Switchgear Bushing Groove Assembly for Passive Wireless Temperature Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional temperature measurement methods for bushings in electrical devices, such as switchgear, are inconvenient and inefficient, often requiring wired connections and batteries, which are costly and inaccurate.

Innovation Solution

A passive wireless temperature measurement system is integrated into the bushing, featuring a groove for a measuring assembly with temperature sensors and a passive wireless communication module, allowing for convenient and efficient temperature monitoring without disrupting the bushing's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a wired thermal couple is used to measure temperature, then temperature measurement is possible, but the measurement is inconvenient and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wired mechanical thermal couple system with a wireless temperature measurement system. The wireless measuring apparatus communicates temperature data without physical wire connections, eliminating the inconvenience of wired installations while maintaining measurement accuracy through direct thermal contact with the conductor via the groove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the temperature measurement function from the external wired system and integrates it into the bushing structure itself. The measuring apparatus is positioned within a groove in the insulating layer, allowing direct temperature sensing of the conductor while being structurally integrated into the bushing, thereby improving both convenience and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional temperature measurement methods are used, then temperature data can be obtained, but the cost is high and the system is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the temperature measurement function with the existing bushing structure. The insulating layer serves dual purposes: electrical insulation and housing for the temperature measuring apparatus. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate measurement systems while improving reliability through direct conductor temperature sensing via the groove interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a passive wireless measuring apparatus is used, then measurement convenience is improved, but the apparatus requires integration into the bushing structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless measurement convenienceVSAvoidbushing manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates the groove structure into the insulating layer during the bushing manufacturing process. This preliminary action of creating the groove beforehand allows for easy integration of the wireless measuring apparatus later, improving ease of operation while minimizing additional manufacturing complexity. The groove is formed as part of the insulating layer structure, making the integration process straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides accurate, cost-effective, and reliable temperature monitoring of bushings, enhancing the safety and reliability of electrical devices by enabling flexible and wireless temperature measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a passive wireless communication module configured to transmit the measured temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3752807B1Bushings, system for temperature measurement and method for installing measuring assembly in bushing in switchgear
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3752807B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3752807B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3752807B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3A

AI summary

A bushing(100) comprises a conductor(110) and an insulating layer(120) which wraps around the conductor(110). The bushing(100) further comprises a groove(130) arranged between the conductor(110) and the insulating layer(120), and the bushing(100) also comprises a measuring assembly(140) received in the groove(130) and surrounding the conductor(110), wherein the measuring assembly(140) includes at least one measuring apparatus. Each measuring apparatus comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the conductor(110) and a passive wireless communication module configured to transmit the measured temperature. The temperature of the bushing(100) can be measured accurately and effectively, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the bushing(100) as well as the electrical device such as switchgear.