University of Cape Town

University of Kwazulu-natal

Eskom Holdings Soc Limited

Edward Sidney Boje

Trevor Gareth Lorimer

Jason Andrew Hardy

A sensor for monitoring utility poles includes a sensing module to detect a physical quantity from a utility pole or a conductor supported by a utility pole to which the sensor is attached in use. A power supply supplies power to the device and a memory for storing sensor data. A communications module is used for transmitting and receiving sensor data to and from one or more sensors which are attached to other utility poles located adjacent to or nearby the utility pole. A processor uses the detected sensor data together with received sensor data to calculate if the utility pole to which the sensor is attached has changed its physical condition, and wherein if the processor calculates that the utility pole to which the sensor is attached has changed its physical condition, a message is transmitted via the communications module to a remote server.

Sensor and a sensor network for monitoring utility poles

The invention relates to an apparatus for use on a cable, particularly to a power line or cable inspection and/or monitoring apparatus or robot. The apparatus typically comprises a power module to power the apparatus, a pair of links serially coupled via at least one joint, a gripper arrangement coupled to each link for attaching the apparatus to the cable, wherein each gripper arrangement is controllable to grip and/or release the cable as an end effector, and grip the cable as a base in a serial manipulator fashion; and a control arrangement configured at least to control displacement of the links and the gripper arrangements to grip and/or release the cable. The invention also extends to a method of inspecting and/or monitoring a cable; an inspection and/or monitoring system for inspecting a cable; and to a method of operating an apparatus on an elongate cable to avoid an obstacle.

Growing community of inventors

Cape Town, South Africa

Edward Sidney Boje