Cold-Shrinkable Elbow Housing With Rejacketing Sleeve for Cable Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elbow connection systems for medium and high voltage cables lack efficient and reliable methods for forming secure, environmentally protected connections with equipment, particularly in terms of electrical insulation and shielding, especially when using cold-shrinkable technologies.
Innovation Solution
A cold-shrinkable protective housing with a tubular, electrically insulating rejacketing sleeve and multiple elastomeric layers provides a T-shaped or L-shaped configuration, allowing for radial contraction and expansion to securely encase cable and connector assemblies without heat, ensuring electrical insulation and shielding through a combination of insulation, stress cone, and semiconductive layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cold-shrinkable protective housing is used to provide environmental protection and electrical insulation, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple elastomeric layers and integral rejacketing sleeve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions into a single integrated housing structure. The housing body and rejacketing sleeve are formed as one integral piece through co-molding, merging the protective housing, electrical insulation, and cable reinforcement functions into a unified component that reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is constructed using composite materials with different elastomeric layers serving specific functions. The housing insulation layer provides electrical insulation, the stress cone layer manages electrical stress distribution, and the semiconductive layer provides shielding, creating a multi-functional composite structure that enhances reliability without requiring separate components.
2Ease of operation
If the housing is configured to radially contract onto the cable without heat, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper contraction and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent physical properties of elastomeric materials. The housing is manufactured in an expanded state at elevated temperatures, then allowed to cool and contract radially onto the cable. This parameter change (temperature cooling) automatically achieves the desired fit without requiring external heating during installation, simplifying operation while maintaining precision through controlled material behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is pre-expanded during manufacturing to a larger diameter that facilitates easy installation over the cable. The expansion is performed in advance, allowing the housing to be slipped onto the cable in its expanded state, and then it automatically contracts to the final fitted dimension through controlled cooling, eliminating the need for heat application during installation.
3Reliability
If the rejacketing sleeve is extended to surround the cable jacket, then the electrical insulation is improved, but the volume of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rejacketing sleeve is designed to extend axially beyond the housing body and nest over the existing cable jacket. This nested configuration provides additional electrical insulation and mechanical protection along the cable length without requiring a proportionally larger housing volume, as the sleeve utilizes the existing cable structure as its support framework.
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 solution provides a reliable, environmentally protected, and electrically insulated connection system that securely mates with equipment, enhancing electrical integrity and durability while eliminating the need for heat application, thus improving connection reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
cold-shrinkable protective housing that is deployed from a holdout onto the terminated cable
Implementation Method 2
housing body including a housing insulation layer formed of an electrically insulating elastomer
Implementation Method 3
tubular stress cone layer bonded to an inner surface of the housing insulation layer and formed of an electrically conductive elastomer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cold-shrinkable protective elbow housing (110) includes a housing body (114) with a cable leg (111) and an integral, tubular, electrically insulating rejacketing sleeve (160). The rejacketing sleeve (160) includes an extension section (164) configured to extend or be extended in a proximal direction beyond a proximal end (111A) of the cable leg (111) to surround a jacket (58) of a cable (50) on which the housing (110) is mounted. The housing (110) also includes an outer semiconductive layer (150) and a stress cone layer (140). A terminal edge (155) of the outer semiconductive layer (150) is truncated so that it does not extend to a cable entrance opening (124) of the cable leg (111).