Vacuum Interrupter Pole High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole parts for high-pressure environments, such as subsea applications, face challenges in effectively sealing and maintaining structural integrity due to the limitations of ceramic vacuum interrupters in withstanding high environmental pressures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates circumferential profiles on the flange and metal cap of the insulating housing, with a two-part clamp ring that converts clamping force into axial pressure, combined with segmented ceramic housing and elastic sealing rings, to ensure a pressure-tight seal, and includes a sliding contact ring for electrical connectivity and potting material for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ceramic vacuum interrupter is used in high pressure environment, then the insulating properties are maintained, but the pressure tight sealing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic housing is divided into multiple axial segments that can be assembled together, with each segment having simplified sealing surfaces. This segmentation allows the complex pressure-tight sealing problem to be distributed across multiple simpler joints, each using the circumferential profile and clamp ring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines ceramic housing segments with metal clamp rings and elastic sealing rings to create a composite sealing system. The metal clamp rings provide the mechanical force, while the elastic sealing rings provide the actual seal, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion differences between ceramic and metal components.
2Device complexity
If conventional flanges are used for high pressure application, then the structure is simple, but the pressure withstand capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flange and cap are provided with circumferential profiles (curved surfaces) that work together with the clamp ring to convert radial clamping force into axial pressing force. This curved geometry is more effective at distributing and withstanding high pressure loads compared to conventional flat flange connections.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is segmented into axial segments, then the assembly is easier, but the sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple axial segments that can be assembled separately and then joined together, facilitating easier manufacturing, inspection, and maintenance. Each segment can be independently manufactured and tested before final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential profiles on the flange and cap are designed with specific geometric parameters that, when combined with the clamp ring, automatically generate the necessary axial pressing force to maintain pressure-tight sealing across all segment joints, regardless of the number of segments.
4Reliability
If high fixing forces are applied at the flanges, then the sealing is improved, but the risk of material damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential profiles create a mechanical advantage system where the clamp ring's radial clamping force is converted into axial pressing force through the curved geometry. This distributes the high fixing forces over a larger contact area and through a more favorable stress distribution, reducing peak stresses that could cause material damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic sealing rings are used to provide the actual sealing contact between segments. These flexible elements can deform to accommodate minor misalignments and distribute the clamping forces more evenly, preventing stress concentration that could damage the rigid ceramic or metal components.
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 the structural integrity and sealing effectiveness of the pole part, allowing it to withstand high environmental pressures while maintaining electrical connectivity, making it suitable for both medium and high-voltage applications, particularly in subsea conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping fixation force of an at least two part clamp ring is diverted into an axial force pressing the flange and the cap tightly together
Implementation Method 2
between the flanges and between the flange and the metal cap are arranged elastic sealing rings
Implementation Method 3
the thickness of the flange and the thickness of the cap will decrease towards the edge of the flange and the cap, and that the inner surface of the clamp ring means are formed complementarily to the aforesaid circumferential profiles
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a pole part for high pressure environment application, with a pressure resistant insulating housing in which a vacuum interrupter is installed, wherein the vacuum interrupter is provided with at least one moving contact and one fixed contact inside the vacuum interrupter, according to the preamble of claim 1. In order to create a pole part with high environmental pressure withstand, the invention is that the pressure resistant insulating body is tubelike and at its ends provided with flanges formed at the insulating housing out of the same material, and that at least one of the flanges is closed with a metal cap, which is adapted to the aforesaid flange of the insulating housing by the same dimensions, and that with clamping means the metal cap is pressed tightly on the flange of the insulating housing by the introduced clamping fixation force.