Pressure Tank Reinforcement Structure for External Welding Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing pressure tanks for gas insulated switchgear face challenges such as reduced work efficiency due to narrow spaces for welding, spatter issues, and distortion caused by heat, as well as difficulties in downsizing the device due to the area reduction for mounting open/close portions.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves using a reinforcing member with tenon portions that are inserted into mortises on the tank body and welded from the outside, allowing for easier manufacturing and downsizing by simplifying the welding process and reducing distortion, while maintaining structural integrity and arc-distinguishing capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welding is performed inside the pressure tank to fix reinforcing members, then the reinforcing members can be properly attached to enhance structural strength, but the work efficiency deteriorates due to narrow working space and additional post-welding work is required to clean spatter and remove distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the welding direction by performing welding from the outside of the pressure tank rather than from inside. The tenon portions of the reinforcing members protrude outward from the tank wall, allowing welds to be applied externally. This eliminates the narrow working space problem and allows welders to access the welding area more easily, thereby improving work efficiency while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the welding operation from the interior space of the pressure tank and relocates it to the exterior. By designing the tenon portions to protrude outward, the welding process is separated from the constrained internal environment, allowing for more efficient welding operations without the limitations of narrow working space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If plate-shaped reinforcing members are formed between opposed wall surface materials, then structural strength is enhanced, but the area for mounting open/close portions is reduced making downsizing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmounting area
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reinforcing member into a modular structure with tenon portions at the ends and a body portion extending between them. This segmentation allows the reinforcing member to be attached at discrete locations (the tenon portions) rather than requiring a large continuous plate, thereby preserving mounting area while still providing structural reinforcement where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from using two-dimensional plate-shaped reinforcing members to using three-dimensional reinforcing members with protruding tenon portions. This dimensional change allows the reinforcing members to be attached at specific points without occupying large surface areas, thus maintaining mounting space while providing structural strength.

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

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 approach enhances the manufacturing efficiency, reduces spatter and distortion, and enables the downsizing of gas insulated switchgear by improving the structural strength and maintaining the insulation and arc-distinguishing properties of the pressure tank.

Implementation Method 1

the tenon portion, of the reinforcing member, protruding in one direction is inserted into the mortise formed in the wall surface material of the tank body forming the pressure tank, and is fixed by being welded from outside of the tank body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3282528B1Pressure tank, gas insulated switchgear using same, and pressure tank manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3282528B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2D
  • EP3282528B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP3282528B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

To obtain a pressure tank that achieves a high manufacturing efficiency and does not hamper storage of an open/close portion such as a vacuum valve in a pressure tank. A pressure tank of the present invention includes: a tank body (5) having at least one penetrating slit-shaped mortise (15) and having a space formed inside the tank body (5); a reinforcing member (10) having a tenon portion (17) formed at an end thereof so as to be directed in one direction, and having an electric field relaxation portion on a side opposite to the tenon portion, the reinforcing member (10) being attached to an inner wall surface of the tank body (5) with the tenon portion (17) inserted into the mortise (15); and a welding portion (18) sealing and fixing the mortise (15) and the tenon portion (17) with no gap therebetween, the welding portion (18) being formed by melting an end of the tenon portion (17) from outside of the tank body (5).