Transformer Dome Flattened Wave Isolation Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-voltage transformer domes face manufacturing difficulties and suboptimal insulation due to the use of spacer blocks and sharp-edged components, leading to inconsistent insulation performance and challenging electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

The dome design incorporates a flattened wave-shaped isolation ring and flexible insulation strips with a radial-tangential configuration, which simplifies manufacturing, enhances insulation by avoiding sharp edges and optimizing the electrical field displacement, and allows for adjustable connections with a non-positively adjustable connecting device to accommodate production tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If spacer blocks and sharp-edged components are used to space insulation barriers, then the insulation barriers can be positioned at a distance, but the manufacturing becomes cumbersome and insulation performance becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performance consistencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sharp-edged spacer blocks with a wave-shaped insulation ring that has a continuously curved profile. This wave shape eliminates point contacts and sharp edges, providing uniform spacing between insulation barriers while maintaining consistent insulation performance throughout the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spacer block system with a flexible wave-shaped insulation ring that uses elastic deformation to achieve and maintain spacing. The wave shape allows the ring to flex and adapt to positioning requirements while maintaining consistent insulation distance, eliminating the need for precise mechanical assembly of multiple spacer blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanically flexible connection is used between shield tube and dome, then production tolerances can be compensated, but connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a wave-shaped insulation ring whose elastic properties allow it to deform and adapt to tolerance variations in the shield tube and dome positioning. The wave shape provides elastic compliance that absorbs dimensional variations while maintaining a stable, fixed connection once positioned, achieving both adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If permanently higher forces are applied via the dome to fix components, then positioning precision is improved, but mechanical stress and risk of damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wave-shaped insulation ring distributes contact forces along its curved profile rather than concentrating them at point contacts. This continuous curved contact distributes mechanical stress uniformly, achieving precise positioning without requiring excessively high fixing forces that could damage components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design improves manufacturing ease, enhances insulation capacity, and ensures stable, flexible connections, effectively reducing mechanical stress and increasing the overall insulation performance of high-voltage components.

Implementation Method 1

the wave shape makes the insulation ring elastic. The inside diameter of the elastic insulation ring is adapted to the outside diameter of the first insulation barrier, which is subject to certain fluctuations due to production. With the application of a slight force along the axis of rotation, it is therefore possible to push such an insulation ring over the cylindrical area of the first insulation barrier.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2442321B1Feedthrough for high voltage discharge lines in oil transformers
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
  • EP2442321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2442321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2442321B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The calotte (10) has hollow-cylindrical electrically conductive elements (12, 14) arranged around a rotational axis (20). Isolation barriers (30, 34, 38) are adapted to a form of the hollow-cylindrical element, and include flanged socket supports (30, 32) for feedthrough of a shielding pipe (26) to connection devices. The isolation barriers are spaced by isolation rings (42, 44, 46) that are arranged around the rotational axis, where the rings exhibit a wave form flattened in a radial direction.