Polyurea-Silicone HV Covers for Wildlife and Tracking Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current materials for wildlife mitigation in high-voltage applications lack long-lasting, high-performing protection, and existing solutions like chemical pesticides are expensive and environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A cover made from a blend of polyurea and silicone, with specific ratios of polyurea, silicone, and functional fillers, providing enhanced mechanical, chemical, and UV stability, and tracking resistance, applied via spray coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical pesticides are used to prevent animals from approaching power equipment, then wildlife mitigation is achieved, but the solution becomes expensive and environmentally unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the mitigation approach from chemical pesticides to a physical barrier material. The polyurea-silicone composite cover creates a hydrophobic, tracking-resistant surface that prevents wildlife contact with high-voltage components through physical properties rather than chemical repellents, eliminating environmental harm while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material system combining polyurea and silicone in specific ratios (e.g., 70% polyurea, 5% PDMS oil, 9.5% alumina trihydrate, 0.5% tinuvin). This composite provides synergistic effects: polyurea offers mechanical strength and rapid curing, while silicone contributes hydrophobicity and UV stability, creating a durable protective cover that outperforms single-material solutions
2Duration of action of stationary object
If current materials are used for wildlife mitigation in high-voltage applications, then some protection is provided, but long-lasting high-performing protection is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system combining polyurea and silicone in specific ratios (e.g., 70% polyurea, 5% PDMS oil, 9.5% alumina trihydrate, 0.5% tinuvin). This composite provides synergistic effects: polyurea offers mechanical strength and rapid curing, while silicone contributes hydrophobicity and UV stability, creating a durable protective cover that outperforms single-material solutions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates functional fillers at specific locations within the material matrix to provide localized properties where needed. For example, alumina trihydrate is added for tracking resistance in areas prone to electrical arcing, while UV stabilizers are distributed to protect against solar degradation, ensuring long-lasting performance in specific high-stress zones
3Reliability
If a protective cover is applied to high-voltage components, then wildlife protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service manufacturing approach where the protective cover is sprayed directly onto the high-voltage component in its final installation location. The material cures rapidly upon application (within seconds to minutes), eliminating the need for separate molding, assembly, or transportation steps. This spray-in-place method simplifies manufacturing while ensuring proper fit and protection
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 cover achieves improved dielectric strength, tracking resistance, UV stability, and mechanical strength, effectively protecting high-voltage components from wildlife while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed materials can balance the mechanical, chemical stability, and moisture impermeability properties of polyurea with ultraviolet (UV) protection and enhanced tracking and erosion performance of silicone
Implementation Method 2
spraying the silicone, the amine, and the isocyanate onto a mold to provide the cover
Implementation Method 3
a polyurea, wherein the polyurea is derived from equal parts of an amine and an isocyanate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are wildlife mitigation covers for protecting high-voltage components, e.g., in electrical power distribution systems, that have improved stability and performance. An example cover includes a polyurea and a silicone. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the cover and high-voltage assemblies including the cover.