NZ264627A - Cleaning apparatus supported from helicopter for cleaning energised electrical equipment without direct contact of apparatus and equipment - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £64627 264 627 I* Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: HA500850 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 264627 Filed: 6 October 1994 ^ COMPLETE SPECIFICATION IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AN AIRBORNE CLEANING SYSTEM We, H.T. HELI-TRAINING S.R.L., a body corporate organised under the laws of Italy of Via Sant-Antonio 11, 28037 Domodossola, Italy hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT0508424 264 627 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to an airborne cleaning system. More particularly but' not exclusively, the present invention relates to the airborne cleaning of insulctor strings, cables, conductors and other members and structures of, or relating to, transmission lines or other electrical supply equipment such as communication towers, antennae, generators, alternators, large panels or the like. For simplicity, the present invention will be described in respect of its use in the cleaning of insulator strings of a high voltage transmission line but it will be appreciated that the present invention can have application wherever an airborne cleaning system can be usefully applied.

In an energisable environment such as that of a high voltage transmission line, it is envisaged that the airborne cleaning of the present invention can be effected when the transmission line is energised or non-energised. However, a major advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates the cleaning of equipment while it is energised. The term "airborne" is used throughout the specification to refer to an in-use position in the air without any ground contact.

It is an object of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof to provide an airborne insulator cleaning system which can rapidly and rparii i y. move to position without being electrically g r." J.i'i 13S7 264«27 provide a safe and efficient cleaning of insulators, conductors, pylons and the like of a power transmission line in an energised or non-energised condition and/or will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention a cleaning system comprises: (a) a support means; (b) a spray cleaning means provided on said support means, said support means being adapted to be mountable on, and in electrical connection with, an airborne transporting means; whereby in use said cleaning system can be moved to an airborne position away from any contact with the ground for cleaning of electrical equipment without any contact between the cleaning means and the equipment and while said equipment is still energised.

In a preferred embodiment a cleaning system as above defined has said support means comprising a platform which is in use, electrically, and physically, connected with said airborne transporting means so as to obviate electrical arcing between components of said cleaning system and said transporting means. , 264627 In a preferred embodiment in a cleaning system as above defined said spray cleaning means includes pressure and/or direction control for the spray.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible embodiments thereof and in which reference is made to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1: Ficrure 2 shows very diagrammatically a plan view of a helicopter fitted with a cleaning system according to the present invention; \ shows very diagrammatically a side view of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3: shows very diagrammatically a front view of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 4: shows very diagrammatically the helicopter of the preceding Figures in use and with an insert showing an enlargement of part of Figure 4; and Ficrure 5: shows very diagrammatically a schematic of the integers of one possible embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 5, in one possible embodiment of the invention, referenced generally by arrow 11, the drive unit 21, such as a combustion engine, may drive a pump or the like 2 through a drive transmission 7 such as a belt drive.

The pump 2 is shown supplied with a cleaning fluid of any suitable type from a fluid storage tank or reservoir 3.

The pressurised supply from ttie pump 2 is shown passing to a valve 4 which is controllably operable so as to either recirculate the fluid back to the reservoir 3 or enable it to be transferred through a fluid supply tube 5 to a fluid nozzle 6.

Referring also to Figures 1 to 4 the nozzle 6 is shown positioned at the end of a support boom 1 through which passes the fluid supply tube 5. The high pressure pump 2 in this embodiment may suitably be positioned on the opposite side of the helicopter referenced generally by arrow 10. The boom 1 is of an electrically conductive material and forms part of the electrical circuit consisting of all the other electrically 264627 conductive parts of the helicopter 10 and the cleaning system 11, so that electrical arcing within the helicopter 10 is avoided in the event of any contact with energised components such as the conductors of the electrical equipment which is being cleaned. The length of the boom 1 is sufficient so as to extend beyond the path of the rotor 12 so as to provide a spray pattern which is substantially uninfluenced by vortexes created by the helicopter rotor 12. Preferably, the boom 1 is adjustable in any direction so as to be compatible with the path of rotation of the rotor 12 both in respect of avoiding interference with the spray pattern from the nozzle 6 and in order to maintain the necessary operational safety standards. Preferably, the boom l may be supported by a joint or the like 14 moveable about a pivotal point 15. Suitably,'xmovement of the boom 1 may be performed manually by an operator positioned inside the cabin of the helicopter 10 and/or outside the helicopter cabin such as on a special platform and/or by a control system such as a wire controlled system and a remote control panel inside the cabin. The articulation of the boom 1 may be achieved by any suitable means such as electrical, hydraulic, electro-pneumatic or the like and with suitable drive means connected to the boom 1 which may be operable continuously so as to expedite the movement of the boom 1 as and when required. The boom 1 is shown installed externally of the helicopter 10 and in physical as well as electrical contact with a support structure 16 forming part of a main or auxiliary portion of the body of the helicopter 10. The attachment of the cleaning system 11 to a helicopter 10 will of course need to be in compliance with the specifications laid down by the manufacturer and with any relevant national or international regulations which may have effect. The design of the support structure 16 will of course vary depending upon the particular model of the helicopter 10. When a spray from the nozzles 6 (a plurality of nozzles 6 in any particular configuration may be provided) is required then the operator can operate a suitable control means both to start and stop the spray and also to control its duration, quantity and/or pressure. The fluid storage tank 3 is shown mounted at the base of the helicopter 10 and may be provided with an emergency fluid evacuation system\which can be operated by the operator and/or by the helicopter pilot for immediate fluid evacuation in the case of an emergency.

The fluid pump 2 is shown, in Figure 3 particularly, as being installed in a substantially vertical position externally of the cabin of the helicopter 10. However in alternative embodiments it could be provided internally of the cabin but possibly suspended from the helicopter 10 on its cargo hook. 264627 In Figure 4 a pylon 17 is shown supporting a plurality of high voltage transmission lines 18 and with 264627 a plurality of vertical insulator strings 19. The nozzle 6, as shown particularly in the insert of Figure 4, is providing a spray of high pressure, directionally controlled, cleaning fluid 20 onto the insulator string 19. As the components of the cleaning system 11, particularly the electrically conductive boom 1, form part of the electrical circuit defined by the electrically conductive parts of the helicopter 10, if contact is made between the boom 1 for example and one of the energised high voltage transmission lines 18, electrical arcing will be avoided and the cleaning operation can continue without jeopardising the safety of the helicopter pilot or cleaning operator. It is thus seen that live-line maintenance and cleaning can be conducted in a speedy yet efficient manner. In countries where transmission lines can be very remotely situated, and especially where salt build up may be a problem, such airborne cleaning can provide a substantial benefit.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or

Claims (9)

264627 - 9 - improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. lh:CSPEC08388 _ 10 _ 26 4 6 27 we claim is:
1. A cleaning system comprising: (a) a support means; (b) a spray cleaning means provided on said support means, said support means being adapted to be mountable on, and in electrical connection with, an airborne transporting means whereby in use said cleaning system can be moved to an airborne position away from any contact with the ground for cleaning of electrical equipment without any contact between the cleaning means and the equipment and while said equipment is still energised.
2. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a platform which is, in use, electrically, and physically, connected with said airborne transporting means so as to obviate electrical arcing between components of said cleaning system and said airborne transporting means.
3. A cleaning systems as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support means includes a jointing means providing a pivotal connection between said spray cleaning means and said airborne transporting means, in use. 264 627 - 11 -
4. 4. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said spi-<y cleaning means includes an electrically conductive Loom.
5. 5. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said boom includes one or more nozzles at a distal end thereof.
6. 6. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said airborne transporting means is a helicopter and said boom has a length sufficient to extend, in use, beyond the path of a rotor of said airborne transporting means.
7. 7. A cleaning system means as claimed in claim 6 wherein said boom is adjustable in its direction relative to said support means so as to be compatible with the path of rotation of said rotor.
8. 8. A cleaning system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said spray cleaning means includes a cleaning fluid storage means provided, or providable, on said airborne transporting means.
9. 9. A cleaning system as claimed in claim 8 wherein, a _ 1 : ■ ■ ; ■ . . I pumping means is connected with said fluid storage ! means so as to provide cleaning fluid to said 26 4 6 27 - 12 - a supply of pressurized spray cleaning means. A cleaning system substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.