Vacuum Switch Housing Cooling via Convection Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medium and high voltage switchgears using SF6 as insulation fluid have high global warming potential, necessitating alternative solutions that maintain compactness and thermal performance while reducing environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A switch assembly with a vacuum switch mounted to an electrically conductive housing featuring free heat convection paths, utilizing gas entry and exit openings to create a chimney effect for improved cooling, allowing for the use of insulation fluids with lower GWP, such as air, and enhanced thermal management through increased heat radiation areas and materials with high thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SF6 is used as insulation fluid, then dielectric performance and thermal performance are improved, but global warming potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insulation fluid from SF6 to alternative gases with lower GWP (such as air, nitrogen, or fluorinated gases with lower environmental impact). To compensate for the reduced dielectric and thermal performance of these alternative gases, the patent modifies the housing structure to include optimized cooling paths and heat dissipation features, thereby maintaining reliable operation while reducing environmental harm.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative insulation fluids with lower GWP are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but thermal performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple functional zones with dedicated cooling paths. The patent divides the housing into a first housing part and a second housing part, each with specific cooling channels and heat dissipation surfaces. This segmentation allows optimized thermal management for each zone, compensating for the lower thermal conductivity of alternative insulation fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling mechanism where the housing structure itself acts as a heat exchanger. The housing includes integrated cooling paths and heat dissipation surfaces that facilitate heat transfer from internal components to the external environment, using the alternative insulation fluid as the intermediary medium to carry heat away while maintaining electrical insulation.
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then space requirement is reduced, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling paths are nested within the housing structure itself, with cooling channels integrated into the housing walls and partitions. The first and second housing parts are nested together with cooling paths formed between them, allowing efficient heat dissipation within the compact volume without requiring additional external cooling components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional cooling paths that extend in multiple directions within the housing. Instead of simple linear cooling channels, the design incorporates cooling paths that utilize the vertical and radial dimensions of the housing, creating efficient heat dissipation routes that maximize surface area for heat transfer within the limited compact volume.
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
Enables the creation of compact, environmentally friendly gas insulated switchgear with improved cooling capabilities, suitable for narrow spaces and reduced space requirements, while using insulation fluids with lower thermal properties than SF6, thus addressing the environmental concerns associated with SF6.
Implementation Method 1
a first free heat convection path is provided inside the housing between the at least one gas entry opening and the at least one gas exit opening, in order to provide cooling
Implementation Method 2
By providing a housing such that a free heat convection path can be achieved inside the housing is obtained the advantage that a chimney effect is achieved that results in improved cooling of the vacuum switch
Implementation Method 3
a housing wall with an interior surface of which at least a part has a rough surface structure providing an increased heat radiation area
Implementation Method 4
an at least partly electrically conductive housing
Data Source
AI summary
A switch assembly including a vacuum switch mounted to an at least partly electrically conductive housing, and a holder for a vacuum bottle. The housing includes at least one gas entry opening at a lower end of the housing and at least one gas exit opening at an upper end of the housing, and a first free heat convection path between the openings to provide cooling. A second free heat convection path may be provided in a free space between the holder and vacuum bottle. A switching device for connecting the vacuum switch to a second electric conductor. An electric power distribution switchgear, encapsulating at least one three-phase module including a switching device.