Offshore Transformer Conservator Compartment Layout for Sloshing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore substations face issues with sloshing movements of insulation liquid in conservator devices due to sea wave motion, which can damage components and cause false alarms, particularly in offshore wind farms where substations are assembled far from the final installation site and transported by sea.
Innovation Solution
A conservator device with horizontally and vertically divided compartments, featuring porous or openable wall members and bladders connected to ambient air, mitigates sloshing by reducing convective mass and damping liquid movement, using actuators or buoyant bodies to adjust secondary wall positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conservator device uses a single large compartment, then the device complexity is low, but the liquid sloshing causes large forces that may damage the bladder or diaphragm
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator device is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) separated by partition walls. This segmentation reduces the sloshing movement of liquid by limiting the convective mass in each compartment, thereby reducing forces on the bladder or diaphragm while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
2Reliability
If the conservator device is divided into multiple compartments, then the sloshing movement is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator device is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) separated by partition walls. This segmentation reduces the sloshing movement of liquid by limiting the convective mass in each compartment, thereby reducing forces on the bladder or diaphragm while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the conservator device uses a simple single-chamber design, then the manufacturing is simple, but the liquid sloshing may cause false alarm in Buchholz relay
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator device is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) separated by partition walls. This segmentation reduces the sloshing movement of liquid by limiting the convective mass in each compartment, preventing false alarms in the Buchholz relay while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward partition installation.
4Device complexity
If the conservator device uses a single large compartment, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid sloshing creates large forces that may damage other components such as oil level indicator
Solution Approach 1:
The conservator device is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) separated by partition walls. This segmentation reduces the sloshing movement of liquid by limiting the convective mass in each compartment, thereby reducing forces on the bladder or diaphragm, oil level indicator, and other components, preventing damage while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
Reduces damage to components and false alarms by minimizing sloshing, enhancing the longevity and reliability of offshore induction devices.
Implementation Method 1
or by using a porous liquid-permeable material for the wall members
Implementation Method 2
said support mechanism comprising a buoyant body adapted to float in liquid in the tank for controlling the vertical position of the one or more secondary wall members
Implementation Method 3
Temperature changes make the liquid expand and contract and the conservator device is provided to receive and hold a portion of the liquid in response to increased temperature forcing liquid out of the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A conservator device (1) for use with an electric induction device (2). The electric induction device (2) comprises a liquid-filled volume, and the conservator device comprises a tank (3), and one or more wall primary wall members (4) provided within an inner volume (V) of the tank (3). The primary wall members (4) are adapted to horizontally divide the inner volume (V) of the tank into a plurality of compartments (C). The secondary wall members (5) are provided within the inner volume (V) of the tank, and are adapted to vertically divide the inner volume (V) of the tank, or one or more of said compartments, into an upper compartment (CU) and a lower compartment (CL). One or more of said upper compartments (CU) are provided with a respective bladder (6) inside the respective upper compartment (CU). Each respective bladder (6) is attached to the tank (3) such that an inner volume of the bladder (6) is fluidly separated from a remaining portion of the inner volume (V) of the tank (3), and each bladder (6) is fluidly connected to ambient air through a first port (8) of the tank (3). The tank (3) comprises a second port (7) adapted to provide a liquid connection between said remaining portion of the inner volume of the tank (3) and a liquid-filled volume of the electric induction device (2). The primary (4) and/or secondary (5) wall members are adapted to enable liquid flow between the compartments (C, CU, CL).