Radial Stud Mounting for Gas-Insulated Switchgear

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mounting insulating supports in gas-insulated electrical apparatus are cumbersome and expensive due to the difficulty in accessing the interior volume of the tank, requiring complex machining operations.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves connecting insulating support studs to the tank through radial orifices that open outward, allowing external access and machining, with each stud having a radial head that seals against the orifice and an inner end that fits into a metallic insert, facilitated by an elastic element for electrical connection, and an intermediate section with a thread for secure mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mounting studs are fixed inside the tank to the inner face of the tank, then the insulating support can be mounted at any place of the tank, but special machining inside the tank is required which is difficult and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position flexibilityVSAvoidmachining complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the mounting approach by fixing the studs to the outer face of the tank instead of the inner face. This allows the insulating support to be mounted at any position on the tank while avoiding the need for difficult internal machining operations. The studs protrude outward from the tank surface, making them accessible from the outside for both installation and maintenance.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If machining operations are performed inside the tank, then mounting means can be accommodated, but accessibility is difficult and operations become expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting means accommodationVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the machining operations from the internal volume of the tank and relocates them to the outer surface. The studs are mounted on the external face of the tank, allowing all machining, assembly, and maintenance operations to be performed from the outside where accessibility is not constrained by the limited internal space of the tank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If radial orifices opening outward are used for mounting studs, then external access and machining is allowed, but additional sealing requirements are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal accessVSAvoidsealing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sealing elements as intermediary components between the radial orifices and the internal tank volume. These sealing elements prevent gas leakage through the orifices while allowing the studs to pass through and be mounted from the outside. The seals mediate between the need for external accessibility and the requirement to maintain the gas-filled environment integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 simplifies the assembly and machining process by allowing external access and reducing the complexity of internal machining, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element electrically connects the stud to the associated insert

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3175525B1Electrical switchgear with improved fastening means for an insulating support
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3175525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175525B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to electrical equipment (10) for a medium, high, or very high voltage power transmission line, comprising: a metal vessel (12); at least one conductor (14) arranged inside the vessel (12) and extending parallel to a main axis of the vessel (12); a medium (16) made from an insulating material, which lies in a plane that is radial relative to said main axis of the vessel (12), and which is connected to the conductor (14) as well as to the vessel (12); and studs (20) for connecting the medium (16) to the vessel (12), which are mounted onto the vessel (12), characterized in that each stud (20) is radially mounted through an associated opening (26) of the vessel (12) that opens radially toward the outside, and comprises an inner radial end (22) that engages with the medium (16).