Capacitor Volume Compensation for High Pressure Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic components like capacitors fail under high pressure conditions in subsea environments due to collapse of electrolytic fluids, leading to costly and labor-intensive pressure-proof housings and risks of damage from ambient pressure transmission.
Innovation Solution
An electronic component design with a casing entirely filled with an electrically insulating fluid and a volume compensation unit that balances internal and external pressures, eliminating residual air or gas and using a second fluid to forward ambient pressure, reducing mechanical stress and leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure-proof housing is used to keep the interior at atmospheric pressure, then the capacitor is protected from high pressure collapse, but the housing becomes massive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter inside the housing from atmospheric pressure to ambient pressure matching the external environment. This eliminates the pressure differential that causes collapse, allowing the use of lighter housing materials while maintaining capacitor integrity through pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the need for a massive pressure-proof housing by extracting the pressure differential problem. Instead of resisting external pressure through structural strength, the solution allows internal pressure to match external pressure, eliminating the collapsing force entirely.
2Reliability
If a pressure-proof housing with sealing is used, then the capacitor is protected from high pressure, but the sealing effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter to match internal and external pressures, which fundamentally reduces sealing requirements. When pressure differential is zero, sealing interfaces experience no net force trying to breach them, dramatically simplifying sealing design and reducing complexity.
3Weight of stationary object
If the housing is filled with electrically insulating fluid for lightweight design, then the housing weight is reduced, but the capacitor remains exposed to ambient pressure transmitted by the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter inside the housing to match the external ambient pressure. The electrically insulating fluid is used to equalize pressure rather than create a pressure differential. This allows lightweight housing construction while the capacitor experiences the same pressure from all sides, preventing collapse.
4Ease of manufacture
If residual air or gas remains in the casing, then the filling process is simpler, but the casing collapses under high pressure due to compression of the gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter to match internal and external pressures. Under this equalized pressure condition, any residual gas does not cause collapse because there is no external pressure differential to compress it. The gas volume remains stable when internal pressure equals external pressure.
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 allows for lightweight, cost-effective, and pressure-resistant electronic devices with reduced risk of damage and leakage, suitable for deep-sea applications like oil production and communication installations.
Implementation Method 1
The volume compensation unit adapts the fluid volume inside the casing to the outside pressure, so the inside pressure and the outside pressure are balanced
Implementation Method 2
The first fluid is separated by a flexible impermeable membrane from a second fluid surrounding the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
the volume compensation unit comprises a valve allowing the first fluid to flow out of the casing or into the casing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention refers to an electronic component (2) for application in high pressure environments comprising a casing (4) entirely filled with an electrically insulating first fluid (F1), whereby the casing (4) exhibits or connects to a volume compensation unit for compensating a volume change of the first fluid (F1). Furthermore the invention refers to an electric device (1) comprising at least one such electronic component (2) in a device housing (10), whereby the device housing (10) is filled with a second fluid (F2).