Search
Close this search box.

Innovation in overhead line technology: EQOS Energie registered patent for cable-stringing pulley assembly

12. March 2019
  • More safety and efficiency for complex overhead line work

EQOS Energie has registered a patent for a novel method of performing wire hoisting work in the Overhead Lines business unit: As part of a one-year testing run, EQOS Energie developed an innovative form of the cable-stringing pulley assembly, which will not only make the exchange or installation of high-voltage lines much safer in the future but will also speed up the process by up to one-third. This way, EQOS Energie is particularly qualified for sophisticated and complex fitting projects and sets new safety-relevant benchmarks in overhead line technology. The degree of innovation of the cable-stringing pulley assembly is based on the special arrangement of four pulleys placed side-by-side within the surrounding retainer of the cable-stringing pulley assembly. Axes of rotation, circumferential directions and the corresponding broadening of the cables are taken into account by the cable-stringing pulley assembly and also contribute to securing the cables used. In addition, the cable-stringing pulley assembly is particularly resistant to thermal impacts and extremely light due to the use of aluminium and plastic materials. This is an additional advantage, because the lower weight makes the fitters’ work significantly easier.

“Cable-stringing pulley assemblies are necessary for being able to install and exchange lines more safely and more efficiently between masts, which may stand up to one kilometre apart,” said Patric Rieder, who is in charge of the Southern Germany and Austria regions in overhead line construction at EQOS Energie, explaining the benefits. “Based on this newly developed cable-stringing pulley assembly, up to four wires can be fed in. As a result, during fitting the wires being fed in or removed have the effect of securing each other. If one wire were to tear, another three independently acting conductors could each carry the full weight of the other conductors.”

One-year testing phase by a multi-disciplinary team of experts

The increased safety aspect plays a significant role, because the cable work is often performed during full regular operation of a facility, e.g. in shipping ports. The risk that conductors, which can weigh up to several tonnes depending on their diameter or span, could sag or even fall down must therefore be excluded completely. It is for this reason that EQOS Energie has invested an entire year in the complex development of the cable-stringing pulley assembly. A core team of site and project managers has tested the various mechanical force effects of the cable-stringing pulley assembly and closely collaborated with experts from the fields of occupational safety, steel and line planning, statics as well as structural and materials engineering in the process.

Accelerated fitting work

The process of the wire hoisting work is always performed in multiple working steps. From one mast to the next, fitters lead or exchange the different types of cables: from plastic cables and hollow braided steel cables to the ultimately employed conductors. This increases the carrying weight step by step. Due to the new cable-stringing pulley assembly, this labour-intensive process can now be accelerated significantly. “In the future, we will save up to one-third of the time for fitting, because we require fewer working steps due to the greatly increased safety aspect,” said Patric Rieder.

Contact

Please contact our
press department for more information:
Michelle Fiege
T +49 2336 4279-221

Heike Carmen Flory
T +49 2336 4279-210

Mailing List

Are you a journalist and
would you like us to include you on our mailing list?
Please contact us.