WO2017027939A1

WO2017027939A1 - Process of using an aerostat in transmission lines

Info

Publication number: WO2017027939A1
Application number: PCT/BR2016/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wady Júnior CHARONE; Antonio Carlos Filho DAUD; Marcelo Augusto DE FELIPPES; Romulus Antonio Frederico LOPES; Geraldo Bernadino GUEDES
Original assignee: Airship Do Brasil Industria Aeronautica Ltda; Centrais Eletricas do Norte do Brasil SA
Current assignee: Airship Do Brasil Industria Aeronautica Ltda; Centrais Eletricas do Norte do Brasil SA
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2016-02-15
Publication date: 2017-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-14
Also published as: BR102015019612A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of using an aerostat, more specifically an airship with air staff and with an air framework to solve the current problems in electric energy transmission system. Such problems are related to the complex operational processes, which have high costs and high execution time of the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance services, improving productivity. This process occurs through the overflight of the transmission lines and through access to work sites, in descending manner, by using a load transfer structure. The invention provides quite relevant economic, social and environmental advantages when compared to the processes currently used, because it defines a new logistics of access to the transmission system.

Description

"PROCESS OF USING AN AEROSTAT IN TRANSMISSION

LINES"

[001] The present invention relates to a process which uses an aerostat (aircraft lighter than air) to solve the current problems related to the complex operational processes involving the construction, maintenance, inspection and operation of transmission lines of electric energy systems. More specifically, the present invention uses an airship adapted to perform the tasks described herein.

[002] Description of the Prior Art

[003] In electrical systems with predominance of the transformation of hydraulic energy, such as the Brazilian system, the generating sources (about 80% of electric energy generation) are located far from major load centers. To transport energy, long transmission lines are constructed, consisting of towers and energy conductors, which perform the flow of electric energy from plants to centers of residential and industrial consumption. The transmission lines have a length on the order of hundreds of kilometers and operate at high and extra-high-voltage levels. In fact, the transmission lines are the links between the generating sources and the several energy consumer markets and have a highly important role, as they allow interconnections between several load centers, as well as energy exchanges between several energy generating plants. A reliable transmission system is the guarantee of the continuity of energy to consumers and, therefore, requires a maintenance system with high efficiency and quality.

[004] The electric energy transmission lines are responsible for the link between the producer center and the consumer center. They basically consist of the following components: transmission line track; structure; chain of insulators; conductive cables and accessories; lightning rod cables and span.

[005] The structures are the supports of the conductive cables of the transmission lines and consist of the most costly portion of same to be made up of dozens of components quite resistant and durable. Said transmission lines may be divided basically into two groups: self-supporting or guyed.

[006] The structures transmit every stress directly to the foundations thereof, behaving as true embedded beams, i.e., they do not need guy wires to remain standing. Consequently, they are heavy structures or manufactured with special steel profiles and require large foundations. They are the most used in transmission lines in Brazil.

[007] Among the self-supporting structures, there are several basic types: delta type self-supporting; sailing type self-supporting; and compact self- supporting.

[008] The guyed structures are typically flexible or composite structures that are stiffened by guy wires. The guy wires absorb part of the horizontal stresses, transmitting them directly to the ground through anchors. The other part of the stresses is axially transmitted by the structure. The use of guy wires allows obtaining lightweight structures, resistant to the same loading conditions of the self-supporting structures. The guyed structures used to have implementation limited to the lines with wood or concrete structure in voltages up to 230 kV. Currently the use of these structures is widely disseminated and implemented on lines up to 750 kV.

[009] The structures can also be of other materials such as wood, mastic trees, ipe, carnauba, faveiro, eucalyptus and Parana pine, concrete, prestressed concrete "tensioned armor"; concrete with conventional armor and metals.

[010] The metallic structures are widely used. The main advantage thereof is the manufacture of parts in series and easy in the transportation of parts in common cargo vehicles. They have high durability and resistance if properly protected with paint or galvanization. The most common protection is the hot-dip galvanization with Zinc immersion, which maintenance-free durability can be up to 30 years, depending on the atmospheric aggressiveness in the region. [011] With respect to the fixation of the cables, the structures are classified into suspension structure (given this name because the conductive cables are suspended through the insulator chains and accessories, and are not interrupted, i.e. they pass suspended by the structure); anchoring structure (the conductive cables are anchored in the same through the insulator chains and accessories and they are generally divided); phase transposition or rotation structures (sized to allow the phases transposition or rotation in order to ensure the electric symmetry of the transmission lines); derivation structures (structures suitable for the derivation of transmission lines).

[012] The main dimensions of the structures are mainly determined by the operating voltage and overvoitages provided.

[013] As secondary factors, it can be mentioned the arrow of the conductors and the way of supporting the conductors.

[014] In light of the above elements, the rules of the different countries have set a way to determine the distances between conductors, height of the suspension points thereof and distances from these to the grounded parts of the structure. These dimensions vary greatly from country to country, depending on the adopted regulations. In Brazil, these elements are fixed by ABNT rules.

[015] In the structures of the transmission lines, the following loads act: vertical loads; transverse horizontal loads and longitudinal horizontal loads.

[016] The vertical loads are the vertical components of the traction stresses of the conductive cables and lightning rods, weight of the fixtures of the cables (tools and insulators), own weight of the structure and eventual vertical loads due to the guyed wires, assembly overloads, etc. The horizontal loads are caused by the wind action on the cables and the respective fixtures, wind action on the structure, in the cross-direction of the line, transverse horizontal components of the traction stresses of the cables and eventual horizontal stresses added by the guyed wires.

[017] The longitudinal horizontal loads are caused by the traction stresses of the cables, by the wind action on the structure, toward the line, and eventual efforts added by the guyed wires. The above related loads can be considered normal, above the abnormal loads, or exceptional, to which the structures must resist under certain conditions. They are loads caused by the rupture of one or more cables.

[018] The construction of transmission lines requires certain specific procedures and techniques. The first step is a topographical survey that will provide the terrain profile so that the designer proceeds with the location of the towers. Once effected the outline of the transmission line, it is necessary to remove the vegetation to form the crossing corridors of the lines (right-of-way), which will also be the areas of access to the line maintenance staff. In these crossing corridors, it is not allowed to build houses, corrals, among others, and vegetation shall be low growing. The width of the right-of-way is defined by ABNT / NBR number 5422.

[019] In order to start construction, the worksites and facilities are designed and built, taking into account the volume of works and services to be performed, according to the construction schedule and lines assembly. The areas of internal circulation of the worksites are made having drainage, lighting and leisure facilities for employees.

[020] In the project, the location of the towers is defined, using precision instruments to mark them and it is sequentially executed the soil survey to define the type of foundation to be used at the identified location. In order to define the type and quantity of grounding of each tower, it is executed the soil resistivity measurement.

[021] To proceed with the foundation of the bases of the towers, manually or mechanically excavations are executed, the latter being the most applied. The foundation process is performed with hardware frame to receive the concrete.

[022] Once executed the foundation, whether on concrete or grid, the installation of the grounding mesh is essential to the security of staff working in the continuing construction of the tower. [023] The tower assembly requires a process of selection and arrangement of parts that are assembled and follows step by step a projected logic and appropriate spaces. The towers are usually made up of lattice metal parts designed for supporting electric energy conductive cables. The assembly is usually made in the ground and the tower hoisted by cranes. If it is not possible to displace cranes along the transmission line, it is used the piece by piece manual assembly. The height of the towers varies according to the relief region, and the operating voltage class of the transmission line.

[024] The installation of cables (lightning rod, OPGW, conductive) requires choice of area compatible with the amount of coils of cables and secure access for transport trucks. Subsequently, in the regulating step, which consists in carrying out the process of stretching the energy conductors in each span of adjacent towers, cables are positioned as defined in the project, and the stapling is executed, which makes the fixing of the stretched cable in the insulators chains. To that end, precision instruments and specialized teams are required.

[025] During the construction phase, many temporary groundings are installed, therefore, it is required the final inspection which is typically the search for some grounding inadvertently left and, in the following, it is performed the energization of the transmission line.

[026] The maintenance work is carried out by specialized teams, which begin their jobs executing land inspections, traveling several paths in the crossing corridors of the transmission lines, by monitoring several points, such as the insulator chains, the lightning rod cables, the state of the towers, the grounding system and the vegetation around. The detailed land inspection process is done by the maintainer climbing the tower in order to check cables; loose, corroded, damaged or missing parts, further to observing in the right-of- way the grounding mesh and possible erosion. The air inspection is carried out with the use of a helicopter and occurs in two ways, visual or instrumented to identify failures before they result in unexpected shutdowns or, in emergency cases, to find the failures that caused the shutdown. The instruments used are basically the corona effect analyzer, thermal imager and high resolution camera.

[027] The land inspections are made with displacements of the supporters on the crossing corridors along the transmission system, span by span, i.e., teams travel hundreds of kilometers, ending the inspections when the last span ends. Because of wetlands that prevent vehicular traffic, many journeys are made on foot or by boat.

[028] The maintenance services originate from the inspections of the transmission lines. An example of scheduled maintenance is the exchange of insulators in an energized line, carried out by electricians climbing the towers dressed with conductive clothing, having potential equalization clamp, tools and communication devices. There are several safety factors involved, because it is a work performed in the field, in the open, at heights ranging from 20 to over 100 meters, with uncomfortable room temperature (outside the normal range between 15 °C to 30 °C), and usually far from cities or villages. The process involves climbing frames, blockade of electrical circuit, "online" voice communication with the operation centers requiring care with the tools, electric fields and safety distances according to the rated voltage of the line.

[029] Climbing in the structures is made using a snap hook, safety rope and equipment for preventing falls, keeping the electrician all the time connected to any point of the structure. The line staff performs a pre-assembly of the tools in the soil, arranging them together with the materials on a canvas in position for hoisting to the workplace high in the tower, analyzing how best to perform the maneuver. Electricians start climbing the structures to the workplace, taking the service and safety ropes to suspend the insulation chair that will take them to the potential with sticks and rope for tail. Another electrician who made the tower climbing, next to the one who will access the potential, is close to the first point of entry and assists in the transition to the incoming transfer chair to the potential and performance of the service. The auxiliary electrician's task is to pass the lanyard in the structure and hold the chair so that the worker with conductive clothing can sit and be taken to the energy conductive cable. Thus, the other ones pull the electrician sitting on the chair until the energized cable, and wait for the same to equalize (stay in the same potential of the electric circuit) and anchor on the energized cable, passing the chair back to the structure. With the electrician in the potential, the necessary material for maneuver is suspended until the work site. Then, specific tools are used like yoke, rods and other accessories. The process is complete when all electricians are in the ground, with tools and materials collected.

[030] Among the existing problems to carry out this kind of service, it can be mentioned the difficulty to climb the structures, the displacement of the insulator chains with variable weight (hundred kg) according to the voltage class and handling the transfer chair from the electrician to the potential. The degree of difficulty increases even more when the services are performed at locations - in the forest and in wetland area that prevent vehicular traffic, forcing the manual loading of materials, tools and equipment or by means of helicopter to leave the electricians and materials needed to the maintenance. Thus, the helicopter makes proper transport letting people in one of the side phases of the energy circuits. However, there is a drawback because the helicopter, after positioning people and material, leaves the area and only returns at the time expected for completion of the service, the team remaining isolated in the maintenance site. This drawback is due to the low flight range of helicopter and few viable areas for landing close to the transmission lines, preventing it from staying in the place. Another disadvantage is the impossibility to use helicopters to services to be performed in the central phase of the tower by being an operation with high risk of accident for this type of aircraft.

[031] More difficulties arise when transmission lines run long distances without nearby roads. What often happens in northern Brazil, where the inspection and maintenance services by electricians are hampered, because such areas are regions of difficult access due to flooded areas or that can be flooded throughout the project. To perform these services, logistics is necessary for displacing people and materials, using helicopters or boats, generating an additional cost in the maintenance process because openings of access roads are not allowed, as it implies environmental impacts and disruption of previously established conditions by government agencies at the time of licensing.

[032] In this context, we highlight the case of accidents, such as a tower or cable outage. If it occurs in points without access of land vehicles, the time of restoration of the damaged transmission system increases an average of 12 hours a day, because the services are stopped during the night in view of safety issues of the staff, given the lack of appropriate lighting due to the impossibility of transport and installation of emergency generators.

[033] The washing process of insulators in transmission lines that run through high-salinity areas or other kind of pollution is done with high- pressure jet of treated water, by the supporting team fastened to the towers with safety belts for carrying out the service. The washing depends on the tank truck access to the base of the tower.

[034] Finally, it is emphasized that the activities of transmission lines electricians require a lot of physical effort. They have to climb high towers, lifting equipment and tools, contributing to the average working life of these electricians is 48 years old, i.e. after this age, they are stayed away of this activity, implying the need to relocate them in other areas or turning them into supervisors, inspectors, or instructors.

[035] For the construction of a new transmission system, the biggest challenges faced are environmental restrictions and difficulties in obtaining new transmission corridors.

[036] There are regulations (in Brazil NBR 5422) establishing the basic conditions for the project of electric energy transmission lines to ensure minimum levels of security and to limit disturbances in nearby locations.

[037] Such regulations require that, where necessary, it should be provided a clean range wide enough to allow the implementation, operation and maintenance of the line. [038] It is established that the deforestation of the range should be reduced to the minimum strictly necessary to ensure satisfactory conditions of construction, operation and maintenance of the line. The existing plant range coating in the range should be object of cleaning according to the criteria established by regulations. That is, the conventional systems of construction, operation, maintenance and inspection of transmission lines are subject to the difficulties imposed not only by the environment but also by the existing regulations.

[039] Studies are designed to show several aspects, including the social and environmental impacts. These are critical in the crossing corridors of the lines, in which the greater complexities for the implementation of the transmission facilities are identified, and this reflects a growing increase in costs. With the occurrence of vegetation cuts, archaeological sites may be found, resulting in stop of construction, new requirements and delays in the project, increasing the return rate reduction to shareholders.

[040] In an extensive review of the literature in order to establish the current state of the art in view of the process for constructing, operating, inspection and maintenance of transmission lines, object of the present patent of invention, they were not disclosed documents related to the specific process claimed, however some documents were listed, while not impeditive before the present patent, they refer to maintenance and operation tools of the electrical system.

[041] In patent document US 4,818,990, it was proposed the use of a remotely piloted air robot, which is adapted for flight close to transmission lines, further to the ability to hover in order to detect abnormal conditions along the lines. The robot has equipment able to observe and record information related to the situation of the lines and regions in the vicinity. A ground station controls the operation of the air robot, and also stores the information obtained. However for transmission systems that do not have nearby access roads, the robot range area becomes a major limiting. In addition, there is the risk of a loss of the communication signal between the transmitting station and the robot bring about the fall of the same on the electrical grid, triggering permanent failure in the transmission system, interrupting the continuity of power flow in the transmission lines until the damage caused by the fall of the robot is repaired. It is noteworthy that the robot can only do inspection activities due to the weight and size limitation of the payload.

[042] Patent US 3,176,795 refers to the use of elevated workstation to high-voltage lines where this is supported by a helicopter, or a balloon, besides a parachute in an intermediate position between the workstation and the helicopter. Also, anchoring lines fixed to the ground have the purpose of keeping the workstation suspended in a relatively fixed position. The configuration proposed in this document to use the helicopter in performing the maintenance of transmission lines, in addition to the flight limitations, can be dangerous and generate high risk to the operational safety, since this document describes that the helicopter can be released to another service being replaced by a balloon without operator and / or a parachute as shown in the illustrations thereof, this modeling can destabilize and fall on the tower. US Patent 3,196,980 aims the use of ladder built from the ground by a vehicle with electrical insulation provisions in relation to land and equivalence of electric potential in relation to the conductor to access, inspection and maintenance of high-voltage lines. However, the use of the ladder has a limitation in height and requires management and transportation of the vehicle to the transmission line.

[043] US patents 4,478,312 and 4,422,528 use a basket-type air structure, carried by helicopter, for transport of inspection and maintenance technicians of high-voltage lines, further to serve as a temporary coupling on the line. The maintenance of lines and cables described in these documents refers to the mere use of a "chair" type structure where the line operators are left by a helicopter at the point of maintenance. Because of weather conditions, time and helicopter flight limitations, the service can be canceled; another issue involving security is the direction of the helicopter, wind displacement in the cables and development of uncontrollable aircraft maneuvers. [044] The US patent document 4,637,575 uses a fixed framework in the helicopter skiing for transport and support of an inspection and maintenance technician of high-voltage lines. The technician supported in the framework is able to perform the inspection and repair because the helicopter hovers adjacent to the high-voltage line with the framework next to the work area. The maintenance and inspection process described in this patent document poses risks to the operational safety, since the aircraft described for this type of service will be very close to the cables and any instability will cause swing to the flight. The maintenance services for this implementation must be extremely fast, since the flight range of the aircraft can compromise the quality and finish of the service. US Patent 4,673,059 refers to the use of an air support means, such as a helicopter, in order to position a load or an operator in a seat in a high-voltage line. The air vehicle consists of a non-grounded support which supports an also non-grounded air framework by means of insulating components, thus allowing the contact of the load or operator with the energized transmission line without the occurrence of electric discharges. The technique described in this document is the same described above, where an operator and a tool cart are left for said maintenance at that point. The aircraft continues flight and after a certain period of time returns to remove the operator from the place. US patent document 5,328,133 refers to the use of helicopter with baskets on the side, able to carry equipment and an operator supported by elongated beams made of insulating material along the horizontal transverse axis of the aircraft. The helicopter is capable of hovering in order to approach the basket with equipment and the operator of a high-voltage line. The inspection and maintenance operation can be performed with the basket fixed to the helicopter, therefore having the aircraft hover at a relatively fixed position with the basket sufficiently close to the transmission line. Furthermore, the basket can be mounted in the transmission line or in the tower, so that the helicopter may move away while the inspection and maintenance operations are performed. The system described refers to a framework mounted in the side of the aircraft, which is similar to the framework mounted on the helicopter skiing, causing the aircraft to remain too close to the tower cable or structure, where the displacement of air generated by the engine rotors can damage and compromise the mounted cable / tower assembly.

[045] It is important to note that all the patents using helicopters to perform activities fall in the basic problems of flight range limitations, high costs, higher risks of accidents. The techniques presented, with the presence of the helicopter while performing services, do not prevent the air displacement promoted by the rotors thereof, making it difficult to carry out the work by the maintenance teams, even if they are on a basket. Moreover, the amount of time to perform the work would have to be relatively short due to flight range. Another problem is related to the use of parachutes, which increases the risk of accidents by contact with the transmission line and / or falls. Anchoring on the ground requires a team on land and does not induce an increase in productivity of the current existing processes of inspection, maintenance and construction.

[046] US Patent 6,231 ,007 describes a method for the exact setting down or taking up of cargo from aircraft. The aircraft approaches the loading or unloading site and lowers down a load framework. This framework releases ropes to be fixed to the ground. The ropes are stretched and kept under tension by being pulled by winches on the ground and by producing more uplift by the aircraft with the release of ballast. This allows the aircraft to move freely while the load support remains in a fixed position. The entire assembly is then pulled down in order to approach the load framework to the ground. This framework is then fixed to the ground and the loading and unloading operations can be initiated. Once the operation ends, the load framework can be loosened, winches relieve tension on the ropes and the aircraft gains altitude. Finally, the ropes are released from the ground and the aircraft may return to the flight condition.

[047] US Patent Application 2012/0085864A1 discloses a method for positioning an airship at a wind turbine generator, wherein the docking sections of an airship are coupled to at (east one wind turbine generator component such as the nacelle, the hub, one or more of the blades, the tower, the foundation or a substation of the wind turbine generator. Docking allows loading and unloading operations between the airship and the wind generator as components, equipment or technical staff through a hatch in the top of the nacelle. Loading or unloading for the wind generator can be made by means of winches or crane on the airship. It can also be made using ladder or framework that connects the airship to the wind generator.

[048] Document No. US2012/0091274A1 relates to a method for handling wind turbine generator components, which are loaded to the airship in a site different from that of installation. The components are transported by the airship to the application site. They are unloaded and installed in another wind generator component, or the ground, the sea, a vehicle at the ground, or at a vessel through one or more extended guide elements.

[049] These existing processes do not fit the needs of having, in a same site, conditions for loading and unloading activities, slowing down the time for construction and repair accidents in transmission lines. The system using extended guides, not considered in the present patent application, paralyzes the work process of electricians to act on energized lines and does not mitigate the risk of accidents. All the methodology presented poses a need of movement focusing on a single action of loading and unloading, preventing the process of launching electric cables on the structures of the towers in a continuous manner, i.e., imposes limits to logistics for construction, prevents the implementation to handle towers or conductive cables outages and, due to the impossibility of launching electrical cables in the towers structures, does not reduce the environmental impacts with respect to the crossing corridors of these cables between the structures.

[050] With respect to the operation of the transmission lines, said operation of the installations generally takes place in two ways: assisted or unassisted. The agency that establish the operating rules of the Interconnected Electric System in Brazil is the National System Operator (ONS), wherein the following guidelines are found: [051] Whenever there is maintenance in the Transmission Line, the presence of an operator at each end of the line to inhibit the action of automatic reclosers will be required.

[052] Whenever the team is performing maintenance of the Transmission Line and in the case of shutdown for any reason, the new energization can only take place after communication with the maintenance team of the Transmission Line.

[053] The inspection in the electrical networks and interventions for eliminating failures and / or failures are maintenance activities on transmission lines subject to the approval and release by the electric system operation.

[054] Some activities of the Operation of an Electric Energy Concessionaire during the maintenance on transmission lines are listed below:

1- Approval and release of permission to execute the services;

2- Authorization request by the ONS (National System Operator) to execute the services;

3- Intersession with ONS before, during and after the execution of services;

4- Opening / closing maneuver of electrical equipment and lock / unlock of command, control and protection system;

5- Availability of the power grid, interruption (if necessary) and definition of the period of execution of the services; and

6- Supervision of safety and operational conditions of the electrical grid and monitoring the execution of activities.

[055] Some necessary and essential requirements for performing maintenance activities in transmission lines are listed below:

1- Existence of specific documents in the management system SAP/R3 approved and released by the electric system operation for maintenance;

2- Existence of operative and functional communication media to support the operation and maintenance; 3- Compliance with operational rules and guidelines / ONS to works in energized line and / or deenergized line.

[056] The types of facilities which must be met by air framework of maintenance are:

1- high- and extra-high-voltage transmission lines with right-of-way and without right-of-way;

2- Substations assisted in shift system, semi-assisted and unassisted.

[057] The energized lines and deenergized lines refer to operating conditions of transmission lines in maintenance state.

[058] The types of interventions for the maintenance are: scheduled, urgent, emergent and extraordinary.

[059] The operation routine of the electric system to attend the demands of line maintenance depends on the type of intervention, this type dictates the processing pace of the intervention request.

[060] Currently the process provides for an scheduled annual inspection in the whole line complying with the annual maintenance plan. Inspections are scheduled activities and the period for analyzing and releasing the operation corresponds to 15 days. If any item of non-compliance is identified, a new detailed inspection is requested to the operation with new schedule and new deadlines for release.

[061] The inspection activities are handled at the level of local operations and regional operation center, not requiring the participation of the National System Operator - ONS for authorization and release of the activity.

[062] ONS is the agent responsible for the coordination and control of the operation, the generation and transmission of electric energy in the National Interconnected System - SIN.

[063] With the exception of the inspections, all and any intervention of maintenance of transmission lines shall be authorized by ONS and shall follow the guidelines and rules contained in the document named Grid Procedures, which embraces the technical and safety standards and controls the deadlines to release documents.

[064] Objectives of the Invention

[065] It is an object of the present invention to implement new processes to construct, operate, inspect and maintain transmission lines, reducing dependence on land access, reducing significantly the physical efforts of teams in climbing the towers structures as well as the lifting of heavy equipment to the top of the same and deforestation.

[066] It is an object of the present invention to perform activities in transmission lines in segments without access, such as high density forests, wetlands and river crossings, via land vehicle.

[067] It is an object of the present invention to reduce costs in the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance process of transmission lines.

[068] It is an object of the present invention to avoid unnecessary risks due to bursts of sudden and unexpected winds, intense enough in order to move or damage the airship or tower structures.

[069] It is an object of the present invention to avoid the use of extended guide elements between the air framework and the tower, or tower elements to be installed, and the ground, which would also result in risks for the aircraft and the air staff thereof under adverse weather conditions.

[070] It is an object of the present invention to enable removal of prolonged mechanical connection between the air framework and the elements fixed to the ground, in order to quickly abort a task when observing adverse weather conditions, so that the aircraft can quickly gain altitude and move away from the elements on the ground.

[071] It is an object of the present invention to reduce environmental impact and improve working conditions, substantially reducing the risk of accidents.

[072] It is an object of the present invention that the time of execution of the activities in a transmission line is reduced by terrestrial independence through the use of a faster vehicle, with more range and flight range.

[073] It is an object of the present invention to perform inspections of multiple functions with just one overflight by the use of multiple devices coupled to the framework.

[074] It is an object of the present invention to allow and ensure that the communication between local maintenance teams and remote operation is effected in a more broad and flexible manner with the framework support with gains in security and effectiveness of the operation process.

[075] It is an object of the present invention to allow for night work in the transmission lines.

[076] It is an object of the present invention to provide the elimination of the crossing corridors of the transmission lines, responsible for the greatest environmental impact of the project.

[077] It is an object of the present invention to allow the delivery of materials, technical staff and equipment to execute the services, ensuring all the necessary security distances to develop the work, maintaining the continuity of the power circuit.

[078] It is an object of the present invention to allow higher speed to the access of the transmission systems, minimizing the time and risks of lack of equipment, especially when needed to repair accidents in transmission lines.

[079] It is an object of the present invention to help in choosing the transmission line outline by providing a survey of possible obstacles by scanning the terrain by means of instruments and visual observation.

[080] It is an object of the present invention, for the stages of sectioning and fences grounding, right-of-way cleaning, construction of foundations, excavation and backfill of the excavations, to facilitate the transportation of technical staff and materials.

[081] It is an object of the present invention to reduce the repair time of the transmission lines, hence increase availability. [082] It is an object of the present invention to avoid the need of two offsets (one for inspection and the other to perform the maintenance) of the teams and avoid having the problem worsened due to mismatch between the inspection time and the time to execute the maintenance.

[083] Summary of the Invention

[084] The object of the process of the present invention is the construction of transmission lines and comprises the following steps: providing an aerostat adapted with an air framework, said aerostat to be used in service flights in transmission lines; overfly with the aerostat the area where the transmission lines will be built to carry out the data collection and analyze the feasibility of constructing transmission lines there; after determining the area, transport with the aerostat technical staff responsible for preparing the area to be used for installation of transmission lines and performing the assembly of the transmission lines; and transport, with said aerostat, materials and equipment needed for the construction of the transmission lines.

[085] The construction process further comprises the following steps: collect with the aerostat the staff and materials for preparing the area chosen for the installation of transmission lines; and carry out the launch of conductive cables with the aerostat in transmission line towers.

[086] The step of providing an aerostat adapted to be used in service flights in transmission lines refers to the availability of an adapted airship.

[087] The necessary adaptations to the airship are: the presence of a set of propellers with direction control ability, way direction and magnitude of traction along the main axis thereof, in addition to ability to rotate the main shaft of the propellers, setting possibility of traction vectoring, thus the aircraft presents capabilities of stable and controlled horizontal flight and hovered flight. Presence of a set of winches with reels and motors attached to the gondola with lifting capacity of external load by means of connection with cables, with the length thereof controlled by the winches, thus enabling the motion control of the external load suspended by the descent and ascent movements of the load, as well as motion control in the plane transverse to the descent and ascent direction, this set of winches is called positioning system of suspended loads. Presence of radio communications equipment between teams in land or suspended with the technical staff in the airship, and the technical staff in the airship with control and operation centers in remote locations.

[088] The transportation step of technical staff in charge of preparing the area to be used for installation of the transmission lines comprises getting down said team to the ground within a basket by means of a positioning system of suspended loads. There is no mass transfer in the transportation step of technical staff. Furthermore, the transportation step of materials and equipment necessary for the construction of transmission lines further comprises the delivery of equipment for preparing the ground.

[089] The delivery of equipment such as tractors, backhoe loaders and similar equipment for preparing the terrain takes place with or without the exchange of load and the delivery step of equipment comprises transportation and delivery of ballasts for the mounting area of the transmission line towers to thereby enable the exchange of loads.

[090] In the process described herein, the delivery step of equipment comprises the transportation of at least one transmission line tower or a part thereof and comprises getting down at least one transmission line tower or a part thereof using the positioning system of suspended loads, with a guide cable supported in tower edges.

[091] A land team is available to perform the attachment of the guide cable to a ballast positioned at a safe distance from the tower. There is the possibility to decouple the airship by means of the guide cable. The gathering of the guide cable is carried out by positioning system of suspended loads.

[092] The use of ballast for gathering the equipment from the construction site of transmission lines is planned, using ballasts which are capable of ensuring heaviness (operation in which the aircraft is heavier than air) and maximum lightness (operation in which the aircraft is lighter than air) of the adapted aerostat.

[093] The collect of the staff and materials for preparing the area chosen for the installation of transmission lines is preferably carried out without the exchange of load, and preferably with the aerostat in hovering flight.

[094] The positioning of staff and materials within the basket takes place without the need of transferring loads. Soon after it takes place the lifting of the basket and the entry thereof into a gondola.

[095] The launching of conductive cables with the aerostat in transmission line towers first comprises the launching of guide cable along the tower and allows the launching of pilot cables, which in turn allows the launching of conductive cables. The launching of guide cables along the towers comprises the step of extending the cable in the ground along the line; and lifting them to the top of the towers. The hoisting of the guide cables is effected by people through pulleys.

[096] The launching step of guide cables is effected by an aerostat and further comprises the transportation of the launching equipment. Said launching of guide cables is performed by an aerostat overflying a transmission line and progressively releasing the guide cable of a coil.

[097] The positioning of the coil is performed by means of the positioning system of suspended loads.

[098] At the end of the launching of guide cable of a line section, the aerostat undergoes a flight transition with speed for hovering flight. The end of the cable is released from the coil and coupled to a support by the team in land.

[099] The invention further comprises an inspection process of transmission lines comprising the following steps: overfly the line segment to be inspected with an aerostat adapted with an air framework; and carry out the inspection during the overflight of the previous step.

[100] The inspection further comprises the step of approaching the aerostat to the towers to be inspected. When approaching to the towers at the correct height in relation thereto and at an appropriate speed range up to 120 km / h, the aerostat begins the inspection in fact.

[101] The overflight of the lines is performed with the aerostat sufficiently close, in distance between 10 m and 100 m, in order to allow the inspection equipment to detect possible failures. The maintenance of overflight height related to the top of the towers is virtually constant throughout the inspection mission and the overflight is performed in speed related to the ground that allows the use of the measurement equipment.

[102] The inspection process is performed by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.

[103] The inspection comprises the data collection of the condition of the transmission line by means of visual inspection by a skilled technician.

[104] The inspection comprises the collection of geo-referenced data on the condition of the transmission line by means of instrumented inspection for checks: of temperature in the cable connections through thermal imager, of corona effect resulting of possible anomalies through the corona effect analyzer, of laser scanning to collect data regarding height and type of vegetation, of cable-ground height "arrow" measurement, of erosion along the right-of-way and of capture of images with high-resolution video camera.

[105] The inspection steps can occur simultaneously or individually. Moreover, inspections of multiple functions can be performed with only one overflight by using multiple equipment coupled to the adapted aerostat.

[106] The invention further comprises a maintenance process of transmission lines with the following steps: overfly the line segment to perform the maintenance with an adapted aerostat; and execute the maintenance in the site chosen of the transmission line.

[107] The step of approaching the aerostat to the towers in need of maintenance is performed so that the maintenance is feasible. In this case, the aerostat remains in hovering flight to perform said maintenance.

[108] The skilled technicians are positioned close enough to the components undergoing maintenance. After positioning, it takes place the step of getting down the technicians from the aerostat to the tower by means of a basket. That is, the maintenance procedure may be performed in at least two embodiments: the technicians getting down from the basket to the tower with their tools, or performing maintenance inside the basket.

[109] In fact, the maintenance procedure adopted depends on the time required to perform the work and the basket accessibility of the site in the tower to be repaired.

[110] In the maintenance, the aerostat can operate in heaviness, and the total mass discharged can be less than the heaviness value of the moment for technicians and their tools get down from the basket without having to perform mass transfer.

[111] The maintenance comprises the step of directing the water jet in the components of transmission lines to effect cleaning.

[112] The maintenance is carried by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.

[113] One operation method is also part of the invention and comprises the steps of: providing an aerostat adapted to be used in service flights in transmission lines; and position the aerostat adapted in a position to carry out communication between inspection and maintenance teams with the substations and / or regional operating centers. The operation process is performed by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.

[114] Therefore, the process of the present invention defines a new logistics of access to the transmission system, eliminating land access, visibly reducing the physical efforts of teams in climbing the tower structures as well as the lifting of heavy equipment to the top of the same, which are often in difficult access places, such as wetlands or without roads throughout the project. The framework provides easy access, with greater security, without causing great environmental impacts, minimizing the current costs. In the construction of a transmission system, the framework carries people and equipment as well as assembled towers, to the installation sites, eliminating the environmental impacts to form crossing corridors, in the vegetation existing along the path of the system, posing impacts only in the area of the base of the towers, with the advantage of remaining on the place for hours or days.

[115] The present invention aims notably to avoid the above mentioned drawbacks with the introduction of new processes.

[116] Furthermore, the pending patent does not require that the anchoring sections of the air framework remain rigidly coupled to the tower of the transmission line, as this can result in unnecessary risks due to bursts of sudden and unexpected winds, intense enough so that can move or damage the airship or tower structures. Moreover, for the construction process, the use of extended guide elements between the air framework and the tower, or tower elements to be installed, is not claimed, which would also imply risks to the aircraft and the air staff thereof in adverse weather conditions. Once removed the mechanical connection extended between the air framework and the element attached to the ground, the task can be quickly aborted if observed adverse weather conditions, so that the aircraft can quickly gain altitude and move away from the elements in the ground.

[117] The present patent application reduces the cost of the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance process due to the sustainability thereof through the reduction of activities on the ground, what enforces the environmental impact reduction and improved working conditions, substantially reducing the risk of accidents. Moreover, the execution time of the activity is reduced by the terrestrial independence through the use of a faster vehicle, with greater range and flight range, which is capable of performing the inspection of multiple functions with only one overflight by the use of several equipment coupled to the framework. Similarly, the communication is made in a broader, flexible manner by the use of equipment installed on the framework, and also presents the advantage that communication is effected above the treetops that can interfere with the signal quality. The process of this patent application allows night work by means of artificial lighting installed along the broad framework, when required in emergency situations, enabling the increased availability of transmission lines. [118] The present invention refers to a process using an air working framework to be used in the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance services of energized power transmission system, which is completely new in view of the current way of working, with a reversal of current logic of work, making use of the gravity as a benefit for the services executed. In the construction process, the marked reduction of impacts on the environment takes place by providing the elimination of the crossing corridors of the transmission lines, responsible for the greatest environmental impact of the project.

[119] Thus, the implementation of the new working method using the air framework enables the delivery of materials, technical staff and equipment to perform the services, ensuring all the necessary distances of security to develop the works thereof, maintaining the continuity of power circuit. It also enables greater access speed to the transmission systems, minimizing the time and risks of lack of equipment, especially when needed to repair accidents in transmission lines, in favor of society and consumers in the continuity of electric energy. Thus, it avoids the need to climb the towers and technical staff to hoist materials to carry out the services in land.

[120] The new process remodels the current way of working of electricians in transmission lines, reversing the logic from down to up by getting load down from the framework in the tower, distinguishing a top-down process from the air framework, contributing directly to the motivation and the safety of technical staff when performing the respective activities.

[121] The use of the air framework, at the stage of choosing the transmission line outline, provides knowledge of possible obstacles by scanning the terrain by means of instruments and visual observation, contributing to the choice and geo-referencing of the likely installation sites of the towers in addition to transport of technical staff and equipment. With the use of the air framework, the construction of access roads becomes irrelevant.

[122] For the stages of sectioning and fences grounding, right-of- way cleaning, construction of foundations, excavation and backfill of the excavations, it will facilitate the transportation of technical staff and materials, resulting in time and money savings.

[123] The assembly of the towers can happen piece-by-piece or by pre-assembled segments or in a complete piece on the ground, then hoisted and placed in the final site thereof through the use of the air framework in a short time. The assembly of towers or segments thereof are effected in preselected yards to facilitate assembly and access, not necessarily at the place of final installation of the tower.

[124] The launching of the cables will be through the airship, with the coil on the ground or coupled to it for further regulation and stapling by the specialized team.

[125] The use of the framework will result in improved operation due to the easiness of overflying the transmission line, checking for possible damage and immediate communication to the operation center aiming authorization for intervention, reducing the repair time and, as a consequence, increasing availability.

[126] With the use of the air framework, in addition to visual analysis, inspections are made along line through equipment for the identification of possible failures. Depending on the problem identified, the maintenance will be executed immediately or will be scheduled for another moment.

[127] The measuring of the tower footing resistance and corrosion state will be executed by means of the airship with the descent of the inspector.

[128] The framework will be fitted with laser identifiers of height and type of vegetation, defining when intervention for removal will be required.

[129] With the use of the air framework, there exists no need for two shifts (one for inspection and another to execute the maintenance) and neither of having the problem worsened due to mismatch between the inspection time and the time to execute the maintenance.

[130] The cost of keeping the several accesses to arrive at the transmission system is eliminated because the access will only be by air. [131] The biggest disadvantage of the expansion of the transmission system is related to the environmental problem due to deforestation. With the new process, the cost to mitigate the social and environmental impacts will be minimal and the time to construct the project is significantly reduced in view of the current one, because the highest amount of time refers to the clearance of the crossing corridors of the transmission lines and the launching of cables.

[132] The aerostat of the present invention is also extremely important for the operation of the Electrical System in the fast and efficient identification of failures that have caused permanent or intermittent shutdowns in the transmission lines, because during overflight of the transmission line precision equipment is available to assist the inspectors in failure identification. Once identified the failure, the aerostat is provided with reliable communications so that supporters start working and the system is restored in the shortest possible time.

[133] Regarding communication, the aerostat is provided with reliable communication, with equipment duplication so that supporters are in permanent contact with the substations of the ends of the transmission line. So it is guaranteed the safety of the maintenance team as well as the Electric System during scheduled and emergency maintenance.

[134] Therefore, based on the above considerations, it can be said that the biggest change in the form of electric system operation activities concerns time limits for consideration of assistance applications for maintenance since the technical and safety conditions are met. Accordingly, both local operation and regional centers and ONS shall know the inspection schedule in order to anticipate analyze and meet deadlines, which should be revised to meet this new reality, in order to match the inspection schedule with the pace of navigation and operational deadlines. That will be the new reality of the electric system operation.

[135] Another significant change in the operating routine combines technical and safety aspects since it is related to communication systems with maintenance teams. This change consists of a new form of communication with teams in the operation, now by means of the air framework that will be in the maintenance site in altitude and can avoid communication difficulties with the substations of the end of the line segment and represents security in the operational maneuvers because ensures communication with neighboring substations or even the operation regional center, in cases of non-attended installations.

[136] Brief Description of the Drawings

[137] Figure 1 illustrates the inspection process of transmission lines.

[138] Figure 2 illustrates the maintenance process of transmission lines.

[ 39] Figure 3 illustrates the transport and positioning process with exchange of tower load, tower portion or equipment.

[140] Figure 4 illustrates the transport, positioning and collect process of teams and / or equipment.

[141] Figure 5 illustrates the launching process of guide cables.

[142] Figure 6 illustrates the communication process for operating transmission lines.

[143] Detailed Description of the Drawings

[144] Figure 1 is represented by airship 1 having an envelope 2 responsible for the support of most aircraft weight, a set of aerodynamic stabilizers 3 to help in control, a gondola 4 having the functional compartments, and propellers 5 responsible for propulsion.

[145] The inspection process uses the overflight of an inspection line with the ability to focus on specific instruments of failure detection in the transmission line, carrying out the geo-referenced data collection from the transmission line condition for checks: of temperature in the cable connections through thermal imager, of corona effect resulting of possible anomalies through the corona effect analyzer, of laser scanning to collect data regarding height and type of vegetation, of cable-ground height "arrow" measurement, of erosion along the right-of-way and of capture of images with high-resolution video camera, or even to allow the transport of a technician skilled to detect failures by visual means only. The line overflight should therefore be performed at a suitable speed that allows the instruments to efficiently obtain images and data required in order to map the condition of the line.

[146] The inspection speed relative to the ground is in the range of 0 to 120 km / h, more preferably between 60 and 80 km / h.

[147] In addition, the airship must remain at a safe distance from the transmission line, but still allow the collection of images and data by the inspection instruments and even visual inspection. The distance during the inspection flight should be between 10 m and 100 m, more preferably between 30 and 50 m.

[148] Thus, in Figure 1 it may be noted airship 1 overflying the inspection line below made up of towers 8 and conductive cables, OPGW and lightning rod 9. The extension of the transmission line cables is illustrated by 10, whereas a transmission line extends for several kilometers, so the inspection process also takes place over several kilometers of transmission line.

[149] The overfly is kept in almost constant speed with the airship being driven by propellers 5. Inspection instruments 6 are positioned on gondola 4 and focused on points to be inspected in the line, represented by the magnitude of visual and / or instrumented inspection 7.

[150] The maintenance process of transmission lines is performed after the identification of failures therein, obtained by performing the inspection process of transmission lines, or even performed due to periodic maintenance in the line, i.e. not necessarily as a result of failure detection by means of inspection.

[151] Figure 2 illustrates the maintenance process of the lines that can be performed in three embodiments: transfer of technicians from the airship to the transmission line to perform maintenance in components of the transmission line with subsequent rescue of the technicians in the line to the airship, represented by Figures 2.1 to 2.5, 2.10 and 2.11 ; perform maintenance in components of the line with the technicians within a basket suspended by the airship without getting down to the transmission line, represented by Figures 2.1 , 2.6, 2.7, 2.10 and 2:11 ; and perform cleaning of components with one technician directing water jet from inside the suspended basket, represented by Figures 2.1 , 2.8, 2.9, 2.10 and 2.11.

[152] Figure 2.1 illustrates the beginning of any of the three embodiments of maintenance, wherein the airship 1 is kept in hovering flight with propellers 5 driven so that the traction controls the height of airship 1. Also, technical staff and equipment 15 of transmission line are transferred to a basket 14 and lowered down by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , aiming approach of the transmission line tower 8 and / or the transmission line cables 9.

[153] Turning to the maintenance process of transmission lines with technician transfer from the airship to the transmission line, the next step is the one in Figure 2.2. This figure illustrates the lowering down and positioning upon transmission line tower 8 of the technical staff with maintenance equipment 15 within the basket 14, by means of the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , while airship 1 is kept in hovering flight aided by propellers 5.

[154] Following it starts the step of Figure 2.3 wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 get down from basket 14 to the transmission line tower 8. Then basket 14 is lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 while airship 1 is kept in hovering flight aided by propellers 5.

[155] Figure 2.4 illustrates the beginning of the maintenance procedures in the transmission line components by technicians with equipment 15. Airship 1 then remains in hovering flight or performs standby flight. Basket 14 is then collected by the positioning system of suspended loads 11.

[156] With the completion of the maintenance procedures by the technical staff 15 on the transmission line tower 8, the airship returns to rescue them, what is shown in Figure 2.5. The positioning system of suspended loads 11 approaches basket 14 from the technicians and equipment 15, so that they enter into basket 14.

[157] The next step is shown in Figure 2.10 where the technical staff and equipment 15 inside basket 14 are lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 into gondola 4. The airship is then accelerated by propellers 5.

[158] The last step of this maintenance process of transmission line is shown in Figure 2.1 , wherein airship 1 continues with horizontal flight powered by propellers 5, with technicians and equipment inside gondola 4.

[159] The second embodiment of maintenance of transmission line wherein the technicians are kept inside the basket suspended by the airship without lowering down to the transmission line is initiated by the step described above in Figure 2.1.

[160] The next step is illustrated in Figure 2.6 wherein airship 1 remains in hovering flight while the technical staff and equipment 15 inside basket 14, suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , perform maintenance procedures in components of the transmission line, close to transmission line tower 8 and / or transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW, lightning rod) 9.

[161] At the end of the maintenance procedures in components of the transmission line at one point, airship 1 can move by means of propellers 5 to another nearby site where technicians with equipment 15, inside basket 14, suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 may perform maintenance procedures in components of the transmission line in a site different from the previous one, close to transmission line tower 8 and / or transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW, lightning rod) 9. This step is shown in Figure 2.7.

[162] The next step is shown in Figure 2.10, wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 inside basket 14 are lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 inside gondola 4. The airship is then accelerated by propellers 5. [163] The last step of this maintenance process of transmission line is shown in Figure 2.11 , wherein airship 1 remains in horizontal flight powered by propellers 5, with technicians and equipment inside gondola 4.

[164] The third and final maintenance embodiment of transmission line wherein the technicians are kept inside the basket suspended by the airship without getting down to the transmission line and direct water jet to clean components of the transmission line, is initiated by the step of Figure 2.1 described above.

[165] In the following it begins the step of Figure 2.8, wherein the technician and equipment 15, inside basket 14, are kept suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , direct water jet 6, with a water tank inside gondola 4 connected by a hose 18, for cleaning transmission line components, such as insulators 17, close to transmission line tower 8 and / or transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW, lightning rod).

[166] The next step of Figure 2.9 also shows cleaning maintenance procedure of transmission line components, wherein airship 1 is moved by means of propellers 5 so that the technicians with equipment 15, inside basket 14, suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , succeed in achieving a different site with water jet 16, with water tank inside gondola 4 connected by a hose 18, for cleaning transmission line components, such as insulators 17, close to transmission line tower 8 and / or transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW, lightning rod).

[167] It follows then to the step of Figure 2.10, wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 inside basket 14 are lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 into gondola 4. The airship is then accelerated by propellers 5.

[168] The last step of this maintenance process of transmission line is shown in Figure 2.11 , wherein airship 1 continues with horizontal flight powered by propellers 5, with the technicians and equipment inside gondola 4.

[169] The transport and positioning process, with exchange of load, tower, tower portion or equipment takes place as a construction process of transmission lines, or even restoration of a transmission line where tower or towers were damaged and shall be replaced.

[170] The whole process is described in Figure 3, which begins with the step of Figure 3.1 , wherein airship 1 transports to the construction site the tower, tower portion or equipment 19, suspended by the positioning system od suspended loads 11 and propulsion is due to propellers 5.

[171] The next step is illustrated in Figure 3.2, wherein when approaching the construction site, airship 1 with the tower, tower portion or equipment 19, suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , reduces flight speed up remaining in hovering flight, with speed settings aided by propellers 5. Meanwhile, technical staff and equipment 15 with ballast 20 await on the ground.

[172] In Figure 3.3, the next step, airship 1 remains in hovering flight while the tower, tower portion or equipment 19 is kept suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11. A load transfer guide cable 21 , attached at one end to the positioning system of suspended loads 11 and another free end, is lowered down to the technical staff and equipment 15 with ballast 20.

[173] Next, Figure 3.4 illustrates load transfer guide cable 21 attached to ballast 20 by the team of technicians and equipment on the ground 15. Furthermore, the tower, tower portion or equipment 19 is lowered down and positioned at the ground by the system positioning of suspended load, while airship 1 remains in hovering flight aided by propellers 5.

[174] Once the load transfer guide cable in the ballast and the tower, tower portion or equipment positioned in the respective place, the step of Figure 3.5 can begin. At this step, the positioning system of suspended load 11 is decoupled from the tower, tower portion or equipment 19, what causes the ascending movement of airship 1 by the resulting lightness condition, caused by the sustaining force of envelope 2 above the weight of the aircraft. Propellers 5 can slow down the upward movement by applying traction in the direction opposite to the upward movement. The upward movement will end at the time airship 1 reach the highest point permitted by the maximum extension of load transfer guide cable 21.

[175] The step of Figure 3.6 depicts airship 1 at the highest point of upward movement, in steady motion. In this condition, airship 1 is held in position by attachment to ballast 20 by means of load transfer guide cable 21 and the positioning system of suspended loads 11. In this condition, the airship can start winding the load transfer guide cable 21, so as to approach the end of the positioning system of suspended loads 11 to ballast 20, simultaneously bringing airship 1 down.

[176] The step of Figure 3.7 ilustrates the condition wherein the load transfer guide cable is completely wrapped, with airship 1 lowered down, and the positioning system of suspended loads 11 is coupled to ballast 20 aided by the technical staff and equipment 15 on the ground.

[177] Next, the step of Figure 3.8 begins, wherein airship 1 performs vertical takeoff with action of propellers 5, and ballast 20 is held suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11. Ballast 20 is then approached to gondola 4, being lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11.

[178] Once lifted the ballast, the step of Figure 3.9 begins, wherein airship 1 is speeded up by the action of propellers 5, while ballast 20 is held suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11.

[179] The final step is shown in Figure 3.10 that illustrates the transport of ballast 20 by airship 1 , kept suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , the propulsion of which is due to propellers 5.

[180] The transport, positioning and collection process of teams and / or equipment is used in tasks wherein it is needed to transfer staff and equipment from the airship to the ground, and from the ground to the airship.

[181] The two complete processes are shown in Figure 4. The delivery process of teams and / or equipment to the ground is illustrated by the steps of Figure 4.1 to Figure 4.5, and the collecting process of teams and / or equipment from the ground to the airship is illustrated by the steps of Figure 4.6 to Figure 4.10.

[182] First, to the delivery process of team and / or equipment to the ground, the beginning takes place in the step of Figure 4.1 wherein airship 1 in hovering flight over the delivery place starts getting down the technical staff and equipment 15, inside basket 14, by the positioning system of suspended loads 11.

[183] Figure 4.2 illustrates the next step wherein basket 14, with the technical staff and equipment 15, are close to the ground at the lowest point of descent by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 while airship 1 remains in hovering flight.

[184] The next step of Figure 4.3 follows, wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 leave basket 14 to the ground, then the positioning system of suspended loads 11 lifts basket 14, while airship 1 remains in hovering flight.

[185] The next step is shown in Figure 4.4 with technical staff and equipment 15 already on the ground, basket 14 being just lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 1 to enter inside gondola 4. Thus, airship 1 starts accelerating to follow with horizontal flight powered by propellers 5.

[186] Finally, Figure 4.5 illustrates the final step of this process, wherein the basket is inside gondola 4 and airship 1 continues with the horizontal flight powered by propellers 5.

[187] Now, the process that involves collecting the team and / or equipment from the ground to the airship is initiated by the step in Figure 4.6, wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 on the ground awaits, while airship 1 in hovering flight starts the descent of basket 14 by means of the positioning system of suspended loads 1 .

[188] Figure 4.7 shows the next step, where basket 14 suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 is close to the ground so that the technical staff and equipment 15 can be boarded, while airship 1 remains in hovering flight.

[189] Following, in Figure 4.8, the next step, the basket with the technical staff and equipment 15 inside basket 14 are lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 , while airship 1 remains in hovering flight.

[190] The next step in Figure 4.9 shows basket 14 with the technical staff and equipment just lifted by the positioning system of suspended loads 11 to enter gondola 4, while airship 1 starts acceleration to horizontal flight due to the propulsive action of propellers 5.

[191] Finally, Figure 4.10 illustrates the final step of this process where the basket lies within gondola 4, and airship 1 continues with horizontal flight with propulsion due to propellers 5.

[192] The launching process of guide cables is used during construction tasks of transmission lines after installation of the towers for later installation of transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW and lightning rod).

[193] Figure 5 illustrates this process wherein an airship 1 overflying, at quite constant speed related to the ground up to 120 km / h, a transmission line now composed of towers 8 only, progressively releases guide cable for the installation of transmission line cables 13, by unwinding the guide cable coil 12, suspended by the positioning system of suspended load 11. The extension of the positioning of the guide cables on the transmission line towers along the extension of line 10 is illustrated by 10. This process shall be performed with airship 1 at a safe distance from the transmission line towers 8 of 10 m to 100 m.

[194] In all operating tasks of transmission lines using the airship, it should be possible to communicate with the teams on the ground, suspended in the basket by the positioning system of suspended loads, or on the transmission line with the air staff in the airship, and also the communication of the air staff with control and operation stations of the transmission line operator.

[195] Thus, Figure 6 illustrates this communication process for operating transmission lines, wherein the technical staff and equipment 15 on the ground, or in the basket suspended by the positioning system of suspended loads, or on the transmission line, and the air staff in airship 1 is provided with radio communication equipment that enable communication between each other, represented by bidirectional arrow 22. Further, the air staff in airship 1 is provided with radio communication equipment that enables communication, represented by bidirectional arrow 23, with teams in control and operation stations at a remote location 24 of the transmission line operator.

[196] As can be noted, the present invention describes a method of using an adapted aerostat able to provide construction, operation, inspection and maintenance services in transmission lines, which are basically characterized by:

I. Transport equipment, lead and technical staff in different compartments.

il. Perform the construction or restoration of transmission lines by means of the transport and positioning of the tower structure in a whole or by pieces.

III. Enable the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance, downwardly, i.e., from the air framework in a high position to the towers, cables and the ground.

IV. Perform the launching of cables directly from the air framework to the towers.

V. Perform the inspection or monitoring of transmission lines through visual check and / or by means of inspection equipment coupled to the air framework.

VI. Perform night service.

VII. Perform maintenance services in insulator chains, signaling beads, spacers, vibration dampers, beacons, in cables and towers. From the exposed, the preventive and corrective maintenance made possible by the reversal of the current work logic of the transmission lines teams and by changing the logistics of construction of new developments in electrical transmission systems using an air framework by means of an airship claimed in this patent application, provides many advantages to the used and / or existing models, such as high operational safety, reliability and flexibility in the implementation; security in implementation in the energized transmission system, guarantee of low environmental impact in the expansions, great performance in the implementation due to the overall design thereof; high comfort to the supporter, convenience and safety to the users and to the electrical system; reducing overall costs, including the air framework maintenance cost which is fully accessible and cost effective; practical and safe use by any qualified and authorized maintenance technician; reaching range; very low and practical general maintenance. It can also be implemented in several types of services such as in substations and power plants, ensuring the maintenance operational safety care, fully meeting the standards and the basic conditions for the implementation thereof.

[197] With the already described, it is possible to classify the object of this patent application as a fully versatile, efficient, practical and safe process to perform the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance of the electric energy transmission system that, regardless the general features of the several settings and different types of structures in the electric sector, provides great facility for the performance of services, enabling a totally safe handling with the energized network.

[198] Therefore, it should be understood that the process of the present invention and the component parts thereof described above belongs to a preferred embodiment and examples of situations which could occur, the actual scope of the invention is defined in the claims.

[199] Index of the Elements of the Drawings

1 - Airship

2 - Envelope

3 - Stabilizers

4 - Gondola

5 - Propellers

6 - Inspection Instruments 7 - Magnitude of visual and / or instrumented inspection

8 - Transmission line tower

9 - Transmission line cables (conductive, OPGW, lightning rod)

10 - Extension of the transmission line cables

11 - Positioning System of Suspended Loads

12 - Guide cable coil

13 - Guide cables for the installation of transmission line cables 14 - Basket

15 - Technical staff and equipment

16 - Water jet

17 - Insulators

18 - Hose

19 - Tower, tower portion or equipment

20 - Ballast

21 - Load transfer guide cable

22 - Radio communication between technical staff on the ground and the airship

23 - Radio communication between the air staff in the airship and the control and operation station

24 - Control and operation station at a remote location

Claims

1. Process for the construction of transmission lines, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

providing an aerostat fitted with an air framework, said aerostat to be used in service flights in transmission lines;

overflying with the aerostat the area where the transmission lines will be constructed to carry out the data collection and analyze the feasibility of constructing the transmission lines there;

after choosing the area, transport with the aerostat a technical staff responsible for preparing the area to be used for the installation of the transmission lines and perform assembling of the transmission lines; and

transporting, with said aerostat, materials and equipment needed for the construction of the transmission lines.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps:

collecting with the aerostat the staff and materials for preparing the area chosen for the installation of transmission lines; and

carrying out the launch of conductive cables with the aerostat in transmission line towers.

3. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of providing an aerostat adapted to be used in service flights in transmission lines comprises more specifically the provision of an adapted airship.

4. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport of technical staff responsible for preparing the area to be used for the installation of the transmission lines comprises the descent of said team until the ground inside a basket by means of a positioning system of suspended loads.

5. Process according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that mass transfer does not occur in the team transport step.

6. Process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the transport step of material and equipment necessary for the construction of the transmission lines further comprises delivery of equipment to prepare the terrain.

7. Process according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the delivery step of equipment such as tractors, backhoe loaders and similar equipment for preparation of the terrain takes place with or without the exchange of load.

8. Process according to claim 1 , characterized in that the delivery step of equipment comprises transport and delivery of ballasts to the mounting area of the transmission line towers to allow the exchange of loads.

9. Process according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the delivery step of equipment comprises the transport of at least one transmission line tower or a part thereof.

10. Process according to claim 1 , 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises the descent of at least one transmission line tower or a part thereof using the positioning system of suspended loads, with a guide cable supported on the tower edges.

11. Process according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a team in land to perform the attachment of the guide wire to a ballast positioned at a safe distance from the tower.

12. Process according to claim 11 , characterized in that it comprises the possibility to decouple the airship through the guide cable.

13. Process according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises the collection of guide wire by the positioning system of suspended loads.

14. Process according to claim 2 or 11 , characterized in that it comprises the possibility of using ballast for the collection of equipment from the construction site of the transmission lines.

15. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises the possibility of using ballasts capable of guaranteeing the maximum heaviness and lightness of the adapted aerostat.

16. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of collecting the staff and materials for preparing the area chosen for the installation of transmission lines is preferably carried out without the load exchange.

17. Process according to claim 16, characterized in that the step of collecting the staff and materials for preparing the area chosen for the installation of transmission lines is preferably carried out with the aerostat in hovering flight.

18. Process according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the staff and the materials are placed in the basket without the need of transferring loads.

19. Process according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises lifting the basket and the entry thereof into a gondola.

20. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of performing the launching of conductive cables firstly comprises the launching of guide cables along the towers using the aerostat.

21. Process according to claim 20, characterized in that the step of performing the launching of guide cables along the towers enables the launching of pilot cables traditionally.

22. Process according to claim 20 or 21 , characterized in that the step of performing the launching of pilot cables traditionally allows the launching of conductive cables traditionally.

23. Process according to claim 21 , characterized in that the step of performing the launching of guide cables along the towers comprises the step of extending the cables on the ground along the line; and lift them to the top of the towers, or extend them on top of the towers.

24. Process according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the step of lifting the guide cable is carried by people by means of pulleys.

25. Process according to claim 21 , characterized in that the step of performing the launching of guide cables is carried out by an aerostat and further comprises transport of the launching equipment.

26. Process according to claim 25, characterized in that the step of performing the launching of guide cable is carried out by an aerostat by overflying a transmission line and progressively releasing the guide cable from a coil.

27. Process according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises the positioning of the coil by means of a positioning system of suspended loads.

28. Process according to claim 27, characterized in that at the end of the launching of guide cable of a line section, the aerostat undergoes a flight transition with speed for hovering flight and the end of the cable is released from the coil and coupled to a support by the team in land.

29. Inspection process of transmission lines characterized by comprising the following steps:

overfly the line segment to be inspected with an aerostat adapted with an air framework; and

carry out the inspection during the overflight of the previous stage;

30. Process according to claim 29, characterized in that it comprises the step of approaching the aerostat to the towers to be inspected.

31. Process according to claim 30, characterized in that the aerostat, approaching to the towers at the correct height in relation thereto and at an appropriate speed range up to 120 km / h, the aerostat begins the inspection in fact.

32. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , characterized in that it comprises the overflight of the lines with the aerostat close enough, at distance between 10 m and 100 m, in order to allow the inspection equipment to detect possible failures.

33. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that it comprises maintaining the overflight height related to the top of the towers virtually constant throughout the inspection tasks.

34. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that the overflight is carried out at a speed related to the ground that allows using the measurement equipment.

35. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 34, characterized in that it is performed by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.

36. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 35, characterized in that the inspection comprises the data collection of the condition of the transmission line by means of visual inspection by a skilled technician.

37. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 35, characterized in that the inspection comprises the collection of geo-referenced data on the condition of the transmission line by means of instrumented inspection for checks: of temperature in the cable connections through thermal imager, of corona effect resulting of possible anomalies through the corona effect analyzer, of laser scanning to collect data regarding height and type of vegetation, of cable-ground height "arrow" measurement, of erosion along the right-of-way and of capture of images with high-resolution by camera.

38. Process according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the inspection steps defined in claim 36 or 37 occur simultaneously or individually.

39. Process according to any one of claims 29 to 38, characterized in that the multifunctional inspection can be performed with only one overflight by using multiple devices coupled to the adapted aerostat.

40. Maintenance process of transmission lines, characterized by comprising the following steps:

overfly the line segment to perform the maintenance with an adapted aerostat; and

carry out the maintenance in the site chosen of the transmission line.

41. Process according to claim 40, characterized in that it comprises the step of approaching the aerostat to the towers that require maintenance.

42. Process according to claim 40, characterized in that the aerostat remains in hovering flight to carry out the maintenance.

43. Process according to any one of claims 40 to 42, characterized in that it comprises the step of positioning the technical staff close enough to the components that will undergo maintenance.

44. Process according to claim 43, characterized in that it comprises the step of getting down technicians from the aerostat to the tower by means of a basket after positioning.

45. Process according to claim 40, characterized in that the maintenance procedure may be performed in at least two embodiments: the technicians get down from the basket to the tower with the respective tools; or carry out maintenance inside the basket.

46. Process according to claim 45, characterized in that the adopted maintenance procedure depends on the time required to perform the work and the basket accessibility of the site in the tower to be repaired.

47. Process according to any one of claims 43 to 46, characterized in that the aerostat operate in heaviness, and the total mass discharged is less than the heaviness value of the instant for technicians and respective tools get down from the basket without having to perform mass transfer.

48. Process according to any one of claims 40 to 47, characterized in that the maintenance comprises the step of directing water jet in the transmission line components to perform cleaning.

49. Process according to any one of claims 40 to 48, characterized in that it is performed by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.

50. Operation process of transmission lines, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing an aerostat adapted for use in service flights in transmission lines; and

positioning the adapted aerostat in a position to allow carrying out communication between inspection and maintenance teams with the substations and / or regional operating centers.

51. Process according to claim 50, characterized in that it is performed by an airship adapted for use in transmission lines.