Transition Conductor Thickness Layout for Lightning Skin Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
The skin effect in thin metal meshes used in wind power generator sets leads to excessive current concentration at the edges, causing damage during lightning strikes.
Innovation Solution
A transition conductor with a thinned area and an edge area, where the edge area surrounds the thinned area and has a greater thickness, is used to improve current carrying capacity and distribute current evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thin metal mesh is used for lightning protection, then the device complexity and material usage are reduced, but the current carrying capacity at edges deteriorates due to skin effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a transition conductor with non-uniform thickness distribution. The edge areas have increased thickness to handle high current density caused by skin effect, while the central area maintains thinner profile. This localized thickness variation optimizes current carrying capacity at critical edge regions without unnecessarily increasing overall material usage and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If current is conducted through a planar metal mesh, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but excessive current concentration at edges occurs due to skin effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the conductor by varying its thickness along the width direction. The transition conductor has maximum thickness at edges that gradually decreases toward the center, creating a thickness gradient. This parameter change directly addresses current concentration by providing greater cross-sectional area at edges where skin effect causes highest current density, thereby reducing harmful current concentration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform thickness is used throughout the conductor, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but edge areas suffer from excessive current density and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transition conductor implements local quality by providing enhanced thickness specifically at edge areas where current density is highest due to skin effect. The central area maintains standard thickness. This localized reinforcement improves edge durability and resistance to current-induced damage without requiring uniform thickness increase throughout the entire conductor, thus avoiding unnecessary manufacturing complexity.
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 enhances the current carrying capacity at the edges of the lightning protection device, adapts to the skin effect of current transmission, and prevents damage from excessive current concentration, thereby improving overall safety performance.
Implementation Method 1
when current is conducted in a plane, a skin effect will occur, that is, the current is accustomed to being conducted along edges of the plane
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lightning protection device, a lightning protection system, a wind power generator set, and a method. The lightning protection device includes a transition conductor with a predetermined length, width and thickness, the transition conductor comprising a first connecting end and a second connecting end opposite to each other in its length direction, the first connecting end being configured for receiving lightning current, and the second connecting end being configured for connection with a down lead system. The transition conductor includes a thinned area and an edge area, the edge area surrounds at least a portion of the thinned area, one side of the edge area and one side of the thinned area in the length direction are connected and jointly form the first connecting end, and a thickness of the thinned area is less than that of the edge area. The lightning protection device, the lightning protection system, the wind power generator set, and the method of the present disclosure can adapt to a skin effect of current and improve overall safety performance.