Capacitance Graded Bushing Core Using Thermoplastic Fabric Winding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current high voltage bushing technologies, such as OIP, RIP, and RIS/RIF, face issues like long production times, high investment costs, environmental concerns, scrap rates, and fire risks due to complex processes and materials like mineral oil and epoxy resin, which hinder efficient and cost-effective manufacturing of capacitance graded cores.

Innovation Solution

A method using pre-impregnated insulating fibers with thermoplastic materials, where the fabric is heated and wound around an elongated conductor with intermittent conductive layers formed, eliminating the need for complex chemical processes and resulting in a recyclable, dry, and rapid production of capacitance graded cores with improved mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If OIP technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with paper and mineral oil impregnation, but the production time is long and delivery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the impregnation parameter from traditional mineral oil to a synthetic fluid, and changes the base material from paper to synthetic fabric. This allows the impregnation process to be completed without lengthy drying phases, dramatically reducing production time while maintaining manufacturing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a synthetic impregnation fluid that can be quickly applied and cured without requiring long drying times. The process is designed for rapid production cycles, effectively treating each bushing as a quick-turnaround product rather than a lengthy manufacturing project

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If OIP technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with paper and mineral oil, but the long-term performance is limited by maximum temperature of 105°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidlong-term performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure using synthetic fabric (such as fiberglass) impregnated with synthetic fluid. This composite material combination provides superior thermal stability and electrical performance compared to traditional paper-mineral oil combinations, enabling operation at higher temperatures while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent fundamentally changes the material parameters from organic paper and mineral oil to inorganic/synthetic alternatives that can withstand higher operating temperatures. This material substitution directly addresses the 105°C temperature limitation while improving overall long-term performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If OIP technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with mineral oil impregnation, but the environmental impact is negative and fire risk exists

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the harmful mineral oil with a synthetic fluid that is environmentally friendly and non-flammable. This substitution converts a harmful substance into a beneficial one, eliminating fire risks and environmental damage while maintaining the impregnation function necessary for electrical performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If RIP technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with epoxy resin impregnation, but the investment cost is high and scrap rate is 3-10%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical performanceVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses synthetic fabric that can be impregnated and cured more efficiently than epoxy resin processes. The synthetic fluid impregnation allows for near-zero scrap rates and minimal material waste, making the process economically viable without requiring expensive epoxy materials or generating costly waste disposal requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential function of electrical insulation and field grading from the complex epoxy resin system. By using synthetic fabric with synthetic fluid impregnation, the patent removes the need for expensive epoxy materials while maintaining the core electrical performance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If RIP technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with epoxy resin casting, but the production time is long and delivery is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical performanceVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the curing parameters from lengthy epoxy resin autoclave cycles to rapid synthetic fluid curing processes. The synthetic fluid allows for much faster impregnation and curing times, enabling same-day or next-day delivery while maintaining electrical performance standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

6Reliability

If RIS or RIF technology is used for manufacturing capacitance graded core, then the core can be produced with fabric or fiber glass, but the equipment investment is high and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidindustrial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses synthetic fabric that serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, acts as the absorbent medium for the synthetic fluid, and creates the final insulating barrier. This multi-functional material eliminates the need for separate equipment for fabric winding, impregnation, and curing that would be required by more complex systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach reduces production time, investment costs, and environmental impact, enabling fast delivery and competitive pricing while ensuring good mechanical and electrical performance with fully recyclable materials and minimized waste.

Implementation Method 1

heating the pre-impregnated fabric to melt the thermoplastic material of the pre-impregnated fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

heating the pre-impregnated fabric to melt the thermoplastic material of the pre-impregnated fabric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

the thermoplastic material of the pre-impregnated fabric; winding the melted pre-impregnated fabric around the elongated conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3460810B1Advanced high voltage capacitance graded bushing
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3460810B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3460810B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This is a method for manufacturing a capacitance graded core for a high voltage electrical bushing, the capacitance graded core comprising: an elongated electrical conductor; an electrically insulating body disposed around the elongated electrical conductor; and a plurality of electrodes disposed coaxially to the elongated electrical conductor in the electrically insulating body. The method comprises: a) providing an insulating pre-impregnated fabric made of insulating fibers impregnated with an insulating thermoplastic material, the pre-impregnated fabric having a surface; b) heating the pre-impregnated fabric to melt the thermoplastic material of the pre-impregnated fabric; c) winding the melted pre-impregnated fabric around the elongated conductor while pressing the melted pre-impregnated fabric on the elongated conductor. The method further comprises forming an electrically conductive layer on the surface of the insulating pre-impregnated fabric, this step being repeated intermittently, thereby obtaining a plurality of electrically conductive layers inserted between the windings of pre-impregnated fabric and thus forming the plurality of electrodes.