T-Shaped Measuring Sleeve Assembly for Stray Capacitance Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing T-connectors for electrical measuring devices in medium and high-voltage power lines often have varying geometries, leading to gaps or air-filled areas when measuring devices are inserted improperly, causing voltage flashovers and stray capacitances, which result in inaccurate measurements, especially in capacitive electrode arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A T-shaped connector with a measuring device featuring a coupling element and a capacitive electrode arrangement where the second electrode extends into the receiving area of the measuring socket, ensuring a flush fit and minimizing gaps, thereby reducing or eliminating stray capacitances. The insertion area length is designed to be longer than the receiving area depth, allowing the electrode to bridge any gaps and maintain contact without air-filled spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving area depth is reduced to accommodate shorter measuring sockets, then the measuring device can be used with connectors of different geometries, but gaps or air-filled areas occur between the measuring socket and measuring device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different connector geometriesVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode arrangement is designed with the second electrode extending into the insertion area, creating a dynamic adaptation mechanism. When the measuring device is inserted, the electrode automatically adjusts its effective position within the receiving area, maintaining proper electrical contact regardless of the exact insertion depth or connector geometry variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the spatial parameter of the electrode configuration by extending the second electrode into the insertion area. This parameter modification allows the electrode to bridge gaps that would otherwise form between the measuring socket and measuring device, compensating for variations in receiving area depth across different connector geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the second electrode does not extend into the receiving area, then the measuring device structure is simpler, but stray capacitances occur due to gaps between the measuring socket and measuring device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode configurationVSAvoidstray capacitance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of gap formation into a beneficial outcome. By extending the second electrode into the insertion area, the gap that would normally cause stray capacitance is bridged by the electrode itself, transforming the harmful air-filled space into a controlled electrical connection that eliminates stray capacitance effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If the insertion area length is increased to ensure full insertion into all measuring sockets, then gaps are minimized, but the measuring device becomes longer and less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact qualityVSAvoidmeasuring device length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the extended insertion capability specifically in the second electrode rather than increasing the overall device length uniformly. The electrode configuration provides the necessary extended reach into the receiving area while maintaining a compact overall device structure, as only the specific electrode element needs to be elongated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively reduces or eliminates stray capacitances, ensuring accurate measurements by maintaining a flush contact between the measuring device and the socket, even when the receiving area is too short, and allows the measuring device to be compatible with various connector geometries.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor arrangement with two opposing electrodes, wherein the first electrode is arranged on the coupling element and wherein the second electrode is arranged on a grounding element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4241093B1Measuring device assembly
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 GREENWOOD POWER GMBH
  • EP4241093B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a T-shaped connection piece (1) assembly, comprising a line input (4), a line output (5), and a measuring sleeve (2). The measuring sleeve (2) is equipped with a measuring device (3), in particular an electric voltage sensor, and the measuring device (3) comprises a coupling element (6) for connecting the measuring device (3) to the measuring sleeve (2) and a capacitor assembly with two opposing electrodes (7, 8), wherein the first electrode (7) is arranged on the coupling element (6), and the second electrode (8) is arranged on a ground element (9). The measuring sleeve (2) has a receiving region (10) with a receiving region depth (10'), the measuring device (3) has an insertion region (11) with an insertion region length (11'), said receiving region depth (10') being smaller than or equal to the insertion region length (11'), and the second electrode (8) extends up to the receiving region (10) of the measuring sleeve (2).