Extension members and methods of use
The extension member described herein includes a cost-effective and labor-efficient design for large-scale deployment in energy generation and transmission infrastructures. An extension member is provided, and includes a body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A cable clamp can be positioned on the distal end of the body, where the cable clamp can include a channel configured to selectively receive a cable. A fastener body can be positioned at the proximal end of the body and can be configured to couple the body to a support structure.
1 . An extension member, comprising:
a body extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion;
a fastener body positioned at the proximal portion of the body and configured to couple the body to a support structure;
a first aperture positioned on the distal portion; and
a cable clamp positioned on the distal portion, wherein the cable clamp comprises:
a channel configured to selectively receive a cable;
a second aperture positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive a fastener configured to couple the cable clamp to the body; and
at least one projection, wherein the fastener is configured to deform the projection to selectively secure the cable within the channel.
2 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the cable clamp is configured to allow the cable to be rigidly coupled within the channel at a plurality of angles relative to the width of the body within a horizontal plane parallel to the body.
3 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the fastener body is a projection extending from the proximal portion of the body and positioned within an aperture of the support structure.
4 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the fastener body is an aperture extending into the proximal portion of the body and configured to receive a fastener body extending from the support structure.
5 . The extension member of claim 1 , further comprising at least one mounting aperture positioned on the body between the distal portion and the proximal portion.
6 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the body is formed from the same material as the cable arranged within the channel.
7 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the projection is configured to at least partially encompass the cable within the channel.
8 . The extension member of claim 7 , wherein the cable is configured to move relative to the cable clamp while positioned within the channel.
9 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the cable clamp is integral with the body.
10 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the cable clamp is selectively removable from the body.
11 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a curved surface configured to abut against the cable positioned within the channel.
12 . The extension member of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a setscrew, and wherein the apertures include internally threaded holes configured to receive the setscrew.
13 . A method, comprising:
positioning a body on a support structure via a fastener body arranged on the support structure or on a proximal portion of the body;
positioning a cable clamp on a distal portion of the body, wherein the distal portion includes a first aperture and the cable clamp includes a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are configured to receive a fastener configured to couple to the cable clamp to the body;
positioning a cable within a channel formed in the cable clamp; and
deforming, using the fastener, a projection of the cable clamp such that the cable is at least partially encompassed by the projection within the channel, thereby securing the cable within the channel.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein deforming of the projection further comprises:
deforming the projection to an installation position such that the gap is reduced to a value smaller than the diameter of the cable positioned within the channel, wherein the cable is configured to move relative to the body; and
deforming the projection to a locked position, wherein the projection contacts the cable.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising moving the cable relative to the body after securing of the cable within the channel.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising reducing the length of the body.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein reducing the length of the body includes removing a portion of the body.
18 . An extension member, comprising:
a body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and an aperture extending therebetween along at least a portion of the body;
an internally threaded hole positioned on the proximal portion of the body and configured to receive a threaded body extending from a support structure;
a first aperture positioned on the distal portion of the body and configured to receive a fastener;
a channel positioned on the distal portion of the body and configured to receive a cable therein; and
at least one projection extending from the distal portion of the body, the fastener configured to deform the projection to at least partially encompass the cable within the channel.
19 . The extension member of claim 18 , further comprising at least one mounting aperture positioned on the body between the distal portion and the proximal portion.
20 . The extension member of claim 18 , wherein the cable is configured to be rigidly coupled within the channel at a plurality of angles relative to the width of the body within a horizontal plane parallel to the body.
21 . An extension member, comprising:
a body extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion;
at least one mounting aperture positioned on the body between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the mounting aperture configured to receive a projection extending from a support structure to secure the body to the support structure;
a first distal aperture positioned on the distal portion;
a first proximal aperture positioned on the proximal portion;
a first cable clamp positioned on the distal portion, wherein the first cable clamp comprises:
a first channel configured to selectively receive a first cable;
a second distal aperture positioned adjacent the first channel, wherein the first distal aperture and the second distal aperture are configured to receive a first fastener configured to couple the first cable clamp to the body; and
at least one distal projection, wherein the first fastener is configured to deform the distal projection to selectively secure the first cable within the first channel;
a second cable clamp positioned on the proximal portion of the body, wherein the second cable clamp comprises:
a second channel configured to selectively receive a second cable;
a second proximal aperture positioned adjacent the second channel, wherein the first proximal aperture and the second proximal aperture are configured to receive a second fastener configured to couple the second cable clamp to the body; and
at least one proximal projection, wherein the second fastener is configured to deform the proximal projection to selectively secure the second cable within the second channel.
22 . The extension member of claim 21 , wherein each of the first fastener and the second fastener comprises a setscrew, and wherein the first distal aperture, second distal aperture, first proximal aperture, and second proximal aperture include internally threaded holes.