Environmentally adaptive surge arrester

Abstract

The application provides an environment self-adapting lightning arrester, and belongs to the technical field of lightning arresters. The environment self-adapting lightning arrester comprises a core body, a wiring end and a grounding end. The outer side of the core body is provided with an isolation layer, and the outer side of the isolation layer is provided with a resistance ring. The wiring end comprises a fixing piece, and the inside of the fixing piece is provided with an accommodating groove. The wiring end is provided with a movable conductive assembly. Through environmental temperature change or current induction, the discharge path of the resistance ring is automatically controlled to be connected or disconnected, so that self-adapting discharge is realized. Through the synergistic effect of temperature-sensitive gas pressure change and an elastic piece, the discharge path is automatically adjusted, the conductive water film formed in the ice melting period under the ice and snow climate is effectively dealt with, surface flashover is prevented, and self-heating ice melting is realized by using the current heat effect of the resistance ring, so that the reliability and stability of the lightning arrester in a low-temperature environment are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of surge arrester technology, specifically relating to an environment-adaptive surge arrester. Background Technology

[0002] Surge arresters, as critical protective devices for power systems and electrical equipment, are often referred to as "safety guardians." Their core function is to protect equipment from lightning strikes or operational overvoltages. Under normal system operation, the surge arrester is connected in parallel to the incoming side of critical equipment (such as transformers). Its internal varistor (modernly made of zinc oxide) is in a high-resistivity state, almost acting as an insulator. Once a dangerous overvoltage is detected, the varistor instantly switches to a low-resistivity state, diverting the surge current to the ground, thus limiting the equipment voltage within a safe range. After the operation, the surge arrester can quickly self-recover, awaiting the next protection. This "floodgate" mechanism makes it an indispensable barrier for modern power grids. Its essence is not to prevent lightning strikes, but to absorb and divert voltage surges, ensuring system stability.

[0003] In existing technologies, improvements have been made to relevant patents to enhance the environmental adaptability of surge arresters. For example, Chinese patent application number CN202511221543.0 discloses an environmentally adjustable surge arrester, including a protective housing, a lifting platform, a surge arrester body, a triggering element, a lightning sensor, a switching element, and a mounting element. This invention uses a wind-triggered triggering element to drive the lifting platform when the wind speed is high, causing the surge arrester to retract into the protective housing, avoiding wind and sand erosion and insulation aging. Simultaneously, the lightning sensor and the switching element control the exposed state of the surge arrester. This design enhances the durability of the surge arrester in windy and sandy environments to some extent, but it only optimizes for a single environmental factor (such as wind and sand) and does not fully consider the combined effects of other harsh operating conditions.

[0004] However, in actual operation, surge arresters still face severe environmental adaptability challenges, especially in the icy and snowy climates of northern regions. "Ice flashover" (i.e., icing flashover) has become a prominent hidden danger affecting their reliability. Ice flashover accidents typically do not occur when the ice layer is thickest and the insulation is completely encased in ice, but rather during the period of rising temperatures and ice melting. At this time, the ice on the outer insulation surface of the surge arrester (such as porcelain bushings or composite silicone rubber skirts) begins to melt, and the ice-water mixture flows and adheres between the skirts or along the surface, forming a continuous conductive path. Because water contains dissolved impurities and ionized substances, its conductivity is significantly higher than pure ice, forming a continuous water film with a significantly reduced resistance on the insulation surface. Under the continuous application of normal operating voltage, the withstand voltage level of the outer insulation is severely reduced due to the decrease in surface insulation resistance and the distortion of the surface electric field distribution. Once the actual voltage exceeds the remaining strength of the insulation at this point, it will trigger a through-surface flashover or a short circuit to ground, leading to equipment tripping or even damage.

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to provide an environmentally adaptive surge arrester. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an environmentally adaptive surge arrester, aiming to solve the problem in existing surge arresters where, in icy and snowy climates, the melting of ice during the de-icing period forms a highly conductive water film, causing a sharp drop in the surface resistance of the external insulation. This leads to the risk of surface flashover under normal operating voltage.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: An environmentally adaptive surge arrester includes a core, terminals, and a grounding terminal: An isolation layer is provided on the outside of the core, and a resistor ring is provided on the outside of the isolation layer; The terminal includes a fixing member with a receiving groove inside. The terminal is equipped with a movable conductive component that automatically controls the connection or disconnection of the leakage path of the resistor ring by changes in ambient temperature or current sensing, so as to achieve adaptive leakage.

[0008] Preferably, the conductive component includes a contacting element, a first conductive ring, and a second conductive ring. The contacting element is disposed on the top of the fixing element and extends into the receiving groove. The inner side of the first conductive ring is slidably and sealingly connected to the outer wall of the contacting element, and the outer side of the first conductive ring is slidably and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the receiving groove. The second conductive ring is disposed on the outer side of the bottom of the fixing element and corresponds to the position of the resistor ring. The top of the second conductive ring is provided with an adapter extending into the receiving groove.

[0009] Preferably, an elastic element is provided between the top of the first conductive ring and the inner wall of the receiving groove, the elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the electrical contact, and a limiting element is provided at the bottom of the electrical contact to limit the movement stroke of the first conductive ring.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the receiving groove is provided with a connected mounting groove, a conductive component is fixed inside the mounting groove, a connecting chamber is fixedly connected to the top of the conductive component, an iron core is provided inside the connecting chamber, a coil is sleeved on the outside of the iron core, one end of the coil is connected to the connecting component, and the other end is connected to the conductive component to form a current path.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom of the first conductive ring is provided with an insulating element, and a magnet is provided inside the bottom of the insulating element.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving groove is sealed by the conductive element to form a receiving cavity, and the first conductive ring divides the receiving cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, the second chamber being filled with a thermally expanding gas; at room temperature, the gas pressure can push the first conductive ring to move away from the limiting element, compressing the elastic element and causing the first conductive ring to disengage from the adapter; at low temperature, the gas pressure decreases, the elastic element resets and pushes the first conductive ring to move closer to the limiting element, allowing it to contact the adapter.

[0013] Preferably, when current flows through the coil, the iron core can generate magnetic force. The magnetic poles of the magnet and the adjacent end of the iron core are the same. Through magnetic repulsion, the first conductive ring can be pushed to move away from the limiting member, so that the first conductive ring is separated from the adapter.

[0014] Preferably, the resistance value of the resistor ring is less than the resistance value of the core, and when the leakage path is connected, the resistor ring is used for current diversion and leakage.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of the resistor ring is electrically connected to the grounding terminal to form a leakage grounding path.

[0016] Preferably, the outer side of the resistor ring is provided with an insulating layer.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention achieves adaptive current leakage control in response to ambient temperature through the interaction of a conductive component located inside the terminal and a thermal expansion gas driving mechanism. When the ambient temperature drops to a low temperature, the gas pressure in the second chamber decreases, and the elastic element resets, pushing the first conductive ring towards the limiting element, contacting the adapter, and connecting the leakage path. At this time, the resistance value of the resistor ring is less than that of the core, forming a low-resistance shunt path. Part of the current is discharged to the resistor ring and conducted to the ground through the grounding terminal. This structure automatically adjusts the leakage path through the synergistic effect of temperature-sensitive gas pressure changes and the elastic element, effectively dealing with the conductive water film formed during the melting period in icy and snowy climates, preventing surface flashover, and simultaneously utilizing the current heating effect of the resistor ring to achieve self-heating de-icing, thus improving the reliability and stability of the surge arrester in low-temperature environments.

[0018] 2. This invention further enhances the protection performance of the surge arrester under overvoltage conditions by adding an electromagnetic induction control mechanism. When the surge arrester is struck by lightning or subjected to switching overvoltage, a large current flows through the connecting parts and the coil, generating a strong magnetic force in the iron core. Since the magnetic poles of the magnet and the adjacent ends of the iron core are the same, a magnetic repulsion force is generated, pushing the first conductive ring to move away from the limiting part. Even at low temperatures, the first conductive ring can be forcibly separated from the adapter, breaking the leakage path. This ensures that the overcurrent preferentially passes through the high-resistance state of the core for buffering and leakage, preventing the resistor ring from overheating and being damaged due to instantaneous overload, thereby improving the safety and service life of the surge arrester. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the core structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the isolation layer and the resistor ring of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the isolation layer and the second conductive ring of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal block structure of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second conductive ring and adapter of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical connector of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting compartment of the present invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Core; 11. Insulation layer; 12. Resistor ring; 2. Terminal; 21. Fixing component; 22. Receiving groove; 23. Connecting component; 24. First conductive ring; 25. Second conductive ring; 26. Adapter; 27. Mounting groove; 28. Elastic component; 29. ​​Limiting component; 210. Insulating component; 211. Magnet component; 3. Grounding terminal; 4. First chamber; 5. Second chamber; 6. Conductive component; 61. Connecting compartment; 62. Iron core; 63. Coil; 7. Insulation layer. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Example

[0022] In actual operation, surge arresters still face severe environmental adaptability challenges, especially in the icy and snowy climates of northern regions. "Ice flashover" (i.e., icing flashover) has become a prominent hidden danger affecting their reliability. Ice flashover accidents typically do not occur when the ice layer is thickest and the insulation is completely encased in ice, but rather during the period of rising temperatures and ice melting. At this time, the ice on the outer insulation surface of the surge arrester (such as porcelain bushings or composite silicone rubber skirts) begins to melt, and the ice-water mixture flows and adheres to the skirts or along the surface, forming a continuous conductive path. Because water contains dissolved impurities and ionized substances, its conductivity is significantly higher than pure ice, forming a continuous water film with a significantly reduced resistance on the insulation surface. Under the continuous application of normal operating voltage, the withstand voltage level of the outer insulation is severely reduced due to the decrease in surface insulation resistance and the distortion of the surface electric field distribution. Once the actual voltage exceeds the remaining strength of the insulation at this point, it will trigger a through-surface flashover or a short circuit to ground, leading to equipment tripping or even damage.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 5 An environmentally adaptive surge arrester includes a core 1, a terminal 2, and a grounding terminal 3. An isolation layer 11 is provided on the outside of the core 1, and a resistor ring 12 is provided on the outside of the isolation layer 11; Terminal 2 includes a fixing member 21, the fixing member 21 has a receiving groove 22 inside, and terminal 2 is provided with a movable conductive component. By changing the ambient temperature or sensing the current, the leakage path of the resistor ring 12 is automatically connected or disconnected to achieve adaptive leakage.

[0024] The conductive component includes a contact element 23, a first conductive ring 24, and a second conductive ring 25. The contact element 23 is located on the top of the fixing element 21 and extends into the receiving groove 22. The inner side of the first conductive ring 24 is slidably and sealed to the outer wall of the contact element 23, and the outer side of the first conductive ring 24 is slidably and sealed to the inner wall of the receiving groove 22. The second conductive ring 25 is located on the outer side of the bottom of the fixing element 21 and corresponds to the position of the resistor ring 12. The top of the second conductive ring 25 is provided with an adapter 26 extending into the receiving groove 22.

[0025] like Figure 5As shown, the adapter 26 located inside the receiving groove 22 is offset from the insulating part 210 and has a wedge-shaped surface on its top. The bottom of the first conductive ring 24 has a wedge-shaped surface that matches the wedge-shaped surface on the adapter 26. The purpose is to increase the contact area between the first conductive ring 24 and the adapter 26.

[0026] An elastic element 28 is provided between the top of the first conductive ring 24 and the inner wall of the receiving groove 22. The elastic element 28 is sleeved on the outside of the contact element 23. A limiting element 29 is provided at the bottom of the contact element 23 to limit the movement stroke of the first conductive ring 24.

[0027] The bottom of the receiving groove 22 is provided with a connected mounting groove 27. A conductive component 6 is fixed inside the mounting groove 27. A connecting chamber 61 is fixedly connected to the top of the conductive component 6. An iron core 62 is provided inside the connecting chamber 61. A coil 63 is sleeved on the outside of the iron core 62. One end of the coil 63 is connected to the connecting component 23, and the other end is connected to the conductive component 6 to form a current path.

[0028] The receiving groove 22 is sealed by the conductive element 6 to form a receiving cavity. The first conductive ring 24 divides the receiving cavity into a first chamber 4 and a second chamber 5. The second chamber 5 is filled with thermally expanding gas. At room temperature, the gas pressure can push the first conductive ring 24 to move away from the limiting element 29, which can compress the elastic element 28 and make the first conductive ring 24 disengage from the adapter 26. At low temperature, the gas pressure weakens, the elastic element 28 resets and pushes the first conductive ring 24 to move closer to the limiting element 29, so that it can contact the adapter 26.

[0029] Nitrogen can be used as the thermally expanding gas.

[0030] The resistance value of resistor ring 12 is less than that of core 1. When the leakage path is connected, resistor ring 12 is used for current diversion and leakage.

[0031] The bottom of the resistor ring 12 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal 3, forming a leakage grounding path.

[0032] An insulating layer 7 is provided on the outer side of the resistor ring 12. Both the grounding terminal 3 and the insulating layer 7 are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0033] It should be noted that in the initial state, the surge arrester is in a normal temperature environment. At this time, the pressure of the thermally expanding gas in the second chamber 5 is relatively high. The gas pushes the first conductive ring 24 to move away from the limiting member 29, compressing the elastic member 28, causing the first conductive ring 24 to disengage from the adapter 26. The leakage path is in an open state, and the current is mainly discharged normally through the core 1. The surge arrester operates in standard mode. At this time, the resistor ring 12 does not participate in the current shunting, avoiding unnecessary energy loss.

[0034] When ice forms on the surge arrester or the ambient temperature drops to a low level, the gas pressure in the second chamber 5 decreases. The elastic potential energy accumulated in the compressed state of the elastic element 28 is released, pushing the first conductive ring 24 towards the limiting element 29. When the insulating element 210 contacts the limiting element 29, the first conductive ring 24 can contact the adapter 26, connecting the leakage path. Part of the current is diverted to the resistor ring 12, forming a low-resistance path. The bottom of the resistor ring 12 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal 3, realizing leakage grounding. This achieves leakage of the existing current. The core advantage of this design is that the low-resistance path can effectively divert most of the current, reducing the electric field strength on the outer insulation surface, thereby dealing with the conductive water film formed during the ice melting period and preventing it from causing surface flashover.

[0035] It is important to note that under low-temperature conditions, the surge arrester automatically enhances its current-discharging capacity, which not only improves its reliability in icy and snowy environments but also achieves self-heating de-icing through the current-heating effect of the resistor ring 12. Specifically, when the shunt current flows through the resistor ring 12, it generates Joule heat, raising the arrester's temperature and accelerating the melting of the surface ice layer. Even if a water film exists during the de-icing process, the current-discharging effect of the resistor ring 12 has already established a low-resistance path, avoiding flashover caused by electric field distortion. This synergistic mechanism of "current discharge-heating-de-icing" ensures the surge arrester's continuous protection capability under low-temperature conditions, maintaining insulation stability without external intervention.

[0036] As the temperature of the surge arrester rises, the thermally expanded gas in its second chamber 5 returns to the pressure of normal temperature, which can push the first conductive ring 24 to move away from the limiting member 29 and compress the elastic member 28, so that the first conductive ring 24 is disengaged from the adapter 26 again.

[0037] In summary, this invention achieves adaptive leakage control in response to ambient temperature by cooperating with a conductive component located inside terminal 2 and a thermal expansion gas driving mechanism. When the ambient temperature drops to a low temperature, the gas pressure in the second chamber 5 decreases, and the elastic element 28 resets, pushing the first conductive ring 24 towards the limiting element 29, contacting the adapter 26 and connecting the leakage path. At this time, the resistance value of the resistor ring 12 is less than the resistance value of the core 1, forming a low-resistance shunt path. The current is partially discharged to the resistor ring 12 and conducted to the ground through the grounding terminal 3. This structure automatically adjusts the leakage path through the synergistic effect of temperature-sensitive gas pressure changes and the elastic element 28, effectively dealing with the conductive water film formed during the melting period in icy and snowy climates, preventing surface flashover, and simultaneously utilizing the current heating effect of the resistor ring 12 to achieve self-heating de-icing, thus improving the reliability and stability of the surge arrester in low-temperature environments. Example

[0038] Based on the above embodiments, if the surge arrester is in a low-temperature state and the first conductive ring is in contact with the adapter, a sudden lightning strike or operational overvoltage may cause the overcurrent to be directly discharged through the leakage path of the resistor ring. Since the resistance value of the resistor ring is less than the normal operating resistance of the core, this direct leakage method bypasses the buffer protection mechanism of the core, resulting in excessively fast leakage speed and concentrated energy, which can easily lead to safety hazards. The resistor ring may overheat and be damaged due to instantaneous overload, reducing the life of the surge arrester.

[0039] Please see Figures 4 to 8 An insulating element 210 is provided at the bottom of the first conductive ring 24, and a magnet 211 is provided inside the bottom of the insulating element 210.

[0040] When current flows through coil 63, iron core 62 can generate magnetic force. Magnet 211 and the magnetic poles of adjacent ends of iron core 62 are the same. Through magnetic repulsion, the first conductive ring 24 can be pushed to move away from the limiting member 29, so that the first conductive ring 24 is separated from the adapter 26.

[0041] The magnetic poles of the adjacent ends of the magnet 211 and the iron core 62 are the same. If the magnetic pole of the end of the magnet 211 closest to the iron core 62 is N, the corresponding end of the iron core 62 is also N, and vice versa. If the magnetic pole of the end of the magnet 211 closest to the iron core 62 is S, the corresponding end of the iron core 62 is also S. Like poles repel each other.

[0042] Under normal conditions, that is, when the surge arrester is not struck by lightning or subjected to operational overvoltage, the current flowing through the coil 63 is negligible due to the high resistance of the core 1, resulting in a weak magnetic force generated by the iron core 62, which cannot overcome the elastic resistance of the elastic element 28.

[0043] When the surge arrester detects a lightning strike or operational overvoltage, a large current flows through the contact element 23 and the coil 63. The coil 63 is wound around the outside of the iron core 62, and the iron core 62 generates a strong magnetic force when the current flows through it. The bottom of the first conductive ring 24 is provided with an insulating element 210 and a magnetic element 211. The magnetic poles of the magnetic element 211 are the same as those of the adjacent end of the iron core 62, generating a magnetic repulsion force. The magnetic repulsion force pushes the first conductive ring 24 to move away from the limiting element 29. Even at low temperatures, it can force the first conductive ring 24 to separate from the adapter 26, breaking the leakage path. This prevents the safety hazards that may be caused by the overcurrent directly leaking through the resistor ring 12, ensuring that the surge arrester preferentially protects the core 1 through the high resistance state under extreme current conditions, and quickly recovers after the action is completed.

[0044] In summary, this invention further enhances the protection performance of the surge arrester under overvoltage conditions by adding an electromagnetic induction control mechanism. When the surge arrester is struck by lightning or subjected to operational overvoltage, a large current flows through the connecting element 23 and the coil 63. The iron core 62 generates a strong magnetic force. Since the magnetic poles of the magnet 211 and the adjacent end of the iron core 62 are the same, a magnetic repulsion force is generated, pushing the first conductive ring 24 to move away from the limiting element 29. Even at low temperatures, the first conductive ring 24 can be forcibly separated from the adapter 26, breaking the leakage path. This ensures that the overcurrent preferentially passes through the high-resistance state of the core 1 for buffering and leakage, preventing the resistor ring 12 from overheating and being damaged due to instantaneous overload, thereby improving the safety and service life of the surge arrester.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An environmentally adaptive surge arrester, comprising a core, terminals, and a grounding terminal, characterized in that: An isolation layer is provided on the outside of the core, and a resistor ring is provided on the outside of the isolation layer; The terminal includes a fixing member with a receiving groove inside. The terminal is equipped with a movable conductive component that automatically controls the connection or disconnection of the leakage path of the resistor ring by changes in ambient temperature or current sensing to achieve adaptive leakage. The conductive component includes a contacting element, a first conductive ring, and a second conductive ring. The contacting element is located on the top of the fixing element and extends into the receiving groove. The inner side of the first conductive ring is slidably and sealingly connected to the outer wall of the contacting element, and the outer side of the first conductive ring is slidably and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the receiving groove. The second conductive ring is located on the outer side of the bottom of the fixing element and corresponds to the position of the resistor ring. The top of the second conductive ring is provided with an adapter extending into the receiving groove. An elastic element is provided between the top of the first conductive ring and the inner wall of the receiving groove. The elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the electrical contact. A limiting element is provided at the bottom of the electrical contact to limit the movement of the first conductive ring. The bottom of the receiving groove is provided with a connected mounting groove. A conductive component is fixed inside the mounting groove. A connecting chamber is fixedly connected to the top of the conductive component. An iron core is provided inside the connecting chamber. A coil is sleeved on the outside of the iron core. One end of the coil is connected to the connecting component, and the other end is connected to the conductive component to form a current path. The bottom of the first conductive ring is provided with an insulating component, and a magnet is provided inside the bottom of the insulating component; The receiving groove is sealed by the conductive element to form a receiving cavity. The first conductive ring divides the receiving cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber is filled with a thermally expanding gas. At room temperature, the gas pressure can push the first conductive ring to move away from the limiting element, compressing the elastic element and causing the first conductive ring to disengage from the adapter. At low temperature, the gas pressure decreases, the elastic element resets, and pushes the first conductive ring to move closer to the limiting element, allowing it to contact the adapter. When current flows through the coil, the iron core generates magnetic force. The magnetic poles of the magnet and the adjacent end of the iron core are the same. Through magnetic repulsion, the first conductive ring can be pushed to move away from the limiting member, so that the first conductive ring is separated from the adapter.

2. The environmentally adaptive surge arrester according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resistance value of the resistor ring is less than the resistance value of the core. When the leakage path is connected, the resistor ring is used to divert and discharge current.

3. The environmentally adaptive surge arrester according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom of the resistor ring is electrically connected to the grounding terminal to form a leakage grounding path.

4. The environmentally adaptive surge arrester according to claim 3, characterized in that, An insulating layer is provided on the outer side of the resistor ring.

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