GROUND SHIELD BRIDGE
20220375653 · 2022-11-24
Inventors
Cpc classification
H01B13/22
ELECTRICITY
International classification
Abstract
Described herein are methods, devices, and systems for electrically connecting a plurality of shielded cable shields using a shield bridge conductor embedded in a polymer structure. The shield bridge conductor may electrically connect the cable shields of two or more phase conductor cables and a ground conductor cable.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of conductors, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is configured to conduct a different phase of a multi-phase power source; a plurality of cable shields, wherein each cable shield of the plurality of cable shields is configured to surround a respective one of the plurality of conductors; and a shield bridge comprising: a shield bridge conductor, a ground conductor cable, and a plurality of bonds, wherein each bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to a respective cable shield of the plurality of cable shields, and wherein the shield bridge conductor is connected to the plurality of bonds and the ground conductor cable such that a short circuit is created between the plurality of cable shields using the shield bridge conductor.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises three conductors, wherein the plurality of cable shields comprises three cable shields, and wherein the plurality of bonds comprises four bonds.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield bridge further comprises a polymer structure configured to be integrated with a housing of the multi-phase power source or a housing of a load.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of conductors are configured to supply power from the multi-phase power source to the load.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to a housing of a power source or housing of a load.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors are electrically insulated or separated from the plurality of cable shields.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ground conductor cable is electrically connected to a ground terminal.
8. A method, comprising: providing a plurality of shielded cables, each cable comprising a conductor surrounded by a cable shield, with an inner insulation between the conductor and the cable shield, and an outer insulation surrounding the cable shield; for each shielded cable of the plurality of shielded cables: stripping, from the shielded cable, a portion of the outer insulation to expose a portion of the respective cable shield; pulling the exposed portion of the respective cable shield from the cable to form a shield wiring electrically connected to the cable shield; electrically interconnecting shield wirings of the plurality of shielded cables to form a shield bridge conductor between the plurality of shielded cables; and connecting a ground conductor cable to an end of the shield bridge conductor.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of shielded cables comprises three shield conductors.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: encapsulating at least part of the shield bridge conductor in a polymer structure mechanically attached to a load.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of shielded cables supply power from a power source to a load.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein cable shields, of the plurality of shielded cables, are electrically connected to a housing of a power source.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein cable shields of the plurality of shielded cables are electrically connected to a housing of a load.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the ground conductor cable is electrically connected to a ground terminal.
15. A power device, comprising: a plurality of conductors, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is configured to conduct a different phase of the power device; a plurality of cable shields, wherein each cable shield of the plurality of cable shields is surrounded by a respective one of the plurality of conductors; and a housing comprising: a shield bridge comprising: a shield bridge conductor, a ground conductor cable, and a plurality of bonds, wherein each bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to a respective cable shield of the plurality of cable shields, and wherein the shield bridge conductor is connected to the plurality of bonds and the ground conductor cable such that a short circuit is created between the plurality of cable shields using the shield bridge conductor.
16. The power device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises three conductors, wherein the plurality of cable shields comprises three cable shields, and wherein the plurality of bonds comprises four bonds.
17. The power device of claim 15, further comprising a multi-phase power source and a load.
18. The power device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of conductors are configured to supply power from a multi-phase power source to a load.
19. The power device of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a shield, and wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to the shield.
20. The power device of claim 15, wherein the ground conductor cable is electrically connected to a ground terminal.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by, the accompanying figures. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, show examples of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the examples shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein are non-exclusive and that there are other examples of how the disclosure may be practiced.
[0014] Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for electrically connecting cable shields of multiple high voltage conductor cables, also referred to herein as power conductor cables, using a ground shield bridge. Power conductor cables may connect between one or more power sources and one or more loads, where each cable has a cable shield surrounding the power conductor cable. The multiple power conductor cables may conduct different phases of electricity. A shield bridge conductor integrated in a ground shield bridge may electrically connect the cable shields of the multiple power conductor cables to each other. The shield bridge conductor may be embedded in a polymer structure connectable to and/or integrated with a housing of one or more sources and/or one or more loads. For example, the polymer structure may form a tooth shape structure protruding from the housing of an electric traction motor. For example, a ground conductor cable may ground both the shield bridge conductor and the housing of the one or more sources and/or the one or more loads. For example, the ground shield bridge is integrated into the power wires leaving the inverter of an electric vehicle. For example, a ground shield bridge may electrically connect, using the shield bridge conductor, the cable shields and the ground conductor cable, thereby protecting the power cables from emitting electromagnetic interference (EMI).
[0015] In a preferred implementation, parts of the systems and devices as described herein may be manufactured from shielded cables. A shielded cable or screened cable typically has a common conductive layer around its conductors for electromagnetic shielding with insulating material there between (inner insulating layer). This shield is usually covered by an outermost insulating layer of the cable. Common types of cable shielding can be categorized as foil type (metallized film), wire strands (braided or unbraided), or both. As used herein, preferably a cable shielding based on wire strands is used. A portion of the outer insulation may be stripped from each cable to expose a respective shield portion of the cable shield, e.g. wire strands and/or film. For each cable, the exposed shield portion may be pulled from the rest of the cable to form a piece of conductive shield wiring electrically connected to a remaining portion of the cable shield. The shield wirings of the cables may be electrically interconnected such that a shield bridge conductor is formed between the cable shields of the plurality of shielded cables. Optionally, a terminal lug may be connected to an end of the interconnected shield wiring to form a ground conductor cable. Preferably, the shield wirings are re-insulated. This may include insulating parts of the shield bridge, ground conductor cable, and/or encapsulating at least part of the shield bridge configuration in an embedding structure. Preferably at least the shield bridge conductor and electrical connections/bondings to the cable shielding are embedded. For example, the configuration may be at least embedded in a polymer structure or other dielectric material which may be connected or integrated with a power device.
[0016] The polymer structure may be a resin, thermoplastic, or thermosetting material. The polymer structure may comprise a rigid shell and a potting material. The potting material may allow compliance during assembly and/or molding, a wide operating temperature range, and vibration resistance. The rigid shell may protect the potting material and may provide abrasion resistance.
[0017] In a series-connected bridge configuration, the shielding of a first cable may be grounded exclusively via the shielding of a second cable (via the shield bridge conductor there between), so the first cable does not require a direct connection to a ground conductor cable, or separate connection to electrical ground. This may provide a particularly convenient construction. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and second cables may be connected to a single ground conductor cable connected to the shield bridge conductor there between. Also, more than two, e.g. three, cables can be interconnected in this way having a single connection to ground. For example, in a series-connected bridge configuration, the shielding of a first cable may be directly connected to the shielding of a second cable, the shielding of the second cable may be directly connected to the shielding of a third cable, and the shielding of the third cable may be connected to the ground conductor cable (or to a fourth cable, etc.). Advantageously, the series interconnected cables can provide a flat configuration that can be easily constructed and expanded, e.g. around a perimeter of a power device. For example, the shielding of the third cable may be exclusively connected to the shielding of the first cable via the shielding of the second cable and does not require a direct connection or extra wire. Alternatively, or additionally, the shielding of the third cable may be directly connected to the shielding of the first cable and/or the ground conductor cable may be connected anywhere to the shield bridge conductor, e.g. between the first and second cables, between the second and third cables, and/or between the first and third cable.
[0018] Reference is now made to
[0019] In the example of
[0020] Reference is now made to
[0021] Reference is now made to
[0022] Reference is now made to
[0023] Reference is now made to
[0024] Reference is now made to
[0025] The manufacturing methods of
[0026] Although the shield bridge examples herein show integration in the housing's of loads, the shield bridge may be configured to be integrated into the housing's of a power sources. For example, a shield bridge may be integrated in the housing of a power inverter used to provide power to an electric motor. For example, a shield bridge may be integrated in the housing of an electrical storage device used to provide power to a power inverter. For example, a shield bridge may be integrated in the housing of a battery charger used to provide power to an electrical storage device. Some devices may be considered both load and sources, but at least one shield cable is required for each interconnection between devices.
[0027] In cases where high reliability is specified, a shield bridge may be integrated into a plurality of devices that are interconnected with power cables. For example, when a single power source and single load are electrically connected, shield bridges may be integrated into the housings of both the power source and load. For example, when a single power source and multiple loads are electrically connected, shield bridges may be integrated into the housings of at least some of the power source and loads. For example, when a multiple power sources and multiple loads are electrically connected, shield bridges may be integrated into the housings of at least some of the power source and loads.
[0028] The multi-phase shield bridge may provide many benefits over other solutions. By integrating two or more of the shields using the multi-phase shield bridge only one ground conductor cable may be needed to ground a plurality of shields of the conductors and one or more housings of the one or more loads/sources. This may allow relatively simpler product assembly and relatively larger mean time between failures due to fewer parts. The integrated polymer structure may encapsulate the shield bridge conductor and bonding points with the cable shields and ground conductor cable. For example, the polymer structure may provide a moisture and dust barrier to the conductors, bonding points, and attached housing. The polymer structure may also mechanically secure the bonds between the multi-phase shield bridge and each cable shield, and may prevent failures, such as a mechanical failure of the ground conductor cable. For example, the polymer structure may provide strain relief of the bonding points from the mechanical forces on the cables. The benefits of protection from the environment using the polymer structure may increase the maintenance time intervals, decrease the mean time between failures, and produce a more reliable product.
[0029] Specific dimensions, specific materials, specific ranges, specific resistivities, specific voltages, specific shapes, and/or other specific properties and values disclosed herein are by example and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values and particular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more of the examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any two particular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define the endpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the given parameter. For example, the disclosure of a first value and a second value for a given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any value between the first and second values could also be employed for the given parameter. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, and 3-9.
[0030] In the description of various illustrative features, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various features in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other features may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0031] Terms such as “multiple” as used in this disclosure indicate the property of having or involving several parts, elements, or members. The term “multiple” used herein may be interchangeable with the term “plurality”.
[0032] It may be noted that various connections are set forth between elements herein. These connections are described in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect; this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect, and both direct and indirect connections are envisioned. Further, elements of one feature in any of the embodiments may be combined with elements from other features in any of the embodiments, in any combinations or sub-combinations.
[0033] All described features, and modifications of the described features, are usable in all aspects of the inventions taught herein. Furthermore, all of the features, and all of the modifications of the features, of all of the embodiments described herein, are combinable and interchangeable with one another. For example, it will be understood that aspects described with reference to
[0034] Clauses:
[0035] Clause 1: An apparatus, comprising: [0036] a plurality of conductors, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is configured to conduct a different phase of a multi-phase power source; [0037] a plurality of cable shields, wherein each cable shield of the plurality of cable shields is configured to surround a respective one of the plurality of conductors; and [0038] a shield bridge comprising: [0039] a polymer structure, [0040] a shield bridge conductor, [0041] a ground conductor cable, and [0042] a plurality of bonds, [0043] wherein each bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to a respective cable shield of the plurality of cable shields, and [0044] wherein the shield bridge conductor is connected to the plurality of bonds and the ground conductor cable such that a short circuit is created between the plurality of cable shields using the shield bridge conductor.
[0045] Clause 2: The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises three conductors, wherein the plurality of cable shields comprises three cable shields, and wherein the plurality of bonds comprises four bonds.
[0046] Clause 3: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1-2, wherein the polymer structure is configured to be integrated with a housing of the multi-phase power source or a load.
[0047] Clause 4: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the plurality of conductors are configured to supply power from the multi-phase power source to a load.
[0048] Clause 5: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to a power source shield.
[0049] Clause 6: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to a load shield.
[0050] Clause 7: The apparatus of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein the ground conductor cable is electrically connected to a ground terminal.
[0051] Clause 8: A method, comprising: [0052] cutting a plurality of conductors according to a predetermined length; [0053] stripping a portion of insulation from each conductor of the plurality of conductors to form a plurality of stripped conductors; [0054] separating a shield portion of each cable shield of a plurality of cable shields from each conductor of the plurality of stripped conductors; [0055] electrically connecting an end of at least some of the plurality of stripped conductors to an adjacent stripped conductor of the plurality of stripped conductors, such that a shield bridge conductor is formed; [0056] insulating each conductor of the plurality of stripped conductors to form a plurality of insulated conductors; [0057] connecting a terminal lug to the end of at least one of the plurality of insulated conductors to form a ground conductor cable; and [0058] encapsulating the shield bridge conductor in a polymer structure.
[0059] Clause 9: The method of clause 8, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises three conductors, and the plurality of cable shields comprises three cable shields.
[0060] Clause 10: The method of any one of clauses 8-9, wherein the polymer structure is mechanically attached to a load.
[0061] Clause 11: The method of any one of clauses 8-10, wherein the plurality of conductors supply power from a power source to a load.
[0062] Clause 12: The method of any one of clauses 8-11, wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to a power source shield.
[0063] Clause 13: The method of any one of clauses 8-12, wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to a load shield.
[0064] Clause 14: The method of any one of clauses 8-13, wherein the terminal lug is electrically connected to a ground terminal.
[0065] Clause 15: A power device, comprising: [0066] a plurality of conductors, wherein each conductor of the plurality of conductors is configured to conduct a different phase of a multi-phase power source; [0067] a plurality of cable shields, wherein each cable shield of the plurality of cable shields is configured to surround a respective one of the plurality of conductors; and [0068] a housing comprising: [0069] a shield bridge comprising: [0070] a polymer structure, [0071] a shield bridge conductor, [0072] a ground conductor cable, and [0073] a plurality of bonds, [0074] wherein each bond of the plurality of bonds is electrically connected to a respective cable shield of the plurality of cable shields, and [0075] wherein the shield bridge conductor is connected to the plurality of bonds and the ground conductor cable such that a short circuit is created between the plurality of cable shields using the shield bridge conductor.
[0076] Clause 16: The power device of clause 15, wherein the plurality of conductors comprises three conductors, wherein the plurality of cable shields comprises three cable shields, and wherein the plurality of bonds comprises four bonds.
[0077] Clause 17: The power device of any one of clauses 15-16, further comprising a power source or a load, and the power device comprises a plurality of phases.
[0078] Clause 18: The power device of any one of clauses 15-17, wherein the plurality of conductors are configured to supply power from a multi-phase power source to a load.
[0079] Clause 19: The power device of any one of clauses 15-18, wherein the housing further comprises a shield, and wherein the plurality of cable shields are electrically connected to the shield.
[0080] Clause 20: The power device of any one of clauses 15-19, wherein the ground conductor cable is electrically connected to a ground terminal.