Modular transformer radiator with integrated flat heat pipes and aerodynamic finning

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering.SUBSTANCE: invention relates namely to devices for cooling oil-filled power transformers. The modular transformer radiator comprises upper and lower collectors connected to the oil-filled transformer tank, and a series of cooling fins installed between the collectors and forming channels for the circulation of transformer oil and a series of cooling fins. Each fin has a built-in flat evaporation chamber (heat pipe), with the evaporation zones of the chambers located in the lower part of the fins, in contact with hot transformer oil, and the condensation zones adjacent to the surfaces of the fins blown by air. The fins are designed with an aerodynamic profile, which reduces air flow resistance and improves convective heat exchange.EFFECT: increase in the heat-transfer capacity of the radiator and a decrease in the operating temperature of the transformer oil.1 cl, 3 dwg

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0002] This invention relates to electrical engineering, specifically to devices for cooling oil-filled power transformers. More specifically, the invention relates to transformer radiator designs designed to transfer heat from transformer oil to the surrounding environment.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] It is well known that efficient cooling of oil-filled power transformers is critical to ensuring their reliable and safe operation. The primary purpose of transformer cooling systems is to remove heat generated during operation from the transformer oil to the surrounding environment, thereby maintaining an optimal operating temperature and preventing equipment overheating. Traditionally, radiators are used for this purpose, in which transformer oil circulates, and heat is removed through thermal conductivity of the radiator material and convective heat exchange with the air. However, the effectiveness of such systems depends largely on the radiator design, its materials, and the nature of the airflow, which creates uneven temperature distribution and limited heat transfer, especially under high thermal loads.

[0005] A technical solution is known (RU Patent No. 2349979 C1, H01F 27 / 12, application dated 21.12.2007 No. 2007147772 / 09, published on 20.03.2009), which is a transformer cooling system, including a metal transformer tank with oil and heat exchangers made in the form of cylindrical vertical heat pipes with heating and cooling zones located evenly around the perimeter of the transformer tank. This device uses the phase transition of the working fluid in the heat pipes to remove heat. The disadvantages of this technical solution include the dependence of the cooling efficiency on the ambient air temperature, an increase in the dimensions of the device due to the use of vertical tubular heat sinks, and a decrease in the overall heat transfer efficiency due to the lack of measures to optimize the air flow.

[0006] A technical solution is known (RU Patent No. 2625324 C2, H01F 27 / 08, G12B 15 / 02, application dated 21.12.2012 No. 2014130286, published on 13.07.2017), which is a cooling radiator of the tank of the active part of the transformer. The device consists of upper and lower collectors, between which flat cooling modules are installed in a row. These coolers are pipes with oil passing inside, equipped with cooling fins on the outer side. This technical solution is adopted as a prototype. The disadvantages of the prototype include limited heat transfer, caused only by the thermal conductivity of the fin material, which leads to uneven temperature distribution over their surface. In addition, flat fins with a rectangular cross-section create increased aerodynamic resistance to the air flow, which limits the cooling efficiency.

[0007] Disclosure of the essence of the invention

[0008] The technical objective of the invention is to increase the cooling efficiency of an oil-filled power transformer by improving the design of the radiator, which ensures intensified heat removal from the oil to the air while maintaining or reducing the dimensions and weight of the radiator.

[0009] The technical result is an increase in the heat-transfer capacity of the radiator and a decrease in the operating temperature of the transformer oil, as well as an increase in the reliability and fire safety of the transformer due to the possibility of effective passive cooling.

[0010] The technical result is achieved in that the modular radiator of a transformer contains at least one radiator module including upper and lower collectors connected to the tank of an oil-filled transformer, and a number of cooling fins installed between the collectors and forming channels for the circulation of transformer oil, wherein each cooling fin is equipped with a flat evaporation chamber integrated inside it in the form of a sealed housing with a working liquid, and the cooling fins themselves have an aerodynamic cross-sectional profile, wherein the evaporation zones of the chambers are located in the lower part of the fins, in contact with hot transformer oil, and the condensation zones are adjacent to the surfaces of the fins blown by air.

[0011] The solution to this problem is the integration of flat evaporation chambers (heat pipes) into the fins and their aerodynamic shape, which provide a synergistic effect. Flat heat pipes, operating based on the phase transition of the working fluid, redistribute the heat flow across the entire height of each fin, eliminating localized overheating and fully utilizing its entire surface for heat transfer. Aerodynamic finning, in turn, reduces airflow resistance and increases the heat transfer coefficient by optimizing convective airflow, which intensifies heat dissipation to the environment and, consequently, significantly improves transformer cooling efficiency without increasing the size of the heatsink.

[0012] Brief description of drawings

[0013] The essence of the invention is explained by figures, which show a schematic representation of a fragment of a modular radiator of a transformer.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows the location of the modular transformer radiator with integrated flat heat pipes and aerodynamic finning, side view.

[0015] In Fig. 1 the following designations are used: 1 – upper manifold; 2 – lower manifold; 3 – radiator cooling fin;

[0016] Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the modular transformer radiator with integrated flat heat pipes and aerodynamic finning, front view, where 1 is the upper collector; 2 is the lower collector; 3 is the cooling fin of the radiator;

[0017] Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the modular transformer radiator with integrated flat heat pipes and aerodynamic finning, an approximate view of the fin, where 1 is the upper collector; 2 is the lower collector; 3 is the cooling fin of the radiator; 4 is the flat evaporation chamber (heat pipe).

[0018] The device comprises a radiator module consisting of an upper collector 1 and a lower collector 2, between which several cooling fins 3 are arranged parallel to each other. A flat evaporation chamber 4 is located within each hollow fin 3. Fins 3 have a profiled outer surface to optimize airflow and are separated by air gaps. The cavities of collectors 1 and 2 are connected to the upper and lower parts of the transformer tank, respectively.

[0019] Implementation of the invention

[0020] The modular transformer radiator with integrated flat heat pipes and aerodynamic finning operates as follows. Heated transformer oil from the transformer tank, as a result of natural convection, enters through the upper manifold 1 into the channels formed by cooling fins 3. Heat from the hot oil is transferred to the walls of the lower part of each fin 3. This heat causes the working fluid located inside the flat evaporation chamber 4 to evaporate. The vapor rises to the upper part of the chamber (the condensation zone), where it transfers heat to the walls of fin 3, which, in turn, dissipate it into the surrounding air. In this process, the vapor condenses, and the resulting condensate flows down the inner walls or the capillary structure of chamber 4, returning to the evaporation zone, after which the cycle is repeated. Thus, a continuous process of heat transfer occurs within each fin, from its base to its top.

[0021] At the same time, ambient air flows over the outer surface of fins 3. The aerodynamic shape of the fins ensures minimal resistance and promotes laminar airflow, which increases heat transfer efficiency during both natural convection and forced airflow. The cooled oil descends and returns to the transformer tank through the lower collector 2. The combined use of heat pipes and the aerodynamic fin profile ensures the stated technical result.

[0022] The advantage of the proposed modular transformer radiator over the known prototype cooling radiator of the active part of the transformer tank is that, due to the use of flat heat pipes inside the fins, it provides more intensive and uniform heat dissipation over the entire surface of the fin thanks to the phase transfer mechanism, and the aerodynamic design of the fins reduces airflow resistance and increases the heat transfer coefficient, which together allows for the dissipation of significantly greater thermal power with the same dimensions.

Claims

A modular radiator of a transformer, comprising at least one radiator module, including upper and lower collectors, connected to the tank of an oil-filled transformer, and a number of cooling fins installed between the collectors and forming channels for the circulation of transformer oil, characterized in that each cooling fin is equipped with a flat evaporation chamber integrated inside it in the form of a sealed housing with a working liquid, and the cooling fins themselves have an aerodynamic cross-sectional profile, wherein the evaporation zones of the chambers are located in the lower part of the fins, in contact with hot transformer oil, and the condensation zones are adjacent to the surfaces of the fins blown by air.

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