Tank of switchgear
By using curved metal sheets to form cylindrical walls and spherical end caps, the problems of high material consumption and cost of conventional switching equipment are solved, and a low-cost and high-strength switching equipment design is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380082907.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-01
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
AI Technical Summary
Block or cube designs of conventional gas-insulated medium-voltage switching devices lead to increased metal material consumption and weight, increased costs, and the production process of cast aluminum body designs for high-pressure applications is complex and expensive.
The cylindrical wall structure formed by a curved metal sheet is adopted, combined with spherical or ellipsoidal end caps and flanges, reducing wall thickness and improving mechanical stiffness, and connecting the internal equipment through coupling parts.
It realizes reducing material consumption and production costs while bearing internal overvoltage, improves mechanical strength and modular design, and is suitable for low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage switching equipment.
Smart Images

Figure CN120303845A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a tank for a switching device. Background Art
[0002] Conventional gas-insulated medium-voltage switching device designs have a block or cube design with flat walls that are welded or assembled together. This design is particularly suitable for the easy assembly of internal components and the mutual assembly of specific panel groups. An example of such a switching device design is Figure 1 as shown, which shows a conventional design of a gas-insulated medium-voltage switching device having compartments or tanks with flat mainly plate-like metal walls.
[0003] In cases where it is necessary to increase the internal pressure inside the compartment or tank, for example due to the type of insulating medium used, the flat wall (quadrilateral / rectangular) design of the pressurized tank requires very thick metal sheet walls to withstand the mechanical stresses applied to these walls. This results in increased raw material consumption, increased weight, and thus increased costs.
[0004] Alternatively, conventional switching device designs for high-voltage applications are gas-insulated high-voltage switching device designs with cast aluminum bodies that utilize cast metal (usually aluminum alloy) tubes that have been optimized and designed for high voltage, but their production processes and tools are rather complex and expensive.
[0005] It is necessary to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Therefore, it is advantageous for a switching device to have an improved compartment or tank design.
[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims, with further embodiments being included in the dependent claims.
[0008] On the one hand, there is provided a tank for a switching device, comprising:
[0009] - one or more intermediate body parts;
[0010] - a first end cap; and
[0011] - a second end cap.
[0012] The one or more intermediate body parts are formed by one or more sheets of bent metal sheet. The first end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a first axial position. The second end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a second axial position. Each of the one or more intermediate body parts includes a cylindrical shape.
[0013] In this way, by having a cylindrical wall, the tank can withstand mechanical stresses caused by internal overpressure, which has a thinner wall than the compartments of conventional switchgear, providing a low-cost design.
[0014] In one example, the first end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape; and / or wherein the second end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape.
[0015] By having a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape, the end cap can withstand increased pressure relative to a flat end cap, thereby reducing thickness and cost.
[0016] In one example, the tank includes one or more coupling components. The one or more coupling components are connected to one or more intermediate body components and / or the first end cap and / or the second end cap. Each coupling component surrounds an opening in the intermediate body component to which it is connected or an opening in the first end cap to which it is connected or an opening in the second end cap to which it is connected.
[0017] In one example, each of the one or more coupling components includes a flat portion.
[0018] In one example, at least one of the one or more coupling components is configured to connect to a bushing, and / or at least one of the one or more coupling components is configured to connect to an actuator.
[0019] Providing appropriately small coupling components as desired enables the cable to enter the tank and provides actuation for the equipment inside the tank without significantly affecting the overall compressive strength of the design.
[0020] In one example, the first end cap includes an end flange. At least one intermediate body component to which the first end cap is connected includes an end flange. The end flange of the first end cap is connected to the end flange of the at least one intermediate body component.
[0021] In one example, the second end cap includes an end flange. The at least one intermediate body component to which the second end cap is connected includes an end flange. The end flange of the second end cap is connected to the end flange of the at least one intermediate body component.
[0022] By having flanged end caps and the main elements of the flanged tank, the mechanical stiffness is increased, thereby enabling the wall thickness to be reduced or the compressive strength of the set wall thickness to be increased.
[0023] In one example, at least one intermediate body component to which the first end cap is connected is the same as at least one intermediate body component to which the second end cap is connected.
[0024] In one example, one or more intermediate body members include a plurality of intermediate body members. At least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected is connected to at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected.
[0025] In one example, one or more intermediate body members include a plurality of intermediate body members. At least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected includes a second end flange that is located at an end of the at least one intermediate body member opposite the first end flange. The second end flange is connected to an end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body member of the one or more intermediate body members. The at least one adjacent intermediate body member is different from the at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected.
[0026] In one example, one or more intermediate body members include a plurality of intermediate body members. At least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected includes a second end flange that is located at an end of the at least one intermediate body member opposite the first end flange. The second end flange is connected to an end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body member of the one or more intermediate body members. The at least one adjacent intermediate body member is different from the at least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected.
[0027] In one example, the at least one adjacent intermediate body member is connected to at least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected and is connected to at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected.
[0028] In one example, the at least one adjacent intermediate body member connected to at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each intermediate body member extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to a second axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to the at least one adjacent intermediate body member.
[0029] In one example, at least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each intermediate body member extends from a first axial position to a second axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from the first axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position. Alternatively or additionally, at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each intermediate body member extends from the second axial position to the first axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from the second axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position.
[0030] Thus, there can be a main body member between the end caps, or two main body members connected end-to-end between the end caps, or three main body members connected end-to-end between the end caps. There can be three main body members parallel to each other and connected between the end caps. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps and itself connected to three parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be three parallel main body members connected to the end caps and connected to three other parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps, the end cap itself being connected to three parallel main body members connected to another single main body member, and the other single main body member being connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps and itself connected to another single main body member, which is itself connected to three parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps and itself connected to three parallel main body members, which are connected to three other parallel main body members, and the three other parallel main body members are connected to the other end cap. There can be three parallel main body members connected to the end caps and connected to three other parallel main body members, which are connected to three more parallel main body members, and the three more parallel main body members are connected to the other end cap.
[0031] In one example, the tank includes an external reinforcement layer.
[0032] In one example, the connections and spaces of the vacuum circuit breaker device are sealed such that the bellows will remain under external atmospheric pressure.
[0033] In one example, the sealed area will be the connection at the bellows and sealed against the surrounding environment, so that the push rod remains under gas pressure with higher dielectric properties.
[0034] Referring to the embodiments described below, the above aspects and examples will become apparent and be elucidated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings:
[0036] Figure 1 A conventional design of a gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear with a flat wall is shown.
[0037] Figure 2 An example of the pressure and stress faced by the new tank design is shown.
[0038] Figure 3 An example of the new tank is shown, showing the cylindrical shape of the pressure tank for the gas-insulated switchgear.
[0039] Figure 4Shows an additional composite material layer for additional mechanical reinforcement on a new type of gas tank.
[0040] Figure 5 Shows a two-piece new type of thin-walled pressure tank assembled by a flange.
[0041] Figure 6 Shows a three-piece new type of thin-walled pressure tank assembled by a flange.
[0042] Figure 7 Shows a three-piece new type of thin-walled pressure tank assembled by a flange, where the middle section consists of three thin-walled pressure tanks; and
[0043] Figure 8 Shows three-piece new type of thin-walled pressure tanks assembled by a flange with different configurations. Detailed implementation
[0044] Figure 2-8 Relates to a new type of tank for switchgear, such as for low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage switchgear.
[0045] The tank 1 of the switchgear includes one or more intermediate body parts 2, a first end cap 3 and a second end cap 4. The one or more intermediate body parts are formed by one or more sheets of bent metal. The first end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a first axial position. The second end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a second axial position. Each of the one or more intermediate body parts includes a cylindrical shape.
[0046] In this way, by having a cylindrical wall, the tank can withstand mechanical stresses caused by internal overpressure, which has a thinner wall than the compartments of conventional switchgear, providing a low-cost design.
[0047] In one example, the one or more sheets of bent metal have end sections welded to each other.
[0048] In one example, the first end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape.
[0049] In one example, the second end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape
[0050] By having a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape, the end caps can withstand increased pressure relative to flat end caps, thus reducing thickness and cost.
[0051] In one example, the tank includes one or more coupling members 5, 6, 7. The one or more coupling members are connected to one or more intermediate body members and / or the one or more coupling members are connected to the first end cap and / or the one or more coupling members are connected to the second end cap. Each coupling member surrounds an opening in the intermediate body member to which it is connected, or an opening in the first end cap to which it is connected, or an opening in the second end cap to which it is connected.
[0052] In one example, each of the one or more coupling members includes a flat portion.
[0053] In one example, at least one of the one or more coupling members is configured to connect to at least one bushing 8, 9. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the one or more coupling members is configured to connect to an actuator 10.
[0054] Thus, the example shows that each coupling member has a single bushing. However, a design can be provided where a single larger coupling member can accommodate 3 bushings (for 3 phases), providing a larger yet single flat area in a single (or multiple) body member.
[0055] Similarly, for the actuator, the coupling member can accommodate a single rod from the actuator, but can also have three rods from the actuator, each rod operating a single-phase vacuum circuit breaker.
[0056] Providing appropriately sized coupling members as small as desired enables cables to enter the tank and provide actuation for the equipment within the tank without significantly affecting the overall compressive strength of the design.
[0057] In one example, the first end cap includes an end flange 30. At least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected includes an end flange 30. The end flange of the first end cap is connected to the end flange of at least one intermediate body member.
[0058] In one example, the second end cap includes an end flange 30. At least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected includes an end flange 30. The end flange of the second end cap is connected to the end flange of at least one intermediate body member.
[0059] By having flanged end caps and flanged main elements of the tank, the mechanical stiffness is increased, enabling a reduction in wall thickness or an increase in the compressive strength of the set wall thickness.
[0060] In one example, at least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected is the same as at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected. An example of such a design is as Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, and as Figure 7As shown, there can be multiple parallel intermediate body components.
[0061] In one example, one or more intermediate body components include multiple intermediate body components. At least one intermediate body component connected to the first end cap is connected to at least one intermediate body component connected to the second end cap. An example of this design is as Figure 8 shown, but as Figure 7 shown, there can be multiple parallel intermediate body components for, for example, Figure 8 the top intermediate body component as shown. The connections and spaces to the vacuum circuit breaker device can be sealed so that the bellows will or can remain at atmospheric pressure (a connection to the environment can be provided), and the insulation required for the circuit breaker mechanism formed and provided by the push rod is surely longer compared to the push rod assembled in a pressurized gas. Another option is to seal only the connections at the bellows and seal them against the surrounding environment, so that the push rod remains under a gas pressure with higher dielectric properties.
[0062] In one example, one or more intermediate body components include multiple intermediate body components, where at least one intermediate body component connected to the first end cap includes a second end flange, and the second end flange is located at the end of the at least one intermediate body component opposite to the first end flange. The second end flange is connected to the end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body component of the one or more intermediate body components. The at least one adjacent intermediate body component is different from the at least one intermediate body component connected to the second end cap. An example of this design is as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown. However, instead of three sets of intermediate body components, there can be four sets or more sets of intermediate body components.
[0063] In one example, one or more intermediate body components include multiple intermediate body components, where at least one intermediate body component connected to the second end cap includes a second end flange, and the second end flange is located at the end of the at least one intermediate body component opposite to the first end flange. The second end flange is connected to the end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body component of the one or more intermediate body components. The at least one adjacent intermediate body component is different from the at least one intermediate body component connected to the first end cap. An example of this design is as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown. However, instead of three sets of intermediate body components, there can be four sets or more sets of intermediate body components.
[0064] In one example, the at least one adjacent intermediate body component is connected to at least one intermediate body component connected to the first end cap and is connected to at least one intermediate body component connected to the second end cap. An example of this design is as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown. However, asFigure 7 As shown, a set of intermediate body members may consist of three intermediate body members. However, as Figure 7 shown, this set of three parallel intermediate body members may be connected to end flanges at the top or bottom. Additionally, instead of one set of intermediate body members having three parallel intermediate body members, two sets of intermediate body members may have three parallel intermediate body members, and in fact all sets of intermediate body members may have three parallel intermediate body members.
[0065] In one example, the at least one adjacent intermediate body member to which at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap is connected includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each intermediate body member extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to a second axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to the at least one adjacent intermediate body member. An example is similar to Figure 7 that shown, except that there are only two sets of intermediate body members instead of three, in other words, three parallel body members are directly connected to Figure 7 the end flange at the bottom.
[0066] In one example, at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each intermediate body member extends from a first axial position to a second axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from a first axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position. Alternatively or additionally, at least one intermediate body member connected to the second end cap includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, each intermediate body member extends from the second axial position to the first axial position, or each intermediate body member extends from the second axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position.
[0067] Thus, there can be a main body member between the end caps, or two main body members connected end-to-end between the end caps, or three main body members connected end-to-end between the end caps. There can be three main body members parallel to each other and connected between the end caps. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps, which is itself connected to three parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be three parallel main body members connected to the end caps, which are connected to another three parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps, which is itself connected to three parallel main body members connected to another single main body member, and this other single main body member is connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps, which is itself connected to another single main body member, and this other single main body member is itself connected to three parallel main body members connected to the other end cap. There can be a single main body member connected to the end caps, which is itself connected to three parallel main body members, and these three parallel main body members are connected to another three parallel main body members, and these other three parallel main body members are connected to the other end cap. There can be three parallel main body members connected to the end caps, which are connected to another three parallel main body members, and these other three parallel main body members are connected to yet another three parallel main body members, and these yet another three parallel main body members are connected to the other end cap.
[0068] In one example, the tank includes an external reinforcement layer 20.
[0069] In one example, the external reinforcement layer is wrapped around at least one of one or more intermediate main body members.
[0070] In one example, the external reinforcement layer is wrapped around substantially all or more intermediate main body members.
[0071] In one example, the external reinforcement layer is wrapped around the intermediate main body member or intermediate main body members.
[0072] In one example, the external reinforcement layer is wrapped around the first end cap.
[0073] In one example, the external reinforcement layer is wrapped around the second end cap.
[0074] In one example, the tank of the switchgear includes a third end cap, wherein the third end cap is connected to the side wall of the intermediate main body member.
[0075] In one example, the tank of the switchgear includes a third end cap, wherein the third end cap is connected to the end of the intermediate main body member, and wherein this intermediate main body member is connected to the side wall of another intermediate main body member.
[0076] In one example, the connection to the vacuum circuit breaker device and the space are sealed so that the bellows will remain under external atmospheric pressure.
[0077] In one example, the sealed area will be the connection at the bellows and sealed against the surrounding environment, so that the push rod remains under a gas pressure with a higher dielectric constant.
[0078] Referring again to Figure 2-8 , a new type of switchgear compartment or tank has been described in several detailed and specific embodiments.
[0079] As described above, the main idea of the new tank design is to replace the flat walls used in the current block or cube switchgear design with a circular metal shell formed by bending and then welding thin metal sheets. If necessary, this thin-walled tubular design can be further enhanced by applying an additional layer of another wrapped material. This provides a new design for a low-cost pressurized tank of a low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear, which can withstand the required mechanical stress while being cost-effective.
[0080] The problems associated with the existing flat wall design are alleviated by the new tank design, which uses tubular thin metal sheets and has a low production cost. As Figure 2 shown, when the internal pressure of the switchgear tank is higher than the external pressure, stress will be generated in the tank wall. The outer shell wall will stretch slightly under the action of the stress. There are two main stresses in a thin-walled cylindrical pressure vessel: axial stress and circumferential stress. Axial stress and circumferential stress are also known as longitudinal stress and hoop stress respectively. Compared with the cube design with flat walls, the new design has a circular tank wall, thus distributing the circumferential stress more evenly. To further optimize the new type of cylindrical pressure vessel, the "covers" at both ends can be spherical or near-spherical.
[0081] The shape of the pressurized tank used in low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage switchgear adopts a cylindrical design with at least partially spherical ends, see Figure 3 . An example of such a cylinder 2 is formed by a metal sheet 3 - 5 mm thick, which can withstand an internal tank pressure of 5 bar. If the "covers" are designed in a flat manner and withstand the same internal pressure, they may need to be produced using metal sheets more than 15 - 25 mm thick, and / or additional mechanical reinforcements are required in critical areas. The new design can use a partially spherical or ellipsoidal design for these "covers" 3 and 4, enabling it to use the same thickness of metal sheet as that used for the wall without the need for additional mechanical reinforcements.
[0082] Installing internal components inside the pressurized tank requires some components of the actuating mechanism 11 or the sleeves 8, 9 to pass through the curved wall in order to operate the internal components. Therefore, flat areas 5, 6 and / or 7 are introduced into the tank, where they are preferably as small and compact as possible. Large flat areas will introduce the need for additional mechanical reinforcements.
[0083] RegardingFigure 3 , the following reference numerals are used.
[0084] 1 Pressure vessel of the switchgear
[0085] 2 Thin-walled cylinder
[0086] 3, 4 Thin-walled end caps
[0087] 5, 6, 7 Flat parts of the objects passing through the wall
[0088] 8, 9 Bushings providing gas sealing and insulation between the current-carrying conductor and the wall
[0089] 10 Actuator of the switching device
[0090] 11 Actuating rod
[0091] 12 Switching device
[0092] 13 Seal of the actuating rod
[0093] As described above, additional devices may be provided inside the pressure vessel. Figure 3 Only the switching device 12 is shown. The switching device 12 may be, for example, a medium-voltage circuit breaker or disconnector equipment. If an earthing switchgear is also required in the pressure vessel, a device similar to the switching device 12, such as some seals for the flat parts and the actuating rod, is required in the tank design. If the actuator 10 is located inside the tank, the seal 13 is not required, but the maintenance of the actuator may be more complicated because it will require first depressurizing the gas tank.
[0094] The bushing 9 can be used to connect the cable to the low / medium / high voltage network. The bushing 8 can be used as an interface with the lower panel, or also for cable connection or busbar interconnection.
[0095] The production of the housing 1 is completed by forming a thin metal sheet into the shape of the cylindrical body 2 and then welding the two edges together. The end caps 3, 4 are made at least partially ellipsoidal by, for example, pressure forming and then welded to the main cylindrical body.
[0096] The openings for subsequently welding the flat parts 5, 6 or 7 can be pre-cut in the metal sheet before rolling the metal sheet into a cylinder, but can also be completed by cutting the openings after welding the cylindrical body 2 or the caps 3, 4.
[0097] Additional internal components can be applied inside the gas tank and used as mechanical reinforcements and / or fixing devices for the internal components.
[0098] In the case of very high mechanical stress or internal gas pressure, a carbon fiber / glass composite material can be applied on the cylindrical gas tank as an additional layer 20 for mechanical reinforcement. See Figure 4, the layer 20 may be in the form of a band wrapped around the gas cylinder.
[0099] The higher the required stiffness of the cylinder, the more layers of band are used. This structure of the cylinder can also be heat-treated subsequently to achieve good bonding and / or strength of all materials.
[0100] This structure of the pressurized gas cylinder is suitable for switchgear applications, mainly because the metal inner wall can withstand the gas and / or electric arc inside the gas cylinder. Due to the cylindrical shape, the cylinder itself can be constructed as a thin-walled one. If necessary, an additional layer for mechanical reinforcement of the thin-walled structure can be applied on the outer periphery of the cylinder.
[0101] The upper end cover 3 and the lower end cover 4 can be welded to the thin-walled cylindrical body 2 (see Figure 3 ), but can also be assembled with flanges 30 screwed to each other, which improves the mechanical strength of the entire pressure cylinder at the same time, see Figure 5 .
[0102] See Figure 6 , in order to further improve the mechanical structure around the pressure cylinder, the cylinder can be divided into multiple sections assembled with flanges.
[0103] If necessary, further improvement of the mechanical structure can be achieved by dividing the pressurized cylinder into smaller sections phase by phase, for example. Figure 7 An example is shown, where the middle section consists of 3 single-phase components each containing a pole of the switching device. The actuator 10 can actuate all 3 phases together, or each phase can have its own actuating device.
[0104] As Figure 7 shown, the middle body component (here one of the three parallel middle body components) can have another middle body component, which is connected with materials. As Figure 8 shown, this laterally connected middle body component can have another end cover, which means there are three or more end covers.
[0105] In this way, the novel cylinder design has a metal inner wall, which can withstand the gas and / or electric arc inside the gas cylinder. Due to the cylindrical shape, the cylinder itself can be constructed as a thin-walled cylinder. The introduction of flanges eliminates the need for welding and introduces higher modularity in the switchgear gas cylinder design. In addition, it also improves the mechanical stiffness of the thin-walled pressurized cylinder. An additional layer for mechanical reinforcement of the thin-walled structure can be applied on the outer periphery of the cylinder or its part, where the layer can be wrapped multiple times and / or heat-treated subsequently to improve the mechanical bonding and / or stiffness of the entire assembly.
Claims
1. A tank (1) for a switching device, comprising: one or more intermediate body parts (2); a first end cap (3); and a second end cap (4); wherein the one or more intermediate body parts are formed by one or more bent metal sheets; wherein the first end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a first axial position; wherein the second end cap is connected to at least one of the one or more intermediate body parts at a second axial position; and, wherein each of the one or more intermediate body parts has at least a partially cylindrical shape.
2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the first end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape; and / or wherein the second end cap has a partially spherical or ellipsoidal shape.
3. The tank according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the tank comprises one or more coupling parts (5, 6, 7), wherein the one or more coupling parts are connected to the one or more intermediate body parts and / or the first end cap and / or the second end cap, and wherein each coupling part surrounds an opening in the intermediate body part to which it is connected, or an opening in the first end cap to which it is connected, or an opening in the second end cap to which it is connected.
4. The tank according to claim 3, wherein each of the one or more coupling parts comprises a flat part.
5. The tank according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein at least one of the one or more coupling parts is configured to be connected to at least one sleeve (8, 9); and / or wherein at least one of the one or more coupling parts is configured to be connected to an actuator (10).
6. The tank according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first end cap comprises an end flange (30), wherein the at least one intermediate body part to which the first end cap is connected comprises an end flange (30), and wherein the end flange of the first end cap is connected to the end flange of the at least one intermediate body part.
7. The tank according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the second end cap comprises an end flange (30), wherein the at least one intermediate body part to which the second end cap is connected comprises an end flange (30), and wherein the end flange of the second end cap is connected to the end flange of the at least one intermediate body part.
8. The tank according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one intermediate body part to which the first end cap is connected is the same as the at least one intermediate body part to which the second end cap is connected.
9. The tank according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the one or more intermediate body parts comprise a plurality of intermediate body parts, and wherein the at least one intermediate body part connected to the first end cap is connected to the at least one intermediate body part connected to the second end cap.
10. The tank according to claim 7, wherein the one or more intermediate body members include a plurality of intermediate body members, wherein at least one of the intermediate body members connected to the first end cap includes a second end flange located at an end of the at least one intermediate body member opposite the first end flange, wherein the second end flange is connected to an end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body member of the one or more intermediate body members, and wherein the at least one adjacent intermediate body member is different from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the second end cap.
11. The tank according to claim 7 or 10, wherein the one or more intermediate body members include a plurality of intermediate body members, wherein at least one of the intermediate body members to which the second end cap is connected includes a second end flange located at an end of the at least one intermediate body member opposite the first end flange, and wherein the second end flange is connected to an end flange of at least one adjacent intermediate body member of the one or more intermediate body members, and wherein the at least one adjacent intermediate body member is different from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap.
12. The tank according to any one of claims 10 - 11, wherein the at least one adjacent intermediate body member is connected to the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap and is connected to the at least one intermediate body member connected to the second end cap.
13. The tank according to any one of claims 10 - 12, wherein the at least one adjacent intermediate body member connected to the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap includes three intermediate body members that are laterally spaced apart from each other, and each of the three intermediate body members extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to the second axial position, or each of the three intermediate body members extends from the at least one intermediate body member connected to the first end cap to at least one adjacent intermediate body member.
14. The can according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the at least one intermediate body member to which the first end cap is connected comprises three intermediate body members, the three intermediate body members being laterally spaced apart from each other, and each of the three intermediate body members extending from the first axial position to the second axial position, or each of the three intermediate body members extending from the first axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position; and / or wherein the at least one intermediate body member to which the second end cap is connected comprises three intermediate body members, the three intermediate body members being laterally spaced apart from each other, and each of the three intermediate body members extending from the second axial position to the first axial position, or each of the three intermediate body members extending from the second axial position to an axial position between the first axial position and the second axial position.
15. The can according to any one of claims 1 - 14, wherein the can comprises an external reinforcement layer (20).
16. The can according to any one of claims 1 - 15, wherein the connection and space to the vacuum breaker device are sealed such that the bellows remains under external atmospheric pressure.
17. The can according to any one of claims 1 - 16, wherein the sealed area will seal the connection at the bellows and against the surrounding environment such that the push rod remains under a gas pressure with higher dielectric properties.