Abstract:
A method and system for a cutout cover are provided. The cutout cover system includes a hollow head portion including a throat portion including an opening oriented toward a cutout when installed on the cutout and a tab portion extending from the hollow head portion in a first direction, the tab portion including a slit extending through the tab portion to the hollow head portion and dividing the tab portion into two joinable halves. The cutout cover also includes a nose portion extending from the hollow head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, the nose portion including a diverging cross-section along the nose portion from a distal end of the nose portion towards the head portion, the nose portion including a substantially smooth linear surface.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/545,797 filed Oct. 11, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cutout cover for polymer and porcelain cutouts covering an electrical utility mechanism to protect wildlife from electrocution. More particularly, the invention relates to a flexible, resilient and aerodynamic cover. 
     Cutouts used by electrical power suppliers in power distribution systems often contribute to power outages due to weather or animal intrusion onto the cutout. For example, small animals climbing across power lines from trees often encounter cutouts at the end of a power line. In disembarking from the power line at the cutout, the small animal can create a short to ground fault that is often detected by the protective equipment associated with the power distribution system. In some cases, the short clears and a recloser restores power to downstream components and loads. However, in other cases, the nature of the short prevents it from being cleared and the recloser times out and remains open, requiring the intervention of a line crew to clear the fault and restore power to the downstream components and loads. 
     Moreover, cutouts are subjected to the weather including icing conditions in the winter and wind throughout the year. At least some known cutout covers include various shapes that present flat surface faces to the wind permitting buffeting of the covered components. Such buffeting may affect the performance of the cutout cover, for example, a cutout cover may become dislodged from the cutout and/or moved from the installed position. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a cutout cover includes a hollow head portion including a throat portion including an opening oriented toward a cutout when installed on the cutout and a tab portion extending from the hollow head portion in a first direction, the tab portion including a slit extending through the tab portion to the hollow head portion and dividing the tab portion into two joinable halves. The cutout cover also includes a nose portion extending from the hollow head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, the nose portion including a diverging cross-section along the nose portion from a distal end of the nose portion towards the head portion, the nose portion including a substantially smooth linear surface. 
     In another embodiment, a method of forming a cutout cover includes forming a hollow head portion including a throat portion including an opening oriented toward a cutout when installed on the cutout, forming a tab portion extending from said hollow head portion in a first direction, said tab portion including a slit extending through said tab portion to said hollow head portion and dividing said tab portion into two joinable halves, and forming a nose portion extending from said hollow head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, said nose portion including a diverging cross-section along said nose portion from a distal end of said nose portion towards said head portion, said nose portion including a substantially smooth linear surface. 
     In still another embodiment, a method of using a cover for a cutout device includes spreading opposing portions of the cutout cover along a slit in a side of the cutout cover, positioning the cutout cover proximate an upper end of an insulator and an upper end of an adjacent fuse, and drawing the cutout cover down onto the upper end of the insulator and the upper end of the fuse. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-8  show exemplary embodiments of the method and apparatus described herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a high voltage power distribution system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the drop fuse cutout shown in  FIG. 1  having a cutout cover installed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the cutout cover shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of the cutout cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the cutout cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of the cutout cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the cutout cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective cutaway view of the drop fuse cutout having the cutout cover installed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a cutout cover in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is contemplated that the invention has general application to electrical and mechanical equipment in industrial, commercial, and residential applications. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a high voltage power distribution system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, system  100  includes a high voltage line  102  carrying current associated with a single phase of a three phase power distribution system. High voltage line  102  may carry a voltage of approximately 4 to 25 kV, for example. High voltage line  102  is supported by an insulator  104  secured to a conventional power pole  106 . A single-phase transformer  108  including a primary terminal bushing  110  having a primary terminal  112  connected to a primary winding (not shown) of transformer  108  is mounted to the power pole  106 . Transformer  108  also has secondary terminals  114  and  116 , respectively, connected to a secondary winding (not shown) of the transformer. 
     A drop fuse cutout  118  is electrically coupled to high voltage line  102  through a first wire  120  and to primary terminal  112  through a second wire  122 . In the exemplary embodiment, drop fuse cutout  118  is mechanically coupled and supported by power pole  106 . In this embodiment, drop fuse cutout  118  includes a porcelain insulator  124  having first and second opposite ends  126  and  128 , respectively, with first and second fuse contacts  130  and  132  being connected to the first and second opposite ends  126  and  128 , respectively, for holding a fuse  134 . Insulator  124  includes a bracket  136  connected thereto which is secured using a fastener  138  to a pole bracket  140 , for securing drop fuse cutout  118  to power pole  106 . Insulator  124  also has a first and a second line connectors  142  and  144  electrically connected to first and second fuse contacts  130  and  132 , respectively. First wire  120  is connected between high voltage line  102  and first line connector  142  and second wire  122  is connected between second line connector  144  and primary terminal  112  of transformer  108 . Thus, current drawn by the transformer  108  is drawn through first wire  120  to first line connector  142 , through fuse contact  130 , through fuse  134 , through second fuse contact  132  to second line terminal  144  and through second wire  122  to primary terminal  112  on transformer  108 . 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of drop fuse cutout  118  having a cutout cover  202  installed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  is a unitarily-formed dielectric cover configured to isolate exposed electrical portions of drop fuse cutout  118  where wildlife or humans are most likely to contact. 
     Cutout cover  202  is formed of a flexible and resilient material configured to fit snugly around drop fuse cutout  118 . Cutout cover  202  includes a hollow top portion  204  with a head portion  206  for covering first end  126  and tab portion  208  extending from head portion  206  in a first direction  209 . A slit  210  extends through top portion  204  along a contour  212  of head portion  206  separating tab portion  208  into two joinable halves. Cutout cover  202  also includes a substantially open bottom end  214  that permits access to head portion  206  from external to cutout cover  202  and configured to receive first line connector  142  and first fuse contact  130 . 
     Cutout cover  202  includes a wedge-shaped nose portion  216  extending from head portion  206  in a second direction  215 , opposite first direction  209  and configured to be aerodynamically tapered to reduce wind forces impinging on cutout cover  202 . Nose portion  216  includes a smooth protuberance-free surface  218  that tends to shed ice and reduce the possibility of buildup of ice along surface  218 . Smooth surface  218  provides less of a foothold for wildlife and is therefore less likely to be used by wildlife than surfaces of other known cutout covers that include grippable protuberances, ridges, edges, and features that wildlife can use to facilitate climbing. Having a less attractive surface to wildlife tends to dissuade the use of cutout cover  202  by wildlife. Nose portion  216  is tapered divergently from a distal end  217  to an end  219  of nose portion  216  proximate a middle of cutout cover  202 . 
     Cutout cover  202  also includes features that enhance installation and securing cutout cover  202  in place on drop fuse cutout  118 . An eyelet  220  configured to receive a tool, such as, but not limited to, a lineman&#39;s hotstick or remote operator (not shown). Additionally, slit  210  permits cutout cover  202  to be spread apart using a live hinge portion  222  during installation. The resilient material is manipulable with a tendency to spring back to an original shape of cutout cover  202 . Once installed on drop fuse cutout  118 , cutout cover  202  is fastenable to drop fuse cutout  118  using one or more fasteners  224  that join the two halves of hollow top portion  204  across slit  212 . When fastened, head portion  206  engages first end  126  in an interference fit to secure cutout cover  202  to drop fuse cutout  118 . Cutout cover  202  includes an extended throat  226  extending away from head portion  206 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of cutout cover  202  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  includes wedge-shaped nose portion  216  configured to present an aerodynamic profile and ice shedding feature based on a taper of wedge-shaped nose portion  216  from head portion  206  to distal end  217 . Wedge-shaped nose portion  216  is tapered is a vertical direction  302 , which is parallel to a central axis  304  of insulator  124  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of cutout cover  202  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  includes wedge-shaped nose portion  216  configured to present an aerodynamic profile and ice shedding feature based on a taper of wedge-shaped nose portion  216  from head portion  206  to distal end  217 . Wedge-shaped nose portion  216  is tapered is a horizontal direction  402 , which is perpendicular to central axis  304  of insulator  124  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of cutout cover  202  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  presents a smooth protuberance-free surface  218  and an aerodynamic shape that tends to reduce windage effects on cutout cover  202 , but also tends to shed ice. Extended throat  226  improves protection for wildlife by covering insulator  124  to a greater degree than known cutout covers. 
       FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of cutout cover  202  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  includes a hollow interior volume  602  shaped complementary to an upper portion of a predetermined cutout  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). An interior shape of volume  602  is varied during a forming process to substantially match the outer periphery of a selected one of a plurality of available cutouts  118 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of cutout cover  202  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, throat  226  in head portion  206  is open from the bottom of cutout cover  202  and includes slit  210 , which extends through top portion  204  along a contour  212  of head portion  206  such that cutout cover  202  can be spread apart to receive first line connector  142  and first fuse contact  130  through substantially open bottom end  214 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective cutaway view of drop fuse cutout  118  having a cutout cover  202  installed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  202  is formed of a flexible and resilient material configured to fit snugly around drop fuse cutout  118 . Cutout cover  202  includes a hollow top portion  204  with a head portion  206  for covering first end  126 . Cutout cover  202  also includes a substantially open bottom end. 
     Cutout cover  202  includes a wedge-shaped nose portion  216 . Nose portion  216  is tapered divergently from a distal end  217  to an end  219  of nose portion  216  proximate a middle of cutout cover  202 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of a cutout cover  900  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the exemplary embodiment, cutout cover  900  includes a grip feature  902  that enhances the installation and securing of cutout cover  900  in place on drop fuse cutout  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Grip feature  902  is configured to receive a tool, such as, but not limited to, a lineman&#39;s hotstick or remote operator (not shown). Grip feature  902  may be grasped using the hotstick and cutout cover  900  may be manipulated into position proximate cutout  118 . In the exemplary embodiment, grip feature  902  is a cylindrical shape and extends orthogonally away from an end  904  of a nose portion  906  proximate a middle of cutout cover  900 . In other embodiments, grip feature  902  is shaped other than cylindrically. Additionally, a slit  908  permits cutout cover  900  to be spread apart using a live hinge portion  910  during installation. Cutout cover  900  is formed of a resilient material that is manipulable with a tendency to spring back to an original shape of cutout cover  900 . Once installed on drop fuse cutout  118 , cutout cover  900  is fastenable to drop fuse cutout  118 . 
     The above-described embodiments of a method and system of covering an electrical cutout cover provides a cost-effective and reliable means for reducing animal contact with energized electrical equipment. More specifically, the methods and systems described herein facilitate maintaining separation between animals and the energized electrical parts of a utility cutout. In addition, the above-described methods and systems facilitate reducing an accumulation of ice on the cutout and cover it and maintaining an aerodynamic profile to facilitate reducing windage on the cutout during operation. As a result, the methods and systems described herein facilitate operation and maintenance of electrical power systems in a cost-effective and reliable manner. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.