Spacer drone install system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12358087-B2
Application number	US-202217964821-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 12, 2022
Priority date	Oct 12, 2021
Publication date	Jul 15, 2025
Grant date	Jul 15, 2025

Abstract

One or more system and associated methods for installing a line spacer upon adjacent lines that are suspended are provided. A system includes a portion for holding and releasing the line spacer onto the lines. The system includes a portion for actuating securing portions of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines. The system includes a flying drone portion for levitation of the portion for holding and the portion for articulating to the lines.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An automated drone system for installing a line spacer upon lines, the system comprising:
a portion for holding and releasing the line spacer onto the lines;
a portion for actuating securing portions of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines; and
a flying drone portion for levitation of the portion for holding and releasing and the portion for actuating to the lines, wherein:
the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion;
the flying drone portion levitates the portion for holding and releasing while the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion; and
the portion for actuating operates while the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion and levitated by the flying drone portion.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the portion for holding and releasing the line spacer comprises arms.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the arms are configured to deflect to release the line spacer subsequent to the line spacer being secured upon the lines.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the line spacer comprises respective portions to be compressed upon each of the lines, the portion for actuating securing portions of the line spacer comprises a portion for compressing the respective portions of the line spacer.

5. The system as set forth in claim 4 , wherein the portion for compressing comprises a motor.

6. The system as set forth in claim 4 , including a portion for moving the portion for compressing.

7. The system as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the portion for moving comprises a motor.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the securing portions of the line spacer comprise a fastener, and the portion for actuating the securing portions comprises a portion for actuating the fastener.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the portion for actuating the fastener comprises a motor.

10. The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the securing portions of the line spacer comprise a clamp, and the portion for actuating the securing portions comprises an arm to close the clamp.

11. A method of installing a line spacer upon lines with a system, the method comprising:
flying the system, via operation of a drone portion of the system, to levitate the system to the lines;
holding, via a holding portion of the system, the line spacer while flying the system with the drone portion of the system;
releasing the line spacer from the holding portion onto the lines while flying the system with the drone portion of the system; and
actuating securing portions, via operation of a portion of the system, of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines while flying the system with the drone portion of the system.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein holding the line spacer comprises holding the line spacer with arms of the holding portion.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein releasing the line spacer comprises deflecting the arms.

14. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein actuating the securing portions comprises compressing portions of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein compressing the portions comprises actuating a motor to compress the portions.

16. The method as set forth in claim 11 , wherein actuating the securing portions comprises actuating compressing portions to compress portions of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 , wherein actuating the compressing portions comprises actuating a motor to actuate the compressing portions.

18. An automated drone system for installing a line spacer upon lines, the system comprising:
a portion for holding and releasing the line spacer onto the lines such that a first portion of the line spacer is secured to a first line of the lines and a second portion of the line spacer is secured to a second line of the lines;
a first portion for actuating a first securing portion of the line spacer to secure the first portion of the line spacer to the first line; and
a flying drone portion for levitation of the portion for holding and releasing and the first portion for actuating to the lines, wherein:
the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion;
the flying drone portion levitates the portion for holding and releasing while the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion; and
the first portion for actuating operates while the portion for holding and releasing is supported below the flying drone portion and levitated by the flying drone portion.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18 , wherein:
the first portion for actuating the first securing portion comprises a motor.

20. The system as set forth in claim 18 , comprising:
a second portion for actuating a second securing portion of the line spacer to secure the second portion of the line spacer to the second line.

Assignees

• Preformed Line Products Co

Inventors

• Ciesielczyk Benjamin Franklin
• Bell Douglas
• Markiewicz John

Classifications

• B64C39/024

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B64U2101/00

  UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications · CPC title

• B64U2101/25

  for manufacturing or servicing · CPC title

• F16B9/02

  Detachable connections {(F16B9/05 – F16B9/09 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B64U2201/10

  autonomous, i.e. by navigating independently from ground or air stations, e.g. by using inertial navigation systems [INS] · CPC title