Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – With interior conductor or cable supports
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2001-09-11
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
With interior conductor or cable supports
C174S07100B, C174S0720TR, C174S09900B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288338
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the isolation and insulation of electrical power busses, and more particularly, to an inexpensive and reliable system for isolating high-power electrical busses that are located in close proximity to each other such that electrical corona discharge between conductors is eliminated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a standard practice to use insulated bus bars in electrical equipment. High-power electrical distribution systems may suffer from corona discharge between conductors, which seriously degrades system performance, and may present a safety danger. This problem increases as the voltage levels increase and/or the physical separation between the conductors decrease.
In high-voltage electrical transmission, such as in long distance power transmission, corona discharge is reduced by spacing the conductors apart by large distances, as seen in high-tension electrical transmission towers. But this is not practical in closed environments, where inductive reactance must be minimized. Although close spacing of the conductors increases the tendency for corona discharge to occur in adjustable-speed devices, such close spacing improves system performance by reducing parasitic reactants.
To overcome the problems associated with closely spaced conductors, typical electrical distribution systems insulate the conductors or place insulation between adjacent conductors. As voltage levels increase, corona discharge increases, and the insulation degrades over time. Degradation of the insulation is dependent upon temperature, humidity, and voltage levels, and leads to corona discharge and further degradation of the insulation. Eventually, a short circuit may occur, which seriously affects system performance, and may pose a danger to human life.
Some known systems address this problem by eliminating the air between the conductors. This is accomplished by sealing the conductors in a chamber or conduit and evacuating the air. This method, however, is very expensive and is dependent upon the level of vacuum achieved, surface preparation of the conductors, and electrical braking cycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electrical bus isolation system includes a pair of bus bar supporting members, each of which includes a first substantially flat surface portion configured to retain a first bus bar, and second and third substantially flat surface portions each disposed on opposite sides of the first surface portion, and defining an offset in height from the first surface portion. The second and third surface portions are configured to retain opposite lateral sides of a second bus bar when the pair of supporting members are operatively engaged, with corresponding second and third surface portions facing each other such that the first bus bar is retained in a fixed position relative to the second bus bar in a parallel spaced relationship thereto, and at a distance determined by the offset in height.
An air gap between the bus bars electrically isolates the bus bars and prevents corona discharge between the bus bars. The bus isolation system permits high-voltage, high-power conductors or bus bars to be in very close proximity, such as about 0.25 inches apart, yet corona discharge between the conductors is eliminated. Further, the present invention accomplishes this using inexpensive conventional components formed of non-exotic material. Because the electrical conductors are closely spaced, inductive reactance of the system is reduced, thus improving the electrical characteristics of the system.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows.
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Kauffman Eric J.
Pate Paul S.
Stevenson Andrew C.
General Electric Company
Horton Carl B.
Reichard Dean A.
Walkenhorst W. David
Wasserbauer Damian G.
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