Oscillating Shielding Cover for Particle Trapping in HV Gas Insulated Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particle traps in high-voltage circuit breakers are ineffective in dislodging particles that become stuck or obstructed, leading to potential dielectric breakdown due to the lack of a mechanism to remove lodged particles.

Innovation Solution

A gas-insulated high-voltage electrical device with a longitudinally oscillating shielding cover made of non-ferromagnetic material, tuned to the mechanical resonating frequency of the conductor, which induces vibrations to dislodge particles and guide them into a dielectrically shielding area for trapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stationary particle trap is used to trap particles in the dielectrically shielding area, then particles can be trapped effectively, but particles that become stuck or obstructed cannot be dislodged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle trapping effectivenessVSAvoidparticle removal capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding cover is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one that can oscillate at its mechanical resonating frequency. This dynamic capability allows the cover to dislodge particles that become stuck or obstructed in the particle trap, while still maintaining the trapping function when stationary. The oscillation is induced by the interaction between the high voltage current and the small circulating current in the tank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding cover is designed to oscillate at its mechanical resonating frequency when high voltage current passes through the conductor. This mechanical vibration serves to dislodge particles that become stuck or obstructed in the particle trap, preventing them from remaining in positions where they could cause dielectric breakdown. The resonating frequency is tuned to maximize the dislodging effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Stability of the object's composition

If the shielding cover is made stationary to maintain electrical contact, then electrical connection is stable, but particles cannot be dislodged from the trap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact stabilityVSAvoidparticle dislodging capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding cover is designed to be both electrically connected and mechanically oscillating. The oscillation occurs at the mechanical resonating frequency, which is distinct from the electrical frequency. This allows the cover to maintain stable electrical contact while simultaneously providing mechanical vibration to dislodge particles, resolving the contradiction between electrical stability and particle removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding cover oscillates at its mechanical resonating frequency when high voltage current passes through the conductor. This mechanical vibration serves to dislodge particles that become stuck or obstructed in the particle trap, preventing them from remaining in positions where they could cause dielectric breakdown. The resonating frequency is tuned to maximize the dislodging effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If the shielding cover oscillates at mechanical resonating frequency to dislodge particles, then particle transport into the trap increases, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle transport efficiencyVSAvoidshielding cover structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding cover utilizes the existing high voltage current and the small circulating current in the tank to induce its own mechanical oscillations at the resonating frequency. No external actuator or additional energy source is required - the system uses its own operational parameters to generate the necessary vibration, thereby increasing particle transport efficiency without adding structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding cover's mechanical resonating frequency is tuned to match or interact with the electrical operating frequency. By adjusting the physical parameters of the cover (mass, stiffness, geometry), the system exploits the interaction between electrical current and mechanical resonance to achieve particle dislodging without requiring additional complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively increases the transport of particles into the protected region of the particle trap, reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown by naturally causing vibrations through the interaction of the current and the small current circulating in the tank, ensuring efficient particle removal.

Implementation Method 1

the interaction of the current and the small current circulating in the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the shielding cover comprising a mechanical resonating frequency that makes the shielding cover longitudinally oscillate when the high voltage current passes through the conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

The shielding cover oscillations lead the particles to fall in the shielding area of the particle trap, by causing motion of the particles in order to transport them inside the particle trap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibrational transport: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

a dielectrically shielding area in the enclosure for trapping particles; in which zero or near zero electric fields are created. In operation, particles are guided to the particle trap by an electric field which exists between the live and grounded parts of the circuit breaker and are trapped by the low electric field in the trap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field shielding: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP3571747B1Gas insulated high voltage electrical device equipped with an enhanced particle trap
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3571747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3571747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5b
  • EP3571747B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A gas insulated high voltage electrical device comprising: at least one conductor for conducting a high voltage current; a longitudinal enclosure (30) for enclosing the at least one conductor, the longitudinal enclosure comprising an interior wall (1) extending along a longitudinal axis; a particle trap (9) formed on the interior wall (1) and extending along the longitudinal axis, the particle trap (9) comprising a part of the interior wall (1) and a longitudinal shielding cover (4) extending along the longitudinal axis to delimit a dielectrically shielding area in the enclosure (30) for trapping particles; the shielding cover (4) being made of an electrically conducting material and comprising at least two electrical connections (7) to the interior wall (1) spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, the shielding cover (4) comprising a mechanical resonating frequency that makes the shielding cover (4) longitudinally oscillate when the high voltage current passes through the conductor.