Toggle-Jaw Cable Clamp Layout to Reduce Corona Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for overhead electrical cables under high voltage (above 60 kV) suffer from inappropriate placement of the axis of the pivoting connection between the lever and the second jaw, leading to accumulation of electric fields or charges, which can cause ionization and radio disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device design with a toggle connection between the lever and the second jaw, where the support, first jaw, and lever form a compact shape with convex external surfaces, ensuring no elements are outside the cable volume, thus preventing field and charge accumulation, and using a connecting rod with pivoting connections to maintain the second jaw in a closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the axis of the pivoting connection between the lever and the second jaw is placed outside the volume delimited by electric cables, then the clamping device can achieve a simple structure and easy operation, but electric charges and electric fields accumulate at these external elements, causing corona effects and radio disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing all moving elements (lever, connecting rod, second jaw with pivoting connections) inside the support structure. The support acts as a container that houses these components, ensuring they remain within the volume delimited by the electric cables. This nested arrangement eliminates external protruding elements that would otherwise cause charge accumulation and corona effects, while still allowing the clamping mechanism to function with adequate clearance for cable insertion and toggling motion.
2Ease of manufacture
If elements with sharp edges are exposed on the clamping device, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but these sharp edges become sites for accumulation of electric fields and charges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the spheroidality principle by specifying that all external surfaces of the support, jaws, and lever that face the electric cables must have a convex curvature with a radius of at least 5 mm. This curvature requirement eliminates sharp edges and corners on the external surfaces, preventing charge accumulation and corona effects. The internal elements may retain sharp edges for manufacturing simplicity, but these are hidden inside the support and do not interact with the high-voltage cables.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clamping device has a compact shape with all elements housed inside the support, then field and charge accumulation is minimized, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing all moving elements (lever, connecting rod, second jaw with pivoting connections) inside the support structure. The support acts as a container that houses these components, ensuring they remain within the volume delimited by the electric cables. This nested arrangement eliminates external protruding elements that would otherwise cause charge accumulation and corona effects, while still allowing the clamping mechanism to function with adequate clearance for cable insertion and toggling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the spheroidality principle by specifying that all external surfaces of the support, jaws, and lever that face the electric cables must have a convex curvature with a radius of at least 5 mm. This curvature requirement eliminates sharp edges and corners on the external surfaces, preventing charge accumulation and corona effects. The internal elements may retain sharp edges for manufacturing simplicity, but these are hidden inside the support and do not interact with the high-voltage cables.
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 effectively clamps electrical cables without external elements that could accumulate electric fields or charges, reducing corona effects and air ionization, while maintaining a compact shape to minimize field and charge accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the second jaw is locked, and cooperates with the first jaw to clamp an elongated conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping device for fixing a long conductor to a spacer, the clamping device (101) comprising: a support (110) including a connecting member (120) to a spacer, a first jaw (131) integral with the support, a second jaw (132) connected to the support by a pivoting connection about a first axis (137), a lever (134) connected to the support by a pivoting connection about a second axis (138), a connecting rod (135) connected to the lever and to the second jaw respectively by pivoting connections about third and fourth axes (136, 139), the connecting rod forming a toggle joint between the lever and the second jaw, so that the second jaw is movable relative to the support between: an open position in which the long conductor can be inserted between the two jaws, and a closed position in which the second jaw is locked.