Spacer drone install system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023116365-A1
Application number	US-202217964821-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 12, 2022
Priority date	Oct 12, 2021
Publication date	Apr 13, 2023
Grant date	—

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 adjacent 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 the portion for articulating to the lines.

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 adjacent 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 location onlines; holding, via a holding portion of the system, the line spacer; releasing the line spacer from the holding portion onto the lines; and actuating securing portions, via operation of a portion of the system, of the line spacer to secure the line spacer upon the lines.

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 adjacent lines, the system comprising:
a portion for holding and releasing the line spacer onto the lines such a first portion of the line spacer is secured to a first line of the adjacent lines and a second portion of the line spacer is secured to a second line of the adjacent lines; and a flying drone portion for levitation of the portion for holding to the lines.

19 . The system as set forth in claim 18 , comprising:
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.

20 . The system as set forth in claim 19 , 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 Primary

  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

• B64U10/13

  Flying platforms · CPC title

• B23P19/06 Primary

  Screw or nut setting or loosening machines · CPC title