Multi-layer Heat Shrinkable Tubular Sleeve for Cable Termination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-layer heat-shrinkable tubular sleeves for high-voltage cable terminations and joints face challenges in enhancing electrical stress control and interface quality, requiring additional work steps and materials that are not efficient in attenuating electric fields effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer heat-shrinkable tubular sleeve comprising an outer layer with a partially crystalline thermoplastic material and an inner layer, where the outer layer exerts enhanced contact pressure on the inner layer, improving the electrical interface quality without additional installation steps, and featuring a production method through co-extrusion and cross-linking for cost efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If several separate heat-recoverable tubular sleeves are used to provide multiple functions, then functional requirements are met, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional layers (stress control layer, insulation layer, and protective layer) into a single integrated multi-layer tubular sleeve structure. This allows the sleeve to provide stress control, electrical insulation, and environmental protection functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate sleeves and reducing installation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer tubular sleeve is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component. The different layers provide stress control, insulation, and protection against environmental stresses, making the single sleeve universal in its application and eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If radial pressure from tubular sleeve is increased to improve electrical interface quality, then interface quality improves, but material requirements become more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical interface qualityVSAvoidmaterial requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material structure with multiple layers having different properties. The outer layer uses high-crystallinity thermoplastic material (crystallinity >60%) to provide enhanced radial pressure, while inner layers provide stress control and insulation. This composite approach allows achieving high interface quality without requiring a single material to meet all stringent requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the crystallinity parameter of the thermoplastic material to greater than 60%, which fundamentally alters the material's mechanical properties. This parameter change enables the material to exert sufficient radial pressure for high-quality electrical interfaces while remaining manufacturable with standard processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If wall thickness is decreased to advance cable optimization, then cable efficiency improves, but interface quality becomes harder to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable efficiencyVSAvoidinterface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 multi-layer design enhances contact pressure, improving the electrical interface quality and reliability of cable terminations and joints, while simplifying the installation process and maintaining electrical insulation and stress-grading properties.

Implementation Method 1

a multi-layer heat-shrinkable tubular sleeve... The outer layer is arranged around the inner layer and comprises a partially crystalline thermoplastic material with a major part of partially crystalline thermoplastic material with a crystallinity of more than 60%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 2

heat-shrinkable tubular sleeve... heat-recoverable tubular sleeves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9882369B2Multi-layer heat shrinkable tubular sleeve

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 TE CONNECTIVITY ENERGY GMBH

AI summary

A multi-layer heat-shrinkable tubular sleeve (100) comprises an outer layer (110) and an inner layer (120). The outer layer (110) is arranged around the inner layer (120). The outer layer (110) comprises a partially crystalline thermoplastic material with a major part of partially crystalline thermoplastic material with a crystallinity of more than 60%. The inner layer (120) comprises a partially crystalline thermoplastic material or an elastomeric material.