Gas supply device

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas supply device (10) for supplying at least one gas to a filling device (30) which is designed to fill an insulating gas container (91) of a gas-insulated switchgear (90) with the at least one gas. The gas supply device (10) comprises at least one supply line (11, 12, 13) with a gas connection (15) connectable to the filling device (30) and a valve (14) for opening and closing the supply line (11, 12, 13), at least one mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) which is configured to measure a mass of the total gas supplied to the filling device (30) through at least one supply line (11, 12, 13), and an electronic unit (19) which is configured to collect data on the mass measured by each mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) and has an interface (20) via which the data can be retrieved and / or messages can be supplied to the electronic unit (19).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gas supply device for supplying at least one gas to a filling device which is designed to fill an insulating gas container of a gas-insulated switchgear with the at least one gas.

[0002] A gas-insulated switchgear assembly has at least one insulating gas cylinder, which is filled with an insulating gas during operation. It is crucial that a specified quantity of insulating gas (hereinafter referred to as the gas quantity) is filled into the insulating gas cylinder. The insulating gas cylinder is, for example, the housing of a switching device, such as the housing of a circuit breaker. The conventional method for filling the insulating gas cylinder with the insulating gas is "pressure filling." During this process, the pressure of the insulating gas in the cylinder is measured using a filling device, and the filling process stops as soon as the measured pressure reaches a predetermined setpoint.

[0003] However, this method of filling the insulating gas cylinder is inaccurate for several reasons. Firstly, the pressure of the insulating gas is temperature-dependent. While this temperature dependency could theoretically be compensated for, this requires a sufficiently accurate measurement of the insulating gas temperature within the cylinder, which is currently not feasible outside of a testing laboratory and therefore not economically viable. Secondly, there is typically a connecting element, such as a hose or pipe, between the pressure gauge and the insulating gas cylinder of the switchgear, causing a pressure drop. This creates a difference between the pressure measured by the pressure gauge and the actual pressure in the insulating gas cylinder. These inaccuracies in the pressure measurement lead to deviations in the amount of gas filled into the insulating gas cylinder from the intended target amount.

[0004] In the past, sulfur hexafluoride was frequently used as an insulating gas in gas-insulated switchgear because it has a very high dielectric strength, thus enabling the construction of compact switchgear. When using sulfur hexafluoride as an insulating gas, the effects of small deviations in the amount of gas filled into an insulating gas cylinder from the target amount are negligible due to the special dielectric properties of sulfur hexafluoride; that is, these deviations have no influence on the guaranteed properties of the switchgear.

[0005] Due to the environmental hazards of sulfur hexafluoride, its use is increasingly restricted and in some cases prohibited. However, alternative insulating gases have inferior dielectric properties compared to sulfur hexafluoride. Therefore, deviations in the amount of such insulating gases filled into an insulating gas cylinder from the target amount have a greater impact than with sulfur hexafluoride and can impair the function of the switchgear. This is particularly true when a mixture of different gases is used as the insulating gas, as the dielectric properties of the mixture are highly dependent on the relative amounts of the individual components.

[0006] From KR 10 2019 0 044 244 A a mixing device for heterogeneous gases and a method for mixing heterogeneous gases with such a device are known.

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of providing a gas supply device that enables the supply of a precise quantity of gas to an existing filling device that is designed for filling an insulating gas container of a gas-insulated switchgear.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by a gas supply device with the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] A gas supply device according to the invention is configured to supply at least one gas to a filling device, which is configured to fill an insulating gas container of a gas-insulated switchgear with the at least one gas. The gas supply device comprises - at least one supply line with a gas connection that can be connected to the filling device and a valve for opening and closing the supply line, - at least one mass measuring unit designed to measure the mass of the total gas supplied to the filling device through at least one supply line, and - An electronic unit designed to collect data on the mass measured by each mass measuring unit and featuring an interface through which the data can be retrieved and / or messages can be sent to the electronic unit. A gas-insulated switchgear is, for example, a switchgear for medium voltage or alternating current. Medium voltage refers to an electrical voltage greater than 1 kV and at most 52 kV.

[0011] In the gas supply device according to the invention, the gas supply device comprises a control measuring device that enables the filling of a control container with gas from a supply line and the measurement of the mass of the gas fed into the control container independently of and in addition to the mass measuring unit for this supply line.

[0012] A gas supply device according to the invention enables a quantity of gas to be supplied to a filling device, the amount of which is controlled by measuring the mass of the gas supplied to the filling device. For this purpose, the gas supply device has a mass measuring unit with which the mass of the gas supplied to the filling device via at least one supply line can be measured. The mass of the gas supplied to the filling device is, in particular, independent of the temperature of the gas, unlike the pressure of the gas. Therefore, a gas supply device according to the invention enables temperature-independent control of the quantity of gas supplied to an insulating gas container by means of the filling device. For the reasons mentioned above, this is particularly advantageous when an insulating gas other than sulfur hexafluoride is supplied to the insulating gas container.The filling device can, in particular, be an existing filling device that is actually designed for filling insulated gas containers using gas pressure measurements. The gas quantity is now supplied to the filling device by the gas supply device according to the invention, with the gas quantity being controlled by measuring the mass of the gas. The filling device therefore does not need to be modified or replaced, but merely connected to a gas supply device according to the invention. This enables cost-effective use of an existing filling device based on measurements of the mass of gas supplied by the filling device.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the gas supply device is at least partially mobile, so that at least part of the gas supply device can be transported to the filling device as needed. For example, the supply lines and mass measuring units of the gas supply device are mobile. Other components of the gas supply device, on the other hand, can be stationary and located spatially separate from the mobile components. For example, the electronic unit can be stationary and connected to the mass measuring units and the valves of the gas supply device by electrical connections or wirelessly, for example via radio links.

[0014] A partially mobile design of the gas supply system offers, among other things, the following advantages: - it enables the expansion of the filling capabilities of an existing filling device to include filling based on the mass of the gas quantity without any special modifications; - Modifications are unnecessary or easily possible, as the mobile part of the gas supply system is either freestanding or can be moved to another location for modifications due to its mobility; - if filling based on the mass of the gas quantity is only used occasionally, the mobile part of the gas supply device can be selectively connected to the filling device only at these times; - If the filling of insulated gas containers based on the mass of the gas quantity is only carried out on a case-by-case basis and using different filling devices, the purchase and maintenance of a single, at least partially mobile, gas supply device may suffice, which is then connected to the filling device with which filling based on the mass of the gas quantity is to be carried out.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment of the invention to the aforementioned embodiment, the components of the gas supply device are permanently installed. For example, at least some components of the gas supply device are installed on or in the filling device, for example in a cabinet or enclosure in the same room as the filling device. In this case as well, other components of the gas supply device, for example the electronic unit, can be installed spatially separated from the filling device.

[0016] A fixed installation of the components of the gas supply system has, among other things, the following advantages: - Mobile components of the gas supply system do not occupy space that is actually intended for other purposes, meaning that these components are not "in the way", for example in an assembly hall; - The gas supply system can be optimally adapted to spatial conditions - for example, the lengths of the supply lines and thus the risk of leaks can be minimized and / or accessibility for maintenance and / or calibration of the gas supply system can be optimized; - the components of the gas supply system can be arranged in a largely protected manner, thus reducing the risk of damage that could necessitate repairs and consequently lead to a temporary failure of the filling system; - the gas supply system can be designed to be more complex, for example with regard to structures, connections and / or measuring instruments, than in a mobile version of at least part of the gas supply system.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve of each supply line is manually operable and the gas supply device has a display unit for each mass measuring unit, which is designed to display the mass measured by the mass measuring unit and is permanently installed in the gas supply device or can be installed in the gas supply device as required.

[0018] This embodiment of the invention enables a user to manually operate the valve of each supply line of the gas supply device. By means of the display unit associated with a mass measuring unit, the user can monitor the mass of a gas supplied to the filling device, so that he can stop the supply of gas to the filling device as soon as the quantity of gas supplied to the filling device reaches a target quantity intended for that gas.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve of each supply line can be operated via a control element. For example, the control element for each valve is permanently installed in the gas supply device or can be installed in the gas supply device as needed and / or is arranged or can be arranged on the filling device. The control element is implemented, for example, as a push button, a control knob, or an icon on a touchscreen. The control element can also be used, for example, to predefine the quantity of gas to be filled into the filling device.

[0020] Unlike manual operation, this embodiment of the invention allows a user to operate the valve of each supply line of the gas supply device via a control element. The control element can be located spatially remote from the valve, so that the user does not have to access the valve directly.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the valve of each supply line can be operated remotely. This remote control can be carried out, for example, using a personal computer in an office, a tablet computer, or a laptop.

[0022] This embodiment of the invention enables a user to flexibly operate the valve of each feed line via a remote control. The remote control provides the user with data, in particular, including the mass measured by each mass measuring unit and the status of each valve.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas supply device provides a selection of selectable filling programs, wherein the execution of each filling program results in the automatic supply of a mass of at least one gas, specified by that filling program, to the filling device by the gas supply device. For example, the gas supply device provides the program selection via a control unit arranged on the gas supply device and / or via a control unit arranged on the filling device. Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply device provides the program selection via remote control. For example, the gas supply device provides a selection menu for selecting a filling program. Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply device enables program selection by means of an optical code, for example, a barcode or a QR code.

[0024] These embodiments of the invention enable a user to automatically supply specific quantities of gas to the filling device by selecting a corresponding filling program. This particularly reduces the risk of incorrect operation of the gas supply device by the user.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the gas supply device provides a variably configurable filling program, the configurability of which enables the specification of at least one gas to be supplied to the filling device and the mass of this gas to be supplied to the filling device, and the implementation of which results in an automatic supply of the specified mass of each specified gas to the filling device by the gas supply device.

[0026] Unlike the aforementioned filling programs with predefined gas quantities, this embodiment of the invention allows the gas quantities to be variably adapted to the specific requirements by configuring a filling program. Such a filling program thus contains variables that define the types and quantities of gas to be supplied to the filling device. The supply of these gas types and quantities to the filling device then occurs automatically through the execution of the filling program. For example, the gas types and quantities can be adapted to order-specific requirements. This adaptation can be performed, for instance, by a user or by automatic data transfer from an order specification. Automatic data transfer avoids numerous potential errors that would arise from manually entering the gas quantities to be filled.

[0027] This embodiment of the invention advantageously enables the functionality of the gas supply device to be checked by comparing the mass measured by a mass measuring unit with the mass of a gas actually filled into a control container.

[0028] The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more easily understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawing.

[0029] The single figure shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a gas supply device 10 according to the invention and devices 30, 50 connected to the gas supply device 10. The devices 30, 50 connected to the gas supply device 10 are a filling device 30 and a first gas supply device 50. The filling device 30 is also connected to a second gas supply device 70 and an insulating gas container 91 of a gas-insulated switchgear 90, which are also shown schematically in the figure.

[0030] The filling device 30 is configured to fill the insulated gas container 91 with gas from the second gas supply device 70. In the illustrated example, the second gas supply device 70 has three storage gas containers 71 to 73, each supplying a different type of gas. The filling device 30 has a valve 32 for each storage gas container 71 to 73, by means of which the gas flow from the storage gas container 71 to 73 can be controlled and / or regulated via a gas pressure. The valves 32 are components of the filling device 30, although they are shown in the figure between the second gas supply device 70 and the filling device 30 to illustrate their functionality.The filling device 30 includes a control unit 31, by means of which the valves 32 can be controlled and status messages from the valves 32 can be retrieved in order to monitor, control, and / or regulate the gas flows from the storage gas containers 71 to 73 to the switchgear 90. Naturally, the switchgear 90 can have several insulating gas containers 91, which can be filled sequentially or simultaneously, for example, by means of the filling device 30. Furthermore, insulating gas containers 91 from different switchgear 90s can also be filled simultaneously or sequentially by the filling device 30. The switchgear 90 is, for example, a switchgear for medium voltage or alternating current.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the gas supply device 10 comprises three supply lines 11 to 13 and a mass measuring unit 16 to 18 for each supply line 11 to 13. The gas supply device 10 also comprises an electronic unit 19.

[0032] Each supply line 11 to 13 has a valve 14 and a gas connection 15. The supply line 11 to 13 can be connected to the filling device 30 via the gas connection 15. Each supply line 11 to 13 can also be connected to a storage gas container 51 to 53 of the first gas supply device 50. In the example shown in the figure, the first gas supply device 50 comprises three storage gas containers 51 to 53, which provide different types of gas. The gas flow in the supply line 11 to 13 can be controlled and / or regulated by means of the valve 14 of a supply line 11 to 13. The valves 14 are components of the gas supply device 10, although they are shown in the figure between the first gas supply device 50 and the gas supply device 10 to illustrate their functionality.

[0033] Each mass measuring unit 16 to 18 is configured to measure the mass of the total gas supplied to the filling device 30 via a supply line 11 to 13. In other embodiments of a gas supply device 10, at least one mass measuring unit 16 to 18 can also be assigned to several supply lines 11 to 13 and configured to measure the total mass of the gas supplied to the filling device 30 via each of these supply lines 11 to 13.

[0034] The electronic unit 19 is configured to collect data on the mass measured by each mass measuring unit 16 to 18 and has an interface 20 through which the data can be retrieved and / or messages can be sent to the electronic unit 19. The interface 20 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the interface 20 can include a display unit, such as a monitor, by means of which the masses measured by the mass measuring units 16 to 18 can be displayed and / or messages can be sent to the electronic unit 19. In the example shown in the figure, the control unit 31 of the filling device 30 is connected to the interface 20. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic unit 19 can also be connected to other devices via the interface 20.The electronic unit 19 can also be used to control the valves 14 and to retrieve status messages from the valves 14 in order to control the gas flows in the supply lines 11 to 13 or to control and / or regulate them depending on the masses measured by means of the mass measuring units 16 to 18.

[0035] The gas supply device 10 is, for example, at least partially mobile, such that at least a part of the gas supply device 10, in particular a part comprising the supply lines 11 to 13 and the mass measuring units 16 to 18, can be transported to the filling device 30 as required. In this case, the gas supply device 10 can comprise the first gas supply device 50, wherein the first gas supply device 50 comprises mobile storage gas containers 51 to 53, for example in the form of gas cylinders. Other components of the gas supply device 10 can be arranged in a stationary manner and, in particular, spatially separated from the supply lines 11 to 13 and the mass measuring units 16 to 18. For example, the electronic unit 10 or a part of the electronic unit 10 can be arranged in a stationary manner and, in particular, spatially separated from the supply lines 11 to 13 and the mass measuring units 16 to 18.In this case, the electronic unit 10 or a part of the electronic unit 10 communicates, for example, via an electrical connection or a radio connection with mobile components of the gas supply device 10.

[0036] Alternatively, all components of the gas supply unit 10 are permanently installed. Even in this case, components of the gas supply unit 10 can be installed at spatial distances from one another. For example, the electronic unit 10 or a part of the electronic unit 10 can be located at a spatial distance from the supply lines 11 to 13 and the mass measuring units 16 to 18. In this case, the electronic unit 10 or a part of the electronic unit 10 communicates with other components of the gas supply unit 10, for example, via an electrical connection or a radio connection.

[0037] The valves 14 of the supply lines 11 to 13 can be operated in various ways. For example, the valves 14 can be operated manually. In this case, the gas supply device 10 has, for example, a display unit for each mass measuring unit 16 to 18, which is designed to display the mass measured by the mass measuring unit 16 to 18 and is either permanently installed in the gas supply device 10 or can be installed in the gas supply device 10 as needed.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the valves 14 of the supply lines 11 to 13 can be operated via a control element. The control element is implemented, for example, as a push button, a control knob, or an icon on a touchscreen. The control element for each valve 14 is, for example, permanently installed in the gas supply unit 10 or can be installed in the gas supply unit 10 as needed and / or is located or can be located on the filling unit 30. For example, the control element can also be used to predefine the quantity of gas to be filled into the filling unit 30.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the valve 14 of each supply line 11 to 13 can be operated remotely. In this case, information flows to the valves 14 from a "remote control," which is implemented, for example, by means of a computer program running on a personal computer in an office, a tablet computer, or a laptop. Conversely, there is an information flow from the valves 14 and mass measuring units 16 to 18 to the remote control, so that a user of the remote control receives the data required to control the valves 14.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply device 10 provides a selection of selectable filling programs, wherein the execution of each filling program results in the automatic supply of a mass of at least one gas, specified by that filling program, to the filling device by the gas supply device 10. The program selection is provided, for example, by an operating unit arranged on the gas supply device 10 and / or the filling device 30. Alternatively or additionally, the program selection is provided via a remote control. In these cases, the gas supply device 10 provides, for example, a selection menu for selecting a filling program. Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply device 10 enables program selection by means of an optical code, for example, a barcode or a QR code.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply device 10 provides a variably configurable filling program, the configurability of which enables the specification of at least one gas to be supplied to the filling device 30 and the mass of this gas to be supplied to the filling device 30, and the execution of which causes an automatic supply of the specified mass of each specified gas to the filling device 30 by the gas supply device 10.

[0042] The gas supply device 10 may further include a control measuring device which enables the filling of a control container with gas from a supply line 11 to 13 and the measurement of the mass of the gas supplied to the control container independently of and in addition to the mass measuring unit 16 to 18 for this supply line 11 to 13.

[0043] Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

[0044] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included. Reference symbol list 10 Gas supply device 11, 12, 13 Supply line 14 valve 15 Gas connection 16, 17, 18 Mass measurement unit 19 Electronic unit 20 interface 30 Filling device 31 Control unit 32 valve 50 first gas supply facility 51, 52, 53 Storage gas cylinders 70 second gas supply facility 71, 72, 73 Storage gas cylinders 90 gas-insulated switchgear 91 Insulating gas containers

Claims

[1] Gas supply device (10) for supplying at least one gas to a filling device (30) which is designed to fill an insulating gas container (91) of a gas-insulated switchgear (90) with the at least one gas, the gas supply device (10) comprising - at least one supply line (11, 12, 13) with a gas connection (15) that can be connected to the filling device (30) and a valve (14) for opening and closing the supply line (11, 12, 13), - at least one mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) which is equipped to measure a mass of the total gas supplied to the filling device (30) through at least one supply line (11, 12, 13), and - an electronic unit (19) configured to collect data on the mass measured by each mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) and having an interface (20) through which the data can be retrieved and / or messages can be supplied to the electronic unit (19), with a control measuring device that enables a control container to be filled with gas from a supply line (11, 12, 13) and the mass of the gas supplied to the control container to be measured independently of and in addition to the mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) for this supply line (11, 12, 13). [2] Gas supply device (10) according to claim 1, which is at least partially mobile, so that at least part of the gas supply device (10) can be transported to the filling device (30) as required. [3] Gas supply device (10) according to claim 1, the components of which are permanently installed. [4] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (14) of each supply line (11, 12, 13) is manually operable and the gas supply device (10) has a display unit for each mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) which is configured to display the mass measured by the mass measuring unit (16, 17, 18) and is permanently installed in the gas supply device (10) or can be installed in the gas supply device (10) as required. [5] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (14) of each supply line (11, 12, 13) can be operated via a control element. [6] Gas supply device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the control element for each valve (14) is permanently installed in the gas supply device (10) or can be installed in the gas supply device (10) as required and / or is arranged or can be arranged on the filling device (30), and / or wherein a quantity of gas to be filled into the filling device (30) can be specified by means of the control element. [7] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (14) of each supply line (11, 12, 13) can be operated via a remote control. [8] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which provides a program selection of selectable filling programs, wherein the execution of each filling program causes an automatic supply of a mass of at least one gas specified by this filling program to the filling device (30) by the gas supply device (10). [9] Gas supply device (10) according to claim 8, which provides the program selection by means of an operating unit arranged on the gas supply device (10) and / or the filling device (30). [10] Gas supply device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, which provides the program selection via a remote control. [11] Gas supply device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 10, which provides a selection menu for selecting a filling program. [12] Gas supply device (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11, which enables program selection by means of an optical code. [13] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which provides a variably configurable filling program, the configurability of which enables a determination of at least one gas to be supplied to the filling device (30) and the mass of this gas to be supplied to the filling device (30) and the design of which causes an automatic supply of the determined mass of each determined gas to the filling device (30) by the gas supply device (10). [14] Gas supply device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas-insulated switchgear (90) is a switchgear for medium voltage and / or alternating current.

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