Mobile Substation Racking Mechanism Height Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional racking mechanisms for mobile electrical substations face challenges due to height constraints, requiring smaller bearings and complex designs, which increase material costs and complexity, especially in high voltage applications.

Innovation Solution

A racking mechanism with a fixed structural member, a moveable structural member, and bearings disposed between side surfaces of these members, allowing for a simpler mounting system and reduced height, using all steel construction for increased robustness and reduced weight, with channels or grooves on the moveable structural member for guiding the bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional racking mechanisms use three main components (movable structural member, fixed structural member, and bearings) with bearings mounted directly to the enveloping fixed structural member, then the mechanism can enable movement between transport and operational modes, but the design becomes complex and requires high precision threads and special mounting procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement reliability between modesVSAvoidmounting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bearing mounting function from the fixed structural member by introducing a separate bearing support structure. The bearings are mounted to this dedicated support structure rather than directly to the enveloping fixed structural member, separating the mounting function from the structural function and simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The racking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the fixed structural member, the bearing support structure, the movable structural member, and the bearings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the bearing support structure specifically designed to simplify bearing mounting while the other components focus on their primary functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If smaller bearings are utilized due to height constraints in mobile electrical substations, then the substation can meet dimensional road limits, but a higher number of bearings must be used which increases complexity and material costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight constraintVSAvoidnumber of bearings

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redistributes the bearing arrangement in the vertical dimension by introducing a bearing support structure that extends the bearing mounting locations. This allows for more strategic placement of bearings along the vertical axis, potentially reducing the total number of bearings needed while still supporting the movable structural member effectively within the height constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Weight of moving object

If aluminum material is used for components to reduce weight, then the mobile electrical substation can meet weight restrictions, but the design becomes more expensive and complex due to special mounting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstation weightVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent promotes material homogeneity by using steel for both the fixed structural member and the bearing support structure. This eliminates the need for specialized aluminum mounting procedures and allows for consistent welding and fabrication processes throughout the structure, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining weight efficiency through optimized steel section selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

4Reliability

If bearings are directly mounted to the enveloping fixed structural member involving special high precision threads, then secure mounting is achieved, but the design complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing mounting securityVSAvoidmounting ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing support structure serves as a sacrificial or replaceable component that simplifies the overall system. By concentrating the mounting complexity in this single support structure rather than in the main fixed structural member, the system becomes easier to manufacture and maintain, as the support structure can be independently fabricated and replaced if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enables a lower profile and lighter racking mechanism, suitable for higher kV and MVA applications, with reduced material complexity and cost, while maintaining robustness and ease of manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing disposed between a side surface of the fixed structural member and a side surface of the moveable structural member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9614355B2Portable electrical substation racking mechanism

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 DELTA STAR

AI summary

A racking mechanism for moving elements of a mobile electrical substation between a transport mode and an operational mode is provided. The racking mechanism includes a fixed structural member; a moveable structural member; and a bearing disposed between a side surface of the fixed structural member and a side surface of the moveable structural member.