Encapsulating Housing Assembly Thermal Expansion Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gas-insulated switchgear encapsulation housings face stress and deformation due to thermal expansion caused by electrical currents, which existing compensation mechanisms fail to adequately address, particularly in maintaining constant pressure during relative movements of pipe sections.

Innovation Solution

An encapsulation housing arrangement with two pipe sections that can move linearly and tilt relative to each other, featuring a perforated disk, ring-like bellows, and a connecting part that maintains a constant pressure by allowing gas to flow between a compensation volume and pipe volume through a connecting channel, with fluid-tight connections to prevent pressure drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If pipe sections are made movable to compensate thermal expansion, then stresses in the encapsulation housing are reduced, but pressure constancy cannot be maintained due to volume changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress in encapsulation housingVSAvoidpressure constancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation housing is divided into multiple pipe sections that can move relative to each other, allowing thermal expansion compensation while maintaining overall system integrity. The connecting part with bellows further segments the structure to enable controlled movement and volume compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the volume parameter dynamically through bellows expansion and contraction. When pipe sections move apart due to thermal expansion, the bellows expand to maintain constant pressure by adjusting the internal volume of the encapsulation housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If pipe sections are allowed to tilt relative to each other, then connection flexibility is improved, but seal reliability becomes more difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection flexibilityVSAvoidseal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Bellows with flexible metallic walls are used to connect pipe sections, allowing both linear movement and tilting while maintaining fluid-tight seals. The flexible nature of the bellows enables adaptation to relative movements without compromising seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting part combines rigid components (pipe sections, mounting structures) with flexible components (metallic bellows), creating a composite system that provides both structural support and flexible sealing capability for multi-directional movement compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If bellows are used to maintain constant pressure, then volume compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure constancyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows are integrated directly into the connecting part that joins pipe sections, merging the connection function with the volume compensation function. This eliminates the need for separate compensation mechanisms and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting part with integrated bellows performs multiple functions: mechanical connection between pipe sections, allowance of relative movement, maintenance of fluid-tight seals, and active volume compensation for pressure constancy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 arrangement reduces stress in the encapsulation housing by allowing for flexible movement and tilting of pipe sections, maintaining constant pressure within the pipe volume by compensating for volume changes, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of the gas-insulated switchgear.

Implementation Method 1

Temperature fluctuations, such as heating caused by electrical currents flowing in the busbars, cause thermal expansion of the encapsulating housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a first bellows arranged in a ring around the first pipe section end region between the connecting part and the perforated disc, and a second bellows arranged in a ring around the first bellows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4277064B1Encapsulating housing assembly
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4277064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4277064B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4277064B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an encapsulation housing arrangement (1). The encapsulation housing arrangement (1) comprises two pipe sections (2, 3) and a connecting part (4) connecting the two pipe sections (2, 3). The connecting part is fixedly connected to a first pipe section (2), and the second pipe section (3) is mounted on the connecting part in such a way that it is movable relative to the first pipe section (2). A perforated disc (15) is arranged around the first pipe section (2) and is fixedly connected to the second pipe section (3). A first bellows (5) is arranged in a ring around the first pipe section (2) between the connecting part (4) and the perforated disc (15). A second bellows (6) is arranged in a ring around the first bellows (5) between the connecting part (4) and the perforated disc (15).A compensating volume (19) surrounded by the bellows (5, 6) is connected by at least one connecting channel (20) running in the connecting part (4) to a pipe volume (21) surrounded by the pipe sections (2, 3).