Earthing Device Asymmetric Coupling for High-Voltage Cable Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing earthing devices for high voltage cables do not guarantee that operators install and remove the devices in the correct order, leading to safety risks due to capacitive coupling phenomena.

Innovation Solution

A device with a foolproof interface mechanism that prevents the clamp from being uncoupled from the vice until the vice is tightened and prevents loosening until the clamp is removed from the cable, ensuring correct installation and removal procedures are followed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the clamp and vice are designed to be independently operable, then the device is easier to assemble and disassemble, but the operator cannot be ensured to follow the correct safety procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidsafety procedure compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface mechanism between the clamp and vice employs asymmetric coupling elements (protrusions and recesses) that only permit engagement in the correct orientation and sequence. The vice features a locking interface that can only be engaged when the clamp is in its tightened position on the conductor, preventing incorrect assembly sequences while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The device requires the clamp to be preliminarily tightened onto the conductor before the vice can be coupled to the clamp. This preliminary action ensures that the earth connection is established on the conductor before the operator handles the vice, preventing exposure to capacitive coupling hazards during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the clamp can be removed from the cable before the vice is removed from the earth conductor, then the device is easier to remove, but the operator risks electrification due to capacitive coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of removalVSAvoidelectrification risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is designed to work in reverse during removal: the vice remains coupled to the clamp until the clamp is fully removed from the conductor. This inverted sequence ensures that the earth connection is maintained on the conductor throughout the removal process, preventing capacitive coupling hazards while maintaining efficient removal procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface mechanism acts as an intermediary that maintains the electrical connection between the clamp and vice during the removal process. The mechanical coupling ensures that the earth path remains intact through the conductor-clamp-vice-earth conductor chain until the final disconnection step, protecting the operator from electrification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If foolproofing means are added to the interface mechanism, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety guaranteeVSAvoidinterface mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface mechanism incorporates self-checking features where the geometric configuration of coupling elements automatically verifies correct assembly sequence. The protrusions and recesses are designed such that proper engagement is only possible when safety conditions are met, eliminating the need for additional sensors or control systems while maintaining foolproof operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Guarantees operator safety by ensuring the correct order of installation and removal, preventing electrical hazards from capacitive coupling.

Implementation Method 1

a wheel (110) intended to be coupled to the clamp (100) so as to tighten and loosen the clamp (100) on the high voltage cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the phenomenon of capacitive coupling which may exist... causes an electrical voltage to appear between an electrical conductor and the masses (grounding) or between two electrical conductors by the mere presence near one or more structures under nominal voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Parasitic Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2293388B1Device for earthing a high-voltage cable

Publication Date: 2014.12.17 SOCI T ANONYME DES ETS CATU

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AI summary

The device (1) has a jaw (200) electrically connected to a clamp (100), and locked on a grounding conductor (400). A locking element i.e. thumb wheel (110), clamps the jaw onto the conductor. An interface mechanism between the clamp and the jaw is arranged to maintain the clamp and the jaw together until the jaw is not locked on the conductor. The mechanism allows disconnection of the clamp from the jaw when the jaw is locked on the conductor, and allows disconnection of the locking element when the clamp is disconnected from the jaw. The high-tension cable is made of copper or aluminum. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for mounting a grounding device (2) a method for dismounting a grounding device.