Device for measuring the temperature of a switching device, method for assembling same, and switching device

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a temperature measuring device for a switchgear. The device includes at least one sensor, which is arranged at or near a predetermined part of the switchgear and is configured to sense the temperature of the predetermined part; a transmission module, which is coupled to the at least one sensor via a cable and is configured to wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature; and a power supply module, which is coupled to the busbar of the switchgear and is configured to obtain power from the busbar by induction and supply it to the transmission module and the at least one sensor. On the one hand, the number of transmission modules is half or less than that of traditional solutions, thereby reducing the cost of the device. On the other hand, the sensor without the transmission module is small in size and can be more conveniently installed in an appropriate location, such as in a pipe, to obtain more accurate temperature data. In addition, the reduction in the number of components such as the transmission module is also conducive to the installation of the device in the switchgear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a switchgear, and more particularly, to an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear and an assembly method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In electrical components such as switchgear, heat is often generated at locations where components such as busbars, cables, and contact units are connected, causing localized high temperatures, or hot spots, at these locations. Monitoring the temperature at these locations is an important factor in ensuring the safety of electrical components.

[0003] Monitoring hotspot temperatures typically involves installing devices such as sensors, which are susceptible to potential damage from improper assembly and prolonged operation. Furthermore, as demand for intelligent control or monitoring of electrical components continues to increase, sensors with wireless modules are becoming increasingly common in switchgear, particularly medium-voltage switchgear. These wireless modules, often integrated with the sensors, wirelessly transmit temperature data for health monitoring.

[0004] As technology advances, the demand for miniaturized switchgear is also increasing, making it difficult to install sensors with integrated wireless modules at or near hotspots. Even if sensors with integrated wireless modules can be installed in a compact space, the proximity to hotspots often damages the wireless modules due to high temperatures. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear.

[0006] In a first aspect, an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear is provided. The apparatus includes at least one sensor disposed at or near a predetermined portion of the switchgear and configured to sense the temperature of the predetermined portion; a transmission module coupled to the at least one sensor via a cable and configured to wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature; and a power module coupled to a busbar of the switchgear and configured to draw power from the busbar by induction and supply the power to the transmission module and the at least one sensor.

[0007] By coupling sensors to the transmission module via cables, the module can be placed in a more convenient location, away from pre-determined locations where high temperatures are common. This streamlines the layout of the switchgear, improving safety and maintenance efficiency. Furthermore, a single transmission module can be coupled to one or more sensors, reducing costs and improving installation efficiency.

[0008] In some embodiments, the device further includes a copper tube serving as at least a portion of the busbar, adapted to accommodate at least a portion of the cable and at least one sensor. This arrangement allows the sensor to sense temperatures more accurately due to its proximity to the hotspot. Furthermore, the reduction in external components effectively reduces the potential for electrical spikes, further enhancing switchgear safety.

[0009] In some embodiments, the device further comprises a housing, which is disposed adjacent to the busbar and is adapted to accommodate the transmission module and the power module. This arrangement further facilitates the installation of the transmission module and the power module.

[0010] In some embodiments, the power module includes an induction unit disposed around the busbar and configured to draw power from the busbar by induction; and a voltage regulation unit coupled to the induction unit and configured to adjust the voltage to match the requirements of the at least one sensor and the transmission module. This allows the power module to draw power directly from the busbar, eliminating the need for additional batteries or cables and facilitating device miniaturization.

[0011] In some embodiments, the voltage regulating unit and the transmission module are arranged on a printed circuit board. This arrangement improves the integration of the device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the printed circuit board includes a through hole for the busbar to pass through, so that the device can be easily installed at a suitable position on the busbar, thereby further facilitating the installation of the induction unit around the busbar.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the housing or the printed circuit board is in a ring or semi-ring shape suitable for being detachably arranged around the busbar. In this way, the device can be easily installed in a suitable position on the busbar while reducing the possibility of charge accumulation at sharp corners.

[0014] In some embodiments, each of the at least one sensor includes a mounting portion adapted to mount the corresponding sensor in a pipe using a fastener; and a sensing circuit encapsulated with thermally conductive adhesive and adapted to sense temperature. This allows the sensor to be easily mounted in the pipe, thereby improving installation efficiency.

[0015] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a mounting module coupled to the tube and configured to facilitate mounting the tube to the switchgear. This arrangement may improve the stability of the apparatus.

[0016] In a second aspect, a method for assembling an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear is provided. The method includes placing at least one sensor at or near a predetermined portion of the switchgear to sense the temperature of the predetermined portion; coupling a transmission module to the at least one sensor via a cable, wherein the transmission module is adapted to wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature; and coupling a power module to a busbar of the switchgear, wherein the power module is configured to draw power from the busbar by induction and supply the power to the transmission module and the at least one sensor.

[0017] In a third aspect, a switch device is provided, which includes the apparatus according to the first aspect.

[0018] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent through a more detailed description of example embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like components in example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 1 A side view showing an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 A perspective view showing an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 A side view showing an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the installation of an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a side view of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 7 An exploded view showing a housing of an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 8 A perspective view showing a sensor of an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 9An exploded view showing an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0028] Figure 10 A flow chart illustrating a method for assembling an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present disclosure will now be discussed in conjunction with several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the purpose of discussing these embodiments is only to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and further implement the present disclosure, rather than implying any limitation on the scope of the subject matter.

[0031] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations should be understood as open terms, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. can refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the definitions of terms are consistent throughout the specification.

[0032] The health of electrical devices such as switchgear is one of the most important concerns for users. Temperature monitoring, as essential data for the health of switchgear, is indispensable. Furthermore, the need for temperature monitoring in distribution switchgear, especially hotspot temperature monitoring at busbar joints, cable joints, and circuit breaker (CB) arm joints, requires the installation of related components such as sensors, which are susceptible to possible improper assembly and long-term overdue operation.

[0033] Furthermore, with the development of technology, sensors with wireless modules are widely used in switchgear, especially medium voltage switchgear. The wireless modules usually integrated with the sensors can wirelessly transmit data representing temperature for health monitoring.

[0034] However, with some newly designed switchgear with tighter spaces within each compartment, it can be difficult to find free space at each hotspot to install sensors with integrated wireless modules, which can lead to high risks during dielectric withstand voltage testing. Even if sensors with integrated wireless modules can be installed in a compact space, the proximity to the hotspot often results in damage from high temperatures.

[0035] In order to solve or at least partially solve the above and other potential problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus 100 for measuring the temperature of a switchgear 200 . Figure 1 A side view illustrating an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the apparatus 100 for measuring the temperature of a switchgear 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure generally includes at least one sensor 101 , a transmission module 102 , and a power module 103 that provides power to the transmission module 102 and the at least one sensor 101 .

[0037] In order to facilitate monitoring of the temperature of some predetermined portions of the switchgear 200 where high temperature often occurs, at least one sensor 101 is arranged at or near the predetermined portions to sense the temperature thereof.

[0038] Unlike conventional solutions, the sensor 101 is separated from the transmission module 102. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one transmission module 102 can be coupled to one or more sensors 101. Specifically, the transmission module 102 is coupled to at least one sensor 101 via a cable 1021. In this way, the transmission module 102 can obtain data from the at least one sensor 101 and wirelessly transmit the data representing the temperature to, for example, a control unit of a switchgear, or an external device such as a computer or even a mobile phone.

[0039] This allows the transmission module to be placed in a more appropriate location, away from predetermined locations where high temperatures are common. This streamlines the layout of the switchgear 200, improving safety and maintenance efficiency. Furthermore, a single transmission module can be coupled to one or more sensors, reducing costs and improving installation efficiency.

[0040] In some embodiments, the temperature data from the sensor can be transmitted in the form of a digital pulse signal. For example, in some embodiments, the transmission module or its counting unit can obtain the temperature data by counting the number of pulses within a predetermined time slot. This allows for more efficient and interference-free transmission of the data to the transmission module.

[0041] It should be understood that the above-described embodiment in which data can be transmitted in the form of a digital pulse signal is merely illustrative and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Any other suitable means or forms are also possible. For example, in some alternative embodiments, data representing temperature from a sensor can be transmitted in the form of an analog signal. In these embodiments, a D / A unit can be provided in the transmission module 102 or between the transmission module 102 and the sensor 101.

[0042] In some embodiments, the transmission module can transmit data via any appropriate wireless transmission method, including but not limited to at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), 6LoWPAN, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wi-Fi Direct, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), LTE, Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and LTE-M.

[0043] Furthermore, the power module 103 can be coupled to the busbar of the switchgear 200 to draw power from the busbar by induction. As described above, the power drawn from the busbar can be supplied to the transmission module 102 and the at least one sensor 101 via cables. This eliminates the need for an additional power source such as a battery, thereby contributing to the miniaturization of the device 100.

[0044] In some embodiments, the power module 103 may include an induction unit 1031. The induction unit 1031 may be an iron core with a coil disposed around a busbar. In this manner, the induction unit 1031 can draw power through induction. The induction unit 1031 may also include a voltage regulator 1032, coupled to the induction unit 1031 to regulate the voltage to meet the requirements of at least one sensor 101 and the transmission module 102. For example, the voltage regulator 1032 may convert the voltage to 3.3V for use by the sensor 101 and the transmission module 102.

[0045] The predetermined portion of the switchgear 200 described above may be a hotspot of the switchgear 200, typically located at a busbar joint, a cable joint, or a circuit breaker (CB) arm joint. In some alternative embodiments, the predetermined portion may alternatively or additionally be any other suitable location where temperature monitoring is desired. The present disclosure will be described below using the example of placing a sensor at a hotspot, but it should be understood that the sensor may also be placed at other suitable locations.

[0046] In some embodiments, device 100 can be used in existing switchgear with plate-type busbars. For example, in each phase of an upper or lower branch, multiple sensors 101 can be placed at or near a hotspot at a busbar joint, cable joint, or CB arm joint. Simultaneously, a transmission module 102 coupled to multiple sensors 101 via cable 1021 can be positioned appropriately away from the hotspot. Cable 1021 and / or multiple sensors 101 can be placed in an additional tube or sleeve extending along the busbar. This arrangement facilitates retrofitting existing switchgear to obtain more accurate temperature measurements.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the device may also include a tube made of copper, which may serve as at least a portion of the busbar. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, at least a portion of the cable 1021 and at least one sensor 101 can be placed in the tube 105. This allows the sensor 101 to be placed closer to the hot spot, thereby obtaining a more accurate temperature value. In some embodiments, the cable 1021 and at least one sensor 101 are all placed in the tube to avoid charge accumulation at sharp corners, thereby improving the stability of the device.

[0048] Furthermore, arranging a portion of the cable 1021 and the sensor 101 within the tube reduces the number and size of exposed external components. Here, external components refer to components arranged outside the busbar. To prevent charge accumulation at sharp corners, the fewer external components, the better, except for essential components.

[0049] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the reduction of external components can effectively reduce the possibility of charge accumulation at sharp corners, thereby further improving the safety of the switchgear. In addition, for parts of cables or sensors that cannot be hidden in the tube, additional tubes made of other suitable materials can be provided to encase these parts of the cables or sensors, thereby preventing charge accumulation at sharp corners.

[0050] In order to realize the above arrangement, for existing switchgear, the busbars of the upper branch or lower branch can be replaced by copper tubes. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device 100 shown can be used to replace the existing plate-shaped busbar of the upper branch. Figure 3 The device 100 shown can be used to replace Figure 4 and Figure 6 For newly developed switchgear, both upper and lower branch busbars can be made of copper tubes 105. This makes the layout of the switchgear more reasonable, thereby improving safety and maintenance efficiency.

[0051] In some embodiments, in order to facilitate the installation of the transmission module 102 and the power module 103, a busbar can be provided with Figures 1 to 3 The housing 104 is shown. The transmission module 102 and the power module 103 can be arranged in the housing 104 to improve the integration of the device 100. In addition, the housing 104 can have rounded chamfers to prevent charge from accumulating at sharp corners.

[0052] In some embodiments, the voltage regulating unit 1032 and the transmission module 102 may be disposed on a printed circuit board 106. Figure 7 It should be understood that Figure 7The positions of the transmission module 102 and the voltage regulating unit 1032 are merely illustrative. This arrangement can further improve the integration of the device 100. In some embodiments, a through hole 1061 can be provided on the printed circuit board 106 for the busbar to pass through.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, in addition to printed circuit board 106, housing 104 also has a through-hole for the busbar to pass through. For example, in some embodiments, at least one of housing 104 or printed circuit board 106 has an annular or semi-annular shape suitable for removably placing around the busbar. Thus, device 100 can be easily installed in a suitable position on the busbar, further facilitating the installation of the induction unit around the busbar.

[0054] In order to facilitate the installation of the sensor 101 in the pipe, Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the sensor 101 may be generally plate-shaped, with a mounting portion 1011 at one end and a sensing circuit 1012 at the other end. The mounting portion 1011 may have a through hole for a fastener to pass through, so that the sensor 101 can be installed in the tube 105.

[0055] In some embodiments, the fasteners may be screws, for example. To facilitate screw manipulation, through-holes may be provided on the side of the tube 105 diametrically opposite the side where the sensor 101 is to be mounted. This allows a tool to be passed through the through-holes to manipulate the screws. The sensing circuit 1012 may be enclosed with thermally conductive adhesive to protect it while facilitating heat transfer for more accurate temperature sensing.

[0056] To facilitate mounting the tube 105 to the switchgear 200, in some embodiments, a mounting module 107 may be coupled to the tube 105. Figure 9 As shown, in some embodiments, a mounting module 107 can be disposed in the housing 104. The mounting module 107 can include elements that can be coupled to corresponding elements disposed in the switchgear 200 to mount the tube 105 to the switchgear 200.

[0057] As can be seen from the foregoing, using the device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a single transmission module 102 can be coupled to one or more sensors. On the one hand, the number of transmission modules 102 is half or less than that of conventional solutions, thereby reducing the cost of the device. On the other hand, the sensor 100 without a transmission module is smaller in size, making it easier to install in appropriate locations (such as in the pipe 105) to obtain more accurate temperature data. Furthermore, the reduced number of components, such as the transmission module 102, also facilitates the installation of the device 100 in the switchgear 200.

[0058] The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method for assembling an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear. Figure 10 A flow chart 500 illustrating the method is shown. As shown, at block 510, at least one sensor 101 is positioned at or near a predetermined portion of a switchgear to sense a temperature of the predetermined portion.

[0059] At block 520, the transmission module 102 is coupled to the at least one sensor 101 via a cable 1021. The transmission module 102 can wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature to a module (such as a control unit on the low voltage side). At block 530, the power module 103 is coupled to the busbar of the switchgear 200. The power module 103 can obtain power from the busbar by induction and supply it to the transmission module 102 and the at least one sensor 101.

[0060] It should be understood that the order of the above steps does not mean that the method must be performed in this order, and the execution order of these steps can be adjusted or these steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0061] It should be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are merely illustrative or illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. At the same time, the claims appended to the present disclosure are intended to cover all variations and modifications that fall within the scope and boundaries of the claims or equivalents of the scope and boundaries.

Claims

1. A device for measuring the temperature of a switchgear, comprising: at least one sensor (101) disposed at or near a predetermined portion of the switchgear (200) and configured to sense a temperature of the predetermined portion; a transmission module (102) coupled to the at least one sensor (101) via a cable (1021) and configured to wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature; as well as a power module (103) coupled to a busbar of the switchgear (200) and configured to obtain power from the busbar by induction and supply the power to the transmission module (102) and the at least one sensor (101); and A tube (105) serving as at least a portion of the busbar, the tube (105) being adapted to accommodate at least a portion of the cable (1021) and the at least one sensor (101).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The tube (105) is made of copper.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A housing (104) is disposed adjacent to the busbar and is adapted to accommodate the transmission module (102) and the power module (103).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply module (103) comprises: an induction unit (1031), disposed around the bus bar and configured to obtain power from the bus bar through induction; as well as A voltage regulating unit (1032) is coupled to the sensing unit (1031) and is configured to regulate the voltage to match the requirements of the at least one sensor (101) and the transmission module (102).

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the voltage regulating unit (1032) and the transmission module (103) are arranged on a printed circuit board (106).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the printed circuit board (106) comprises a through hole (1061) for allowing the bus bar to pass through.

7. The device according to claim 3 or 6, wherein at least one of the housing (104) and the printed circuit board (106) has an annular shape or a semi-annular shape adapted to be detachably arranged around the busbar.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least one sensor (101) comprises: a mounting portion (1011) adapted to mount the at least one sensor (101) in the tube (105) via a fastener; as well as A sensing circuit (1012) is sealed by thermally conductive glue and is suitable for sensing the temperature.

9. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A mounting module (107) is coupled to the tube (105) and is configured to facilitate mounting the tube (105) to the switchgear (200).

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined portion includes at least one hot spot of the switching device.

11. A method for assembling an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a switchgear, comprising: Arranging at least one sensor (101) at or near a predetermined portion of the switchgear (200) to sense a temperature of the predetermined portion; A transmission module (102) is coupled to the at least one sensor (101) via a cable (1021), and the transmission module (102) is adapted to wirelessly transmit data representing the temperature; as well as A power module (103) is coupled to a busbar of the switchgear (200), wherein the power module (103) is configured to obtain power from the busbar by induction and supply the power to the transmission module (102) and the at least one sensor (101); using a tube (105) serving as at least a portion of the busbar; and The cable (1021) and at least a portion of the at least one sensor (101) are arranged within the tube.

12. A switchgear comprising the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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