Busbar System with Segmented Cross Sections for Thermal Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional busbar systems face limitations in ventilation and heat dissipation, particularly when transporting electrical energy over long vertical distances, leading to heat accumulation and restricted dimensioning of busbar elements.
Innovation Solution
A busbar system where the housing is functionally separate from the current-carrying elements, allowing for adaptable busbar sizing and increased clearances, with the option to use one busbar as a shared protective or neutral conductor, enhancing thermal dissipation and current-carrying capacity while reducing material and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If busbars are housed in a busway section with fixed housing, then the system provides structural support and protection, but the busbar dimensioning is restricted and ventilation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The busbar system is divided into separate functional segments: current-carrying busbars and a dedicated protective conductor, allowing independent dimensioning of each component without housing constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The protective conductor is extracted from the conventional integrated housing structure and implemented as a separate busbar element, enabling flexible busbar sizing while maintaining system protection functionality
2Temperature
If busbars are housed in a busway section, then the system provides structural support, but heat accumulates in the upper region during long vertical transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the protective conductor function from the housing structure, allowing optimized thermal pathways and ventilation channels that improve heat dissipation in vertical installations
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area of the protective conductor busbar is optimized based on thermal and electrical requirements rather than housing dimensions, enabling better thermal management
3Reliability
If separate protective conductor and neutral conductor are used, then the system provides complete electrical protection, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective conductor and neutral conductor functions are merged into a single busbar element, reducing the number of components while maintaining electrical safety through proper cross-sectional dimensioning
Solution Approach 2:
A single busbar element serves multiple functions: protective conductor, neutral conductor, and current-carrying element in certain configurations, reducing overall system weight and material usage
4Power
If busbar cross-sectional area is increased for long vertical transport, then the current carrying capacity improves, but the housing dimensioning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective conductor is extracted from housing-dependent dimensioning, allowing busbars to be sized purely by electrical requirements without housing constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameters of busbars are independently optimized based on current carrying capacity requirements rather than being constrained by housing dimensions
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 design improves heat dissipation and current-carrying capacity, allows for more economical production by reducing material usage, and provides greater flexibility in busbar dimensioning and arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
cool the busbars within the busway section by natural or forced convection
Implementation Method 2
cool the busbars within the busway section by natural or forced convection
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention relates to busbars having different cross sections for a busbar system with a common protection and/or neutral conductor for the transport of electrical energy. The busbar system includes at least one first segment and a second segment, the segments having each at least one first busbar with a first cross-sectional area, at least a second busbar with a second cross-sectional area, a holding element and at least one connection. According to an embodiment of the invention, the busbars of the segments are held by the respective holding element and are electrically connected to each other via the at least one connection, and a busbar from either the first busbars or second busbars serves as a common protection conductor and/or as a common neutral conductor.