KR102214179B1 - Cable connection part cooling device and Method for cooling the connection part - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable connection part cooling device and a method for cooling the same. The cable connection part cooling device comprises: a sealing means to wrap and seal a connector for connecting a cable; a chamber to receive the connector sealed by the sealing means and to receive cooling fluid for cooling the connector; a heat pipe disposed in the chamber; a freezer to supply cool air to the heat pipe; a temperature sensor to detect a temperature of cooling fluid; a level sensor to detect a level of the cooling fluid; a stirrer to stir the cooling fluid; a circulation cooling part to circulate the cooling fluid; a cooling fluid supplement part including a supplement liquid tank to receive the cooling fluid to be supplemented in the chamber, a supply pipe to connect the supplement liquid tank with the chamber, and a supply valve to open/close the supply pipe; and a controller to control the freezer, an underwater motor, a pump, a circulation valve, and a supply valve based on detecting information from the temperature sensor and the level sensor. The cable connection part cooling device having a structure as described above waterproofs a connector to connect the cable to immerse the connector in a cooling fluid, and continuously maintains the cooling fluid at a low temperature to efficiently cool the connector.

Description

Cable connection part cooling device and method for cooling the connection part

The present invention relates to a cooling device and a cooling method for cooling heat generated from a connection part of various cables, and more particularly, to a cooling device and a cooling method for a cable connection part excellent in cooling efficiency since the connection part is completely immersed in a cooling fluid. will be.

Power cables buried in the ground have a fairly complex branching structure, and usually consist of a main cable and a distribution cable branched from the main cable. Electricity flowing through the main cable is split into distribution cables and supplied to individual consumers through distribution cables. In addition, various types of connectors are used as a means for connecting the main cable and the distribution cable. The connector is an electrical element that physically connects the main cable and the distribution cable.

However, since the connector is a part to which two wires are connected, a lot of heat is generated during power transmission. For this reason, the connector itself melts due to heat, causing a fire or a large-scale power outage. Accordingly, it is necessary to intensively cool the connector portion that generates excessive heat to prevent fire or power failure.

As an apparatus for cooling a high-voltage electric wire, a cooling apparatus for a high-pressure irradiation electric wire using hot air has been disclosed through Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0550226.

The disclosed cooling device is a cooling tank that is divided into a series of first air conditioners, second air conditioners and water tanks along the axial direction, and the working wires are sequentially passed through; the hot air supply pipe is connected to the spaced spaced between the inside and outside. /The inner periphery of the first pipe including a first pipe and a second pipe in which the spaced space is sealed by combining the first cover and the second cover in the rear, and a plurality of nozzles that are connected through the first cover to spray hot air The hot air sprayer built in each air conditioner and the cylindrical housing in which the entrance and exit ports are formed on both sides to spray hot air contrary to the passing direction of the working wire passing through the space, heater installed along the inner periphery of the housing, and mounted between the inner and outer peripheries of the housing. In a cooling device for high-pressure irradiation wires using hot air including a hot air generator connected to a hot air supply pipe including an insulator in a curved pipe, the thermostat is installed to detect the hot air temperature through a flange fastened to the outlet side of a housing of the hot air generator. A couple is further included, and the air supply pipe connected to the inlet of the hot air generator has a configuration in which a pneumatic regulator equipped with a pressure sensing sensor for pneumatic detection is further connected.

Domestic Patent Publication No. 10-0550226 (Cooling device for high-pressure irradiation wire using hot air) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0104365 (Cooling method of superconducting cable) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2001251 (Superconducting cable cooling system incorporating liquid nitrogen circulation and refrigerator)

An object of the present invention is to provide a cable connection part cooling device and a cooling method capable of efficiently cooling a connector by immersing a cable in a cooling fluid and continuously maintaining a cooling fluid at a low temperature.

The cable connection part cooling apparatus of the present invention as a means of solving the problems for achieving the above object includes: a sealing means for enclosing and sealing a connector connecting two cables; A housing for receiving and supporting the connector sealed by the sealing means; A chamber containing the housing and containing a cooling fluid for cooling the connector; A heat pipe disposed inside the chamber; A refrigerator for supplying cold air to the heat pipe to cause the heat pipe to lower the temperature of the cooling fluid; A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooling fluid; A liquid level sensor for sensing a liquid level of the cooling fluid in the chamber; As for agitating the cooling fluid, an agitating unit having an underwater motor installed in the chamber, a screw rotating by the underwater motor, a guide vessel disposed corresponding to the screw and guiding the flow direction of the cooling fluid generated by the screw, and ; A circulation pipe at both ends connected to the chamber, a pump installed in the circulation pipe to circulate the cooling fluid in the chamber, a circulation valve for opening and closing the circulation pipe, and a chiller for cooling while passing the cooling fluid flowing along the circulation pipe. A circulation cooling unit; A cooling fluid replenishing unit having a replenishment liquid tank in which the cooling fluid to be replenished in the chamber is accommodated, a supply pipe connecting the replenishment liquid tank and the chamber, and a supply valve for opening and closing the supply pipe; And a controller for controlling a refrigerator, an underwater motor, a pump, a circulation valve, and a supply valve based on the sensing information transmitted from the temperature sensor and the liquid level sensor.

In addition, the housing; A lower housing member that is open to the top and has a connector receiving groove and a cable receiving groove for accommodating a part of a connector and a cable, and a plurality of passages for guiding cooling fluid to the connector receiving groove at the side and lower portions thereof, and the lower housing It is connected to the upper part of the member to receive the connector, which is open to the lower part and has a connector receiving groove and a cable receiving groove to accommodate a part of the connector and cable, and a plurality of passages that guide cooling fluid to the connector receiving groove on the side and upper part It has an upper housing member provided.

In addition, the sealing means; A vacuum shrinking film that is vacuum-shrunk in a state that accommodates a part of the connector and cable to adhere to the outer surface of the connector and cable, and a heat shrinkable film that wraps around the vacuum shrinking film and shrinks by heat applied from the outside to adhere to the outer surface of the vacuum shrinking film. It is equipped with.

In addition, the cooling method of the cable connection part of the present invention to achieve the above object is a vacuum shrink film, a connector connecting two cables and a part of the cable by applying a vacuum in a state wrapped, the vacuum shrink film shrinks and the connector and a part of the cable A first wrapping step of enclosing and sealing; After completion of the first wrapping step, a second wrapping step of covering the heat shrinkable film on the outside of the vacuum shrinking film and applying heat to cause the heat shrinkable film to shrink and wrap and press the vacuum shrinking film; A housing mounting step of accommodating a connector sealed by a vacuum shrink film and a heat shrink film in the housing through the first and second wrapping steps; And an immersion cooling step of immersing the connector accommodated in the housing through the housing mounting step in a chamber containing a cooling fluid, so that the connector is cooled by the cooling fluid.

In the cable connection part cooling apparatus of the present invention as described above, the connector connecting the cable is waterproofed, then immersed in a cooling fluid, and further, the cooling fluid is continuously kept at a low temperature, so that the connector can be efficiently cooled.

1 is a view for explaining the overall structure of a cable connection part cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially cut-out exploded perspective view illustrating the housing shown in FIG. 1 by exploding.
3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connector and a cable are fixed to the housing shown in FIG. 2.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a method of cooling a cable connection part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Basically, the cooling device of the present invention cools a connector connecting two cables. In particular, the connector is sealed and immersed in the cooling fluid, so the cooling efficiency is excellent.

Such a cooling device includes a sealing means for enclosing and sealing a connector connecting two cables; A housing for receiving and supporting the connector sealed by the sealing means; A chamber containing the housing and containing a cooling fluid for cooling the connector; A heat pipe disposed inside the chamber; A refrigerator for supplying cold air to the heat pipe to cause the heat pipe to lower the temperature of the cooling fluid; A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooling fluid; A liquid level sensor for sensing a liquid level of the cooling fluid in the chamber; As for agitating the cooling fluid, an agitating unit having an underwater motor installed in the chamber, a screw rotating by the underwater motor, a guide vessel disposed corresponding to the screw and guiding the flow direction of the cooling fluid generated by the screw, and ; A circulation pipe at both ends connected to the chamber, a pump installed in the circulation pipe to circulate the cooling fluid in the chamber, a circulation valve for opening and closing the circulation pipe, and a chiller for cooling while passing the cooling fluid flowing along the circulation pipe. A circulation cooling unit; A cooling fluid replenishing unit having a replenishment liquid tank in which the cooling fluid to be replenished in the chamber is accommodated, a supply pipe connecting the replenishment liquid tank and the chamber, and a supply valve for opening and closing the supply pipe; Based on the sensing information transmitted from the temperature sensor and the liquid level sensor, it has a basic configuration of a control unit that controls a refrigerator, an underwater motor, a pump, a circulation valve, and a supply valve.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the overall structure of a cooling device 20 for a cable connection according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cut-out exploded perspective view showing the housing 23 shown in FIG. . In addition, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector 13 and the cable 11 are fixed to the housing 23.

As shown, the cable connection part cooling device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a sealing means, a housing 23, a chamber 21, a heat pipe 33, a refrigerator 31, a temperature sensor 49, and a liquid level. It includes a sensor 47, a stirring unit 45, a circulation cooling unit 36, a cooling fluid supplement unit 50, and a control unit 35.

The sealing means is to wrap and seal a part of the connector 13 and the cable 11, and includes a vacuum shrinkable film 25 and a heat shrinkable film 27.

The above-described cable 11 is a power line for supplying electric power, and the connector 13 is a cable connection part for interconnecting two cables 11. The structure of the connector 13 itself may vary. In addition, the part of the cable 11 is an area extending from the connector 13 and having the same length as the length of the connector 13. For example, when the length of the connector 13 is L, it means a region included in the aforementioned length L range from the connector.

The vacuum shrinking film 25 is vacuum-contracted in a state in which a part of the connector 13 and the cable 11 is accommodated, and is in close contact with the outer surface of the connector and the cable. The vacuum shrinkage method is the same as the packaging principle in known vacuum packaging devices. When the interconnected connectors 13 are placed in a vacuum packaging device (not shown) and a vacuum is applied, the vacuum shrink film 25 is contracted and is in close contact with the connector 13 and a part of the cable 11. The connector 13 is sealed by the vacuum shrink film 25.

The heat-shrinkable film 27 is covered on the outside of the vacuum-shrinkable film 25, shrinks by heat applied from the outside, and adheres to the outer surface of the vacuum-shrinkable film. The heat shrinking method is the same as that of the conventional product packaging device using heat shrinkable film. The heat shrinkable film 27 shrinks by heat applied from the outside, and a shrinking force is applied to the vacuum shrinking film 25. That is, to press the vacuum shrink film (25). Accordingly, the close contact of the vacuum shrink film 25 to the connector 13 and the cable 11 is maintained more strongly. As a result, the connector 13 is completely sealed by the vacuum shrinking film 25 and the heat shrinking film 27 so that there is no fear that the cooling fluid 29 penetrates into the inside.

In addition, in this embodiment, the vacuum shrinking film 25 and the heat shrinking film 27 are applied one by one, but the number of applied sheets may vary as needed.

The housing 23 is a synthetic resin case that accommodates and supports the connector 13 that has been sealed by a sealing means, and has a lower housing member 23b and an upper housing member 23a. The upper and lower housing members 23a and 23b are coupled to each other by a plurality of coupling screws 24 while being aligned with each other.

The lower housing member 23b is opened upward and has a connector receiving groove 23k and a cable receiving groove 23f for receiving a part of a connector and a cable. The connector receiving groove 23k is a groove for accommodating the lower half of the connector 13 sealed by the sealing means. The cable receiving groove 23f is a semicircular groove for receiving a portion of the cable 11 that is engaged with each connector 13.

In addition, the connector receiving groove (23k) is opened to the outside through a plurality of passages (23c). The passage 23c is a through hole formed at the side and lower portions of the connector receiving groove 23k and guides the cooling fluid 29 into the connector receiving groove 23k.

Female screw holes 23g are formed at four corners of the upper surface of the lower housing member 23b. The female screw hole 23g is a hole into which the coupling screw 24 passing downward through the bolt hole 23e of the upper housing member 23a is screwed.

The upper housing member 23a is a synthetic resin case coupled to the upper portion of the lower housing member to accommodate the connector. The upper housing member 23a is opened downward and has a connector receiving groove 23k and a cable receiving groove 23f for receiving a part of a connector and a cable. The connector receiving groove 23k accommodates the upper half of the connector 13, and the cable receiving groove 23f is a semicircular groove that accommodates a part of the cable 11.

As mentioned above, bolt holes 23e through which the coupling screws 24 pass are provided at the four corners of the upper housing member 23a. In addition, a plurality of passages 23c for guiding the cooling fluid into the connector receiving groove 23k are formed in the upper and both sides of the connector receiving groove 23k.

A portion of the vacuum shrink film 25 and the heat shrink film 27 that is in close contact with the cable 11 is tightened while contacting the inner peripheral surface of the cable receiving groove 23f.

Meanwhile, the chamber 21 is a synthetic resin container accommodating the cooling fluid 29, has a volume capable of housing the housing 23, and may be sealed with a lid (not shown).

The cooling fluid 29 is water or insulating oil, and is circulated by the circulation cooling unit 36. The circulation cooling unit 36 is composed of a circulation pipe 37, a pump 41, a circulation valve 43, and a chiller 39. The circulation pipe 37 extends in the longitudinal direction and both ends are fixed in communication with the chamber 21. The cooling fluid inside the chamber 21 circulates through the circulation pipe 37.

The pump 41 is installed on one side of the circulation pipe 37 and is operated by the control unit 35 to circulate the insulating fluid. In addition, a circulation valve 43 is located on the downstream side of the pump 41. The circulation valve 43a is a valve that is opened and closed by the control unit 35, and is opened before the operation of the pump 41 and closed after the operation.

The chiller 39 is in contact with the cooling fluid passing through the circulation pipe 37 and transmits cool air to the cooling fluid, and has a thermoelectric element portion 39a therein. The thermoelectric element part 39a is a heat transfer means that implements a Peltier effect.

The heat pipe 33 is installed inside the chamber 21 and delivers the cool air delivered from the refrigerator 31 to the surrounding cooling fluid 29. The cooling fluid 29 is cooled by the heat pipe 33 and transmits cold air to the connector 13. The refrigerator 31 outputs cold air and delivers it to the heat pipe 33, and is a refrigerant circulation type refrigerator operated by a refrigeration cycle. The cold air generated in the refrigerator 31 is continuously transmitted to the heat pipe 33 to cool the cooling fluid 29.

The temperature sensor 49 is a sensing means for sensing the temperature of the cooling fluid 29 and transmits the detected temperature information to the control unit 35 in real time. Based on the information received from the temperature sensor 49, the control unit 35 controls the power of the refrigerator 31 and operates the pump 41 and the circulation valve 43 to reduce the temperature of the cooling fluid 29. Keep within the allowable range.

The liquid level sensor 47 is a sensing unit that detects the liquid level of the cooling fluid 29 in the chamber 21. The content detected by the level sensor 47 is also sent to the control unit 35. When the amount of the cooling fluid 29 inside the chamber 21 is reduced, the controller 35 operates the cooling fluid supplement 50 to supplement the cooling fluid 29.

The cooling fluid replenishing unit 50 includes a replenishing liquid tank 51, a supply pipe 52, and a supply valve 52a. The replenishment liquid tank 51 is a tank that accommodates cooling fluid to be replenished in the chamber. In addition, the supply pipe 52 is a pipe that connects the replenishment liquid tank 51 and the chamber 21, and is opened and closed by the supply valve 52a. The supply valve 52a is a valve that is opened and closed by the control unit 35. When the supply valve 52a is opened, the cooling fluid inside the replenishment tank 51 is supplied to the chamber 21.

The stirring unit 45 serves to agitate the cooling fluid 29 in the chamber 21 to maintain a uniform temperature distribution of the cooling fluid 29. The stirring unit 45 includes an underwater motor 45a, a screw 45b, and a guide vane 22. The submersible motor 45a operates the screw 45b by outputting a rotational force while being immersed in the cooling fluid 29. The guide vane 22 is a plate-like member located vertically above the screw 45b, and serves to guide the flow flowing upward by the screw 45b in the direction of arrow a. The underwater motor 45a is also operated by the control unit 35.

The operation of the cooling device 20 having the above configuration is as follows.

First, the connector 13 sealed by the sealing means is immersed in the cooling fluid 29. At this time, a part of the cable 11 connected to the connector 13 is also immersed. In this state, when the supply of power through the cable 11 starts, the cable 11 is heated and the temperature of the cooling fluid 29 starts to rise.

The control unit 35 receives temperature information of the cooling fluid 29 through the temperature sensor 49 and operates the refrigerator 31 and the circulation cooling unit 36 when cooling is required. The cooling fluid 29 is cooled by the heat pipe 33 and the chiller 39 and transmits cold air to the connector 13 to prevent overheating of the connector 13.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a method of cooling a cable connection part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the method for cooling the cable connection includes a first wrapping step 101, a second wrapping step 103, a housing mounting step 105, and an immersion cooling step 107.

The first wrapping step 101 is a process of wrapping and sealing the cable connection portion, that is, the connector 13 with the vacuum shrink film 25. That is, with the vacuum shrink film 25, a vacuum is applied while covering a part of the connector 13 and the cable 11 (which are mutually coupled), so that the vacuum shrink film 25 shrinks and closely adheres to the connector and a part of the cable. Is to do. The vacuum shrink film 25 completely adheres to a part of the outer circumferential surface of the cable 11 and prevents the cooling fluid 29 from penetrating into the inside.

Secondary wrapping step 103, after completion of the first wrapping step 101, by covering the heat shrinkable film 27 on the outside of the vacuum shrinking film 25 and applying heat, the heat shrinkable film shrinks and wraps the vacuum shrinking film. It is a process of pressure. The heat-shrinkable film 27, which is contracted by heat, covers the vacuum-shrinkable film 25 and induces the vacuum-shrinkable film 25 to more strongly compress the connector and the cable.

The housing mounting step 105 is a process of accommodating the sealed connector 13 in the housing 23 through the first and second wrapping steps 101 and 103. That is, in a state in which the connector 13 is positioned between the upper and lower housing members 23a and 23b, the upper housing member 23a and the lower housing member 23b are aligned and coupled.

Subsequent immersion cooling step 107 is a process in which the connector 13 accommodated in the housing 23 is immersed in the chamber 21 containing the cooling fluid 29, so that the connector is cooled by the cooling fluid. . Through the above-described series of processes, a cooling action is performed on the cable connection, that is, the connector 13.

As described above, the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

11: Cable 13: Connector 20: Cooling unit
21: chamber 22: guide vessel 23: housing
23a: upper housing member 23b: lower housing member 23c: passage
23e: Bolt hole 23f: Cable receiving groove 23g: Female threaded hole
23k: connector receiving groove 24: coupling screw 25: vacuum shrink film
27: heat shrinkable film 29: cooling fluid 31: freezer
33: heat pipe 35: control unit 36: circulation cooling unit
37: circulation pipe 39: chiller 39a: thermoelectric element part
41: pump 43: circulation valve 45: stirrer
45a: underwater motor 45b: screw 47: liquid level sensor
49: temperature sensor 50: cooling fluid replenishing unit 51: replenishing liquid tank
52: supply pipe 52a: supply valve

Claims (4)

A sealing means for enclosing and sealing a connector connecting two cables;
A housing for receiving and supporting the connector sealed by the sealing means;
A chamber containing the housing and containing a cooling fluid for cooling the connector;
A heat pipe disposed inside the chamber;
A refrigerator for supplying cold air to the heat pipe to cause the heat pipe to lower the temperature of the cooling fluid;
A temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooling fluid;
A liquid level sensor for sensing a liquid level of the cooling fluid in the chamber;
As for agitating the cooling fluid, an agitating unit having an underwater motor installed in the chamber, a screw rotating by the underwater motor, a guide vessel disposed corresponding to the screw and guiding the flow direction of the cooling fluid generated by the screw, and ;
A circulation pipe at both ends connected to the chamber, a pump installed in the circulation pipe to circulate the cooling fluid in the chamber, a circulation valve for opening and closing the circulation pipe, and a chiller for cooling while passing the cooling fluid flowing along the circulation pipe. A circulation cooling unit;
A cooling fluid replenishing unit having a replenishment liquid tank in which the cooling fluid to be replenished in the chamber is accommodated, a supply pipe connecting the replenishment liquid tank and the chamber, and a supply valve for opening and closing the supply pipe;
Based on the sensing information transmitted from the temperature sensor and the liquid level sensor, comprising a control unit for controlling a refrigerator, an underwater motor, a pump, a circulation valve, and a supply valve,
Cable connection cooling system. The method of claim 1,
The housing;
A lower housing member that is open to the top and has a connector receiving groove and a cable receiving groove for accommodating a part of a connector and a cable, and a plurality of passages for guiding cooling fluid to the connector receiving groove at the side and lower portions thereof;
It is coupled to the upper portion of the lower housing member to receive the connector, which is open to the lower portion and has a connector receiving groove and a cable receiving groove for receiving a part of the connector and cable, and inducing cooling fluid to the connector receiving groove at the side and upper portions. Having an upper housing member provided with a plurality of passages,
Cable connection cooling system. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The sealing means;
A vacuum shrinking film that is vacuum-shrunk while accommodating a part of the connector and cable to adhere to the outer surface of the connector and cable;
Comprising a heat-shrinkable film that surrounds the vacuum-shrinkable film and shrinks by heat applied from the outside to adhere to the outer surface of the vacuum-shrinkable film,
Cable connection cooling system. delete

Images