Heat-Dissipating Jacket for Electrical Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical switchgear enclosures experience significant heating due to Ohmic heat generation, leading to excessive temperature rises at terminals, which can damage current-responsive elements, and existing solutions like heat-absorbing-and-dissipating arrays of fins or vaporizing liquids are not feasible in enclosed designs, posing a challenge in meeting international temperature standards while being cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A heat-absorbing-and-dissipating jacket made of materials like aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, configured to contour the housing of electrical device terminals, featuring extensions, slits, and fins to enhance heat dissipation through convection and increased surface area, compatible with existing designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat-absorbing-and-dissipating arrays of fins are provided, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket is nested around the terminal housing, with the terminal assembly positioned inside the jacket structure. This nesting approach allows the heat dissipation function to be integrated around the existing terminal rather than adding complex internal fin arrays within the terminal housing itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The jacket acts as an intermediary heat dissipation component between the terminal housing and the surrounding environment. It provides a dedicated heat exchange surface that mediates thermal energy transfer without requiring modification of the terminal housing structure.
2Temperature
If vaporizing liquids and heat exchanging tubes are used, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket utilizes natural convection and radiation for heat dissipation without requiring external cooling systems, vaporizing liquids, or complex heat exchanging tubes. The structure serves its own heat dissipation function through its geometry and material properties alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the heat dissipation function from complex cooling systems and implements it through a simple jacket structure that can be manufactured using standard fabrication processes without specialized components.
3Temperature
If current throttle device is provided, then heat dissipation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket provides passive heat dissipation through its structural design, eliminating the need for active current throttling devices or controlled cooling systems. The heat exchange occurs naturally through convection and radiation from the jacket surfaces.
4Reliability
If enclosed design is used, then safety is improved, but heat dissipation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The jacket is nested around the enclosed terminal housing, creating an additional thermal management layer that does not compromise the sealed enclosure. The jacket extends below and above the housing to provide heat dissipation pathways while the terminal remains enclosed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipation function is moved to an external dimension by placing the jacket around the terminal housing rather than attempting to dissipate heat from within the enclosed space. This external positioning allows heat exchange with the surrounding environment without opening the enclosure.
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 jacket effectively absorbs and dissipates heat, ensuring temperature rises within safe limits, meeting international standards, and is cost-effective by integrating with existing designs without the need for additional cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The jacket has a body configured to at least partially contour walls of the housing of the terminal and the jacket is made of a heat-absorbing-and-dissipating material
Implementation Method 2
slits are defined in the lower portion and the upper portion to permit dissipation of air therethrough in an operative configuration of the jacket
Implementation Method 3
fins are defined in the lower portion and the upper portion to aid heat absorption and dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure envisages a heat-absorbing-and-dissipating jacket (80) for a terminal (100) of an electrical device (1000). The jacket has a body (81) configured to at least partially contour walls of the housing (10) of the terminal (100) and the jacket is made of a heat-absorbing-and-dissipating material. The body (81) of the jacket has a lower portion (86) extending operatively below the housing (10) of the terminal (100). The body (81) of the jacket also has an upper portion (88) extending operatively above the housing (10) of the terminal (100). The jacket (80) of the present disclosure is a cost-effective means which allows maximum heat absorption and dissipation from an enclosed electrical device and can be incorporated in an existing design of an electrical device.