Vertical Airflow Cooling for Indoor Transformer Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional liquid-filled transformers face space constraints and inefficiencies in cooling due to large radiator banks that extend outward, which do not provide adequate cooling and increase the footprint of indoor transformers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a vertical airflow cooling system using an air transfer unit with air directing apparatuses and an exhaust screen to direct airflow vertically across cooling fins, reducing space requirements and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional radiator banks are used for transformer cooling, then cooling function is provided, but the footprint and space requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal airflow cooling (traditional radiator banks extending outward) to vertical airflow cooling (air moving upward through cooling fins). This dimensional change allows the cooling system to utilize the vertical clearance space beneath the transformer rather than extending horizontally, thereby reducing the transformer's footprint while maintaining cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional cooling approach by positioning the air transfer unit underneath the transformer and directing airflow upward through the cooling fins, rather than having radiators extend outward from the transformer surface. This inversion enables space-efficient cooling within the lower clearance area
2Area of moving object
If traditional radiator banks extend outward from transformer surface, then cooling surface area is increased, but space constraints in indoor environments are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system utilizes the vertical dimension by directing airflow upward through the cooling fins, allowing the cooling surface area to be effectively used without increasing horizontal space occupation. The air transfer unit processes air vertically within the lower clearance volume
3Area of stationary object
If vertical airflow cooling is implemented, then space requirement is reduced, but airflow distribution uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The air transfer unit is divided into multiple sections with individual air directing apparatuses (vanes or blowers) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each section to independently manage airflow to specific zones of the cooling fins, ensuring uniform air distribution across the entire cooling surface while maintaining compact vertical configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The air directing apparatuses are locally positioned to direct airflow to specific areas of the cooling fins, creating localized airflow control. This ensures that each region of the cooling surface receives appropriate airflow regardless of position, maintaining uniform cooling across the transformer
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 solution provides efficient cooling with high airflow velocity and surface area coverage, reducing the footprint of indoor transformers while maintaining effective heat dissipation, even in space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of air directing apparatuses that are positioned in the interior portion and are aligned along the length of the assembly frame, where the plurality of air directing apparatuses receive airflow from the lateral side and direct the airflow vertically through the upper side to further cool the plurality of cooling fins
Implementation Method 2
Traditional liquid-filled transformers often utilize large radiator banks that cool the internal liquid of the transformer via natural convection of ambient air over the radiators
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for transformer cooling by vertical airflow are described. One embodiment of an air transfer unit includes an assembly frame that includes an interior portion and defines a lateral side, an upper side, and a lower side, where the assembly frame includes a length that is substantially the same as a width of a plurality of cooling fins on a transformer. Some embodiments include a plurality of air directing apparatuses that are positioned in the interior portion and are aligned along the length of the assembly frame, where the plurality of air directing apparatuses receive airflow from the lateral side and direct the airflow vertically through the upper side to further cool the plurality of cooling fins. Similarly, some embodiments include an exhaust screen that is coupled to the upper side, wherein the exhaust screen further consolidates the airflow vertically toward the plurality of cooling fins.