Ut-battelle, Inc.

Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Fei Ren

Jy-An Wang

Hong Wang

Thomas S Cox

Dominic F Lee

Gary Charles Sibilant

John K Chan

Hao Jiang

Systems, methods and piezoelectric patches are provided for monitoring the structural health of connectors in overhead transmission lines. A plurality of piezoelectric patches is mounted to different locations on the connector. At least one of the patches is actuated using an AC voltage and certain electrical properties either from the same patch or of a different patch are evaluated over time to determine the structural health of the connectors.

Systems, methods and patches for monitoring a structural health of a connector in overhead transmission lines

An apparatusfor simulating a pulsed pressure induced cavitation technique (PPCT) from a pressurized working fluid (F) provides laboratory research and development for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), oil, and gas wells. A pumpis configured to deliver a pressurized working fluid (F) to a control valve, which produces a pulsed pressure wave in a test chamber. The pulsed pressure wave parameters are defined by the pumppressure and control valvecycle rate. When a working fluid (F) and a rock specimenare included in the apparatus, the pulsed pressure wave causes cavitation to occur at the surface of the specimen, thus initiating an extensive network of fracturing surfaces and micro fissures, which are examined by researchers.

Specimen for evaluating pressure pulse cavitation in rock formations

A rotary shutter valveis used for geothermal reservoir stimulation. The valveincludes a pressure chamberfor holding a working fluid (F) under pressure. A rotatable shutteris turned with a powering deviceto periodically align one or more windowswith one or more aperturesin a bulkhead. When aligned, the pressurized working fluid (F) flows through the bulkheadand enters a pulse cavity, where it is discharged from the pulse cavityas pressure waves. The pressure wave propagationand eventual collapse of the bubblescan be transmitted to a target rock surfaceeither in the form of a shock wave, or by micro jets, depending on the bubble-surface distance. Once cavitation at the rock face begins, fractures are initiated in the rock to create a network of micro-fissures for enhanced heat transfer.

Cavitation-based hydro-fracturing technique for geothermal reservoir stimulation

Cavitation-based hydro-fracturing simulator

An electrical connector for connecting electrical power transmission lines where the electrical connector is capable of conducting 1&#xd7;10to 2.5&#xd7;10siemens per meter squared (S/m), and includes a base metal having a surface layer doped with a conductive material dopant. The conductive dopant material improves the reliability and performance of the electrical connector. An electrical power transmission system includes electrical power transmission lines connected by the electrical connector, and a method of joining power transmission lines with the electrical connector.

Electrical power line connector

Disclosed are several examples of an apparatus for connecting the free ends of two electrical power transmission lines having conductor strands disposed around a central, reinforcing core. The examples include an inner sleeve having a body defining an inner bore passing through an axially-extending, central axis, an outer rim surface disposed radially outward from the central bore, and one or more axially-extending grooves penetrating the body at the outer rim surface. Also included is an outer splice having a tubular shaped body with a bore passing coaxially through the central axis, the bore defining an inner rim surface for accepting the inner sleeve. The inner bore of the inner sleeve accepts the reinforcement cores of the two conductors, and the grooves accept the conductor strands in an overlapping configuration so that a majority of the electrical current flows between the overlapped conductor strands when the conductors are transmitting electrical current.

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Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Fei Ren