Hermetic Insulating Fluid Receiver with Nested Compensator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional expansion vessels for transformers and chokes do not provide complete hermetic sealing, allowing oxygen and moisture to enter and degrade the insulating liquid, leading to potential arc formation, pressure increases, and housing damage.

Innovation Solution

A receiving device with a hollow body compensator having a variable volume, integrated within a receiving container, which hermetically separates the insulating liquid from ambient air, and includes a Buchholz relay and pressure relief mechanisms to manage volume changes and pressure effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional expansion vessels with rubber bags or membranes are used to compensate for insulating liquid volume changes, then volume compensation is achieved, but hermetic sealing is not complete allowing oxygen and moisture to penetrate into the insulating liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehermetic sealing qualityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the compensator (with its own hollow interior) inside the receiving container. The compensator is arranged within the receiving container's interior space, creating a nested structure where the compensator's hollow interior provides the hermetically sealed gas-filled compensation chamber, while the receiving container provides an additional sealing barrier between the compensator and the insulating liquid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the compensator as an intermediary element between the insulating liquid and the expansion compensation function. The compensator's hollow interior filled with gas acts as a mediator that absorbs volume changes without direct contact between the insulating liquid and the expansion mechanism, while the receiving container provides another intermediary sealing layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the receiving container is designed with a large cross-sectional area for quick volume compensation, then response speed improves, but device size and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume compensation speedVSAvoidreceiving container size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The nested arrangement of the compensator inside the receiving container allows the system to achieve quick volume compensation through the compensator's rapid expansion and contraction in its hollow interior, while the overall external dimensions are determined by the receiving container which can be optimized for space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic elements by making the compensator volume variable through the elastic membrane or rubber bag that can expand and contract rapidly in response to insulating liquid volume changes. This dynamic compensator design enables quick response without requiring the entire receiving container to be large.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If pressure relief valves or bursting discs are added to manage high pressure from arcs, then safety improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against pressure increaseVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pressure relief function with the existing compensator structure. The compensator's elastic membrane or rubber bag inherently provides pressure relief by expanding to accommodate volume increases from arcs, and can be designed to burst at specific pressure thresholds, combining compensation and pressure relief functions in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it compensates for normal insulating liquid volume changes during operation, provides hermetic sealing to prevent oxygen and moisture ingress, and acts as a pressure relief mechanism against sudden pressure increases from arcs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated 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

The solution enables quick compensation for volume changes and pressure management, preventing damage and extending the lifespan of the transformer or choke by maintaining the insulating liquid's integrity and providing a backup gas container for operational continuity in case of compensator failure.

Implementation Method 1

temperature changes during operation of the transformers and chokes cause changes in the volume of the insulating liquid in the housing, which must be compensated for

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolume compensation: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The said device for pressure compensation... is used for this purpose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHermetic sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3121825B1Receiver device for receiving insulating fluid
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3121825B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3121825B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3121825B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a receiving device (5) for receiving insulating fluid from a vessel (3) of a transformer or a choke. The receiving device (5) comprises a receiving container (9), which is designed as a hollow body and can be connected to a vessel opening (13) of the vessel (3), so that insulating fluid can flow through the vessel opening (13) between the interior of the vessel (3) and the interior of the receiving container (9). Furthermore, the receiving device (5) comprises a compensator (7), which is designed as a hollow body with a variable compensator volume and can be arranged in the receiving container (9) in a sealed manner.