High Voltage Assembly Conservator Relocation for Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage assemblies, such as oil-immersed transformers, face safety and electrical clearance issues due to limited space above the cover, leading to increased costs and dimensions, and existing solutions do not adequately address these challenges.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage assembly with a sealed compartment surrounded by insulation liquid, a free breathing conservator, and a pipe arrangement that maintains a constant hydraulic diameter, allowing the insulation liquid level to be below the cover, eliminating the need for additional valve elements and enabling reduced size and cost, with a Buchholz relay providing protection and facilitating maintenance without extra volume requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conservator is arranged above the cover of the sealed compartment, then the insulation liquid can be accommodated, but the electrical clearance and safety are compromised due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator is relocated from a vertical arrangement above the cover to a horizontal arrangement beside the sealed compartment. This dimensional change allows sufficient insulation liquid capacity while maintaining adequate electrical clearance above the cover, as the liquid is now contained in a laterally positioned conservator rather than occupying the vertical space above the cover.
2Quantity of substance
If the conservator is arranged above the cover, then the liquid can be contained, but the overall dimension and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator is repositioned from a vertical configuration above the cover to a horizontal configuration beside the sealed compartment. This spatial reconfiguration reduces the vertical dimension and overall height of the assembly while maintaining the required insulation liquid capacity, thereby reducing overall dimensions and associated costs.
3Ease of operation
If valve elements are added to operate the pipe arrangement, then liquid flow can be controlled, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe arrangement is designed to operate automatically based on the relative positions of the sealed compartment and conservator, utilizing gravity and pressure differential. The system self-regulates liquid flow between the sealed compartment and conservator without requiring externally operated valve elements, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining operational control.
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 reduces the overall size and maintenance costs of high voltage assemblies while ensuring sufficient electrical clearances and protection, allowing for efficient liquid management during operation and maintenance without the need for additional valve elements or extra space.
Implementation Method 1
in a normal operating state of the high voltage assembly a hydraulic diameter of the pipe arrangement is maintained constant
Implementation Method 2
a free breathing conservator that breathes air from ambient air
Implementation Method 3
a Buchholz relay arranged above a level of a cover of the sealed compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A high voltage assembly (2) comprises: - a sealed compartment (4) containing an active component (6) at least partly surrounded by an insulation liquid (8); - a free breathing conservator (10); - a Buchholz relay (12) arranged above a level (L14) of a cover (14) of the sealed compartment (4); and a pipe arrangement (16) comprising: - a first pipe section (18) connecting the interior of the sealed compartment (4) at the cover (14) of the sealed compartment (4) to the Buchholz relay (12); and - a second pipe section (20) connecting the Buchholz relay (12) with the interior of the free breathing conservator (10) at a lower portion (22) of the free breathing conservator (10), wherein in a normal operating state (N) of the high voltage assembly (2) a hydraulic diameter of the pipe arrangement (16) is maintained constant and the level of insulation liquid in the conservator (10) is maintained below the level (L14) of the cover (14) of the sealed compartment (4).