Dielectric Cover with Independent Gripping for Energized Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power transmission systems face challenges in protecting components from short circuits caused by birds and animals, particularly due to reduced clearances in distribution systems, which increase the risk of faults and outages, and existing protective solutions often require costly and time-consuming installation processes, including the need for system downtime for retrofitting with dielectric covers.
Innovation Solution
A dielectric cover system comprising an enclosing part and a gripping part with independent movement, allowing for remote installation using a hot stick, featuring spring latches, a C-shaped design, and a threaded bolt for secure closure, enabling protection of components without requiring system de-energization, thus facilitating installation on energized equipment and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing protective solutions are used, then components are protected from wildlife-induced short circuits, but installation requires system downtime and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into two separate portions that can be installed independently. The gripping portion is installed first to secure the component, then the enclosing portion is closed around it. This segmentation allows the cover to be installed without requiring complete system downtime, as the portions can be installed in sequence during operational periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping portion is installed in advance on the component before the enclosing portion is closed. This preliminary action secures the component in position, allowing the enclosing portion to be closed around it subsequently. This sequence enables installation during brief maintenance windows without requiring extended system shutdowns.
2Reliability
If existing protective solutions are used, then components are protected from wildlife-induced short circuits, but installation requires costly retrofitting processes
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a gripping portion and an enclosing portion that can be installed separately. This reduces installation complexity by allowing workers to install the gripping portion first to secure the component, then close the enclosing portion around it, eliminating the need for complex retrofitting procedures and complete system shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosing portion is designed to be movable and closable around the gripping portion after initial installation. This dynamic design allows the cover to be installed in an open state and then closed around the component, simplifying the installation process and reducing the need for costly retrofitting operations.
3Productivity
If reduced clearances are used in distribution systems, then system efficiency is improved, but the risk of faults from wildlife contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric cover acts as a protective shell that encloses the electrical component. This shell prevents direct contact between wildlife and the electrical component, blocking the harmful factor of wildlife-induced short circuits while allowing the system to maintain reduced clearances for improved efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is made from dielectric material that provides electrical insulation while maintaining a compact form factor. This composite protective structure allows reduced clearances to be maintained without increasing the risk of wildlife-induced faults, as the dielectric material blocks conductive paths that wildlife contact would create.
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 dielectric cover system effectively protects electrical components from wildlife-induced short circuits while allowing for remote, efficient installation, minimizing downtime and operational costs by enabling secure closure and protection of components without the need for system de-energization.
Implementation Method 1
The gripping part comprises one or more spring latches for gripping at least part of the component between the one or more spring latches
Implementation Method 2
a threaded bolt positioned between one or both of the respective apertures of the opposed portions for securing and moving the opposed portions into the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A dielectric cover for protecting a component of an electrical power transmission system, the dielectric cover comprising: an enclosing part having enclosing portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to enclose the component; and a gripping part having gripping portions that are configured for relative movement to each other to grip the component, the movement of the gripping portions being independent of the relative movement of the enclosing part.