Field Control Cables for Overhead Line Mast Electric Field Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overhead line pylons often exceed permissible electromagnetic field limits, requiring costly and time-consuming mast height increases to maintain compliance with regulations, which is inefficient and complex.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of field control cables at ground potential, arranged between pylons or between pylons and ground points, to manipulate and reduce the electric field strength near the ground without altering the magnetic field or requiring complex control devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the mast height is increased to reduce electric field strength near the ground, then compliance with electromagnetic field regulations is improved, but construction costs and implementation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field strength near groundVSAvoidmast height increase
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces field control cables as intermediary elements that mediate between the high-voltage conductor cables and the ground. These cables create intermediate electric field zones that redirect and reduce the field strength near the ground, avoiding the need to increase mast height while achieving regulatory compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the system by introducing additional conductive elements (field control cables) at specific potentials. This modifies the electric field distribution parameters without changing the physical dimensions of the mast structure, thereby reducing ground-level field strength without height increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the mast height is increased to reduce electric field strength near the ground, then compliance with electromagnetic field regulations is improved, but construction costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field strength near groundVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The field control cables are pre-positioned and integrated into the existing mast structure during initial construction or retrofitting. This preliminary arrangement of conductive elements establishes the desired electric field distribution from the outset, avoiding the need for subsequent mast height modifications and associated time losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If field control cables are introduced to reduce electric field strength, then compliance with electromagnetic field regulations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric field strength near groundVSAvoidcable arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The field control cables serve multiple functions: they control the electric field distribution, provide structural support, and can be integrated with existing mast components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving field strength reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution effectively reduces electric field strength near the ground, increasing the distance at which the field reaches 5 kV/m from 10 m to 15 m, thereby complying with regulations without raising the mast, thus minimizing costs and effort.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one field control cable 2... for field control of the electric field of high-voltage lines in the area of the pylon 1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3379668B1Free conduit masts and conversion method or method for producing free conduit masts
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 AXPO GRID AG
  • EP3379668B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3379668B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3379668B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A conversion method for overhead line masts (1) for high and extra-high voltage electrical systems is described, for improved field control of the electric field of at least one conductor cable (120) attached to the overhead line mast (1), which is easy to carry out with little effort and low costs and which changes the characteristics of the electric field of conductor cables arranged on the overhead line mast in such a way that raising the mast height becomes unnecessary.This is achieved by: attaching at least one field control device (2) lying at earth potential directly or indirectly to a mast structure (10) at least on one side and laying the field control device (2) completely and exclusively above ground through the air between at least two adjacent overhead line masts (1) and/or between an overhead line mast (1) and a point in the vicinity of the overhead line mast (1), so that the at least one field control device (2) can be used for field control of the electric field below the conductor cables (120) in the area of ​​the overhead line mast (1) between the conductor cable (120) and the ground surface.