Leak detector for vaporization cooled transformers
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorLinden W. Pierce
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vaporization cooled transformer of the type comprising a transformer tank in combination with a heat exchanger employs temperature sensing means in both the tank and the heat exchanger for sensing a predetermined temperature differential to indicate the presence of air in the transformer. When the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined range, an alarm and a transformer disconnect relay become actuated. The temperature differential sensor can also be calibrated to provide excess moisture indication above a threshold moisture content caused by the saturation of the molecular sieve water scavenger within the transformer assembly.
Claims23
A method for determining leaks in vaporization cooled transformers of the type consisting of a transformer tank containing a transformer core and winding assembly, a condensable coolant, and a heat exchanger, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the temperature of the condensable coolant within said transformer tank;
- sensing the temperature within a portion of said heat exchanger;
- determining the temperature differential between said heat exchanger and said coolant;
- and
- providing an indication when a predetermined temperature differential is exceeded, said excess temperature differential thereby indicating the presence of ambient air within said transformer.
A leak detector for vaporization cooled transformer comprising in combination:
- a transformer tank containing a transformer core and winding within a condensable coolant;
- a heat exchanger assembly operatably coupled with said transformer tank for receiving said coolant in vapor form and returning said coolant in condensed form;
- a quantity of molecular seive material intermediate said tank and said heat exchanger;
- temperature sensing means within the heat exchanger for measuring the temperature of a portion of the heat exchanger;
- temperature sensing means within the transformer tank for measuring the temperature of the coolant within the transformer tank;
- and
- a differential temperature gage electrically connected with said heat exchanger temperature sensing means and said coolant temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature differential between said temperature sensing means and for providing an output signal when the temperature differential exceeds a predetermined temperature differential said excess temperature differential thereby indicating the presence of ambient air within said transformer.
A method for determining leaks in vaporization cooled transformers of the type consisting of a transformer tank containing a transformer core and winding assembly, a condensable coolant, and a heat exchanger, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the temperature in a first portion of said heat exchanger;
- and
- sensing the temperature in a second portion of said heat exchanger to determine a temperature differential between said first and second portions;
- and
- sensing the temperature of the condensable coolant in said temperature tank;
- and
- to determine when the temperature differential between said heat exchanger and said coolant exceeds a predetermined differential upon the presence of a leak.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.