Continuous Insulating Structure for HVDC Bushings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high voltage insulating systems for HVDC applications are space-consuming and require extensive material usage, failing to adequately address safety and reliability concerns, particularly at very high voltages.

Innovation Solution

A compact high voltage arrangement featuring a continuous insulating structure that eliminates creep paths by extending from the first conductor to the bushing portion, ensuring insulation without gaps, thereby reducing the overall size and material requirements while enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional insulating systems with gaps are used, then manufacturing is easier and materials are simpler, but the arrangement consumes large space and has higher risk of arcing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace consumptionVSAvoidinsulating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating structure merges multiple insulating components (insulating barrier, insulating material, and additional insulating layers) into a continuous unified structure that eliminates gaps along the creep path. This merging approach reduces the overall space required while maintaining enhanced insulation performance and reducing arcing risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating structure extends in the axial direction to provide continuous insulation coverage, transforming the insulation approach from radial gaps to axial continuity. This dimensional extension allows the structure to achieve better insulation performance in a more compact configuration.

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

2Reliability

If traditional insulating systems with gaps are used, then material usage is reduced, but reliability decreases due to increased arcing risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation reliabilityVSAvoidinsulating material quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple insulating materials and structures are merged into a continuous unified insulating system that eliminates gaps. This combination of insulating barrier, insulating material, and additional insulating layers creates a reliable continuous insulation path while optimizing material usage through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating structure employs composite construction combining different insulating materials (insulating barrier, insulating material, and additional insulating layers) to achieve enhanced reliability. The composite approach allows each material to contribute its strengths while working together as a unified continuous insulating system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If continuous insulating structure is implemented, then arcing risk is reduced and reliability improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearcing riskVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process merges the assembly of multiple insulating components into a continuous structure. By integrating the insulating barrier, insulating material, and additional insulating layers in a coordinated manner, the design achieves continuous insulation coverage while streamlining the manufacturing process through systematic assembly approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Area of stationary object

If traditional insulating systems are used, then device complexity is lower, but space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefootprint areaVSAvoidinsulating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating structure utilizes axial extension to provide continuous insulation coverage, transforming the insulation approach from radial gaps to axial continuity. This dimensional strategy allows the structure to achieve better insulation performance and reduced footprint area through optimized spatial arrangement.

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

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 results in a more compact, cost-effective, and reliable high voltage arrangement with reduced risk of arcing, as the continuous insulating structure eliminates the need for extensive material and space, ensuring effective insulation at high voltages.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating structure arranged around the second conductor for providing insulation of the second conductor... the insulating structure has a continuous extension in an axial direction without any gap... extends around the bushing portion at least to a point where an electric potential of an external surface of the bushing portion is at most equal to the average of the potential of the first conductor and the potential of the interfacing plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP2528071B1High voltage arrangement comprising an insulating structure
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2528071B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2528071B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

It is presented a high voltage arrangement (1) for a high voltage power system. The high voltage arrangement (1) has an insulating structure which reduces the creep path in the insulating structure. The high voltage arrangement (1) comprises an insulating structure (6) arranged around the second conductor (13) for providing insulation of the second conductor (13), wherein the insulating structure (6) has a continuous extension in an axial direction from a first end (21-1) thereof providing insulation of essentially the entire length of the second conductor (13) to a second end (21-2) of the insulating structure arranged around the bushing portion (11-1), which second end (21-2) extends around the bushing portion (11-1) at least to a point where an electric potential of an external surface of the bushing portion (11-1) is at most equal to the average of the potential of the first conductor (9) and the potential of the interfacing plane (4) when the high voltage arrangement (1) is in use.