Composite Insulator Leakage Current Detection Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulators for overhead power lines are prone to surface leakage currents due to environmental pollution, leading to reduced effectiveness and premature aging, and existing detection devices are vulnerable to the same environmental factors, resulting in measurement failures.

Innovation Solution

A composite insulator design featuring a conductive metal annular ring placed under an additional fin on the insulating envelope, which serves as a protective umbrella and connects to an electronic circuit via a conductive wire, allowing for reliable detection of surface leakage currents while maintaining electrical insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a detection device with conductive rings is mounted on the insulator, then surface leakage currents can be detected and measured, but the detection device itself becomes vulnerable to environmental pollution and rain, resulting in measurement failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage current detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection device reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An additional protective fin is integrated into the insulator structure during manufacturing, positioned to overhang and shield the conductive ring from environmental exposure before the insulator is installed and before pollution or rain can affect the detection device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The additional fin acts as an intermediary protective element between the harmful environmental factors (rain, pollution) and the conductive ring detection components, preventing direct exposure while allowing the detection function to operate reliably

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an additional fin is added to protect the detection ring, then the detection device is protected from environmental factors, but the insulator structure becomes more complex and requires adapted assembly planning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection device protectionVSAvoidinsulator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional fin serves multiple functions: it maintains the electrical insulation properties of the insulator, provides structural support for the conductive ring, and acts as a protective umbrella to shield the detection device from environmental exposure, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added component

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

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 effectively protects the detection device from environmental pollutants, ensuring reliable detection and measurement of surface leakage currents without compromising the electrical insulation of the power line.

Implementation Method 1

the end fin extending radially overhanging the ring and the ring being connected to a conductive wire which passes through the end fin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical shielding/overhanging structure:

Data Source

PatentEP3312850B1A composite insulator for an overhead power line with a protected leakage current detector
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 SEDIVER SA
  • EP3312850B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C

AI summary

A composite insulator (1) for overhead power lines comprises a rigid core extending axially between two mounting brackets (6) and upon which is mounted a finned casing (5, 5') made of electrically insulating synthetic material. It includes a surface leakage current detection device comprising an electrically conductive metallic annular ring (7) surrounding the casing between an end fin (5') adjacent to one of the two brackets (6) and another fin (5) adjacent to the end fin (5') extending radially overhanging the ring (7). This ring (7) is connected by a conductive wire (8) which passes through the end fin (5') to be connected to an electronic housing (9) of the detection device.