Prime-mover dynamo plants – Electric control – Fluid-current motors
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-15
2004-03-30
Dougherty, Thomas M. (Department: 2834)
Prime-mover dynamo plants
Electric control
Fluid-current motors
C290S055000, C052S040000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06713891
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wind turbine with a suspension and such a suspension for attaching elongated members such as cables, cords, wires or the like, said suspension comprising a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, said clamping portions being intended for clamping around the member, and where the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion may be displaced inwards against towards each other and by means of securing means may be secured around the item. The invention also relates to a holder for such suspension.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,704 describes a clamp for securing a cord or the like. The clamp comprises a body and a cover, each provided with surfaces for supporting the cord. Each part comprises a clamping portion and a through-going bead, extending within the surface of the clamping jaw. The cover is displaceable in relation to the body so that the clamping jaws are more or less tightly engaged. Thus, it is possible to secure cords with different diameters. The cover is displaced in relation to the body and is secured in relation to the body by means of a bolt.
However, this clamp has certain drawbacks. Because of the shape of the clamping jaws, where the inner surfaces of the clamping jaws have a partly circular cross-section with a given radius, it is not possible to secure cords with a smaller diameter as well as cords with a large diameter, and specifically not as well as cords with a diameter corresponding to the radius of the inner surfaces of the clamping jaws. Furthermore, the way that the body and the cover are mutually connected has the drawback that there is a risk of tearing off any insulation of the cords because of the pincers-movement made by the cover in relation to the body, when the two clamping jaws are being displaced towards each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,196 describes a clamp connector for holding of electrical wires and for connecting of these. The connector comprises a first and a second half portion which are mutually joined and which are provided with at least two corresponding grooves for taking up of the electrical wires. Each of the two half portions is provided with transverse bridging plates that are provided with sets of piercing teeth. The purpose of the connector is to provide a means that is capable of better securing the electrical wires, also even if the ends of the electrical wires are exposed to a permanent deformation when the ends are pushed together in the holder. Furthermore, it is a purpose that the connector itself is not exposed to deformation when the two half portions of the connector are mutually connected and tightened towards each other.
This connector has actually the complete opposite purpose than the present invention and accordingly this connector is provided with means that are very different to the means of the holder of the present invention. The purpose of the above-mentioned connector is to penetrate the insulation of the wires and the wires themselves in order to obtain the conducting contact between the ends of the wires and the transverse bridging plates. Thus, a severe and permanent deformation of not only the insulation but also of the wiring itself is established with the connector of the above-mentioned US-publication.
DE 2 650 145 describes a clamp for hanging up of electrical cables extending horizontally between masts. The clamp comprises an inner shelf clamping around the cable and an outer shelf surrounding the inner shelf. The inner shelf consists of two halves tightened together around the cable. Each of the two halves is provided with jaws together forming a substantially semi-circular cross-section, so that when the two halves of the inner shelf are squeezed together then a substantially circular cross-section is formed through which cross-section the electrical cable stretches. The purpose of the holder is however to provide a holder minimising the risk of water penetrating into the holder and which, if water nevertheless did pass into the holder, assures that the water is led out of the holder again.
This holder has more similarities with the present invention. However, still a substantial drawback is envisaged. Each of the two halves of the inner shelf has opposite end surfaces being pushed towards each other when the two halves of the inner shelf are being tightened together. There is a great risk of the insulation of the electrical wires being squeezed between these opposing surfaces. It is important to bear in mind, that the diameter of the electrical wire may vary depending on the manufacturer of the cables and depending on the type of cable and due to different dimensions depending on temperature and humidity. Especially in the case where the two halves are completely joined and where the opposing surfaces are abutting each other when the halves are joined, then there is an even greater risk of the insulation being squeezed and damaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,897 describes a hanger for supporting transmission lines such as coaxial cables and the like used in antenna systems. The hanger comprises a clamping structure with two gripping elements. The gripping elements of the clamping structure grip the coaxial cables by means of notches provided on gripping surfaces of the gripping elements. This is accomplished by securing means such as bolt and nut, which tighten the two gripping elements together. The gripping elements are also provided with snapping elements for connecting said gripping elements so that the clamping structure may be used for initially loosely clamping the cables and subsequently firmly clamping the cables when the securing means are tightened.
The document describes the possibility of gripping cables by having beads on gripping surfaces of gripping elements. However, the clamping structure still has the great disadvantage that the outer insulation of the cables may be damaged when the gripping elements are tightened. Because of the expressed need for firstly loosely securing and subsequently firmly securing the cables to the clamping structure, snapping means are provided. These may however squeeze the insulation when the gripping elements are firmly tightened around the cables. Furthermore, there is no mentioning of the special problems occurring within wind turbine towers where the cables may be twisted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,728 describes a wind turbine with yaw spring return means for returning the nacelle of the wind turbine from a position to which it has been turned to the initial position in order to prevent excessive twisting of the power cables and control cables. The power cables and control cables extend loosely and linearly downwards from the nacelle through a passage constituted by an annular bearing to the tower. When the nacelle rotates in relation to the tower, the cables will twist as well. When the nacelle by means of the yaw spring returns to its initial position the cables will unwind.
This document does however not disclose special means for suspending the cables extending from the nacelle downward through the passage to the tower. Thus, with no special suspension means and with a twisting of the cables, then there is a great risk of the cables disconnecting from whichever attachment means they may be connected to. Also, cables extending form the nacelle and downwards through high towers will experience that the weight of the cables together with only a slight twisting of the cables may cause the cables to disconnect in response to a combination of the load from the weight of the cables just added a small force from the slight twisting of the cables.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a suspension capable of securing cords, cables, wires, hoses and the like with varying diameters with the same degree of securing, but also securing these items in a better way and especially a suspension for suspending the items vertically. Moreover, it is the object of the invention to provide a suspension without the risk of damag
Kirkegaard Karsten
Kristensen Per
Lindberg Peder Wehner
Dan-Control Engineering A/S
Dougherty Thomas M.
Pham Leda
LandOfFree
Wind mill with a suspension for cables and the like, such... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Wind mill with a suspension for cables and the like, such..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wind mill with a suspension for cables and the like, such... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3203072