Parallel Fin Gas Cooler for Medium Voltage Switchgear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium voltage switchgear assemblies face challenges in heat transfer due to ohmic losses at nominal currents above 1250 A, as existing cooling methods, such as heat sinks and ribs, are insufficient for efficient heat dissipation through the housing of gas insulated switchgear.
Innovation Solution
A gas cooler design featuring a housing with a hollow body divided into parallel fins, which increases the heat transfer surface area through convection and radiation, allowing heated gas to flow and cool, with fins made of plain sheet metal that can be coated for enhanced radiation and easily manufactured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat sinks and ribs are used for cooling, then heat transfer is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body of the housing is divided into several parallel hollow bodies shaped as fins, creating multiple heat transfer surfaces. This segmentation increases the cooling surface area without requiring additional complex cooling components, directly resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with fins extending in a direction perpendicular to the main housing body, utilizing the third dimension to increase heat transfer surface area. This dimensional approach provides enhanced cooling without increasing the footprint or requiring additional cooling structures
2Temperature
If the housing surface area is increased for heat dissipation, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the compact design of gas insulated switchgear is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fins are integrated directly into the housing structure, with parallel hollow bodies nested within the housing walls. This nesting approach increases heat transfer surface area while maintaining the compact external dimensions of the housing, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation efficiency and compact design
Solution Approach 2:
By extending heat transfer surfaces in the perpendicular dimension through fins, the patent achieves increased heat dissipation capacity without increasing the housing footprint, maintaining the compact design characteristic of gas insulated switchgear
3Area of stationary object
If complex cooling structures with multiple ribs are added, then heat transfer surface area increases, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into parallel hollow bodies that form fins, creating multiple heat transfer surfaces from a single integrated structure. This segmentation approach increases surface area while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the fins are formed as part of the housing itself rather than as separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling structure is merged with the housing, eliminating the need for separate ribs or heat sinks. The fins are directly formed as part of the housing walls, combining the structural and cooling functions into a single manufacturing process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
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 significantly enhances heat transfer efficiency without the need for additional ribs or heat sinks, maintaining a compact size and allowing for improved cooling conditions by increasing the surface area for heat dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
increases the heat transfer surface area through convection and radiation
Implementation Method 2
increases the heat transfer surface area through convection and radiation
Data Source
AI summary
TA gas cooler for a medium voltage switchgear assembly with a gas compartment, having a housing with a hollow body for accommodating the heated gas, which flows through the medium voltage switchgear assembly and is heated by at least one heat-generating current conductor, wherein the hollow body of the housing is divided at least partly in several parallel hollow bodies, which are shaped as fins.