Transformer Cooling Duct Layout to Prevent Winding Hot Spots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for power transformers, such as Oil-Directed (OD) cooling, face challenges with uneven oil distribution and recirculating flows due to high fluid dynamic effects, leading to increased winding hot spot temperatures and limited pump flow rates, which can result in excessive temperatures and potential device damage.
Innovation Solution
A static electric induction device with a duct system featuring cross and longitudinal channels and strategically placed flow obstructions that allow a controlled bypass of coolant, reducing the Venturi effect and enabling higher pump flow rates, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing hot spot temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high pump flow rates are used to improve cooling, then cooling performance increases, but fluid dynamic effects cause uneven oil distribution and recirculating flows leading to increased winding hot spot temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The axial cooling duct is segmented into multiple flow paths by introducing radial cooling ducts that connect to it. The flow obstruction divides the axial flow into a main flow path and a bypass path, creating segmented flow distribution that prevents recirculating flows and ensures even oil distribution across different radial ducts, thereby reducing winding hot spot temperatures while maintaining high cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The flow obstruction acts as an intermediary element in the axial cooling duct. It mediates the coolant flow by creating a controlled bypass path that redirects a portion of the flow through the radial cooling ducts. This intermediary structure prevents direct recirculating flows and ensures proper flow distribution to the windings, resolving the contradiction between high flow rates and hot spot reduction
2Temperature
If pump flow rate is increased to reduce temperatures, then cooling improves, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow obstruction is integrated directly into the axial cooling duct structure, merging the flow control function with the existing cooling duct. The radial cooling ducts are combined with the axial cooling duct to form a unified cooling system. This merging approach achieves effective flow distribution and temperature reduction without adding separate complex control mechanisms, thereby limiting device complexity while improving cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The flow obstruction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a flow divider, creates a bypass path, controls flow distribution to radial ducts, and prevents recirculating flows. The radial cooling ducts also serve dual purposes as both cooling passages and flow distribution channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, achieving effective cooling without proportionally increasing device complexity
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 device allows for improved cooling performance by increasing coolant flow speed, enabling higher pump flow rates, and reducing local hot spots, making transformers more compact or increasing their loading capacity, while maintaining energy efficiency and robustness against manufacturing deviations.
Implementation Method 1
the flow obstruction is configured to allow flow of the coolant through it and locally narrows a cross-section of the respective longitudinal channel by at least 75%
Implementation Method 2
a duct system configured to lead a coolant along the heat-generating component
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, the static electric induction device includes:a heat-generating component which is subject to electric induction, anda duct system configured to lead a coolant along the heat-generating component, whereinthe duct system includes a plurality of cross channels and at least two longitudinal channels, each one of the longitudinal channels is assigned to at least some of the cross channels and the assigned cross channels connect the respective longitudinal channels with each other, andthe duct system further includes at least one flow obstruction located in at least one of the longitudinal channels, the flow obstruction is configured to allow flow of the coolant through it and locally narrows a cross-section of the respective longitudinal channel by at least 75%.

