Description:A Protective Cover for High Voltage Insulators
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention falls under electrical engineering, specifically within the realm of Power Grid Infrastructure and Line Protection Technology. The objective of the present disclosure is to design a novel protection cover that is going to be applied around the insulator's skirt at High Voltage Transmission Lines, Distribution Lines, and Electrical Substations to improve its performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An overhead power line is a structure used in electric power transmission and distribution to transmit electrical energy along large distances. Overhead lines carry up to 765,000 volts (765 kV) to transport electricity from power stations to towns and urban centers. The overhead power lines are generally the lowest-cost method of power transmission for large quantities of electric energy.

The Transmission lines are classified based on their location (overhead or underground), length, and voltage rating. Further, the distribution lines cover much shorter distances and are typically energized at 16 kV, 12 kV, or 4 kV. Lower-voltage distribution lines carry electricity to neighbourhoods on shorter wooden poles or underground. When electricity moves from transmission lines to sub-transmission lines to distribution lines, the voltage must be “stepped down” by transformers at substations.

Further, an electrical insulator is a material that impedes the flow of electric current. Its primary function is to resist or block the movement of electric charges, preventing the unintentional transfer of electricity between conductive materials to ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency and maintaining a clear separation of conductive elements. Insulators also play a crucial role in minimizing power losses by reducing leakage currents and ensuring the proper functioning of electrical systems.

Further, high voltage insulators are critical components in power transmission systems, responsible for maintaining electrical isolation between energized conductors and grounded support structures. These insulators are typically mounted on steel or concrete towers, with their skirts exposed to various environmental conditions such as dust, moisture, and wildlife activity.

Over time, the accumulation of contaminants like dust, moisture, or bird droppings on the insulator skirts can compromise the insulator's dielectric properties, leading to potential flashovers, electrical tracking, or even complete insulator failure. Additionally, Birds interfere with power lines by perching, nesting, or making accidental contact with insulators which leads to Electrical faults or short circuits, debris build-up and potential hazards, and Safety risks for both birds and humans from accidental contact with live conductors.

The cover is used for insulation for overhead conductors to help prevent electrical outages caused by trees or wildlife coming into contact with distribution lines. The conventional solution uses Visual or auditory methods like scarecrows or reflective tape as bird deterrents. The insulators are coated with substances like silicone or Teflon for safety concerns. Additionally, physical barriers or netting are placed around insulators. These Deterrents may not fully deter persistent bird activity. The coating degrades over time, barriers impede maintenance, pose risks to wildlife, and complex and expensive Installation and maintenance. Lastly, some solutions detract from the infrastructure's appearance. In other words, Birds interfere with power lines by perching, nesting, or making accidental contact with insulators which leads to Electrical faults or short circuits, debris build-up and potential hazards, and Safety risks for both birds and humans from accidental contact with live conductors.

The proposed solution provides an improved protective cover for insulator skirts on high-voltage power lines that effectively addresses the challenges of contamination, wildlife nesting, and secure attachment.

The proposed Protection Cover protects the line by preventing birds from nesting or sitting on the insulator, or near it, and also acts as a barrier between the line and any foreign object which may be dropped by birds. The proposed solution addresses the shortcomings of existing solutions by offering improved performance, enhanced reliability regarding energy distribution, and comprehensive protection against bird interference while minimizing maintenance, electrical faults, equipment damage, outage, aesthetic, and environmental concerns.

Its innovative design and material composition ensure long-lasting performance and cost-effectiveness, making it a superior choice for utility companies seeking to enhance the reliability and sustainability of their power distribution networks.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present disclosure is a transparent cover which is highly modifiable and modular, and can be installed on all towers and all types of insulators skirts on high voltage power lines and safeguard from environmental hazards, prolonging the insulators' lifespan and ensuring reliable power transmission.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protective cover with a slanted geometric profile that facilitates the shedding of contaminants like dust and moisture, thereby maintaining the insulator's dielectric integrity.

A further object is to prevent birds from perching, nesting, or their excretion, accidentally contacting insulators, promoting grid reliability and safety, while also promoting airflow to discourage nesting.

An additional object of invention is a non-intrusive solution with multiple shield pieces having geometrical profiles, joined together to form a disc. The disc is placed on the skirt of insulators over high-voltage lines, as a protective cover, ensuring a stable and reliable connection.

Yet another object is to provide a protective cover that can be assembled from multiple shield pieces, allowing for customization to fit various insulator skirt sizes and shapes, whether circular or oval.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a protective cover for the skirt of an insulator on high-voltage power lines. The cover comprises multiple shield pieces that can be joined together to form a disc shape around the insulator skirt. A key advantage is the slanted geometric profile, where a first side nearest the insulator skirt is elevated compared to the opposite second side. This slanted profile assists in shedding contaminants like dust or water that accumulate on the cover.

In other embodiment of the invention, couple the protective cover with an adaptor that has a pass-through hole smaller than the diameter of the protective cover. This allows the adaptor to be mounted directly on the insulator skirt, providing a secure coupling point for the cover to attach to. In other words, the adaptor is assembled to the skirt of the insulator along with protective cover to make a strong grip and allow the shield to fit on insulators with varying stem diameters. This increases the versatility of the protective cover and allows it to be used on a wider range of insulator types.

In other embodiment of the invention, the shield pieces include a plurality of spikes extending outwards from the exposed outer surface opposite to the surface of the protective cover, assembled onto insulator skirt.

In other embodiment of the invention, these spikes extend at an angle to be parallel to the insulator skirt when assembled, creating an outward-facing spiked surface. The spikes, with specified heights, helps deter bird from landing on the insulator and potentially causing damage or short circuits.

In another embodiment of the invention, the height of the spikes is between 0.5 mm to 63.5 mm.

In other embodiment of the invention, the shield has an extended portion on joining edges. The extended portion overlaps one shield with another shield. The joining edges of adjacent shield pieces have extended portions that overlap, providing a tighter and more secure fit when assembled into the disc shape.

In other embodiment of the invention, the shield pieces have aeration holes that are elongated and parallel to the cover's slanted profile to enable airflow. The shield’s design likely allow air to flow through it, reducing wind pressure and preventing the cover from ballooning outwards or stressing the insulator. Hence, proper air circulation prevents damage from strong winds. This airflow further discourages nesting.

In another embodiment of the invention, the angle of elevation from the first to the second side is within between 60 degrees to 70 degrees, optimizing the slant for shedding contaminants.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cover can be circular or oval in shape to cover one or more insulator skirts with the same cover.

In summary, the key advantages of this protective cover include contaminant/wildlife deterrence, secure attachment to the insulator skirt, airflow promotion, and customizable sizing/shaping - making it an effectively protective solution for high-voltage insulators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 (a, b) an exploded perspective view of the protective cover and adaptor assembly for a single-polymer insulator and double-polymer insulator according to the present invention.
Figure 2 perspective view of the protective cover assembled around an insulator skirt.
Figure 3(a, b) illustrating the slanted geometric profile for single-polymer insulators and double-polymer insulators.
Figure 4 (a, b) perspective view showing the angle of the spikes relative to the insulator skirt when assembled, the angle between the first slide and the second slide of protection cover for single-polymer insulators and double-polymer insulators.

DESCRIPTION
For promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

A High Voltage Insulator Protection Covers protects against bird streamer-caused outages. The innovative shield design provides protection from fecal and other soluble contaminates coming from above the insulator string. The Insulator Protection covers are resistant to puncture and resistant to harsh outdoor environments.

The Insulator Protection cover is a round or oval disc, used to block climbing animals from contacting phase to ground conductors. This expands its applicability to different power line infrastructure designs.

Fig.1, shows exploded perspective view of the protective cover and adaptor assembly for an insulator for single (Fig.1a) and double polymer insulator (Fig.1b). Fig.1a shows the protective cover 10 for insulators consists of plurality of shield pieces 14 that can be joined together to form a disc shape around the skirt 12 of an insulator on a high voltage power line. The shield pieces 14 have a slanting geometrical profile where a first side 16 nearest the skirt 12 is at an elevated position, relative to a second side 18 opposite the first side 16. This slanted profile allows contaminants like dust and moisture to easily shed off the cover 10.

In an embodiment, the shields 14 are attached with one another with large bolts and nuts made of plastic, to form a disc around the top of the insulator.

In other embodiment, high-quality Polycarbonate material is used in the High Voltage Insulator Protection Covers 10 shield design. The Rugged, UV-resistant, High-temperature resistant Polycarbonate ensures long-term performance even in extreme environmental conditions.

The protective cover 10 is coupled to an adaptor 20 having multiple parts that assemble to form a pass-through hole 22 with a diameter smaller than the protective cover 10 (Fig. 1). The adaptor 20 is concentrically mounted onto the skirt 12 of the insulator (shown in Fig.2), with the protective cover 10, attaching to the adaptor 20, providing a secure coupling. In other words, the adaptor 20 is helpful in mounting protective cover 10 onto the skirt of the insulator.

The standard High Voltage Insulator Protection Covers 10 are made to fit on a specific range (size) of Polymeric / Porcelain insulators. If the diameter of the Insulator skirt 12 is small, the High Voltage Insulator Protection Covers 10 will be loose. With the help of the adaptors 20, the High Voltage Insulator Protection Covers 10 can be fixed firmly over the insulators having smaller size metal. Hence, the adaptor 20 enables customizable fit for different insulator skirt sizes and provides a stable coupling point for attaching the cover to the adaptor. In other words, the adaptor 20 is assembled to the skirt of the insulator 12 along with protective cover to make a strong grip and allow the shield 14 to fit on insulators with varying stem diameters. This increases the versatility of the protective cover and allows it to be used on a wider range of insulator types.

In an embodiment, the adaptors 20 are made from the same Polycarbonate material used to manufacture the High Voltage Insulator Protection Cover by injection moulding process.

In an embodiment, the various parts of adaptor 20 are attached via bolts and nuts made of plastic.

As per fig. 1(a, b), the Protective Cover is engineered with multiple spikes 24 strategically placed on its outer surface. The spikes 24 extend out of an exposed surface of the shield 14 opposite to a covering surface covering the insulator skirt 12 after assembly. Fig.2 clearly shows field view of protective cover 10 assembled around an insulator skirt 12. The spikes 24 are placed on the upper surface of the protective cover 10, and parallel to the skirt 12 when assembled helps to maximize deterrent effect and reduces risk of contamination from bird droppings. These spikes 24 serve as an additional deterrent or an extra layer of protection, further discouraging birds from landing or perching on the cover to save accidental contact with insulators. These spikes 24 are designed to be non-intrusive, posing no harm to birds while effectively reinforcing the cover's bird deterrence capabilities.

This innovative design feature not only amplifies the cover's ability to safeguard power lines but also contributes to its overall durability and longevity. The spikes 24 are crafted from the same durable polycarbonate material as the cover itself, ensuring resilience against environmental factors and maintaining optimal performance over time.

Furthermore, the inclusion of spikes 24 reinforces the cover's commitment to environmental sustainability by offering a humane and non-lethal solution to bird interference.

Additionally, the spikes 24 extend at an angle over the protective cover 10 onto the skirt of the insulator 12.

In an embodiment, the height of the spikes 24 from 0.5 to 63.5 mm, providing an effective deterrent while minimizing risk to wildlife (shown in Fig. 4). The optimized spike length effectively deter wildlife without excessive risk, and balances deterrent capability with minimizing potential harm to wildlife.

Additionally, Fig.1a shows the joining edges 36 of adjacent shield pieces 14 have extended portions that overlap, ensuring a tight and secure fit via bolts and nuts, when assembled into the disc shape. The joining edges 36 of one shield piece 14 overlap with the joining edges of another shield piece 14 to form a disc shape. In use, the adaptor 20 is first mounted onto the insulator skirt 12. The shield pieces 14 are then joined together around the adaptor 20 to form the protective cover 10, with the extended portions overlapping at the joining edges 36. This complete assembly provides a tight, secure fit, contaminant-shedding, and wildlife-deterring solution for protecting the critical insulator skirt 12 on high-voltage power. It improves the structural integrity and durability of assembled cover and prevents gaps where contaminants or wildlife could penetrate

Furthermore, the shield pieces 14 have elongated aeration holes 38 that run parallel to the slanted profile to allow airflow and further discourage wildlife nesting (fig.1, 4). The aeration holes 38 provided in the protective cover 10 avoids any damages caused to the insulator structure and the High Voltage Insulator Protective Covers 10 due to heavy wind, as cover 10 is going to be installed on the transmission line located on the very high location. The airflow further enhances self-cleaning by aiding contaminant dispersal, and elongated holes align with slanted contour for aesthetics.

In an embodiment, the aeration holes 38 are provided parallel to a profile of the first side (16) or the second side (18).

In other embodiment, the angle of elevation from the first side 16 to the second side 18 is between 60 and 70 degrees (shown in Fig. 4), optimizing the slant for effective contaminant shedding and maximizes self-cleaning ability while providing structural stability.

Hence, this disc with a tapper shape avoids collection of bird excretion, food items, etc. over the surface and they shall fell down from the disc surface. This Polycarbonate High Voltage Insulator Protection Cover 10 protects the line by preventing birds from nesting or sitting on the insulator, or near it, and also acts as a barrier between the line and any foreign object which may be dropped by birds and compromise insulator performance. Polycarbonate High Voltage Insulator Protection Cover 10 is highly modifiable, self-cleanable, modular and can be installed on all towers and all types of insulators.

Further, fig. 3 shows the slanted geometric profile for single-polymer insulators and double-polymer insulators. Single polymer covers are used in only one insulator and are circular in shape, whereas double polymer covers protect double run insulators at a time and are oval-shaped.

Furthermore, fig. 4a shows a perspective view showing the height, and angle of the spikes relative to the insulator skirt when assembled, the angle between the first slide and the second slide of protection cover, the distance between their one end to the other end, and distance between nut and bolts etc. for single-polymer insulators.

Fig. 4b shows a perspective view showing the height, angle of the spikes relative to the insulator skirt when assembled, the angle between the first slide and the second slide of protection cover, the distance between their one end to the other end and, and the distance between nut and bolts etc. double-polymer insulators.

Hence, the protective cover 10 provides a comprehensive solution for contamination prevention, wildlife deterrence, secure mounting, airflow promotion, and customizable sizing - critical for ensuring reliable long-term performance of high voltage insulators

List of Reference numerals
10 - Protective cover
12 - Skirt of insulator
14 - Shield pieces
16 - First side (nearest skirt)
18 - Second side (opposite the first side)
20 - Adaptor
22 - Pass through the hole in the adaptor
24 - Spikes
36 - Joining edges of shield pieces
38 - Aeration holes
, Claims:I/We Claim:
1. A protective cover (10) to be placed on one or more skirts (12) of insulator over high voltage lines comprising:
a plurality of shield pieces (14) adapted to be joined with respect to each other to form a disc, wherein the shield pieces (14) have a slanting geometrical profile such that a first side (16) nearest to the skirt (12) of the insulator on assembling is at an elevation with respect to a second side (18) opposite to the first side (16).

2. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective cover (10) is adapted to be coupled to an adaptor (20) having more than one part, the parts are assembled to form the adaptor (20) having the pass through hole (22) whose diameter is lesser than the diameter of the protective cover (10), wherein the adaptor (20) is adapted to be concentrically assembled on to the skirt (12) of the insulator along with the protective cover (10) such that the adaptor (20) is physically coupled to the skirt (12) of the insulator and the protective cover (10) is physically coupled to the adaptor (20).

3. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield pieces (14) comprise plurality of spikes (24) extending out of an exposed surface of the shield (14) opposite to a covering surface covering the insulator skirt (12) after being assembled on to it.

4. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the spikes (24) are extending at an extending angle which shall make the spikes (24) parallel to the skirt (12) of the insulator after assembling of the protective cover (10) on to the skirt (12) of the insulator.

5. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a height of the spikes (24) is between 0.5 to 63.5 mm.

6. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the shield (14) has an extended portion on joining edges (36), so that the extended portion of one joining edge (36) of one shield piece (14) overlaps onto another joining edge (36) of another shield piece (14).

7. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shield pieces (14) have aeration holes (38) for allowing passing of air through the aeration holes (38).

8. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the aeration holes (38) are elongated and runs parallel to a profile of the first side (16) or the second side (18).

9. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle of elevation from first side (16) to the second side (18) is between 60 degrees to 70 degrees.

10. The protective cover (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective cover (10) is of circular or oval shape.
Dated this 16/02/2025

Gaurav Singhal
IN/PA 1426
Agent for the Applicant