Optical Current Transformer Sealing for Gas-Insulated Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical current transformers for gas-insulated apparatus require complex and disruptive maintenance procedures, including gas treatment and adapter changes, to replace or modify optical fibers, leading to inefficiencies and potential gas leakage.
Innovation Solution
An optical current transformer design featuring airtight hollow tubes looping around conductors with a sealing/bonding mechanism that allows optical fibers to be inserted and removed without compromising the sealed vessel's integrity, enabling easy replacement and adjustment of fiber numbers without gas emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air tight adapter is used to hermetically seal the optical fiber leading-out portion, then airtightness is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: the sealed vessel containing the conductor and optical fiber loop, the hand hole cover with integrated sealing mechanism, and the external measurement equipment. This segmentation allows the optical fiber to be replaced by simply removing and reattaching the hand hole cover without affecting the sealed vessel or requiring gas handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand hole cover acts as an intermediary component that provides the hermetic seal between the sealed vessel and the external environment. It includes an airtight adapter mechanism that seals around the optical fiber, allowing the fiber to pass through while maintaining airtightness. This intermediary structure enables easy fiber replacement without compromising the seal.
2Reliability
If the optical fiber is fixed with a hermetic seal, then airtightness is improved, but ease of operation for fiber replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hand hole cover is designed with detachable and reattachable features, transforming the static hermetic seal into a dynamic sealing system. The cover can be removed and reattached multiple times, allowing optical fiber replacement while maintaining airtightness when closed. The sealing mechanism accommodates fiber insertion and removal without permanent damage or loss of seal integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of air tight adapters is increased to accommodate more optical fibers, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand hole cover is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate one or more optical fibers through a standardized sealing mechanism. The airtight adapter structure can be configured for single fiber or multiple fibers without changing the fundamental design, allowing the same basic component to serve different applications with varying fiber requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical fibers can be sealed together through a single integrated airtight adapter mechanism in the hand hole cover, rather than requiring separate adapters for each fiber. This merging approach simplifies the structure by consolidating multiple sealing functions into one component, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cylindrical hollow flange and lid plate dimensions are changed to accommodate different fiber configurations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand hole cover incorporates localized sealing features and adjustable elements that allow adaptation to different fiber configurations without requiring changes to the overall dimensions of the sealed vessel or flange structures. The sealing mechanism is designed with local flexibility to accommodate varying fiber numbers and arrangements while maintaining consistent manufacturing tolerances for the main components.
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
This design simplifies maintenance and expansion operations by maintaining airtightness and allowing optical fiber changes without gas leakage, reducing the need for frequent adapter changes and vessel disassembly, thus enhancing operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
linear-polarized light emitted from a light-emission unit enters the optical fiber and outgoes therefrom with its polarization rotated because of Faraday effect of optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
At least one conductor is disposed in sealed vessel, which is filled with insulating gas, an hand hole is provided to a part of sealed vessel and is closed by a sealed cover, and optical fibers are disposed that form a closed loop surrounding conductor in sealed vessel. Optical fibers are hermetically led out of sealed vessel from sealed cover and are provided with at least a light source unit and an optical signal processor unit at the lead-out end. An airtight hollow tube disposed looping around leaving a predefined distance of separation is provided to conductor in sealed vessel, the end of tube is hermetically connected to sealed cover by sealing/bonding means, and optical fibers can be inserted in sealing/bonding means.