Hermetically Sealed Transformer Protection Relay Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hermetically sealed distribution transformers face complex and cumbersome protection relays with high manufacturing costs and time-consuming assembly procedures, necessitating a simplified and cost-effective solution for monitoring cooling liquid conditions.

Innovation Solution

A protection relay with a modular, compact structure comprising a main body and an outer container in fluid-dynamic communication with the transformer tank, featuring a floating element and switching means to detect liquid levels and pressure, and a safety valve for emergency conditions, allowing for easy assembly and reduced manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional protection relay structures are used, then monitoring function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring functionVSAvoidstructural layout
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection relay is divided into a case section and a distinct outer container section. The outer container is separable from the case section, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the monitoring function, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional protection relay structures are used, then monitoring function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring functionVSAvoidassembly procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The relay structure is segmented into separable case and outer container sections that can be manufactured independently and assembled quickly. This reduces manufacturing complexity and assembly time while preserving the complete monitoring functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer container is designed to be placed within or coupled to the case section, creating a nested arrangement. This nesting approach allows compact packaging during manufacturing and easy separation during assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution provides efficient monitoring of cooling liquid conditions, simplifies assembly and manufacturing, and reduces overall costs while ensuring reliable operation and safety through modular design and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a floating element (4) accommodated within said outer container (3) and adapted to be at least partially immersed in and moved by the cooling liquid (500) contained in said outer container (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

The case section (29) comprises an inner chamber (20) within said inner volume (295), which is, in operation, in fluid-dynamic communication with the tank (101) of the distribution transformer through the duct section (27) and which is filled with the cooling liquid (500) of the distribution transformer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Pascal's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3544040B1A protection relay for hermetically sealed distribution transformers
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 COMEM SPA
  • EP3544040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3544040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3544040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A protection relay (1) for a distribution transformer (100) comprising a tank (101) adapted to contain a cooling liquid (500) characterized in that it comprises: - a main body (2) adapted to be mechanically coupled in a removable manner with said tank, said main body including a case section (29) defining a first inner volume (295) and a duct section (27) adapted to link said case section with said tank, said case section including an inner chamber (20) in said first inner volume, said inner chamber being, in operation, in fluid-dynamic communication with said tank through said duct section and filled with said cooling liquid; - an outer container (3) mechanically coupled in a removable manner with said case section (29), said outer container being in fluid-dynamic communication with said inner chamber and adapted to be partially filled with said cooling liquid (500); - a floating element (4) accommodated within said outer container and adapted to be at least partially immersed in and moved by the cooling liquid (500) contained in said outer container; - switching means (5) adapted to be actuated by said floating element when the cooling liquid contained in said outer container reaches one or more threshold levels.