Bent GIL Conductor Assembly for Flexible Routing and Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-insulated transmission lines (GIL) have complex elbow units with high manufacturing costs due to integrally formed spherical housings and complex conductor structures, requiring multiple molds for different turning angles, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A bent unit for GIL featuring a cylindrical housing with separately formed straight and bent conductor sections, connected at an adjustable angle, supported by an insulator and shielded for optimal electric field distribution, allowing easy adjustment of transmission direction and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gas-insulated transmission line is bent, then the line can be routed around obstacles and installed in complex terrain, but the insulation distance between conductors decreases and electrical discharge may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the conductor inside a protective tube structure. The tube is inserted into a recess of the insulator, creating a nested configuration that protects the conductor while maintaining insulation distance during bending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective tube between the conductor and the external environment. This tube acts as a mediator that allows the conductor to be bent while maintaining the required insulation distance, as the tube structure supports and protects the conductor during routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the transmission line is made rigid to maintain insulation distance, then electrical discharge is prevented, but the line cannot be bent and installation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission line into modular units with standardized insulator structures. Each unit can be independently handled and installed, and the segmented design allows the line to be bent at predetermined locations while maintaining insulation integrity through the modular connector design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the transmission line dynamically configurable by designing insulators with recesses that allow bending at specific locations. The line transitions from a rigid structure to a dynamically adaptable one, where bending is enabled at predetermined points while maintaining insulation distance through the protective tube and insulator recess configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the conductor is directly exposed during bending, then routing is simplified, but the insulation distance cannot be maintained and electrical discharge occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting simplicityVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor is nested within a protective tube that is inserted into the insulator recess. This nested configuration allows the conductor to be routed while maintaining insulation distance, as the tube protects the conductor and the insulator recess maintains the required clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective tube serves as an intermediary between the conductor and the external environment. It allows simplified routing by protecting the conductor during bending while maintaining insulation distance, eliminating the need for direct exposure of the conductor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4523302B1Bent unit and gas-insulated transmission line
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4523302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4523302B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4523302B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A bent unit and a gas-insulated transmission line having the same are provided according to the present disclosure. The bent unit includes: a bent housing including a cylindrical first housing section and a cylindrical second housing section, the first housing section and the second housing section being connected with each other at an angle α; a tubular bent conductor arranged in the bent housing; and an insulator arranged in the bent housing to support the bent conductor. The bent conductor includes a straight conductor section and a bent conductor section which are formed separately and connected with each other. The straight conductor section extends along the first housing section. The bent conductor section extends along the first housing section and the second housing section and is bent to have the angle α. The bent unit and the gas-insulated transmission line according to the present disclosure can easily realize the desired change of transmission direction, and are simple in structure and easy to manufacture.