Wall Power Transmission Penetrator Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power transmission systems through walls struggle to withstand high pressure differences and maintain electrical contact while allowing relative axial movement of conductive elements, often requiring materials that can handle both compression and tension, which limits their effectiveness and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising two penetrator sub-assemblies with integral conductive and insulating elements, where each sub-assembly works in compression only, allowing the insulating elements to transmit compression forces to the casing rather than the other sub-assembly, enabling the use of materials that excel in compression, such as ceramics, and incorporating a metal contact element and sealing means to secure and isolate the conductive elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single penetrator with insulating elements is used to transmit power through a wall, then electrical contact is maintained, but the insulating elements must withstand both compression and tension forces which limits the pressure difference the system can handle
Solution Approach 1:
The single penetrator is divided into two separate penetrator sub-assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the wall. Each sub-assembly contains its own conductive element and insulating element. This segmentation allows each insulating element to work exclusively in compression, eliminating the need to withstand tension forces, thereby enabling the use of ceramic materials that have high compression strength but poor tensile strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall itself acts as an intermediary element between the two penetrator sub-assemblies. The insulating elements transmit compression forces to the wall rather than to each other, decoupling the force transmission path from the electrical power transmission path. This intermediary role of the wall allows the insulating elements to focus solely on compression load bearing.
2Strength
If insulating elements are designed to withstand both tension and compression forces, then the penetrator can maintain electrical contact under various loading conditions, but the maximum bearable pressure difference is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The design exploits the local quality advantage of ceramic materials which excel in compression resistance but are weak in tension. By configuring the penetrator sub-assemblies so that insulating elements experience only compression forces locally, the system can leverage the superior compression properties of ceramics without being constrained by their poor tensile strength, thereby achieving both high compression resistance and long-term reliability.
3Force
If the insulating element transmits compression forces to the other penetrator sub-assembly, then electrical contact is maintained, but the system cannot effectively handle high pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission function is extracted from the insulating elements and assigned to the wall. The insulating elements are taken out of the compression force transmission chain and only serve to maintain electrical contact and provide local insulation. This extraction allows the insulating elements to focus on their primary electrical function while the wall handles the mechanical force transmission, enabling the system to withstand high pressure differences.
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 enhances the system's ability to handle high pressure differences and current intensities, ensuring reliable electrical power transmission and longevity, particularly in harsh environments like underwater installations, by decoupling force and power transmission and using materials that withstand compression forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
each penetrator sub-assembly works in compression only. The compression forces undergone by each penetrator sub-assembly are transmitted to the casing and not to the other penetrator sub-assembly
Implementation Method 2
The system is arranged so as to maintain electrical contact between these conductive elements, while allowing relative axial movement of the conductive elements relative to each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (11) for transmitting electric power through a wall (10), including a housing (40) intended for being rigidly connected to the wall, and two penetrator sub-units (12, 22) on either side of the housing, each including a conductive element (14, 24) and an insulating element (13, 23) rigidly connected to one another. The system is arranged such as to maintain electrical contact between the conductive elements of the penetrator sub-units while enabling the conducting elements to move axially relative to one another. The insulating elements of the two penetrator sub-units engage with the housing such that the compression forces to which each penetrator sub-unit is exposed are at least partially transmitted to the housing.