Modular Oil Transformer with CSC-Standardized Mounting Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation and on-site assembly of large HV oil transformers with attached components, such as expansion vessels and cooling means, are cumbersome due to individualized designs leading to varying sizes and shapes, making transportation and assembly time-consuming and requiring complex groundwork and seismic arrangements.

Innovation Solution

Modularizing components to fit standardized CSC container dimensions, integrating mechanical supporting structures with fixed components like expansion vessels and cooling means, allowing for easier transportation and assembly with plug-and-play fluidic connections, and enabling flexible stacking and placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are individually designed according to specific requirements, then the transformer meets specific performance requirements, but transportation and assembly become time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespecific performance requirementsVSAvoidtransportation and assembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the transformer system into modular components (transformer unit, expansion vessel, cooling means) that can be independently manufactured and transported, then quickly assembled on-site. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function while enabling rapid deployment through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates universal mounting structures and standardized connection interfaces that can accommodate different component configurations. The mounting structure serves multiple functions: structural support, alignment guidance, and integration with the transformer vessel, reducing the need for custom fabrication for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If components are individually designed with varying sizes and shapes, then specific functional requirements are met, but transportation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidtransportation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from custom-fit component designs to standardized dimensional specifications that conform to CSC container requirements. By establishing uniform size and shape parameters for mounting structures and components, the system enables efficient containerization and standardized transportation while maintaining functional adaptability through modular configuration.

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

3Reliability

If components are assembled on site with complex groundwork, then seismic requirements and stability are fulfilled, but assembly complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates seismic bracing and structural reinforcement into the mounting structure during manufacturing, before site installation. This preliminary integration of stability features eliminates the need for complex on-site groundwork and seismic arrangements, allowing straightforward assembly while maintaining high reliability and seismic resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If cooling means and expansion vessel are transported separately, then transportation flexibility is improved, but assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation flexibilityVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces standardized fluidic connection interfaces and mounting structures as intermediaries between the transformer vessel, expansion vessel, and cooling means. These standardized interfaces simplify the assembly process by providing pre-configured connection points and alignment features, reducing the complexity of integrating separately transported components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates efficient transportation and rapid on-site assembly of oil transformer components, reducing complexity and time, while maintaining stability and cooling efficiency through standardized modular design.

Implementation Method 1

mainly heat exchangers, in particular an oil air heat exchanger or an oil water heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The oil is on one hand insulation medium and on the other hand cooling medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

to handle the thermal expansion of the oil which arises during operation of the respective HV component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3057112B1Oil transformer
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP3057112B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3057112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is related to an oil transformer, comprising a high voltage transformer (32 + 34) arranged in an oil filled vessel (36), an expansion vessel (42), a fluidic connection (52 + 54 + 56) in between the expansion vessel (42) and the oil filled vessel (36) and at least one cooling means (58). At least the expansion vessel (42) is fixedly integrated in a mechanical supporting structure (10, 22, 24, 46, 48, 50) having four upper (12, 26) and four lower (14, 28) corner points arranged in the form of a square, wherein the corner points (12, 14, 26, 28) each are in the form of load transfer points and are arranged according to the dimensions of a CSC container.