Extra-high voltage hard tubular bus grounding device
By using the involute gear structure and pressure sensing feedback system of the UHV rigid tube grounding device, the problem of unreliable installation of conventional grounding wires has been solved, achieving a safe and reliable grounding connection and improving maintenance efficiency and safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511847631.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-24
AI Technical Summary
During the maintenance of ultra-high voltage substations, conventional grounding wires cannot be reliably installed on rigid busbars, resulting in equipment loss of protection and serious safety hazards. Furthermore, there is a lack of mature, professional, and standardized solutions.
A grounding device for ultra-high voltage rigid tube busbars was designed. It adopts an involute gear structure and a ratchet-pawl transmission mechanism, combined with a pressure sensing module and a feedback module, to achieve safe, convenient and reliable installation of cables and provide a temporary grounding point with a clear status.
This ensures that the clamping force meets safety requirements, prevents false grounding and damage to the surface of the ferrule, simplifies the operation process, improves operational safety and maintenance efficiency, and reduces labor intensity and skill requirements.
Smart Images

Figure CN121566165A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of rigid busbar grounding tools, specifically to an ultra-high voltage rigid busbar grounding device. Background Technology
[0002] As a key component of the national energy strategy, the reliability and safety of ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission systems are of paramount importance. UHV substations (typically referring to substations with voltage levels of 1000kV and above) are the core hubs of this system, with electrical equipment connected via rigid busbars. Rigid busbars are widely used in UHV applications due to their high mechanical strength, large current carrying capacity, and low corona effect, serving as the main connecting conductors between critical equipment such as CVTs (capacitive voltage transformers), surge arresters, and reactors.
[0003] However, in the daily operation and maintenance of UHV substations, a long-standing and unresolved technical problem has become increasingly prominent. Specifically, when maintenance work is required on a 1000kV surge arrester (such as replacing its top equipotential ring) or the arrester itself, the primary lead wire connected to it must be disconnected according to safety operating procedures. This operation directly leads to a serious consequence: other high-voltage equipment connected to this section of rigid busbar, such as reactors and voltage transformers, will temporarily lose the overvoltage protection of the surge arrester. At this time, if the system experiences operational overvoltage or lightning surge intrusion, extremely high transient voltages may be applied to these equipment under maintenance, posing an extremely serious threat to the lives of the equipment and on-site personnel.
[0004] To ensure operational safety, reliable grounding wires must be installed at both ends of the equipment under maintenance to form a clearly defined safe grounding point. However, in the specific application scenario of ultra-high voltage (UHV), conventional portable grounding wires cannot be directly and reliably installed on rigid busbars. The reasons are as follows: First, UHV rigid busbars have a large diameter, smooth surface, and are circular, making it difficult for conventional grounding wire clamps to achieve a secure connection that meets short-circuit current capacity requirements and provides a sufficiently large contact area. Second, the strong corona discharge and electromagnetic environment of UHV fields place special requirements on the shape and size of grounding devices; haphazard installation may introduce new discharge risks. Finally, existing substation designs typically do not pre-designate terminals or locations specifically for maintenance grounding near such rigid busbars.
[0005] Currently, in the field of UHV (Ultra-High Voltage) maintenance, there is a lack of mature, professional, and standardized solutions to the problem of local equipment losing protection and failing to reliably ground during maintenance. On-site personnel often resort to temporary, non-standard methods, which not only fail to verify grounding reliability but also pose significant safety hazards, seriously violating the paramount principle of "safety first, prevention foremost" in UHV operations.
[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a grounding device specifically designed for UHV rigid busbars to overcome the shortcomings of conventional grounding wires. This device can safely, conveniently, and reliably install cables on rigid busbars, thereby filling the gap in existing technology by providing a clearly defined temporary grounding point and providing safety assurance for the maintenance of core equipment in UHV substations. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultra-high voltage rigid busbar grounding device to overcome the defects of conventional grounding wires. It enables cables to be installed safely, conveniently, and reliably on the rigid busbar, thereby filling the gap in existing technology by providing a clearly defined temporary grounding point and providing safety assurance for the maintenance of core equipment in ultra-high voltage substations.
[0008] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:
[0009] Ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding devices include:
[0010] Fixed base;
[0011] The movable pressure head is hinged to the fixed base via a rotating shaft. Its inner side has a pressing surface for pressing the cable, and its outer side has an involute gear structure with ratchet teeth.
[0012] A drive handle is connected to a pawl, which engages with a ratchet tooth on the movable pressure head, so that when the drive handle is gripped, the movable pressure head can be driven to rotate around its axis, thereby clamping towards the fixed base.
[0013] A pressure sensing module is embedded in the pressing surface of the movable pressure head or the bearing surface of the fixed base, and is used to directly detect the clamping pressure on the cable and the ferrule.
[0014] The feedback module, connected to the pressure sensing module, is used to provide real-time, perceptible feedback on clamping pressure.
[0015] In one possible design, the pressure-bearing surface of the fixed base is a first arc-shaped socket for supporting the rigid tube, and the pressing surface of the movable pressure head is a second arc-shaped socket for crimping the cable; the working surface of the first arc-shaped socket is provided with a grid-like friction-enhancing tooth pattern.
[0016] In one possible design, the working surface of the second arc-shaped socket is formed as a multi-segment cable forming cavity, which includes a central crimping area with parallel ribs and two smooth transition areas.
[0017] In one possible design, the surface of the second arc-shaped socket is embedded with a layer of wear-resistant cushioning pad made of engineering plastic or hard alloy.
[0018] In one possible design, the first and second arc-shaped sockets are detachable modular bushings that are mounted on the fixed base and the movable pressure head via slots or fasteners.
[0019] In one possible design, the device also includes a nut fixing mechanism comprising a pair of V-shaped clamps linked to the drive handle via a linkage, the V-shaped clamps being configured to contact and grip the rigid nut before the movable pressure head when the drive handle is first gripped.
[0020] In one possible design, the device also includes a reset mechanism comprising a release lever for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet teeth on the movable pressure head, causing the movable pressure head to automatically open under the action of a reset spring.
[0021] In one possible design, the pressure sensing module is a miniature pressure sensor with its sensing protrusions facing outwards, and an insulating layer is provided between the pressure sensing module and the movable pressure head or fixed base.
[0022] And / or, the drive handle is covered with an insulating anti-slip sleeve.
[0023] And / or, the involute gear structure of the movable pressure head is made of high-strength alloy steel and is surface hardened.
[0024] In one possible design, the feedback module includes one or more of the following:
[0025] A visual feedback device, which is an LED indicator or a miniature display screen set on the device itself;
[0026] Auditory feedback, which is a buzzer or a speaker;
[0027] The haptic feedback device is a vibration motor located within the drive handle.
[0028] In one possible design, the device further includes a controller configured to:
[0029] The system receives signals from the pressure sensing module and compares them with a preset clamping force threshold. When the real-time pressure reaches the preset threshold, the feedback module is driven to issue a warning signal; and / or,
[0030] Monitor the pressure-time curve during the clamping process and issue an alarm when the curve shape is abnormal.
[0031] The advantages of this invention over the prior art are as follows:
[0032] By directly embedding the pressure sensing module into the clamping or bearing surface, the actual contact pressure between the moving pressure head and the galvanic tube can be measured in real time and accurately. This fundamentally solves the technical problem of traditional grounding devices being unable to quantify clamping force, effectively avoiding false grounding caused by insufficient contact pressure. The smooth transmission and large transmission ratio of the involute gear structure enable the device to provide sufficient clamping force in space-constrained UHV environments, adapting to the installation characteristics and operating environment requirements of UHV rigid galvanic tubes. The combination of the involute gear structure and the ratchet-pawl transmission mechanism, along with the pressure sensing feedback system, allows operators to precisely control the clamping force based on the real-time pressure display, ensuring the contact pressure required for safe grounding while preventing damage to the galvanic tube surface due to over-clamping. In addition, the involute-ratchet mechanism has a self-locking characteristic, maintaining a stable clamping state once clamped in place, preventing loosening due to vibration or other external forces, ensuring a continuous and reliable electrical connection, and providing robust grounding protection for maintenance work on 1000 kV reactors, voltage transformers, surge arresters, and other equipment.
[0033] This structure simplifies the operation process, allowing operators to complete a reliable grounding connection with a simple gripping motion and confirm the grounding effect through intuitive pressure feedback. This reduces labor intensity and skill requirements while significantly improving operational safety and effectively preventing accidents caused by induced voltage. Thus, by organically combining the reliability of mechanical transmission with the accuracy of intelligent monitoring, it provides a safe, reliable, and efficient solution for grounding operations in ultra-high voltage environments, improving maintenance efficiency and economic benefits while ensuring operational safety. Attached Figure Description
[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:
[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device provided by the present invention, which shows the rigid tube and cable;
[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device provided by the present invention;
[0037] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device provided by the present invention;
[0038] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the transmission structure of the pawl and movable pressure head in the ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device provided by the present invention.
[0039] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names: 1-fixed base, 11-first arc-shaped bearing socket, 2-movable pressure head, 3-drive handle, 4-pawl, 5-V-shaped clamp, 6-insulating anti-slip sleeve, 7-rigid tube nut, 8-cable, 9-fixed handle, 10-screw. Detailed Implementation
[0040] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that while the description of these embodiments is intended to aid in understanding the invention, it does not constitute a limitation thereof. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are only for describing exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.
[0041] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, an ultra-high voltage rigid tube busbar grounding device is provided. Wherein, Figures 1 to 4 Specific embodiments thereof are shown.
[0042] See Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the ultra-high voltage rigid conduit grounding device includes: a fixed base 1; a movable pressure head 2, which is hinged to the fixed base 1 via a rotating shaft, with a pressing surface formed on its inner side for pressing the cable 8, and an involute gear structure formed on its outer side, with ratchet teeth on the involute gear; a drive handle 3, which is connected to a pawl 4, and the pawl 4 engages with the ratchet teeth on the movable pressure head 2, so that when the drive handle 3 is gripped, the movable pressure head 2 can be driven to rotate around its rotating shaft, thereby clamping towards the fixed base 1; a pressure sensing module, which is embedded in the pressing surface of the movable pressure head 2 or the pressure bearing surface of the fixed base 1, for directly detecting the clamping pressure on the cable 8 and the conduit; and a feedback module, which is connected to the pressure sensing module, for providing real-time perceptible feedback of the clamping pressure.
[0043] The working process of this ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device is as follows:
[0044] 1. Initial preparation stage: The operator places the grounding device at the predetermined position of the UHV rigid tube bus 7, so that the fixed base 1 supports the bus and the movable pressure head 2 is in the open state.
[0045] 2. Clamping implementation stage: The operator grips the drive handle 3, and the ratchet 4 on it engages with the ratchet on the involute gear on the outer side of the movable pressure head 2 to drive the movable pressure head 2 to rotate around the fixed base 1, thereby achieving progressive clamping of the tube nut.
[0046] 3. Pressure monitoring and feedback stage: During the clamping process, the pressure sensing module embedded in the clamping surface of the movable pressure head 2 or the pressure bearing surface of the fixed base 1 detects the clamping pressure value in real time, and the feedback module simultaneously converts the pressure data into a visual signal (such as a digital display) and provides it to the operator.
[0047] 4. Safety Confirmation Phase: Based on the real-time pressure data provided by the feedback module, the operator determines whether the clamping force meets the safety requirements. This is achieved by continuously gripping and pressing the drive handle 3 until the pressure display value reaches the predetermined safety threshold.
[0048] 5. Grounding protection stage: When the pressure value reaches the safety threshold, the self-locking characteristic of the involute-ratchet structure remains in a clamped state. At this time, the grounding wire is connected to the grounding grid to form a reliable grounding protection.
[0049] 6. Device disassembly stage: After the operation is completed, operate the release mechanism to disengage the pawl 4 from the ratchet teeth. The movable pressure head 2 will automatically open under the action of the reset mechanism, and the grounding device can be removed from the tube.
[0050] By directly embedding the pressure sensing module into the clamping or bearing surface, the actual contact pressure between the movable pressure head 2 and the galvanic tube can be measured in real time and accurately. This fundamentally solves the technical problem of traditional grounding devices being unable to quantify clamping force, effectively avoiding false grounding caused by insufficient contact pressure. The smooth transmission and large transmission ratio of the involute gear structure enable the device to provide sufficient clamping force in space-constrained ultra-high voltage environments, adapting to the installation characteristics and operating environment requirements of ultra-high voltage rigid galvanic tubes 7. The combination of the involute gear structure and the ratchet-pawl transmission mechanism 4, along with the pressure sensing feedback system, allows operators to precisely control the clamping force based on the real-time pressure display, ensuring both the contact pressure required for safe grounding and preventing damage to the galvanic tube surface due to over-clamping. In addition, the involute-ratchet mechanism has a self-locking characteristic, maintaining a stable clamping state once clamped in place, preventing loosening due to vibration or other external forces, ensuring a continuous and reliable electrical connection, and providing robust grounding protection for maintenance work on 1000 kV reactors, voltage transformers, surge arresters, and other equipment.
[0051] This structure simplifies the operation process, allowing operators to complete a reliable grounding connection with a simple gripping motion and confirm the grounding effect through intuitive pressure feedback. This reduces labor intensity and skill requirements while significantly improving operational safety and effectively preventing accidents caused by induced voltage. Thus, by organically combining the reliability of mechanical transmission with the accuracy of intelligent monitoring, it provides a safe, reliable, and efficient solution for grounding operations in ultra-high voltage environments, improving maintenance efficiency and economic benefits while ensuring operational safety.
[0052] It should be noted that directional terms such as "inner" and "outer" refer to "inner" and "outer" relative to the outline of the component; "inner" refers to the direction towards the component, and "outer" refers to the direction away from it. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one element from another and do not indicate sequence or importance. Also, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element. It should be noted that "and / or" in the text refers to A and / or B, indicating that there are three possible scenarios: only A, only B, or both A and B. Conversely, " / and" in the text refers to A and B, indicating that there are two possible scenarios: only A and both A and B.
[0053] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the pressure-bearing surface of the fixed base 1 is a first arc-shaped socket 11 for supporting the rigid tube 7, and the pressing surface of the movable pressure head 2 is a second arc-shaped socket for crimping the cable 8; the working surface of the first arc-shaped socket 11 is provided with a grid-like friction-enhancing tooth pattern.
[0054] The fitting design of the first arc-shaped socket 11 with the outer contour of the rigid tube 7 increases the contact area between the device and the tube 7, making the clamping force distribution more uniform and avoiding potential damage to the surface of the tube 7 caused by local stress concentration. It can achieve a more reliable connection effect with a smaller unit area pressure.
[0055] The mesh-like friction-enhancing tooth structure on the surface of the first arc-shaped socket 11 significantly improves the static friction coefficient between the device and the surface of the tube nut through the mechanical interlocking effect at the micro level. This allows for greater tangential resistance between the device and the tube nut under the same normal clamping force, effectively preventing relative slippage that may occur under external vibration or unexpected lateral force, and ensuring the long-term stability of the grounding connection.
[0056] The first and second arc-shaped sockets, working in tandem, form a complete clamping system, ensuring reliable contact with the nut and providing a stable pressing environment for the grounding wire 8. The uniform distribution of the grid-like teeth ensures the uniform transmission of clamping force on the contact surface, avoiding problems such as local overload or poor contact.
[0057] Therefore, by optimizing the geometry and surface texture, the mechanical stability and electrical connection reliability of the grounding device are improved without excessively increasing the clamping force, providing an important guarantee for safe operation in ultra-high voltage environments. At the same time, this design also takes into account the protection requirements of the duct surface.
[0058] Furthermore, the working surface of the second arc-shaped socket is formed into a multi-segment cable 8 forming cavity, which includes a central crimping area with parallel ribs and two smooth transition areas.
[0059] The parallel rib structure in the central crimping area generates a concentrated stress effect during the crimping process of cable 8. These precisely arranged ribs produce high local pressure over a limited contact area, effectively penetrating the oxide layer or contaminants on the surface of cable 8 and ensuring reliable contact between the metal substrates. Simultaneously, the ribs embedded in the surface of cable 8 form a mechanical interlock, enhancing anti-slip capability and providing a stable electrical path for grounding connections. Crucially, this discrete contact design, while ensuring electrical connection reliability, maximizes the preservation of the mechanical strength of cable 8, avoiding excessive deformation of cable 8 that may occur with traditional large-area crimping.
[0060] The smooth transition zone plays a stress buffering role during the crimping process of cable 8, eliminating potential stress concentration points, gently guiding the flow and redistribution of cable 8 material under pressure, preventing local overload or surface damage at the edge of cable 8 due to sudden cross-sectional changes, ensuring the structural integrity of cable 8 during crimping, and improving the long-term reliability of the connection.
[0061] The coordinated operation of the central crimping zone and the smooth transition zone achieves a crimping effect that combines rigidity and flexibility. It provides sufficient local pressure to ensure electrical contact quality while protecting the structural integrity of the cable 8 through a smooth transition. This multi-segment cable 8 forming cavity design concept enhances the durability and applicability of the device while ensuring grounding reliability, providing an optimized technical solution for grounding operations in ultra-high voltage environments.
[0062] Specifically, the surface of the second arc-shaped socket is embedded with a layer of wear-resistant cushioning pad made of engineering plastic or hard alloy.
[0063] The unique elastic modulus and frictional properties of engineering plastics can provide appropriate cushioning during crimping, effectively dispersing local stress and preventing surface scratches or localized overpressure deformation that may occur when a rigid metal surface directly contacts the cable 8. This protective mechanism is particularly important for maintaining the structural integrity and long-term service life of the cable 8. Simultaneously, the engineering plastic gasket can establish a more uniform contact pressure distribution between the cable 8 surface and the grounding surface, filling gaps through microscopic deformation, thereby increasing the effective contact area and providing additional assurance for grounding reliability.
[0064] The carbide gasket possesses extremely high surface hardness and wear resistance, ensuring dimensional stability during repeated crimping operations, effectively resisting wear on the cable 8 surface, and extending the service life of the device. While maintaining high strength, the carbide material achieves optimized frictional characteristics through precise surface machining, ensuring sufficient clamping force while avoiding damage to the cable 8.
[0065] Different materials of gaskets can be selected or replaced according to specific application requirements, enabling the same device to adapt to grounding wires of different materials, from soft aluminum cables to rigid copper cables, greatly expanding the applicability of the device. In addition, the modular design of the gaskets facilitates later maintenance and replacement. When the gaskets wear out after long-term use, only the gaskets need to be replaced to restore the device's performance, reducing the maintenance cost throughout its entire life cycle.
[0066] Alternatively, the UHV rigid conduit grounding device 7 also includes a fixing handle 9 fixedly connected to the fixing base 11. The fixing handle 9 has a screw 10 with a threaded connection made of conductive metal, thus securing the grounding wire. By tightening the conductive screw 10, the enormous axial pressure generated by the threaded connection firmly presses the grounding wire terminals (such as copper lugs) against the contact surface of the fixing handle 9. This mechanical crimping method provides significantly stronger tensile and vibration resistance compared to simple hooks or clamps, effectively preventing the grounding wire from falling off due to accidental pulling or on-site vibration, greatly improving safety from a physical connection perspective.
[0067] When the screw 10 is tightened, a large area of metal contact is formed between its thread and the threaded hole of the fixed handle 9, as well as between the head of the screw 10 and the grounding terminal. This series of connections together constitute a low-resistance, high-current-carrying-capacity electrical channel, ensuring that fault current or induced charge can be smoothly discharged to the grounding grid.
[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the first arc-shaped socket 11 and the second arc-shaped socket are detachable modular bushings, which are installed on the fixed base 1 and the movable pressure head 2 by means of slots or fasteners.
[0069] By equipping different bushing series, the same grounding device can quickly adapt to rigid conduit 7 and cables 8 of various diameters, greatly expanding the applicability of the device. When the work object changes, the operator does not need to replace the entire device; simply replacing the bushings is sufficient to meet the new working conditions. This feature improves the versatility and economy of the equipment.
[0070] In terms of installation structure, the slot structure enables rapid positioning and installation of the bushing, significantly reducing replacement time while ensuring connection accuracy; while the fastener method provides a more robust connection guarantee, especially suitable for operating environments that need to withstand large lateral forces. The optimized design of the two installation methods ensures the stability of the bushing during operation and provides flexible options for different application scenarios.
[0071] Furthermore, users can select specialized bushings with unique surface properties or different materials, such as arc-resistant coated bushings or highly conductive bushings, to further enhance the performance of the device under specific operating conditions, depending on different operational requirements. This flexible functional expansion capability enables the device to better adapt to the ever-evolving technological demands in the ultra-high voltage field.
[0072] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the device further includes a nut fixing mechanism, which includes a pair of V-shaped clamps 5 that are linked to the drive handle 3 via a connecting rod. The V-shaped clamps 5 are configured to contact and hold the rigid nut 7 before the movable pressure head 2 when the drive handle 3 is first gripped.
[0073] The linkage mechanism enables a sequential operation process of fixing first and then crimping. When the operator begins to grip the drive handle 3, the V-shaped clamp 5 first clamps and fixes the nut through precise transmission of the linkage mechanism, establishing a stable reference position. Only then does the movable pressure head 2 begin to perform the crimping operation. This phased working sequence fundamentally eliminates the nut displacement or rotation that may occur during the crimping process of traditional grounding devices, providing a reliable reference platform for subsequent precise crimping.
[0074] The V-shaped clamp 5 features a superior self-centering geometric design, automatically adapting to the circular contour of the tube nut to ensure uniform distribution of clamping force, improving the accuracy of initial positioning. It also effectively reduces local contact stress by increasing the contact area, avoiding potential damage to the tube nut surface. Simultaneously, the V-shaped structure provides constraints in both radial and axial dimensions, creating a stable spatial fixing effect.
[0075] In practice, operators do not need to perform two separate fixing and crimping operations. Instead, the entire fixing-crimping sequence is automatically completed through a single gripping and pressing action. This integrated operation mode not only improves work efficiency but, more importantly, reduces safety risks caused by incorrect operation sequence or insecure fixing, providing higher reliability for grounding operations in ultra-high voltage environments.
[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes a reset mechanism, which includes a release lever for disengaging the pawl 4 from the ratchet teeth on the movable pressure head 2, so that the movable pressure head 2 automatically opens under the action of a reset spring.
[0077] Once the grounding operation is completed, the operator only needs to trigger the release lever to quickly disengage the pawl 4 from the ratchet on the movable pressure head 2 through mechanical transmission, thereby releasing the self-locking state of the involute-ratchet structure. This avoids the cumbersome process of repeatedly operating or using additional tools to unlock the lock, which is a common practice with traditional tools, and greatly improves work efficiency.
[0078] When the pawl 4 disengages from the ratchet, the return spring immediately releases its stored elastic potential energy, driving the movable pressure head 2 to automatically and smoothly open, allowing the device to quickly detach from the contact state with the tube nut. This not only reduces manual operation steps but also eliminates potential component damage or safety hazards that may be caused by manual forced opening, effectively extending the service life of the device.
[0079] In this way, releasing the lever prevents accidental triggering and ensures the stability of the device in operation. Simultaneously, the reset process is smooth and controllable, preventing the potential impact hazard caused by the sudden pop-out of the movable pressure head 2, providing reliable safety for operators. This forms a complete clamping-holding-releasing work cycle, making the entire grounding operation process smoother and more efficient. Especially in maintenance operations requiring frequent installation and disassembly, this design reduces the labor intensity of operators, improves work efficiency, and enables the maintenance of UHV equipment to be carried out in a safe and reliable environment.
[0080] In one possible design, the pressure sensing module is a miniature pressure sensor with its sensing protrusions facing outwards, and an insulating layer is provided between the pressure sensing module and the movable pressure head 2 or the fixed base 1.
[0081] The sensing protrusions are directly exposed at the crimping interface, eliminating measurement deviations caused by mechanical losses in the pressure transmission path of traditional embedded sensors. This direct-contact measurement method improves the accuracy and real-time performance of pressure monitoring, provides operators with reliable clamping force feedback, and ensures the mechanical reliability of the grounding connection. Simultaneously, the localized stress concentration effect generated by the protrusion structure enhances the sensor's sensitivity, enabling it to accurately detect minute pressure changes.
[0082] In ultra-high voltage operating environments, induced voltage and leakage current may be conducted to the sensing system through metal components. The insulation layer effectively blocks possible electrical paths, preventing high potential differences from causing breakdown damage to precision sensing elements. It also avoids electromagnetic interference to the measurement signal. This ensures the stability of the sensor in strong electromagnetic environments, extends its service life, provides effective electrical protection, and acts as physical isolation to prevent electrochemical corrosion between the sensor and the metal substrate.
[0083] In another possible design, the drive handle 3 is covered with an insulating anti-slip sleeve 6. The insulating sleeve effectively prevents potential leakage current from being conducted to the operator through the handle, providing double protection for operations in strong electric field environments and reducing the risk of electric shock. In addition, since adverse factors such as oil and moisture that may exist at the UHV working site can reduce the friction of bare-hand operation, the anti-slip sleeve, with its high coefficient of friction surface, ensures a stable grip, allowing the operator to achieve better force control when applying gripping pressure, avoiding fluctuations in crimping force caused by hand slippage, thereby ensuring the reliability of the grounding connection.
[0084] In another possible design, the involute gear structure of the movable pressure head 2 is made of high-strength alloy steel and undergoes surface hardening treatment. The high-strength alloy steel matrix provides the involute gear with excellent structural rigidity, capable of withstanding the repeated cyclic loads during ultra-high voltage grounding operations, effectively preventing plastic deformation of the tooth surface and structural failure. The surface hardening treatment forms a high-hardness martensitic structure on the gear working surface, which improves the wear resistance of the tooth surface, allowing the device to maintain a precise tooth profile even during frequent clamping-unclamping cycles, ensuring transmission stability.
[0085] The hardened layer effectively resists contact stress wear between the tooth surfaces, while the tough core absorbs the impact energy during operation, preventing brittle fracture of the gear. It is particularly suitable for ultra-high voltage grounding devices that need to ensure transmission accuracy while withstanding operational impacts, thus extending the service life of the device.
[0086] In this disclosure, the feedback module includes one or more of the following: a visual feedback device, which is an LED indicator or a miniature display screen disposed on the device body; an auditory feedback device, which is a buzzer or a speaker; and a tactile feedback device, which is a vibration motor disposed in the drive handle 3.
[0087] At ultra-high voltage substation sites, operators may face adverse conditions such as insufficient lighting and noisy environments. A single feedback method is highly susceptible to information loss due to environmental interference. By employing a complementary combination of three feedback mechanisms, critical information can be accurately perceived by operators under any operating condition: visual feedback provides intuitive numerical or status displays via LED indicators or screens, suitable for precise confirmation in normal lighting conditions; auditory feedback, through the beeping sound of a buzzer, effectively attracts the operator's attention in noisy environments; and tactile feedback generates tactile signals via a vibration motor within the drive handle 3, particularly suitable for scenarios with limited visibility or requiring focused operation.
[0088] The parallel use of different sensory channels avoids information overload on a single sense, enabling operators to understand the device's status more easily and accurately. Especially at critical moments when the preset clamping force threshold is reached, the system can be configured to simultaneously trigger multiple feedback signals (such as indicator light color changes, buzzer sounds, and handle vibrations), forming a strong composite confirmation signal that effectively prevents the omission or misjudgment of important information. Operators can choose the most relied-upon feedback method based on their preferences or specific scenario requirements. For example, visual and tactile feedback can be prioritized in operations requiring communication, while auditory and tactile cues can be emphasized in low-visibility nighttime operations. This flexibility greatly enhances the device's applicability and user experience.
[0089] In practical applications, different feedback combinations can be designed to differentiate information priorities. For example, slight vibration can be used to indicate the progress of an operation, while simultaneous triggering of sound, light, and vibration can indicate critical status changes. This differentiated feedback strategy helps operators quickly identify the urgency of a situation and respond accordingly.
[0090] In this disclosure, the device also includes a controller configured to: receive signals from the pressure sensing module and compare them with a preset clamping force threshold; when the real-time pressure reaches the preset threshold, drive the feedback module to issue a prompt signal; monitor the pressure-time curve during the clamping process and issue an alarm when the curve shape is abnormal.
[0091] By pre-setting clamping force thresholds corresponding to UHV safety regulations, the controller can compare the data collected by the pressure sensing module in real time. When the safe pressure is reached, the feedback module is immediately triggered to issue a warning signal. This transforms the traditional grounding operation, which relies on operator experience, into a standardized process based on objective data. This completely eliminates the risk of false grounding caused by insufficient clamping force, while also avoiding damage to the surface of the conduit caused by excessive clamping. When the preset threshold is reached, immediate audible, visual, or tactile cues enable operators to accurately grasp the operation stage, improving the reliability of the grounding connection.
[0092] During normal clamping, the pressure should exhibit a smooth, upward-rising curve over time. When the system detects abnormal fluctuations, sharp increases, or plateaus in the curve, it can intelligently identify potential installation problems, such as improper placement of cable 8, foreign objects on the conduit surface, or abnormal component fit, and issue an alarm promptly. This proactive early warning mechanism allows potential problems to be detected and addressed at an early stage, preventing connection failures due to improper installation and significantly improving the safety protection level of the device.
[0093] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the device further includes a storage unit and a program selection interface for storing and recalling clamping force programs corresponding to different combinations of conduit and cable 8. The device also includes a data communication module for wirelessly transmitting recorded data of the clamping process to an external device. The cooperation between the storage unit and the program selection interface establishes a standardized operational parameter management system. By pre-storing optimized clamping force programs corresponding to different conduit materials, cable 8 specifications, and working conditions, operators can quickly recall matching operational schemes through an intuitive interface. This design not only eliminates the risk of errors from manual parameter settings but also significantly improves operational efficiency, making it particularly suitable for maintenance work requiring frequent changes in operational scenarios. When faced with new conduit-cable 8 combinations, verified optimal parameters can be added to the program library at any time, forming a continuously improving knowledge accumulation system and enhancing the adaptability and technical extensibility of the device.
[0094] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the device further includes a power management module configured to automatically control the system to enter a low-power sleep mode after the device is idle, thereby ensuring power supply and reducing power consumption in standby mode, thereby extending its battery life.
[0095] Through wireless transmission technology, the device can transmit key data during the clamping process, including the final clamping force, operation duration, and pressure-time curve, to the back-end management system in real time. This achieves complete traceability of the grounding operation process and provides reliable data support for quality acceptance, accident analysis, and process optimization. Simultaneously, the establishment of remote monitoring capabilities enables technical experts to provide real-time guidance for on-site operations, especially offering timely technical support under complex conditions, effectively improving overall operational quality and safety.
[0096] By monitoring the device's movement and operating intervals, the system can automatically enter a low-power mode when it detects a stationary state, significantly reducing standby power consumption. This intelligent power management strategy ensures that the device can respond immediately when needed while maximizing battery life, making it particularly suitable for long-term use in outdoor environments without external power. Its automatic wake-up function ensures that the device can instantly resume operation when picked up again, achieving a balance between energy saving and convenience.
[0097] In this disclosure, the controller is connected to an external terminal, thereby facilitating the understanding and analysis of the current operating status of the grounding device, and thus enabling the formulation of corresponding measures / arrangements. In one embodiment, the terminal is configured as a computer (desktop or laptop). Of course, it can also be configured as a mobile phone or other control device.
[0098] In this disclosure, the controller is configured as a central processing unit (CPU). Furthermore, the controller is integrated into the terminal. Of course, in other embodiments, the controller may also be configured as a PLC logic controller and located elsewhere besides the terminal.
[0099] Alternatively, the controller can be configured as a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
[0100] In this disclosure, the controller is communicatively connected to various sensors and electrical components via cable 8. In other embodiments, the controller may also be connected to the sensors and electrical components via wireless communication modules such as Wi-Fi or ZigBee modules. Those skilled in the art can flexibly configure these connections based on the technical concept of this disclosure.
[0101] The above specific embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0102] Finally, it should be noted that this invention is not limited to the optional embodiments described above, and anyone can derive other various forms of products under the guidance of this invention. The specific embodiments described above should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention, which should be determined by the claims, and the specification can be used to interpret the claims.
Claims
1. A grounding device for ultra-high voltage rigid busbars, characterized in that, include: Fixed base; The movable pressure head is hinged to the fixed base via a rotating shaft. Its inner side has a pressing surface for pressing the cable, and its outer side has an involute gear structure with ratchet teeth. A drive handle is connected to a pawl, which engages with a ratchet tooth on the movable pressure head, so that when the drive handle is gripped, the movable pressure head can be driven to rotate around its axis, thereby clamping towards the fixed base. A pressure sensing module is embedded in the pressing surface of the movable pressure head or the bearing surface of the fixed base, and is used to directly detect the clamping pressure on the cable and the ferrule. The feedback module, connected to the pressure sensing module, is used to provide real-time, perceptible feedback on the clamping pressure.
2. The ultra-high voltage rigid busbar grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure-bearing surface of the fixed base is a first arc-shaped socket for supporting the rigid tube, and the pressing surface of the movable pressure head is a second arc-shaped socket for crimping the cable; the working surface of the first arc-shaped socket is provided with a grid-like friction-enhancing tooth pattern.
3. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The working surface of the second arc-shaped socket is formed into a multi-segment cable forming cavity, which includes a central crimping area with parallel ribs and two smooth transition areas.
4. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The surface of the second arc-shaped bearing socket is embedded with a layer of wear-resistant cushioning pad made of engineering plastic or hard alloy.
5. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first and second arc-shaped bearing sockets are detachable modular bushings, which are installed on the fixed base and the movable pressure head by means of slots or fasteners.
6. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a nut fixing mechanism, which includes a pair of V-shaped clamps linked to the drive handle via a linkage. The V-shaped clamps are configured to contact and hold the rigid nut before the movable pressure head when the drive handle is first gripped.
7. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also includes a reset mechanism, which includes a release lever for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet teeth on the movable pressure head, so that the movable pressure head automatically opens under the action of a reset spring.
8. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensing module is a miniature pressure sensor with its sensing protrusions facing outwards, and an insulating layer is provided between the pressure sensing module and the movable pressure head or fixed base. And / or, the drive handle is covered with an insulating anti-slip sleeve. And / or, the involute gear structure of the movable pressure head is made of high-strength alloy steel and is surface hardened.
9. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feedback module includes one or more of the following: A visual feedback device, which is an LED indicator or a miniature display screen set on the device itself; Auditory feedback, which is a buzzer or a speaker; The haptic feedback device is a vibration motor located within the drive handle.
10. The ultra-high voltage rigid tube grounding device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The device also includes a controller configured to: The system receives signals from the pressure sensing module and compares them with a preset clamping force threshold. When the real-time pressure reaches the preset threshold, the feedback module is driven to issue a warning signal; and / or, Monitor the pressure-time curve during the clamping process and issue an alarm when the curve shape is abnormal.