Mushroom-Shaped High Voltage Electrode Field Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage electrode designs, such as spherical electrodes, face challenges in achieving sufficient switching impulse withstand voltage and preventing corona discharges and breakdowns, especially as voltage levels increase, leading to complex and difficult-to-model physical behavior and saturation points, which limits the ability to meet insulation requirements without excessive electrode size and length.

Innovation Solution

A high voltage electrode arrangement featuring a dome-shaped top portion and a toroid-shaped bottom portion with a cylindrical intermediate section, which smooths electric field equipotential lines to reduce inhomogeneous electric field stresses and concentrations, thereby enhancing switching impulse withstand voltage capabilities and reducing the need for lengthy insulation distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spherical electrodes are used to prevent corona discharges and breakdowns, then the electrode provides a more lenient electric field, but the electrode diameter and insulation length must be excessively increased to meet insulation requirements at higher voltages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching impulse withstand voltage capabilityVSAvoidinsulation length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curved surfaces throughout the electrode structure. The top electrode features a spherical or ellipsoidal shape with large curvature radius, while the bottom electrode uses a toroidal shape. These curved geometries distribute the electric field more uniformly, preventing field concentration at sharp edges, and enable higher withstand voltage capability with reduced insulation distances compared to flat or angular electrode designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the electrodes, including the curvature radius of the top electrode (R1 = 0.5-2.0 meters), the major and minor radii of the toroidal bottom electrode (R2 = 0.3-1.0 meters, r2 = 0.2-0.8 meters), and the gap distance between electrodes (0.5-2.0 meters). By carefully adjusting these parameters, the electrode arrangement achieves enhanced switching impulse withstand voltage capability while reducing the required insulation length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the electrode diameter is increased to meet insulation requirements, then the switching impulse withstand voltage capability is improved, but the valve hall dimensions and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching impulse withstand voltage capabilityVSAvoidvalve hall volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved electrode surfaces (spherical top electrode, toroidal bottom electrode) that naturally distribute electric field stress more effectively than flat surfaces. This curvature-based field management allows the system to achieve higher withstand voltage capabilities without proportionally increasing electrode diameter or valve hall volume, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If larger curvature radii are used to reduce electrode surface stresses, then the voltage withstand capability is improved, but the electrode size and clearance distances must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage withstand capabilityVSAvoidelectrode surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes large curvature radii in the spherical top electrode (R1 = 0.5-2.0 meters) and toroidal bottom electrode (R2 = 0.3-1.0 meters, r2 = 0.2-0.8 meters) to distribute electric field stress uniformly across the electrode surfaces. This curvature design reduces surface stress concentrations that would lead to corona discharges and breakdowns, achieving high voltage withstand capability while controlling the required electrode surface area and clearance distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 electrode arrangement effectively withstands higher voltages with reduced insulation lengths, allowing for smaller valve hall dimensions, fewer post insulators, and more stable installations, while avoiding corona inception and breakdowns, thus providing economical and seismic benefits.

Implementation Method 1

The electrode arrangement comprises a dome-shaped top portion, a toroid-shaped bottom portion, and an intermediate portion for connecting the top portion and the bottom portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3011649B1Mushroom-shaped high voltage electrode
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3011649B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3011649B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a high voltage electrode arrangement. The high voltage electrode arrangement of the present invention comprises a dome-shaped top portion (10), a toroid-shaped bottom portion (11), and an intermediate portion (12) for connecting the top portion (10) and the bottom (11) portion, which intermediate portion (12) comprises a lead-trough (13) for receiving high voltage equipment to be interconnected.