Non-destructive Testing of a Dielectric Strength of a Liquid

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method and apparatus for non-destructive testing of the dielectric strength of a liquid, such as transformer oil. By carefully increasing the strength of an electric field applied to the liquid and monitoring for the initial onset of charge transport (a sign of reduced insulation capability), the system decreases the field strength immediately to prevent damaging breakdowns or harmful changes in the liquid. This approach allows for regular and inline testing of insulation liquids without degrading their performance or requiring system shutdowns.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Regular maintenance and monitoring of transformer oil in power transformers during operation.
• Quality assurance for insulating liquids in manufacturing or laboratory environments.
• Safety monitoring in high-voltage electrical apparatus employing insulating oil, such as circuit breakers or capacitors.
• Inline (on-site, real-time) monitoring systems for critical infrastructure where shutting down for tests is not practical.
• Testing and verification of new batches of dielectric liquids before deployment in equipment.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Non-destructive: Does not degrade or contaminate the tested liquid, ensuring continued usability after testing.
• Enables in-situ (inline) real-time monitoring, allowing for early detection of insulation degradation without removing the liquid or interrupting device operation.
• Prevents electric breakdowns and corona discharges during testing, enhancing safety and reliability.
• Reduces maintenance downtime and operational costs by avoiding the need for liquid replacement or equipment shutdown during testing.
• Provides more accurate assessment of the liquid's state under actual operating conditions, improving predictive maintenance and asset management.

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Patent Abstract

Provided is a process for non-destructive testing of a dielectric strength of a liquid comprising increasing a field strength of an electric field until a charge transport through the liquid commences and limiting the charge transport through the liquid caused by the electric field by decreasing the field strength as the charge transport through the liquid commences.