Resin-Filled Cable Joint With Thermal Expansion Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable joints used in high-voltage power applications face issues with thermal expansion, leading to damage of the resin and shell due to high temperatures, which can result in catastrophic failures and power outages.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motion promotor, such as compressible foam elements or gas bubbles, within the curable resin or as a separate component in the shell, to allow for expansion and contraction of cable ends, thereby decoupling them from the shell and reducing mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If cable ends are rigidly fixed in the shell, then mechanical strength and structural stability are improved, but thermal expansion damage occurs at high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidthermal expansion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a motion promotor that enables dynamic adjustment of the cable end position within the shell. This allows the cable ends to expand and contract thermally while maintaining secure mechanical connection, resolving the contradiction between rigid fixation and thermal expansion accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion promotor changes the mechanical parameter of cable end position from fixed to variable, allowing positional adjustment in response to temperature changes. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If cable ends are allowed to move freely, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but mechanical connection strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion resistanceVSAvoidmechanical connection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The motion promotor provides controlled movement capability rather than free movement. It allows thermal expansion while maintaining sufficient mechanical connection through the anchoring mechanism, thus preserving both thermal accommodation and connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion promotor acts as an intermediary element between the cable ends and the shell, mediating the interaction between thermal expansion forces and mechanical connection requirements. It transfers and distributes forces to maintain connection strength while accommodating movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If resin is used to fill and protect the cable connection, then protection against external influences is improved, but thermal expansion causes resin damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external influencesVSAvoidresin integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The motion promotor enables dynamic positioning of cable ends within the resin-filled shell, allowing thermal expansion to occur without creating excessive stress on the resin. This maintains resin integrity while preserving protective enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion promotor provides beforehand cushioning by allowing controlled movement space for thermal expansion before resin damage can occur. This preventive mechanism protects the resin from thermal stress damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The motion promotor effectively absorbs thermal expansion, reducing the likelihood of damage to the resin and shell, maintaining the integrity of the cable joint and preventing failures.

Implementation Method 1

cable ends become so hot that the associated thermal expansion of the cable ends and/or the connection between them damages the resin and shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The motion promotor may comprise at least one compressible medium, to provide the expansion space by compressibility of said at least one compressible medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4576464A1Cable joint for mutually connecting a first cable end and a second cable end
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 LEIA BV
  • EP4576464A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4576464A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4576464A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cable joint for mutually connecting a first cable end and a second cable end, the cable joint comprising a shell defining a hollow interior space, into which the first cable end and the second cable end can extend in order to be mutually connected within the hollow interior space. The hollow interior space is fillable with a curable resin. According to the invention, the cable joint further comprises at least one motion promotor, for allowing the first and/or second cable end to expand and/or contract with respect to the shell after curing of said resin. The invention also relates to a resin for use in such a cable joint, which comprises at least one motion promotor.