Dielectric rope with sheds
A dielectric rope comprises a non-conductive core and an impermeable jacket disposed around the core and one or more sheds comprising either of a thermo-retractable shed permanently affixed or a first portion and a second portion configured to be secured to the first portion. When the first and second portion of the shed are secured to each other, the shed defines an aperture for receiving the rope therein. The dielectric rope with sheds dissipates electric streamers and improves personnel safety when working in contact with energised equipment.
1 . An insulating rope comprising:
a non-conductive core;
an impermeable non-conducting jacket disposed around the core;
the rope having a first end and a second end, each one of the first end and the second end comprising means for securing the rope to an object; and
one or more sheds, the one or more sheds comprising:
a first portion; and
a second portion configured to be secured to the first portion;
wherein, when the second portion is secured to the first portion, the one or more sheds define an aperture for receiving the rope therein; and
at least one substantially rigid termination member sealingly enveloping at least a portion of the rope proximate at least one of the first end or the second end, wherein the one or more sheds are configured to be secured to the termination member.
2 . The rope according to claim 1 , wherein the termination member defines one or more grooves and wherein an inner diameter of the one or more grooves substantially corresponds to a diameter of the aperture.
3 . The rope according to claim 1 , wherein one of the termination member and the one or more sheds comprises fastening means configured to complementarily engage the other one of the termination member and the one or more sheds.
4 . The rope according to claim 1 , wherein the core comprises fibers of at least one of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester and aramid.
5 . The rope according to claim 4 , wherein the fibers are braided.
6 . The rope according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
the first portion and the second portion define couplers, the couplers of the first portion being complementary to the couplers of the second portion and configured to engage therewith, and the first portion and the second portion are configured to receive one or more screws extending between the first portion and the second portion for securing the first portion to the second portion.
7 . The rope according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more sheds comprise one or more of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, cast nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl ether, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, High-Density Polyethylene, fiberglass, fiber-reinforced polymer, polyurethane, glass and ceramic.
8 . The rope according to claim 1 , comprising at least one shed proximate the first end and at least one shed proximate the second end, wherein the at least one shed has a first outer diameter at a narrow shed end and a second outer diameter at a wide shed end, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter.
9 . The rope according to claim 8 , wherein a longitudinal direction from the wide shed end to the narrow shed end extends towards a most proximate of the first and second ends of the rope.
10 . The rope according to claim 8 , wherein a longitudinal direction from the wide shed end to the narrow shed end extends towards one of the first and second ends of the rope.
11 . An insulating rope comprising:
a non-conductive core;
an impermeable non-conducting jacket disposed around the core;
the rope having a first end and a second end, each one of the first end and the second end comprising means for securing the rope to an object; and
one or more sheds, the one mor more sheds comprising:
a first portion; and
a second portion configured to be secured to the first portion;
wherein, when the second portion is secured to the first portion, the one or more sheds define an aperture for receiving the rope therein; and
wherein the one or more sheds comprise one or more of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, cast nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl ether, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, High-Density Polyethylene, fiberglass, fiber-reinforced polymer, polyurethane, glass and ceramic.
12 . The insulating rope according to claim 11 , further comprising at least one substantially rigid termination member sealingly enveloping at least a portion of the rope proximate at least one of the first end or the second end.
13 . The insulating rope according to claim 12 , wherein the one or more sheds are configured to be secured to the termination member.
14 . The insulating rope according to claim 13 , wherein one of the termination member and the one or more sheds comprises fastening means configured to complementarily engage the other one of the termination member and the one or more sheds.
15 . The insulating rope according to claim 11 , wherein the core comprises fibers of at least one of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester and aramid.
16 . The insulating rope according to claim 15 , wherein the fibers are braided.
17 . The insulating rope according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of:
the first portion and the second portion define couplers, the couplers of the first portion being complementary to the couplers of the second portion and configured to engage therewith; and
the first portion and the second portion are configured to receive one or more screws extending between the first portion and the second portion for securing the first portion to the second portion.
18 . The insulating rope according to claim 11 , comprising at least one shed proximate the first end and at least one shed proximate the second end, wherein the at least one shed has a first outer diameter at a narrow shed end and a second outer diameter at a wide shed end, the second outer diameter being greater than the first outer diameter.
19 . The insulating rope according to claim 18 , wherein a longitudinal direction from the wide shed end to the narrow shed end extends towards a most proximate of the first and second ends of the rope.
20 . The insulating rope according to claim 14 , wherein a longitudinal direction from the wide shed end to the narrow shed end extends towards one of the first and second ends of the rope.