Amorphous Transformer Core Cooling via Laminated Front Sides

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage transformers with amorphous cores face limitations in rated power due to mechanical fragility, restricted cooling, and increased core losses at higher temperatures, limiting them to around 5-10 MVA without effective cooling and 2-4 MVA without enforced cooling systems.

Innovation Solution

Connecting cooling means, such as heat exchangers or cooling elements, to the laminated front sides of the amorphous transformer-core enhances heat transportation and conductivity, allowing for increased rated power and improved thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling means are connected to the laminated front sides of the amorphous transformer-core, then heat transportation and cooling efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer core is divided into multiple laminated layers wound from amorphous band-like material. The cooling means are segmented and connected to different laminated front sides, allowing distributed heat removal across the core structure rather than集中 cooling at one location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling means such as heat exchangers or cooling elements are introduced as intermediary components between the amorphous transformer-core and the cooling medium. These intermediaries facilitate efficient heat transfer from the core to the cooling fluid while maintaining system modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the rated power of the transformer is increased, then productivity is improved, but the transformer-core temperature increases causing higher core losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverated powerVSAvoidcore losses
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Cooling means are pre-connected to the laminated front sides of the transformer core before operation. This preliminary cooling arrangement ensures that heat is removed proactively during operation, preventing temperature rise that would lead to increased core losses at higher power levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system enables control of the core temperature parameter, maintaining it within the optimal range of 100°C-140°C even at higher rated powers. By actively managing the temperature parameter, the transformer can operate at higher power levels without suffering from temperature-induced core loss increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the width of the band-like amorphous material is increased, then the transformer-core size is improved, but the mechanical stress sensitivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer-core cross-sectionVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single wide band of amorphous material, the transformer core is constructed by winding multiple narrower bands in layers. This segmentation approach creates a laminated structure that reduces mechanical stress sensitivity while achieving the required core cross-sectional area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transformer core employs a composite laminated structure made from multiple layers of amorphous band-like material. This composite construction combines the magnetic properties of amorphous material with the mechanical advantages of a layered architecture, reducing stress concentration and improving overall strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables dry high-voltage transformers with amorphous cores to operate above 2-4 MVA safely, maintaining critical temperatures below 100°C-140°C, and supports the construction of larger cores with enhanced cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the heat conductivity within the transformer-core wound from an amorphous band-like material is not the same in all geometrical directions. Moreover heat conductivity is highest within the same layer of amorphous band material whereas the heat conductivity perpendicular thereto through adjacent layers is significant lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

cooling means are connected with at least a section of at least one of the laminated front sides... cooling means are suitable for the heat transportation from the area of contact with the amorphous transformer-core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2618343B1High-voltage-transformer
Publication Date: 2014.11.05 ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
  • EP2618343B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2618343B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2618343B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention is related to a high-voltage-transformer (10) comprising at least one transformer-core (12, 30) wound from an amorphous band-like material (32, 52) around at least one inner hollow (14, 16, 44, 46), wherein two opposed laminated front sides are formed by the edges of the wound band-like material (32, 52) and wherein at least two opposed limb areas (34, 36, 38) and an upper (40, 98) and lower (42, 64) yoke area are formed. At least one hollow-cylindrical transformer coil (18, 20, 22) is arranged around a limb area (34, 36, 38) of the at least one transformer-core (12, 30). Cooling means (54, 58, 72, 94, 96) are connected with at least a section of at least one of the laminated front sides.