Insulated Earthing Switch Flange for Outdoor Switchgear Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas insulated switchgear assemblies have limited resilience and environmental durability due to the mechanical resistance limitations of plastic insulators, particularly in outdoor applications.

Innovation Solution

The use of a metallic insulator flange with a dielectric layer in the earthing switch of air or mixed air and gas insulated switchgear assemblies, which provides high mechanical resistance and can be easily recycled, enhancing durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic insulator is used in the earthing switch, then the device can be manufactured with ease and lower cost, but the mechanical resistance and environmental durability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a metallic body with a dielectric insulating layer to create the insulator flange. This composite structure provides both the mechanical strength of metal and the electrical insulation properties of the dielectric material, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and mechanical resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If a plastic insulator is used in the earthing switch, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the resilience to outdoor applications and environmental durability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidenvironmental durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of metallic body with dielectric insulating layer provides superior environmental durability and resilience to outdoor applications while maintaining manufacturing feasibility. The metal component offers structural integrity and weather resistance, while the dielectric layer provides electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If a metallic insulator flange with dielectric layer is used, then the mechanical resistance and environmental durability are significantly increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the composite material structure increases complexity compared to simple plastic insulators, the patent integrates this complexity into a single insulator flange component that provides both mechanical strength and electrical insulation, thereby managing the complexity increase while achieving superior performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 significantly increases the resilience and environmental durability of the earthing switch, preventing mechanical failure and allowing for effective outdoor operation with improved insulation properties.

Implementation Method 1

an insulator flange (16) comprising a metallic body and a dielectric insulating layer on the metallic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP4287232B1Insulated earthing switch for an air insulated or mixed switchgear
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP4287232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4287232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4287232B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns an air insulated or mixed air and gas insulated switchgear assembly (1) comprising a switchgear (2) and an earthing switch (10). The switchgear (2) comprises a switchgear housing (3). The earthing switch (10) comprises a switch housing (13). According to the invention, the earthing switch (10) comprises an insulator flange (16) comprising a metallic body and a dielectric insulating layer on the metallic body. The switch housing (13) is mechanically connected to the switchgear housing (3) through the insulator flange (16).