Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of repair or re-conductoring of energized conductors and to the use and re-use of temporary conductors in the manner of a tool which is used over and over again as work progresses from section to section along energized power lines.

Summary of the Invention

A method of using a piece of conductor as a tool, wherein the method is for use in live re-conductoring of energized phases, at a voltage potential, strung, in at least a first section, between at least first and second supports, and also in a contiguous second section, contiguous to the first section, between the second and a third support, wherein in both the first and second sections of the energized phases or conductors are contiguous between the first and second sections, and wherein the energized phases or conductors comprise a spaced apart energized array of energized conductors, which may be substantially parallel, and which may be vertically or horizontally aligned vertically spaced apart energized array of energized conductors, wherein the energized conductors comprise separate phases, the method comprising in the first section: a) providing a re-usable set of temporary conductors,

b) stringing the temporary conductors in a substantially aligned, spaced apart temporary array alongside, and spaced apart from, the energized array so that each energized conductor of the energized array has a corresponding temporary conductor of the temporary array alongside it, c) commencing with a first energized conductor of the energized array, energizing so as to bring a corresponding first temporary conductor of the temporary array to the voltage potential of the first energized conductor, paralleling the first temporary conductor with the first energized conductor, and then de-energizing the first conductor,

l d) maintaining, for example, repairing or re-conductoring, the de-energized first conductor or delaying the maintenance,

e) repeating in sequence steps (a) through (d) for each subsequent energized conductor in the energized array and corresponding temporary conductor in the temporary array,

f) for those energized conductors not maintained in step (d), then maintaining those energized conductors, then,

g) re-energizing the conductors and paralleling the energized conductors with the temporary conductors,

h) de-energizing the temporary conductors,

i) removing the temporary conductors for later re-use as a tool in the second section, the method further comprising in the second section: j) providing the set of temporary conductors,

k) repeating steps (b) through (i), whereby the maintenance on the first and second sections occurs without transposing relative positions of the energized conductors in the energized array, and whereby the temporary conductors are re-usable from section to section. The invention is an apparatus, system and/or method as shown, described or implied herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts in each view; and wherein the procedure described in Figures 1 -20 apply to a first of three phases and are illustrated by way of example as applied to the top phase in a vertical array of three phases: namely, a top phase, a center phase, and a bottom phase:

Figure 1 is in diagrammatic plan view the layout of the energized conductors, re-conductoring. Figure 1 a is a sectional view partially cut away along line 1 a-1 a on Figure 1 .

Figure 1 b is a partially cut away sectional view along line 1 b-1 b on Figure 1 . Figure 2 is the plan view of Figure 1 showing the addition of a temporary line.

Figure 2a is a sectional view in Figure 2 at the position shown at Figure 1 a in Figure 1 .

Figure 2b is a sectional view in Figure 2 at the position of sectional view Figure 1 b in Figure 1 .

Figure 3 is the view of Figure 2 showing an installed jumper.

Figure 3a is a sectional view of Figure 3 in the position of sectional view of Figure 2a in Figure 2.

Figure 3b is a sectional view in Figure 3 at the position of sectional view of Figure 2b in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is the view of Figure 3 showing the installation of a further jumper.

Figure 4a is a sectional view at the position of sectional view of Figure 3a.

Figure 4b is a sectional view at the position of sectional view of Figure 3b.

Figure 5 is the view of Figure 4 showing the installation of a further jumper.

Figure 5a is a sectional view at Figure 5 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 4a in Figure 4.

Figure 6a is a sectional view of Figure 6 in the position of Figure 5a in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is the view of Figure 6 showing the addition of a first temporary polymer post and transfer bus breaker.

Figure 7a is a sectional view in Figure 7 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 6a in Figure 6.

Figure 7b is a sectional view along line 7b-7b in Figure 7. Figure 7c is a sectional view along line 7c-7c in Figure 7. Figure 8 is the view of Figure 7 showing the installation of two further jumpers. Figure 8a is a sectional view in Figure 8 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 7a in Figure 7.

Figure 8b is a sectional view in Figure 8 at the position of a sectional view Of Figure 7b in Figure 7.

Figure 8c is a sectional view in Figure 8 at the position of a sectional view of Figure 7c in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is the view of Figure 8 showing the installation of a second or further temporary breaker, polymer posts, and a transfer buses one on each side.

Figure 9a is a sectional view in Figure 9 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 8a in Figure 8.

Figure 9b is a sectional view in Figure 9 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 8b in Figure 8.

Figure 9C is a sectional view in Figure 9 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 8c in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is the view of Figure 9 showing the installation of a further two jumpers.

Figure 10a is a sectional view in Figure 10 at the position of a sectional view of Figure 9a in Figure 9.

Figure 10b is a sectional view in Figure 10 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 9b in Figure 9.

Figure 10c is a sectional view in Figure 10 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 9c in Figure 9.

Figure 1 1 is the view of Figure 10 showing the installation of a temporary jumper to a suspension insulator.

Figure 1 1 a is a sectional view in Figure 1 1 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 10a in Figure 10. Figure 1 1 b is a sectional view in Figure 1 1 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 10b in Figure 10.

Figure 12 the view of Figure 1 1 showing the first temporary breaker closed.

Figure 12a is a sectional view in Figure 12 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 1 1 a in Figure 1 1 .

Figure 12b is a sectional view in Figure 12 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 1 1 b in Figure 1 1 .

Figure 12c is a sectional view in Figure 12 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 10c at Figure 10.

Figure 13 is the view of Figure 12 showing the closing of the second or further temporary breaker.

Figure 13a is a sectional view in Figure 13 at the position of a sectional view of Figure 12a in Figure 12.

Figure 13b is a sectional view in Figure 13 at the position of a sectional view of Figure 12b in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is the view of Figure 13 showing the installation of a further jumper.

Figure 14a is a sectional view in Figure 14 at the location of the sectional view of Figure 13a in Figure 13.

Figure 14b is a sectional view in Figure 14 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 13b in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is the view of Figure 14 showing the removal of a permanent jumper.

Figure 15a is a sectional view in Figure 15 at the position of a sectional view of Figure 14a in Figure 14.

Figure 15b is a sectional view in Figure 15 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 14b in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is the view of Figure 15 showing the installation of a further jumper. Figure 16a is a sectional view in Figure 16 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 15a in Figure 15.

Figure 16b is a sectional view in Figure 16 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 15b in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is the view of Figure 16 showing the removal of a permanent jumper.

Figure 17a is a sectional view in Figure 17 in the position of the sectional view of Figure 16a in Figure 16.

Figure 17b is a sectional view of Figure 17 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 16b in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is the view of Figure 17 showing the opening of the second breaker.

Figure 18a is a sectional view in Figure 18 at the position of the sectional of Figure 17a in Figure 17.

Figure 18b is a sectional view in Figure 18 at the position of the sectional of Figure 17b in Figure 17.

Figure 19 the view of Figure 18 showing the opening of the first breaker.

Figure 19a is a sectional view in Figure 19 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 18a in Figure 18.

Figure 19b is a sectional view in Figure 19 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 18b in Figure 18.

Figure 19c is a sectional view in Figure 19 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 12c in Figure 12.

Figure 20 is the view of Figure 19 showing the removal of jumpers.

Figure 20a is a sectional view in Figure 20 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 19a in Figure 19.

Figure 20b is a sectional view in Figure 20 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 19b in Figure 19. Figure 20c is a sectional view in Figure 20 at the position of the sectional view of Figure 19c in Figure 19.

Figures 21-31 reproduce the procedure illustrated in the step-by-step breakdown in Figures 1-20 wherein the procedure of Figures 1 -20 are applied to a top phase, and the procedure of Figures 21 -31 are applied to the center phase.

Figures 32-42 apply the procedure of Figures 21 -31 to the bottom phase wherein the steps in corresponding views are substantially the same steps applied to the bottom phase as have been applied to the center phase.

Figure 43 shows, in side and elevation views, a support structure supporting top, center, and bottom phases, and a pair of temporary transfer buses extending vertically up the support structure from a circuit breaker.

Figure 44a is a front elevation view of an H-frame support structure carrying three phases in a horizontal configuration suspended from a cross-arm.

Figure 44b is the view of Figure 44a showing a temporary support post mounted to the H-frame.

Figure 45 is the view of Figure 44b showing a temporary conductor installed and suspended from the temporary support post.

Figure 46 is the view of Figure 45 showing the A phase load being transferred to the temporary conductor.

Figure 47 is the view of Figure 46 illustrating that the new D phase is reconductored once the A phase load has been transferred to the temporary conductor.

Figure 48 is the view of Figure 47 showing the B phase load being transferred to the conductor which was reconductored in Figure 47.

Figure 49 is the view of Figure 48 illustrating that the new D phase is reconductored once the B phase load has been transferred to the conductor which was reconductored in Figure 47. Figure 50 is the view of Figure 49 showing the C phase load being transferred to the conductor which was reconductored in Figure 49.

Figure 51 is the view of Figure 50 illustrating that the new D phase is reconductored once the C phase load has been transferred to the conductor which was reconductored in Figure 49.

Figure 52 is the view of Figure 51 showing the C phase load being transferred back to the reconductored C phase.

Figure 53 is the view of Figure 52 showing the B phase load being transferred back to the reconductored B phase. Figure 54 is the view of Figure 53 showing the A phase load being transferred back to the reconductored A phase.

Figure 55 is the view of Figure 54 showing the temporary conductor removed.

Figure 56 is the view of Figure 55 showing the temporary support post removed. Figure 57 is the view of Figure 56 showing a temporary conductor suspended from the H-frame cross arm under a pair of insulators which form a V-shape.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

With reference to Figure 1 , what is seen is the layout of support towers, and of the conductors supported by the towers, as seen from above, that is, in plan view. Figure 1 a is a side elevation view along line 1 a-1 a in Figure 1 . Figure 1 b is a side elevation view along line 1 b-1 b in Figure 1. A compass orientation is provided in each view for ease of reference between the various labelled phases. The orientation of the compass is by way of example only.

Thus, as seen in the diagrammatic overview 10, which is intended to be representative and not limiting, each of support towers 12d, 12e, 12f, and 12g support, on either side of each tower, electrical conductors comprised of three phases; namely, top phase 14a, center phase 14b, and bottom phase 14c. In the illustrated example the main line being reconductored is 345 Kilovolts (KV) and the circuit on the right is 138 KV as indicated by shorter insulators, the 138 KV line phases are identified using reference numbers 15a, 15b and 15c. Poles are identified as 17a, 17b and 17c and are only shown in figure 1 . This embodiment is not intended to be limiting as other high voltage loads may also be carried. In the lower portion of Figure 1 , because phases of 14a-14c are stacked vertically one above the other as seen in Figure 1 b, only top phase 14a can be seen. In the upper portion of Figure 1 a, that is in the upper portion of Figure 1 relative to structure 16, each of the phases diverges in plan view from one another so as to convert from a vertical spaced apart array of phases to a horizontally spaced apart horizontal array of phases 14a-14c carried by vertical supports 16a-16c respectively. The horizontal array of phases 14a-14c is then carried on support structure 18.

As carried by support structure 18, top phase 14a is renumbered as horizontal phase14a. Likewise, center phase 14b is relabeled as horizontal phase 14b' and bottom phase 14c is relabeled horizontal phase 14c.

The energized re-conductoring method according to one aspect of the present invention is exemplified by the illustrated operations carried out on the layout of Figure 1 as shown in the balance of the Figures 2-42, as those operations are described below. One skilled in the art would know that such operations in a live re- conductoring exercise are highly dangerous and that safety precautions must be followed, so as to avoid hazards such as for example, those discussed in US patent number 7,535,132 entitled Live Conductor Stringing and Splicing Method and Apparatus.

Commencing in Figure 2, ovals and circles 20, have been added to highlight in at least one view where changes have been made which affect the representation in the previous view and thus allow for rapid detection by the reader of the changes made by the various steps in the method described herein.

Thus as seen in Figure 2b, the highlight oval 20 is shown around the north arms of tower 12d to indicate that changes are made from the representation of tower 12d in Figure 1 b. Thus highlight oval 20 in Figure 2b indicates that a re-usable temporary line comprising temporary phases 22a, 22b, and 22c for the temporary top, center and bottom phases respectively have been strung under the corresponding top, center and bottom arms 24a, 24b, and 24c respectively of tower 12d. The temporary line extends from tower 12g via towers 12f, and 12e to temporary vertical dead-end 26, better seen in Figure 2a. Temporary phases 22a, 22b and 22c are maintained in a vertically spaced apart array from tower 12g to temporary vertical dead-end 26.

As seen in Figures 3 and 3a, a jumper 28a is installed between the top of the pole of vertical support 16a, that is, the East phase pole top, to the top temporary phase 22a. Jumper 28a is mounted between corresponding insulators or polymers 29a at the opposite ends of Jumper 28a.

As seen in Figures 4 and 4a, a Jumper 30a installed between the horizontal phase 14a, that is, the East phase, and the temporary Jumper 28a thereby energizing temporary Jumper 28a. As seen in Figures 5 and 5a, a temporary Jumper 32b is installed from the top of the pole of vertical support 16b, that is, from the center phase pole top, to the temporary center phase 22b. A pair of insulators or polymers 33b is mounted at opposite ends of temporary Jumper 32b, between temporary Jumper 32b and the top of vertical support 16b and center temporary phase 22b. As seen in Figures 6 and 6a, a Jumper 34b is installed from the horizontal center phase 14b to temporary Jumper 32b thereby energizing temporary Jumper 32b.

As seen in Figures 7, 7b and 43, polymer posts 39a, 39a are installed on the legs of tower 12d on each side and positioned above the bushings 38, 38 of the first temporary circuit breaker 36. A transfer bus 40 is run down each side of tower 12d between polymer posts 39a, 39a and the bushings 38, 38 of the first temporary circuit breaker 36.

As seen in Figures 8 and 8b, a Jumper 42a is installed from the top phase 14a to the adjacent transfer bus 40. With the first temporary circuit breaker 36 verified to be in its open condition, a second Jumper 42a is installed from the top temporary phase 22a to the other side of transfer bus 40, that is the side of transfer bus 40 adjacent top temporary phase 22a. This energizes one side of the first temporary circuit breaker 36.

As seen in Figures 9 and 9b, similar to the installation of the first temporary circuit breaker 36 and transfer bus 40 on tower 12d, discussed above in relation to Figure 7, a further second temporary circuit breaker 44 and corresponding transfer bus 46 is set up adjacent to tower 12f. Transfer bus 46 is installed between the bushings 48, 48 on the second temporary circuit breaker 44 and polymer posts 49a, 49a on the legs of tower 12f, is set up adjacent to tower 12f.

As seen in Figure 10 and 10b, again with the second temporary circuit breaker 44 confirmed open, jumpers 50a is installed from top phase 14a and transfer bus 46, an between transfer bus 46 and top temporary phase 22a respectively. This energizes one side of the second temporary circuit breaker 44.

As seen in Figure 1 1 , a temporary jumper 52a is installed on adjacent tower 12g, from the top temporary phase 22a to a suspension insulator 54a on the end of the corresponding arm of tower 12g, so as to leave an extra length 53a of jumper 52a coiled for use later as described below.

As seen in Figures 12 and 12b, first temporary circuit breaker 36 on tower 12d is closed thereby energizing the top temporary phase 22a via bus 40 and Jumpers 42a between vertical support 16a and tower 12g at the potential of top phase 14a', that is, the East phase potential.

As seen Figures 13 and 13b, the second temporary circuit breaker 44 is then closed thereby paralleling the top temporary phase of 22a between tower 12g and temporary vertical dead-end 26 and top phase 14a, that is, the East phase 14a'.

As seen in Figures 14 and 14a, a jumper 56a is next installed across insulator 29a on temporary jumper 28a to thereby parallel the top phase 14a (East phase 14a') and top temporary phase 22a around vertical support 16a.

As seen in Figures 15 and 15a, the parallel around vertical support 16a is broken by the removal of permanent Jumper 58a, seen for example installed in Figure 14, from between East phase 14a' and top phase 14a. As seen in Figure 16, temporary Jumper 52a, which was installed in the step illustrated in Figure 1 1 , is extended so that the extra length 53a of Jumper 52a is extended to the section of top phase 14a heading east from tower 12g. This completes a paralleling of top phase 14a around the dead-end at tower 12g.

As seen in Figures 17 and 17a, the permanent Jumper 60a as seen for example in Figure 16, is removed from between the sections of top phase 14a which are oriented substantially North and East on either side of tower 12g thereby breaking the parallel around the dead-end at tower 60a.

As seen in Figures 18 and 18b, the second temporary breaker 44 is then opened so as to break parallel of top phase 14a and temporary phase 22a, between tower 12g and vertical support 16a.

As seen Figures 19 and 19b, the first temporary breaker 36 is next opened thereby de- energizing top phase 14a between tower 12g and vertical support 16a.

As seen in Figures 20 and 20b, the temporary Jumpers are removed from their corresponding transfer bus 46, and 40 respectively thereby respectively de- energizing and clearing temporary circuit breakers 44 and 40.

Top phase 14a may now be worked on or replaced as its energized load has been transferred to, so as to be carried by, top temporary phase 22a between tower 12g and vertical support 16a, or the work or replacement may be delayed until one or more of the other energized phases have been de-energized and the work then done on all of the de-energized phases.

The steps in the de-energizing of the center and bottom phases, and the transferring of the load to the corresponding re-usable temporary conductor phases, is set out in Figures 21 through 42. The steps in relation to the center energized phases are set- out in Figs 21 - 31. The steps in relation to the bottom energized phase are set out in Figs 32 - 42.

It will be understood that, although not shown in the Figures, the de- energized phases 14a, 14b, 14c may be repaired or replaced, following which the process set out above for each phase is reversed so as to re-transfer the load back from the temporary phases to the now-repaired/replaced phases. Once the temporary phases are de-energized they are removed for re-use in the next section of energized line needing repair or replacement.

An example is provided of a procedure using a temporary conductor as a removable tool in the repair or re-conductoring (collectively referred to as "re-conductoring") of three phases in a horizontal configuration. Thus as seen by way of example in Figure 44a, a typical H-frame structure having vertical pole 102 and cross-arm 101 , is illustrated. Post suspension 1 12 are suspended from cross-arm 101 so as to support conductors 1 14a, 1 14b and 1 14c. Conductors 1 14a, 1 14b and 1 14c typically carry A phase, B phase and C phase loads respectively.

As seen in Figure 44b, in the example illustrated, a temporary insulator 120 is mounted to the vertical pole 102 closest to conductor 1 14a; that is, the conductor carrying the A phase at the outset of the re-conductoring procedure. As would be known skilled in the art, the arrangement and position of temporary post insulator 102 is merely one example of how the temporary conductor 122, seen in Figure 45, may be suspended on or from H-frame structure 100. A further example is provided in Figure 57 where temporary insulators 124 are suspended in a "V" arrangement on structure 100 so as to thereby support temporary conductor 122 therebetween. Thus, with temporary post insulator 120 mounted to vertical pole 102, as seen in Figure 45, temporary conductor 122, which initially is not energized and thus labelled as the "D" phase, is mounted to, so as to be suspended from, the free or distal end of temporary post insulator 120. In the re-conductoring procedure which follows for the horizontal configuration of conductors seen commencing in Figure 44, the labels "A phase", "B phase", "C phase", and "D phase", refer, respectively, to an A phase load carried in the corresponding conductor, a B phase load carried in the corresponding conductor, a C phase load carried in the corresponding conductor and a de-energized conductor (the D phase).

As seen in Figure 46, the A phase load in conductor 1 14a is transferred to temporary conductor 122 as indicated by arrow AA, resulting in temporary conductor 122 carrying the A phase load and conductor 1 14a becoming the D phase upon it be de-energized. That is, the A phase load is transferred to what was the D phase conductor 122 in Figure 45, and the conductor 1 14a which was the A phase in Figure 45 is de-energized to become the new D phase.

As seen in Figure 47 once the A phase load has been transferred to temporary conductor 122, conductor 1 14a may be re-conductored.

As seen in Figure 48 the next step in this embodiment of the procedure is to transfer the B phase load, as indicated by arrow BB, from conductor 1 14b to D phase conductor 1 14a and de-energize conductor 1 14b. Thus the B phase is now carried in conductor 1 14a and, with conductor 1 14b de-energized, conductor 1 14b may be re- conductored as it is now the de-energized D phase as seen in Figure 49.

As seen in Figure 50, the next step in this embodiment of the procedure is to transfer the C phase load, as indicated by arrow CC, from conductor 1 14c to the now re- conductored conductor 1 14b and to de-energize conductor 1 14c. Thus the C phase load is now carried by conductor 1 14b, and conductor 1 14c becomes the de- energized D phase. With conductor 1 14c now the de-energized D phase as seen in Figure 51 , conductor 1 14c may be re-conductored.

With conductors 1 14a, 1 14b and 1 14c now re-conductored, the process is reversed so that, as seen in Figure 52, the C phase load is transferred back to conductor 1 14c as indicated by arrow CC, and conductor 1 14b de-energized. Thus the C phase load is returned to conductor 1 14c, and 1 14b becomes the de-energized D phase.

As seen in Figure 53, in the next step of the process, the D phase load is transferred back from conductor 1 14a to conductor 1 14b, and conductor 1 14a de- energized as indicated by arrow BB ^' . Thus conductor 1 14b is returned to the B phase and conductor 1 14a becomes the D phase.

As seen in Figure 54, in the next step of the process, the B phase load is returned from temporary conductor 1 12 to conductor 1 14a, as indicated by arrow AA ^' . Thus conductor 1 14a again becomes the A phase and temporary conductor 122 is returned to the D phase.

As indicated in Figure 55, temporary conductor 122, that is, the D phase in Figure 54 is now removed so that it may be reused and installed on for example a next section of conductors 1 14a, 1 14b and 1 14c to be re-conductored. In Figure 56 the temporary post insulator 120 has been removed thereby returning H-frame structure 100 to its original condition.