Modular Gas-Insulated Switchgear Housing with Linear Busbar Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear designs face challenges in achieving compactness and high power density, particularly in urban areas, while also requiring easier maintenance and reduced material usage.

Innovation Solution

A housing design for switchgear modules that incorporates a common gas space for three-phase busbar conductor sections with strategically arranged openings, allowing for a compact, modular, and versatile layout that combines the benefits of single-phase and three-phase encapsulation, including simplified gas monitoring and reduced material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If three-phase encapsulated routing is used, then power density increases, but gas volume and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidgas volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into three separate busbar openings (first, second, and third busbar openings) that are arranged along a straight line, with each opening accommodating a busbar conductor section. This segmentation allows the common gas space to be efficiently utilized while reducing the overall gas volume required compared to a fully enclosed three-phase routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The busbar openings are arranged in a linear configuration along a straight line rather than in a three-dimensional clustered arrangement. This one-dimensional linear arrangement reduces the volumetric requirements of the common gas space while maintaining three-phase encapsulation, thereby increasing power density without proportionally increasing gas volume.

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

2Power

If three-phase encapsulated routing is used, then power density increases, but housing material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The housing combines three separate busbar openings into a single common gas space, merging what would traditionally require three separate enclosures. This integration reduces the total housing material required while maintaining the three-phase encapsulation necessary for high power density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common gas space serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides insulation for all three phases, accommodates all busbar conductor sections, and maintains a compact linear footprint. This multi-functionality reduces material usage compared to separate enclosures for each phase.

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

3Quantity of substance

If single-phase encapsulation is used, then gas volume is reduced, but power density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas volumeVSAvoidpower density
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into three distinct busbar openings arranged linearly, allowing each phase to be separately accessed and connected while sharing a common gas space. This segmentation enables efficient gas utilization and maintains high power density without requiring excessive gas volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear arrangement of busbar openings along a straight line transforms the spatial configuration from a volumetric three-phase enclosure to a linear multi-phase structure. This dimensional change reduces gas volume requirements while maintaining the power density benefits of three-phase encapsulation.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular design is implemented, then adaptability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing with its common gas space and linear busbar opening arrangement serves multiple functions: it accommodates three-phase busbars, provides insulation, enables modular assembly, and allows flexible configuration options. This universality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The modular housing can be divided into separate components (housing body, busbar openings, connection elements) that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation enables flexible configuration and adaptation to different applications while keeping individual component complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2526598B1Modular casing for gas-insulated switchgear
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
  • EP2526598B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2526598B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~2b
  • EP2526598B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing (1) for a switchgear unit module of a switchgear unit, which forms a common gas chamber (3) suitable for receiving an insulating gas and three gas-insulated busbar nominal conductors of the switchgear unit module. The housing (1) comprises: three first busbar openings (14, 24, 34), wherein the three first busbar openings (14, 24, 34) are arranged, in terms of the area, in a first opening plane E1 and along a first straight line (4); three second busbar openings (16, 26, 36), wherein the three second busbar openings (16, 26, 36) are arranged on a side of the housing opposite of the three first busbar openings (14, 24, 34); and three discharge conductor openings (56, 66, 76), wherein the three discharge conductor openings (56, 66, 76) are disposed, in terms of the area, in a second opening plane E2 and along a second straight line (6).