Flexible Electrical Isolation Device for High Voltage Line Work

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for replacing or restringing overhead power lines face challenges with pulling ropes that can fail due to high voltage environments, induced voltages, and contamination, leading to safety hazards and inefficiencies in electrical isolation.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electrical isolation device comprising a dielectric rope encased in a flexible membrane filled with dielectric fluid, sealed at both ends with frustoconical sockets and couplers, which prevents electrical conduction and withstands significant tensile loads, ensuring effective isolation and safety during high voltage operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pulling rope is used to replace power line conductors, then the operation is simpler and more flexible, but the rope may fail due to high voltage exposure, induced voltages, and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicity and flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical isolation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric rope is nested within a flexible membrane that is filled with dielectric fluid. This nested structure provides multiple layers of electrical isolation, allowing the rope to maintain flexibility and ease of operation while being protected from high voltage environments and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolation device combines multiple materials with different properties: a dielectric rope for mechanical strength and flexibility, a flexible membrane for containment and additional isolation, and dielectric fluid for electrical protection. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the operational advantages of the rope with the electrical protection of the fluid-filled membrane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a flexible membrane filled with dielectric fluid is used to encase the dielectric rope, then electrical isolation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolation reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane (thin film) to encase the dielectric rope. This flexible shell provides electrical isolation through the dielectric fluid it contains while maintaining simplicity in construction and allowing the device to bend and flex during operation, avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If frustoconical sockets and couplers are used to seal the membrane ends, then electrical isolation and fluid sealing are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid sealing and electrical isolationVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frustoconical shape of the sockets changes the geometric parameters of the connection interface. This conical geometry provides self-aligning and self-sealing properties that improve fluid sealing and electrical isolation while simplifying the assembly process, as the tapered shape guides proper insertion and creates natural sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides reliable electrical isolation, prevents circulating currents, and maintains dielectric properties under harsh conditions, ensuring safe and efficient replacement or restringing of power lines by isolating pulling wires from energized conductors.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible electrical isolation device comprising a dielectric rope encased in a flexible membrane filled with dielectric fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

A liquid fixing agent is inserted into the first and second broomed strands and the frustoconical bores of the first and second sockets, so as to substantially fill voids between the rope strands of the first and second broomed strands and between the first and second broomed strands and the inner surface of the frustoconical bore, and so that the liquid fixing agent is substantially uniformly infiltrated into the narrow ends of the first and second sockets. The method further comprises curing the liquid fixing agent to secure the first and second broomed strands within the first and second frustoconical bores respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResin setting:

Data Source

PatentUS10992116B2Flexible electrical isolation device

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 QUANTA ASSOCIATES LP

AI summary

An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second couplings are mounted to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the couplings so as to fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The couplings are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.