Transformer Coil Cooling with End Plate Bypass Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transformer coil cooling systems require high-power fans and large space due to inefficiencies in airflow through cooling channels, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and the need for costly sealing to prevent airflow leaks.

Innovation Solution

An air guidance plate is strategically positioned at the longitudinal end of the outer air duct and coil to block airflow bypasses, directing air primarily through cooling channels, reducing flow resistance and eliminating the need for sealing, allowing for the use of lower-power fans and more compact designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air guidance plates are arranged in close proximity to the coils to ensure sufficient airflow through cooling channels, then cooling efficiency is improved, but flow resistance increases requiring high-power fans and large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidfan power
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The air guidance plate is positioned at the longitudinal end of the outer air duct before air enters the cooling channels, preliminarily directing the airflow path. This preliminary positioning reduces turbulence and resistance at the inlet, allowing air to enter the cooling channels more smoothly without requiring high-power fans to overcome entry resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The air guidance plate acts as an intermediary element between the outer air duct and the cooling channels. It mediates the airflow transition by providing a guided path that reduces direct resistance, thereby improving cooling efficiency while reducing the power requirement for the fan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sealing is placed onto the coil surface to prevent airflow leaks around the air guidance plate, then airflow efficiency is improved, but device complexity and assembly labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow efficiencyVSAvoidsealing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is extracted from the coil surface and relocated to the air guidance plate. The air guidance plate is provided with a sealing element on its lower side that engages with the outer air duct, separating the sealing function from the coil assembly. This eliminates the need for sealing on the coil surface while maintaining airflow efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air guidance plate with integrated sealing element on its lower side performs the sealing function autonomously by engaging with the outer air duct. The sealing is achieved through the design of the air guidance plate itself rather than requiring separate sealing components on the coil, reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If a large amount of air flows through the outer air duct, then cooling capacity is improved, but cooling efficiency decreases due to air not flowing through the windings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairflow quantityVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The airflow path is segmented into two distinct channels: one through the outer air duct and another through the cooling channels in the windings. The air guidance plate positioned at the longitudinal end of the outer air duct directs a portion of the airflow into the cooling channels, ensuring that cooling air actually contacts the windings while maintaining overall cooling capacity

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 enhances cooling efficiency, enabling the use of smaller, more energy-efficient fans and reducing space requirements while maintaining effective airflow through the cooling channels.

Implementation Method 1

By this means a flow resistance through the cooling channels becomes smaller than a flow resistance around the coils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow resistance: Drag

Implementation Method 2

an arrangement to cool a coil (2), comprising an enclosure (3), which at least partially incorporates or houses the coil (2), and a device (4) to create an airflow (5) to cool the coil (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4210074B1Arrangement to cool a coil
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4210074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4210074B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4210074B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An arrangement to cool a coil (2), comprising an enclosure (3), which at least partially incorporates or houses the coil (2), and a device (4, 4') to create an airflow (5) to cool the coil (2), wherein the coil (2) comprises at least one cooling channel (6) to guide the airflow (5) through the windings (7) of the coil (2) and an outer air duct (8) lying radially in the outer circumference area of the coil or lying radially inside below an outer part (8a) of the coil, characterized in that an air guidance plate (9) is placed at or near one longitudinal end of the outer air duct (8) and/ or of the coil (2) to prevent bypasses of the airflow (5) and/ or to block at least partially the airflow (5) through and/or along the outer air duct (8), achieves the object to cool a coil, especially a coil of a transformer, in an efficient manner using space-saving means.