Branch Busbar Field-Limiting Structure for Arc-Safe HV Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Branch busbar devices in high or medium voltage systems face issues with electrostatic and electromagnetic fields, leading to potential electric arcs and safety concerns due to the absence of insulation between electric lines.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of field limiting parts, such as slim metal plates with insulating coatings, adjacent to electric contact areas, which direct and limit these fields, creating a nearly field-neutral area and enhancing safety, reliability, and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uninsulated electric lines are used in high voltage systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but electrostatic and electromagnetic fields cause electric arcs and safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
Field limiting parts are introduced as intermediary elements between uninsulated electric lines. These parts mediate the electromagnetic interaction by providing controlled field paths through conductive surfaces with insulating coatings, preventing direct field coupling that causes electric arcs while maintaining the simplicity of uninsulated line design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic fields into beneficial controlled field patterns. By using conductive field limiting parts with insulating coatings, the electromagnetic fields are redirected along predetermined paths, transforming the arc-causing fields into controlled field distributions that enhance safety without requiring full insulation of the electric lines
2Reliability
If field limiting parts are added to limit electrostatic and electromagnetic fields, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Field limiting parts are implemented as thin plate-like structures with insulating coatings, resembling flexible shell elements. These thin-film-like components provide effective field limitation while occupying minimal space and adding minimal structural complexity to the device
Solution Approach 2:
The field limiting parts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they limit electromagnetic fields, provide electrical isolation through insulating coatings, define geometric field boundaries, and can be integrated into existing device structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
3Volume of moving object
If field limiting parts are used to contain electromagnetic fields, then space requirements are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to insulating coatings
Solution Approach 1:
Field limiting parts are constructed as composite structures combining conductive base materials with insulating coating layers. This composite approach allows the same component to provide both electromagnetic field containment (through the conductive part) and electrical isolation (through the insulating coating), eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall manufacturing process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively minimizes electrostatic and electromagnetic interference, ensuring high electrical safety, long device lifetime, low error susceptibility, and optimized space usage by containing fields between the electric lines and field limiting parts.
Implementation Method 1
They are also used to connect high or medium voltage equipment at electrical switchyards. Typically, the voltages are higher than 1 kV, especially higher than 10 kV. Branch busbar devices generally comprise uninsulated electric lines inside a housing. The combination of the typical voltages and the use of non-insulated parts causes problems with electrostatic fields and electromagnetic fields.
Implementation Method 2
The combination of the typical voltages and the use of non-insulated parts causes problems with electrostatic fields and electromagnetic fields.
Implementation Method 3
In some embodiments, the field limiting parts comprise a conductive material and are at least partially coated with an insulating material.
Data Source
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AI summary
A Branch busbar device (1) for high voltage arrangements, whereby the branch busbar device (1) comprises a first electric line (2) with a first electric contact area (3) and a second electric line (4) with a second electric contact area (5), whereby the first electric contact area (3) is connected to the second electric contact area (5), whereby a first field limiting part (6) is arranged at a first place (7) adjacent to the contact areas (3, 5), a second field limiting part (8) is arranged at a second place (9) adjacent to the contact areas (3, 5), and the first field limiting part (6) and the second field limiting part (8) are electrically connected to the first electric line (2) or to the second electric line (4) or to a third electric line (10) of the branch busbar device (1) is provided.