Semiconductor Hydrogen Sensor Housing for Transformer Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring hydrogen gas in transformer oils are costly, require equipment downtime, and lack real-time and spatially resolved data, making them unsuitable for small transformers and non-destructive installation.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor hydrogen sensor housing with a mounting flange and bolt pattern, allowing easy retrofitting onto existing transformers using existing ports, featuring a sampling valve and seals for accurate, real-time hydrogen concentration measurement without fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional offline DGA methods are used to monitor hydrogen in transformer oil, then testing can be performed with simple equipment, but real-time monitoring is not achieved and equipment downtime is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical offline sampling and lab analysis system with an in-situ semiconductor sensor system that electronically detects hydrogen concentration directly in the transformer oil, eliminating the need for fluid removal and enabling continuous real-time monitoring without equipment downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a semiconductor hydrogen sensor as an intermediary device that interfaces between the transformer oil and the monitoring system, allowing indirect measurement of hydrogen concentration through the sensor element that responds to hydrogen presence in the oil without requiring physical removal of the oil
2Measurement precision
If offline DGA testing is performed in a lab, then comprehensive gas analysis can be conducted, but localized position information and spatial variations of gases are not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the hydrogen sensor at a specific location within the transformer tank to provide localized hydrogen concentration measurements, enabling identification of spatial variations and fault positions rather than just bulk average composition
3Ease of operation
If new openings are made in transformer housings for sensor installation, then direct access to interior for sensing is achieved, but installation becomes destructive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor housing with a mounting flange that interfaces with existing transformer ports and fittings, allowing the sensor assembly to be installed using existing access points without requiring new openings or structural modifications to the transformer housing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sensor system into a separate modular housing assembly that can be independently installed and removed, with the housing containing the sensor element and mounting features that interface with the transformer, eliminating the need to modify the transformer structure itself
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 provides a low-cost, accurate, and real-time hydrogen monitoring system that can be easily installed on existing transformers, offering spatially resolved data without the need for new openings, suitable for both oil and gas environments, and operates effectively at high temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor element for measuring hydrogen concentration in an insulating fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor responsive to the insulating fluid and generating a second signal indicative of the pressure of the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a housing for a sensor having a semiconductor element for measuring hydrogen concentration in an insulating fluid in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment having a mounting flange on the equipment providing access to the interior of the equipment and provided with a plurality of bolt receiving openings arranged on the mounting flange in a first pattern, which includes a first flange having at least one or more openings for receiving one or more semiconductor hydrogen sensors and an outer periphery, a plurality of bolt receiving apertures arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first pattern within the outer periphery of the first flange, a second flange having a second plurality of bolt receiving apertures arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first pattern within the periphery of the second flange.