FR2719952A1 - Helicopter platform designed to be placed on cables with variable spacing. - Google Patents

Abstract

This helicopter-borne nacelle can be placed and translated on the aerial cable harnesses with variable spacing. It comprises, among other things, two arms (15) carrying rollers (12) mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis and having a very wide rolling groove (14), so as to tolerate a variation in the spacing of the cables ( 9) on which they are placed. Application to the maintenance, repair and arrangement of overhead cables of variable gauge beams.

Description

HELIPORED NACELLE TO BE APPLIED

  ON CABLES WITH VARIABLE SPACING

DESCRIPTION

  Field of the Invention The invention relates to the maintenance and repair of overhead cables, such as the electrical cables of the public transport and

  distribution of electrical energy.

  The invention could also be applied to transport means cables such as those of cable cars and other cabins carried by cables and capable of supporting the additional weight of a cable.

maintenance nacelle.

  The invention also relates to

indirectly, heliporting.

  PRIOR ART AND POSSIBLE PROBLEM Most overhead cables require, once they are installed, many

  maintenance, repair and development operations.

  In fact, as part of the maintenance and development programs for the public electricity distribution network, ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE has to provide many different interventions. For example, the installation of beacons or spacers intended to maintain at a determined distance several electric cables and the replacement of junction sleeves on beam conductors require a

  human intervention on these cables.

  French patent application FR-A-2,675,962, filed by the applicant, discloses a helicopter-borne nacelle enabling rapid intervention on the aerial cables assembled in a bundle. This document also describes a fork for transporting and releasing the nacelle on the son or on the ground. The nacelle has a metal structure on board which are loaded operators and equipment. It includes on these sides hooks for attachment to allow a transport fork, connected to a helicopter, to come to seize it. The nacelle can then be suspended from overhead cables by means of two fixing bars provided with notches

  in which the cables are placed.

  Such a nacelle is of course used on a large number of bundled cables, but whose spacing is substantially constant. On the other hand, as is the case on the UK electricity distribution network, the conductive cables are also used in bundles, that is to say two, three or four cables, but with variable spacing between the cables. The nacelle described above is

  then, theoretically, unusable.

  The object of the invention is to overcome this disadvantage by proposing a helicopter boat that can be positioned anywhere in a cable bundle whose spacing is variable between

cables.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To this end, the main object of the invention is a helicopter-borne pod consisting of a metal structure intended to be deposited on overhead cables and inside which at least one operator can be onboard . It also includes

  fastening means to two overhead cables.

  According to the invention, these fixing means are constituted by two pairs of rollers with horizontal axis and below which are placed the two overhead cables, the rollers each having a very wide groove so that the same pair of rollers can be placed on variable gauge cables to any

  which place, whatever the distance between them.

  The rollers of each pair are preferably mounted on a movable arm pivotable about a horizontal axis and parallel to both sides of the metal structure intended to be parallel to the

overhead cables.

  A system of opening and closing

  arm complete advantageously all.

  The latter may consist of a first pivoting lever, placed laterally so as to be accessible to an operator seated in the nacelle and

  connected to a connecting rod pivoted on the arm.

  Locking means in the closed position of the roller bearing arm can also be used. In this case, they preferably consist of a second lever pivotally mounted so as to be actuable by an operator sitting in the nacelle by its first end and having a stop on its second end preventing the arm from

return to its open position.

  In the preferred embodiment of the nacelle, the metal structure delimits a passenger compartment inside which there is a seat or a means

  allowing an operator to sit down.

  Preferably, the metal structure of the nacelle delimits a passenger compartment inside which there is a seat or means on which can

sit down an operator.

  This seat or means allowing the operator to sit can be a chest placed on the floor of the nacelle. List of Figures

  A detailed description of an achievement

  of the invention is made in the following paragraphs.

  It is accompanied by several figures respectively representing: FIG. 1, the frame of the use of the nacelle according to the invention; Figures 2A and 2B, two different types of overhead cable bundles; 3A and 3B, in section, a part of the nacelle according to the invention used on variable spacing cable bundles; - Figure 4, the nacelle according to the invention; - Figure 5, a detail of a first control lever used in the nacelle according to the invention; Figure 6, a detail of embodiment of a second control lever used in the nacelle according to the invention; and FIG. 7, the nacelle according to the invention

  inside which is an operator.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A REALIZATION OF

THE INVENTION

  FIG. 1 shows the frame in which the invention is used, that is to say one or more bundles of overhead cables 1 suspended between two pylons 2. The pod 3 is brought by helicopter using a fork 4 and a rope 5. The helicopter takes the basket 3 with one or more operators inside and places it on a bundle of aerial cables 1 so that the operator (s) carry out operations of maintenance, repair or development on These aerial cables 1. Once the pod 3 has been deposited on the latter, the helicopter 6 equipped with the rope 5 and the fork 4 can leave to return, at the desired moment, to find the pod 3 and remove it by means of

  fork 4 to land on the ground.

  FIG. 2A shows a bundle of two overhead cables 1 held at a constant distance along their entire length between their two attachment points 7. Spacers 8 are provided to keep them at bay.

this determined spacing.

  FIG. 2B represents, on the other hand, two aerial cables 9 whose spacing is variable. The successive spacers 111 ..., 11n are provided to maintain them at this variable spacing. This type of overhead cable bundle is used on the network

from Great Britain.

  A nacelle according to the invention 10 has been shown in phantom lines at a spacer 112 holding the two aerial cables 9 in a

close position.

  In Figure 3A, there is the upper part of the nacelle 10 of Figure 2B. It mainly sees two rollers 12 mounted rotating around a first horizontal axis 13. These rollers 12 are very wide, and their respective grooves 14 which

  extend over almost the entire width of the roller 12.

  They are rotatably mounted on a shaft 15 via flanges 16 extending from each

side of the rollers 12.

  The nacelle is mounted on a bundle of three cables 9, the two upper ones are placed below the two rollers 12, each being placed in a groove 14 of one of them. These cables 9 have been shown in bold lines in a position in which they are widely spaced from each other. Therefore, the two upper cables are almost against the outer rim 17 of the groove 14 of each of the rollers 12. By contrast, in broken lines, these three cables are shown in a position in which they are relatively close together. others. In this position, it can be seen that the two upper rollers are located against the inner rim 18 of the groove 14 of each of the two rollers 12. Similarly, the lower cable is closer to the other, that is to say reassembled . These three aerial cables 9 are maintained in

  their position by spacers 11.

  In this Figure 3A, was also shown the upper part 20 of the metal structure of the nacelle. On this upper part

  is pivotally mounted the carrier arm 15 of the rollers 12.

  This pivoting is done around a second horizontal axis 21, perpendicular to the first horizontal axis 13 and parallel to the sides of the metal structure of the nacelle to be positioned parallel to the cables 9. A first operating arm 22 is integral with the arm 15. The arrow 23 extending from the end of this maneuvering arm 22 symbolizes a traction force that can be spread on the latter to pivotally raise the arm

and the rollers 12.

  In Figure 3B the same upper part of the upper metal structure of the nacelle according to the invention is shown. The arm 15 is always in the closed position and the rollers 12 are always placed each on a cable 9, placed themselves

  in the separated position as in Figure 3A.

  The difference between the previous figure and this only results in the fact that the cables 9 are four in number. The cable bundle thus consists of two upper cables and two lower cables connected to each other by spacers 111 in the form of a cross. Likewise, in this FIG. 3B, one of the spacers 112 is shown in dashed lines and joins the same four cables 9, but in a constricted position. Indeed, the two upper cables are placed against the edge

  internal 18 of the groove 14 of each of the rollers 12.

  FIG. 4 represents the nacelle according to the invention. There are two arms 15 each carrying a pair of rollers 12, the first arm being in the closed position (rollers 12 horizontal) and the second

  arm being in open position (vertical rollers 12).

  The large arrow in an arc 24 symbolizes the movements of opening and closing of the arm 15

  vis-à-vis the two upper cables 9.

  This figure 4 makes it possible to see an embodiment of the metallic structure of a nacelle

according to the invention.

  There is thus also the upper part 20 of this metal structure, but also a lower part 26 carrying a floor 25. The shape of the metal structure is

for example parallelepipedic.

  A chest 27 has been shown in fine lines, placed on the floor 25. It can contain embedded equipment (eg repair tools). It also allows an operator to

sit in the basket.

  On the sides of the nacelle on which the arms 15 are placed, are fixed two troughs 28 turned upside down and fixed rigidly by means of a frame 29 to the upper part 20 of the metal structure. They allow the arm 31 of a fork 30, suspended by helicopter, to engage on both sides of the nacelle, for the purpose of transporting it in any place. Pins of the straps or carabiners can be used to lock the arms 31 of the fork 30 on the platform. Once the fork 30 is put in place by these arms 31 under the troughs 28 of the nacelle, the latter can be transported by helicopter, be placed on a bundle of cables 9 and be fixed on it by closing the arms 15, each roller 12 coming by a higher contact on a cable 9 on which he takes

support.

  A spring 32 is fixed, on the one hand, to the end of the operating arm 22 and, on the other hand, to the upper part 20 of the metal structure. As a result, each of the two arms 15 carrying rollers 12 tends to remain in its open position. By cons, by means of a first lever 34 pivotally mounted on a rod 33, it is possible to rotate the assembly of the actuating arm 22 and the arm 15 about their pivot axis 21. The closure of the arms 15 is thus possible to an operator embedded in the nacelle. It can thus proceed to the fixing thereof on the two upper cables 9 of the beam

  on which the platform must be installed.

  A second lever 44 terminated by a lower handle 46 is pivotally mounted about a third axis 45 horizontal with respect to the upper portion 20 of the metal structure. The lower handle 46 is accessible from the inside of the nacelle, while an upper end 47 has a stop 48 for trapping the arm in its closed position in a slot 39 of the

  upper part of the metal structure 20.

  In the front of this figure 4, the operating arm and the arm 15 are in the closed position. The first actuating lever 34 is raised upwards because it is pivotally mounted on the metal structure about a fifth horizontal axis 36. This first operating lever 34 is also pivotally mounted by a hinge 37 on the lower end of the connecting rod 33. On the rear part of the nacelle, the first lever 34 is lowered, as suggested by the small arched spire. circle 38. As a result, the control rod 33 is raised and the carrier arm 15 of the rollers 12 is

  vertical, that is to say in the open position.

  FIG. 5 shows in detail the device for actuating the carrier arm of the rollers 12. It is represented, in strong lines, in the closed position, and, in phantom, in the open position. The rod 33 is pivotally mounted relative to the arm 15 about a horizontal axis 35. As a result, an upward thrust on this link 33 causes, by its pivoting relative to the arm 15, around a fourth axis 35 , the pivoting of the arm 15 around the first axis 21. This fourth axis 35 is itself pivoted about this first axis 21. The spring 32 has also participated in

  this movement by pulling on the operating arm 22.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the arm 15 is in the closed position and the second operating lever 44 is vertical, its stop 48 holding the arm 5 in this closed position. The operating handle 46 is

  therefore pushed outward by the operator.

  This second operating lever is shown in phantom in the unlocked position, that is to say that, as suggested by the first arrow arrow 49, the stop 48 is disengaged from the slot 39 and releases the arm 15 On the other hand, the operator can attract to him, as suggested by the second arrow in an arc 50, the

  operating handle 46 for locking.

  Locking in the closed position of the second operating lever 44 may be used. It can be achieved by a pin 51 penetrating into a hole 52 of the metal structure opening just next to the lower end of the second operating lever

  44 to keep it locked.

  Figure 7 shows an operator seated on the trunk 27 of the helicopter lift. In this sitting position, it can be transported, but also worked. Indeed, in front of his head, is the lower cable 9 of the bundle of three cables. He can therefore proceed to any maintenance operation or development of one of these three cables located just above him. A

  52 work tablet can complete the set.

  In this FIG. 7, the first operating lever 34 for operating the carrier arm has also been shown in phantom lines.

pebbles 12.

  A positioning armature 53 can be placed laterally to the nacelle to allow the positioning of the latter with respect to the cable bundle. The second operating lever 44 is also shown in its locking position

of the arm 15.

  A helicopter boat, as just described, can be made of alloy

  aluminum or composite and / or insulating material.

  It is thus understood that such a helicopter boat can be positioned and deposited on electric cables in double, triple or quadruple beams, with variable spacing between the cables. Such nacelles can be put in place on all these structures of transport of energy out or under

electric tension.

  The fact that the rollers 12 are pivotally mounted relative to the arm 15, allows the nacelle to move over the entire length of the cables, the spacing between them being variable. The translational energy of the nacelle can be provided by a tractor device which is shipped in advance on the nacelle. It is thus possible to cover a range of cables or the spacing may vary from 250 to 500 mm

between the cables.

  The operator has at his disposal all the maneuvers of control, closing and locking

of the nacelle on the cables.

  The design of the helicopter platform allows the operator to be in a position of

  working under or between the conductive cables.

Claims (9)

  1. A helicopter-borne platform intended to be deposited on overhead cables (9), consisting of a metal structure (20, 26) within which at least one operator may be on board and comprising means for fixing to two overhead cables (9), characterized in that the fixing means are composed of two pairs of rollers (12) rotatably mounted about a first horizontal axis (13) and below which are placed two cables (9), the rollers (12) ) each having a very wide groove (14) so that one and the same pair of rollers (12) can be placed on two cables (9) with variable spacing at any location,   whatever the distance between them.   2. Nacelle according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal structure (20, 26) defines a passenger compartment inside which is a   seat or seating means (27) for an operator.   3. Platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the rollers (12) of each pair are mounted on a movable arm (15), pivotally mounted about a second horizontal axis (21), parallel to both sides of the structure metallic (20, 26) which are   intended to be parallel to the cables (9).   4. Nacelle according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a system of   closing and opening of the arms (15).   5. Nacelle according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a first lever (34) pivotally mounted and placed laterally so as to be accessible to an operator sitting in the nacelle and connected to a connecting rod (33) assembled itself pivoting on   an operating arm (22) integral with an arm (15).   6. Nacelle according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises locking means in the closed position of the arm (15) on the metal structure (20, 26).   7. Nacelle according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking means consist of a second lever (44) pivotally mounted so as to be actuated by an operator sitting in the nacelle by a first end or a handle (46) and having a second end equipped with a stop (48) preventing the arm (15) from returning into its open position.   8. Nacelle according to claim 1, comprising means for fixing to a carrier element which can be suspended from a helicopter (6), characterized in that these fixing means comprise two reverse chute (28) horizontal and each placed a side of the metal structure (20, 26) of the nacelle and intended to receive the arms (31) a fork (30).   9. Platform according to claim 2, characterized in that the means allowing an operator to sit is a chest (27) placed on the floor (25) of the nacelle.