Transformer Winding Shields for Electric Field Stress Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transformers face challenges in reducing electric field stress on insulating mediums and minimizing the quantity of encapsulation material used, which affects cooling efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of semiconductive shields configured to create controlled electrical fields between windings, allowing for reduced insulation and enhanced cooling efficiency by optimizing the distribution of electrical fields within the transformer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional insulation arrangements are used between windings, then electrical isolation is maintained, but electric field stress on insulating medium increases and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A semiconductive shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the high voltage winding and low voltage winding. This shield creates a controlled electrical field distribution where the field concentrates between the shields rather than directly across the insulation, reducing electric field stress on the insulating medium while maintaining effective electrical isolation between windings.
2Reliability
If more insulation material is used to reduce electric field stress, then electrical isolation improves, but the quantity of encapsulation material increases and cooling efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electrical field distribution parameters by introducing semiconductive shields with specific conductivity properties. This creates a controlled field concentration effect between the shields, allowing reduced insulation material thickness while maintaining the same level of electrical isolation protection, thereby reducing the quantity of encapsulation material required.
3Temperature
If insulation material quantity is reduced to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling efficiency improves, but electric field stress on remaining insulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductive shield acts as a field management intermediary that decouples the relationship between insulation thickness and electric field stress. By concentrating the electrical field between the shields, the system can use less insulation material while preventing excessive field stress on the reduced insulation, thereby enabling improved cooling efficiency without compromising electrical isolation reliability.
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 approach enables the use of less insulation material while maintaining effective electrical isolation, leading to cost savings and improved cooling efficiency of transformer components.
Implementation Method 1
at least two semiconductive shields configured and disposed to cause a first electrical field between the two semiconductive shields, a second electrical field between a first of the semiconductive shields and a first set of windings, and a third electrical field between a second of the semiconductive shields and a second set of windings
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a transformer designed for supporting two or more sets of windings referenced to different voltage levels. Use of semiconductive shields may direct electrical fields caused by the different voltage levels to have a first amplitude in a first region of the transformer and a second amplitude in a second region of the transformer, and may enable efficient and cost-effective use of insulating materials and transformer design.