Elastic Sleeve Voltage Divider for HV Conductor Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voltage dividers for high-voltage or medium-voltage power conductors are difficult to install close to the conductor due to their geometric volume and insulation requirements, which complicates electrical insulation and increases the risk of electrical discharges.
Innovation Solution
An elastic sleeve with a radially shrinkable or expandable body that accommodates a voltage divider assembly, comprising discrete impedance elements connected in series, providing insulation and keeping the divider geometrically close to the power conductor in a space-saving manner, with an optional conductive shielding layer to reduce parasitic capacitances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional voltage divider is used with adequate insulation, then electrical insulation is provided, but the geometric volume increases and installation close to the conductor becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage divider assembly is nested within the elastic insulating sleeve, which itself is nested around the power conductor. This multi-level nesting arrangement allows the voltage divider to be positioned close to the conductor while maintaining adequate insulation, as the elastic sleeve provides the necessary insulation barrier without requiring additional external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic insulating sleeve acts as a flexible shell that conforms to the conductor and voltage divider assembly. This flexible structure provides adequate electrical insulation while minimizing the overall geometric volume, allowing the entire assembly to be installed in tight spaces close to the power conductor.
2Reliability
If insulation thickness is increased to prevent electrical discharges, then electrical insulation is improved, but the geometric volume and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic insulating sleeve provides effective electrical insulation with relatively thin walls compared to rigid insulation structures. The flexibility of the material allows it to provide adequate insulation coverage while maintaining a compact overall volume, preventing electrical discharges without significantly increasing the geometric volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic insulating sleeve is made from composite material comprising a polymer matrix with filler particles, which enhances the dielectric strength and insulation properties. This allows the sleeve to provide adequate insulation against electrical discharges with reduced wall thickness, thereby minimizing the overall geometric volume while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the voltage divider is positioned close to the power conductor, then voltage sensing accuracy is improved, but electrical insulation and discharge risk become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement places the voltage divider assembly inside the elastic insulating sleeve, which is itself around the power conductor. This configuration maximizes the proximity of the voltage sensing elements to the conductor for accurate voltage measurement, while the elastic sleeve provides the necessary insulation barrier to prevent electrical discharges, thus simultaneously achieving both measurement precision and electrical safety.
4Ease of manufacture
If discrete impedance elements are used in the voltage divider, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete impedance elements are combined and mounted on a single PCB circuit board, which is then enclosed within the elastic insulating sleeve. This merging approach maintains the manufacturing flexibility of using discrete components while reducing the overall device complexity by consolidating them into a single integrated assembly that fits within the sleeve.
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 elastic sleeve facilitates easy installation and effective insulation of voltage dividers near power conductors, reducing the risk of electrical discharges and improving the accuracy of voltage sensing while being cost-effective and adaptable to various power cable configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sleeve body for insulating the power conductor, the sleeve body being radially shrinkable around the power conductor or radially expandable when pushed over the power conductor
Data Source
AI summary
Elastic sleeve (1) for electrically insulating a HV/MV power conductor in a power network, comprising a) a shrinkable or expandable elastic sleeve body (10); b) a receiving space (20) in the sleeve body, for receiving the power conductor; c) a cavity (30) formed in the sleeve body; and d) a divider assembly (40), arranged, at least partially, in the cavity and comprising a plurality of discrete impedance elements, operable as a voltage divider for sensing a voltage of an inner conductor of the power conductor.