US3749813A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expanded self-damping electrical conductor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-31
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Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1992-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An expanded, self-damping conductor structure is provided in which the overall diameter and the peripheral surface area exposed to the surrounding air can be made very large as compared to the material used, and in which there are inherent superior self-damping characteristics. The conductor is comprised of a main conductor component or element enclosed within a larger diameter flexible shielding tube. The main conductor element provides most of the required conductance and all of the required strength. The flexible tube provides an overall diameter of sufficient size as required to limit the surface voltage gradient to acceptable values for the transmission voltage involved, assuring good corona, audible noise and radio noise performance. When installed under tension in overhead transmission lines, the tensioned main conductor element supports itself and the nontensioned, loose-fitting outer flexible tube, and the entire conductor throughout its length constitutes an effective vibration damper of the festoon type. The wind induced intermotion of the flexible tube and the main conductor element causes clashing and rubbing which action dissipates vibration energy and enhances the self-damping characteristics of the conductor. The conductor structure has the unique design advantage that the conductance, strength and diameter can be independently controlled within wide limits of design.
Inventors
- 👤 A Shealy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G7/00; H02G7/14; H01; H01B; H01B5/00; H01B5/002; H01B5/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An expanded-diameter, self-damping electrical conductor for overhead suspension from spaced supports comprising an elongated, electrically conductive element adapted to be suspended under tension; and an elongated, electrically conductive, flexible tube axially receiving said conductive element and supported thereon in untensioned, electrically contacting relationship, said tube having an internal crosssectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said conductive element to permit transverse movement relative thereto and having a predetermined minimum mass as to provide mechanical interference to oscillatory movement of said conductive element, at least one of said conductive element and conductive tube having a contacting surface thereof coated with an electrically conductive, resilient material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An expanded-diameter, self-damping electrical conductor for overhead suspension from spaced supports comprising an elongated, electrically conductive element adapted to be suspended under tension; and an elongated, electrically conductive, flexible tube axially receiving said conductive element and supported thereon in untensioned, electrically contacting relationship, said tube having an internal crosssectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said conductive element to permit transverse movement relative thereto and having a predetermined minimum mass as to provide mechanical interference to oscillatory movement of said conductive element, at least one of said conductive element and conductive tube having a contacting surface thereof coated with an electrically conductive, resilient material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein said conductive element and conductive tube both have their respective contacting surfaces coated with an electrically conductive, resilient material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein said conductive tube has the exterior surface thereof coated with an electrically conductive, resilient material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
an electrical conductor according to claim 1 wherein said conductive tube is formed with a plurality of holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 4 wherein said holes are non-uniformly sized and randomly spaced relative to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
An expanded-diameter, self-damping electrical conductor for overhead suspension from spaced supports comprising an elongated, electrically conductive element adapted to be suspended under tension; an elongated, electrically conductive, flexible tube axially receiving said conductive element and supported thereon in untensioned, electrically contacting relationship, said tube having an internal cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said conductive element to permit transverse movement relative thereto and having a predetermined minimum mass as to provide mechanical interference to oscillatory movement of said conductive element; and resilient means interposed between said conductive element and conductive tube to inhibit relative transverse movement therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An expanded-diameter, self-damping electrical conductor for overhead suspension from spaced supports comprising an elongated, electrically conductive element adapted to be suspended under tension; an elongated, electrically conductive, flexible tube axially receiving said conductive element and supported thereon in untensioned, electrically contacting relationship, said tube having an internal cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of said conductive element to permit transverse movement relative thereto and having a predetermined minimum mass as to provide mechanical interference to oscillatory movement of said conductive element; and resilient means interposed between said conductive element and conductive tube to inhibit relative transverse movement therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 6 wherein said conductive tube is formed from a synthetic resinous material having a property of electrical conductance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 6 wherein said resilient means comprises an axially extending, helical spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 8 having a plurality of said Springs relatively disposed in axially spaced relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 6 having a plurality of compression springs disposed in axially spaced relationship, each of said springs interposed between said conductive element and tube to urge said element into contacting relationship with said tube wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 6 having a plurality of compression springs disposed at predetermined points along the axial dimension of the cable, said plurality of springs at each point angularly spaced around said conductive element to maintain said element in spaced relationship to said tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 6 wherein said resilient means comprises a synthetic resinous material which is electrically conductive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 12 wherein said resinous material extends throughout the length of the conductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical conductor according to claim 12 wherein said resinous material is formed in discrete units disposed in axially spaced relationship.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |