Cable Termination With Rotated Triangles For Insulating Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable terminations for high-voltage switchgear lack a compact method to implement an insulating section, which is essential for creating a gap between the cable and the switchgear.

Innovation Solution

A cable termination design featuring two interlocking triangles of cable and phase connection elements, where the elements are arranged in perpendicular planes and can be rotated to form the smallest possible distance, allowing for the introduction of connecting elements that can be partially or completely removed to create an insulating gap, thereby enabling a compact and efficient insulating section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an insulating section is implemented vertically along the conductor routing, then the insulating gap is achieved, but the overall height of the switchgear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulating gapVSAvoidoverall height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical insulating arrangement to a horizontal one by rotating the triangle of cable connection elements relative to the triangle of phase connection parts. This dimensional change allows the insulating gap to be created in the horizontal plane rather than increasing the vertical height, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving insulation and maintaining compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the connection path into separate segments by introducing removable connecting elements between the cable connection elements and phase connection parts. This segmentation allows the insulating gap to be created by removing these intermediate connectors, enabling the insulation function to be achieved through horizontal separation rather than vertical extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the first triangle and second triangle are rotated to form the smallest possible distance, then the compactness is improved, but the electrical connection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompactnessVSAvoidelectrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces connecting elements as intermediary components between the cable connection elements and phase connection parts. These intermediaries simplify the electrical connection by providing standardized connection points, even though the triangles are rotated relative to each other. The connecting elements act as mediators that bridge the rotated configurations without requiring complex direct connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the connecting elements removable, introducing dynamic reconfigurability to the system. This allows the connection configuration to be changed from connected to disconnected state, enabling the insulating gap to be created when needed while maintaining compact connected configuration during normal operation, thus managing complexity through conditional simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3164919B1Cable termination for connecting a switchgear assembly to a high-voltage cable
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3164919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164919B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164919B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cable termination comprises, amongst other things, three insulated cable connection elements (71, 73, 75) which project into a housing and have an internal conductor, and also three phase connection parts (72, 74, 76) which are designed as hollow bodies and likewise project into the housing from a side which is situated opposite the cable connection elements and into each of which one of three cable end reinforcements can be inserted. The cable connection elements and the phase connection parts each form the corners of a triangle. These triangles are rotated in relation to one another in their respective plane, so that an offset is created. In order to bridge the offset, a connecting element (61, 62, 63) is arranged between in each case one cable connection element and the associated phase connection part, the said connecting element being designed such that it can be partially or entirely removed in order to establish an isolating gap.