Composite Seal Repair for Gas-Insulated Switchgear Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-insulated electrical applications experience leaks due to material ageing and corrosion, leading to the loss of insulating gas and requiring costly and inflexible repair solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving surface treatment, application of an adhesive, and arrangement of a flexible flat material to form a composite seal, which can be cured to prevent leaks without disassembling the application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional repair methods are used to seal leaks in gas-insulated electrical applications, then the leakage can be stopped, but the application requires disassembly and shutdown which causes operational interruption and increased repair complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sealing methods (gaskets, bolts, disassembly) with a chemical bonding system. An adhesive is applied to the outer face of the section, and a flexible flat material is arranged on the adhesive to form a composite seal. This chemical bonding approach eliminates the need for disassembly and complex mechanical repairs while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible flat material that can conform to the outer face of the section to create an effective seal. This flexible material, combined with the adhesive, forms a composite structure that provides reliable sealing without requiring rigid mechanical components or disassembly of the application.
2Reliability
If the gas-insulated electrical application is shut down for repair, then leaks can be sealed effectively, but operational productivity is reduced and repair time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical sealing methods with a chemical adhesive bonding system, the patent enables sealing to be performed on the assembled application without shutdown. The adhesive can be applied and the flexible material arranged while the application remains in service, maintaining operational productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied in advance to the outer face, and the flexible flat material is arranged on it to form a pre-assembled sealing composite that can be applied without disrupting operation. This preliminary preparation of the sealing system allows for quick installation without shutdown.
3Reliability
If replacement of parts and gaskets is performed, then leaks can be stopped, but the cost of repair increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cost-effective adhesive and flexible material composite that can be applied as a relatively inexpensive sealing solution compared to replacing entire gaskets or parts. This approach treats the sealing as a consumable repair element that provides effective leak prevention at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting expensive mechanical sealing components (gaskets, bolts, flanges) with a chemical adhesive bonding system, the patent significantly reduces repair costs. The adhesive and flexible material are much cheaper than replacing mechanical sealing components while providing equivalent or superior sealing performance.
4Strength
If the outer face is cleaned and roughened, then adhesive bonding strength is improved, but the surface treatment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer face is cleaned and roughened in advance before adhesive application to ensure optimal bonding strength. This preliminary surface preparation creates a receptive substrate that enhances adhesive penetration and mechanical interlocking, ensuring strong bonding while allowing the treatment to be completed beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface treatment modifies the physical parameters of the outer face by cleaning it to remove contaminants and roughening it to increase surface area and porosity. These parameter changes improve adhesive wetting and bonding strength, creating a more effective bonding interface.
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
The method effectively seals leaks in gas-insulated electrical applications, reducing the risk of gas loss and avoiding costly replacements, while being applicable to various flange sizes and climates, and maintaining gas tightness without shutting down operations.
Implementation Method 1
applying an adhesive to the outer face, arranging on the outer face a flexible flat material, wherein the flexible flat material is configured for being bonded, infused and/or permeated by the adhesive in order to form and/or forming a composite material with the adhesive
Implementation Method 2
the flexible flat material is configured for being bonded, infused and/or permeated by the adhesive
Implementation Method 3
curing the adhesive. The adhesive may be hardened, e.g. by means of time, chemical reaction and/or temperature
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method to seal a section (110) of a gas-insulated electrical application (100), e.g. the application (100) configured as a gas-insulated switch-gear or a gas-insulated line, particularly in order to enhance the lifetime of the application (100), the method comprising the steps of surface treatment (30) of at least an outer face (122) of the section (110), applying (40) an adhesive (2) to the outer face (122), arranging (50) on the outer face (122) a flexible flat material (4), and curing (60) the adhesive (2). The invention furthermore relates to a kit (1) and to a gas-insulated electrical application (100).