Elastomeric Spacer Assembly for Conductor Slippage and Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductor bundles in high-voltage power transmission face issues with conductor clashing due to subspan oscillation and fault current, and existing spacer assemblies either suffer from slippage or stress concentration, especially under high temperatures, due to either metal-to-metal or elastomeric contact alone.
Innovation Solution
A spacer assembly design that incorporates both metal-to-metal and elastomer-to-metal contact through protrusions and gripping members, respectively, to maintain conductor spacing and prevent slippage, with metal-to-metal contact increasing the slip force and elastomer-to-metal contact reducing stress concentration and fretting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If elastomeric gripping members are used to reduce stress concentration on conductor surface, then conductor surface protection is improved, but clamp slip force decreases leading to higher slippage tendency
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping member uses a composite structure combining elastomeric material and metal components. The elastomeric portion reduces stress concentration on the conductor surface, while the metal reinforcement (such as a metal core or embedded metal elements) provides high friction and prevents slippage. This composite approach allows both functions to coexist: the elastomer protects the conductor while the metal ensures adequate grip force.
2Force
If metal-to-metal clamp interface is used to increase clamp slip force, then slippage resistance is improved, but stress concentration on conductor surface increases causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric gripping member acts as an intermediary between the metal clamping structure and the conductor surface. The metal components provide the necessary clamping force and structural support, while the elastomeric material interfaces with the conductor, distributing the stress and preventing direct metal-to-conductor contact that would cause stress concentration and surface damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If elastomeric gripping members are used to prevent conductor surface damage, then conductor protection is improved, but slippage resistance decreases especially after high temperature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with metal reinforcement maintains mechanical integrity at high temperatures. The metal components do not degrade with heat exposure and maintain their friction properties, compensating for any reduction in elastomeric grip force due to thermal softening. This ensures reliable slippage resistance even after prolonged high-temperature exposure.
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 spacer assembly effectively maintains conductor spacing, prevents slippage, and reduces stress concentration and fretting, even under prolonged high-temperature exposure, by combining metal-to-metal and elastomer-to-metal contacts, enhancing the reliability and durability of the conductor bundle.
Implementation Method 1
Elastomeric gripping members of spacer assemblies for conductor bundles are sometimes disposed between clamping bodies of the spacer assemblies and the received conductors. Elastomeric gripping elements reduces stress concentration on the conductor surface
Implementation Method 2
metal-to-metal contact is provided between clamping bodies of the spacer assembly and the received conductors and metal-to-elastomer contact is provided between gripping members of the spacer assembly and the received conductors... substantially prevents slippage between the spacer assembly and the received conductors
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer assembly includes a first clamping body having first and second ends and first and second protrusions extending from the first and second ends, respectively. A second clamping body has third and fourth ends and third and fourth protrusions extending from the third and fourth ends, respectively. A first gripping member disposed between the first and third ends has first and second openings for receiving the first and third protrusions, respectively, such that the first and third protrusions pass completely through the first and second openings to contact a first conductor received by the first gripping member. A second gripping member disposed between the second and fourth ends has third and fourth openings for receiving the second and fourth protrusions, respectively, such that the second and fourth protrusions pass completely through the third and fourth openings to contact a second conductor received by the second gripping member.