High Voltage Bushing Moisture-Tight Enclosure Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-voltage bushings face reliability issues due to moisture ingress and environmental exposure, leading to potential leaks and reduced service life, especially in long-term use.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage bushing design featuring a moisture-tight outer housing that encloses the inner conductor and insulating body from the fastening flange to the head end, eliminating the need for additional axial protection and using adhesive connections between housing elements, along with integrated current contacts and secondary insulation for enhanced sealing and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sealing systems (O-ring seals and flat gaskets) are used at component transition points, then the high-voltage bushing can be assembled with standardized sealing components, but leaks can occur during long-term use reducing operational reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the sealing components from the housing assembly by integrating the housing as a single-piece molded structure. This removes O-ring seals and flat gaskets that are prone to leakage during long-term use, directly resolving the reliability issue while maintaining the required service life of over 25 years.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is manufactured using composite materials (glass fiber reinforced plastic) that provide both structural integrity and moisture resistance. This composite construction eliminates the need for separate sealing components while maintaining protection against moisture ingress throughout the extended service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If screw connections are used between housing elements, then the housing can be assembled with mechanical fastening, but sealing devices are required which increase complexity and potential leak points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing assemblyVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple housing elements into a single integrated molded housing structure. This eliminates the need for screw connections and associated sealing devices, simplifying both manufacturing and the overall sealing system while maintaining ease of assembly through the single-piece construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the housing is open at the foot end for mounting flange access, then the mounting flange can be easily installed, but the insulating body and inner conductor are exposed to external environmental influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting flange installationVSAvoidenvironmental exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses the exposure issue by extending the housing coverage to the foot end, creating a closed environment in the axial dimension. This allows the mounting flange to be installed through the flange opening while the housing sides and foot end provide comprehensive protection against environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If additional sealing is provided at the transition between housing and inner conductor, then moisture protection is improved, but the sealing system becomes more complex and maintenance-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes all sealing components from the design, including those at the transition between housing and inner conductor. The single-piece molded housing structure provides inherent moisture protection without requiring additional seals, eliminating maintenance concerns and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design significantly extends the life of the high-voltage bushing, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances operational reliability, particularly in challenging environments like the offshore sector, by preventing moisture and dirt ingress and eliminating the need for complex seals.

Implementation Method 1

all separate housing elements of the housing are connected to one another by means of adhesive bonding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The insulating body provides the necessary insulation between the inner conductor and the wall to prevent voltage flashovers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3229242B1High voltage feed-through
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3229242B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a high-voltage bushing (1) comprising an inner conductor (2), an insulating body (4) surrounding the inner conductor along its longitudinal direction (3), wherein the inner conductor is led out of the insulating body at a head end (8) of the high-voltage bushing, a mounting flange (10) arranged on the insulating body, and an outer housing (7). The invention is characterized in that the housing provides a moisture-tight enclosure for the inner conductor and the insulating body from the mounting flange to and including the head end. Furthermore, the invention relates to a high-voltage system (20) comprising a high-voltage conductor guided through a housing wall of the high-voltage system by means of a high-voltage bushing (1) according to the invention.