Electric field modification about a conductive structure

Abstract

An apparatus includes a conductive structure and an insulated conductor disposed proximate an exterior portion of the conductive structure to modify an electric field about the conductive structure. The insulated conductor has an insulator with a dielectric strength greater than 75 kilovolts (kV)/inch disposed about a conductor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a conductive structure; and   an insulated conductor disposed proximate an exterior portion of said conductive structure to modify an electric field about said conductive structure, said insulated conductor having an insulator with a dielectric strength greater than 75 kilovolts (kV)/inch disposed about a conductor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket coupled to said conductive structure and said insulated conductor, said bracket configured to support said insulated conductor proximate said exterior portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said bracket has a length to enable said insulated conductor to be disposed a distance from said exterior portion, said distance being at least 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said bracket comprises a conductive material, and said bracket is coupled to said conductor of said insulated conductor, wherein said conductor and said conductive structure are configured to be energized to a first voltage, said first voltage being at least 400 kV. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of grading conductors disposed within said insulator, each of said plurality of grading conductors radially disposed a different distance from said conductor away from said exterior portion of said conductive structure, each of said plurality of grading conductors having an arcuate shape. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of grading conductors has a differing arcuate length. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of grading conductors has a same arcuate length. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of grading conductors has an arcuate length, and wherein radial lines from said conductor to a center of said arcuate length of each of said grading conductors are at different angles from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein each of said plurality of grading conductors are electrically floating. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of grading conductors comprises a first grading conductor radially disposed a first distance from said conductor, a second grading conductor radially disposed a second distance from said conductor, and a third grading conductor radially disposed a third distance from said conductor, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance, and said second distance is less than said third distance, wherein said first grading conductor is configured to receive a first grading voltage, said second grading conductor is configured to receive a second grading voltage, and said third grading conductor configured to receive a third grading voltage, wherein said first grading voltage is greater than said second grading voltage, and said second grading voltage is greater than said third grading voltage. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion of said conductive structure comprises a periphery of a top edge of said conductive structure and a periphery of a bottom edge of said conductive structure, and wherein said insulated conductor comprises a top insulated conductor disposed about said periphery of said top edge and a bottom insulated conductor disposed about said periphery of said bottom edge. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said exterior portion further comprises a periphery of said conductive structure between said top edge and said bottom edge, and wherein said insulated conductor further comprises an intermediate insulated conductor disposed about said periphery of said conductive structure between said top edge and said bottom edge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said exterior portion comprises an edge of said conductive structure, and wherein said insulated conductor comprises at least a first, a second, and a third insulated conductor disposed about said edge. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said edge has an arcuate shape and said first, second, and third insulated conductors are positioned in an arc consistent with said arcuate shape of said edge. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said insulator comprises a first tubular member defining an interior portion, said conductor disposed within said interior portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said first tubular member comprises chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a polyimide. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said insulator further comprises a filler insulator disposed within said interior portion of said first tubular member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said filler insulator comprises pressurized air. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said insulator further comprises a second tubular member, wherein said second tubular member is disposed within said interior portion of said first tubular member.