Eccentric Contact Element Surge Arrester Bushing Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surge arresters have limited design flexibility due to fixed positions and arrangements of discharge columns determined by the geometry of high-voltage contacts, making them inflexible for adaptation to different bushing arrangements without requiring constructive changes to other components.

Innovation Solution

A surge arrester design featuring a fluid-tight housing with an eccentrically arranged contact element and an adjustable eccentric disk, allowing the contact element to rotate and move parallel to the longitudinal axis, enabling the discharge element to be positioned independently of the high-voltage contact and adapted to various bushing arrangements without altering other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the position of discharge columns is determined by the geometry of high-voltage contacts, then the electrical connection is ensured, but the design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidconstructive changes required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adjustable contact element that can be positioned at different locations on the bushing, transforming a static design into a dynamic one. This allows the surge arrester to adapt to different bushing arrangements without requiring constructive changes to the housing or discharge element arrangement, thereby improving design flexibility while maintaining electrical connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The contact element is separated from the fixed housing structure and made independently adjustable. This segmentation allows the contact element to be modified or repositioned without affecting other components, enabling adaptation to different configurations while keeping the overall device structure intact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing is designed for specific discharge element arrangement, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability to different bushing arrangements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to bushing arrangementsVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element is extracted from the fixed housing structure and made independently adjustable on the bushing. This allows the housing to maintain its original structural integrity while the contact element can be repositioned to accommodate different bushing arrangements, achieving adaptability without compromising structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If fixed contact positions are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but assembly flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element is designed with adjustability, allowing it to be positioned at different locations during assembly. This dynamic feature provides assembly flexibility for different configurations while the adjustment mechanism itself can be manufactured using standard processes, balancing manufacturing complexity with operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides greater flexibility in positioning the discharge element and bushing, allowing the surge arrester to be easily adapted to different high-voltage contact arrangements without affecting the structural integrity of the isolating device, simplifying assembly and reducing production and storage complexities.

Implementation Method 1

Varistor elements are characterized by a voltage-dependent resistance. At low voltages, these act as insulators. Above a certain threshold voltage, which depends on the material, they show good conductivity.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage-dependent resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

The housing is filled with a fluid, usually sulfur hexafluoride, to increase the dielectric strength.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric strength enhancement: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

the varistor column must be held together under pressure. This can be done by tensioning tension elements, for example ropes or rods preferably made of glass fiber reinforced plastic, in the end fittings under tension.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2854141B1Surge arrester
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2854141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2854141B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2854141B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a surge arrester (1) with a fluid-tight housing (2), an arrester element (5) which is arranged in the fluid-tight housing (2) and which has a longitudinal axis (40), a high-voltage contact (4) which electrically connects the interior of the housing (2) to the exterior of the housing, and a contact element (9) by means of which an electric connection between the arrester element (5) and the high-voltage contact (4) can be established. According to the invention, the contact element (9) is arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis (40), and the position of the contact element (9) can be adjusted on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (40). Advantageously, the arrester element (5) can thus be positioned largely independently of the high-voltage contact (4).