Potential Compensation Cable with Heat-Releasable Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing potential equalization cables for fire protection systems can unintentionally disconnect due to assembly errors or heat, leading to impaired electrical connections and excessive mechanical stress on fire dampers during fires.
Innovation Solution
A potential equalization cable with a combination of non-positive connections that release under tensile load and heat, ensuring disconnection only under high mechanical stress while maintaining electrical connection at low temperatures, featuring adjustable tensile strength and a solder with a low melting point for secure normal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-positive connection (plug-in connection) is used for the separable connection between partial conductors, then the connection can be easily assembled and disassembled, but it can be unintentionally loosened during assembly or operation, impairing the electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a non-positive connection (plug-in connection) with a positive connection (soldered connection using low-melting-point solder) to create a hybrid connection system. The plug-in connection provides ease of assembly while the soldered connection ensures reliable electrical contact that cannot be unintentionally loosened. The two connection types work together synergistically to resolve the contradiction between ease of operation and connection reliability.
2Reliability
If a heat-sensitive connection (solder with low melting point) is used for the separable connection, then the connection automatically disconnects in the event of a fire, but it can disconnect unintentionally due to heat exposure even without mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solder with a specifically selected low melting point (below 100°C, preferably between 40°C and 80°C) to create a heat-sensitive connection that responds to fire conditions. This parameter change in the solder's melting point enables automatic disconnection during fires while the plug-in connection structure prevents unintentional disconnection during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between fire safety and connection stability.
3Force
If a large cross-section potential equalization cable is used to bear the weight of the ventilation duct, then the cable can support the mechanical load, but the fire damper can be torn out of the wall due to excessive mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into multiple independent connection points along the potential equalization cable. Instead of relying on a single strong connection that would transmit all mechanical stress to the fire damper, the cable is divided into sections connected by multiple separable connection points. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load and allows controlled disconnection at specific points, preventing excessive stress concentration on the fire damper while maintaining adequate load-bearing capacity.
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 prevents unintentional disconnection and excessive mechanical stress on fire dampers during fires, maintaining electrical connection until necessary, and allows for adjustable tensile strength and secure normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
the separable connection between the at least one first conductor and the at least one second conductor comprises a combination of a non-positive connection with a connection that can be released under the influence of heat
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an equipotential bonding cable (20) for use on machine or plant components, in particular between fire dampers and ventilation ducts, and to a method for establishing equipotential bonding on plant or machine components, in particular between fire dampers and ventilation ducts. In this method, at least one first conductor (11, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) is electrically conductively and separably connected to at least one second conductor (12, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d), wherein the separable connection comprises a combination of a force-fit connection with a connection that can be released by the application of heat (27a, 27b, 27c, 27d).