Method and device for prevention against explosion and fire of electrical transformers
OwnerPhilippe Magnierinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical transformer which is filled with a combustible coolant may experience a break in the electrical insulation within the transformer. This break in the electrical insulation may lead to an explosion or fire. A pressure sensor and a vapor sensor are preferably coupled to the enclosure to monitor the pressure and vapor content of the enclosure. An increase in pressure of the enclosure may indicate that an insulation breakdown has occurred. When an increase in pressure is detected, the coolant is partially drained from the enclosure. After draining some of the coolant, an inert gas may be injected into the bottom of the enclosure to stir the remaining coolant.
Claims32
A method for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- detecting a break in the electrical insulation of the transformer using a pressure sensor;
- partially draining the coolant contained in the enclosure using a valve, wherein the draining is performed substantially immediately after the pressure sensor detects a break in the electrical insulation of the transformer;
- and
- cooling at least a portion of the coolant by injecting a pressurized inert gas into the bottom of the enclosure in order to stir the coolant and flush the oxygen located in proximity to the coolant.
A device for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- a means for sensing the pressure in the said enclosure;
- a means for sensing vapour of the coolant in the enclosure;
- and
- a means for partially draining the coolant contained in the enclosure as a result of signals sent from the pressure-sensor means or as a result of signals sent from the vapour-sensor means.
A device for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- a pressure sensor system connected to sense a pressure in the enclosure;
- a vapour sensor connected to sense coolant vapour in the enclosure;
- and
- a system for substantially immediately decompressing the coolant contained in the enclosure, said system for decompressing being triggered when a high-pressure condition is sensed by the pressure sensor system.
A device for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- a pressure sensor connected to sense the pressure in the enclosure;
- a vapour sensor connected to sense coolant vapour in the enclosure;
- a depressurization valve connected to decompress the coolant contained in the enclosure;
- a control unit for receiving signals emitted by the pressure sensor and the vapour sensor;
- wherein the depressurization valve is triggered when an increase in pressure is sensed by the pressure sensor or coolant vapour is sensed by the vapour sensor.
A method for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- detecting presence of coolant vapour within the transformer using a vapour sensor;
- decompressing the coolant in the enclosure using a depressurization valve, wherein the decompression is performed after detecting coolant vapour;
- and
- cooling the hot parts of the coolant by injecting a pressurized inert gas into a bottom of the enclosure to stir the coolant and flush out oxygen.
A device for protecting an electrical transformer against explosion and fire, the electrical transformer comprising an enclosure filled with a combustible coolant, comprising:
- a means for sensing the pressure in the enclosure;
- a means for sensing coolant vapour in the enclosure;
- a means for substantially immediately decompressing the coolant contained in the enclosure;
- and
- a control unit for receiving signals emitted by the pressure sensing means;
- wherein said means for decompressing is triggered when a high-pressure condition is sensed by the pressure sensing means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.