Compact Gas Insulated Switchgear with Orthogonal Cable Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas insulated switchgear configurations are too large to fit in small facilities, such as tunnels, leading to increased construction costs due to their size and height, which is disproportionate to the facility dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of the gas insulated switchgear is optimized by arranging the control compartment between the operating mechanism and cable compartments, allowing for orthogonal cable connections and utilizing space efficiently, thereby reducing the overall size and height of the switchgear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cable connection places are arranged at both front and back sides of the switchgear, then cable connection flexibility is improved, but the depth dimension of the switchgear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection flexibilityVSAvoiddepth dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from arranging cable connections only in the depth direction (front and back) to utilizing both depth and width dimensions. By providing cable connection places at the front side and lateral sides of the switchgear, it creates a three-dimensional cable access configuration that reduces the required depth while maintaining connection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cable connections are stacked in the height direction, then cable connection capacity is improved, but the height of the switchgear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection capacityVSAvoidheight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of stacking cable connections vertically in the height direction, the patent distributes them across multiple lateral sides in the horizontal plane. This dimensional redistribution allows multiple cables to be connected without increasing the switchgear height, making it suitable for installations with height constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the switchgear size is reduced to fit small facilities, then installation area is reduced, but insulation distance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation areaVSAvoidinsulation distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses spatial redistribution in multiple dimensions to reduce the overall footprint while preserving critical insulation distances. By arranging cable connection places at front and lateral sides rather than stacking them, it creates more uniform space utilization that maintains necessary electrical clearances throughout the compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2833494B1Gas-insulated switchgear
Publication Date: 2017.03.15 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2833494B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2833494B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2833494B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a switchgear in which cables are used on both of the input side and the output side for connection between a main circuit and an external main circuit in a switchgear, a circuit breaker (1) and connection conductors (29, 31) of the switchgear are stored in a box-shaped pressure tank (2) together with insulating gas; an operating mechanism (3) that performs opening and closing operation of the circuit breaker (1) and a first cable connection portion (13) that is connected to the connection conductors (29, 31) are attached to one face of the pressure tank; and a second cable connection portion (14) that is connected to the connection conductors (29, 31) is attached to the other face of the pressure tank (2), the other face being parallel with respect to a direction connecting the operating mechanism (3) and the circuit breaker (1).