Insulator Arrangement with Conductive Rings for High Voltage Switchgear

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage insulators, particularly ceramic insulators for vacuum interrupters, face challenges in achieving sufficient dielectric strength due to discharge buildup, which is proportional to the square root of the insulator length, making it difficult to maintain electrical integrity above 100 kV, and existing solutions are costly due to the need for multiple shorter components connected by vacuum-tight and mechanically stable methods.

Innovation Solution

An insulator arrangement featuring axisymmetric structural elements with conductive ring structures on the inner and outer surfaces, forming equipotential surfaces that increase electrical strength by reducing axial electric field strength, allowing for shorter insulator lengths and reduced manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for multiple components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a single long cylindrical insulator component is used, then the insulator length is sufficient for high voltage applications, but the dielectric strength is insufficient due to discharge buildup proportional to the square root of length

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulator lengthVSAvoiddielectric strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is divided into multiple shorter insulator sections connected in series, each with its own conductive ring structures. This segmentation reduces the discharge buildup in each section while maintaining the total insulation length required for high voltage applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Conductive ring structures are applied to the insulator surface to create equipotential surfaces that divide the insulator into axial sections. These equipotential surfaces reduce the electric field strength in the axial direction, preventing discharge buildup and increasing dielectric strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Reliability

If multiple shorter insulator components are connected using brazing alloy, then the dielectric strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost and technical effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedielectric strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple insulator sections are merged into a single monolithic insulator body with conductive ring structures integrated on its surface. This eliminates the need for separate brazing operations and vacuum-tight joining processes, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high dielectric strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical joining process (brazing) is replaced by applying conductive ring structures directly to the surface of a single insulator component. This substitution eliminates the complex mechanical assembly and joining processes, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conductive ring structures are applied to create equipotential surfaces, then the electrical strength is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive ring structures are applied locally at specific positions on the insulator surface rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application creates the necessary equipotential surfaces to increase electrical strength while minimizing the overall complexity of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 arrangement significantly enhances dielectric strength and reduces manufacturing costs by creating equipotential surfaces that divide the insulator into shorter sections, minimizing the probability of breakdown and simplifying the production process.

Implementation Method 1

The described ring structures form equipotential surfaces in the area of the structural element and also in the area of the entire insulator arrangement, which overall increase the electrical strength of the insulator arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEquipotential surfaces: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

the field strength reduction in the axial direction being mediated by the shielding effect of the conductive coatings applied inside and outside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShielding effect: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 3

The two ring structures are capacitively coupled to each other, creating a region of low axial field strength radially within the structural element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3472847B1Insulator arrangement for a high or medium voltage switchgear assembly

Publication Date: 2025.01.01 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1
Figure 2~7
Figure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to an insulation arrangement (2) for a high or medium voltage switchgear assembly, comprising at least one axially symmetrical insulating structural element (4). The invention is characterised in that the structural element (4) comprises a conductive annular structure (8) arranged on its inner surface (6), and a conductive annular structure (16) arranged on its outer surface, these being insulated from one another by means of the insulating structural element.