Dry Transformer Coil Cooling Channel Constriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dry-type transformers face challenges in cooling efficiency due to the lower thermal capacity of air compared to oil, making it difficult and expensive to effectively dissipate heat, especially in high-power applications where forced cooling is often required.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a honeycomb-like support structure with radially adjacent cooling channels, featuring constriction elements that reduce the cross-section of thermally distant channels, ensuring that cooling air flows more efficiently through channels adjacent to heat sources, thereby optimizing heat dissipation using the available coolant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced cooling is used to improve heat dissipation, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform cooling channel cross-sections with constriction elements positioned specifically in channels that are thermally distant from heat sources. This local modification redirects coolant flow to where it is most needed (channels adjacent to windings) without requiring complex forced cooling systems throughout the entire transformer, thereby improving heat dissipation while avoiding increased device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform cooling channels are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but cooling efficiency decreases because coolant flow does not match heat distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simplicity of uniform cooling channel manufacturing while introducing local quality through constriction elements. These elements are integrated into the support structure and selectively reduce cross-sections in specific channels, creating non-uniform flow distribution without complicating the overall manufacturing process. The channels remain uniformly spaced and structured, but local constrictions optimize coolant distribution according to thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The constriction elements act as intermediaries between the uniform cooling channel structure and the non-uniform heat distribution pattern. By positioning these elements in thermally distant channels, they mediate the coolant flow to redirect it toward channels adjacent to heat-generating windings, thereby improving cooling efficiency without requiring a complete redesign of the cooling system architecture.
3Temperature
If more cooling channels are added to improve cooling, then heat dissipation is improved, but flow resistance increases and coolant utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the cross-sectional area parameter of specific cooling channels through constriction elements. Instead of adding more channels or increasing flow rate uniformly, the invention changes the geometric parameter (cross-section) of selected channels to optimize flow distribution. This reduces flow resistance in the overall system by directing coolant more efficiently through channels that actually need cooling, improving heat dissipation without increasing energy loss.
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 approach enhances heat dissipation from dry-type transformer coils by ensuring that coolant flow is directed where it is most needed, reducing flow resistance and improving cooling efficiency, which can lead to a more compact and efficient cooling system, potentially reducing the need for larger cooling systems and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The basic idea of the invention is to allow cooling air to flow more through those cooling ducts which are adjacent to one of the windings giving off heat loss
Implementation Method 2
Due to the lower thermal capacity compared to oil, the cooling of a dry-type transformer or the respective one has proven itself difficult and expensive
Implementation Method 3
The cooling or cooling behavior of a dry-type transformer coil is to be improved or optimized, in particular with regard to an existing coolant flow
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dry-type transformer coil (10), comprising at least two hollow-cylindrical windings (12, 14, 42, 44, 72, 74) which are nested one inside the other and are spaced radially apart, wherein axially (38, 64) extending cooling channels (30, 32, 34, 46, 48, 50, 88, 90, 92) which are arranged next to one another in at least three radially adjacent cooling channel planes (24, 26, 28) are formed by means of corresponding wall elements (18, 20, 22) in the hollow-cylindrical interspace (16) formed by the spacing. A narrowing element (36, 52, 54, 76, 78, 80) for narrowing the cooling channel cross section is arranged in at least one of the cooling channels located in a cooling channel plane that is neither radially on the inside (24) nor radially on the outside (28). The invention also relates to a dry-type transformer comprising a dry-type transformer coil according to the invention.