Elastic electric connector for blade lightning protection cable

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of electric connectors, in particular to an elastic electric connector for a blade lightning protection cable, which comprises a fixed end sleeve, an outer sleeve, a movable end sleeve, a first elastic mechanism and a second elastic mechanism, one end of the movable end sleeve is in sliding connection with the other end of the outer sleeve, the first elastic mechanism is arranged in the outer sleeve, one end of the first elastic mechanism is connected with the fixed end sleeve, the other end of the first elastic mechanism is connected with the movable end sleeve, and the movable end sleeve is sleeved with the second elastic mechanism. The electric connector is reliable in electrical connection and not prone to deformation except for the axial direction, and the lightning protection cable can frequently stretch out and draw back in a reciprocating mode under the assistance of the electric connector and cannot be fractured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electric connectors, and in particular to an elastic electric connector for a blade lightning protection cable. Background Art

[0002] The function of the lightning protection lead-in cable for wind turbine blades is to guide the lightning current from the blade lightning arrester to the grounding system of the wind turbine equipment when the blades of the wind turbine equipment are struck by lightning, thereby realizing lightning protection for the blades. As the power of wind turbine generator sets increases, the size of the blades also increases. The working conditions of the blades are worse than before, and the forces of wind-induced vibration, torsion and repeated bending are more complicated than before. In recent years, not only the lightning protection lead-in cable with aluminum alloy core has the conductor broken as a whole in large blades, but also the lightning protection lead-in cable with Class 5 soft copper conductor has the conductor broken as a whole. From the many failure cases of blade fatigue tests, in the prior art, the lightning protection lead-in cable is fixed in the web of the blade with glue. After the cable breaks, the broken cable reciprocates in the web of the blade with the bending vibration of the blade, and its amplitude is close to 20mm. The glue bonding between the web of the blade and the cable sheath completely fails. The breakage of the lightning protection lead-in cable when the blade is working is unpredictable, and the condition of the blade that has lost its reliable lightning current guidance ability when it is struck by lightning is undoubtedly catastrophic.

[0003] Therefore, how to set up an elastic electrical connector with reliable electrical connection and allowing frequent axial reciprocating expansion and contraction near the location where the lightning protection cable is prone to break during blade fatigue resistance testing has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently by technical personnel in this field. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides an elastic electric connector for blade lightning protection cable, which is used to solve the problem of how to arrange an elastic electric connector with reliable electrical connection and allowing frequent axial reciprocating expansion and contraction near the position where the lightning protection lead cable is prone to break during blade fatigue resistance test.

[0005] The present invention provides an elastic electric connector for a blade lightning protection cable, comprising: Fixed end casing; An outer sleeve; one end of which is connected to one end of the fixed end sleeve; A movable end sleeve; one end of which is slidably connected to the other end of the outer sleeve; A first elastic mechanism; disposed inside the outer sleeve, with one end connected to the fixed end sleeve and the other end connected to the movable end sleeve; The second elastic mechanism is sleeved on the movable end sleeve.

[0006] In some embodiments, the fixed end sleeve comprises: A first insulating sleeve; one end of which is provided with a lightning protection cable; The fixed end terminal is installed at the other end of the first insulating sleeve, and the fixed end terminal is sleeved inside one side of the outer sleeve.

[0007] In some embodiments, the movable end sleeve comprises: A second insulating sleeve; one end of which is internally sleeved with another lightning protection cable; The movable end terminal is installed at the other end of the second insulating sleeve, and the movable end terminal is sleeved inside the other side of the outer sleeve.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first elastic mechanism comprises: Braided copper tape; arranged inside the outer sleeve; Copper nut A; installed at one end of the braided copper strip; Copper nut B; installed at the other end of the braided copper belt; Among them, bolts are installed on both the fixed end terminal and the movable end terminal, and the braided copper strip is connected to the fixed end terminal through a copper nut A, and is connected to the movable end terminal through a copper nut B.

[0009] In some of the embodiments, the braided copper belt abuts against the inner wall of the outer sleeve.

[0010] In some of the embodiments, a fixed end cover is installed inside the port of the outer sleeve close to the movable end sleeve, and the movable end sleeve is slidably connected to the fixed end cover.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second elastic mechanism comprises: A retaining spring; a retaining slot is provided on the movable terminal, and the retaining spring is installed on the movable terminal through the retaining slot; Sliding ring; the sliding sleeve is arranged on the movable terminal, and one side is in contact with the clamping spring, and the outer periphery is slidably connected with the inner wall of the outer sleeve; A spring is sleeved on the movable end terminal, and one end of the spring abuts against the sliding ring, and the other end abuts against the fixed end cover.

[0012] In some embodiments, one end of a rubber insulating telescopic sleeve is connected to the movable end terminal, and the other end of the rubber insulating telescopic sleeve is connected to the outer sleeve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first insulating sleeve and the second insulating sleeve are both heat shrinkable insulating sleeves.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sheaths of the lightning protection cable, the first insulating sleeve and the second insulating sleeve are removed.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: an elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection of the present invention is arranged at a position where the blade cable is prone to breakage (generally near the root of the blade), and the conductor in the lightning protection lead-in cable is crimped with the fixed terminal and the movable terminal at both ends of the elastic electrical connector, respectively, and the other ends of the fixed terminal and the movable terminal are connected to the braided copper strip, thereby achieving a reliable electrical connection. The movable terminal is connected to one side of the braided copper strip, and then the fixed end cover, spring, sliding ring and compression spring are sequentially inserted into the braided copper strip, and then the fixed end cover, spring and sliding ring are fixed by the retaining spring to achieve axial positioning, and the outer sleeve is put on, and the fixed end cover that has been inserted into the movable terminal is aligned with one side of the outer sleeve and riveted and fixed (or welded), and the braided copper strip is installed on the fixed terminal with copper nut A, and the braided copper strip is installed on the movable terminal with copper nut B, and then the braided copper strip is curled to insert the fixed terminal into the outer sleeve and riveted and fixed (or welded). When the movable terminal is subjected to axial tension, the compression spring is pulled out to a certain length and the curled braided copper strip is pulled out. When the axial tension disappears, the movable terminal shrinks and resets under the action of the spring elastic force. The outer side of the movable terminal and the outer sleeve is protected by a rubber insulating telescopic tube, which not only provides insulation protection but also ensures the free expansion and contraction of the movable terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable from one perspective of the present invention. In the attached drawings, 1. first insulating sleeve; 2. outer sleeve; 3. fixed end terminal; 4. second insulating sleeve; 5. movable end terminal; 6. braided copper strip; 7. copper nut A; 8. copper nut B; 9. fixed end cover; 10. retaining spring; 11. sliding ring; 12. spring; 13. rubber insulating telescopic sleeve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] As described in the background technology, in the prior art, the lightning protection lead-in cable is fixed in the web of the blade with glue. After the cable breaks, the broken cable twitches back and forth in the web of the blade along with the bending vibration of the blade, with an amplitude of nearly 20 mm, and the glue bonding between the web of the blade and the cable sheath completely fails. The breakage of the lightning protection lead-in cable when the blade is working is unpredictable, and the condition of the blade that has lost its reliable lightning current guidance capability when struck by lightning is undoubtedly catastrophic. Therefore, how to provide an elastic electrical connector that has reliable electrical connection and allows frequent axial reciprocating extension and contraction near the location where the lightning protection lead-in cable is prone to break during blade fatigue resistance testing has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently by those skilled in the art. To solve the above problems, refer to Figure 1 The present invention provides an elastic electrical connector for a blade lightning protection cable, comprising a fixed end sleeve, an outer sleeve 2, a movable end sleeve, a first elastic mechanism and a second elastic mechanism, one end of the outer sleeve 2 is connected to one end of the fixed end sleeve, one end of the movable end sleeve is slidably connected to the other end of the outer sleeve 2, the first elastic mechanism is arranged inside the outer sleeve 2, one end of the first elastic mechanism is connected to the fixed end sleeve, and the other end is connected to the movable end sleeve, and the second elastic mechanism is sleeved on the movable end sleeve.

[0019] Preferably, the fixed end sleeve includes: a first insulating sleeve 1 and a fixed end terminal 3, a lightning protection cable is sleeved inside one end of the first insulating sleeve 1, the fixed end terminal 3 is installed at the other end of the first insulating sleeve 1, and the fixed end terminal 3 is sleeved inside one side of the outer sleeve 2.

[0020] Specifically, when the lightning protection cable conductor adopts a copper core, the outer sleeve 2 and the metal parts in contact with the outer sleeve 2 are made of copper or copper alloy. When the lightning protection cable conductor adopts an aluminum alloy core, the outer sleeve 2 and the metal parts in contact with the outer sleeve 2 are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The fixed end terminal 3 and the movable end terminal 5 are connected to the lightning protection cable conductor with an aluminum tube, and the rest is copper. Friction welding is used between copper and aluminum to ensure the rigidity of the entire connector and prevent deformation other than axial.

[0021] Furthermore, a raised step is provided on one side of the fixed end terminal 3 close to the outer sleeve 2, and the raised step is inserted into the end of the outer sleeve 2 on that side, and the tube wall of the end of the outer sleeve 2 on that side that is higher than the raised step of the fixed end terminal 3 is knocked, so that the fixed end terminal 3 and the end of the outer sleeve 2 on that side are riveted together. The riveting method has low cost, simple operation and firm installation.

[0022] Preferably, the movable end sleeve comprises: a second insulating sleeve 4 and a movable end terminal 5, and another lightning protection cable is sleeved inside one end of the second insulating sleeve 4. The movable terminal 5 is installed at the other end of the second insulating sleeve 4 , and the movable terminal 5 is sleeved inside the other side of the outer sleeve 2 .

[0023] Preferably, the first elastic mechanism includes: a braided copper belt 6, a copper nut A7 and a copper nut B8, the braided copper belt 6 is arranged inside the outer sleeve 2, the copper nut A7 is installed at one end of the braided copper belt 6, and the copper nut B8 is installed at the other end of the braided copper belt 6, wherein bolts are installed on the fixed end terminal 3 and the movable end terminal 5, and the braided copper belt 6 is connected to the fixed end terminal 3 through the copper nut A7, and is connected to the movable end terminal 5 through the copper nut B8.

[0024] Preferably, the braided copper belt 6 abuts against the inner wall of the outer sleeve 2 .

[0025] Specifically, the braided copper belt 6 abutting against the inner wall of the outer sleeve 2 can ensure that when the connector is axially stretched, the braided copper belt 6 can be precisely and synchronously stretched along the axial direction.

[0026] Preferably, a fixed end cover 9 is installed inside the port of the outer sleeve 2 close to the movable end sleeve, and the movable end sleeve is slidably connected to the fixed end cover 9.

[0027] Specifically, the fixed end cover 9 is inserted into the end of the outer sleeve 2, and the end of the outer sleeve 2 is struck against the tube wall of the portion protruding from the fixed end cover 9, so that the fixed end cover 9 and the end of the outer sleeve 2 on this side are riveted together.

[0028] Preferably, the second elastic mechanism includes: a retaining spring 10, a sliding ring 11 and a spring 12. A slot is provided on the movable end terminal 5, and the retaining spring 10 is installed on the movable end terminal 5 through the slot. The sliding ring 11 is slidably sleeved on the movable end terminal 5, and one side abuts against the retaining spring 10, and the outer periphery is slidably connected to the inner wall of the outer sleeve 2. The spring 12 is sleeved on the movable end terminal 5, and one end of the spring 12 abuts against the sliding ring 11, and the other end abuts against the fixed end cover 9.

[0029] Specifically, a plurality of through holes are drilled on the sliding ring 11 sleeved on the movable end terminal 5, and the plurality of through holes are evenly distributed circumferentially, so that no air resistance is generated when the sliding ring reciprocates in the outer sleeve.

[0030] Furthermore, the braided copper tape 6 is spirally placed inside the outer sleeve 2, which can be freely extended and contracted and will not be stretched and deformed within a certain range, ensuring reliable electrical connection. When the blade lightning protection cable is not stretched, the internal spring 12, under the action of elastic force, makes the movable end terminal 5 located inside the outer sleeve 2. The outside of the outer sleeve 2 is protected by a heat shrinkable insulating sleeve and a rubber insulating telescopic tube 13, which not only prevents dust and rainwater from entering the connector to play an insulating protection role, but also does not affect the free extension and contraction of the movable end of the connector.

[0031] Preferably, one end of a rubber insulating telescopic sleeve 13 is connected to the movable end terminal 5 , and the other end of the rubber insulating telescopic sleeve 13 is connected to the outer sleeve 2 .

[0032] Specifically, the rubber insulating telescopic sleeve 13 covers the outer sleeve 2 and the telescopic head of the movable terminal 5 .

[0033] Preferably, the first insulating sleeve 1 and the second insulating sleeve 4 are both heat shrinkable insulating sleeves.

[0034] Preferably, the sheaths of the lightning protection cable and the sheathing sections of the first insulating sheath 1 and the second insulating sheath 4 are removed.

[0035] Specifically, strip the sheath and insulation of an appropriate length of the lightning protection lead-in cable, then pre-sleeve it with a heat-shrinkable insulating sleeve, insert the copper conductor (or aluminum alloy conductor) into the copper tube (or aluminum alloy tube) of the fixed end terminal 3 and the movable end terminal 5 respectively, and then use crimping pliers to tightly crimp the copper conductor (or aluminum alloy conductor) of the lightning protection lead-in cable with the copper tube (or aluminum alloy tube) of the fixed end terminal 3 and the movable end terminal 5 together, and then put the heat-shrinkable insulating sleeve on the sizing section of the rubber insulating telescopic tube 13 to completely cover all metal parts and the sheath of the lightning protection lead-in cable, and heat it with a hot air gun to make the heat-shrinkable insulating sleeve completely shrink into place.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0037] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0038] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] In the present invention, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples" or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0040] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and vary the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An elastic electrical connector for a blade lightning protection cable, characterized in that: include: Fixed end casing; An outer sleeve (2); one end of which is connected to one end of the fixed end sleeve; A movable end sleeve; one end of which is slidably connected to the other end of the outer sleeve (2); A first elastic mechanism; arranged inside the outer sleeve (2), with one end connected to the fixed end sleeve and the other end connected to the movable end sleeve; The second elastic mechanism is sleeved on the movable end sleeve.

2. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed end sleeve comprises: A first insulating sleeve (1); one end of which is provided with a lightning protection cable inside; A fixed-end wiring terminal (3) is installed at the other end of the first insulating sleeve (1), and the fixed-end wiring terminal (3) is sleeved inside one side of the outer sleeve (2).

3. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movable end sleeve comprises: A second insulating sleeve (4); one end of which has another lightning protection cable sleeved therein; A movable terminal (5) is installed at the other end of the second insulating sleeve (4), and the movable terminal (5) is sleeved inside the other side of the outer sleeve (2).

4. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first elastic mechanism comprises: A braided copper belt (6) is arranged inside the outer sleeve (2); Copper nut A (7); mounted on one end of the braided copper strip (6); Copper nut B (8); mounted on the other end of the braided copper strip (6); The fixed terminal (3) and the movable terminal (5) are both installed with bolts, and the braided copper strip (6) is connected to the fixed terminal (3) via a copper nut A (7), and is connected to the movable terminal (5) via a copper nut B (8).

5. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The braided copper belt (6) abuts against the inner wall of the outer sleeve (2).

6. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 2, characterized in that: A fixed end cover (9) is installed inside a port of the outer sleeve (2) close to a side of the movable end sleeve, and the movable end sleeve is slidably connected to the fixed end cover (9).

7. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second elastic mechanism comprises: A retaining spring (10); a retaining slot is provided on the movable end wiring terminal (5), and the retaining spring (10) is mounted on the movable end wiring terminal (5) through the retaining slot; A sliding ring (11); the sliding sleeve is arranged on the movable end terminal (5), and one side of the sliding ring abuts against the retaining spring (10), and the outer periphery is slidably connected to the inner wall of the outer sleeve (2); A spring (12) is sleeved on the movable end terminal (5), and one end of the spring (12) abuts against the sliding ring (11), and the other end abuts against the fixed end cover (9).

8. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 3, characterized in that: One end of a rubber insulating telescopic sleeve (13) is connected to the movable end terminal (5), and the other end of the rubber insulating telescopic sleeve (13) is connected to the outer sleeve (2).

9. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first insulating sleeve (1) and the second insulating sleeve (4) are both heat shrinkable insulating sleeves.

10. The elastic electrical connector for blade lightning protection cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheaths of the lightning protection cable and the sheathed sections of the first insulating sheath (1) and the second insulating sheath (4) are removed.

Images