Yoke assembly and method of installing same

A yoke assembly includes two support members that are connected to one another, both of which include respective first ends and second ends. The support members are spaced apart enough to fit over existing hardware on a T-adapter at a dead end. In proximity to the first end of the two support members, a connection member is connected to the support members for securing the yoke assembly to the T-adapter. The yoke assembly includes a pole connector, which is pivotably positioned in proximity to the second end of each support member, wherein the pole connector is positioned between the two support members and secured thereto by the second pin. A pole can be secured between the pole connector of the yoke assembly and the power pole, reducing stress on an insulator for removing/repairing the insulator.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to power line tools and, more specifically, to a yoke assembly for reducing strain on an insulator string in a dead end power line arrangement.

2. Description of Related Art

Transmission power lines are wires or conductors through which high voltage electric power is moved from point to point. Transmission power lines are fastened to large transmission power poles. For safety reasons, this fastening typically occurs well above the ground.FIG. 1is an illustration of a series of transmission power poles100carrying at least three conductors105.

Transmission power poles100often include a number of dead ends, which are the termination of a power grid. An exemplary dead end is shown inFIGS. 2A-2B, such that between the transmission power pole100and each conductor105are an insulator string110comprising a plurality of insulators112and a connector adapter115. The conductor105is not connected to another conductor, and thus terminates at the dead end. For example, the three conductors105ofFIG. 2Aterminate at the insulators112.

Commonly, insulators112are made of a material that does not conduct electricity, such as glass, ceramic, porcelain, or rubber, which resist the flow of electric current. A purpose of the insulators112is to prohibit electricity passing from the conductor105to the pole100, and is intended to support/separate electrical conductors without passing current therethrough. Because the transmission power pole100may be made of conductive material, e.g., metal, the insulator112must be positioned between the conductor105, which is carrying the electricity, and the power pole100. Otherwise, the power pole100could become conductive, such that the pole100, itself, is powered with the electricity, which would be dangerous and hence is not desirable.

The adapter115connects the conductors105to the insulator string110and acts a bridge between same. Conventionally, the adapter115is T-shaped, such that the three conductors105are distanced from each other enough, as to not interfere with the transmission of power or compromise the safety of those in proximity to the power pole100. Preferably, the three conductors105terminate roughly at the three endpoints of the “T.” In this arrangement, the insulator string110must be taut in order to be connected to the T-adapter115, and yet still support the conductors105.

Unfortunately, some or all of the insulators112in the insulator string110can become damaged, and/or may need repair. In other situations, the insulators112may need to be replaced. Consequently, manufactures have designed assemblies to enable the removal of an insulator string110or individual insulators112, while still maintaining the necessary strain on the conductor105. Conventionally, a yoke plate, having one or two arms extending between the yoke plate and the transmission power pole, is used to generate the force required to slacken the strain on the insulator string110, such that it can be repaired and/or removed.

Conventional yoke plates enabling the repair/removal of insulators slide between and around existing hardware on the T-shaped dead end adapter. The yoke plates depend on angled pins, bolts, and the like (herein referred as the “hardware”) for securing to the T-shaped adapter to both the insulator string and the conductor(s). Certainly, by sliding the yoke between and around the adapter, it makes the installation of the yoke difficult. In fact, it can be awkward and problematic to obtain an accurate fit. When replacing/repairing transmission line insulator strings, an operator may be positioned a couple hundred feet above the earth, so it is desirable to enable the process of repairing/removing insulators to occur as safely, easily, and as quickly as possible.

What is needed, therefore, is a yoke assembly to safely and easily secure to an adapter to improve the repair/removal of an insulator string. It is to such a device, method, and system that the present invention is primarily detected.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, in preferred form, the present invention is a yoke assembly for relieving stress/strain on an insulator. The yoke assembly includes two support members, e.g., longitudinal extending plates, which are connected to one another. Both the plates include respective first ends and second ends. A first connection assembly is positioned approximately at the midpoint of the two plates for connecting the two plates. The plates are spaced apart enough to fit over existing hardware on a T-adapter at the dead end. In proximity to the first end of the two plates, a slot or notch is provided for receiving a flange of the T-adapter that the yoke assembly rests upon. In proximity to the first end of the two plates a connection adapter is pivotably connected thereto for securing the yoke assembly to the T-adapter. In proximity to the second end of each plate a second connection assembly is connected thereto. The yoke assembly includes a pole connector, which is pivotally positioned in proximity to the second end of each plate, wherein the pole connector is positioned between the two plates and secured thereto by the connection assembly. An arm or pole can be secured between the yoke assembly and the power pole, reducing stress on an insulator for removing/repairing the insulator.

The present invention also relates to an improved method of installing or securing the yoke assembly to the adapter. Instead of installing the yoke assembly between hardware the adapter that connects the conductor and insulator string to the adapter, the present invention makes it easier to install same by being installed over or around the adapter and its hardware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the invention, it is explained hereinafter with reference to its implementation in an illustrative embodiment. In particular, the invention is described in the context of being a yoke assembly for removing stress and/or strain on transmission line insulator strings for replacing/repairing such insulators on dead ends of transmission power systems. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a yoke for 500 kV transmission power lines.

The invention, however, is not limited to its use as a yoke assembly for transmission line insulators. Rather, the invention can be used when a device for removing/repairing an insulator is desired, or as is necessary. Thus, the device described hereinafter as a yoke assembly can also find utility as a device for other applications, beyond that of transmission power systems.

The material described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the view, the present invention will be described in detail. The present invention comprises a yoke assembly.

As shown in theFIGS. 3-7and9-10, particularly shown up-close inFIG. 3, the yoke assembly300for reducing the strain on an insulator string110containing a plurality of insulators112includes two support members, e.g., longitudinal extending plates305and310, which are in communication with to one another. Specifically, the plates305and310are connected to one another by a number of connection assemblies. Each of the plates305and310include a respective first end315and a second end320, and generally have the same size and shape.

A first connection assembly325can be positioned approximately at the midpoint355of the two plates305and310for connecting them together. The connection assembly325can preferably be a bolt/nut combination. Preferably, the plates305and310are spaced apart enough to fit over existing hardware on an adapter115at the dead end of a transmission power system. More preferably, the plates305and310are sufficiently spaced apart enabling them to fit over existing hardware on the adapter115having a T-shape.

In proximity to the first end315of the two plates305and310, a slot or notch330is provided and adapted to receive a flange of the T-adapter115. The yoke assembly300can rest upon the T-adapter115because of this slot/notch330. Also in proximity to the first end315, a connection member335is releasably connected for securing the yoke assembly300to the T-adapter115.

In proximity to the second end320of the plates305and310, a second connection assembly340is positioned to further connect the plates305and310together. The yoke assembly300includes a pole connector assembly345, which is pivotably positioned in proximity to the second end320of the plates305and310, wherein the pole connector assembly345is positioned between the two plates305and310and secured thereto by the second connection assembly340, preferably a bolt/nut combination.

Based on the pole connector assembly345, an elongated arm or pole350(seeFIG. 6) can be secured between the yoke assembly300and the cold end, i.e., the structure, e.g., power pole100, for reducing stress on an insulator string110enabling removing/repairing the insulator string110.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two plates305and310are positioned approximately parallel to one another. The plates305and310can have an elongated, generally oval shape, as illustrated in the figures. As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the plates305and310can have other shapes, such as rectangular or the like. The plates305and310are preferably connected by at least one permanent connection assembly325, such as a bolt/nut, for securing the two plates305and310together. The connection assembly325is positioned in the approximate midpoint355of the two plates305and310, such that the connection assembly325will not interfere with the connection between the yoke assembly300to the T-adapter115. The connection assembly325can be received by a hollow cylinder360for safe keeping and to reduce moments of force on the connection assembly325. The hollow cylinder360is connected, for example welded, to each plate305and310. Further, the hollow cylinder360can include a threaded center having a diameter similar in size to the diameter of the threading of the connection assembly325, for further securing of the connection assembly325. Although, in another embodiment, the hollow cylinder360can be outfitted without a threaded center, and thus the connection assembly325may not have a threading along its body.

Preferably, the plates305and310are made of a metal, including aluminum, steel, cast iron, and the like. The connection assembly325, in a preferred embodiment, can be a grade 8 bolt, which is rust-resistant. The connection assembly325can comprise the bolt, which can be secured to the plates305and310by a cooperatively fitting nut.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4-7and9-10, the yoke assembly300is positionable outside, over, and around the hardware on the T-adapter115, which secures the conductors105to the insulator strings110. The conventional system of installing a yoke was to fit the yoke assembly between and through the existing hardware on the adapter, which proved to be time-consuming, challenging, and dangerous.

Generally, the T-adapter115includes hardware such as angled bolts to secure the conductors105or insulator strings110thereto. For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the conductors105are connected to a conductor connection member120, which connects the conductor105to the T-adapter115. And the insulator strings110are connected to an insulator connection member125to secure the insulator strings110to the T-adapter115. In one embodiment, for example, the insulator connection member125can comprise angled bolts, while the conductor connection member120comprises conventional bolts.

Unlike conventional yoke plates, the present yoke assembly300is adapted to fit over the hardware of the T-adapter115, rather than between the hardware, easing the task of securing the yoke assembly300to the T-adapter115. For example, conventional dead end yoke plates were weaved between the conductor connection member120and the insulator connection member125to secure to the T-adapter115. In fact, the conventional solution required placing the plates at an angle in order to fit and slide through the hardware.

The plates305and310of the present yoke assembly300are adapted to slide over the conductor connection member120. By sliding and positioning over the T-adapter's hardware, the process of installation is significantly improved, as time is saved, and the installer's task is eased.

That said, the yoke assembly300can be secured to the T-adapter115via the plate305sitting atop the conductor connection member120, the connection member335mounted on the T-adapter115, the notch330engaging a flange of the T-adapter115, and the leverage point bolt/pin365.

As described, the plates305and310of the yoke assembly300can rest upon the conductor connection member120, depending on which insulator string110is being repaired/replaced. But this only occurs when the yoke assembly300is generally horizontally positioned, as illustrated inFIGS. 4-6and9-10. The yoke assembly300can be positioned in a generally vertical position, as shown inFIG. 7, for which the plate305does not rest upon the conductor connection member120, but is connected thereto.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9-10, the connection member335can slide over one end of the T of the T-adapter115. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection member335can have a substantially rectangular-U-shape, such that the opening/mouth of the U can receive the end of the T of the T-adapter115. The opening can be a distance Δd, with fits cooperatively about the T-adapter115. The connection member335can be pinned to the T-adapter115, by inserting a pin337through aperture of the mouth of the U, and through pre-existing holes in the connection member335and the pre-existing hole in the T-adapter115. Likewise, a connection assembly370(e.g., a bolt/nut combination) can secure the opposing end of the connection member335to the end of the two plates305and310, and through a pre-existing hole in the two plates305and310. A close-up view of the connection member335is illustrated inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIGS. 3-7and10, the notch330of the yoke assembly300is a cavity carved out of the two plates305and310in the approximately same location. Depending on how the yoke assembly300is secured to the T-adapter115, a flange of one of the T-ends may interfere with one of the plates305or310of the yoke assembly300. The notch330is positioned in the correct, predetermined position having a receiving shape (such as a U-shape) as to not interfere with one of the ends of the T-adapter115. For instance, because the connection member335is pinned in a pre-existing hole, the location of the notch330can be determined based on the location of the hole. Preferably, the size of the notch330is slightly larger than one end of the T.

The pin365can be a leveraging pin, which leverages a moment of force in the yoke assembly300, further preventing it from rotation when the arm350is secured to the cold end, or pole side. The leveraging pin365is preferably positioned between the connection assembly325and the connection member335. And the leveraging pin365is insertable into pre-existing holes in both plates305and310. Preferably, it is inserted into the yoke assembly300after the plate305and310are secured to the T-adapter115.

In proximity to the second end320of the plates305and310is the pole connector assembly345pivotably connected thereto for securing a pole between the yoke assembly300and the power pole100. The pole connector assembly345can be pivotable about its connection assembly340. The pole connector assembly345is connectable to an arm or pole350, preferably made of a lightweight material, such as fiberglass. In a preferred embodiment, the pole350comprises non-conductive, or insulative, properties. For example, the fiberglass pole350is connected between the cold end, i.e., the power pole100, and the yoke assembly300. Once the pole350is connected therebetween, the pole350can reduce the amount of strain on the insulator string110, such that one string110of insulators112will slacken, thereby being able to be repaired and/or removed. For example, the length of the pole350can be shortened, which can rotate the T-adapter115slightly to reduce the strain/stress on an insulator string110closest to the pole350. Accordingly, the strain that was on the insulators112can shift to the pole350, while still preventing rotation of the T-adapter115.

A preferred method of installing the yoke assembly300includes first attaching the connection member335to the T-adapter115, with a pin. Then, the first end315of the plates305and310of the yoke assembly300can slide over the outside of the hardware of the T-adapter115. Now, the connection member335can be secured to the plates305and310with another connection assembly340. Once the plates305and310are secured to the connection member335, the notch330may engage the flange of the T-adapter115. The leveraging pin365can then inserted in the two plates305and310. Then, the arm350can be secured to the pole connector assembly345. Next, the arm350can be tightened to reduce the strain on the insulator string110to be repaired/replaced. Because the strain on the insulator string110has been reduced, it can be removed and/or repaired, such that the arm350provides the stress required to maintain the tension on the conductors105and the remaining insulator strings110.