Sintered Metal Filter Partition for Switchgear Arc Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Metal closed switchgears face challenges in minimizing the impact of high-temperature high-pressure gas produced during short circuit accidents, as existing solutions either fail to consider the impact on adjacent compartments or are difficult to implement in existing systems, necessitating a solution that can absorb and release pressure effectively.

Innovation Solution

The application of sintered metal filters to partition walls between compartments in metal closed switchgears to absorb and reduce the impact of high-temperature high-pressure gas, allowing for increased pressure release capacity and enhanced safety by discharging the gas to the outside or adjacent compartments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a pressure release duct is provided in each compartment to withstand high-pressure gas, then the compartment strength is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompartment pressure resistanceVSAvoidpressure release structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is segmented into multiple layers: an inner wall facing the high-voltage compartment, an outer wall facing the low-voltage compartment, and a sintered metal filter positioned between them. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while collectively providing pressure resistance and hot gas absorption capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sintered metal filter is used as the core component of the partition wall structure. The porous structure of the sintered metal allows it to absorb hot gas while maintaining mechanical strength to resist pressure, eliminating the need for separate pressure release ducts in each compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Volume of stationary object

If the internal space is increased to release pressure, then the pressure release capacity is improved, but the switchgear size and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure release capacityVSAvoidswitchgear structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sintered metal filter serves as both a structural partition and a pressure release mechanism. Its porous structure allows controlled gas flow while maintaining strength, providing pressure release capacity without requiring additional space or complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The partition wall structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electrical insulation between compartments, mechanical strength to withstand pressure, and hot gas absorption through the sintered metal filter. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure release chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sintered metal filters are applied to partition walls, then hot gas absorption and impact reduction are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehot gas impact on adjacent compartmentsVSAvoidpartition wall manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is divided into separable components: inner wall, sintered metal filter, and outer wall. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate processes, with the sintered metal filter being a standalone element that can be produced separately and then assembled into the partition wall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If existing switchgears are retrofitted with pressure release structures, then safety is improved, but the ease of repair and modification decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc accident safetyVSAvoidretrofitting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sintered metal filter is designed as a separable component that can be independently installed or removed from the partition wall structure. This modularity enables easy retrofitting of existing switchgears without requiring complex modifications to the overall structure, maintaining ease of repair while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration effectively reduces the impact of thermally expanded high-temperature high-pressure gas on other compartments, enabling a more reliable switchgear design that can withstand arc accidents without requiring additional pressure release chambers, and can be easily retrofitted into existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

the application of sintered metal filters to partition walls between compartments in metal closed switchgears to absorb and reduce the impact of high-temperature high-pressure gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorous material absorption: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP3570393B1switchgear
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3570393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3570393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3570393B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

To provide a metal closed switchgear which includes a plurality of compartments therein and which has such high reliability that, even when some of the compartments encounter an arc accident or the like inducing thermally expanded high-temperature high-pressure gas (hot gas), an impact of the hot gas to other compartments can be reduced. In the metal closed switchgear, the internal space of which is divided into a plurality of compartments by partition walls, some of which are provided with an explosion proof filter employing a sintered metal material.