CN117426035A

CN117426035A - Ground level primary power distribution system (GLDS)

Info

Publication number: CN117426035A
Application number: CN202280018885.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 鲁兹贝·莫瓦法格
Original assignee: Lu ZibeiMowafage
Current assignee: Lu ZibeiMowafage
Priority date: 2021-01-06
Filing date: 2022-01-05
Publication date: 2024-01-19

Abstract

A floor level primary power distribution system employs terrain-mounted or substantially terrain-flush pipes that suppress fires that may occur when components within the pipes fail. These pipes can be deployed in remote and rough terrain where overhead power lines present a risk of fire due to wind damage, and it is impractical and damaging to bury or deploy conductive cables at or substantially flush with the ground level along roads or fields to avoid digging, and also to avoid using overhead power lines that may be damaged by strong winds. The tubing may follow topography between wiring devices, over rigid segments formed by multiple housings coupled end-to-end, with conductors protected within a sheath or through flexible insulated and isolated conduits within the more rigid tubing.

Description

Ground level primary power distribution system (GLDS)

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority benefits from the following U.S. provisional applications: SEQ ID NO. 63/134,349 submitted on month 1 of 2021 and SEQ ID NO. 63/265,542 submitted on month 16 of 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

The field of the invention is utility power distribution systems.

The design and construction of conventional primary power distribution systems continue to face risk challenges, execution challenges, construction challenges, and financial challenges in coping with disasters and operational impacts associated with climate change (extreme or unprecedented wind levels, drought, increased tree mortality, and elevated temperatures, etc.).

In rural areas, unmanned areas, or remote areas of complex terrain, rebuilding the power system to achieve support for arc-free fire protection is particularly challenging. An obvious example is the recent wildfire event in california since 2017, where unprecedented high wind levels have resulted in vegetation touching exposed conductors, branches or dead trees down on live overhead lines, equipment or component failures have resulted in arcing and fire, with the result of public safety and large scale fires.

Although state of california utilities have adopted a number of strategies from an operational perspective, including by shutting down lines on days of high fire index and rebuilding overhead systems with covered conductors and larger structures, there is currently no viable and cost-effective solution to meet their customers' needs for ensuring reliable, safe power supply.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a viable and cost-effective solution to eliminate or minimize the risk of fire associated with the primary grid due to external influences of climate change.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a solution in complex terrain such as mountainous areas, granite sites, rock sites and hard sites that are unsuitable for traditional underground construction of electrical facilities or that become infeasible due to construction or field execution challenges.

The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing a ground level primary power distribution system (GLDS) including: a plurality of tubes, wherein two or more of the plurality of tubes are connected at a wiring device; conductor cables extending through the two or more tubes; means for mounting at least one of the plurality of tubes in substantially close contact with the terrain, wherein the plurality of tubes are configured to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage to the integrity of the plurality of tubes and the conductor cables extending therethrough.

The second object of the present invention is achieved by providing a ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes has refractory concrete surrounding the conductor cable to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes form an acute angle of less than 60 degrees with respect to the terrain in a direction transverse to the major axis of the tube.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes are configured to closely contact the terrain by a plurality of housings, each housing having: a bottom; opposite side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the bottom aligned with a local major axis of the tube, wherein the shells are connected at opposite ends generally orthogonal to the side walls; and a cover is provided on the housing to cover the upper opening between the opposing side walls.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the conductor cable extends in a coiled path within the wiring device.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the conductor cable is energized to at least 4,000v.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the connection between adjacent housings and covers provided thereon is covered by a plurality of coupling rods.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the conductor cable is insulated with a flexible dielectric material and the tube is more rigid than the flexible dielectric material.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one of the cover and the housing has an outwardly extending side flange configured to closely contact the terrain to couple with the terrain, and the one of the cover and the housing forms an acute angle of less than 60 degrees with respect to the terrain.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes has refractory concrete surrounding the conductor cables to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the downwardly extending portion of the cover covers the exterior of the side walls.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the downwardly extending portion of the cover covering the exterior of the side walls has outwardly extending lateral flanges.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the side flanges have through holes for receiving anchors to couple the tubes into close contact with the terrain.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the wiring device is a step-in height reinforced enclosure.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein a portion of the cover has a downwardly extending portion covering an exterior of the side walls, which then terminate in outwardly extending side flanges having a plurality of apertures that extend over outwardly extending side flanges of the housing that are positioned to closely contact the terrain to couple with the terrain.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the side flanges of the cover extending above the side flanges of the housing are configured to align the holes in the cover side flanges over at least some of the holes in the housing side flanges Fang Shuzhi to receive anchors that extend through the vertically aligned holes to couple at least one pipe to terrain.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein the connection between adjacent housings and covers provided on the housings is covered by a plurality of coupling rods engaging at least one of the side flanges of the covers and the side flanges of the housings by flexing snap-in place on the side flanges of at least one of the covers and the housings.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein at least one or more of the plurality of shells is connected to an adjacent shell by a hollow coupling section having an interior cavity surrounded by a coiled flexible wall.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of shells has a central or intermediate portion having an interior cavity surrounded by a curled flexible wall.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such ground level primary power distribution system: wherein one or more of the plurality of shells is curved to change a local principal axis of a portion of the at least one tube.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing a container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, the container system comprising a housing having: a tray; one or more cable support members laterally spaced between opposed side walls extending generally upwardly from the bottom of the tray to terminate in a rim; a cover configured to close the vertical opening in the tray when disposed to extend across the rim.

Another object of the invention is achieved by providing a container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, wherein the cable support members are one of: integrally formed within and spaced apart from, and extending at least partially over a portion of the bottom of the tray.

Another object of the invention is achieved by providing any such container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, wherein the cable support members have a plurality of holes to allow liquid for filling the cavity between the tray and the cover to flow under the tray and cable support members.

Another object of the invention is achieved by providing any such container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, wherein the tray has one or more of the outwardly extending flanges and the cover has downwardly extending sidewalls.

Another object of the invention is achieved by providing any such container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, wherein a lower portion of the cover penetrates below the rim.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a floor level power distribution system, wherein the tray has a central or intermediate portion having an interior cavity surrounded by a curled flexible wall.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing a method of forming a ground level power distribution system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of bases having side walls on opposite sides of the bases and having covers extending in a generally upright direction to rims, the covers being configured to be supported on the rims of each base to close the vertical openings of the base, wherein the container on which the covers are mounted has a first height from the outside bottom of the base to the outside top of the covers; forming a shallow elongate trench having a depth at least as deep as the first height and having a length sufficient to receive the plurality of pedestals when configured with an end substantially orthogonal to a sidewall disposed adjacent a nearest neighbor of the plurality of pedestals; inserting the pedestals into the shallow trench, the bottom of each pedestal being vertical and the sidewalls thereof being generally horizontal, wherein the end of each pedestal except the first and last pedestals is adjacent to the end disposed generally orthogonal to the sidewalls adjacent the nearest neighbor pedestal of the plurality of pedestals; mounting at least one conduit and one of a plurality of conductors in channel supports, the channel supports being one of: formed in the base and inserted into the base; filling the closed channel formed by the plurality of seats in the trench with concrete to surround and enclose the installed conduit or conductor; providing the cover on the rim of each base; covering the caps with granular material to provide a flush grade on the trench when the tops of the caps are below the grade of the adjacent soil; when the outer portions of the sidewalls of the pedestals are not adjacent to the sidewalls of the trench, then the gap between the sidewalls of the trench and the outer portions of the sidewalls of the pedestals is filled with a granular material.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing a method of forming a floor level power distribution system wherein the step of disposing the cover on the rim of each base occurs after the concrete has filled the enclosed channel but before the concrete sets such that at least a portion of the cover adheres to the concrete.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such method of forming a floor level power distribution system wherein the step of disposing the cover on the rim of at least some of the bases occurs prior to the step of filling the enclosed channel with concrete.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such method of forming a ground level power distribution system wherein the concrete is one of: through the holes in the caps, into the covered channels and into the covered channels.

Another object of the present invention is achieved by providing any such method of forming a floor level power distribution system wherein the pedestals are provided by extruding a continuous concrete pedestal and inserting the pedestals into the shallow trench.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a prior art overhead power distribution system, and fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a ground level power distribution system of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a ground level power distribution system, and fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of a portion of a power distribution system that eliminates or avoids the use of overhead wires between wiring devices.

Fig. 3A and 3B show the ramp extending over a pipe section of the system in schematic elevation and perspective views, respectively, with fig. 3C being a schematic elevation of the tunnel below the pipe section.

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views of various components optionally used with a floor level power distribution system.

Fig. 5A-5D are perspective views of various components optionally used with the floor-level power distribution system. FIG. 5E is a cut-away perspective view of a cable arrangement

Fig. 6A-6C are schematic perspective views of various anchor or mounting components optionally used with a ground level power distribution system.

Fig. 7A and 7B are schematic cut-away perspective views of components of a cable system that may be optionally deployed within a ground level power distribution system.

Fig. 8A and 8B are schematic cut-away perspective views of alternative embodiments of a cable system or components thereof.

Fig. 9A and 9B are schematic cut-away perspective views of another alternative embodiment of a cable system or component thereof.

Fig. 10A-10D are various perspective and isometric views of an anchor ground level power distribution system component.

Fig. 11A-11D are schematic illustrations of various alternative anchor ground level power distribution system components.

Fig. 12A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tap-off connection with a ground level power distribution system, and fig. 12B is a schematic wiring diagram thereof.

Fig. 13A to 13C are schematic connection diagrams of the connection at the pedestal-mounted connector.

Fig. 14A to 14D are schematic structural and connection diagrams of an alternative wiring device 120 or connector 1301 in a ground level power distribution system

Fig. 15A-15E are schematic structural and assembly views of another aspect of a ground level power distribution system component, where fig. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the assembled complete system and fig. 15B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the ground level power distribution system component prior to assembly and enclosure of conductors and fiber optic cables. Fig. 15C is a top plan view of the outermost component of fig. 15B, fig. 15D is a side elevation view thereof, and fig. 15E is a perspective view of a portion of the complete system of fig. 15A, showing a cross section thereof.

Fig. 16A-16C are schematic structural and assembly views of another aspect of a ground level power distribution system component, where fig. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the assembled complete system and fig. 16B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the ground level power distribution system component prior to assembly and enclosure of conductors and fiber optic cables. Fig. 16C is a top plan view of the outermost member of fig. 16A.

Fig. 17A-17E are schematic structural and assembly views of another aspect of a floor-height power distribution system component, where fig. 17A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a complete system. Fig. 17B is an exploded cross-sectional elevation view of the tray and cover forming part thereof, and fig. 17C is a top plan view of the cover in fig. 17A-17B. Fig. 17D is a top plan view of an alternative connector, and fig. 17E is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a complete system.

Fig. 18A-18D schematically illustrate a 4-way junction box for providing connection to various embodiments of ground level power distribution system components, where fig. 18A is an exploded perspective view thereof including an optional cover, fig. 18B is a top plan view, fig. 18C is a side elevation view, and fig. 18D is a front elevation view thereof.

Fig. 19A is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a junction box without a cover, and fig. 19B is a front elevation view of a variation of a junction box with differently shaped inlets.

Fig. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of a floor level power distribution system.

Fig. 21A is a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of a floor level power distribution system, and fig. 20B is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a connected component of the floor level power distribution system transverse to the view of fig. 21A.

Fig. 22A is a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of a floor-level power distribution system, and fig. 22B is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative component thereof.

Fig. 23A is an exploded cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative component of a floor-level power distribution system, while fig. 22B is an alternative to the component thereof. Fig. 23C is a schematic cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of a floor-height power distribution system that deploys the components of fig. 23A and in combination with the components of fig. 23B.

Fig. 24A-24C are schematic structural and assembly diagrams of another aspect of a floor-height power distribution system component and methods of use thereof, wherein fig. 24A shows the assembled components of the system in cross-sectional elevation view prior to installation of a conductor cable, and fig. 24B shows the conductor cable installed thereon. Fig. 24C illustrates the step of filling the cavity around the cable with concrete that hardens to form a protective covering over the cable, and fig. 24D illustrates the cover or lid mounted over the assembly in fig. 24C.

Fig. 25A-25C are schematic structural and assembly views of variants of ground level power distribution system components and methods of use thereof, wherein fig. 25A shows in cross-sectional elevation the components of the system assembled prior to installation of a conductor cable, fig. 24B is a top plan view of fig. 25A, and fig. 24C is a cross-sectional elevation of the assembled ground level power distribution system with the cover in place on the covering.

Fig. 26A-26C schematically illustrate another alternative embodiment of a base or tray and cover for assembly into a floor level power distribution system in perspective view.

Fig. 27A-27C schematically illustrate in perspective view another alternative embodiment of a tray and cover for forming a floor level power distribution system.

Fig. 28A-28C schematically illustrate a portion of a floor-level power distribution system in perspective view.

Fig. 29A-29D schematically illustrate in perspective view alternative configurations of trays and covers for accommodating different sizes and numbers of conductors and/or fiber optic cables.

Fig. 30A-30D schematically illustrate a portion of the GLDS100 with a transition from its flush mounted version via a junction box (fig. 30C) and a transition from a buried power distribution system via a junction box (fig. 30D), where fig. 30A corresponds to section line A-A in fig. 30C and fig. 30B corresponds to section line B-B in fig. 30C.

Fig. 31A-31D schematically illustrate an alternative embodiment of a ground level power distribution system having a transition from the buried power distribution system via a junction box, where fig. 31A is a cross-sectional elevation view showing a component connecting the buried junction box to the ground level power distribution system, and fig. 31B shows a cross-sectional elevation view of a cable traversing the junction box using the component. Fig. 31C is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative component shown in different connection to the buried junction box on one side and the ground level power distribution system on the other side, while fig. 31B shows a cable traversing the junction box using the alternative component in a cross-sectional elevation view.

Fig. 32A to 33C schematically show steps in the process for installing a flush-mounted variant of GLDS in a sectional elevation view.

Fig. 34A is a schematic perspective view and fig. 34B is a cross-sectional elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the junction box, including GLDS.

Fig. 35A is a cross-sectional elevation view of another alternative embodiment of a junction box connected to a GLDS, and fig. 35B is a cross-sectional top plan view thereof, with section line A-A corresponding to fig. 35A.

Fig. 36A is a schematic top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a connector or coupling rod, while fig. 36B is a cross-sectional elevation thereof at section line B-B in fig. 36A.

Fig. 37A is a schematic top plan view of an alternative embodiment of an open base or tray member for forming a GLDS, while fig. 37B is a cross-sectional elevation view thereof taken along section line B-B in fig. 37A, with a cover mounted on the left side. In the sectional elevation view of fig. 37C, the cover is mounted on the right and left sides with the center or middle portion therebetween flexed to tilt the right side at an acute angle away from the left side.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A-37C, like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown a new and improved floor level primary power distribution system, generally designated 100 herein.

Fig. 1A is a side elevation view of a typical prior art air-mounted primary power distribution system in which conductor cables 101 are suspended from spaced apart poles 11.

According to the present invention, a ground level primary power distribution system (GLDS) 100 includes a plurality of pipes 110, wherein two more pipes 110 of the plurality of pipes are connected together at least one wiring device 120. Conductor cable 101 then extends through the two or more tubes 110. Various means 130 are deployed to anchor or install the plurality of tubes 110 and their components in substantially close contact with the terrain, wherein the plurality of tubes 110 are configured to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage to the integrity of the plurality of tubes 110 and the high voltage conductor cable 101 extending therethrough, such as external damage from fires and other natural disasters, including but not limited to floods, storms, tornadoes, and the like.

Such a GLDS100 may employ a hybrid approach to building a primary power distribution system combining existing components from various utility companies/industries (e.g., electricity, natural gas, oil, etc.) with new asset components (fire resistant U-shields, ducts, base mount skirts, etc.) to reduce or eliminate the risk of electrical fires due to external factors and vegetation management requirements for overhead power distribution systems. Various embodiments of the system and system components are believed to provide the safest method of providing power service in the applicable area, preventing utility companies from initiating planned service shutdowns due to high fire index or wind, and minimizing wildfire risk.

Refractory components such as U-Guard brand rod protectors and pedestals may form part of the integrated system to house the primary conductor 101 on or over the tube 110 or wiring device 120.

In some embodiments, GLDS100 has multiple layers of protection to the tubing to ensure public and system safety, such as fully insulated cables, the attached table 40PVC conduit, and an outer refractory U-shield (rigid) or steel conduit (cathodic protection to ground).

The term "tube" 110 is intended to encompass an elongated passageway for ultimately covering, protecting and isolating a plurality of parallel conductors, all of which extend generally parallel to the major or longest axis of the tube 110. The term "cable" 101 is intended to encompass insulated elongated electrical conductors (which are wire and wire assemblies), empty conduits that can receive insulated or uninsulated elongated electrical conductors, and conduits with pre-installed insulated or uninsulated elongated electrical conductors (referred to as CIC's, i.e., intra-conduit cables). For example, the tube 110 may house 3 or more adjacent insulated elongated electrical conductors, which may include any combination of the same or different types of cable constructions, such as insulated conductors, conduits for adding conductors at a later stage, and CIC.

Various means 130 for anchoring or mounting the plurality of tubes 101 in substantially close contact with terrain are shown in the drawings, as described in various embodiments below.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional overhead power distribution system in which a conductive cable 101 is suspended overhead and the energizing voltage is between 4KV and 21 KV. The conductors may be exposed or covered. Connections to industrial, commercial and residential customers are made through nodes or wiring devices with step-down transformers to reduce the voltage in the distribution conduits to at least one of 120V and 240V, or a local standard voltage in countries other than the united states. The conductor or conductor cable 101 is optionally suspended from an upstanding wood, metal or composite pole 11 mounted to the ground, soil or terrain 10.

Fig. 1B illustrates an embodiment of the GLDS100 showing at least one fire resistant pipe 110 (which may include a fire resistant pole cover on the pole 11, such as available from U-Guard brand) (depending on altitude dynamics, ground and its type) mounted to the terrain 10, and optional wiring devices 120 at opposite ends. The left end has a wiring device 120 forming a ground to the overhead power distribution system, while the right end of the tube 110 has a second wiring device 120 for connection to another tube 110.

Fig. 2A shows how a pipe 110 mounted close to the ground or terrain minimizes exposure of the primary conductive cable 101 that would otherwise be suspended overhead or would need to be buried in the ground. The Overhead (OH) lines are eliminated between the wiring devices 120, as well as the poles 11 suspending the OH lines and providing OH transformers and overhead house lines. Such transformers and overhead house lead-ins may also be provided at or within junction box 120.

Fig. 2B illustrates that the junction device or junction box 120 may simply be a physical connection between sections of relatively stiff pipe 110, allowing each pipe section 110 connected to another section 110 to change direction and/or orientation to accommodate the local terrain and desired path of the power distribution system. The wiring device 120 may also be formed at the pedestal mounted transformer (fig. 13A) to connect to a lower voltage distribution cable, such as when a utility company is building a new service entry line or is able to switch an OH service entry line to the underground or GLDS 100.

Fig. 3A-3C illustrate additional components for complying with the admission and environmental regulations of various terrains and jurisdictions, such as state of california. In fig. 3A and 3B, a ramp 301 having an inlet and an outlet for fire truck traversal may be strategically placed to extend over the pipe 110. The ramp 301 may simply be a steel plate 302 suspended above the ground by a plurality of feet 303.

As illustrated in fig. 3C, a tunnel 304 supported by a steel plate or tube 305 is placed under the tube of the ground level system to allow wild animals (such as california tiger-line salamanders) to pass through.

Fig. 4A-6E illustrate various components that may optionally be deployed with different forms of pipe 110 to impart the necessary fire and mechanical resistance against possible sources of external environmental damage.

Fig. 4A shows various sizes of anchor bolts 401 for attaching a plate 506 or other component to a base on or directly to a terrain, optionally having a length of 6 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches or more.

Fig. 4B shows a base mounting skirt extension 402 for fitting a conduit attached at a generally circular cutout section 403. The base mounting skirt extension 402 may be formed from a variety of refractory materials, such as fiberglass-impregnated crosslinked plastic resins containing flame retardant chemicals and compounds, as well as ceramic or concrete cast structures.

Fig. 5A-5D, 6A-6C, 8A, 10A-10D, 11A-11E, etc. illustrate a series of alternative means for anchoring or mounting 130A plurality of tubes 110.

Fig. 5A shows a raised catheter rest stand 501 with anchor holes 502 through an anchor plate 506. Conduit rest bracket 501 is connected to anchor plate 506 via vertical plate 501 v. The tube or conduit is intended to be disposed on a concave upper portion of the stent, which may be shaped to stably support other shaped tubes 110, such as a U-shape to support rectangular tubes 110. Fig. 5B and 5C show a fiberglass composite scaffold 503 in front elevation and perspective view, respectively, with an insert 504 for terrain or to be attached to a concave upward bearing surface. Fig. 5D illustrates an adjustable catheter support system 505 having an anchor plate 506. The adjustable portion is two vertically disposed semi-circular arcs 507a and 507b extending around opposite sides of tube 110 and clamping the tube properly to upstanding support posts 508 extending upwardly from planar anchor plate 506. Holes 502 in anchor plate 506 are provided to receive screws, bolts, clamps or other means to attach to terrain or soil 10 or a terrain-mounted component (such as a cast concrete fitting) or other terrain-mounted component, etc.

The conductor cable 101 is preferably insulated with a flexible dielectric material and the tube is more rigid than the flexible dielectric material. However, in various embodiments, multiple or separate and spaced apart flexible or rigid dielectric conduits may be inserted or formed in the tube 110 in the same manner as the cable 101 is installed and the bare or insulated conductor cable 101 is inserted into each conduit. This configuration improves the ease of replacing the conductor cable by removing the conductor cable 101 between the various wiring devices in the system. Fig. 5E illustrates a cable and conduit system showing how a fully shielded, attached-sheet 40PVC conduit 509 with an aluminum or copper conductor 101 typically used in underground systems is placed within a tube 110.

Fig. 6A shows a portion of a refractory tube 110 segment or conduit cover having anchor holes 502 in opposite side flanges 254. When the side flange 254 is mounted to an impermeable base plate, the tube 110 is formed. Fig. 6B shows a split steel conduit or fire resistant pipe 110 or conduit cover. When the upper case 601u and the lower case 601l are fastened, the tube 110 is formed. The upper case 601u and the lower case 601l may be hingedly connected along one side of the formed tube 110. Fig. 6C shows in perspective view that the fixed raised support plate 506 has 2 spaced apart posts or abutments that extend upwardly to support the semicircular lower bracket 607b on opposite ends to support the round tube 110 that is held in place by upper attachment to the semicircular lower bracket 607 b.

Fig. 7A illustrates a plurality of cables 101 that may extend in parallel through tube 110 (such as separate flexible fiberglass tube segments spaced apart in tube 110 with shielded conductors 101 inserted into each tube), as shown in fig. 7B. Thus, each conductor 101 is located within its own flexible fiberglass conduit. Tube 110 houses a plurality of parallel strands or segments of flexible fiberglass tubing with connectors therein. The tube 110 may be covered with U-Guard brand refractory layers that protect the fiberglass conduits and conductors therein. Further, as another example, the tube 110 may be a metallic and grounded, or non-metallic composite material that is reinforced and much thicker than flexible fiberglass tubing to provide strength against external physical damage and minimize the possibility of fire damage.

Fig. 8A shows the configuration of an in-conduit cable 101 in a fiberglass or steel pipe 110 with an anchoring system to be installed in a primary system for uneven ground. Anchor 130 may be selected appropriately according to site dynamics. Fig. 8B illustrates another embodiment wherein a plurality of tubes 110 comprising flexible PVC conduit have conductors therein and are covered by an elongated composite or steel U-shaped cap 115 having anchor holes 502 on opposite sides. The U-shaped cover may have one or more layers of fire resistant coating.

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate a split catheter system 900 that opens like the elongate housing of fig. 9A. This split catheter is shown closed in fig. 9B. Fig. 9B also shows an adjustable bracket 140 extending around tube 110, connected by upstanding posts or standoffs 508, which may vary in height above lateral anchor plates 506 coupled thereto. The position of the bracket 140 extending around the tube 110 may be adjusted by an upstanding bracket 508, which may have a sliding or telescoping section.

Fig. 10A-10D show alternative views of one form of anchoring device 130, which is a steel clamp 1001 that forms a 1/2 arc between the coupling portions at opposite ends thereof and side-mounting fixtures 1002 having holes 502 to receive screws or bolts (such as ground penetrating anchor bolts 401), clamps or other devices to connect to terrain or components mounted thereon (such as poured concrete footings). Fig. 10A is a front elevation view, fig. 10B is a top plan view, fig. 10C is a perspective view, and fig. 10D is a side elevation view of the jig.

Fig. 11A-11E illustrate various views of an alternative clamp or anchor device 130 for coupling various embodiments of the tube 110 to the terrain or soil 10. The various anchoring devices 130 may employ a plate 506 having holes 502, such as for receiving ground penetrating anchor bolts 401. The plate 506 may support the resting plate 501 via one or more posts 508 or abutments extending upwardly, which has an upwardly concave shape to receive a portion of the outer diameter of the tube 101, and a complementary shape having an alternative shape to receive and support a tube having a different cross-sectional shape, such as a U-shape to support a rectangular tube 101.

Fig. 12A illustrates in perspective view a tap-linking cabinet 1201 having a plurality of holes or perforations 403 which, when open, may then receive tubes 110 which may optionally be configured for mounting to a raised floor to a flat floor or for pedestal mounting for further protection.

Fig. 12B is a schematic diagram of an alternative electrical connection in junction box 120 via bus bar 1203 within a coupler that may alternatively use a single phase vacuum switch.

Fig. 13A-13C illustrate an alternative embodiment of a pedestal-mounted transformer 1301 option with secondary risers, where each tube 110 may extend outwardly to the side of a cabinet that may optionally house a toroidal transformer.

Fig. 14A to 14D illustrate alternative embodiments of junction boxes 120, which may have separate connections in fig. 4A. Junction box 120 has internal connections between conductive cables therein that enter on the side opposite tube 110 that extends over or parallel to the surface of terrain 10. In contrast, junction box 120 in fig. 14B-14C connects or directs cable 101 therein from a horizontal orientation in first tube or conduit 110 to exiting from the junction box and then extends in a vertical orientation in second tube or conduit 110, such as up rod 11, for connection to a transformer and/or OH power distribution system.

Fig. 15A-15E are schematic structural and assembly views of another aspect of a ground level power distribution system 100 formed from a plurality of components including a base 250 for supporting a series of cables 101 in a spaced arrangement in a channel 255 defined by one or more arc segments. The side channels 255' have a smaller radius arc to accommodate smaller diameter fiber optic cable 102, such as may be used for system integrity communications, or leased to third parties, such as telephone and cable signals and entertainment distribution networks. The cable 101 and the fiber optic cable 102 may be held apart by an indexing member 260 with a plurality of downward appendages 265 depending from a generally horizontal support 261. The indexing member 260 may be arcuate on opposite sides 260R and 260L to conform to the shape of the inner or lower surface 215L of the cover member 215 having a plurality of spaced apart apertures 216. The center of the cover member 215 is arcuate with flat side flanges 254 having apertures 254h aligned with side apertures in the base 250. A dielectric filler, such as a concrete mixture, may be poured or pumped into the cavity 257 between the cover member 215 and the base 250 via the aperture 216. The cover member 215 has sloped arcuate sides 253, an upper central portion, and flat side flanges 254 that are reinforced by curing and allow the vehicle to travel over the structure without damaging the integrity of the sealed cable 101 and cable 102.

Fig. 16A-16C illustrate another embodiment in which the cable 101 and optional fiber optic cable 102 are sealed in an elongated tube 110 formed of a plurality of generally U-shaped boxes having open ends 270, which itself is covered by a sealable cover 271. Each U-shaped channel section or box 270 is then covered by a cover member 215 having a smooth and generally arcuate sloping side 253. The cable 101 and optional fiber optic cable 102 are positioned in a receiving channel 255 in the bottom of a U-shaped channel section or box 270. When the tanks 270 are arranged end-to-end and the cables 101 and optional fiber optic cables 102 are inserted into the receiving channels 255, then concrete pumping or pouring into the tanks 270 may be performed prior to insertion of the caps 251 provided on the upper edges. The filled tank 270 with the lid 271 is then covered with the cover member 215 and concrete is poured or pumped through its holes 216 to fill the space above the lid 271, the sides of the tank 270 and below the cover member 270. The tank 270 is disposed on the floor 10 and the cover member has side flanges 254 extending beyond the edges of the tank to anchor to the floor through holes 254h thereof. It should be noted that the holes 216 for filling concrete include a central hole and 2 holes on the opposite inclined side 253 between the central hole 216c and the side holes 216 s. The sloped sides of cover member 215, when reinforced with a filler such as concrete 1501, will support the vehicle and then allow easy traversal of tube or conduit 110. Preferably, the cover member 215 has inclined sides in a direction transverse to the main axis of the tube 110, which form an acute angle α with the terrain 10, which is preferably less than about 60 °, and more preferably no more than 45 °. In other embodiments, the cover 115 or tray or housing 150 may provide such an angled side between the ground or terrain and the tube 110 to allow the vehicle to pass over the tube and avoid forming an obstacle to the small animal. In other embodiments, such sloped sides in a direction transverse to the main axis of tube 110 may form an angle α with terrain 10 that is preferably less than about 75 °, more preferably no greater than 65 °, and most preferably no greater than 45 °, depending on the shape of tube 110 or the outermost component of the system (such as junction box 120). More preferably, the transition between the side of the tube 110 and any component of the GLDS100 has a gradual curvature change between the side portion having the greatest slope α and the top of the terrain 10 and the tube 110 or other flat and vertical component, such as in particular in the embodiments of fig. 15A, 17A, 25C, 26A-30B.

Fig. 17A to 17E schematically illustrate another alternative embodiment of a method of forming a tube 110 of a GLDS100, wherein the conductors 101a, 101b and 101c are protected. A series of trays 150 are placed on a natural, grade-retarded or added ground 10 and then attached end-to-end along a common major axis 1001 of the tubes 110 that together form when joined. The conductive cables or conduits 101a, 101b and 101c are placed in concave channels 155 that extend between opposite front and rear ends that are intended to be aligned with the main axis of the tube 110. A series of holes are provided transversely to opposite sides of the front and rear ends. The cover 115 is domed in the center to extend over the installed conductive cables or conduits 101a, 101b and 101c, with the opposite side flange 154 being shaped to engage the side area of the tray 150 and having a series of holes 154h for alignment with holes in the tray 150. The cover 115 may have a series of holes 116 in the cover 115 for filling with concrete. Thus, the two flanges 154 of the cap 154 are aligned parallel to and ride on the major axis 1001 of the tube 110. Fig. 17D is an alternative connector or coupling rod 170 that may be attached over the interface of the lid 115 covering the adjacent tray 150.

Fig. 18A-19B schematically illustrate alternative embodiments of wiring devices 120 having multiple inlets 121 for receiving connections to a tube 110 having conductors 101 in various views. After the connection has been established between the incoming cables 101, the wiring device 120 is optionally sealed with a cover 121 after filling with concrete, the cables entering the wiring device 120 through a tube 110 section which may be provided on one, two, three or any number of additional inlets 121 on the side of the wiring device 120. These figures illustrate how these sides may extend outwardly from the inlet 121 to match the shape of the tube, in fig. 19A-19D the tube has parallel sides and an arcuate top, or in fig. 20 the tube 101 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, as shown in fig. 20B, where the inlet 121 is shaped to receive the tube 101 with inwardly sloped sides.

Fig. 20 schematically illustrates a portion or section of pipe 110 wherein installed cable 101 is surrounded by or encased in concrete 1501 within pipe 110, pipe 110 being disposed on the ground or terrain 10.

Fig. 21-30 illustrate components of another preferred embodiment of the floor level power distribution system 100, wherein the tube 110 is formed from a plurality of trays 150 attached at opposite ends, optionally covered by a cover 115 after the trays 150 are filled. It should be appreciated that any of these embodiments may have a tray or housing 150 or cable support strap 160 containing channels for supporting the cable or conductor cable 101 and optionally one or more fiber optic cables 102 and providing physical isolation between the cable or conductor cables and optionally one or more fiber optic cables and the cable or conductor cable 101.

Fig. 21A shows an alternative embodiment of a tube 110 having a cap, cover or lid 115 mounted over a base 150 for receiving a plurality of conductor cables 101A, 101b and 101c. The base 150 has upstanding side walls 151 that terminate at a rim 152.

Fig. 21B schematically illustrates how the base or tray 150 and lid 115 may have a hysteresis offset because the upper flange 154uf on the opposite front end 150f and the lower flange 154lf on the opposite rear end 150B provide improved sealing by the overlapping of adjacent trays 150 and lids 115 forming the tube 110.

In the various embodiments schematically illustrated in fig. 21B-27D, opposite ends 150f and 150B of tray 150, as well as other structures for receiving cables 101, are preferably configured to overlap opposite portions of the same tray 150 to form a linear path for placement of different conductors and/or signal cables 101 in each channel 155 to form a ground-mounted tube 110. Thus, the GLDS100 is optionally formed by assembling a plurality of trays 150 that are attached end-to-end to form the enclosure side of the tube 110 for the cable 101 and/or the fiber optic cable 102.

In addition, the upwardly facing surface of the tray 150 may have semi-circular depressions or arcuate portions 155 that extend longitudinally as channels to accommodate insulated conductor cables 101 or rigid or flexible plastic tubing through which the cables 101 may pass. The semicircular depressions need not form a complete semicircle, but rather form a sufficient number of short points or arcs to support the cable 101. The recesses 155 may be arranged in a spaced apart relationship with the conductor cables 101 placed adjacent, and some recesses may be smaller than others to support smaller diameter cables, including the fiber optic cable 102.

The space between the opposite sides 151 and the inside bottom 153 of the tray 150 provides a cavity 157 for receiving at least the fire resistant or fire retardant material 1501 to surround the cable 101. After the cavities 1507 are filled with the preferred fire resistant material, a cap or cover 115 may be placed over each tray or base 150. It will be appreciated that the various cross sections of the conduit or tube 110 in which the cable 101 is installed are surrounded by concrete 1501, and that the concrete 1501 may be replaced with a different supporting medium that is solid or granular and preferably a fire resistant or fire resistant material. Refractory particles (such as refractory ceramics, and minerals like perlite and vermiculite) will allow reworking and reconfiguration of temporary structures without the need to destroy the concrete.

The cap or cover 115 for the tray 150 is preferably one of curved and sloped at the side walls 154 that descend downwardly to the lower rim 117 to match the curvature of the sides 151 of the tray 150, with the holes 118h on the side flanges 118 extending laterally from each side of the rim 117 aligned with the holes 154h to receive the appropriate form of anchor 401 that couples the tube 101 to the surface or floor 10 and couples the cover 115 to the tray 150.

The side flanges 154 extending the length of each tray 150 may have holes 154h or perforations to allow insertion of anchor members or anchor bolts 401 or other means to tether the assembly of trays 150 to the underlying ground 10 and thus provide an alternative anchoring means. In any of these various embodiments, the underlying terrain, soil, or ground 10 may be a solid or bed of compliant material 12, which may optionally harden and be protected from wear or erosion by wind and water.

Fig. 22A schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of a tube 110 in which a cap, cover or lid 115 is mounted over a tray or base 150 for receiving a plurality of conductor cables 101a, 101b and 101c. The base 150 has upstanding side walls 151 that terminate at a rim 152. The cap 115 in fig. 22A may have outer drop flanges 115f that extend beyond the side wall 151 and partially extend downwardly on the side wall to prevent lateral movement after installation.

Alternatively, the cap 115 in fig. 22B may have an inner portion 115i that partially descends below the rim 152 and an outer flange 115f disposed on the rim 152. When one or more portions 115i of the cover 115 that descend below the rim 152 of the tray 150 are embedded into uncured concrete that fills the cavity 157 and surrounds the cables 101 and/or 102 or conduits for receiving the cables, the descending portions allow the cap 115 to be sealed in place in or on the tray 150.

Fig. 23D shows a cross section of an embodiment of GLDS100, wherein cable 101 is surrounded by protective concrete 1501, which is formed by filling tray 150 after conductor 101 is inserted into the bottom of tray 150. A soft or pliable fill material 12, such as sand, may be placed on the floor 10 prior to placement of the tray 150 such that when the tray 150 is filled with concrete 1501, the weight causes the tray to sink into the sand 12 conforming to the outside bottom shape of the tray 150.

In fig. 23A and 23C, tray 150 has inwardly sloped side walls 151 that terminate at rim 152. The tray 150 has an inboard bottom 153 between the bases of the sides 151. The outside of the base of the side walls 151 has side flanges 154 extending laterally outwardly from each side wall 151 and has a plurality of holes 154h for receiving anchor members or anchor bolts 401 that pass into the ground 10 below to secure the plurality of trays 150 and thus the tubes 110 and GLDS100 in place. The cable 101 or a hollow dielectric tube for receiving the cable 101 may be placed within a semicircular channel 155 formed in the bottom 153 of the tray 150 and optionally within a channel for the fiber optic cable 102. The upper flange 154uf of the right tray would then extend over the lower flange 15flf of the left tray 150. The tray 150 is completed by securing the base 153 to the ground or terrain 10 prior to placing one or more conductive cables 101 or fiber optic cables 102 in the channels 155 in the base 153. The cap 115 is then placed on the bottom 153 such that the flanges 118 on opposite sides of the rim 117 of the cap 115 extend over the flanges 154 of the bottom 153. Flange 118 may terminate in a downwardly extending edge 119 that extends on the vertical side of flange 154. The tray 150 may be filled with concrete via the holes 116 in the top portion or cover 115. The tray 150 is then filled and the lid 115 is placed over the tray to seal the overlapping flanges of both the tray 150 and the lid 115. In other embodiments, the tray 150 may be filled to the side edges and then the cover 115 attached before the concrete sets.

As schematically shown in fig. 25A-25C, the tray 150 itself may have an open or flat bottom 153 and a plurality of cable support strips 160 are provided along the length of the end-to-end assembly of the tray 150, each cable support strip 160 being spaced apart from the nearest adjacent cable support strip 160. The cable support belt 160 has a series of adjacent support surfaces, such as semicircular channels 165, intended for receiving the cables 101. The cable tie 160 also has a descending support 167 to raise the circular channel 165 above the optional bottom 153 of the tray 150 or the top of the land or soil 10. When concrete 1501 is added to fill cavity 157, it may flow under support band 160, more specifically under circular channel 166, so when set, it will provide support structure support and prevent damage to cable 101 as the vehicle travels over finished pipe 110. The circular channel 166 may have a smaller diameter to support additional and smaller diameter fiber optic cables.

Fig. 26A-27C are perspective views of components for end-to-end assembly to form a tray 150 and cover 115 for receiving a section of a conductor cable 101 of a tube 110 disposed at the ground. The tray 150 and the cover 115 in these figures are particularly intended to correspond generally to the corresponding components in fig. 23A-26C. In particular, fig. 26A shows the curved tray 150 prior to insertion of the cable 101 and placement of the cap 115. Fig. 26B shows a partial view of the tray including the contact portion of the floor 10 of the tray 150, while fig. 26C shows the cover 115 mounted on a single curved tray 150 prior to insertion of the cable 101.

Fig. 27A illustrates in perspective view a plurality of trays 150 assembled end-to-end to form a portion of a floor-mounted tube 110, wherein three or more cables 101 are in place prior to covering with a cover 115. Fig. 27B then shows the tray 150 covered by the cover 115. Fig. 11C is an enlarged view of a portion of fig. 11B, and fig. 11D is an inverted perspective view of the coupling rod 170 mounted on the connection portion of the adjacent tray 150, wherein the flanges at the front 150f and rear 150B of the adjacent tray 150 may meet the flange of the cover 115.

Fig. 27A-27C also schematically illustrate that the cap or cover 115 may be held in place by a coupling rod 170. Desirably, the cap 115 and the coupling rod 170 engage the tray 150 by a snap fit. The coupling rod 170 is therefore preferably constructed of a plastic that is sufficiently flexible to enable a snap fit over the portion of the cap 115 that covers the adjacent tray 150. The tray or base 150 may be curved to change the direction of the linear path, such as to travel around obstacles or to accommodate a transition to or from vertical, such as up the pole 11, as illustrated in fig. 28C, where the path of the tube 110 transitions from a level ground level to rising up the sides of the pole 11. Tray or base 150 may be curved to better match soil or terrain 10, and curved right or left on the ground (fig. 26B-26C and 27A-27B) to redirect tube 110 to avoid obstacles that are difficult to move or damaging to the environment, such as boulders or mature trees. When the terrain is particularly steep, the cap 115 with the aperture 116 may be installed prior to inserting, pouring or pumping the concrete 1501 into the cavity 1507 between the cap or cap 115 and the tray 150.

Fig. 28A to 28C show in perspective view the portion of the pipe 101 that connects to the wiring device 120 or the overhead power line that connects to the pole 11. Fig. 28C illustrates how the tube 110 enclosing the cable 101 may be combined with the tray 150 and cover 115 to bend over the ground and arch up the rod 11 from the ground 10. In fig. 28A, the left hand bar 11 now supports the OH wire longer, as the OH wire extends in the pipe 110 above ground. Fig. 28B shows tube 110 extending between and beyond wiring device 120. The wiring device 120 may house system and environmental monitors that send their coded signals (such as fluctuations in voltage or current in any cable 101, temperature of the cable, and temperature of the environment) to the fiber optic cable 102 that is also enclosed in the tube 110. The tube 110 may be mounted or disposed on or at the ground, as illustrated in fig. 31A-32C, 30A and 30C, or extend over various structures that bypass surface structural obstructions or allow passage of wild animals (such as above the tunnel 304 or below the vehicle ramp 301), and be connected to (such as with the adjustable conduit bracket 505 and conduit rest bracket 501) any tube 110 with cable 101 supported above the ground.

Fig. 29A-29D show in perspective views alternative shapes of the base or tray 150 with different numbers of channels for spacing apart and supporting the cables or conduits 101 and/or 102 and the cap or cover 115 for covering them.

Fig. 30A-30D show in various views how the GLDS100 may have a flush or substantially flush pipe 110 section connected via a junction box 120 to a pipe 110 mounted on top of or above the topography of the soil 10. FIG. 30A corresponds to section line A-A in FIG. 30C, and FIG. 30B corresponds to section line B-B in FIG. 30C. In fig. 30A, a substantially flush tube 100 (left side of the elevation view in fig. 30C) has a top at or just below ground level. Fig. 30B is a cross-sectional elevation view of floor level pipe 100 (right side of the elevation view in fig. 30C), wherein cable or conduit 101 is slightly bent (fig. 30C) at the transition through junction box 120. Fig. 30D is a schematic side elevation view of the transition from the buried power distribution system to the right of junction box 120 to GLDS100, where cable or conduit 101 is also bent in the transition. This transition may also be accomplished by splicing the cable 101 in the junction box 120.

Fig. 31A-31C illustrate an alternative means for connecting the GLDS100 to an underground distribution system, wherein the last unit or component of the tube 110 is optionally a base or tray 150 with a cover 115 that tapers down to introduce the cable or conduit 101 into an optionally buried junction box 120 for underground distribution. In fig. 31B and 31D, the cable or conduit 101 is shown cross-hatched, while alternative embodiments of these components are shown schematically in fig. 21A and 21C, respectively.

In fig. 31A and 31B, the modular base or tray 150 with the cover 115 is connected on the front side 150f to form the last part of the tube 110, while the end or rear 150bf may form a sealed connection with the top of the junction box 120 so that the same cable or conduit 101 may extend in a gradual bend between the front side and the end or rear, thereby eliminating the need to form a splice line arrangement via an intermediate connector in the junction box 120. The end or rear opening 150bf faces downward, while the front opening 150f faces sideways or sideways.

In fig. 31B and 31C, cable 101 enters buried box 120 from the side, so that the component may optionally include a base or tray 150 covered by cover 115, also tapering down, and providing a buried rear surface 150br to form a preferably sealed connection with junction box 120. The front side 150f and the buried rear surface 150br both face sideways. It should be understood that the use of a base or tray 150 with a lid 115 is merely exemplary and that these components may also be sealed at the top, rather than receiving a lid for closing an open top.

Fig. 32A-33C illustrate an installation process using a base 150 with upstanding side walls 151 to form a flush or substantially flush tube 110 with a plurality of conductors 101 using a cross section through the ground 10 transverse to the main axis of the tube 110. In a first step, shallow trenches 15 are formed in the ground 10 by digging or piling up soil or pellets at intervals to form sides 15s extending upwardly from the bottom 15 b. Then, a base or tray 150 having upstanding sides 151 is inserted or formed into the trench 15 with the land 10 substantially flush with the outer side walls 151 or filled to the exterior of the side walls 151 with soil of other granular filling. Next, the conductors 101 or conduits for receiving the flexible conductors 101 are placed in mating recesses of the channels 155, which are optionally part of the base, or formed by spaced apart cable support strips 160 in the base with sides (as illustrated in fig. 25A-25C), or the cable support strips 160 may be placed on the bottom 15b of the trench 15 if the ground or soil 10 surrounding the trench 15 is sufficiently firm. However, some form of base or tray 150 is preferably deployed, the sides of which may then be used as guides, so the trench is dug to a sufficient depth to protect the cable 101 and still be substantially flush with or slightly below the top of the ground 10 to provide vertical space for adding the optional cover 115. The areas between the sides 15s of the trench 15 and/or between the sides 151 of the base or tray 150 are filled with concrete 1501 to cover the conductors 101. The cap 115 may then be placed over the wet concrete to provide further protection and provide a marker to help locate the pipe 110 in the event further maintenance or repair is required and provide an additional warning barrier to inadvertent excavation. To the extent that the top of the cover 115 is below the height of the adjacent land 10, when it is desired to locate the ground level power distribution system 100 adjacent to streets and roads, the cover may be covered with a layer 16, which may optionally be land or soil 10, or other granular material, such as paving asphalt, or the like. Flush or substantially flush pipe 110 may be considered a Minimum Covered Cable System (MCCS) because the amount of soil 10 or aggregate covering the pipe 110 or its cover 115 may be less than about 4 inches (100 mm) and the depth of the bottom of the pipe 110 or its tray or base below the soil or terrain gradient 10 is less than about 4 inches to 12 inches (100 mm to 300 mm) while still providing adequate protection against high voltages in its conductors and eliminating the possibility of the live conductors being penetrated or exposed in a potentially fire manner. The amount of soil 10 or aggregate that covers the tube 110 or the cap 115 is also typically less than about half the height of the cavity 5107 formed between the cap 115 and the base or tray 150. Such flush or substantially flush tubes 110 of MCCS may also be deployed below or as part of GLDS100, the latter including ground level tubes 110, as described in other embodiments, to form a multi-layered primary electrical system.

In another embodiment of the method, various useful shapes of the base and at least a portion of the tray 150 may be formed in the shallow trench by extruding a continuous base of concrete through one of a die and a pattern to provide walls and channels to space apart and provide support for the conductor cable 101 and/or the fiber optic cable 102. The concrete continuous foundation 150 is preferably refractory concrete.

Fig. 34A and 34B illustrate another alternative embodiment of a junction box 120 for connecting tube 110 segments in a GLDS, showing how a cable 101 enters the base of junction box 120 and then follows a coiled path, extending first at least half way up the wall, then around the inner perimeter, and then descending to exit on the opposite side. If one side of the GLDS segment 110 is completely damaged and needs to be replaced with a new cable 101 introduced into the junction box 120, the extra length of each of the 3 cables 101 (ground, neutral, and power cables) provided by the coiled path within the junction box 120 also provides additional space for including switches, 3 or more distribution wiring devices, and making splices. Junction box 170 may have a sufficient height to form a walk-in height enclosure formed from reinforcements, such as with anchored cement foundations, walls, and/or tops, to withstand the strong winds of storms and tornadoes. Such enclosures also have doors and fittings that are resistant to wind and debris impact for access to provide service, testing, maintenance or repair.

Fig. 35A and 35B illustrate an alternative embodiment of junction box 120 in which each of the 3 cables 101 are placed side-by-side as they enter the junction box, but folded into a coiled shape, such as a Z-shaped pattern, to provide additional cable length for splicing when one GLDS segment 110 is completely damaged and needs to be replaced with a new cable 101 introduced into junction box 120.

Fig. 36A-37C illustrate alternative means for gradual adjustment of one or more of the individual GLDS components, such as the tray or housing 150 and the cover 115, to follow a non-planar terrain or grade 10.

In fig. 36A and 36B, a variation of the coupler 170 is now a hollow coupling section 171 with an internal cavity 157 for engaging two assembled trays or shells 150 with the lid 115. The hollow coupling section 171 has a central or intermediate coiled plastic or elastomeric portion 175 that is flexible until filled with a cured insulator such as concrete 1501. The central portion 175 may have a more rigid or thicker opposite end portion 176 for engaging and sealing the open end of the tray or housing 150 before or after insertion of the lid 115. The depth of hollow coupling section 171 may be varied to accommodate a given width of tube 110 transverse to the primary axis. The open right and left sections 158R, 158L, defined by the opposite ends 176, then extend outwardly from the central portion 175 to receive and sealingly engage flanges at the front and rear portions 150f, 150b of adjacent trays or housings 150 to provide variable variation in the angle of the tube 110 receiving the cable 101 to form the GLDS 100. The cable 101 extending through the tube 110 may then be bent within the central coiled portion 175. The curled central portion 175 may have thinner walls than the right and left side sections 158R, 158L and thus may flex at changes in curl direction, and/or the flexible curled central portion 175 may be made of a more compliant or elastomeric polymer or resin, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone rubber.

In fig. 37A-37C, the tray or housing 150 has a hollow central portion 1575 with a curled plastic or elastomeric outer wall capable of flexing as shown in fig. 37C in a similar pattern to the curled plastic or elastomeric portion 175 of fig. 36A and 36B. In fig. 37A, an open base or tray member 150 for forming the tube 100 of the GLDS100 has a lid or cover 115 mounted on the open left side 150L, while the lid or cover 115 has not yet been mounted in the right side 150R. In the cross-sectional elevation view of fig. 37C, the cover or lid 115 is mounted over the right side 150R and the left side 150L, and the central curled portion 175 therebetween is deflected to tilt the right side 150L at an acute angle away from the left side 150L. The cable 101 is shown in an external elevation view within the cavity 157 and is bent within a central curled portion that is supported on the cable support band 160 or formed or placed on an optional semicircular channel 155 in the bottom 153 of the right side 150R and left side 150L of the tray or housing 150. The covers 115 on the left and right sides of the tray or housing may be installed before or after the concrete 1501 is placed in the cavity 157. When the cover 115 is placed on the right side 150R and the left side 150L, concrete 1501 may flow around the cable 101 from the upper adjacent housing 150 of the pipe 110.

It is preferred that the set of assembled trays or shells 150, as well as the cap or cover 115 and/or functionally equivalent components, be filled with a relatively fire resistant concrete 1501 so that a wildfire may pass through or around the GLDS100, with the concrete protecting the filling material and the integrity of the overall system as this is a concern over service life.

Concrete 1501 used to fill the pipe 110 may be mixed with clay, limestone and gypsum, and non-metallic reinforcing fibers such as glass fibers and aramid fibers to improve strength and fire resistance. Suitable concrete formulations are provided in the following patent documents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: US10029945B2 to WERZ J et al at 24, 7, 2018; US 4276091a to keas aluminum company in 1981, month 39; US5472497a to Jaklin, h. And CN108975810a published on month 11 of 2018, 6, 20 of 1992 (inventor She Wei et al).

The refractory concrete 1501 will also inhibit a potential internal fire within the tube 110 and maintain structural integrity where the cable 101 is not damaged by external or internal heat and thus limit the portions of the GLDS100 that require local repair.

It is also preferred that the set of assembled trays 150 that together form the sealed elongated tube 110 be made of a dielectric material or composite that is neither flammable nor propagates flames from the inside or outside. For this purpose, a series of plastic resins, in particular plastic resins comprising particles and/or glass fibers for reinforcement, and organic flame retardant additives are known. Non-limiting examples of such materials are disclosed in the following patent documents, which are incorporated herein by reference. Among these are EP2346130A2 published by Kupilik, p. Et al under the heading "fire protection tube for cable" at 2011, 7, 20; and US5985385A to Gottfied S at 11/16 1999 and US5681640a to Kiser at 10/28 1997, m.d.

There are also many types of suitable commercially available plastic materials, such as Kydex T (TM) brand formable flame retardant sheet from ACI Plastics Inc. of 3001Spruce St.Louis, MO 63103Royalite ^TM Both branded aviation grade sheet and Oyalite FR weatherable sheet R87/59 are commercially available from Spartech 11650Lakeside Crossing Ct.Maryland Heights,MO,United States,63146. In addition, potentially useful materials are plastics, resins and composites, which are suitable for use in aircraft interior trim because they conform to FAR 25/853 fire retardant rating. Such materials may includeProduct series, noryl ^TM Modified polyphenylene ether sheet, GTX grade UL 94HB and EN265 grade UL 94V-1, and composites based on any of the following polymersMaterials and filler resins (such as with particulate fillers, discrete fibers or continuous fibers) including, but not limited to: polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PES), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyamide imide, blends of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with butadiene and styrene copolymers (ABS), and blends of PVC with acrylic. Fiberglass, mineral and ceramic fillers and flame retardant compounds may be used as fillers to render various plastic resins such as those described above nonflammable and less prone to flame propagation, thus conforming to standards such as UL 94V-0, 5VA, HB, FMVSS 302, and the like. In addition, the plastic resin may contain Ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing fillers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to improve the resistance to degradation by sunlight on the upper and side surfaces of the cover 115 and base or tray 150 and similar components such as the coupling rod 170.

It should be appreciated that the plastic tray 150 and cover 115 used, as well as components having equivalent function or placement or assembly, may be made of materials other than plastic, resin or plastic/resin and fiber composite materials, such as, but not limited to, precast concrete components or ceramic components. The upstanding wall 154 preferably has a thickness of at least about 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) to about 0.5 inch (12 mm), and more preferably about 0.25 inch (6 mm) or more, depending on the strength and rigidity of the materials used to form the tray and base 150 and associated structure supporting the cable 101. The height of the tray or base 150 may be varied to accommodate cables 101 of different diameters. The cable support straps 160 and channels and semicircular channels 155 formed in the bottom 153 of the tray 150 and similar structures for supporting the cables 101 and 102 in other embodiments may be formed or coated with low friction coefficient resins such as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), fluoropolymers, polyamide resins, and resins filled with low friction fillers such as molybdenum disulfide to help pull the cables through the tube 110 with or without the cover or cap 115 in place as an alternative to laying the cables 101 into the cable support straps or semicircular channels 155 and similar structures in other embodiments.

It will be appreciated that the use of various plastic materials for the tray 150 and the cover 115 in combination with the encapsulation of the conductors 101 in concrete provides significant benefits. The pallet 110 has various sidewalls for the mold for containing liquid concrete to cover and protect the conductors 110 when the liquid concrete is poured. Then, by covering the opening in the tray 150 with the plastic cover 115, the concrete filler 1501 is protected from elements that may corrode it. The cover 115 also provides a means for indicating the position of the live conductor to enhance safety. The indication in the cap 115 may be embossed so that the indication is still visible even if the decal, decal or sprayed indicia fades over time, or is washed away or eroded away.

It should also be appreciated that other benefits of the various embodiments of the GLDS100 may include providing reliable power to customers that is robust against damage and disruption caused by strong winds or storms.

Moreover, GLDS100 will also eliminate or reduce utility costs in vegetation management, as well as the risk of trees/roots growing into the facility (as experienced by underground systems), and increase the ease of inspection thereof to facilitate timely intervention to avoid service disruption.

Furthermore, GLDS will eliminate the risk of dig-in by providing a clear indication of high power lines. GLDS100 further improves environmental disaster management to address percolation field challenges and underground methane gas, which presents challenges to pacific gas electric utility (Pacific Gas and Electric) to resume new services after the canteen town is destroyed by a wildfire in north california.

Due to limited space and the need to mitigate OH power line fire hazards without excavation, such as organic farms and vineyards around the original american resident's place of reservation, breweries, various embodiments of GLDS100 may be particularly suitable as a solution to providing power services that shift utility floor weights (PUEs).

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Such alternatives may include various combinations and subcombinations of the components, materials, features, process steps, and other innovative aspects from some embodiments with those in other embodiments.

For example, in all embodiments in which caps 115 are used to cover trays or bases 150 to form a housing to couple with other housings to form tubes 110, some caps 115 may have holes for filling tubes 110 with granular or fluid materials (e.g., various aggregate and concrete). In additional examples, any of the shells may be curved or preferably in a common plane of the pipe 110, or bent to guide the pipe 110 up or down, or a flexible shell may be employed or a flexible coupling may be used to couple multiple shells to provide gradual adjustment of the slope of the pipe 110 portion to match the terrain or ground 10, as is the case with pipes 110 that are disposed at ground level or generally flush with the terrain or ground level 10.

Claims

1. A ground level primary power distribution system (GLDS) comprising:

a. a plurality of tubes, wherein two or more of the plurality of tubes are connected at a wiring device,

b. conductor cables extending through the two or more tubes,

c. means for mounting at least one of the plurality of tubes in substantially close contact with the terrain,

d. wherein the plurality of tubes are configured to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage to the integrity of the plurality of tubes and the conductor cables extending therethrough.

2. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes has refractory concrete surrounding the conductor cables to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage.

3. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes are configured to closely contact the terrain through a plurality of housings, each housing having: a bottom; opposite side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the bottom aligned with the local major axis of the tube, wherein the shells are connected at opposite ends generally orthogonal to the side walls; and a cover is provided on the housing to cover the upper opening between the opposing side walls.

4. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the conductor cables extend in a coiled path within the wiring device.

5. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the conductor cables are energized to at least 4000V.

6. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the connection between adjacent housings and the covers disposed thereon is covered by a plurality of coupling rods.

7. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 1, wherein the conductor cables are insulated with a flexible dielectric material and the tubes are more rigid than the flexible dielectric material.

8. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein one of the cover and the housing has an outwardly extending side flange configured to closely contact the terrain to couple with the terrain, and wherein one of the cover and the housing forms an acute angle of less than 60 degrees with respect to the terrain.

9. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the plurality of tubes has refractory concrete surrounding the conductor cables to inhibit internal thermal fires and to prevent external damage.

10. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein the downwardly extending portion of the cover covers the exterior of the side walls.

11. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein the downwardly extending portion of the cover that covers the exterior of the side walls has outwardly extending lateral flanges.

12. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 8, wherein the side flanges have through holes for receiving anchors to couple the pipes into close contact with the terrain.

13. The floor-level primary power distribution system of claim 4, wherein the wiring device is a walk-in-level enhanced enclosure.

14. The ground level primary power distribution system of claim 8 wherein a portion of the cover has a downwardly extending portion covering an exterior of the side walls which then terminate in outwardly extending side flanges having apertures which extend above outwardly extending side flanges of the housing which are arranged to closely contact the terrain to couple with the terrain.

15. The ground-level primary power distribution system of claim 14, wherein the side flanges of the cover extending above the side flanges of the housing are configured to align the holes in the cover side flanges over at least some of the holes in the housing side flanges Fang Shuzhi to receive anchors extending through the vertically aligned holes to couple at least one pipe to the terrain.

16. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 9, wherein the connection between adjacent housings and covers disposed on the housings are covered by a plurality of coupling bars that engage at least one of the side flanges of the covers and the side flanges of the housings by flexing snap-in place on the side flanges of at least one of the covers and the housings.

17. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein at least one or more of the plurality of housings is connected to an adjacent housing by a hollow coupling section having an interior cavity surrounded by a crimped flexible wall.

18. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the plurality of housings has a central portion with an interior cavity surrounded by a coiled flexible wall.

19. The floor level primary power distribution system of claim 3, wherein one or more of the plurality of housings is curved to change a local primary axis of a portion of at least one tube.

20. A container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system, the container system comprising a housing having:

a. the tray is provided with a plurality of holes,

b. one or more cable support members laterally spaced between opposed side walls extending generally upwardly from the bottom of the tray to terminate in a rim,

c. a cover configured to close the vertical opening in the tray when disposed to extend across the rim.

21. The container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the cable support members are one of: integrally formed within and spaced apart from, and extending at least partially over a portion of the bottom of the tray.

22. The container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the cable support members have holes to allow liquid for filling the cavity between the tray and the cover to flow under the tray and cable support members.

23. The container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the tray has one or more of the outwardly extending flanges and the cover has a downwardly extending sidewall.

24. The container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system of claim 20, wherein the lower portion of the cover penetrates below the rim.

25. The container system for forming a channel that will receive a conductor cable for one of a generally flush power distribution system and a ground level power distribution system of claim 20 wherein the tray has a central portion with an interior cavity surrounded by a curled flexible wall.

26. A method of forming a floor-level power distribution system, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a plurality of bases having side walls on opposite sides of the bases and having covers extending in a generally upright direction to rims, the covers being configured to be supported on the rims of each base to close the vertical openings of the bases, wherein the container on which the covers are mounted has a first height from the outside bottom of the base to the outside top of the covers,

b. forming a shallow elongate trench having a depth at least as deep as the first height and having a length sufficient to receive the plurality of pedestals when configured with an end substantially orthogonal to a sidewall disposed adjacent a nearest neighbor of the plurality of pedestals,

c. inserting the pedestals into the shallow trench, the bottom of each pedestal being vertical and the sidewalls thereof being substantially horizontal, wherein the end of each pedestal except the first and last pedestals is adjacent to the end disposed substantially orthogonal to the sidewalls adjacent the nearest neighbor pedestal of the plurality of pedestals,

d. Mounting at least one conduit and one of a plurality of conductors in channel supports, the channel supports being one of: formed in the base and inserted into the base,

e. filling the closed channel formed by the plurality of seats in the trench with concrete to surround and enclose the installed conduit or conductor,

f. the cover is provided on the rim of each base,

g. when the tops of the caps are below the slope of the adjacent soil, the caps are covered with granular material to provide a flush slope on the trench,

h. when the outer portions of the sidewalls of the pedestals are not adjacent to the sidewalls of the trench, then the gap between the sidewalls of the trench and the outer portions of the sidewalls of the pedestals is filled with a granular material.

27. The method of forming a floor level power distribution system of claim 26, wherein the step of disposing the cover on the rim of each base occurs after the concrete has filled the enclosed channel but before the concrete sets such that at least a portion of the cover adheres to the concrete.

28. The method of forming a floor level power distribution system of claim 26, wherein the step of disposing the cover over the edges of at least some of the bases occurs before the step of filling the enclosed channel with concrete.

29. The method of forming a floor level power distribution system of claim 26, wherein the concrete is one of: through the holes in the caps, into the covered channels and into the covered channels.

30. The method of forming a floor level power distribution system of claim 26, wherein the pedestals are provided by extruding a continuous concrete pedestal and inserting the pedestals into the shallow trench.