Sensored Insulation Plug With Temperature-Corrected Voltage Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage sensors in medium-voltage and high-voltage power distribution networks face challenges in accurately measuring voltage due to variations in temperature, which affect the capacitance of sensing capacitors, and there is a need for improved insulation to prevent electrical discharges.
Innovation Solution
A sensored insulation plug with an integrated sensing capacitor and temperature sensor, where the temperature sensor is embedded in the insulating material to correct the dividing ratio of the voltage divider, and the plug body is made of solidified insulating material to reduce voids and enhance electrical insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete high-voltage capacitors are used in the voltage divider, then voltage sensing capability is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the high-voltage capacitor into the insulating plug body, combining the insulation function with the voltage sensing function. The insulating material itself serves as the dielectric for the capacitor, eliminating the need for separate discrete capacitors and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating plug body performs multiple functions: it provides electrical insulation for the connection element and simultaneously serves as the dielectric for the high-voltage capacitor in the voltage divider. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed.
2Measurement precision
If discrete high-voltage capacitors with large capacity are used, then voltage sensing accuracy is improved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is merged into the insulating plug body, utilizing the existing insulating material as the dielectric. This eliminates the need for separate capacitor components and reduces the space required for voltage sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating plug body is designed as a composite structure that combines insulating material with embedded electrodes, creating an integrated capacitor within the plug itself. This reduces the overall space requirement while maintaining the necessary capacitance for accurate voltage sensing.
3Ease of manufacture
If insulating material with voids is used in the plug body, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability decreases due to risk of electrical discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the insulating material from a potentially void-containing state to a void-free solidified state. By using solidified insulating material, the manufacturing process eliminates voids while maintaining ease of manufacture through a straightforward solidification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating plug body is designed as a composite structure where the insulating material is solidified around embedded electrodes, creating a void-free composite that combines ease of manufacture with high reliability for electrical insulation.
4Device complexity
If temperature compensation is not implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature compensation by measuring the temperature and using it to correct the voltage measurement. The temperature-dependent capacitance variation is compensated by applying a correction factor based on the measured temperature, ensuring accurate voltage measurements across different temperature conditions.
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 provides precise voltage measurement by accounting for temperature variations and reduces the risk of electrical discharges, ensuring accurate voltage sensing and monitoring the health of electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor, arranged on the circuit board and comprising a sensor probe, operable to sense a temperature in the vicinity of the sensor probe
Implementation Method 2
an integrated sensing capacitor, operable as a high-voltage capacitor in a sensing voltage divider for sensing the elevated voltage
Implementation Method 3
Capacitors of the sensing voltage divider require adequate electrical insulation in order to reduce the risk of electrical discharges between any capacitor on a higher voltage and an element on lower voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sensored insulation plug (2) for insertion into the rear cavity of a medium or high-voltage separable connector in a national grid power distribution network. It insulates a connection element on elevated voltage and senses the elevated voltage. The insulation plug features a rotationally symmetric body (140) made of electrically insulating material (610). It includes an integrated sensing capacitor (150) functioning as a high-voltage capacitor in a sensing voltage divider, with a high-voltage electrode (160), in use connected to the connection element, and a sensing electrode (170) embedded in the insulating material (610). The dielectric of the sensing capacitor is formed by a portion (180) of the insulating material (610). The insulation plug also has a circuit board (206) with a signal contact (360) connected to the sensing electrode (170). The sensored insulation plug (2) includes a temperature sensor (500) on the circuit board, with a sensor probe (510) that senses the temperature in its vicinity, either in surface contact with or thermally coupled to the insulating material (610), to measure its temperature.