Abstract: A method of making a dry type insulation is provided. The method includes combining a base fiber having a first outer surface with a binder material wherein the base fiber has a first melting point and the binder material has a second melting point which is different from the first melting point, heating the base fiber and binder material to a temperature above the second melting point, but below the first melting point using a double-belt press to form a resultant dry type insulation, compressing the base fiber and binder material using the double-belt press to form the resultant dry type insulation and cooling the resultant dry type insulation using the double-belt press.

Abstract: A power transformer is provided that includes a first transformer component, a second transformer component; and an electrical insulator. The electrical insulator is disposed between the first transformer component and the second transformer component. The electrical insulator includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a binder fiber. The binder fiber is a staple fiber coated with a binder material. The second layer has an uncoated staple fiber. The first layer and the second layer are bound together with the binder material.

Abstract: A dry type electrical insulation is provided. The insulation includes a base fiber having an outer surface and a first melting point and a binder material, coated onto the outer surface of the base fiber, having a second melting point. In this insulation, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point. A dry type insulation matrix is also provided. The insulation matrix includes a plurality of composite fibers having a base fiber having a first melting point and a binder material co-extruded therewith, having a second melting point. In this insulation matrix, the second melting point is lower than the first.

Abstract: A power transformer is provided that includes a first transformer component, a second transformer component; and an electrical insulator. The electrical insulator is disposed between the first transformer component and the second transformer component. The electrical insulator includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a binder fiber. The binder fiber is a staple fiber coated with a binder material. The second layer has an uncoated staple fiber. The first layer and the second layer are bound together with the binder material.

Abstract: A power transformer is provided that includes a first transformer component, a second transformer component, and a composite structure positioned between the first transformer component and the second transformer component. The composite structure includes a first composite fiber having at least one base fiber, a sheath of binder material, and nanoclay particles, and a second composite fiber, having at least one base fiber, bound to the first composite fiber by at least a portion of the sheath.

Abstract: A dry type electrical insulation is provided. The insulation includes a base fiber having an outer surface and a first melting point and a binder material, coated onto the outer surface of the base fiber, having a second melting point. In this insulation, the second melting point is lower than the first melting point. A dry type insulation matrix is also provided. The insulation matrix includes a plurality of composite fibers having a base fiber having a first melting point and a binder material co-extruded therewith, having a second melting point. In this insulation matrix, the second melting point is lower than the first.

Abstract: A method of making a dry type insulation is provided. The method includes combining a base fiber having a first outer surface with a binder material wherein the base fiber has a first melting point and the binder material has a second melting point which is different from the first melting point, heating the base fiber and binder material to a temperature above the second melting point, but below the first melting point using a double-belt press to form a resultant dry type insulation, compressing the base fiber and binder material using the double-belt press to form the resultant dry type insulation and cooling the resultant dry type insulation using the double-belt press.

Abstract: An insulation system for a fluid-filled power transformer that allows for operation of the transformer at higher temperatures and with lowered susceptibility to aging. The insulation system includes a plurality of fibers that are bound together by a solid binding agent. The solid binding agent may, for example, for sheaths around the fibers or may be in the form of dispersed particles that bind the fibers to each other. Also, a method of fabricating such an insulation system.

Abstract: An insulation system for a fluid-filled power transformer that allows for operation of the transformer at higher temperatures and with lowered susceptibility to aging. The insulation system includes a plurality of fibers that are bound together by a solid binding agent. The solid binding agent may, for example, for sheaths around the fibers or may be in the form of dispersed particles that bind the fibers to each other. Also, a method of fabricating such an insulation system.

Abstract: A dielectric material that includes an epoxy matrix and a high-voltage dielectric insulating fluid. The epoxy matrix includes a porosity of at least 20% by volume and at least 90% of the porosity is in the matrix is accessible to the insulating fluid. Also, a method of forming a dielectric material with such high porosity and impregnability by an insulating fluid.

Abstract: A structural and insulating material for cryogenic power transformers uses nonwoven fibers, such as polyester matting, embedded within epoxy made highly porous with a blowing agent. The open cell foam of the material is characterized by controlled pore size and density, tolerance of extreme thermal gradients, and strength at cryogenic temperatures, and is selected for compatibility with dielectric fluids such as liquid nitrogen and cryogenic blends.

Abstract: A probe cell monitors conditions within electrical power transmission and switchgear apparatus to detect degradation of stressed components. The probe cell is a hardware simulation of components of a specific unit of electrical power apparatus, including electrodes between which an electric field gradient is established. The probe cell electrodes accumulate contamination at a rate related to accumulation rate on components of working apparatus. In a typical embodiment, a probe cell installed within an enclosure shares the insulating, hydrocarbon-based immersion fluid of the apparatus. Because the probe cell can be invasively tested and results recorded as often as desired without deenergizing the actual apparatus, degradation of the apparatus can be predicted with high confidence, avoiding unnecessary maintenance as well as unexpected catastrophic failure. Potential reduction in unproductive preventive maintenance while avoiding emergency repairs can offset probe cell cost.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes a vessel, a desiccant container, a valve housing coupled to the vessel, and a vent assembly coupled to the valve housing. The vent assembly includes screened ports disposed along a vertical axis of the vent assembly body that allow air to enter and exit the dehydrator breather. The vent assembly, along with a filter placed between a desiccant container and the valve housing, individually and jointly, prevent desiccant that escapes the desiccant container from clogging the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting high voltage leads to a super-conducting transformer is provided that includes a first super-conducting coil set, a second super-conducting coil set, and a third super-conducting coil set. The first, second and third super-conducting coil sets are connected via an insulated interconnect system that includes insulated conductors and insulated connectors that are utilized to connect the first, second, and third super-conducting coil sets to the high voltage leads.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes a vessel, a desiccant container, a valve housing coupled to the vessel, and a vent assembly coupled to the valve housing. The vent assembly includes screened ports disposed along a vertical axis of the vent assembly body that allow air to enter and exit the dehydrator breather. The vent assembly, along with a filter placed between a desiccant container and the valve housing, individually and jointly, prevent desiccant that escapes the desiccant container from clogging the valve assembly.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes a vessel, a desiccant container, a valve housing coupled to the vessel, and a vent assembly coupled to the valve housing. The vent assembly includes screened ports disposed along a vertical axis of the vent assembly body that allow air to enter and exit the dehydrator breather. The vent assembly, along with a filter placed between a desiccant container and the valve housing, individually and jointly, prevent desiccant that escapes the desiccant container from clogging the valve assembly.

Abstract: A system that controls nitrogen pressure in the ullage of a power transformer that has its windings submerged in oil. The pressure is controlled in a narrow range of approximately 0.5 psi to approximately 2.0 psi. A nitrogen generator supplies the nitrogen to a reservoir from which it is distributed to the ullage as well as to accessories such as a load tap changer or a control box. A temperature regulator is provided for substation installations that are located in climates with wide ambient temperature variations to control the pressure of the generated nitrogen in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A system that controls nitrogen pressure in the ullage of a power transformer that has its windings submerged in oil. The pressure is controlled in a narrow range of approximately 0.5 psi to approximately 2.0 psi. A nitrogen generator supplies the nitrogen to a reservoir from which it is distributed to the ullage as well as to accessories such as a load tap changer or a control box. A temperature regulator is provided for substation installations that are located in climates with wide ambient temperature variations to control the pressure of the generated nitrogen in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A dehydrator breather is provided that includes automatic purging of accumulated moisture by detecting absorbed moisture in the breather, and closing an intake air channel, while opening an exit moisture channel. Adjustment of a default time-based purging cycle is adjusted to account for fluctuations in the detected moisture. An external communication capability is provided to enable off-site monitoring of the breather or the tank the breather is attached to.