Reinforced Transformer Airbag for High-Temperature Moisture Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil expansion tanks for transformers require frequent maintenance due to silica gel breather systems, which can lead to moisture ingress and safety risks, and are not suitable for higher temperature applications, especially in traction transformers that operate at varying temperatures and experience vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible airbag with a sandwich structure comprising vulcanized nitrile butadiene rubber, hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber, or epichlorohydrin rubber elastomer layers and a reinforcement fabric layer, which provides thermal ageing properties and compatibility with high-temperature oils, eliminating the need for a breather and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a silica gel breather is used to protect transformer oil from moisture, then moisture protection is improved, but maintenance frequency increases and reliability decreases due to continuous maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the silica gel breather component entirely and replaces it with an aircell that creates a physical barrier between the transformer oil and ambient air. This extraction of the breather system eliminates the need for silica gel replacement while maintaining moisture protection through the aircell's sealed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircell acts as an intermediary barrier between the transformer oil and the ambient environment. Instead of using silica gel to chemically absorb moisture from air that contacts the oil, the aircell physically prevents air contact, thereby protecting the oil from moisture without requiring maintenance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard airbags are used in power transformers operating up to 110°C, then they meet standard requirements, but they are inadequate for traction transformers operating at higher temperatures up to 135°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters of the aircell by selecting elastomers with higher thermal stability ratings. The aircell is designed to withstand temperatures up to 135°C or higher, changing the thermal parameter from standard 110°C power transformer specifications to accommodate traction transformer operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The aircell employs composite material construction combining specific elastomers (such as EPDM or silicone rubber) with reinforcement layers. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for volume compensation and the thermal resistance required for high-temperature traction transformer operation.
3Volume of moving object
If more compact transformers are designed to increase capacity, then space efficiency is improved, but operating temperatures increase requiring specialized high-temperature materials
Solution Approach 1:
As transformers are designed to be more compact with higher capacity, the power density increases leading to higher operating temperatures. The aircell is specifically engineered with material parameters that allow it to function reliably at these elevated temperatures, enabling the compact high-capacity design without compromising thermal management.
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 flexible airbag maintains oil isolation from ambient air, compensates for volume changes, and enhances oxidation stability of ester-based oils, ensuring reliable operation across a wide temperature range without the need for continuous maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the first and the second elastomer layers comprising each at least one elastomer selected from at least one of vulcanized nitrile butadiene rubber, vulcanized hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber or vulcanized epichlorohydrin rubber
Implementation Method 2
a flexible bag, in particular an airbag, for an oil expansion tank of a transformer
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a flexible bag for an oil expansion tank of a transformer, an oil expansion tank comprising the flexible bag and a transformer comprising the oil expansion tank comprising the flexible bag. Further, the present application relates to a method for producing the flexible bag and use of the flexible bag in an oil expansion tank of a transformer. In particular, the present application relates to an flexible bag for an oil expansion tank of a transformer, comprising a first and a second elastomer layer, and a reinforcement layer comprising a fabric, the reinforcement layer arranged between the first elastomer layer and the second elastomer layer; and the first and the second elastomer layers comprising each at least one elastomer selected from at least one of vulcanized nitrile butadiene rubber, vulcanized hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber or vulcanized epichlorohydrin rubber.