Insulating Fuse Cable for High Voltage Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas charge driven switching devices, the mechanical means between the load transmission and contact rods introduce mechanical play, requiring the chemical charge to be positioned near the contacts, which are under high voltage potential, necessitating complex insulation solutions to prevent electrical conduction and ensure safety.

Innovation Solution

The use of a fuse- or ignition cable with electrically insulating chemical charge material, surrounded by an insulating coverage and potentially granular mineral or ceramic materials, which ignites through a chemical or thermal signal, eliminating the need for electrical conduction and transformers to manage voltage potentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical charge is positioned near the contacts under high voltage potential, then mechanical play from intermediate means is eliminated, but complex insulation solutions are required to ensure safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation reliabilityVSAvoidinsulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fuse cable as an intermediary element that carries the ignition signal from low voltage control circuitry to the chemical charge near high voltage contacts. The fuse cable acts as a mediator that isolates the control side from the high voltage side while still enabling reliable actuation of the chemical charge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical insulation and transformation systems with a chemical ignition system. Instead of using mechanical means to transmit force from a distance with insulation, the system uses a fuse cable to transmit an ignition signal that directly activates the chemical charge, eliminating the need for complex mechanical insulation arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional electrical cables are used to ignite chemical charge on high voltage potential, then insulation between voltage potentials is required, but additional insulation components increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulation reliabilityVSAvoidinsulation components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuse cable serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between low voltage control circuits and high voltage chemical charge. It allows the ignition signal to be transmitted without requiring complex insulation arrangements, as the fuse cable itself is designed to handle the ignition function while maintaining electrical isolation where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuse cable performs multiple functions: it carries the ignition signal, provides electrical isolation between different voltage potentials, and enables reliable actuation of the chemical charge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation components that would otherwise be required.

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

3Ease of operation

If mechanical means are implemented between load transmission and contact rods, then actuation can be transmitted, but mechanical play is introduced into the actuation movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation transmissionVSAvoidactuation movement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical actuation transmission systems with a chemical ignition system. Instead of using mechanical linkages that introduce play and imprecision, the system uses a fuse cable to transmit an ignition signal that directly activates the chemical charge, eliminating mechanical play entirely and achieving precise actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides effective insulation between different voltage levels, allowing for safe operation without additional igniting or sensor means, with high burning velocity ensuring rapid actuation and no functional loss in energy transfer, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of switching devices.

Implementation Method 1

the chemical charge material of the fuse- or ignition cable is electrically insulating at least in the status before ignition, and at least along a part of its length

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

The core features of the invention are, that the chemical charge material of the fuse- or ignition cable is electrically insulating at least in the status before ignition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

One of this is detonating cord. This means, that the cable itself consist of chemical charge material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 4

The granular mineral material causes an adsorption of particles which occur by the ignition, in order to prevent an electrically conductive carbon trace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 5

the surface of the chemical charge material and/or the insulating coverage surface is conditioned as hydrophobe. By this is also prevented that conducting pathes could occur by humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2299466B1Fuze- or ignition cable with chemical charge material for the use in switching devices
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2299466B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2299466B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2299466B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a Fuze - or ignition cable with chemical charge material for the use in electrotechnical devices. In order to reach an effectice galvanic separation, it is the object of the invention that that the chemical charge material of the fuze-cable is electrically insulating, at least in the status before ignition, and at least along a part of its length.