Cooler

Abstract

To provide a cooler capable of suppressing increase of temperature inside a board facility without taking external air into the inside of the board facility and without generating dew.SOLUTION: A cooler 101 comprises a block body 10 having a first end portion 41 and a second end portion 42 on the side opposite to each other. The block body 10 has a first surface 31 for coming into contact with a bus line being a cooling target. Inside the block body 10 is provided a cooling liquid circulation path 12 that communicates the first end portion 41 and the second end portion 42. When a plurality of block bodies 10 are aligned, the plurality of block bodies 10 can be connected into one series by connecting the first end portion 41 and the second end portion 42 adjacent to each other. When the plurality of block bodies 10 are connected into one series, the cooling liquid circulation path 12 communicates across the plurality of block bodies 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooler. [Background technology]

[0002] High-voltage closed switchboards and power panels installed in substations, power plants, various factories, buildings, etc. are collectively referred to as "panel equipment" below. Inside the panel equipment, conductors called "busbars" are arranged to carry large currents. When a large current flows through the busbar, the busbar generates heat. In other words, the busbar is a heat source. If the heat generation from the busbar continues, the temperature inside the panel equipment will rise, so some method is required to cool this busbar.

[0003] Japanese Utility Model Application No. 3-112672 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-55493) (Patent Document 1) describes a configuration in which cooling pipes are arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application No. 3-112672 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 5-55493) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The configuration described in Patent Document 1 may be able to prevent the intrusion of dust, steam, and the like, but it lacks versatility.

[0006] To suppress temperature rise inside a closed panel equipment, a "panel cooler" using a Peltier element can be used. However, this method generates condensation during cooling. To dispose of the condensation, some kind of drainage equipment is required.

[0007] Another possible cooling method would be to use a blower fan to ventilate the air outside the panel equipment. However, this method is not desirable if the surrounding environment is very salty, as it would result in salty air being drawn into the panel equipment, which could corrode the equipment inside the panel equipment or deteriorate the insulation. The same applies if the surrounding environment contains corrosive gases.

[0008] On the other hand, if the inside of the panel equipment is completely sealed and no measures are taken, the temperature will rise.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooler that can suppress the rise in temperature inside the panel equipment without taking in outside air into the inside of the panel equipment and without causing condensation water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a cooler according to the present invention includes a block body having a first end and a second end on opposite sides, the block body having a first surface for contacting a bus bar to be cooled, and a coolant circulation path communicating the first end and the second end is provided inside the block body, and when a plurality of block bodies are arranged, the plurality of block bodies can be connected in series by connecting the adjacent first end and second end, and when the plurality of block bodies are connected in series, the coolant circulation path communicates across the plurality of block bodies. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a block body is provided within which a cooling liquid circulation path is provided, so that the rise in temperature inside the panel equipment can be suppressed without taking in outside air into the interior of the panel equipment and without causing condensation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cooler in a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a first side view of a cooler in a first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second side view of the cooler in the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which a plurality of coolers are arranged and connected in the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a state in which a plurality of coolers are arranged and connected in the first embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a state in which a plurality of coolers in a first embodiment according to the present invention are arranged and connected together and attached to a bus bar. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a cover member provided in a cooler in a second embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a side view of a cover member provided in a cooler in a second embodiment according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a first explanatory diagram of a state in which a cover member of a cooler in a second embodiment according to the present invention is attached to a block body and a bus bar. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a second explanatory diagram of the manner in which the cover member of the cooler in the second embodiment according to the present invention is attached to the block body and the bus bar. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a side view of a state in which a cover member of a cooler in a second embodiment according to the present invention is attached to a block body and a bus bar. [Figure 14] This is a plan view of a structure in which multiple busbars are combined in an L-shape and connected with bolts. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an example in which connectors that extend tubes vertically are connected to the ends of multiple coolers. [Figure 16]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an example in which a coolant circulation path is arranged at an offset position inside a block body of a cooler based on the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a cooler block according to the present invention in which a first surface side is slightly bulged. [Figure 18] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a connection state when an O-ring is disposed at a connection point between coolers based on the present invention. FIG. [Figure 19] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which coolers according to the present invention are connected with an O-ring disposed at the connection point. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (Embodiment 1) (composition) A cooler in a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of cooler 101 in this embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows cooler 101 as viewed from the left side in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows cooler 101 as viewed from the right side in Fig. 1.

[0014] The cooler 101 includes a block body 10 having a first end 41 and a second end 42 on opposite sides. The block body 10 has a first surface 31 for contacting a busbar to be cooled, and a second surface 32 opposite the first surface 31. The block body 10 is made of an insulating material. A coolant circulation path 12 that connects the first end 41 and the second end 42 is provided inside the block body 10.

[0015] The first end 41 has a convex portion 41a. The second end 42 has a concave portion 42a. The coolant circulation path 12 is connected to an opening 41b that opens at the tip of the convex portion 41a. The coolant circulation path 12 is connected to an opening 42b that opens inside the concave portion 42a. The coolant circulation path 12 is laid out so as to cover the entire first surface 31 so as to sufficiently cool the first surface 31 that is to come into contact with the busbar to be cooled. The coolant circulation path 12 between the opening 42b and the opening 41b may be connected in a straight line. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the coolant circulation path 12 between the opening 42b and the opening 41b may be serpentine. Alternatively, the coolant circulation path 12 may be shaped so as to branch into a plurality of circulation paths between the opening 42b and the opening 41b and then converge again.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows how a plurality of coolers 101 are arranged and connected. The block bodies 10 of the coolers 101 are connected to each other. By connecting the block bodies 10 as indicated by the arrows 91 in FIG. 5, the coolers 101 can be integrated as shown in FIG. 6. When a plurality of block bodies 10 are arranged, the plurality of block bodies 10 can be connected to one another by connecting the first end 41 and the second end 42 adjacent to each other. The first end 41 and the second end 42 can be connected by inserting the convex portion 41a into the concave portion 42a. When connecting the coolers 101 to each other, it is preferable to apply an adhesive to the joint surfaces in advance to make the joint surfaces tightly adhere to each other in order to prevent leakage of the cooling liquid from the connection portion.

[0017] When the plurality of block bodies 10 are connected in series, the plurality of block bodies are connected to each other through the coolant circulation path 12. The coolant circulation path 12 is a passage for circulating the coolant. The coolant is, for example, insulating oil.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows a state in which a plurality of coolers 101 are connected in a line and attached to a busbar. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. In the example shown here, three coolers 101 are connected and abutted against a busbar 5. The busbar 5 is made of a conductor. The busbar 5 is wiring for passing a large current. One end of the plurality of coolers 101 connected to each other has a first end 41, and a connector 6a is connected to this first end 41. In the example shown here, the connector 6a is installed by covering the protrusion 41a. The other end of the plurality of coolers 101 connected to each other has a second end 42, and a connector 6b is connected to this second end 42. In the example shown here, the connector 6b is installed by being inserted into the recess 42a. The connectors 6a and 6b are configured so that the tubes 7a and 7b can be connected to each of the connectors 6a and 6b. In the example shown in Figs. 7 and 8, pipes 7a and 7b are connected to connectors 6a and 6b, respectively.

[0019] The cooling liquid is cooled, for example, in a heat exchanger (not shown) installed outside the panel equipment, supplied through pipe 7b, passes through the insides of multiple coolers 101, cools the busbar 5, and then passes through pipe 7a to a convector or surge tank (not shown) installed outside the panel equipment, passes through a pump (not shown) installed outside the panel equipment, and returns to the heat exchanger (not shown) to be cooled again. In this way, the cooling liquid circulates.

[0020] Although an example in which three coolers 101 are connected in a line has been shown here as an example, the number of coolers 101 to be connected may be changed appropriately in accordance with the length of the bus bar 5.

[0021] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the block body 10 of the cooler 101 has a first surface 31 for contacting the bus bar 5, and is provided with a coolant circulation path 12 inside. Therefore, by connecting a plurality of block bodies 10 in series and contacting the bus bar 5, the coolant can be circulated at a position close to the bus bar. By circulating the coolant in this way, the bus bar can be cooled efficiently. The amount of coolant supplied per hour may be set according to the heat quantity of the bus bar.

[0022] In the cooler 101 of the present embodiment, the coolant is circulated in the coolant circulation path 12, so that it is possible to suppress the rise in temperature inside the panel equipment without taking in outside air into the panel equipment and without causing condensation. In particular, since the number of block bodies 10 to be connected can be changed as appropriate, it is possible to flexibly respond to different lengths of the busbars 5 to be cooled.

[0023] As shown in this embodiment, it is preferable that the first end 41 has a convex portion 41a, and the second end 42 has a concave portion 42a having a shape complementary to the convex portion 41a. By adopting this configuration, the first end 41 and the second end 42 can be fitted together. Therefore, the two can be easily connected.

[0024] When forming a flow path in the block body 10, the block body 10 may be prepared in advance in a divided state at the position indicated by the thin solid line AA in Fig. 2. Two divided components may be prepared as a component on the first surface 31 side and a component on the second surface 32 side, and after forming the flow path, the two components may be joined by adhesive or the like to form a single block body 10. The method for forming the flow path 12 in the two divided components may be a method of pouring a liquid insulator into a mold and solidifying it, cutting processing, or a combination of both.

[0025] (Embodiment 2) (composition) A cooler according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13. The cooler according to the present embodiment includes a block body 10 similar to that described in the first embodiment, and further includes a cover member 13. Fig. 9 shows a plan view of the cover member 13. Fig. 10 shows the cover member 13 as viewed from the right side in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 shows how the cover member 13 is attached to the block body 10. As shown by an arrow 92 in Fig. 11, the cover member 13 is attached to the block body 10 and the bus bar 5. The bus bar 5 is not a part of the cooler. A grease layer 8 is disposed between the bus bar 5 and the first surface 31 of the block body 10. The grease layer 8 may be formed by applying grease to the first surface 31 of the block body 10 or the surface of the bus bar 5. Here, the grease layer 8 is shown as having a certain thickness, but this is merely drawn to emphasize the thickness for convenience of explanation, and in reality, the grease layer 8 may be very thin.

[0026] 12 shows a state in the middle of attaching the cover member 13 to the block body 10 and the bus bar 5. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cover member 13 has been attached to the block body 10.

[0027] The cover member 13 includes a cover member body 14 and elastic legs 15 that protrude from the cover member body 14. Hooks 16 are provided at the tips of the legs 15. As shown in FIG. 12, when the cover member 13 is pressed against the block body 10, the inclined surfaces of the hooks 16 slide against the busbars 5, and the two legs 15 are pushed apart. When the cover member 13 is pressed all the way in the direction of the arrow 93, the hooks 16 are caught on the busbars 5, as shown in FIG. 13. The length of the legs 15 is set to be long enough to embrace the block body 10 and the busbars 5.

[0028] The cooler 102 in this embodiment includes a cover member 13 for embracing the block body 10 and the bus bar 5 from the side of the block body 10 remote from the bus bar 5, and for pressing the first surface 31 and the bus bar 5 against each other.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 13, when the cover member 13 has been attached to the block body 10, the cover member main body 14 abuts against the block body 10. The cover member main body 14 may be in surface contact with the second surface 32 of the block body 10 as is, but it is preferable that a protrusion 17 is provided on the cover member main body 14 so that the protrusion 17 makes point contact with the second surface 32 as shown in Fig. 13.

[0030] (Action and effect) In the present embodiment, the cover member 13 presses the first surface 31 of the block body 10 and the bus bar 5 against each other, so that heat generated in the bus bar 5 is easily transferred to the block body 10, and the heat can be dissipated efficiently.

[0031] As shown in this embodiment, the cover member 13 includes a cover member body 14 that contacts the block body 10, and elastic legs 15 that protrude from the cover member body 14, and it is preferable that the tips of the legs 15 are provided with hooks 16 for hanging on the busbars 5. By adopting this configuration, when the cover member 13 is attached to the block body 10 and the busbars 5, it becomes difficult to come off, and it can be stabilized.

[0032] As shown in this embodiment, it is preferable that the cover member body 14 has one or more projections 17 that come into contact with the block body 10. By adopting this configuration, contact between the block body 10 and the cover member body 14 is ensured via the projections 17, and the block body 10 can be reliably pressed down at a desired location.

[0033] (Preferred Configuration 1) The busbar 5 may not only extend in a straight line, but may also have a curved configuration. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, two busbars 5 may be combined in an L-shape and connected by a bolt 3. The bolt 3 protrudes from the surface of the busbar 5.

[0034] In order to prevent the tube extending from the connector from interfering with the protruding portion of the bolt 3, a configuration as shown in Fig. 15 may be adopted. In the example shown here, a connector 6bi is connected to an end of a series of multiple coolers 101. In the connector 6bi, a tube 7i extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the series of coolers 101. By extending the tube in a direction different from the longitudinal direction in this manner, it is possible to arrange the series of coolers 101 along the bus bar 5 up to the vicinity of the bolt 3, while preventing the tube from interfering with the protruding portion of the bolt 3.

[0035] (Preferred Configuration 2) In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the coolant circulation path 12 in the block body 10 is disposed at the center in the thickness direction of the block body 10. However, the coolant circulation path 12 may be disposed at a biased position in the block body 10. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the coolant circulation path 12 in the block body 10j is disposed at a biased position close to the first surface 31. That is, the distance between the coolant circulation path 12 and the first surface 31 is short. By providing the coolant circulation path 12 close to the first surface 31 in this way, in other words, by making the thickness between the first surface 31 and the coolant circulation path 12 thinner than the thickness between the second surface 32 and the coolant circulation path 12, the heat transmitted from the bus bar 5 can be rapidly transmitted to the coolant in the coolant circulation path 12 while maintaining the strength. Therefore, the bus bar 5 can be efficiently cooled. In the block body 10j, the coolant circulation path 12 is disposed at an offset position inside, so that the first surface 31 side has a thin-walled structure, and attention should be paid to whether the strength is sufficient, but since the first surface 31 is the surface that is pressed against the bus bar 5, a very high strength is not required. This is because the first surface 31 of the block body 10j is covered by the bus bar 5, and therefore the first surface 31 is unlikely to collide with other components. Therefore, there is no problem even if the first surface 31 side of the block body 10j has a thin-walled structure to a certain extent.

[0036] (Preferred Configuration 3) In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the cross-sectional shape of the block body 10 is rectangular, but the cross-sectional shape of the block body 10 may be a shape other than rectangular. The block body may be made of a material having elasticity. For example, the block body may be made of Teflon (registered trademark) resin. The block body 10k shown in Fig. 17 is made of Teflon resin and has elasticity. The first surface 31 side of the block body 10k has a slightly bulging shape. By adopting this configuration, when the first surface 31 of the block body 10k is pressed against the bus bar 5, the block body 10k is deformed, and the block body 10k and the bus bar 5 are reliably in close contact with each other. In this way, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated between the block body 10k and the bus bar 5.

[0037] (Preferred Configuration 4) The portion where the first end 41 and the second end 42 are connected may be a simple combination of a convex portion and a concave portion, but may also be a combination of a more complicated shape that fits together. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, an O-ring 18 may be disposed. In the example shown in FIG. 18, a concave portion 41c is provided in the convex portion 41a, and an O-ring 18 is disposed in the concave portion 41c. Furthermore, a concave portion 41d is provided near the base of the convex portion 41a. The concave portion 41d is located closer to the base than the concave portion 41c. The second end 42 is provided with a concave portion 42c and a convex portion 42d. The convex portion 42d is located closer to the tip than the concave portion 42c. When connecting the block bodies to each other, the convex portion 41a of the first end 41 is inserted into the concave portion 42a of the second end 42 in the direction of the arrow 94. As a result, the two are fitted together and connected as shown in FIG. 19. The O-ring 18 is sandwiched between the concave portion 41c and the concave portion 42c, and is in close contact with both the concave portion 41c and the concave portion 42c. Furthermore, the convex portion 42d is fitted into the concave portion 41d, and the two are not easily separated. In this state, the O-ring 18 is interposed in the middle of the fitting portion, so that the cooling liquid can be prevented from leaking. In FIG. 18, the O-ring 18 is pre-installed on the convex portion 41a, but this is not the only possible configuration. The O-ring 18 may be pre-installed on the concave portion 42a instead of the convex portion 41a.

[0038] In addition, two or more of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined and adopted. The above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 3 bolt, 5 bus bar, 6a, 6b, 6bi connector, 7a, 7b, 7i tube, 8 grease layer, 10, 10j, 10k block body, 12 coolant circulation path, 13 cover member, 14 cover member body, 15 leg, 16 hook, 17 projection, 18 O-ring, 31 first surface, 32 second surface, 41 first end, 41a convex portion, 41b opening, 41c, 41d concave portion, 42 second end, 42a concave portion, 42b opening, 42c concave portion, 42d convex portion, 91, 92, 93 arrows, 101, 102 cooler.

Claims

1. a block having a first end and a second end on opposite sides; the block body has a first surface for contacting a bus bar to be cooled; a coolant circulation path communicating the first end and the second end is provided inside the block body, When a plurality of block bodies are arranged, the plurality of block bodies can be connected into a continuous body by connecting the first end portion and the second end portion adjacent to each other, When the plurality of block bodies are connected in series, the coolant circulation path communicates across the plurality of block bodies.

2. The cooler of claim 1 , wherein the first end has a protrusion and the second end has a recess having a shape complementary to the protrusion.

3. 3. The cooler according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member for embracing the block body and the bus bar from a side of the block body farther from the bus bar to press the first surface and the bus bar against each other.

4. 4. The cooler according to claim 3, wherein the cover member includes a cover member body that abuts against the block body, and elastic legs that protrude from the cover member body, the legs having hooks at their tips for hooking onto the busbar.

5. The cooler according to claim 4 , wherein the cover member body includes one or more protrusions that abut against the block body.

Images