Outdoor Cable Termination With Elastomeric Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable terminations for high-voltage outdoor applications are cumbersome to assemble and require insulating liquids, with weak points at the transition from rigid conductive elements to base bodies, and complex mechanisms for compressing the cable end and insulator, which complicates the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A cable termination design featuring a supporting element made of two metal parts and an insulating body of elastomeric material, where the structural element is a quarter to a third of the insulating body's length, providing stability and allowing for slide-on cable insertion, with integrated field control and a hermetic embedding of the support tube and field control cylinder within the insulating body, eliminating the need for additional insulating liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid conductive element is used to dissipate forces in a dry termination, then the structural stability is improved, but the transition point to the base body becomes a weak point
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the force transmission path into multiple segments: the rigid conductive element dissipates forces to a first bearing structure, while a separate elastomeric element provides a second force dissipation path to a second bearing structure. This segmentation eliminates the weak transition point by distributing forces across multiple independent bearing structures rather than concentrating them at a single transition point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the element connecting to the base body from rigid to elastomeric. This parameter change allows the element to deform elastically under load, providing a more reliable connection that can accommodate movement and stress without creating a weak transition point, while still maintaining electrical conductivity through the elastomeric material.
2Strength
If complex clamping means are used to compress the cable end and insulator, then the mechanical connection is improved, but the assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric element automatically provides compression force to the cable end through its elastic properties when installed. The element deforms under the weight of the cable and termination components, creating a self-compressing mechanism that eliminates the need for complex external clamping devices. This self-service approach maintains strong mechanical connection while dramatically simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical clamping systems with an elastomeric element that uses elastic deformation to provide compression. This substitution eliminates the need for screws, clamps, or other mechanical fastening devices, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining or improving connection strength through the elastomeric material's inherent properties.
3Ease of repair
If the entire structure is dismantled for cable replacement, then the cable can be replaced, but the assembly work effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the termination into modular components: the insulator body, the elastomeric element, the bearing structures, and the cable connection elements. This segmentation allows the cable to be replaced by simply removing and reattaching the cable end to the elastomeric element, without dismantling the entire termination structure. The modular design enables rapid cable replacement while maintaining the integrity of the main termination assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric element is pre-installed and positioned within the insulator body before cable installation. This preliminary action creates a ready-to-receive cable end that can be quickly attached and detached. The pre-positioned elastomeric element acts as a permanent fixture that facilitates rapid cable replacement without requiring dismantling of the entire structure, reducing maintenance time and effort.
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
This design simplifies the assembly process by allowing the cable end to be inserted using a slide-on technique, provides sufficient mechanical stability to absorb forces, and integrates field control within the insulating body, enhancing the mechanical strength and ease of assembly while maintaining hermetic contact without the need for insulating liquids.
Implementation Method 1
The insulator consists of elastomeric material. The structure of such an insulating body with the supporting elements is sufficient to fully absorb the forces at the head end of the cable termination.
Implementation Method 2
A contact pressure is applied between the cable and the insulator so that there is a hermetic contact between the end of the cable, field control profile and insulator.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A cable termination (8), in particular an outdoor termination for the transition from a medium- or high-voltage electrical cable (10) to an overhead conductor, is presented, wherein the cable termination comprises a base fitting (18) for mounting on a support (29), a head fitting (70) for securing the overhead conductor, an insulating body (50) made of elastomeric material, and a conductive connection (30, 15, 72) between the cable conductor (12) and the head fitting (70). A supporting element of the cable termination (8) is proposed, which consists of a metal tube (30) on which a head plate (32) facing the head fitting (70) and attached to the head fitting (70) is arranged, and a metallic, cylindrical structural element (20, 20') projecting into the interior of the insulating body (50), on which a foot flange (23) facing the base fitting (18) is arranged.It is provided that the metal tube (30) and the structural element (20,20') are embedded in the insulating body (50) along its entire length for a length of one quarter to one third of the length of the insulating body (50).