Breather for transformer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breather for a transformer and, more particularly, to a breather for a transformer, in which a colorimetric sensor, which changes color in response to moisture, is mounted inside the breather that regulates internal pressure of the transformer and removes moisture generated therein, such that a replacement timing of the breather can be easily identified from the outside on the basis of whether a color change has occurred, and a check valve is installed inside the breather to automatically discharge and reduce internal pressure of the transformer when the pressure rises, and to automatically reset when the pressure falls below a predetermined level, thereby blocking the inflow of external air.

Description

Breathing apparatus for transformers

[0001] The present invention relates to a transformer regulator, and more specifically, to a transformer regulator that regulates internal pressure and removes moisture generated inside the transformer, wherein a discoloration sensor that changes color due to moisture is attached to the inside of the regulator to easily determine the replacement time of the regulator based on whether discoloration occurs from the outside, and wherein a check valve is attached to the exhaust port of the regulator to automatically release pressure when the internal pressure of the transformer rises, and automatically return to close the exhaust port when the pressure is reduced below a certain level, thereby blocking the inflow of external air.

[0002] Generally, an oil-filled transformer is a device in electrical installations that raises or lowers the voltage of alternating current using electromagnetic induction. It is an important piece of equipment in the power system connected to transmission and distribution lines that transforms the voltage to a higher or lower level while keeping the power constant through a primary winding connected to the power source and a secondary winding connected to the load, and it plays a very significant role in ensuring the stable supply of power.

[0003] The insulating oil filled inside the oil-filled transformer strengthens the insulation between conductors and insulators and protects against insulation breakdown caused by moisture penetrating from the inside and outside.

[0004] In addition, since the insulating oil inside the oil-filled transformer and the air above the insulating oil contract or expand depending on the ambient temperature surrounding the transformer, a breather is installed in the transformer to prevent damage or explosion caused by this pressure, and the internal pressure is regulated through the breather.

[0005] As disclosed in Patent No. 1556572 and the applicant’s Patent No. 2635558, such a respirator is connected to the inside of the transformer by piping, and the silica gel filled inside the respirator removes insulating oil components from oil vapor leaking from the inside of the transformer and discharges them to the outside, or removes moisture contained in the air when external air flows into the transformer, thereby maintaining a constant pressure inside the transformer and removing moisture inside the transformer so that the transformer can always maintain an insulating state.

[0006] However, conventional respirators require a container with a certain volume to accommodate silica gel, which increases their size, and there is a problem of poor visibility because it is not easy to check at a glance whether the silica gel has discolored after absorbing moisture.

[0007] In addition, an oil cup equipped with insulating oil is installed at the bottom of the breathing apparatus to remove moisture and foreign substances contained in the external air entering through the exhaust port from the outside. However, the insulating oil becomes contaminated during long-term storage, and in particular, when a large amount of air is discharged at high pressure due to an increase in the internal pressure of the transformer, the insulating oil filled in the oil cup splashes upward and leaks through the exhaust port of the oil cup, contaminating the surrounding environment. Furthermore, if the insulating oil contained in the oil cup leaks continuously, the function of blocking moisture and foreign substances through the insulating oil is lost, which causes problems such as transformer failure or accidents.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to solve such problems by providing a transformer respirator that prevents damage and explosion of the transformer by installing a lower chamber at the bottom of the respirator to discharge air expanded inside the transformer and installing a check valve inside the chamber to open and close an exhaust port, thereby reducing the pressure when the internal pressure rises and closing the exhaust port when the pressure drops below a certain level to prevent external air containing moisture from entering the transformer, and by installing a discoloration sensor that changes color due to moisture on an intermediate flange installed between the upper flange and the lower chamber to check the amount of moisture inside the transformer through the discoloration of the sensor and to enable rapid replacement with a new one.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a transformer respirator that prevents foreign substances or moisture from penetrating into the interior of the respirator during circulation and construction processes by installing a cover that closes the upper circulation port and opens at a certain pressure between an upper fixing plate having an upper circulation port and an upper flange.

[0010] The present invention is a means to achieve this purpose,

[0011] An upper fixed plate communicating with the inflow transformer through the upper flow port;

[0012] An upper flange having a connecting portion joined to the above upper fixing plate by a bolt;

[0013] A cover for preventing foreign matter intrusion, installed between the upper fixing plate and the upper flange, having a cut line that opens at a certain pressure or higher while closing the upper flow opening and the connecting part of the upper fixing plate;

[0014] A hydrogen module flange screw-coupled to the lower part of the upper flange above;

[0015] A hydrogen module comprising a hydrogen detection sensor that detects and measures the concentration of hydrogen gas contained in oil vapor discharged from an inlet transformer through a respirator inside the hydrogen module flange, and a wireless transmitter that remotely transmits the concentration measurement value of the hydrogen detection sensor to a manager's wireless receiver;

[0016] An intermediate flange of a transparent body screw-coupled to the lower part of the above hydrogen module flange;

[0017] A discoloration sensor attached to the inner wall of the above intermediate flange;

[0018] It includes a lower chamber screw-coupled to the lower part of the above intermediate flange, and

[0019] The present invention provides a transformer breathing apparatus characterized in that the lower chamber is provided with an exhaust port penetrating the upper surface and communicating with an intermediate flange, and a discharge port penetrating the lower surface, and a check valve is installed at the lower end of the exhaust port to discharge air inside the breathing apparatus while preventing external air from entering.

[0020] The above check valve is characterized by comprising a fixed shaft screw-coupled to a hub formed at the center of a rib between exhaust holes, an opening / closing valve inserted into the fixed shaft to open and close the exhaust holes from the lower side, a spring inserted between the opening / closing valve and a spring seat to spring upward in the direction of closing the exhaust holes, and an adjustment nut for adjusting the upward spring's spring's spring force.

[0021] The above-described color change sensor comprises a color change layer formed on a base substrate, wherein the base substrate is composed of a film, sheet, or paper having flexible properties, and the color change layer is characterized by being composed of a first sensing compound, which is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), which reacts with moisture to generate hydroxide ions, and a second sensing compound, which is phenolphthalein, which changes color by reacting with the hydroxide ions generated by the first sensing compound or with hydroxide ions provided from the outside.

[0022] The above-mentioned color change sensor is characterized by a structure in which a humidity sensing layer is formed on the surface of a base substrate, the humidity sensing layer comprising a humidity sensing material of a cobalt compound, an iron compound, or a compound combined with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.

[0023] As such, according to the present invention, the internal expanded air is discharged to the outside by means of a check valve installed in the exhaust port of the lower chamber of the regulator, and external air containing moisture is blocked, thereby preventing damage to the transformer. Furthermore, since external air is not introduced, moisture-absorbing silica gel is not required, allowing the specifications of the regulator to be made more compact. Additionally, the moisture content of the regulator can be checked by a color change sensor, providing excellent visibility and enabling rapid replacement of the regulator.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a respiratory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a respiratory device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cover for preventing foreign matter intrusion into the upper flange.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the exhaust port of the lower chamber.

[0028] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing the breathing apparatus of the present invention installed in an inflow transformer.

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, focusing on the parts necessary to understand the operation and function according to the present invention.

[0030] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0031] In describing the embodiments of the present invention, unnecessary technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present invention belongs and are not directly related to the present invention are omitted to ensure clearer communication without obscuring the essence of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a respirator according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a respirator according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cover for preventing foreign matter intrusion of an upper flange, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an exhaust port of a lower chamber, and FIG. 5 is an example diagram showing the respirator of the present invention installed in an inlet transformer.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the transformer breather (100) of the present invention is,

[0034] An upper fixed plate (10) communicating through an inflow transformer (200) and an upper flow port (12);

[0035] An upper flange (20) having a connecting portion (21) joined to the upper fixing plate (10) and a bolt (11);

[0036] A cover (14) for preventing foreign matter penetration, installed between the upper fixing plate (10) and the upper flange (20), closing the upper flow opening (12) and the connecting part (21) of the upper fixing plate (10) and having a cut line (13) that opens at a certain pressure or higher;

[0037] A hydrogen module flange (30) screw-coupled to the lower part of the upper flange (2);

[0038] A hydrogen module (33) comprising a hydrogen detection sensor (31) that detects and measures the concentration of hydrogen gas contained in the vapor discharged from the inlet transformer (200) through the respirator (100) inside the hydrogen module flange (30), and a wireless transmitter (32) that remotely transmits the concentration measurement value of the hydrogen detection sensor (31) to a wireless receiver of an administrator;

[0039] A transparent intermediate flange (40) screw-coupled to the lower part of the hydrogen module flange (30);

[0040] A color change sensor (50) attached to the inner wall of the intermediate flange (40);

[0041] It includes a lower chamber (60) that is screw-coupled to the lower part of the intermediate flange (40), and

[0042] The lower chamber (60) is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes (61) that penetrate the upper surface and communicate with the intermediate flange (40), and an exhaust port (62) that penetrates the lower surface. A check valve (70) is installed at the bottom of the exhaust holes (61) to open and close the exhaust holes to discharge air inside the respiratory tract (100) and prevent external air from entering from the outside.

[0043] The above check valve (70) is composed of a fixed shaft (73) that is screw-coupled to the center hub (72) of the rib (71) between the exhaust holes (61), an opening / closing valve (74) that is inserted into the fixed shaft (73) and opens / closes the exhaust holes (61) from the lower side, a spring (76) that is inserted between the opening / closing valve (74) and the spring seat (75) and pushes upward in the closing direction of the exhaust holes (61), and an adjustment nut (77) that adjusts the upward pushing force of the spring (76).

[0044] The color change sensor (50) attached to the inner wall of the intermediate flange (40) may be configured to include a color change layer (52) formed on a base substrate (51).

[0045] The above base substrate (51) is preferably a substrate having flexible properties, and examples include a flexible film, sheet, or paper. Since the base substrate (51) has flexible properties, it can be easily attached to the inner wall of the intermediate flange (40).

[0046] The discoloration layer (52) may include a first sensing compound and a second sensing compound.

[0047] The first sensing compound is a compound that reacts with moisture to produce hydroxide ions and may include sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).

[0048] For example, when the first sensing compound is exposed to water or a liquid substance containing a liquid chemical, the first sensing compound is hydrolyzed by the moisture contained in the liquid substance to produce hydroxide ions.

[0049] The second sensing compound is a compound that changes color by reacting with hydroxide ions, and changes color by reacting with hydroxide ions generated by the first sensing compound or hydroxide ions provided from the outside. An example of a second sensing compound is phenolphthalein.

[0050] The second detection compound itself can change color by reacting directly with basic chemical substances. That is, when the second detection compound is phenolphthalein, it changes from colorless to a reddish color such as pink or red when exposed to basic chemical substances.

[0051] As another embodiment of the color change sensor (50), the structure may also be formed such that a color change layer (52) is formed on the surface of a base substrate (51) and includes a humidity-sensing material that changes color by absorbing moisture in the air, such as a cobalt compound, an iron compound, or a compound combined with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.

[0052] Here, the discoloration sensor (50) formed by the method of the above-described embodiment has a different degree of discoloration depending on the amount of moisture.

[0053] The discoloration sensor (50) is attached by means of a base material (51) having flexible properties being adhered to the inner wall of the intermediate flange (40). As the oil vapor and expanded air generated inside the inlet transformer (200) flow in through the upper flow port (12) of the upper cover (10) and the connecting part (21) of the upper flange (20) and are discharged through the intermediate flange (40) and the lower chamber (60) to the outlet (62), discoloration occurs due to the moisture contained in the oil vapor. Since the degree of discoloration becomes darker as the amount of moisture increases, the amount of moisture generated inside the inlet transformer (200) can be checked visually from the outside through the transparent intermediate flange (40), and the breathing apparatus (100) can be replaced quickly based on this.

[0054] In particular, the present invention forms a respirator (100) in which an intermediate flange (40) is screw-coupled between a hydrogen module flange (30) and a lower chamber (60). Therefore, when the color change sensor (50) of the intermediate flange (40) becomes contaminated, the intermediate flange (40) can be separated to replace only the color change sensor (50) inside with a new one, or only the intermediate flange (40) to which the color change sensor (50) is attached can be replaced.

[0055] Additionally, in the lower chamber (60) coupled to the lower part of the intermediate flange (40), a check valve (70) is installed, comprising a fixed shaft (73) which is screw-coupled to a hub (72) formed at the center of a rib (71) between a plurality of exhaust holes (61) communicating with the intermediate flange (40), an opening / closing valve (74) which is inserted into the fixed shaft (73) to open and close the exhaust holes (61), a spring (76) which is inserted between the opening / closing valve (74) and a spring seat (75) and pushes upward in the closing direction of the exhaust holes (61), and an adjustment nut (77) which adjusts the upward pushing force of the spring (76). Therefore, when the internal pressure of the transformer does not rise, the exhaust holes (61) are blocked by the opening / closing valve (74) which pushes upward by the spring (76) of the check valve (70), and external air flowing in through the discharge port (62) formed at the lower part of the lower chamber (60) Since moisture contained in the external air does not enter the interior of the breathing apparatus (100), the problem of moisture entering the interior of the transformer does not occur.

[0056] On the other hand, when the pressure rises as the insulating oil inside the transformer and the air above the insulating oil contract or expand according to the ambient temperature around the transformer, the opening valve (74) compresses the spring (76) due to the increased pressure and descends along the fixed shaft (73) to open the exhaust port (61), thereby exhausting the increased pressure through the exhaust port (61) and the exhausted pressure is discharged through the outlet (62) of the lower chamber (60), thereby reducing the pressure inside the transformer to below a certain level. When the internal pressure is reduced to below a certain level, the opening valve (74) rises along the fixed shaft (73) by the return force of the spring (76) to block the exhaust port (61), thereby preventing external air from entering the inside of the breathing apparatus (100).

[0057] Therefore, since the inflow of external air through the exhaust port (62) into the transformer is completely blocked, insulation breakdown is prevented, thereby preventing the transformer from exploding.

[0058] Here, the check valve (70) is operated by the elasticity of the spring (76) by the opening / closing valve (74) that opens / closes the exhaust port (61), and the spring (76) can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the lower adjustment nut (77) to raise or lower the spring seat (75), so it can be easily adjusted to the allowable level of the internal pressure of the transformer.

[0059] Meanwhile, the respirator (100) of the present invention is equipped with a foreign substance intrusion prevention cover (14) having an opening (13) that opens at a certain pressure while closing the upper flow port (12) and the connecting part (21) between the upper fixing plate and the upper flange (20). Therefore, during the flow or construction process, foreign substances such as dust or moisture are not introduced into the interior of the respirator by the foreign substance intrusion prevention cover (14). When the pressure increases as the air inside the incoming transformer contracts or expands according to the ambient temperature around the transformer, the opening (13) of the foreign substance intrusion prevention cover (14) opens, and the pressure is discharged and regulated through the respirator (100).

[0060] Conventional respirators are designed to prevent foreign substances from entering by sealing the upper flow port (12) to the outside during the distribution process and to manually open the sealed upper flow port (12) during construction. However, there were frequent instances where the port was not opened due to a worker's mistake, which resulted in a problem of transformer explosion. In contrast, the present invention has a cover (14) for preventing foreign substances from entering that is automatically opened by the internal pressure of the transformer installed inside the respirator (100), so the problem of conventional respirators does not occur.

[0061] In addition, the respirator (100) of the present invention is configured such that the upper flange (20), the hydrogen module flange (30), the middle flange (40), and the lower chamber (60) are independently configured and the whole is assembled by screw connection, so the respirator can be conveniently used in that it can be easily disassembled and partially replaced when replacing the hydrogen module (33), including the replacement of the color change sensor (50).

[0062] The embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings described above are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments and accompanying drawings. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. An upper fixed plate (10) communicating with an inflow transformer (200) and an upper flow port (12); An upper flange (20) having a connecting portion (21) joined to the upper fixing plate (10) and a bolt (11); A cover (14) for preventing foreign matter penetration, installed between the upper fixing plate (10) and the upper flange (20), closing the upper flow opening (12) and the connecting part (21) of the upper fixing plate (10) and having a cut line (13) that opens at a certain pressure or higher; A hydrogen module flange (30) screw-coupled to the lower part of the upper flange (2); A hydrogen module (33) comprising a hydrogen detection sensor (31) that detects and measures the concentration of hydrogen gas contained in the vapor discharged from the inlet transformer (200) through the respirator (100) inside the hydrogen module flange (30), and a wireless transmitter (32) that remotely transmits the concentration measurement value of the hydrogen detection sensor (31) to a wireless receiver of an administrator; A transparent intermediate flange (40) screw-coupled to the lower part of the hydrogen module flange (30); A color change sensor (50) attached to the inner wall of the intermediate flange (40); It includes a lower chamber (60) that is screw-coupled to the lower part of the intermediate flange (40), and A transformer breathing apparatus characterized in that the lower chamber (60) is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes (61) that penetrate the upper surface and communicate with the intermediate flange (40) and an exhaust port (62) that penetrates the lower surface, and the exhaust holes (61) are equipped with a check valve (70) that opens and closes to discharge air inside the breathing apparatus (100) and prevents external air from entering.

2. A transformer breather according to claim 1, wherein the check valve (70) comprises a fixed shaft (73) which is screw-coupled to a hub (72) formed at the center of a rib (71) between exhaust holes (61), an opening / closing valve (74) which is inserted into the fixed shaft (73) and opens / closes the exhaust holes (61) from the lower side, a spring (76) which is inserted between the opening / closing valve (74) and a spring seat (75) and pushes upward in the closing direction of the exhaust holes (61), and an adjusting nut (77) which adjusts the upward pushing force of the spring (76).

3. A transformer breather according to claim 1, wherein the color change sensor (50) comprises a color change layer (52) formed on a base substrate (51), the base substrate (51) is made of a film, sheet, or paper having flexible properties, and the color change layer (52) is composed of a first sensing compound, which is sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) that reacts with moisture to generate hydroxide ions, and a second sensing compound, which is phenolphthalein that changes color by reacting with the hydroxide ions generated by the first sensing compound or with hydroxide ions provided from the outside.

4. A transformer breather according to claim 1, characterized in that the color-changing sensor (50) is structured to form a color-changing layer (52) containing a humidity-sensing substance, such as a cobalt compound, an iron compound, or a compound combined with an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, on the surface of a base substrate (51).

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