Switching device
By introducing air ducts and coolers into the switching equipment, the problem of excessive temperature inside the circuit breaker is solved, and more efficient cooling effect and better heat dissipation effect are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411671452.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-11-21
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-23
AI Technical Summary
In medium-voltage applications, the internal temperature of the circuit breaker is too high, and the existing design lacks enough space for the cold air to flow, resulting in insolubilization of cooling efficiency.
A switching device is designed, including a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of coolers and at least one air duct. The cold air is directed into the cooler through the air duct, improving the cooling efficiency of the circuit breaker and ensuring that the hot air is fully discharged from the inside of the switching device through the air deflector.
By increasing the flow of cold air, the cooling efficiency of the circuit breaker is significantly improved and the internal temperature is reduced, which avoids hot air heating other parts of the equipment, thereby improving the overall cooling effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN120033016A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to a switchgear, for example for medium voltage applications, and to a method of cooling a switchgear. Background Art
[0002] Electrical switching devices conduct current and therefore generate ohmic losses, which lead to a temperature increase. Standards specify limits for the permissible temperature rise.
[0003] Providing cooling for circuit breakers is very important in medium voltage applications where heat is generated due to Joule heating caused by the current passing through it.
[0004] The heat dissipation of the internal parts of the circuit breaker depends on heat conduction to the cooler. The cooler can be mounted on the top, arm or other parts of the circuit breaker. The heat of the circuit breaker is transferred to these coolers, which are then cooled by air that is cooler than the cooler itself.
[0005] However, in current designs of circuit breakers within switchgear, there is not enough space for cooling air to flow. Figure 1 This situation is shown, where areas without cooler air flow are shown.
[0006] This situation can cause the internal temperature of the circuit breaker to be too high, and even a highly optimized cooler cannot reduce the internal temperature of the circuit breaker.
[0007] It is necessary to solve this problem. Summary of the invention
[0008] Therefore, it would be advantageous to improve the ability to extract thermal energy from switchgear circuit breakers.
[0009] The objects of the invention are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.
[0010] In a first aspect, there is provided a switchgear comprising:
[0011] - Multiple circuit breakers;
[0012] - a plurality of first coolers; and
[0013] - At least one first air duct.
[0014] Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto. At least one first air duct is configured to direct air from outside the switchgear into the plurality of first coolers.
[0015] In this way, cold air from outside the switchgear is forced into the circuit breaker cooler, taking away the heat in the cooler, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the circuit breaker.
[0016] In one example, the first cooler is a radiator.
[0017] In one example, the switchgear includes at least one second air duct, wherein the at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of first coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
[0018] In this way, the cold air that enters the switchgear to cool the cooler associated with the circuit breaker and thereby helps cool the circuit breaker is heated by passing through the cooler and is extracted into the environment outside the switchgear to prevent the hot air from heating other components inside the switchgear. Therefore, since the cold air brought in from outside the switchgear is heated by the circuit breaker, energy is removed from the circuit breaker and the entire switchgear interior, and then the heated air is removed from the switchgear interior.
[0019] In one example, the air exiting the plurality of first coolers includes air from outside the switchgear that is directed into the plurality of first coolers by the at least one first air duct.
[0020] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of second coolers thermally connected to the plurality of circuit breakers. The switchgear also includes at least one third air duct. Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto. The at least one third air duct is configured to direct air outside the switchgear into the plurality of second coolers.
[0021] By installing two coolers positioned towards both ends of the circuit breaker, the cooling of the circuit breaker can be improved. The cooling of the circuit breaker is further improved because, by introducing air from outside the switchgear into the coolers, the coolers themselves are cooled to extract air.
[0022] In one example, the second cooler is a radiator.
[0023] In one example, a switchgear includes a plurality of air deflectors. The plurality of circuit breakers are vertically oriented, and the plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, and the plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers. Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated air deflector from the plurality of air deflectors. The air deflector associated with a circuit breaker is configured to deflect air leaving the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker to around the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0024] It should be noted that the air deflector itself may be an air duct that deflects the air by ducting the air, or may be a different type of air deflector.
[0025] In this way, the cooler at the lower end of the circuit breaker is cooled by forcing air outside the switchgear to enter and pass through the cooler, and the air is heated and then rises. This heated air is then directed around the cooler for the circuit breaker at the upper end of the circuit breaker to ensure that the upper cooler is not heated by the air cooling the lower cooler. Therefore, the working efficiency of the upper cooler is not affected. In this way, the overall cooling performance of the circuit breaker is improved.
[0026] In one example, an air deflector associated with the circuit breaker is configured to deflect air exiting a second cooler associated with the circuit breaker around two sides of a first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0027] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors comprises a V-shape.
[0028] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors includes an air duct.
[0029] The air deflector or guide vane can therefore take a simple shape, such as a flat sheet of metal bent in the middle into a V-shaped cross section. It is then positioned below the upper cooler with the apex of the triangular cross-section guide vane pointing downwards towards the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and turns in two directions and by appropriate dimensioning and positioning of the guide vanes, the hot air can be made to bypass the upper cooler without causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing cold air from outside the switchgear through it.
[0030] However, the air deflector may be at least one air duct. Thus, the opening of the air duct may be located below the upper cooler and above the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and enters the air deflector in the form of an air duct which directs / deflects the air around the upper cooler, thus not causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing the cold air outside the switchgear through it.
[0031] In one example, the plurality of second coolers are mounted to side surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0032] In one example, the at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of second coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
[0033] This ensures that the heated air is fully exhausted from the switchgear, thereby improving the cooling of the circuit breaker and other components within the switchgear.
[0034] In one example, the air exiting the plurality of second coolers includes air from outside the switchgear that is directed into the plurality of second coolers by the at least one third air duct.
[0035] In one example, the plurality of first coolers are mounted to top surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0036] In a second aspect, a method for cooling a switchgear is provided. The switchgear comprises a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of first coolers and at least one first air duct. Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto. The method comprises:
[0037] - air outside the switchgear is guided into the plurality of first coolers via the at least one first air duct.
[0038] In one example, the switchgear comprises at least one second air duct, and the method comprises:
[0039] - directing the air leaving the plurality of first coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct.
[0040] In one example, the method includes:
[0041] - directing air leaving the plurality of first coolers through at least one second air duct, the air comprising air from outside the switchgear directed into the plurality of first coolers by the at least one first air duct.
[0042] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of second coolers thermally connected to the plurality of circuit breakers. The switchgear also includes at least one third air duct. Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto. The method includes:
[0043] - air outside the switchgear is guided into the plurality of second coolers via the at least one third air duct.
[0044] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of air deflectors. The plurality of circuit breakers are vertically oriented. The plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, and the plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers. Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated air deflector of the plurality of air deflectors. The method includes:
[0045] - air leaving a second cooler associated with a circuit breaker is deflected by an air deflector associated with the circuit breaker around a first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0046] It is worth noting that the air deflector itself may be an air duct that deflects the air by ducting the air, or may be a different type of air deflector.
[0047] In one example, the method includes:
[0048] - deflecting the air leaving the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker around the sides of the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker by means of air deflectors associated with the circuit breaker.
[0049] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors comprises a V-shape.
[0050] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors includes an air duct.
[0051] The air deflector or guide vane can therefore take a simple shape, such as a flat sheet of metal bent in the middle into a V-shaped cross section. It is then positioned below the upper cooler with the apex of the triangular cross-section guide vane pointing downwards towards the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and turns in two directions and by appropriate dimensioning and positioning of the guide vanes, the hot air can be made to bypass the upper cooler without causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing cold air from outside the switchgear through it.
[0052] However, the air deflector may be at least one air duct. Thus, the opening of the air duct may be located below the upper cooler and above the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and enters the air deflector in the form of an air duct which directs / deflects the air around the upper cooler, thus not causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing the cold air outside the switchgear through it.
[0053] In one example, the plurality of second coolers are mounted to sides of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0054] In one example, the method includes:
[0055] - directing the air leaving the plurality of second coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct.
[0056] In one example, the method includes:
[0057] - directing air leaving the plurality of second coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct, wherein the air leaving the plurality of second coolers comprises air from the outside of the switchgear directed into the plurality of second coolers by the at least one third air duct.
[0058] In one example, the plurality of first coolers are mounted to top surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0059] The above aspects and examples will become apparent and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the following drawings:
[0061] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the interior of a known switchgear having a circuit breaker with a cooler, wherein there are areas without cooler air flow; and
[0062] Figure 2 A schematic representation of one example of a novel switchgear is shown, in which air is directed into and out of a cooler of a circuit breaker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] Figure 2 A new switchgear design is provided in which the cooling of the circuit breaker is improved.
[0064] The exemplary switchgear 10 comprises:
[0065] - a plurality of circuit breakers 20;
[0066] - a plurality of first coolers 30, 40; and
[0067] - At least one first air duct 60 , 70 .
[0068] Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto. The at least one first air duct is configured to direct air from outside the switchgear into the plurality of first coolers.
[0069] In this way, cool air from outside the switchgear is forced into the circuit breaker cooler, which takes away the heat in the cooler and improves the cooling efficiency of the circuit breaker.
[0070] The first cooler may be located anywhere relative to the circuit breaker: for example, top, middle, bottom, side.
[0071] The circuit breakers and associated coolers are located in the switchgear compartment.
[0072] The air duct leads to a hole in the outer wall of the switchgear compartment and may have an automatically closing safety shutter at the compartment wall which closes if the pressure in the compartment increases (e.g. due to a short circuit), thereby providing protection and preventing hot gases and particles from escaping from the compartment.
[0073] In one example, the first cooler is a radiator.
[0074] In one example, the switchgear includes at least one second air duct, and the at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of first coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
[0075] In this way, the cold air that enters the switchgear to cool the cooler associated with the circuit breaker and thereby helps cool the circuit breaker is heated by passing through the cooler and is extracted into the environment outside the switchgear to prevent the hot air from heating other components inside the switchgear. Therefore, since the cold air brought in from outside the switchgear is heated by the circuit breaker, energy is removed from the circuit breaker and the entire switchgear interior, and then the heated air is removed from the switchgear interior.
[0076] In one example, the air exiting the plurality of first coolers includes air from outside the switchgear that is directed into the plurality of first coolers by the at least one first air duct.
[0077] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of second coolers 30, 40 thermally connected to a plurality of circuit breakers. The switchgear also includes at least one third air duct 60, 70. Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto. The at least one third air duct is configured to guide air outside the switchgear into the plurality of second coolers.
[0078] By installing two coolers positioned towards both ends of the circuit breaker, the cooling of the circuit breaker can be improved. The cooling of the circuit breaker is further improved because, by introducing air from outside the switchgear into the coolers, the coolers themselves are cooled to extract air.
[0079] In one example, the second cooler is a radiator.
[0080] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of air deflectors 50. The plurality of circuit breakers are oriented vertically, and the plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, and the plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers. Each circuit breaker in the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated air deflector in the plurality of air deflectors. The air deflector associated with the circuit breaker is configured to deflect air leaving the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker to around the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0081] It should be noted that the air deflector itself may be an air duct that deflects the air by ducting the air, or may be a different type of air deflector.
[0082] In this way, the cooler at the lower end of the circuit breaker is cooled by forcing air from outside the switchgear into and through the cooler, and this air is heated and then rises. This heated air is then directed around the circuit breaker cooler at the upper end of the circuit breaker to ensure that the upper cooler is not heated by the air cooling the lower part. Therefore, the working efficiency of the upper cooler is not affected. In this way, the overall cooling performance of the circuit breaker is improved.
[0083] In one example, an air deflector associated with a circuit breaker is configured to deflect air exiting a second cooler associated with the circuit breaker around two sides of a first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0084] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors comprises a V-shape.
[0085] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors includes an air duct.
[0086] The air deflector or guide vane can therefore take a simple shape, such as a flat sheet of metal bent in the middle into a V-shaped cross section. It is then positioned below the upper cooler with the apex of the triangular cross-section guide vane pointing downwards towards the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and turns in two directions and by appropriate dimensioning and positioning of the guide vanes, the hot air can be made to bypass the upper cooler without causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing cold air from outside the switchgear through it.
[0087] However, the air deflector may be at least one air duct. Thus, the opening of the air duct may be located below the upper cooler and above the lower cooler. The air cooling the heated lower cooler then rises and enters the air deflector in the form of an air duct which directs / deflects the air around the upper cooler, thus not causing any heating of the upper cooler, which itself is cooled by forcing the cold air outside the switchgear through it.
[0088] In one example, the plurality of second coolers are mounted to sides of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0089] In one example, the at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of second coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
[0090] This ensures that the heated air is fully exhausted from the switchgear, thereby improving the cooling of the circuit breaker and other components within the switchgear.
[0091] In one example, the air exiting the plurality of second coolers includes air from outside the switchgear that is directed into the plurality of second coolers by at least one third air duct.
[0092] In one example, the plurality of first coolers are mounted to top surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
[0093] An exemplary method of cooling a switchgear 10 is now described. The switchgear comprises a plurality of circuit breakers 20, a plurality of first coolers 30, 40 and at least one first air duct 60, 70. Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto. The method comprises:
[0094] - air outside the switchgear is guided into the plurality of first coolers via the at least one first air duct.
[0095] In one example, the switchgear comprises at least one second air duct, and the method comprises:
[0096] - directing the air leaving the plurality of first coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct.
[0097] In one example, the method includes:
[0098] - directing air leaving the plurality of first coolers through at least one second air duct, the air comprising air from outside the switchgear directed into the plurality of first coolers by the at least one first air duct.
[0099] In one example, the switchgear comprises a plurality of second coolers 30, 40 thermally connected to a plurality of circuit breakers. The switchgear further comprises at least one third air duct 60, 70. Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto. The method comprises:
[0100] - air outside the switchgear is guided into the plurality of second coolers via the at least one third air duct.
[0101] In one example, the switchgear includes a plurality of air deflectors. The plurality of circuit breakers are vertically oriented. A plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, and a plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers. Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated air deflector of the plurality of air deflectors. The method includes:
[0102] - air leaving a second cooler associated with the circuit breaker is deflected by an air deflector associated with the circuit breaker around a first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0103] It is worth noting that the air deflector itself may be an air duct that deflects the air by ducting the air, or may be a different type of air deflector.
[0104] In one example, the method includes:
[0105] - air leaving a second cooler associated with the circuit breaker is deflected by air deflectors associated with the circuit breaker around both sides of a first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
[0106] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors comprises a V-shape.
[0107] In one example, each of the plurality of air deflectors includes an air duct.
[0108] In one example, a plurality of second coolers are mounted to sides of a plurality of circuit breakers.
[0109] In one example, the method includes:
[0110] - directing the air leaving the plurality of second coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct.
[0111] In one example, the method includes:
[0112] - directing air leaving the plurality of second coolers to the outside of the switchgear through the at least one second air duct, wherein the air leaving the plurality of second coolers comprises air from the outside of the switchgear directed into the plurality of second coolers by the at least one third air duct.
[0113] In one example, a plurality of first coolers are mounted to top surfaces of a plurality of circuit breakers.
[0114] The new development described above significantly improves the air flow to the cooler of the circuit breaker inside the switchgear, thereby improving the heat dissipation of the circuit breaker compartment.
[0115] In summary, therefore, the new development relates to improved cooling of circuit breakers inside medium voltage switchgear applications.
[0116] This involves using air ducting to force air into the circuit breaker cooler. This causes:
[0117] The flow rate of the cooler air stream through the circuit breaker is increased. This allows for a higher level of heat to be removed from the circuit breaker. The air ducting provides better direction for the air flow through the circuit breaker and cooler. Directing the cooler air stream into the cooler and the hot air stream out of the cooler for each cooler individually improves cooling and increases cooling efficiency.
[0118] Reference Numbers
[0119] 10Switchgear
[0120] 20 Circuit Breakers
[0121] 30 Cooler
[0122] 40 Cooler
[0123] 50 Air deflector / air duct
[0124] 60 air duct
[0125] 70 air duct
[0126] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description should be regarded as illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.
Claims
1. A switch device (10), comprising: - a plurality of circuit breakers (20); - a plurality of first coolers (30, 40); and - at least one first air duct (60, 70); wherein each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto; and Wherein, the at least one first air duct is configured to guide air from outside the switchgear into the plurality of first coolers.
2. The switchgear of claim 1, comprising at least one second air duct, wherein the at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of first coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
3. The switchgear according to claim 2, wherein: The air exiting the plurality of first coolers includes air from outside the switchgear that is directed into the plurality of first coolers by the at least one first air duct.
4. The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of second coolers (30, 40) thermally connected to the plurality of circuit breakers, and at least one third air duct (60, 70), wherein: Each of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto, and wherein the at least one third air duct is configured to direct air from an exterior of the switchgear into the plurality of second coolers.
5. The switchgear according to claim 4 comprises a plurality of air deflectors (50), wherein the plurality of circuit breakers are vertically oriented, wherein the plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, wherein the plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, wherein each of the plurality of circuit breakers has a corresponding air deflector among the plurality of air deflectors, and wherein the air deflector associated with a circuit breaker is configured to deflect air leaving the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker to around the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
6. The switchgear according to claim 5, wherein: An air deflector associated with the circuit breaker is configured to deflect air exiting the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker around two sides of the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker.
7. The switchgear according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of air deflectors includes a V-shape.
8. The switchgear according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The plurality of second coolers are mounted to side surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
9. The switchgear according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein: The at least one second air duct is configured to direct air exiting the plurality of second coolers to an exterior of the switchgear.
10. The switchgear according to claim 9, wherein: The air exiting the plurality of second coolers includes air from outside the switchgear directed into the plurality of second coolers by the at least one third air duct.
11. The switchgear according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The plurality of first coolers are mounted to top surfaces of the plurality of circuit breakers.
12. A method for cooling a switchgear (10), the switchgear comprising a plurality of circuit breakers (20), a plurality of first coolers (30, 40) and at least one first air duct (60, 70), wherein: Each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated first cooler of the plurality of first coolers thermally connected thereto; And wherein the method comprises: - air from outside the switchgear is directed into the plurality of first coolers via the at least one first air duct.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The switchgear comprises a plurality of second coolers (30, 40) thermally connected to the plurality of circuit breakers and at least one third air duct (60, 70), wherein each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated second cooler of the plurality of second coolers thermally connected thereto; and wherein the method comprises: - air outside the switchgear is guided into the plurality of second coolers via the at least one third air duct.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The switchgear comprises a plurality of air deflectors, wherein the plurality of circuit breakers are vertically oriented, wherein the plurality of first coolers are located at upper ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, wherein the plurality of second coolers are located at lower ends of the plurality of circuit breakers, wherein each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers has an associated air deflector of the plurality of air deflectors; and wherein the method comprises: - deflecting the air leaving said second cooler associated with a circuit breaker around said first cooler associated with the circuit breaker by means of an air deflector associated with the circuit breaker.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The method comprises: - deflecting the air leaving the second cooler associated with the circuit breaker around the sides of the first cooler associated with the circuit breaker by air deflectors associated with the circuit breaker.