EP4278159A1

EP4278159A1 - Gas insulated switchgear and method for use with gas insulated switchgear

Info

Publication number: EP4278159A1
Application number: EP21918593.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yanguo CHEN; Lusha ZENG; Jiling LIN; Liqun Huang; Xiushan GE
Original assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Current assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Priority date: 2021-01-15
Filing date: 2021-01-15
Publication date: 2023-11-22
Also published as: CN116724219A; WO2022151389A1

Abstract

A gas insulated switchgear and a method for use with the gas insulated switchgear. The gas insulated switchgear (1) comprises a metal gas tank (101) filled with an insulating gas to provide an insulating media for electrical components of the gas insulated switchgear (1) inside the metal gas tank (101); a non-metal component (102) arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank (101) and configured to install at least one of the electrical components, one side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with the insulating gas, and the other side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with air outside the metal gas tank (101); a wireless transmitter (103) arranged outside the metal gas tank (101) and configured to transmit a measuring signal; and a wireless measuring device (104) arranged inside the metal gas tank (101) and being capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter (103) via the non-metal component (102), the wireless measuring device (104) being configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank (101) in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter (103), and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter (103).

Description

GAS INSULATED SWITCHGEAR AND METHOD FOR USE WITH GAS INSULATED SWITCHGEAR

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of switchgear, and more particularly, to a gas insulated switchgear and a method for use with a gas insulated switchgear.

BACKGROUND

Switchgear typically includes various components arranged in an enclosed housing. During operation of the switchgear, the temperatures of the components may rise significantly due to a large current flowing through the components or a loose connection between the components. The temperature rise of the components would adversely affect the performance of the components or even damage the components. Thus, it is necessary to carry out temperature measurement in the switchgear so as to monitor operating conditions of the switchgear in real time.
A gas insulated switchgear (GIS) is a kind of conventional switchgear and typically includes a metal gas tank. When measuring temperatures of components arranged inside the metal gas tank of the GIS, wired type temperature sensors rather than wireless type temperature sensors, are usually employed inside the gas tank, due to the electromagnetic shielding effect of the metal gas tank. However, it is not safe for the GIS to use wired type temperature sensors because the wires could potentially become a short path to ground. Besides, employing wired type temperature sensors means to set additional openings on the wall of the gas tank for the wires to pass therethrough, which would weaken the sealing property of the GIS. Moreover, wired type sensors usually have a short service life, which would affect the reliability of the GIS.
Thus, there is a need for an improved approach for measuring the temperature inside the metal gas tank.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing problems, various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gas insulated switchgear having a wireless measuring device and a wireless transmitter for directly measuring temperature inside a metal gas tank of the GIS in a manner of high safety, no damage to the gas tank, and high reliability.
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gas insulated switchgear. The gas insulated switchgear comprises a metal gas tank filled with an insulating gas to provide an insulating media for electrical components of the gas insulated switchgear inside the metal gas tank; a non-metal component arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank and configured to install at least one of the electrical components, one side of the non-metal component being in contact with the insulating gas, and the other side of the non-metal component being in contact with air outside the metal gas tank; a wireless transmitter arranged outside the metal gas tank and configured to transmit a measuring signal; and a wireless measuring device arranged inside the metal gas tank and being capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter via the non-metal component, the wireless measuring device being configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter, and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter. In these embodiments, the internal temperature of the metal gas tank detected by the wireless measuring device can be transmitted to the wireless transmitter arranged outside the metal gas tank via the non-metal component arranged on the wall of the metal gas tank. In this way, there is no need to set additional openings on the wall of the gas tank for the wires to pass therethrough, and thus the safety of the GIS can be improved.
In some embodiments, the wireless transmitter comprises an RFID antenna. With these embodiments, the wireless signals can be transferred between the wireless transmitter and the wireless measuring device via the RFID antenna reliably.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device comprises a RFID tag. With these embodiments, the RFID tag is a passive device without need of an additional power supply. Thus, the size of the temperature device can be decreased and the safety of the GIS would be further improved. Moreover, the RFID tag could communicate with the RFID antenna by using a signal containing an individual ID, and thus the signals from different RFID tags can be distinguished from each other easily.
In some embodiments, the non-metal component comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy current transformer. With these embodiments, the current transformer can measure a current inside the GIS. Moreover, the wireless signals can be transferred through the epoxy current transformer reliably and there is no need to set additional openings on the wall of the gas tank.
In some embodiments, the non-metal component comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy cable busing or an epoxy busbar bushing. With these embodiments, the wireless signals can be transferred through the epoxy cable busing or the epoxy busbar bushing reliably and there is no need to set additional openings on the wall of the gas tank.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an inner cone cable socket. With these embodiments, the loose connection between the copper bar and the inner cone cable socket can be monitored in real time.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an outer cone cable busing or an outer cone busbar busing. With these embodiments, the loose connection between the copper bar and the outer cone cable busing or the outer cone busbar busing can be monitored in real time.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for use with a gas insulated switchgear. The gas insulated switchgear comprises: a metal gas tank filled with an insulating gas to provide an insulating media for electrical components of the gas insulated switchgear inside the metal gas tank; a non-metal component arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank and configured to install at least one of the electrical components, one side of the non-metal component being in contact with the insulating gas, and the other side of the non-metal component being in contact with air outside the metal gas tank; a wireless transmitter arranged outside the metal gas tank and configured to transmit a measuring signal; and a wireless measuring device arranged inside the metal gas tank and being capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter via the non-metal component, the wireless measuring device being configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter, and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter. The method comprises receiving, by the wireless measuring device, a measuring signal from the wireless transmitter; detecting, by the wireless measuring device, a temperature inside the metal gas tank in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter; and transmitting, by the wireless measuring device, the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter.
In some embodiments, the wireless transmitter comprises an RFID antenna.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device comprises an RFID tag.
In some embodiments, the non-metal component comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy current transformer.
In some embodiments, the non-metal component comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy cable busing or an epoxy busbar bushing.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an inner cone cable socket.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an outer cone cable busing or an outer cone busbar busing.
It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Through the following detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objectives, features and advantages of the example embodiments disclosed herein will become more comprehensible. In the drawings, several example embodiments disclosed herein will be illustrated in examples and in a non-limiting manner, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS including an inner cone cable socket in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS including an outer cone busbar bushing and an outer cone cable bushing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for use with a GIS in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference symbols are used to indicate the same or similar elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIEMTNS
Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments shown in the drawings. Though example embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that the embodiments are described only to facilitate those skilled in the art to better understand and thereby implement the present disclosure, rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.
The term “comprises” or “includes” and its variants are to be read as open terms that mean “includes, but is not limited to. ” The term “or” is to be read as “and/or” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on. ” The term “being operable to” is to mean a function, an action, a motion or a state that can be achieved by an operation induced by a user or an external mechanism. The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment. ” The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment. ” The terms “first, ” “second, ” and the like may refer to different or same objects. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below. A definition of a term is consistent throughout the description unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a wireless transmitter and a wireless measuring device are used in the GIS so as to realize the direct temperature measuring inside a metal gas tank of a GIS without arranging additional openings on the wall of the metal gas tank. The above idea may be implemented in various manners, as will be described in detail in the following paragraphs.
Hereinafter, the principles of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIG. 1 first, FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the GIS 1 generally includes a metal gas tank 101, a non-metal component 102, a wireless transmitter 103, and a wireless measuring device 104.
The metal gas tank 101, together with the non-metal component 102, form an enclosed space filled with an insulating gas, for example, SF ₆ or other kinds of gases, so as to provide a high voltage level insulating performance. The connection points of the electrical components are potential sources of failure. Thus, the temperatures of these positions need to be monitored.
In some embodiments, the metal gas tank 101 is made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the metal gas tank 101 is made of other metal material, such as Aluminum. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
The non-metal component 102 is arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank 101, and configured to install at least one of the electrical components. One side of the non-metal component 102 is in contact with the insulating gas inside the metal gas tank 101, and the other side of the non-metal component 102 is in contact with air outside the metal gas tank 101.
In some embodiments, the non-metal component 102 is made of epoxy. For example, the non-metal component 102 is an epoxy part of an epoxy current transformer, an epoxy cable busing, or an epoxy busbar bushing. In other embodiments, the non-metal component 102 may be made of other non-metal materials. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
It is to be noted that, the electrical components installed on the non-metal components 102 may be those components that already exist on the wall of the metal gas tank in the conventional GIS. Those components are used to implement specific functions, for example, to measure the current, to deliver the power into the gas tank, and so on. Thus, there is no need to set additional openings on the wall of the metal gas tank 101 for wires to pass therethrough, and thus the safety of the GIS 1 can be improved.
The wireless transmitter 103 is arranged outside the metal gas tank 101 and configured to transmit a measuring signal to the wireless measuring device 104. In some embodiments, the wireless transmitter 103 is arranged near to the non-metal component 102 to provide a better communication with the wireless measuring device 104.
In some embodiments, the wireless transmitter 103 is arranged in a cable compartment (not shown) outside the metal gas tank 101. In other embodiments, the wireless transmitter 103 can be arranged in other places outside the metal gas tank 101, for example, on top of the GIS 1. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
In some embodiments, the wireless transmitter 103 includes an RFID antenna. In other embodiments, the wireless transmitter 103 may include components suitable for transferring signals according to other communication protocols, for example, Zigbee, SAW, and so on. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
The wireless measuring device 104 is arranged inside the metal gas tank 101 and is capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter 103 via the non-metal component 102. The wireless measuring device 104 is configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank 101 in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter 103, and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter 103.
In some embodiments, a plurality of wireless measuring devices 104 may be provided inside the metal gas tank 101 to measure the temperatures at different positions inside the metal gas tank 101. However, it is to be understood that in other embodiments, only one wireless measuring device 104 may be provided inside the metal gas tank 101 to measure the temperature at a certain position. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
In some embodiments, the wireless measuring device 104 may be arranged on or adjacent to connection points of the electrical components, for example, the connection points between copper bars and inner cone cable sockets, the connection points between copper bars and outer cone cable bushings, or the connection points between copper bars and outer cone busbar bushings. With such arrangements, the temperature rise caused by the loose connection of the electrical components can be monitored precisely. In other embodiments, the wireless measuring device 104 may be arranged on or adjacent to other electrical components that need to be monitored, for example, the electrical switches circuit breaker, three position switches and so on. This allows the real-time measuring of the temperature rise caused by the large current flowing through these electrical components.
In some embodiments, wireless measuring device 104 includes an RFID tag. In other embodiments, the wireless measuring device 104 may include components suitable for transferring signals according to other communication protocols, for example, Zigbee, SAW, and so on. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
With the arrangement of the GIS 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the wireless temperature measuring inside the metal gas tank of the GIS can be achieved. Compared with the conventional GIS, the GIS of the present disclosure has no additional openings on the wall of the metal gas tank and has no wire inside the metal gas tank. Accordingly, the direct temperature measuring inside the metal gas tank of the GIS can be achieved in a manner of high safety, no damage, and high reliability.
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the GIS of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS including an inner cone cable socket, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a GIS including an outer cone busbar bushing and an outer cone cable bushing. The construction of the GIS 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are similar to that of the GIS 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The differences between them will be described herein, and the same parts will not be described in detail any more.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the GIS 1 generally includes a metal gas tank 101, an epoxy current transformer 102A, a RFID antenna 103A, RFID tags 104A, inner cone cable sockets 106 and a copper bar 105.
The RFID tags 104A are arranged on the connection point between the inner cone cable sockets 106 and the copper bar 105. The epoxy current transformer 102A is arranged on the wall of the metal gas tank 101 to measure the current. When measuring the temperature of the connection point, the RFID antenna 103A transmits a measuring signal. The measuring signal passes through the epoxy part of the epoxy current transformer 102A and arrives at the RFID tag 104A. In response to receiving the measuring signal, the RFID tag 104A draws the energy needed for its operation from a magnetic field provided by the RFID antenna 103A. Thus, a power of several dozen to hundreds of microwatts can be used inside the RFID tag 104A. Then, the RFID tag 104A measures the temperature of the connection point, and transmits the detected temperature to the RFID antenna 103A through the epoxy part of the epoxy current transformer 102A.
In an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the GIS 1 generally includes a metal gas tank 101, an outer cone busbar bushing 102B, an outer cone cable bushing 102C, a RFID antenna 103A, RFID tags 104A, copper bars 105.
The RFID tags 104A are arranged on the connection point between the outer cone busbar bushing 102B and the copper bar 105 and the connection point between the outer cone cable bushing 102C and the copper bar 105. The outer cone busbar busing 102B and outer cone cable bushing 102C are arranged on the wall of the metal gas tank 101 to feed power inside the metal gas tank 101, and are casted by epoxy. When measuring the temperature of the connection points, the RFID antenna 103A transmits a measuring signal. The measuring signal passes through the epoxy part of the outer cone busbar bushing 102B and the epoxy part of the outer cone cable bushing 102C and arrives at the RFID tag 104A. The remaining steps of the temperature measuring are the same as those in FIG. 2.
In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, each RFID tag 104A has an individual ID corresponding to a specific connection point in the GIS 1, and the output signal of the RFID tag 104A indicates the temperature of the corresponding connection point and contains the individual ID. When the RFID antenna 103A receives the output signal from the RFID tag 104A, the wireless transmitter 103 will recognize which connection point the temperature belongs to. Accordingly, by using the RFID antenna and the RFID tag, the temperature measuring is achieved with a higher efficiency.
Compared with wired types of sensors, the RFID tag 104A is a passive device without need of an additional power supply. Thus, the size of the temperature device can be decreased and the safety of the GIS would be further improved.
Hereinafter, a method for use with a GIS of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG 4. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for use with a GIS in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method in FIG. 4 can be applied to any GIS of the present disclosure.
At 405, the method comprises a step of receiving, by the wireless measuring device, a measuring signal from the wireless transmitter via a non-metal component arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank. The type of the measuring signal depends on the type of the wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, the measuring signal is a RFID signal. In other embodiments, the measuring signal can be other types of wireless signals, for example, Zigbee signal, SAW signal, and so on. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited in this respect.
At 410, the method comprises a step of detecting, by the wireless measuring device, a temperature inside the metal gas tank in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, more than one position inside the metal gas tank needs to be measured. After the temperatures of these positions are measured, the measured temperatures are stored in the wireless measuring device along with different IDs in order to distinguish them from each other.
At 415, the method comprises a step of transmitting, by the wireless measuring device, the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter. In some embodiments, more than one detected temperature needs to be transmitted. Each detected temperature is transmitted along with an individual ID in order to distinguish them from each other, wherein the IDs correspond to different positions.
While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

A gas insulated switchgear (1) comprising:

a metal gas tank (101) filled with an insulating gas to provide an insulating media for electrical components of the gas insulated switchgear (1) inside the metal gas tank (101) ;

a non-metal component (102) arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank (101) and configured to install at least one of the electrical components, one side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with the insulating gas, and the other side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with air outside the metal gas tank (101) ;

a wireless transmitter (103) arranged outside the metal gas tank (101) and configured to transmit a measuring signal; and

a wireless measuring device (104) arranged inside the metal gas tank (101) and being capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter (103) via the non-metal component (102) , the wireless measuring device (104) being configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank (101) in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter (103) , and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter (103) .
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter (103) comprises a RFID antenna.
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) comprises an RFID tag.
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the non-metal component (102) comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy current transformer.
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the non-metal component (102) comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy cable busing or an epoxy busbar bushing.
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an inner cone cable socket.
The gas insulated switchgear (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an outer cone cable busing or an outer cone busbar busing.
A method for use with a gas insulated switchgear (1) , the gas insulated switchgear (1) comprising:

a metal gas tank (101) filled with an insulating gas to provide an insulating media for electrical components of the gas insulated switchgear (1) inside the metal gas tank (101) ;

a non-metal component (102) arranged on a wall of the metal gas tank (101) and configured to install at least one of the electrical components, one side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with the insulating gas, and the other side of the non-metal component (102) being in contact with air outside the metal gas tank (101) ;

a wireless transmitter (103) arranged outside the metal gas tank (101) and configured to transmit a measuring signal; and

a wireless measuring device (104) arranged inside the metal gas tank (101) and being capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless transmitter (103) via the non-metal component (102) , the wireless measuring device (104) being configured to detect a temperature inside the metal gas tank (101) in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter (103) , and transmit the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter (103) ,

the method comprising:

receiving, by the wireless measuring device (104) , a measuring signal from the wireless transmitter (103) ;

detecting, by the wireless measuring device (104) , a temperature inside the metal gas tank (101) in response to receiving the measuring signal from the wireless transmitter (103) ; and

transmitting, by the wireless measuring device (104) , the detected temperature to the wireless transmitter (103) .
The method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless transmitter (103) comprises an RFID antenna.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) comprises an RFID tag.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the non-metal component (102) comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy current transformer.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the non-metal component (102) comprises an epoxy part of an epoxy cable busing or an epoxy busbar bushing.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an inner cone cable socket.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the wireless measuring device (104) is arranged adjacent to a connection point between a copper bar and an outer cone cable busing or an outer cone busbar busing.