Oil-Immersed Transformer Layout for Container Capacity Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

The capacity of oil-immersed transformers is limited by the size specifications of 20-foot marine containers, as increasing the transformer capacity leads to an increase in the fuel tank size and heat dissipation area, necessitating additional space that exceeds the container dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The oil conservator is installed above the fuel tank, with its top height exceeding the transformer room's side wall, allowing the fuel tank to occupy less internal space and increasing the available capacity without altering the container's dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the capacity of the oil-immersed transformer is increased, then the transformer capacity is improved, but the size of the fuel tank and heat dissipation area increase, requiring additional space that exceeds the container dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer capacityVSAvoidcontainer space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil conservator is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement within the container to a vertical arrangement extending above the container's side walls. This dimensional change allows the conservator to occupy vertical space rather than horizontal space, effectively increasing the fuel tank capacity without exceeding the container's footprint dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transformer system is segmented into separate functional components: the fuel tank remains within the container while the oil conservator extends externally above the container. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's space requirements, enabling the fuel tank to be larger without proportionally increasing the container size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If the diameter of the iron core is increased to increase transformer capacity, then the transformer capacity is improved, but the sizes of the oil-immersed transformer and fuel tank increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer capacityVSAvoidfuel tank volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil conservator utilizes the vertical dimension by extending above the container's side walls. This allows the fuel tank volume to be increased without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby accommodating a larger iron core diameter while maintaining container size constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Power

If the heat dissipation area is increased to accommodate higher transformer capacity, then the transformer capacity is improved, but the space occupation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer capacityVSAvoidheat dissipation area
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil conservator with its increased volume provides greater heat dissipation surface area in the vertical dimension. The lateral surface area of the elevated conservator contributes to heat dissipation without increasing the horizontal footprint, allowing higher transformer capacity within the same container footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides more space for the fuel tank and transformer, reducing the number of prefabricated stations needed and lowering construction and maintenance costs for photovoltaic systems.

Implementation Method 1

The transformer oil serves as a refrigerating medium and an insulating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The transformer oil serves as a refrigerating medium and an insulating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP4239818B1Prefabricated transformer substation, oil-immersed transformer and photovoltaic power generation system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4239818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4239818B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4239818B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application discloses a prefabricated transformer station, an oil-immersed transformer, and a photovoltaic system, and relates to the field of power distribution technologies. The prefabricated transformer station includes a container housing and the oil-immersed transformer. A transformer room is provided inside the container housing, and a top cover of the transformer room is opened. The oil-immersed transformer is installed in the transformer room, and a height of a top of an oil conservator of the oil-immersed transformer is higher than a height of a side wall of the transformer room. The prefabricated transformer station can provide more space for a fuel tank, so as to improve a capacity of the oil-immersed transformer.