US3308228A - Line spacer, damper and corona eliminating means - Google Patents

Description

March. 1967 s. N. SCHLEIN LINE SPACER, DAMPER AND CORONA ELIMINATING MEANS Filed Aug. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. I

INVENTOR. S y 0- SC /lh March 7, 1967 s. N SCHLEIYN LINE SPACER, DAMPER AND CORONA ELIMINATING MEANS Filed Aug. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Sey a y/V Sch/el in the larger sizes of conductors.

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United States Patent Gil-ice 3,303,228 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 3,308,228 LINE SPACER, DAMPER AND CORONA ELIMINATING MEANS Seymour N. Schlein, University Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Fanner Manufacturing Company, a division of Textron Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Aug. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 480,850 13 Claims. (Cl. 17442) increase the power handling capacity of high voltage lines.

Among the problems encountered in such power distribution systems may be included that of holding the lines in the desired spaced relation. This is important because the vibrations set up in the lines cause the spacing to vary. In addition to the bending of the lines, particularly at the places where the lines are supported, the

vibration causes the lines to strike each other, Which causes severe deterioriation. This problem is particularly acute Due to the large size (4/0 ACSR) the use of spacers of the prior art requires the use of elements that are so large that they become diflicult, if not impractical, to install on the line. These prior devices also have the tendency to enhance the corona Lines of this type carry as much as 345 kv. and it is contemplated that even higher potentials be used. In addition, when the spacer elements of the prior art are made sufliciently heavy to maintain the desired spacing, they become so stiff as to lose their efliciency as a damper. e

- By the present invention I have provided a device which is"easy to apply to the line and by workers of a limited experience. When applied to the line the spacing is maintained andthe vibrations are dampened, which helps to maintain the spacing. In addition, the construction is such that there are no sharp projections and corona is prevented.

, Because there are only a few parts needed, it is economical to produce, and once assembled on the lines has specification.

In the drawings: I FIG. '1 is a plan view of a pair of devices of the invention illustrating the manner of their connection to a pair of lines, which are shown in fragment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken from the line 33 of FIG. 2 and with parts broken away to show the otherwise hidden parts; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic View on a reduced scale, similar to FIG. 2, of a modification.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a pair of elongated clamping devices which are used in conjunction with a spacer element, the clamping devices connecting the spacer element between the lines. The clamping devices each include a portion for engagement with the line for a portion of the length of the line and a portion for engagement with the spacer element. In its preferred form, corona eliminating means is provided at each end through which the line and spacer element enters and exits.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a pair of lines to be held in spaced relation are shown at L. The spacer element in this instance comprises an elongated hoop-shaped element 10 which may be made of heavy gauge metal, such as aluminum or of steel with a non-rusting protective coating. The element has a flattened portion 10a on each side which is placed in the clamp means with the line, and the clamping means tightened about the line and spacer elements by suitable cap screws, as later described.

Each of the clamp means is made in two parts, one part being the mirror image of the other except for the means whereby they are secured together.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the clamp means parts each include a pair of semi-spherical hollow corona ball ends 14 separated by the line and spacer clamping portion 16. The ball ends are provided with a pair of opening 18 and 20 respectively, for the entrance and exit of the line L and spacer member 10.

The spacer clamping portion 16 is of generally pearshaped cross section and at one side is formed to provide a generally semicircular channel 24 having wedge-shaped longitudinally extending lands 26. A liner section 28 is provided for the channel and is made of a semi-resilient plastic which is formed in situ whereby it adheres to the wall 24 and projections 26. Preferably during the formation of the plastic liner helical spring wires 30 are placed in the depressions between the lands 26 and cast in position along with the plastic. It is preferred that the spring elements have an open helical conformation, that is, the pitch lengths of the helices are greater than the pitch diameter. The inner surface 32 of the plastic liner is semi'cylindrical in form, and has a friction enhancing substance such as silica sand on its line engaging surface.

At the other side each of the sections is formed with a second semi-cylindrical channel 34 having a longitudinally extending land 35. The channel so formed is provided with a plasticliner 38 similar to that of the line gripping part 28, including the helical spring member 39, except that the seat 38 for engagement with the spacer 'mcmbers is semi-circular at one end 42 and has a flat wall 44. When the two parts are assembled, this provides a transversely elongated channel whereby the flattened part 10a of the spacer member may be securely gripped. This channel could also be round and provided with a grip enhancing material on the surface it it was desired to use a loop spacer element which was round at the places where it would be clamped.

The two clamp elements are held together in assembled relation with each other, the line and spacer means by cap screws46, the heads of which seat in recesses 48 in the one part and the stems of which are screwed into blind holes 50 in the other part.

When installing the devices on a line, the two housing halves are assembled on the line with the seats 32 in engagement with the line on opposite sides and with the spacer element disposed in the other channel seats 44. Then the screws 46 are securely tightened, causing the seats 32 to be firmly pressed into engagement with the periphery of the line and the seats 44 in engagement with the flattened part of the spacer element.

In its preferred form of installation, the assembly of the lines, spacer elements and clamp means is that of FIG. 4 with the angle to the horizontal being 45. This is facilitated by the angle of the channel 4244. It will be appreciated, however, that the angular position of the spacer element may be varied within wide limits, due to the resiliency of the plastic.

Among the results which contribute to the improved operation is the fact that when the lines vibrate there is a rotatitonal or twisting movement of a line about the lines axis. This movement is transmitted from the line to the liners 28 and hence to the housing parts. Since the force is transmitted through the plastic which is of a semi-resilient nature, a portion of this force is absorbed by the plastic. Thus the turning of the line sets up a tension which gradually increases with the degree of turning. These forces are then transmitted to the spacer member. It will be noted that the distance from the axis of the channel 32 to the axis of channel 44 constitutes a lever arm, and that since the twisting force starts at the axis of 32 as a fulcrum, a considerable mechanical advantage is realized in favor of the spacer element. Thus much lighter weight spacer elements may be used. The rotational effect transmitted from the line to the clamp means is transferred and absorbed by the spacer element. The tendency for it to rotate at its clamped center is resisted because the other side is held in the other clamp means. There is a resilient absorption of the rotational effect in the liner 38 as well as in the spacer element itself. The same action is transmitted from the other parallel line to the spacer means and consequently the Vibrational forces that are attempting to be transmitted from one line to the other cancel each other out and/or are absorbed. The fact that there is some resiliency in the spacer means also has a dampening effect for these forces. The twisting forces of the line are nearly all completely absorbed in the plastic liner which results in considerable dampening at this point. In this respect, the helical elements 30 and 40, embedded in the plastic, perform two functions. First, they reinforce the plastic and this allows the plastic to be held in tighter engagement with the line, and second, they provide additional shear resistance to the plastic itself. In this facet they act in cooperation with the lands 26.

The corona balls 14 at the ends of the devices provide for a large voltage field distribution and eliminate the corona discharge that ordinarily is prevalent in the prior spacers.

The spacer portion of the element can also be used without the corona shield when there is no corona problem. The invention can also be used for the spacing of three or more lines by providing a second spacer element gripping portion on the opposite side of the line gripping portion. Such a device is shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4 three lines L are held in spaced relation by the elements 16 which are gripped by the liners 38-38 and the lines by the liners 28. The operation is substantially the same as described.

Having thus described the invention in an embodiment thereof I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means, said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer means including a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperating elongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and second cooperating elongated non-circular channels in clamping engagement with the spacer means, said clamp means being substantially longer longitudinally of said channels than transversely thereof, said spacer means including a closed loop having portions for extending alongside a pair of lines, and said portions of said spacer means which extend alongside said channel being formed complementary to said channels.

2. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means, said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer means including a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperating elongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and second cooperating elongated channels in clamping engagement with the spacer means, said clamp means being substantially longer longitudinally of said channels than transversely thereof, said channels being provided with a resilient liner in interlocking engagement with said channels, said liners being reinforced with open helical elements extending longitudinally therein, and said liners being formed with line and spacer means gripping surfaces.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said liners are interlocked in said channels by inwardly extending ribs on said channel walls and said reinforcing means are disposed in the spaces between said ribs.

4. A line spacer and damper comprising a clamp means and a spacer means, said clamp means being arranged to clamp a line and said spacer means including a pair of clamp members formed with first cooperating elongated channels for clamping engagement with a line and second cooperating elongated channels in clamping engagement with the spacer means, said clamp means being substantially longer longitudinally of said channels than transversely thereof, the ends of each of said clamp means being provided with enlarged hollow ball-shaped elements, said elements being formed with inlet and exit openings for said line and spacer means.

5. In combination with a pair of lines to be held in spaced relation to each other, means for holding said lines in spaced relation and for dam-ping vibrations in the line comprising clamp means and spacer means, said clamp means comprised of half sections secured together and clamping the lines and spacer means, each clamp means being formed with a first channel, a resilient lining in said channel and formed with an inner line gripping portion and a second channel with a resilient lining therein in engagement with said spacer means, said first channel having a grip enhancing material in contact with the line.

6. A line spacer, damper and corona eliminating means comprising a housing having hollow ball end portions and connecting means connecting the end portions, a spacer member including portions for extending along a pair of spaced lines and portions for separating the lines, said connecting means being formed to provide a first channel for gripping the line and a second channel gripping said spacer member.

7. A device as described in claim 6, wherein said second channel is elongated transversely to provide a major and minor axis, said spacer member being of complementary configuration to said second channel at the places said spacer member is gripped by the walls of said second channel.

8. A device as described in claim 7, wherein the major axis of said second channel is oblique to a plane passing through the center of said channels.

9. A line spacer and damper comprising at least three clamp means and at least three spacer means, each clamp means having a central line receiving channel and a pair of spacer receiving channels on opposite sides of said central channels, each of said central channels being in clamping engagement with a line, and each spacer member being engaged by one of said spacer receiving channels of tWo adjacent clamp means.

10. The combination of claim 9 further characterized by each of said clamp means having a pair of hollow ball end portions whereby to eliminate corona discharge.

11. The combination of claim 9 further characterized by a resilient liner disposed in each of said channels.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein said spacer receiving channels are non-circular and said spacer means includes non-circular portions complementary to said noncircular channels disposed therein.

13. The combination of claim 14, wherein each clamp means includes a pair of mating half-sections secured together.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 199,721 9/1958 Austria.

Varney. Kaminski et a1. 174146 X 5 OTHER REFERENCES Perrone et aL 174*146 X Reuther. German A-pphcatxon No. 1,117,184, publ. Hammel et aL 174 146 X November 16, 1961, class 174/146. Torr 174146 X LARAMIE E. ASKIN, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A LINE SPACER AND DAMPER COMPRISING A CLAMP MEANS AND A SPACER MEANS, SAID CLAMP MEANS BEING ARRANGED TO CLAMP A LINE AND SAID SPACER MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF CLAMP MEMBERS FORMED WITH FIRST COOPERATING ELONGATED CHANNELS FOR CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH A LINE AND SECOND COOPERATING ELONGATED NON-CIRCULAR CHANNELS IN CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SPACER MEANS, SAID CLAMP MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LONGER LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CHANNELS THAN TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, SAID SPACER MEANS INCLUDING A CLOSED LOOP HAVING PORTION FOR EXTENDING ALONGSIDE A PAIR OF LINES, AND SAID PORTIONS OF SAID SPACER MEANS WHICH EXTEND ALONGSIDE SAID CHANNEL BEING FORMED COMPLEMENTARY TO SAID CHANNELS.

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