AU2021215247A1

AU2021215247A1 - System, Apparatus, and Method for Installation and/or removal of Conductor Spacers

Info

Publication number: AU2021215247A1
Application number: AU2021215247A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Christopher John Brodie; Scott Michael Melton
Original assignee: Enerphase Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Enerphase Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-14
Filing date: 2021-08-13
Publication date: 2022-03-03

Abstract

Disclosed are examples of an apparatus for installing and/or removing a spacer between power lines. The apparatus may include a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack to store one or more spacers, and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation means adapted to engage with the one or more spacers and one or more moveable members adapted to move the actuation means relative to the carriage. The manipulation arrangement is adapted to move the one or more spacers between a stored condition at the rack to an installed condition in which the manipulation arrangement facilitates at least one of engagement or disengagement of the one or more spacers between the power lines. A system and related methods are also disclosed. 1/10 24 28 5 24 27 39 31 24 14 3311 22 14 10 32,F34 12 22 Fig. 1 33 14 14 22 - : :22 12- - - 10 o o 26 16 30 20 Fig. 2

Description

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System, Apparatus, and Method for Installation and/or removal of Conductor Spacers

Related Applications

[001] This application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no. 2020902900 filed on 14 August 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[002] The invention relates to a system, an apparatus and a method for installation and removal of conductor spacers between power lines. In particular, the invention relates to a system including a robotic, autonomous or remote-control apparatus and an

associated method of installation and/or removal of conductor spacers between parallel high voltage power lines.

Background

[003] Spacers, also referred to as line spacers, are fitted to extend between parallel power lines. The spacers are installed between multiple conductors that consist of one phase of a power line system and assist to inhibit the parallel power lines coming into contact with one another due to wind and vibration. Such power lines may be high voltage power lines that extend over vast distances and are often at great heights that make access difficult and dangerous. As such, the process of inspecting such power lines, and replacing or installing spacers thereto may be dangerous and time consuming.

[004] Accordingly, various apparatuses including robotic apparatuses arranged to travel along parallel power lines have been developed. Some of these apparatuses include a robotic arm to allow manipulation and securing of objects such as line spacers. However, such line spacers may be difficult to install or remove, and require complex operations by the arm, at least in part, because such spacers are not designed to work with the apparatus and are design for traditional fitting by a person. A problem with such apparatuses and spacers that they may not functional optimally with one another which may result in complex and costly design of the apparatus as well as slow or inconsistent operation.

[005] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

[006] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, an apparatus for installing and/or removing a spacer between power lines. The apparatus may include a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack to store one or more spacers, and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation means adapted to engage with the one or more spacers and one or more moveable members adapted to move the actuation means relative to the carriage, wherein the manipulation arrangement is adapted to move the one or more spacers between a stored condition at the rack to an installed condition in which the manipulation arrangement facilitates at least one of engagement or disengagement of the one or more spacers between the power lines.

[007] In an aspect, the apparatus further includes a spacer removal arrangement adapted to cut an existing spacer.

[008] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, an apparatus for installing and/or removing a spacer between power lines, the apparatus including: a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack adapted to store one or more spacers in a stored condition, each of the one or more spacers having couplings respective ends thereof; and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation head adapted to engage with the one or more spacers and one or more moveable members adapted to support the actuation head relative to the carriage such that the actuation head is able to pick and move the one or more spacers from the stored condition in a fitting condition, in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are maintained in a decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the manipulation arrangement facilitates locating and actuating the couplings to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.

[009] In an aspect, the rack is adapted to store a plurality of the one or more spacers in the decoupled state.

[0010] In another aspect, the rack includes two spaced apart rack members between which the one or more spacers span.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the actuation head includes first actuatable members arranged to hold each of the couplings in the decoupled state.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the first actuatable members are movable to enable the couplings to be moved to the coupled state in the installed condition.

[0013] In yet another aspect, the first actuatable members are linearly actuatable rods.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the actuation head includes second actuatable members adapted to move the couplings toward the coupled state.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the second actuatable members include clamping jaws adapted to at least temporarily compress the couplings about the respective power lines in a compressed condition.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the actuation head includes a tool adapted to secure the couplings in the installed condition.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the tool is adapted to actuate a fastener associated with each of the couplings in the compressed condition.

[0018] In yet another aspect, each of the couplings is provided in the form of a clamp.

[0019] In yet another aspect, each of the clamps has a fixed part and a pivoting part, the pivoting part between relatively moveable between the decoupled and coupled state.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the pivoting part includes a free end section dimensioned to be engaged with the rack in the stored condition to maintain the decoupled state.

[0021] In yet another aspect, the free end section is arranged to self-locate with at least one of the body of the spacer and fixed part in the coupled state.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the free end section includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener in the coupled state.

[0023] In yet another aspect, a tip of the free end section includes a slot to receive a fastener to secure the couplings in the coupled state.

[0024] In yet another aspect, each of the clamps has an associated fastener adapted to secure the fixed part and the pivoting part in the coupled state.

[0025] In yet another aspect, the apparatus further includes a spacer removal arrangement adapted to cut an existing spacer.

[0026] In yet another aspect, the one or more moveable members of the manipulation arrangement are provided in form of a robotic arm.

[0027] In yet another aspect, the robotic arm and the actuation head are formed as a single actuation assembly.

[0028] In yet another aspect, the robotic arm includes a plurality of interconnected arms.

[0029] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, an actuation head for an apparatus and/or system as described above and hereinbelow.

[0030] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, a system for installing a spacer between power lines, the system including: one or more spacers having a spacer body and couplings at opposing ends of the spacer body; a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack to store the one or more spacers in a stored condition in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are in a decoupled state; a robotic member coupled to the carriage; an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic member; and a control system adapted to control at least one of the robotic member and actuation head such that the one or more spacers are movable from the stored condition in a moved condition, in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are maintained in the decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the couplings are movable to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.

[0031] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, a method for installing a spacer between power lines using a carriage with a robotic member, the method including: storing in a stored condition one or more spacers in a stored condition in a rack of the carriage; picking, using an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic member, a select one of the one or more spacers from the rack in a moving condition in which the select one of the one or more spacers are maintained in the decoupled state; locating, using at least one of the actuation head and robotic member, the select one of the one or more spacers with its couplings engaged with respective power lines; securing, the couplings to the respective power lines by applying at least a temporary clamping force thereto using the actuation head and actuating fasteners associated with each of the couplings to lock the couplings in an installed condition.

[0032] In accordance with a sixth broad aspect there is provided, a method for removing and installing a spacer between power lines using a carriage with a robotic members, the method including: removing, with a spacer removal arrangement coupled to the carriage, an existing spacer from between the power lines; storing in a stored condition one or more spacers in a stored condition in a rack of the carriage; picking, using an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic members, a select one of the one or more spacers from the rack in a moving condition in which the select one of the one or more spacers are carried in the decoupled state; locating, using at least one of the actuation head and robotic members, the select one of the one or more spacers with its couplings engaged with respective power lines; securing, the couplings to the respective power lines by applying at least a temporary clamping force thereto using the actuation head and actuating fasteners associated with each of the couplings to lock the couplings in an installed condition.

[0033] In accordance with a seventh broad aspect there is provided, an apparatus for installing a spacer between power lines, the apparatus including: a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack adapted to store one or more spacers in a stored condition, each of the one or more spacers having operable couplings respective ends thereof; and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation head adapted to engage with the one or more spacers such that the actuation head is able to pick and move the one or more spacers from the stored condition with the couplings of the one or more spacers in a decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the couplings are moved to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0034] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0035] Figure 1 is perspective top view illustrating an example of an apparatus for the installation and/or removal of spacers from power lines;

[0036] Figure 2 is an end view illustrating the apparatus;

[0037] Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the apparatus;

[0038] Figure 4 is a side illustrating the apparatus;

[0039] Figure 5 is a perspective side view illustrating an actuation head of a manipulation arrangement of the apparatus;

[0040] Figure 6 is a perspective side detail view illustrating the actuation head;

[0041] Figure 7 is a front view illustrating the actuation head in an open condition;

[0042] Figure 8 is a front view illustrating the actuation head in a closed condition;

[0043] Figure 9 is an end view illustrating the actuation head in a closed condition;

[0044] Figure 10 is a top view illustrating the actuation head in a closed condition;

[0045] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating a rack of apparatus with pluralities of the spacers fitted thereto;

[0046] Figure 12 is an end view illustrating the rack;

[0047] Figure 13 is a top view illustrating the rack;

[0048] Figure 14 is a side view illustrating the rack;

[0049] Figures 15a to 15h illustrate method steps of using the apparatus to install a spacer between two power lines;

[0050] Figure 16 is perspective top view illustrating a second example of an apparatus for the installation and/or removal of spacers from power lines; and

[0051] Figure 17 is a side view illustrating the second example of the apparatus.

Detailed Description

[0052] Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a system 5 including an apparatus 10 for installing and/or removing one or more spacers 12 between parallel power lines 14. The one or more spacers 12 maybe be spacer bars to inhibit contact between the parallel power lines 14.

[0053] The apparatus 10 includes a carriage 16 adapted to be suspended and move along the power lines 14. The carriage 16 incudes a carriage body 20 with members 22 extending therefrom that support wheels 24 adapted to move along the parallel power lines 14. The carriage body 20 includes a cage 26 that houses at least part of a control system 30 and supports a storage hopper 32 provided in the form of a rack 34 on which the one or more spacers 12 are stored in a stored condition.

[0054] The apparatus 10 further includes a manipulation arrangement 28 including an actuation means 29 provided in the form of an actuation head 33 and one or more robotic controllable members 27 supported by the carriage 16. In this example, the one or more robotic controllable members 27 may be provided as, but not limited to, a robotic arm 31. The actuation head 33 may be picked up and moved by the robotic arm 31 and may be formed separate or integrally with the arm 31. The robotic arm 31 may have a plurality of arm sections that are either pivotally and/or rotatably coupled.

[0055] The control system 30 may include a controller 36 including the control circuitry for the robotic arm with a first housing, a battery 38 and other circuitry within a second housing, one or more cameras, including video cameras (not shown), one or more motors 38 and a communication module 40 adapted to communicate control signals between the apparatus 10 and a remote operator or device (not shown). A generator 39 may also be provided for a power supply or a back-up supply. A drive system 29 including one or more motors 39 is arranged to drive the wheels 24. In this example, the motors are incorporated into the wheels 24. The control system 30, namely the controller 36, operates and controls the manipulation arrangement 28 including the actuation head 33 and the robotic arm 31, and parts thereof such as servo motors or the like. The controller 36 may be adapted for one or both of operator input and fully autonomous operation.

[0056] Turning to the spacer 12 in more detail, referring to Figures 3 and 11, the spacer 12 includes end couplings 42 and a spacer body 43 extending therebetween. The end couplings 42 are each adapted to be moved from an initially open or decoupled state when stored on the rack 34 and a closed or coupled state in which the end couplings 42 are each clamped to respective ones of the power lines 14. In the decoupled state, the spacers 12 are in a fitting or fittable condition. It is noted that in some examples, the couplings 42 may be closed when stored on the rack 34 to save space and to retain the spacers 12. As such, the actuation head 33 will firstly need to open the couplings 42 when picking the spacers 12 from the rack 34.

[0057] The couplings 42 each include a fixed part 44 and a pivoting part 46, the pivoting part 46 being relatively moveable between the decoupled and coupled state to provide a clamp 47. The pivoting part 46 includes a free end section 48 that is arranged to self-locate with at least one of the body 33 of the spacer 12 and the fixed part 44 in the coupled state. A compressible rubber insert 45 is located within the couplings 42 that is compressed against the lines 14, in use.

[0058] In this example, as best shown in Figures 14 and 15g, the free end section 48 includes a slotted aperture 50 in which a fastener 53 located by the body 33 is received in the coupled state. The body 33 incudes a recess 52 in which the free end section 48 is located and the fastener 53 includes a fastener head 54 that passes through the aperture 50 in an initial state and may be rotated, in this example by 90 degrees, to capture the free end section 48 in the recess 52 and therefore lock the coupling 42 in the coupled state.

[0059] Turning to the actuation head 33 in more detail and referring to Figures 5 to 10, the actuation head 33 includes a frame 60 adapted to be held by the robotic arm 31. The frame 60 supports first actuatable members 62 in the form of an operable extendable rod 64 arranged to hold or retain each of the couplings 42 of the spacers 12 when being moved in the decoupled state. The extendable rod 64 may be actuated via the control system 30.

[0060] The actuation head 33 further includes second actuatable members 66 in the form of operable clamps 68 adapted clasp the spacer 12 to allow the spacer to be picked up and to move the couplings 42 towards the coupled state when the rods 64 are withdrawn. It is noted that initially the rods 64 hold the couplings 42 open and the operable clamps 68 are able to clamp onto the spacer 12 via the couplings 42. In more detail, each of the operable clamps 68 includes a clamp body 70 and a jaw 72 that is pivotally coupled to the clamp body 70.

[0061] The clamp body 70 includes a mechanism 74 operated by a motor 76, the mechanism 74 is coupled to the jaw 72 via a linkage 78 that allows operable clamping movement of the jaw 72. The jaw 72 is dimensioned to extend around and capture the coupling 42 so that the pivoting part 46 of the coupling 42 may be at least temporarily clamped in place whilst the fastener 53 is rotated into rotated state to lock the coupling 42.

[0062] To actuate the fastener 53, the actuation head 33 further includes a tool 80, best shown in Figure 6, adapted to rotate the fastener 53. The tool 80 includes a tool motor 82 in communication with the control system 30. A shaft 83 extends from the motor 82 and includes head 84 that may have a rubber pad to drive the fastener 53. The rubber pad allows for misalignments and movement. The actuation head 33 may carry a camera or video camera in communication with the control system 30 that provides an operator vision of the couplings 42 and/or the fastener 53. This allows an operator or the system to know if the engagement between the couplings 42 and fastener 53 is correctly aligned and secure, and perform corrective procedures, if required.

[0063] Turning now to the rack 34 in more detail and referring to Figures 11 to 14, the rack 34 may include two upper spaced apart members 90 and two lower spaced apart members 92 that extend between end supports 94. The two upper spaced apart members locate and support the couplings 42 of the spacers 12 and the two lower spaced apart members 92 serve to retain the pivoting part 46 of the couplings 42 in the open or decoupled state. The members 90, 92 may include locators in the form of notches 93 or flanges to maintain a spacing between the spacers in the stored condition.

[0064] In use, the system 5 including the apparatus 10 may be used to install and/or remove the spacer 12 from the power lines 14. Referring to Figures 15a to 15h, firstly as shown in Figure 15a the spacers 12 may initially be fitted to the rack 34 in the stored condition in which the couplings 42 at opposing ends of the spacer body 43 are in the open or decoupled state supported by the rack 34 of the carriage 16. Although, in some examples, the couplings 42 may be closed about the rack 34 and need to be opened prior to being picked and moved by the actuation head 33.

[0065] The apparatus 10 may then need to be raised to initially be fitted to the power lines 14 so that it may traverse there-along. A winch for the like may be used. The apparatus 10 may then be controlled via the control system 30 via the communication module 40, shown in Figure 15b. In this example, the communication may be via long range 2.4GHz WiFi, or the like, and a remote device such as a ground station tablet (not shown) may be used by the operator to position the apparatus 10 at the desired position using its electric drive systems 29. In some examples, on-board inertial measurement systems and GPS of the control system 30 may feed information back to the ground station and allow the apparatus 10 to be positioned accurately anywhere along the lines 14. The cameras may stream back visual information from various viewpoints on the carriage 16, arm 31 and actuation head 33.

[0066] Referring to Figure 15c, the manipulation arrangement 28 is then used to pick the spacers 12 for installation. If the couplings 42 are not open, then the couplings 42 are opened. The arm 31 may be manoeuvred to position the actuation head 33 over a select one of the spacers 12. The operable clamps 68 of the actuation head 33 are activated to clamp and grip about the open couplings 42 and the couplings 42 are maintained open by the operable extendable rod 64. The manipulation arrangement 28 may then move the selected spacer 12 whilst it is maintained in the decoupled state.

[0067] Referring to Figures 15d and 15e, the robotic arm 31 then proceeds to locate or position the spacer 12 in place on the lines 14. To move the actuation head 33 between the lines 14, the arm 31 rotates the actuation head 33, such as by 90 degrees, in order to fit between the lines 14. Once above the lines 14 the actuation head 33 is rotated back, for example 90 degrees, and lowered onto the lines 14. Cameras attached to the actuation head 33 may be used to watch and ensure the lines 14 are positioned correctly within the open couplings 42 of the spacer 14. The operable rods 64 may be retracted to allow the pivoting part 46 of the couplings 42 to be closable by the jaws 72 of the actuation head 33.

[0068] Referring to Figures 15f to 15g, the couplings 42 are then secured to the respective power lines 14 by applying at least a temporary clamping force thereto using the jaws 72 of the actuation head 33 and actuating the fasteners 53 associated with each of the couplings 42 to lock the couplings 42 in an installed condition in which the couplings 42 are clamped to the lines 14. The clamping force of the jaws 72 is used to compress the couplings 42 and the tool 80 is used to rotate the fasteners 53 through 90 degrees to lock the couplings 42. It is noted that the cameras may be used to inspect and check that the couplings 42 are correctly secured. Once the spacer 12 is in the installed condition, the clamping force of the actuation head 33 may be released and the actuation head 33 may be moved back between the lines 14 to pick another spacer 12. It is noted that the above process may be reversed to remove the spacer 12 and then the removed spacer 14 may be stored in the rack 34. Alternatively, or in addition, a spacer removal apparatus may be used as is further described below.

[0069] Referring now to Figures 16 and 17, there is shown a second example of the system 105 and the apparatus 110 in which like sequences of numerals (i.e. 5, 105 etc) denote like parts. In this example, the apparatus 110 is generally configured similarly to the first example. However, the apparatus 10 is further fitted with a spacer removal arrangement 210 which is adapted to cut an existing spacer 112e to enable its removal and the stowage area 132 includes a rack 134 adapted to receive and hold a generally vertical stack of spacers 112.

[0070] In more detail, similarly to the first example, in this example, the apparatus 110 includes a carriage 116 adapted to be suspended and move along the power lines 114. The carriage 116 incudes a carriage body 120 with members 122 extending therefrom that support wheels 124 adapted to move along the parallel power lines 114. The carriage body 120 includes a cage 126 that houses at least part of a control system 130 and supports the storage hopper 132 provided in the form of the rack 134 on which the one or more spacers 112 are stored in a stored condition.

[0071] The control system 130 is largely the same as that described above in relation to the first example aside form additional controlling in this example of the spacer removal arrangement 210. In this example, a connector 139 is shown to provide power and/or a control signal to the control system 130.

[0072] Again, similar to the first example, the apparatus 110 includes a manipulation arrangement 128 including an actuation means 129 provided in the form of an actuation head 133 and a robotic controllable members 127 supported by the carriage 16. In this example, the robotic controllable members 127 may be provided as, but not limited to, a robotic arm 131. The actuation head 133 may be picked up and moved by the robotic arm 131 and may be formed separate or integrally with the arm 131.

[0073] The robotic arm 131 may have a plurality of arm sections that are either pivotally and/or rotatably coupled. The operation of the actuation head 133 and spacer 112 are similar to the first example and are not again described here. It is noted that in this example the one or more spacers 112 may initially have their end couplings 142 closed when stored on the rack 134 to save space and to retain the spacers 112. As such, the actuation head 133 will firstly need to open the couplings 142 when picking the spacers 112 from the rack 134.

[0074] Turning now to the spacer removal arrangement 210, the spacer removal arrangement 210 includes a cutting head 212 supported by one or more actuation members 214 adapted move and position the cutting head 212 between a stowed condition and a cutting position. The cutting head 212 may be or include a cutting element 215 such as, but not limited to, a motorised circular blade or saw 216. The saw 216 has flanking guards 218 arranged to at least partly cover sides of the saw 216 facing the conductors 114 to protect the conductors 114. The one or more actuation members 214 may include a lateral liner actuator 220 and a vertical liner actuator 222 that are controllable by the control system 130. The linear actuators 220, 222, allow for the saw 116 to be positioned appropriately to cut through the body or bolts of the old spacer 112e for removal. It is noted that examples of the apparatus 10, 110 may be produced with or without such a spacer removal arrangement, or the spacer removal apparatus may be integrated with the manipulation arrangement 128.

[0075] In this example, the storage hopper 132 provided in the form of the rack 134 includes spaced apart vertical members 135 that are received by the spacers 112 to allow two sets of spacers 112 to stacked and stored within the cage 126. The actuation head 133 may be moved over the stored spacers 112 to pick up each spacer 112 as required in a similar manner to the first example and is not again described here.

[0076] Advantageously, there has been described an apparatus, a system and a method for the installation and/or removal of conductor spacers from parallel power lines. The apparatus and spacers are adapted to function as a system which allows multiple spacers to be carried, picked and installed by the manipulation arrangement of the apparatus. The head of the manipulation arrangement and spacer are specifically adapted to work with one another to allow for rapid and reliable remotely controlled or autonomous coupling and removal of the spacers. The spacer removal arrangement allows old spacers to be removed to enable the apparatus and system to be able to remove old spacers and replace these with new spacers.

[0077] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0078] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0079] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0080] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims

The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

1. An apparatus for installing and/or removing a spacer between power lines, the apparatus includes a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack to store one or more spacers, and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation means adapted to engage with the one or more spacers and one or more moveable members adapted to move the actuation means relative to the carriage, wherein the manipulation arrangement is adapted to move the one or more spacers between a stored condition at the rack to an installed condition in which the manipulation arrangement facilitates at least one of engagement or disengagement of the one or more spacers between the power lines.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a spacer removal arrangement adapted to cut an existing spacer.

3. An apparatus for installing and/or removing a spacer between power lines, the apparatus including: a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack adapted to store one or more spacers in a stored condition, each of the one or more spacers having couplings respective ends thereof; and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation head adapted to engage with the one or more spacers and one or more moveable members adapted to support the actuation head relative to the carriage such that the actuation head is able to pick and move the one or more spacers from the stored condition in a fitting condition, in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are maintained in a decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the manipulation arrangement facilitates locating and actuating the couplings to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rack is adapted to store a plurality of the one or more spacers in the decoupled state.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the rack includes two spaced apart rack members between which the one or more spacers span.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuation head includes first actuatable members arranged to hold each of the couplings in the decoupled state.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first actuatable members are movable to enable the couplings to be moved to the coupled state in the installed condition.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first actuatable members are linearly actuatable rods.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuation head includes second actuatable members adapted to move the couplings toward the coupled state.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second actuatable members include clamping jaws adapted to at least temporarily compress the couplings about the respective power lines in a compressed condition.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the actuation head includes a tool adapted to secure the couplings in the installed condition.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the tool is adapted to actuate a fastener associated with each of the couplings in the compressed condition.

13. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the couplings is provided in the form of a clamp.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each of the clamps has a fixed part and a pivoting part, the pivoting part between relatively moveable between the decoupled and coupled state.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pivoting part includes a free end section dimensioned to be engaged with the rack in the stored condition to maintain the decoupled state.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the free end section is arranged to self-locate with at least one of the body of the spacer and fixed part in the coupled state.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the free end section includes an aperture adapted to receive a fastener in the coupled state.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a tip of the free end section includes a slot to receive a fastener to secure the couplings in the coupled state.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each of the clamps has an associated fastener adapted to secure the fixed part and the pivoting part in the coupled state.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claim 3 to 19, wherein the apparatus further includes a spacer removal arrangement adapted to cut an existing spacer.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 20, wherein the one or more moveable members of the manipulation arrangement are provided in form of a robotic arm.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the robotic arm and the actuation head are formed as a single actuation assembly.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the robotic arm includes a plurality of interconnected arms.

24. A system for installing a spacer between power lines, the system including: one or more spacers having a spacer body and couplings at opposing ends of the spacer body; a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack to store the one or more spacers in a stored condition in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are in a decoupled state; a robotic member coupled to the carriage; an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic member; and a control system adapted to control at least one of the robotic member and actuation head such that the one or more spacers are movable from the stored condition in a moved condition, in which the couplings of the one or more spacers are maintained in the decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the couplings are movable to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.

25. A method for installing a spacer between power lines using a carriage with a robotic member, the method including: Storing in a stored condition one or more spacers in a stored condition in a rack of the carriage; Picking, using an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic member, a select one of the one or more spacers from the rack in a moving condition in which the select one of the one or more spacers are in the decoupled state; Locating, using at least one of the actuation head and robotic member, the select one of the one or more spacers with its couplings engaged with respective power lines; Securing, the couplings to the respective power lines by applying at least a temporary clamping force thereto using the actuation head and actuating fasteners associated with each of the couplings to lock the couplings in an installed condition.

26. A method for removing and installing a spacer between power lines using a carriage with a robotic members, the method including: Removing, with a spacer removal arrangement coupled to the carriage, an existing spacer from between the power lines; Storing in a stored condition one or more spacers in a stored condition in a rack of the carriage; Picking, using an actuation head adapted to be moved by the robotic members, a select one of the one or more spacers from the rack in a moving condition in which the select one of the one or more spacers are carried in the decoupled state;

Locating, using at least one of the actuation head and robotic members, the select one of the one or more spacers with its couplings engaged with respective power lines; Securing, the couplings to the respective power lines by applying at least a temporary clamping force thereto using the actuation head and actuating fasteners associated with each of the couplings to lock the couplings in an installed condition.

27. An apparatus for installing a spacer between power lines, the apparatus including: a carriage adapted to be suspended from the power lines, the carriage having a rack adapted to store one or more spacers in a stored condition, each of the one or more spacers having operable couplings respective ends thereof; and a manipulation arrangement including an actuation head adapted to engage with the one or more spacers such that the actuation head is able to pick and move the one or more spacers from the stored condition with the couplings of the one or more spacers in a decoupled state, to an installed condition in which the couplings are moved to a coupled state about each of the power lines with a body of the one or more spacers extending therebetween.