Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Southwest Research Institute

Ralph H. Hill

Andrew J. Phillips

Joseph N. Mitchell

Dennis S. Rushforth

Mark E. Van Dyke

Henry W. Jr. Oviatt

Mary C. Marshall

Spring M. Haby

Spring M Haby

Mark E Van Dyke

Mary C Marshall

Joseph N Mitchell

Ralph Henry Hill, Jr

Dennis S Rushforth

Andrew J Philips

Henry W Oviatt, Jr

Ralph H Jr Hill

Henry W Jr Oviatt

Andrew J Phillips

A composite insulator containing means for providing early warning of impending failure due to stress corrosion cracking, flashunder, or destruction of the rod by discharge activity conditions is described. A composite insulator comprising a fiberglass rod surrounded by a polymer housing and connected with metal end fittings on either end of the rod is doped with a dye-based chemical dopant. The dopant is located around the vicinity of the outer surface of the fiberglass rod. The dopant is formulated to possess migration and diffusion characteristics, and to be inert in dry conditions and compatible with the insulator components. The dopant is positioned within the insulator such that upon the penetration of moisture through the housing to the rod through a permeation pathway in the outer surface of the insulator, the dopant will become activated and will leach out of the same permeation pathway or diffuse through the housing. The activated dopant then creates a deposit or stain on the outer surface of the insulator housing. The dopant comprises an oil-soluble dye, an indicator, or a stain compound that can either be visually identified, or is sensitive to radiation at one or more specific wavelengths. The dopant could also be formulated by a nanoparticle enabled material. Deposits of activated dopant on the outer surface of the insulator can be detected upon imaging of the outer surface of the insulator by appropriate imaging instruments or the naked eye.

Indicators for early detection of potential failures due to water exposure of polymer-clad fiberglass

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Spring M Haby