Rotating Conductor Holder

Abstract

A rotating conductor holder includes at least a first and second conductor retainer, which are mounted to and spaced apart along a rotating base member at a distance substantially corresponding to the separation distance between the two or more existing sub-conductors that are to be replaced during a restringing procedure. The base member is rotatably attached to a support, which may be mounted on at least one insulator. The at least one insulator may be mounted on an arm on the end of a boom. An actuator and linkage may be provided to rotate the base member about its support.

1 . A method for capturing and rotating the orientation of a plurality of sub-conductors having a pre-determined spacing between them, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a rotating conductor holder which includes:   (i) at least a first and second conductor retainer mounted to and spaced apart along a base member at substantially the pre-determined spacing therebetween,   (ii) a support adapted to be mountable atop at least one insulator, said base member rotatably mounted on said support,   (b) mounting the rotating conductor holder on a distal end of at least one insulator,   (c) mounting an opposite end of the at least one insulator onto a free end of a manipulatable boom.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including capturing at least one sub-conductor in a corresponding at least one conductor retainer of said first and second conductor retainers. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said first and second conductor retainers are a plurality of conductor retainers and wherein said at least one sub-conductor is a corresponding plurality of sub-conductors, and wherein said capturing step captures one sub-conductor per conductor retainer, and wherein the method further comprises rotating the base member and said conductor retainers between a substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing a remotely actuated actuator cooperating with said base member whereby, upon actuation of said actuator said base member is selectively rotatable through an arc of rotation relative to said support, and actuating said actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said actuator includes a linkage member having an insulator electrically insulating opposite ends of said linkage member from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a range of motion of said arc of rotation is governed by a corresponding range of actuation of said actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said base member is a cross-arm, and wherein said support includes a pylon, and wherein said cross-arm has at least one of said conductor retainers mounted on each of opposite ends of said cross-arm and wherein said cross-arm is pivotally mounted on one end of said pylon, an opposite end of said pylon said adapted for mounting on said at least one insulator. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said cross-arm is said pivotally mounted on said pylon at substantially a mid-way long said cross-arm. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said linkage member includes an elongate electrically insulated rod between upper and lower driven linkages. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said upper and lower driven linkages are driven by a linear actuator. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said rod is substantially parallel to said at least one insulator, and wherein said pylon is mounted at an upper end of said at least one insulator and wherein a lower end of said at least one insulator is mounted on a levelable lifter base adapted to be mounted onto the free end of the boom. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  including the step of mounting the lifter base on the free end of the boom, levelling the lifter base, then said step of capturing the sub-conductors in the conductor retainers, and then said step of rotating said base member and said conductor retainers between the vertical and horizontal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said retainers include conductor retention covers over said openings, and said retainers are inclined substantially 45 degrees relative to said cross-arm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said base member is selectively rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation.