Carbon-Composite Cable Surround Material for Heat Dissipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Underground electrical transmission cables face challenges with heat dissipation due to the lack of air insulation, which requires additional thermal insulation materials to manage heat conduction effectively, leading to larger cable diameters and increased material usage.
Innovation Solution
A cable surround material comprising a mixture of a carbon-containing additive, sand, and cement, with a composition of approximately 60-80% carbon additive, 5-10% cement, and the remainder sand, or silicon-containing additive with similar proportions, to enhance thermal conductivity and reduce thermal resistivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cable surround material (sand and cement mixture) is used to provide thermal insulation, then heat dissipation is improved, but cable diameter must be increased to reduce electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the cable surround material by incorporating carbon-containing additives (graphite, carbon black, or carbon fibers) into the conventional sand-cement mixture. This modifies the thermal properties of the material to achieve better heat dissipation without increasing cable dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by combining conventional cable surround materials (sand and cement) with carbon-containing additives. This composite structure leverages the thermal conductivity of carbon materials while maintaining the structural properties of the sand-cement matrix, enabling improved heat dissipation at smaller cable sizes
2Reliability
If higher thermal resistivity material is used to slow heat conduction, then insulation is improved, but larger cable diameter is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal resistivity parameter of the cable surround material by adding carbon-containing substances. These additives increase thermal conductivity (decrease thermal resistivity) allowing heat to be conducted away more efficiently, enabling the use of smaller cable diameters while maintaining reliable thermal management
3Ease of manufacture
If smaller cable cross-section is used to reduce material cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces carbon-containing additives as an intermediary substance between the cable and the surrounding ground. These additives act as thermal pathways that facilitate heat transfer from the cable to the environment, enabling small cables to dissipate heat effectively without requiring larger cross-sections
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the thermal conductivity parameter of the cable surround material through carbon additive incorporation, the patent enables smaller cable cross-sections to achieve adequate heat dissipation, thereby reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity
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 proposed material achieves a lower thermal resistivity, allowing for the use of smaller cable cross-sections, reducing material needs and transportation costs while improving heat dissipation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the material comprises, by weight, approximately 60-80% carbon containing additive, approximately 5-10% cement, and a remainder of sand
Data Source
AI summary
A cable surround material for a cable of an electricity transmission system comprising a mixture of: an additive containing carbon; sand; and cement, wherein the material comprises, by weight, approximately 60-80% carbon containing additive, approximately 5-10% cement, and a remainder of sand.