Housing for a high-voltage device with a receiving channel for a sensor device

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (3) for a high-voltage device (1), in particular for a transformer or a choke coil, wherein the housing (3) has at least one feedthrough opening (5), which extends along a feedthrough axis (15) and connects an interior (7) of the housing (3) to an exterior (9) of the housing (3), wherein the feedthrough opening (5) is surrounded along a circumferential direction (13) running around the feedthrough axis (15) by a housing-wall portion (11). To allow the subsequent installation of a sensor device (23), in particular a current transformer, or the exchange of a sensor device, it is provided that a receiving channel (21) for at least one sensor device (23) extends all the way around the housing-wall portion (11) surrounding the feedthrough opening (5).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Housing for a high-voltage device with a receiving channel for a sensor device

[0003] The invention relates to a housing for an electrical high-voltage device, in particular for a transformer or a choke coil. The invention also relates to a high-voltage device, in particular a transformer or a choke coil.

[0004] During operation of high-voltage equipment, it may be necessary to monitor the high-voltage equipment to obtain information about its condition, service life, or potential problems. This is especially true for high-voltage equipment that, as components of the power grid, is part of the critical infrastructure, such as transformers or reactors.

[0005] A wide variety of sensor devices can be used for monitoring. For example, to measure the current flow through an electrical conductor within the high-voltage device, at least one sensor device, in particular a current transformer, can be mounted inside the housing, which is designed and arranged to detect the current flow in the conductor.

[0006] In the case of a transformer or a choke coil, the electrical conductor can be electrically conductively connected to a coil winding of a coil inside the high-voltage device or it can be part of the winding. Inductive or optical transducers that extend along a circumferential direction around the conductor itself or around a structure containing the conductor, such as a shield, are often used as current transformers. These can determine the strength of the current carried in the conductor based on the magnetic flux generated by the current flow. The electrical conductor can be led out of the high-voltage device. The housing can have an opening for this purpose. To ensure the electrical insulation of the electrical conductor, in particular with respect to the housing, the electrical conductor is usually located at least in sections within a so-called bushing.The feedthrough usually protrudes through the opening into the housing. The opening is therefore referred to below as the feedthrough opening.

[0007] The housings of high-voltage devices are usually filled with a fluid before commissioning. This is often oil or another liquid, such as ester. Instead of a liquid, a housing can also be filled with a gas. The fluid fills the device for electrical insulation and heat conduction within the device. Once the housing has been filled, the sensor device and the electrical conductor are immersed in the fluid. Replacing the sensor at a later date is a major effort, as draining the fluid and later refilling it is often not easy and cannot usually be done on-site.

[0008] Since the lifetime of the sensor is normally shorter than the lifetime of other components arranged in the housing, e.g. the windings and the magnetic cores, it can happen that a sensor device fails long before the other components have reached the end of their lifetime.

[0009] It may also be desirable to use a new sensor device if, for example, more technically advanced sensor technology is available to be used in the high-voltage device.

[0010] As already mentioned above, access to the sensor device, e.g., for the purpose of replacement, is not readily possible. Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a housing for a high-voltage device, in particular for a transformer or a coil, which facilitates or even enables subsequent replacement of a sensor device or the retrofitting of a new sensor device.

[0011] This object is achieved by a housing which has at least one through-opening extending along a through-opening axis, which connects an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing, wherein the through-opening is surrounded by a housing wall section along a circumferential direction running around the through-opening axis, and wherein a receiving channel for at least one sensor device extends continuously around the housing wall section surrounding the through-opening.

[0012] For the high-voltage device according to the invention, the object is achieved in that the high-voltage device has a housing according to the invention and at least one bushing which extends into the bushing opening.

[0013] By arranging the receiving channel outside around the housing wall section, the receiving channel can be accessible from outside the housing.

[0014] The receiving channel can be used to accommodate one or more sensor devices . Preferably for one or more sensor devices that extend continuously along the circumferential direction within the receiving channel . The receiving space can be provided with one or more sensor devices right from the start, i.e. from commissioning . If one of these sensor devices fails, it can be replaced with a new one or repaired without great expense . Replacement with newer sensor devices, for example sensor devices with greater measuring accuracy, can also be carried out in a simple manner . Alternatively, the receiving channel can be kept in reserve as installation space . For example, the high-voltage device can be provided with at least one sensor device inside the housing when it is commissioned .If this sensor device fails or if a new measuring technology is to be used, a new sensor device can simply be inserted into the receiving channel. The receiving channel is preferably arranged around the feedthrough opening provided for the electrical conductor to which the sensor device arranged within the housing is assigned.

[0015] Therefore, for the insertion or replacement of at least one sensor device, it is not necessary to drain the liquid or any other fluid from the housing. It is also not necessary to open the housing. This prevents moisture from penetrating the housing.

[0016] A further advantage of the invention is that the insertion of at least one sensor device into the receiving channel can be performed without structural modifications to the housing, the extent of which would necessitate repeated high-voltage testing, particularly surge voltage tests. Such tests are generally performed on dedicated test equipment, which would necessitate transport of the high-voltage device.

[0017] The receiving channel preferably also extends along the circumferential direction. A plane spanned by the circumferential direction preferably extends perpendicular to the feedthrough axis. The at least one receiving channel preferably extends along an outer side of the housing wall section.

[0018] If multiple conductor feedthroughs are present, a plurality of the conductor feedthroughs are preferably each provided with at least one receiving channel. Particularly preferably, all conductor feedthroughs are each provided with at least one receiving channel. This allows several or all electrical conductors routed through the housing to be subsequently provided with at least one sensor device.

[0019] The at least one receiving channel can have a free installation space extending continuously along the circumferential direction, provided no sensor device is arranged in the receiving channel. As a result, the receiving channel is not restricted to a specific type of sensor device.

[0020] The at least one receiving channel preferably extends in a ring around the feedthrough axis. This allows for uniform penetration of the receiving channel or at least one sensor device arranged in the receiving channel by the magnetic field generated by the electrical conductor. In particular, the annular receiving channel is preferably arranged coaxially with the feedthrough axis. Thus, a sensor device arranged in the receiving channel is always arranged equidistant from the electrical conductor to be monitored.

[0021] The housing wall section preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape and encloses the feedthrough opening. The housing wall section can, in particular, form a dome, i.e., extend essentially vertically along its longitudinal extent. However, other orientations are also possible. The direction "vertical" refers to an operating state of the high-voltage device in which it is set up and aligned for operation and corresponds to the direction of gravity.

[0022] In order to protect at least one sensor device arranged in the receiving channel from environmental influences, the receiving channel can be surrounded at least in sections by a wall, in particular a wall running around the circumference. The housing wall section can form at least part of the wall of the receiving channel. This configuration makes it possible, on the one hand, to save material because no additional walls are required in the area in which the housing wall section forms part of the wall. On the other hand, it prevents excessive shielding of the magnetic flux, which could potentially occur with a multi-layer wall.

[0023] Preferably, the housing has at least one closure element for at least partially closing the passage opening, wherein the closure element forms at least part of the wall of the receiving channel.

[0024] The closure element can be part of the housing, in particular a cover element or a lid, which is firmly connected to the rest of the housing when the high-voltage device is in operation. In particular in the case of a hollow-cylindrical housing wall section, the closure element can close the hollow-cylindrical structure and project beyond its edge. This edge can form part of the wall of the receiving channel. In the case of a hollow-cylindrical structure, the closure element can project radially beyond the structure with respect to a longitudinal axis of the structure which runs coaxially with the feedthrough axis.

[0025] In the case of a hollow cylindrical structure whose longitudinal axis is substantially vertical, the closure element may constitute a roof for the receiving channel.

[0026] The part of the wall formed by the closure element is preferably arranged perpendicularly to the part of the wall formed by the housing wall section in the cross-section through the receiving channel. The cross-section runs transversely to the circumferential direction.

[0027] According to a further improvement, the housing can have at least one projection extending radially away from the housing wall section surrounding the through-opening and extending, in particular continuously, in the circumferential direction around the housing wall section.

[0028] The projection can extend, in particular, radially away from the housing wall section. The projection can be formed as a plate running around the housing wall section. In particular in the case of a hollow cylindrical housing wall section, the projection can have the shape of an annular disc. The projection can form a base plate for the receiving channel, thus delimiting it downwards or in the direction of the rest of the housing. The projection can extend parallel to the closure element, if present.

[0029] The projection may be manufactured separately and subsequently attached to the housing wall section or, alternatively, may be manufactured integrally with the housing wall section.

[0030] In a cross-section through the receiving channel transverse to the circumferential direction, the wall of the receiving channel as a whole can have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0031] Overall, two first opposite sides of the rectangular cross-section can be formed by the projection and the closure element and two second opposite sides, which are arranged transversely to the first opposite sides, can be formed by the housing wall section surrounding the through-opening and an outer wall delimiting the receiving channel radially outwards.

[0032] According to a further improvement, the wall of the receiving channel can have at least one gap running along the circumferential direction, in particular continuously, in which the wall is interrupted.

[0033] The gap can represent a gap in the wall in cross-section. As a result, the wall of the receiving channel is not continuous, at least in a cross-section transverse to the circumferential direction. This gap in the wall's cross-section can serve to prevent eddy currents in the wall caused by changes in the magnetic flux. At the same time, the gap allows magnetic fields to be coupled into the interior of the receiving channel so that they can be detected by the sensor device in the receiving channel.

[0034] In order to prevent the penetration of rainwater and / or dirt through the at least one gap into the receiving channel, the at least one gap is preferably arranged on an underside of the wall relative to the direction of gravity.

[0035] Alternatively or in addition to arranging the gap on the underside, at least one electrically insulating element, in particular an annular one, can be arranged in the at least one gap. This allows the receiving channel to be protected from environmental influences without losing the effectiveness of the gap. In this embodiment, too, the gap is preferably arranged on the underside of the wall relative to the direction of gravity. The remaining wall of the receiving channel can act as a sunshade for the insulating element, thereby preventing premature aging of the insulating element due to UV rays.

[0036] The wall of the receiving channel can provide a galvanically protected and enclosed space with inductive engagement for the at least one sensor device. Preferably, the wall is grounded. The grounding can be achieved by an electrically conductive connection to the remaining grounded housing. The at least one gap can serve to prevent a short-circuit winding region.

[0037] In order to facilitate the connection of a sensor device to electrical supply lines, data lines or other elements, the enclosure may have at least one connecting section for connecting a sensor device arranged in the receiving channel to a device arranged outside the receiving channel.

[0038] The connection section may, for example, comprise a cable feedthrough, an interface, a connection for a plug-in connection, or another suitable device. The connection section may be covered with a removable cover, particularly if no sensor device is installed.

[0039] To further explain the invention, reference is made to figures in the following part of the description, from which further advantageous details and possible areas of application of the invention can be seen. The figures are to be understood as examples and are intended to illustrate the nature of the invention, but in no way restrict it or represent it exhaustively. The same reference numerals are always used for elements with the same structure and / or the same function.

[0040] It shows :

[0041] Fig. 1: a section of a housing according to the invention with an advantageous embodiment of a receiving channel in a sectional view;

[0042] Fig. 2: the area from Fig. 1 in a perspective view with semi-transparent closure element; and

[0043] Fig. 3 shows the area from Fig. 1 and 2 in a perspective view with the closure element removed in an exploded view.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 each show only a section of a high-voltage device 1, which is preferably a power transformer. Alternatively, the high-voltage device 1 is a choke coil or another device.

[0045] The high-voltage device 1 has a housing 3 , the walls 4 of which are preferably made of steel.

[0046] The housing 3 has at least one through-opening 5 that connects an interior 7 of the housing to the exterior 9. Preferably, the housing 3 has a plurality of through-openings 5, each of which connects the interior 7, which may constitute a common interior space of the housing 3, to the exterior 9.

[0047] For the sake of simplicity, the invention is described below with reference to a single through-opening 5. However, the explanations may also refer to other through-openings 5 ​​of the housing 3.

[0048] In an operating state of the high-voltage device 1, the interior 7 of the housing 3 is preferably filled with a fluid, for example with an oil, an ester, or a liquid containing oil or ester. Alternatively, another filling, in particular with a gas, may also be provided.

[0049] The feedthrough opening 5 is surrounded by a housing wall section 11. The housing wall section 11 extends along a circumferential direction 13. The circumferential direction 13 extends around a feedthrough axis 15. The housing wall section 11 can thus have, in particular, a hollow cylindrical shape, although other shapes, for example, with polygonal cross-sections, are also possible.

[0050] The housing wall section 11 is preferably also made of steel. The hollow cylindrical housing wall section 11 can form a so-called dome 16 of the housing 3.

[0051] A feedthrough 17 can extend into the feedthrough opening 5. The feedthrough 17 can protrude at least partially into the interior 7. Preferably, the feedthrough 17 protrudes with a shorter section into the housing 3 and with a longer section out of the housing 3.

[0052] An electrical conductor 19 can be arranged in the feedthrough 17. The feedthrough opening 5 serves to guide the electrical conductor 19 through the wall 4 of the housing 3, in particular to electrically connect a component, for example a coil, in the interior 7 of the housing 3 to a component or a line outside the housing 3. The feedthrough 17 has insulation surrounding the electrical conductor 19, which is intended to electrically insulate the conductor 19 from the outside.

[0053] The feedthrough 17 and the housing wall section 11 preferably run coaxially with each other and with the feedthrough axis 15.

[0054] A receiving channel 21 extends around the housing wall section 11 surrounding the through-opening 5. The receiving channel 21 preferably extends continuously, in particular continuously along the circumferential direction 13, around the housing wall section 11. Particularly preferably, the receiving channel 21 extends in a ring shape around the housing wall section 11.

[0055] The receiving channel 21 serves to accommodate one or more sensor devices 23 (indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 1). The sensor device 23 can, in particular, be an inductive or optical voltage converter designed to measure a current flow in the conductor 19.

[0056] The receiving channel 21 can have a free installation space 25 extending continuously in the circumferential direction 13. The free installation space 25 is preferably identical to the receiving channel 21. The continuously free installation space 25 not only makes it easier to accommodate an annular sensor device 23, in particular a current transformer, in the receiving channel 21. Furthermore, the free installation space also allows differently shaped sensor devices 23 to be accommodated. Thus, the receiving channel 21 is not limited to a specific shape of the sensor device 23 and is therefore future-proof.

[0057] Since the receiving channel 21 is not located inside the housing 7, a sensor device 23 can be inserted into the receiving channel 21 without having to open the housing 3. In particular, draining the fluid can be avoided. The receiving channel 21 therefore allows for easy retrofitting and replacement of a sensor device 23.

[0058] The receiving channel 21 is preferably surrounded at least in sections by a wall 27. The wall 27 can serve, in particular, to protect a sensor device 23 accommodated in the receiving channel. The housing wall section 11 can form part of the wall 27, in particular a radially inner part.

[0059] The housing 3 preferably has at least one closure element 29 for at least partially closing the passage opening 5. The closure element 29 can, for example, be a cover element, in particular a lid.

[0060] In the case of a hollow cylindrical housing wall section 11, the closure element 29 can close the otherwise open end of the hollow cylindrical structure. The passage 17 can be guided through the closure element 29. For this purpose, the closure element 29 can have a central through-opening 28 for the passage 17.

[0061] An inner closure 30 may be located between the closure element 29 and the interior 7 of the housing 3. The inner closure 30 may prevent the fluid inside the housing 3 from coming into contact with air when the closure element 29 is removed.

[0062] The inner closure 30 can also facilitate the fastening of the closure element 29 to the housing 3. In particular, the inner closure 30 can be provided with fastening means 32. The fastening means 32 can be designed for connection to fastening means 34 of complementary shape.

[0063] In the figures, the fastening means 32 are shown merely as an example, as an internal thread, and the fastening means 34, which complement the thread shape, are shown as screws. The screws can be guided through through openings 38 in the closure element 29.

[0064] The closure element 29 can form part of the surrounding wall 27. For this purpose, the closure element 29 can protrude radially beyond the hollow cylindrical housing wall section 11. A diameter 31 of the closure element 29 can therefore be larger than a diameter 33 of the hollow cylindrical housing wall section 11. The diameters 31 and 33 are measured transversely to the feedthrough axis 15. The closure element 29 can form a roof for the receiving channel 21.

[0065] The housing 3 can have at least one projection 35 extending radially away from the housing wall section 11 surrounding the through-opening 5 and extending in the circumferential direction 13 around the housing wall section 11.

[0066] The projection 35 can, in particular, have the shape of an annular disc that extends around the hollow cylindrical housing wall section 11. The projection 35 can form a base for the receiving channel 21.

[0067] The projection 35 is preferably spaced apart from the closure element 29 along the passage axis 15 and, relative to the direction of gravity 36, is arranged below the closure element 29. The receiving channel 21 can extend between the closure element 29 and the projection 35.

[0068] The receiving channel 21 can be closed between the closure element 29 and the projection 35 by an outer wall 37 extending along the circumferential direction 13. The outer wall 37 can be part of the surrounding wall 27. Preferably, the outer wall 37 is formed monolithically with the projection 35 or the closure element 29.

[0069] In the example described with reference to the figures, the outer wall 37 is part of the closure element 29 and extends vertically from a plate-shaped upper part 39 toward the wall 4. The outer wall 37 may have the shape of a hollow cylinder in section.

[0070] The housing wall section 11, the projection 35, and the closure element 29, including the outer wall 37, form a substantially rectangular wall 27 for the receiving channel 21. The cross section runs transversely to the circumferential direction 13.

[0071] The wall 27 can have at least one gap 41 running along the circumferential direction 13, in particular a gap 41 running continuously along the circumferential direction 13.

[0072] The gap 41 can form a gap in the cross-section of the wall 27. The gap 41 can serve to prevent eddy currents in the wall 27 that are induced by changes in the magnetic flux. At the same time, the gap 41 serves to couple magnetic fields into the interior of the receiving channel 21 so that they can be detected by a sensor device 23 in the receiving channel 21.

[0073] The gap 41 is preferably arranged on a bottom side 43 of the wall relative to the direction of gravity 36. This allows the gap 41 to be protected from environmental influences.

[0074] Particularly preferably, the gap 41 extends between the projection 35 and the outer wall 37.

[0075] In order to further protect the gap 41 from environmental influences in addition to or as an alternative to the above-mentioned arrangement on the underside 43 and in particular to prevent the penetration of water or dirt into the receiving channel 21, at least one electrically insulating element 45 can be arranged in the at least one gap 41.

[0076] The electrically insulating element 45 may, in particular, be annular. It may be made of rubber, a plastic, or another suitable material.

[0077] The wall 27 can have at least one connection section 47 for connecting a sensor device 23 arranged in the receiving channel 21 to a device (not shown) arranged outside the receiving channel 21.

[0078] In the connection section 47, for example, an interface can be arranged to connect a sensor device 23, for example, to a data processing device or to a transmitting device for transmitting the data determined by the sensor device 23.

[0079] The receiving channel 21, in particular with the surrounding wall 27, offers the advantage that a sensor device 23 can be retrofitted or replaced without the need to drain the fluid.

[0080] A further advantage is that at least one sensor device 23 can be inserted into the receiving channel 21 without structural changes to the housing 3, the extent of which would require repeated high-voltage testing, in particular surge voltage tests. Such tests are generally carried out on test equipment provided for this purpose, which necessitates transport of the high-voltage device 1. However, since the receiving channel 21, in particular the surrounding wall 27, is preferably already manufactured during the production of the housing 3, the high-voltage test takes place with the receiving channel 21 already present.

[0081] If a sensor device 23 is later inserted into the receiving channel 21 or an existing sensor device 23 in the receiving channel 21 is replaced with a new one, no further high-voltage testing is required.

[0082] Reference sign

[0083] I High-voltage device

[0084] 3 housings

[0085] 4 wall

[0086] 5 Feed-through opening

[0087] 7 Interior

[0088] 9 Exterior

[0089] II Housing wall section

[0090] 13 Circumferential direction

[0091] 15 Feed-through axis

[0092] 16 Cathedral

[0093] 17 Implementation

[0094] 19 electrical conductor

[0095] 21 recording channels

[0096] 23 Sensor device

[0097] 25 free installation space

[0098] 27 Conversion

[0099] 28 Passage opening

[0100] 29 Closure element

[0101] 30 inner closure

[0102] 31 Diameter of the closure element

[0103] 32 , 34 Fasteners

[0104] 33 Diameter of the housing wall section

[0105] 35 lead

[0106] 36 Direction of gravity

[0107] 37 Exterior wall

[0108] 38 passage openings

[0109] 39 top

[0110] 41 gap

[0111] 43 Bottom

[0112] 45 electrically insulating element

[0113] 47 connecting section

Claims

Patent claims 1. Housing (3) for a high-voltage device (1), in particular for a transformer or a choke coil, wherein the housing (3) has at least one lead-through opening (5) extending along a lead-through axis (15) and connecting an interior (7) of the housing (3) to an exterior (9) of the housing (3), wherein the lead-through opening (5) is surrounded by a housing wall section (11) along a circumferential direction (13) running around the lead-through axis (15), and wherein a receiving channel (21) for at least one sensor device (23) extends continuously around the housing wall section (11) surrounding the lead-through opening (5).

2. Housing (3) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving channel (21) has a free installation space (25) extending continuously along the circumferential direction (13).

3. Housing (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one receiving channel (21) extends annularly around the feedthrough axis (15).

4. Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing wall section (11) has a hollow cylindrical shape and encloses the through opening (5).

5. Housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving channel (21) is at least partially surrounded by a wall (27).

6. Housing (3) according to claim 5, wherein the housing wall section (11) forms at least part of the wall (27) of the receiving channel (21).

7. Housing (3) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the housing (3) has at least one closure element (29) for at least partially closing the through-opening (5), and wherein the closure element (29) forms at least part of the wall (27) of the receiving channel (21).

8. Housing (3) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the housing (3) has at least one projection (35) extending radially away from the housing wall section (11) surrounding the through-opening (5) and extending in the circumferential direction (13) around the housing wall section (11).

9. Housing (3) according to claim 8, wherein the wall (27) of the receiving channel (21) has a substantially rectangular shape in a cross section transverse to the circumferential direction (13).

10. Housing (3) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the wall (27) has at least one gap (41) running along the circumferential direction (13) and in which the wall (27) is interrupted.

11. Housing (3) according to claim 10, wherein the at least one gap (41) is arranged on an underside (43) of the wall (27) relative to the direction of gravity (36).

12. Housing (3) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein at least one electrically insulating element (45) is arranged in the at least one gap (41).

13. Housing (3) according to one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the wall (27) has at least one connection section (47) for connecting a sensor device (23) arranged in the receiving channel (21) with a device arranged outside the receiving channel (21) has .

14. High-voltage device (1), in particular transformer or choke coil, with a housing (3) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and at least one bushing (17) which extends into the through opening (5).

15. High-voltage device (1) according to claim 14, further comprising at least one sensor device (23) in the at least one receiving channel (21), wherein the sensor device (23) surrounds the bushing (17) at least in sections.

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