Patent ID: 8373095

Claim:
An apparatus for de-icing a power line, the apparatus comprising: a housing; an internal hollow channel traversing the housing from a first opening on a first end of the housing to a second opening on a second end of the housing, wherein the housing is placed over the power line such that a portion of the power line is contained within the internal hollow channel and extends through the first opening and the second opening; a rotatable wheel contained within the housing, wherein the rotatable wheel engages the power line for rolling movement therealong; a motor contained within the housing, wherein the motor is operably connected to the rotatable wheel; a temperature sensor attached to the housing; an ice sensor attached to the housing; a first plurality of heating elements attached to the housing proximate to the first opening, wherein the first plurality of heating elements operably provide heat within the first opening and an exterior portion of the housing proximate to the first opening; a second plurality of heating elements attached to the housing proximate to the second opening, wherein the second plurality of heating elements operably provide heat within the second opening and an exterior portion of the housing proximate to the second opening; a first physical proximity sensor attached to the housing proximate to the first opening; a second physical proximity sensor attached to the housing proximate to the second opening; a first power transformer contained within the housing, wherein the first power transformer generates electrical power for the apparatus from electrical power carried by the power line; and a control unit contained within the housing; wherein the control unit is operationally connected to the motor, temperature sensor, ice sensor, motion sensor, first plurality of heating elements, second plurality of heating elements, first physical proximity sensor, second physical proximity sensor and first power transformer.