DC High-Voltage Insulator With Electrode Width Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage insulators designed for alternating current systems are not robust for direct current applications due to differences in electrical field distributions and charge accumulation, leading to increased electric fields and undesirable charge carrier accumulation on the insulator surface.

Innovation Solution

A DC high-voltage insulator with a base body made of insulating material, featuring a ratio of average total width of the outer electrode to the inner electrode of at least 0.6, which helps in adjusting the conductivity and electric field within the insulator, reducing charge carrier accumulation by providing an advantageous surface for current flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If existing insulation devices designed for alternating current are used for direct current transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to charge accumulation and increased electric fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulator structureVSAvoidinsulator performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform conductivity distribution within the insulator body through strategically placed conductive elements. These elements generate localized electric field modifications that specifically address charge accumulation problems at critical regions, allowing the insulator to handle DC voltage reliably without requiring a completely different overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter within the insulator material by incorporating conductive elements with specific conductivity values. This parameter modification allows the insulator to adapt its internal electric field distribution to DC conditions, preventing charge accumulation while maintaining the basic insulator structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the conductivity of the insulator material is increased to reduce charge accumulation, then charge carrier accumulation is reduced, but the electric field distribution becomes unfavorable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge carrier accumulationVSAvoidelectric field distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces conductive elements as intermediary structures within the insulator. These intermediaries create controlled conduction paths that manage charge carrier flow without requiring the bulk insulator material to have uniformly high conductivity, thus avoiding adverse electric field distribution while still preventing charge accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the geometry of the insulator is modified to improve field control, then electric field distribution is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field distributionVSAvoidinsulator geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the insulator structure by introducing separate conductive elements within the insulator body. This segmentation allows independent optimization of the insulator geometry for manufacturing ease, while the embedded conductive elements provide the necessary field control, separating the two functional requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces or prevents charge carrier accumulation on the insulator surface, improving the course of electrical field lines and enhancing the insulator's performance in direct current applications.

Implementation Method 1

there is a certain current flow within the insulator from the inner conductor subject to direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

electrical charges accumulate on the insulator surface, which leads to increased electric fields in the periphery of the high-voltage insulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3347958B1High DC voltage insulator, high voltage unit for direct current with high DC voltage insulator and their use
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3347958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3347958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3347958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a DC voltage high-voltage insulator (100) for insulating a conductor (200) applied with DC voltage, a high-voltage system for direct current with a DC voltage high-voltage insulator (100), and the use of a DC voltage high-voltage insulator (100) in a high-voltage system for direct current with an inner conductor (200) applied with DC voltage. The DC voltage high-voltage insulator (100) has a base body (50) made from insulating material and running about an insulator axis (A), at least one outer electrode (10a, 10b) running within the base body (50), preferably surrounding the insulator axis (A), and at least one inner electrode (20) running within the base body, preferably surrounding the insulator axis (A), wherein the outer electrode (10a, 10b) is arranged in the area of the outer periphery of the base body, wherein the inner electrode (20) is arranged in the area of the inner periphery of the base body, wherein in the axial cross section, the ratio of the average total width (wo) of the outer electrode (10a, 10b) to the average total width (wi) of the inner electrode (20) is at least 0.6, preferably at least 0.8, particularly preferably at least 1.0.