High-Pressure Cable Restoration Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extending the life of electrical power cables with insufficient interstitial volume for dielectric enhancement fluids require multiple site visits, extensive switching cycles, and high labor and safety risks due to the need for repeated de-energization and re-energization, leading to incomplete treatment and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves replacing existing connectors with high-pressure connectors and injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid at elevated pressures to fill the interstitial void volume in a single switching cycle, allowing for complete treatment of a cable section in a single visit, eliminating the need for a soak period and external fluid reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional low-pressure injection methods are used to introduce dielectric enhancement fluid into cables with insufficient interstitial volume, then the fluid injection process can be performed with standard equipment, but the fluid cannot adequately saturate the conductor shield and insulation, resulting in incomplete treatment and insufficient dielectric restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high pressure (greater than atmospheric pressure) to change the physical state and injection characteristics of the dielectric enhancement fluid. This pressure parameter change enables the fluid to overcome the insufficient interstitial void volume and adequately saturate the conductor shield and insulation, achieving complete treatment despite the limited available volume.
2Reliability
If multiple site visits and extended soaking periods are used to ensure complete fluid saturation, then adequate treatment can be achieved, but labor costs and safety risks increase due to repeated de-energization and re-energization cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by introducing the dielectric enhancement fluid under high pressure during a single switching cycle, ensuring complete saturation of the conductor shield and insulation before the cable is re-energized. This eliminates the need for extended soaking periods and multiple site visits, as the high-pressure injection预先 accomplishes what would otherwise require prolonged low-pressure treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by completing the entire fluid injection and saturation process in a single continuous high-pressure operation during one switching cycle. This continuous high-pressure injection ensures complete treatment without interruption, avoiding the need to re-energize and de-energize the cable multiple times.
3Productivity
If high pressure is applied to inject sufficient dielectric enhancement fluid into cables with insufficient interstitial volume, then complete fluid saturation can be achieved in a single visit, but specialized high-pressure connectors and equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The high-pressure connector system is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the injection point for dielectric enhancement fluid and the containment vessel for maintaining high pressure within the cable. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate injection equipment and pressure maintenance systems, reducing overall device complexity while enabling high-pressure injection.
4Reliability
If the cable is de-energized and re-energized multiple times to complete the treatment process, then thorough treatment can be achieved, but safety risks and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by completing the entire dielectric enhancement fluid injection and saturation process during a single de-energization event. The high-pressure injection ensures complete saturation of the conductor shield and insulation before the cable is re-energized, eliminating the need for subsequent de-energization and re-energization cycles and their associated safety risks.
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 approach enables efficient and cost-effective extension of cable life by allowing a single visit for treatment, reducing labor and safety risks, and ensuring complete fluid saturation within the cable, thereby enhancing dielectric properties without the need for desiccant injection or vacuum use.
Implementation Method 1
This fluid, which diffuses into the insulation and fills the microscopic trees to augment the service life of the cable
Implementation Method 2
injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid which is confined within the interstitial void volume at an elevated pressure sufficient to introduce at least about 0.75 Q of said fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extending the useful life of an in-service electrical cable section having at least two existing connectors attached thereto and a conductor surrounded by a conductor shield encased in a polymeric insulation jacket with an interstitial void volume in the region of the conductor. The method includes replacing each connector with a corresponding high-pressure connector, and injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid into the void volume and confining the fluid therein at a pressure sufficient to introduce at least about 0.75Q of the fluid. Wherein Q represents the weight of the fluid which would saturate the conductor shield and insulation jacket, and the void volume at atmospheric pressure being less than that which would accommodate the amount 0.75Q. The method is carried out using only a single switching cycle.