Two-phase mixed media dielectric with macro dielectric beads for enhancing resistivity and breakdown strength

A two-phase dielectric composite comprising:

• a dielectric liquid;
• and
• a plurality of macro dielectric beads immersed in said dielectric liquid, said macro dielectric beads having a size greater than about 1 mm in diameter, and of a material type insoluble in said dielectric liquid so as not to be structurally compromised by said dielectric liquid when immersed therein and electrical properties of said dielectric liquid are not compromised by said macro dielectric beads,
• whereby said packed macro dielectric beads inhibit electro-hydrodynamically driven current flows of said dielectric liquid in the presence of an electric field and increase the resistivity and breakdown strength of said two-phase dielectric composite over said dielectric liquid alone.

An electrical apparatus comprising:

• a casing surrounding a confined volume;
• conductive components of different electrical potential disposed within the confined volume;
• and
• a two-phase dielectric composite comprising a plurality of macro dielectric beads packed into the confined volume and between the conductive components to form interstices between said macro dielectric beads, and a dielectric liquid filling the interstices between said macro dielectric beads in the confined volume, wherein said macro dielectric beads are insoluble in said dielectric liquid so as not to be structurally compromised by said dielectric liquid and electrical properties of said dielectric liquid are not compromised by said macro dielectric beads,
• whereby said packed macro dielectric beads inhibit electro-hydrodynamically driven current flows of said dielectric liquid between the conductive components and increase the resistivity and breakdown strength of said two-phase dielectric composite over said dielectric liquid alone.