Lightning Conductor Casing for Insulation Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Early streamer emission lightning conductors (PDA) face degradation of dielectric characteristics due to environmental factors like rainwater, atmospheric pollution, and insect intrusion, which reduces their insulation level and can lead to short-circuiting, preventing the application of voltage pulses and impairing their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dielectric casing is fixed to the lightning rod to protect the air gap from environmental degradation, with an elastic nature that allows it to be securely attached to the active and down conductors while maintaining exposure of the active part to the environment, and features such as grooves for water evacuation and elastic deformation to accommodate expanding air during lightning strikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air gap is left exposed to the environment, then the PDA can apply voltage pulses to create an ionized space, but rainwater and pollution particles deposit on the dielectric part reducing insulation level and causing short-circuiting
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric casing is introduced as an intermediary protective element between the air gap and the external environment. The casing is fixed to the lightning rod with its open end facing upward, creating a physical barrier that prevents rainwater, pollution particles, and insects from directly contacting the dielectric part and air gap, while still allowing the PDA to function effectively.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bell-shaped casing is used to protect the air gap, then some protection is provided, but water droplets can still reach the air gap during storms with swirling winds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dielectric casing that functions as a flexible protective shell. This casing is specifically designed with an open end facing upward to effectively block rainwater and environmental contaminants from reaching the air gap, providing superior protection compared to traditional bell-shaped casings that leave the opening vulnerable during storms.
3Reliability
If the casing is made to fully enclose the air gap, then maximum protection is achieved, but the active part cannot be exposed to create the ionized space
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is designed as a segmented structure with a specific orientation - the open end faces upward while the sides and bottom enclose the air gap and dielectric part. This segmentation allows the active part to remain exposed at the open end for creating the ionized space, while the enclosed portions provide maximum protection against environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is achieved by transitioning from a fully enclosed three-dimensional structure to a directional open-ended structure. The casing opens in one specific dimension (upward) to allow functional exposure of the active part, while providing enclosure in other dimensions to protect against rainwater and contaminants that fall from above.
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 significantly enhances the reliability of PDAs by preventing water, pollutant, and insect intrusion, maintaining insulation, and allowing the lightning conductor to function effectively despite environmental challenges, with the casing designed to withstand mechanical stresses and maintain electrical insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric part through which the active part is mounted on the down-conductor, the active part being separated from the down-conductor by an air gap to form between them an air gap through which the lightning current passes
Implementation Method 2
an elastic nature that allows it to be securely attached to the active and down conductors while maintaining exposure of the active part to the environment
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~7
AI summary
The cover (20) has a dielectric part (72) for mounting an active part (62) on a down conductor (80). The active part is separated from the down conductor by an air space formed as a spark gap through which lightning current passes from the active part to the down conductor, where the cover is mounted on a lightning arrester to protect dielectric properties of the spark gap against degradation in an environment of the spark gap while leaving the active part exposed to the environment. The protective cover is made of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber and/or silicone.