles, it allows planning maintenance operations.

[0064] This energy autonomy also allows supplying electrical energy to other devices such as public lighting devices, etc.

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an overhead cable network 1 in which an embodiment of the disclosed technology can be implemented. Although described with reference to a telecommunications network, the disclosed technology also finds application in overhead electricity transmission networks.

[0066] Such an overhead cable network 1 comprises N poles P.sub.i with i{1; . . . ; N}. The poles P.sub.i are hollow poles made of composite materials such as fiberglass. These poles Pi made of composite material are lighter than the conventional wooden poles, and they are also easier to install and less expensive.

[0067] Despite their light weight, the poles P.sub.i show high resistance to all types of loads. Furthermore, they are considered passive safety elements because, in the event of a collision with a vehicle, they collapse without endangering the lives of passengers.

[0068] A cable C is fixed to the poles P.sub.i by means of ties DS.sub.j, with j{1; . . . ; M} where M is greater than or equal to N. A single pole P.sub.i may include multiple ties DS.sub.j. These ties, called support devices DS.sub.j in the rest of the document, will be discussed in more detail later in the present document.

[0069] Such a cable C can be either a cable intended for the transmission of electricity or a cable intended for the transmission of telecommunications signals, such as copper or fiber optic cables.

[0070] This FIG. 1 also represents a first cutting plane I-I parallel to the pole P.sub.i and a second cutting plane II-II perpendicular to the first cutting plane.

[0071] FIG. 2A represents a pole P.sub.i cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology. In this figure, the tie by means of which the cable C is suspended from the pole P.sub.i is not represented so as not to overload the figure.

[0072] This FIG. 2A shows in close-up and in section the upper part of the pole P.sub.i on which a support device DS.sub.j schematically represented by a rectangle is fixed.

[0073] The support device DS.sub.j comprises a pulley Pour fixed on an inner surface of the pole P.sub.i in the rim of which a cable CA.sub.1 for adjusting a mechanical tension of the cable C is positioned. A first end of the cable CA.sub.1 is anchored to the cable C by means of an anchoring clamp PA while a second end of the cable CA.sub.1 is fixed to a counterweight CP.sub.1 located inside the pole P.sub.i.

[0074] Thus, when the mechanical tension of the cable C varies, this variation is transmitted to the cable CA.sub.1 to which it is anchored. This variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C causes, via the cable CA.sub.1 and the pulley Pour in which it is positioned, a movement of the counterweight CP.sub.1 which oscillates vertically between a first position Pos1 and a second position Pos2. The amplitude of this oscillating movement is a function of the value of the variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C.

[0075] FIG. 2B, for its part, represents the pole P.sub.i cut along the cutting plane II-II introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0076] This FIG. 2B shows the pulley Pou fixed on the internal surface of the pole P.sub.i and the cable CA.sub.1 positioned in the rim of the pulley. The pulley Pour overhangs the counterweight CP.sub.1 fixed to the second end of the cable CA.sub.1 and disposed inside the pole P.sub.i. The cable C, for its part, goes around the outside of the pole P.sub.i.

[0077] FIG. 3 represents a pole P.sub.i cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0078] This FIG. 3 shows in close-up and in section the upper part of the pole P.sub.i on which two support devices DS.sub.j and DS.sub.j+1 schematically represented by a rectangle are fixed.

[0079] The first support device DS.sub.j comprises a pulley Pou.sub.1 fixed on an inner surface of the pole P.sub.i in the rim of which a cable CA.sub.1 for adjusting a mechanical tension of the cable C is positioned. A first end of the CA.sub.1 cable is anchored to the cable C by means of an anchoring clamp PA while a second end of the cable CA.sub.1 is fixed to a counterweight CP.sub.1 located inside the pole P.sub.i.

[0080] The second support device DS.sub.j+1 comprises a pulley Pou.sub.2 fixed on an inner surface of the pole P.sub.i in the rim of which a cable CA.sub.2 for adjusting a mechanical tension of the cable C is positioned. A first end of the cable CA.sub.2 is anchored to the cable C by means of an anchoring clamp PA while a second end of the cable CA.sub.2 is fixed to a counterweight CP.sub.2 located inside the pole P.sub.i.

[0081] Thus when the mechanical tension of the cable C varies, this variation is transmitted to the cable CA.sub.1 and to the cable CA.sub.2 to which it is anchored. This variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C causes, via the cable CA.sub.1 and the pulley Pou.sub.1 in which it is positioned, a movement of the counterweight CP.sub.1 which oscillates vertically between a first position Pos1 and a second position Pos2. The amplitude of this oscillating movement is a function of the value of the variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C.

[0082] Similarly, this variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C causes, via the cable CA.sub.2 and the pulley Pou.sub.2 in which it is positioned, a movement of the counterweight CP.sub.2 which oscillates vertically between a first position Pos3 and a second position Pos3, which may or may not be identical to the positions Pos1 and Pos2 associated with the first counterweight CP.sub.1. The amplitude of this oscillating movement is a function of the value of the variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C.

[0083] In this second embodiment, the two counterweights CP.sub.1 and CP.sub.2 may have an identical mass or a different mass. The value of the mass of each of the counterweights CP.sub.1 and CP.sub.2 depends on the value of the mechanical tension of the cable section C to which the cable CA.sub.1 and the cable CA.sub.2 are respectively anchored. Indeed, two sections of the same cable C can have different mechanical stresses that influence the value of the mechanical tension calculated prior to the installation of the cable C.

[0084] FIG. 4A represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0085] This FIG. 4A shows in close-up and in section the lower part of the pole Pi, inside which a counterweight CP.sub.1 is suspended, cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1 as well as a generator G of an electrical signal schematically represented by a rectangle. In this first embodiment, the generator G is an induction generator based on the use of an inductance coil and of a core made of magnetic material.

[0086] In this first embodiment, an inductance coil BI is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i against the wall between the positions Pos1 and Pos2 between which the counterweight CP.sub.1 moves when a variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C occurs. In order to generate an electrical signal by induction, the counterweight CP.sub.1 comprises a core made of magnetic material NMM. Thus, the displacement of the counterweight CP.sub.1 through the inductance coil BI generates an electrical signal.

[0087] In one variant of implementation, the system comprises a second counterweight CP.sub.2 also comprising a core made of magnetic material NMM. In this implementation, the inductance coil BI is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i against the wall both between the positions Pos1 and Pos2 and between the positions Pos3 and Pos4 between which the counterweight CP.sub.2 moves when a variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C occurs. Thus, the two counterweights contribute to generating an electrical signal.

[0088] FIG. 4B represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0089] This FIG. 4B shows in close-up and in section the lower part of the pole P.sub.i inside which a counterweight CP.sub.1 is suspended, cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1, as well as a generator G of an electrical signal schematically represented by a rectangle. In this second embodiment, the generator G is an induction generator based on the use of an inductance coil and of a core made of magnetic material.

[0090] In this second embodiment, a magnetic material MM is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i against the wall between the positions Pos1 and Pos2 between which the counterweight CP.sub.1 moves when a variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C occurs. In order to generate an electrical signal by induction, the counterweight CP.sub.1 comprises an inductance coil BI. Thus, the displacement of the counterweight CP.sub.1 through the magnetic material MM generates an electrical signal.

[0091] In one variant of implementation, the system comprises a second counterweight CP.sub.2, also comprising an inductance coil BI. In this implementation, the magnetic material MM is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i against the wall both between the positions Pos1 and Pos2 and between the positions Pos3 and Pos4, between which the counterweight CP.sub.2 moves when a variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C occurs. Thus, the two counterweights contribute to generating an electrical signal.

[0092] FIG. 4C represents a system for managing an electrical signal according to a third embodiment of the disclosed technology.

[0093] This FIG. 4C shows in close-up and in section the lower part of the pole P.sub.i inside which a counterweight CP.sub.1 is suspended, cut along the cutting plane I-I introduced with reference to FIG. 1, as well as a generator G of an electrical signal schematically represented by a rectangle. In this third embodiment, the generator uses the principle of converting a mechanical stress into an electrical signal, such as the principle of piezoelectricity, to generate an electrical signal.

[0094] In this third embodiment, a disk made of piezoelectric material DPZ is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i at the lowest at the position Pos2 to which the counterweight CP.sub.1 moves when a variation in the mechanical tension of the cable C occurs.

[0095] Indeed, in order to generate an electrical signal, the counterweight CP.sub.1 must exert sufficient pressure on the piezoelectric material constituting the piezoelectric disk DPZ. For this, the piezoelectric disk DPZ is disposed above the position Pos2 representing a lower extreme position of the counterweight CP.sub.1 in the pole P.sub.i.

[0096] In one variant of implementation, the system comprises a second counterweight CP.sub.2. In this implementation, the piezoelectric disk DPZ is disposed inside the pole P.sub.i at a position Pos that allows both the counterweight CP.sub.1 and the counterweight CP.sub.2 to exert sufficient pressure on the piezoelectric material constituting the piezoelectric disk DPZ.

[0097] Thus, this position Pos is located above those of the two positions Pos2 or Pos4 which is closest to the top of the pole P.sub.i, thus ensuring that each of the two counterweights CP.sub.1 and CP.sub.2 exerts sufficient pressure on the piezoelectric disk DPZ to generate an electrical signal.

[0098] This third embodiment can be implemented in conjunction with the first or second embodiment of the management system.

[0099] In variants of implementations, the generator G is electrically connected to electrical energy storage means MS represented in FIGS. 4A to 4C. Such electrical energy storage means MS can take the form of an accumulator.

[0100] Finally, in variants of implementation, the system for managing an electrical signal comprises a power supply (not represented in the figures) able to provide an electrical signal to equipment located in the vicinity of the pole P.sub.i. The electrical signal provided by this power supply may be the electrical signal directly generated by the generator G or an electrical signal provided by the storage means MS.

[0101] The electrical signal thus delivered may then supply sensors intended to monitor the mechanical tension of the cable C, public lighting means, etc.