Composite Insulating Material Electric Field Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical insulation methods for high-voltage components are inadequate in reducing partial discharges and extending voltage withstand, particularly at the ceramic/metal/insulator triple points and metal/insulator interfaces, due to non-uniform electric fields and complex structural geometries, which lead to premature aging and reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

Applying an electric field to a composite insulating material with higher dielectric permittivity particles during processing, causing self-adaptive permittivity and conductivity gradients that concentrate particles at critical stress points, thereby reducing electric field reinforcements and enhancing voltage resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional uniform insulating material is used, then manufacturing is simple, but partial discharges occur at critical points leading to premature aging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage withstandVSAvoidmaterial structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform particle distribution within the insulating material. Higher concentration of dielectric particles is placed at critical stress points (triple points and interfaces) where electric field reinforcement occurs, while lower concentration is used in less critical areas. This localized enhancement of dielectric properties at specific locations improves voltage withstand and reduces partial discharges without requiring complete restructuring of the entire material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining a polymer matrix with dispersed dielectric particles of higher permittivity. This composite structure allows tailoring of electric field distribution through controlled particle placement, creating materials with spatially varying dielectric properties that address the non-uniform electric field stress in high-voltage components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If electric field treatment is applied to create particle gradients, then partial discharges are reduced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage withstandVSAvoidprocessing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual methods for creating particle gradients with an electric field-based approach. By applying a controlled electric field during material processing, dielectric particles are induced to migrate and self-organize into the desired non-uniform distribution pattern. This substitution of mechanical processing with electric field control simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the required particle gradient for improved voltage withstand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the electric field strength, duration, and timing during material processing. By adjusting these electric field parameters, the particle distribution can be precisely controlled to achieve optimal dielectric properties. The electric field parameters are optimized to create the desired particle gradient without excessive processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If particles are concentrated at critical points, then electric field uniformity improves, but material homogeneity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field distributionVSAvoidmaterial homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent accepts and utilizes the non-homogeneous particle distribution as a deliberate design feature rather than a defect. The material is engineered with spatially varying composition, where particle concentration is intentionally higher at critical stress points and lower in other areas. This local quality variation improves electric field uniformity and reduces partial discharges, transforming the heterogeneity from a stability issue into a performance-enhancing characteristic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 method effectively reduces partial discharges and increases the voltage withstand of electrical components by creating targeted dielectric permittivity and conductivity profiles, leading to improved reliability and extended service life.

Implementation Method 1

Applying an electric field to a composite insulating material with higher dielectric permittivity particles during processing, causing self-adaptive permittivity and conductivity gradients that concentrate particles at critical stress points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity gradient formation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

Applying an electric field to a composite insulating material with higher dielectric permittivity particles during processing, causing self-adaptive permittivity and conductivity gradients that concentrate particles at critical stress points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field-induced particle concentration: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP3465748B1Method for processing an electrically insulating material for electrical components, electrical component manufactured by this method and apparatus for processing an electrically insulating material
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 UNIVERSITE TOULOUSE III PAUL SABATIER
  • EP3465748B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3465748B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3465748B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for processing a protective electrically insulating material intended to cover at least one surface of an electrical component to be insulated comprising first and second electrical contacts, the method comprising the following steps: mixing (20) an electrically insulating host matrix with a particulate filler having relative dielectric permittivity greater than that of the host matrix, in such a way as to obtain a homogeneous composite mixture; depositing (30) the solidifiable homogeneous composite mixture on said at least one surface of the electrical component to be insulated; applying (40) an electric field to the homogeneous composite mixture by means of said first and second electrical contacts.