Background

In telecommunications networks, suspended cables are often suspended overhead along poles or other structures, and may be referred to as dropwires (or aerial cables).

Occasionally, maintenance must be performed upon dropwires, for example so as to: clear vegetation; apply a protective sheath; and/or replace the dropwire entirely.

However, such maintenance may present challenges, especially when continuity of telecommunications services is required and when dropwires are deployed across roads, which may need to be closed. Furthermore, when dropwires span difficult terrain (e.g. highly vegetated areas, rivers, or ravines), access may be difficult and/or dangerous.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention at least to help alleviate some of the aforementioned problems.

Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided: an apparatus for traversing a suspended cable, said cable being anchored at each end, and said apparatus comprising: a motor; a driving mechanism powered by the motor; a housing, wherein said housing is transformable between an open state and a closed state, in which: in the open state, the suspended cable is receivable by the driving mechanism, whilst said cable remains anchored, so as to permit bodily translation of the apparatus along the suspended cable; and in the closed state, the housing is configured to enclose, at least, the driving mechanism and the suspended cable when received by the driving mechanism.

Preferably, the driving mechanism is configured to support the apparatus on the suspended cable, when said cable is received by the driving mechanism, and more preferably so as to suspend the apparatus from the cable. Preferably, the motor is electric and/or mechanical. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a battery for powering the motor. Preferably, the apparatus is self- powered and/or self-propelled. Preferably, the suspended cable is a telecommunications cable, and more preferably a dropwire or an aerial cable. Preferably, an external surface of the suspended cable is formed of plastic and/or rubber. Optionally, the suspended cable is slack or taught. Preferably, the suspended cable is (substantially) horizontally orientated, but not vertically orientated. Preferably, the driving mechanism and the motor are coupled to, and more preferably are engaged with, the housing. Preferably, in the closed state, the housing is shaped so as to provide a streamlined form for the apparatus in at least one direction of travel along the suspended cable. Preferably, the housing is (at least in profile) angled or (preferably, convexly) curved so as to cause deflection of matter encountered in a direction of travel along the cable away from the cable, and over and around the apparatus. Optionally, the housing is: lozenge-; stadium-; bullet-; spear-; arrow-; conically-; trapezoid-; or dome-shaped. Optionally, the housing is circularly symmetric or asymmetric about an axis along the direction of travel on the suspended cable. Optionally, the housing is shaped so as to provide a streamlined profile in both directions along the cable. Preferably, the housing is rigid. Optionally, the housing is formed of plastic, wood and/or metal. Preferably, the housing converges to a point where the aperture is provided. Preferably, the aperture is located at an extremity of the housing.

Preferably, the housing comprises, in the open state, an opening exposing the driving mechanism such that the suspended cable is receivable by the driving mechanism in a direction that is perpendicular to the suspended cable.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an aperture for receiving the suspended cable along the direction of travel of the apparatus, wherein said aperture is only provided when the housing is in the closed state. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a pair of said apertures. Preferably, said aperture is dimensioned no larger than twice, more preferably no more than 1 .5 times, more preferably no more than 1 .25 times, and more preferably still no more than 1 .1 times, the diameter of the diameter of the suspended cable. Optionally, the housing comprises a sealing member so as to help seal a gap between the aperture and the suspended cable, and wherein the seal is formed of rubber and/or bristles. Optionally the sealing member is shaped as an annulus in the closed state.

Preferably, the driving mechanism comprises a supporting member, wherein the supporting member is arranged to suspend the apparatus from the suspended cable and to allow movement of the cable along the supporting member. Preferably, the supporting member is configured to rest upon the suspended cable. Preferably, the supporting member is a smooth channel corresponding to the dimensions of the cable for permitting the cable to slide through the channel.

Preferably, the supporting member comprises a rolling member. Preferably, the rolling member is powered by the motor, thereby to drive the apparatus along the suspended cable. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a drivetrain for rotating the rolling member by means of the motor. Preferably, the rolling member is a wheel, and more preferably the rolling member is in the form of a sheave, and preferably having a V- or a U-profile. Preferably, the apparatus comprises at least two rolling members, said at least two being provided in alignment (e.g. in a row). Preferably, all of the rolling members are coupled to the motor with the same mechanical advantage so that all rolling members are driven at the same speed. To help provide sufficient traction along low- friction telecommunications cables, and thereby help prevent slippage, the rolling member is provided with a high-friction surface, such as: a grooved or roughened surface; formed of a high- friction material, such as rubber.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an urging member for urging the driving mechanism towards the suspended cable, when said cable is received by the driving mechanism. Preferably, the urging member is configured to urge the suspended cable towards the supporting member. Preferably, the urging member and the rolling member are configured to clamp the suspended cable therebetween. Preferably, the urging member comprises a further rolling member for contacting the cable. Preferably, the urging member comprises a spring. Preferably, the urging member is arranged on an opposite side of the suspended cable to the rolling member when the suspended cable is received therebetween. Preferably, the further rolling member is driven by the motor.

Preferably, the urging member comprises an actuating mechanism for actuating the urging member towards and away from the suspended cable, when said cable is received by the driving mechanism. Preferably, the urging member is actuated towards the suspended cable, thereby to engage the driving mechanism against the suspended cable, and more preferably so as to clamp the suspended cable between the urging member and the rolling member. Preferably, the urging member comprises a rail or groove for guiding and limiting actuation of the urging member by the actuating mechanism. Preferably, the actuating mechanism is arranged relative to the driving mechanism and housing such that, when the urging member is actuated toward the suspended cable, the actuating mechanism, driving mechanism and housing wholly encircle the suspended cable, such that the actuating mechanism, driving mechanism and/or housing is/are available to support the apparatus from the suspended cable, for example where the driving mechanism disengages from the suspended cable.

Preferably, the housing comprises a body and a cover, wherein the cover is actuatable relative to the body so as to transform the housing between the open state and the closed state. Optionally, the cover is coupled to the body, for example by means of a hinge and/or an interlocking mechanism. Optionally, the body and the cover are entirely separable. Preferably, the body and the cover each comprise a notch so as to form the aperture. Preferably, in the closed state, the housing entirely surrounds the cable, such that the housing is available to support the apparatus from the suspended cable, for example where the driving mechanism disengages from the suspended cable.

Preferably, the cover is coupled to the actuating mechanism, thereby simultaneously to actuate the housing into the closed state and to actuate the urging member towards the suspended cable, when said cable is received by the driving mechanism. Preferably, the housing is actuated into the open state as the urging member is actuated away from the driving mechanism.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a cable coupling for coupling a cable or cord to the apparatus, thereby for the apparatus to pull said cable or cord. Preferably, the cable coupling is arranged at a rear of the apparatus, distally to the direction of travel of the apparatus along the suspended cable. Preferably, the cable coupling is provided on an external surface of the housing. Preferably, the cable coupling is a hook and/or clamp.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a material deposition mechanism for depositing material on the suspended cable. Preferably, the material is a: tape; film; wire; liquid; and/or powder. Preferably, the material deposition mechanism is a winding mechanism for unwinding a spool of material onto the suspended cable. Optionally, the material deposition mechanism is powered by the motor. To ensure even deposition along the cable, preferably, the deposition mechanism is mechanically coupled to the driving mechanism so that a rate of deposition of the deposition mechanism is directly correlated to a rate of movement of the driving mechanism.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured such that at least half of the mass of the apparatus is arranged below the suspended cable, when said cable is received by the driving mechanism. Preferably, constituent components of the apparatus (preferably, at least the: motor; driving mechanism; actuating mechanism; battery; and/or material deposition mechanism) are arranged such that the mass of the apparatus is at a centre of the apparatus along an axis that is parallel to, and more preferably that is coincident upon, the suspended cable. To help ensure sufficient traction along low-friction telecommunications cables, and thereby help prevent slippage, the apparatus comprises a weight so as to increase contact friction between the driving mechanism and the suspended cable received therein.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a wireless receiver and a processor for permitting remote control of, at least, the motor. Preferably, said wireless receiver and processor are configured to permit remote control of the material deposition mechanism. The invention includes any novel aspects described and/or illustrated herein. The invention also extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is also provided as a computer program and/or a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, and a computer-readable medium storing thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein. Features described as being implemented in hardware may alternatively be implemented in software, and vice versa.

Any apparatus feature may also be provided as a corresponding step of a method, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structure, for example as a suitably-programmed processor.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied, in any appropriate combination, to other aspects of the invention. Any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. Particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

As used throughout, the word 'or' can be interpreted in the exclusive and/or inclusive sense, unless otherwise specified.

The invention extends to an apparatus as described herein and/or substantially as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is now described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a portion of a telecommunications network comprising a cable management apparatus;

Figures 2a and 2b show the cable management apparatus in more detail; and

Figures 3a and 3b show further details of the cable management apparatus.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a cable management apparatus 100 shown in use as part of a fixed-access telecommunications network, which comprises an elevated suspended telecommunications cable (or dropwire) 1 10 and a pair of distribution points 120, for example in the form of a telegraph / telephone pole. The cable 110 is anchored at both ends to the distribution points 120. The cable management apparatus 100 is configured to be mounted and secured onto the cable 1 10 while the cable remains anchored, and then to traverse the cable. In this way, the cable management apparatus is available to help perform maintenance and/or installation tasks without requiring an engineer to work at height or to disconnect the cable 110.

Figures 2a and 2b show the cable management apparatus 100 in more detail and in situ mounted onto the cable 110. Figure 2a shows the cable management apparatus in a longitudinal (or profile) cross-sectional view and Figure 2b in a lateral cross-sectional view.

The cable management apparatus 100 comprises a motor 210, driving mechanism 220, and a housing 230, each of which are mounted onto a chassis 235.

The driving mechanism 220 comprises a set of rolling elements for receiving, and guiding the cable management apparatus 100 on, the cable 110. In turn, the set of rolling elements comprises an upper set of wheels 220-1 , which are arranged to rest upon the cable 110, and a lower wheel 220-2 for contacting an underside of the cable 1 10, opposite the upper set off wheels 220-1 .

The motor 210 is coupled to the driving mechanism, and specifically to the lower wheel 220-2, by means of a drivetrain (not shown), thereby to drive the apparatus along the cable 110 when the apparatus 100 is mounted upon the cable and when the lower wheel 220-2 is engaged against the cable.

The motor 210 is in the form of an electric motor, which is connected to an electric battery 270 provided within the housing 230. In this way, the apparatus 100 is self-powered and self-propelled.

To help increase traction between the driving mechanism 220 and the cable 1 10, the set of upper and/or lower wheels comprise a high-friction material, such as rubber, Nano Tape (as provided by 3M of Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.), Polyurethane gel, and/or a rough surface.

The housing 230 is provided to enclose, at least, the motor and driving mechanism 220. However, in order to mount the apparatus 100 onto the cable 110 whilst anchored, the housing is configured to be opened so as to expose the driving mechanism to the cable.

Accordingly, the housing 230 comprises a body 230-1 and a cover 230-2, which are coupled therebetween by means of a hinge 240. The cover is actuatable, relative to the body, so as to transform the housing between an open state 250-1 and a closed state 250-2. In the open state 250-1 , the cover 230-2 exposes an unobstructed opening in the body 230-1 , extending across the entire length of the housing so that the driving mechanism 220 is accessible. In this way, the upper set of wheels are available to be slotted, laterally (/.e. perpendicular to the direction of travel of the apparatus along the cable), over and onto the cable, without having to thread an end of the cable through the driving mechanism.

In the closed state 250-2, the motor and driving mechanism 220 are (substantially) encased by the housing, thereby to help prevent entanglement of material (e.g. vegetation) in moving parts of the apparatus 100. Furthermore, in the closed state 250-2, the housing helps ensure that the apparatus 100 cannot fall from the cable in operation.

To allow the cable 1 10 to pass through the apparatus 100, the housing comprises two split apertures 260, arranged distally to one another at opposite longitudinal ends of the housing. The apertures are dimensioned so as to receive the cable. In particular, the apertures are larger than, but closely match the dimensions of, the cable. Each of the apertures is formed, in the closed state 250-2, by the union of complementary notches provided on each of the body 230-1 and the cover 230-2. Each notch is therefore also dimensioned to receive the cable. The apertures 260 are arranged in alignment with the upper set of wheels 220-1 so that the cable passes through the apertures when the upper set of wheels 220-1 rest on the cable.

To assist with deflection of material away from the apparatus as the apparatus travels along the cable, thereby to help prevent the apparatus from becoming ensnared, in the closed state 250-2 the housing is provided with a streamlined shape in the direction(s) of travel. As best shown in Figure 2a, the housing comprises inwardly angled ends that terminate with the apertures.

Since telecommunications cables, like cable 1 10, may be anchored in place with some slack, the weight of the apparatus will cause the cable to tension and therefore re-angle. To avoid the housing from dragging along the cable, a forward -facing portion of the housing in the direction of travel and the apertures 260 are angled and dimensioned so as to clear sections where the cable is steeply angled because of the weight of the apparatus.

Once the apparatus is mounted onto the cable by means of the upper set of wheels 220-1 , to help secure the apparatus onto the cable and to increase traction, the lower wheel 220-2 is configured to provide, against the upper set of wheels, a clamping force upon the cable. To do so, the lower wheel 220-2 (and motor 210) is mounted on a movable plate 290 coupled to the chassis 235, via a rail (alternatively, shaft or channel), and coupled to an actuating mechanism 280 for moving the plate 290 towards and away from the (fixed) upper set of wheels.

As shown in Figure 2a, the actuating mechanism 280 comprises a pair of levers 280-1 comprising cams 280-2. Upon rotation of the levers, the cams are rotated so as to impart linear motion upon the plate 290. The cams are arranged as an offset cam clamp so as to lock the plate 290 in position when the lower wheel reaches a travel limit towards the upper set of wheels.

Figures 3a and 3b show internal components of the apparatus 100 in lateral cross-sectional views. By means of the actuating mechanism 280, the lower wheel is movable towards and away from the upper set of wheels 220-1 , up to extents that the lower wheel does not contact the cable (as shown in Figure 3a) and that the lower wheel abuts against the cable (as shown in Figure 3b) respectively. Furthermore, the plate 290 comprises a lip 300 that actuates between positions in which the cable is exposed and enclosed (by the lip 300, chassis 235, lower wheel 220-2, and upper set of wheels 220-1 ); this helps ensure that the apparatus 100 does not fall from the cable, should the upper set of wheels 220-1 detach from the cable.

An urging member (not shown), for example in the form of a spring, is coupled to the lower wheel 220-2 arranged to urge the lower wheel towards the upper set of wheels. Accordingly, the lower wheel is available to compress the against the cable 1 10. Additionally, compliance of the urging member allows the lower wheel 220-2 to accommodate different gauges of telecommunications cable.

The cover 230-2 is also coupled to the actuating member 280 so that the cover is simultaneously drawn towards the body 230-1 as the lower wheel 220-2 is moved towards the cable 1 10, and so that the housing is transformed into the closed state 250-2 when the lower wheel is moved into abutment with the cable.

To help ensure stability of the apparatus when mounted on the cable, the components of the apparatus are distributed so that the centre of mass of the apparatus lies vertically aligned with the upper set of wheels and below the contact point with the cable 110. This may be achieved by arranging weighty components of the apparatus below the upper set of wheels, and ideally as low as possible within the housing.

To help control the apparatus, the apparatus further comprises a controller (not shown) to control, at least, the motor and/or the instrument. With the assistance of the controller, the apparatus is available to operate autonomously. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus comprises a wireless receiver, coupled to the controller, thereby to enable remote control of the apparatus by a user.

Alternatives and Modifications

In one example, the apparatus 100 is available further to comprise an instrument (not shown in the figures) for inspection, maintenance and/or installation of the cable 1 10, or other cables, and may include, for example:

• a sensor for cable inspection, such as a camera;

• a releasable attachment mechanism, such as a hook or clamp, coupled to the housing 230 for attaching a line, thereby to help string another telecommunications cable;

• a material deposition system for deposition material upon the cable 1 10, such as liquid or tape; and

• a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the cable 110, such as rotating and/or oscillating heads.

In an alternative, the offset cams 280-1 are graduated with a plurality of fixing positions to allow the lower wheel to be locked in abutment against cables of different diameters.

Furthermore, in another alternative, the, or another, motor 210 is configured to drive the offset cams and is sensitive to force so as automatically to apply an appropriate contact force between lower wheel and the cable 1 10.

In the examples of the figures, the apparatus is shown to slot horizontally onto the cable. In an alternative, the exposed opening in the open state is provided on an underside of the housing, and in alignment with the upper set of wheels, so that the apparatus may be dropped on the cable. In this case, where the apparatus comprises a lower wheel, the lower wheel is actuatable horizontally, in order to expose the upper set of wheels.

In an alternative, the upper set of wheels is replaced by a static (/.e. non-rolling) smooth inverted U-shaped channel, thereby allowing the apparatus 100 to slide along the cable 110.

In yet another alternative, the driving mechanism comprises rolling elements that are arranged to clamp the cable horizontally (or at an angle relative to horizontal), in addition, or as an alternative, to the upper sets of wheels and/or the lower wheel. In a further alternative, the, or another, motor, is also coupled to the actuating mechanism, thereby automatically to actuate the plate 290 and cover 230-2.

In an alternative, the driving mechanism is provided without the lower wheel, and the motor is instead connected so as to drive the upper wheel.

Each feature disclosed herein, and (where appropriate) as part of the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination. Any reference numerals appearing in the claims are for illustration only and shall not limit the scope of the claims.