Smart link coupled to power line
A smart link in a power delivery system includes an insulator, which electrically isolates a power line, and a switchable conductance placed in parallel with the insulator. The switchable conductance includes switchgear for sourcing, sinking, and/or dispatching real and/or reactive power on the power line to dynamically in response to dynamic loading, transient voltages and/or currents, and phase conditions or other conditions on the power line.
1. A method, comprising:
in a power delivery system that includes an insulator assembly deployed to electrically isolate a power line, the insulator assembly having two switchable states—an insulating state and a parallel conducting state,
sensing a power line condition or parameter; and
in response, switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state;
wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises diverting a current through a resistive device or varistor;
wherein diverting a current through a resistive device or varistor comprises thermally coupling the resistive device or varistor to a heat sink to dissipate resistive heat;
wherein thermally coupling the resistive device or varistor to a heat sink comprises thermally coupling the resistive device or varistor to the heat sink having phase change materials to absorb heat; and
wherein thermally coupling the resistive device or varistor to a heat sink comprises providing current carrying paths in the resistive device or varistor and intermixing the phase-change materials of the heat sink within the current carrying paths.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises sourcing, sinking, and/or dispatching real and/or reactive power on the power line.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises modifying a power line series impedance and/or shunt impedance.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises modifying a power line phase angle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises modifying an occurrence of sub harmonic oscillations on the power line.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises diverting a current around the insulator state.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the insulator assembly to the parallel conducting state comprises diverting a current through a current limiter, a lightning arrester, a surge suppressor, and/or a grounding device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a power line condition or parameter comprises sensing breakdown or an anticipated breakdown of the insulator state.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a power line condition or parameter comprises sensing a rising voltage across the insulator state.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a power line condition or parameter comprises predicting a voltage rise due to measured properties elsewhere on the power line.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a power line condition or parameter comprises predicting an imminent lightning strike.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, reswitching the insulator assembly to its insulator state.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, sensing a voltage zero-crossing in the power line, and accordingly reswitching the insulator assembly to the insulator state.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, sensing a magnetic field effect of the power line, and accordingly reswitching the insulator assembly to the insulator state.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, sensing cessation of photo-injection in a semiconductor, and accordingly reswitching the insulator assembly to its insulator state.