Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gas insulation systems, and more particularly to a gas insulation system and an insulator assembly for the gas insulation system.

Background of the Invention

Atypical gas insulation system comprises a housing and electrical equipment/components. The housing may define a closed space and be filled with insulating gas such as SFe. Electrical equipment/components, such as circuit breakers, disconnectors, and conductor pipes, can be housed in the closed space for safe electrical operations. A common gas insulated system may comprise, for example, a gas insulated switchgear (GIS) and a gas-insulated transmission line (GIL).

The gas-insulated transmission line usually comprises a hollow cylindrical housing, a conductor pipe arranged in the center of the housing, and an insulator that electrically insulates the conductor pipe from the housing. The insulator is arranged in the housing and supports the conductor pipe.

Regarding the installation of an insulator in a housing, in the prior art, a free end of the insulator can be directly welded to the housing, or can be screwed to a raised portion of the inner surface of the housing through a connecting plate. In the former case, welding spatter may contaminate, for example, the insulator, the conductor pipe, and the inner surface of the housings, and complex measures need to be taken to avoid or eliminate such contamination. In the latter case, the gap between the connecting plate and the raised portion of the housing varies greatly due to a large manufacturing tolerance (such as the welding tolerance of the raised portion on the housing). If the gap is too small, the connecting plate and the housing will be scratched during assembly, and the bolt holes on the connecting plate and the raised portion of the housing will be difficult to align.

Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a modified gas insulation system. Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a gas insulation system. The gas insulation system comprises: a housing; and an insulator assembly, which is disposed in the housing and comprises: an insulator, having a central portion and a leg extending outward from the central portion; and a connecting member, being substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to surround the insulator, with the leg connected to the connecting member; wherein the connecting member comprises a protrusion protruding radially outward, and the protrusion is fixed to the housing and abuts against an inner surface of the housing when being fixed to the housing.

According to the gas insulation system of the present invention, the insulator is directly fixed to the housing through the connecting member. The dimension chain is short and the assembly tolerance is small. In addition, the connecting member can be formed by machining with a small manufacturing tolerance to have an accurate size, which helps ensure that the connecting member can be spaced from the inner surface of the housing during assembly, so that the connecting member and fastening points (such as fastening holes) on the housing can be easily aligned and undesired particles arising from scraping between the connecting member and the housing can be avoided.

According to the above technical concept, the first aspect of the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional embodiments.

In some optional embodiments, a metal insert is embedded at an end of the leg and connected to the connecting member.

In some optional embodiments, the protrusion is fixed to an end of the housing.

In some optional embodiments, the housing comprises a cylindrical section and a flange section connected to an end of the cylindrical section, and the protrusion is fixed to the flange section.

In some optional embodiments, the connecting member comprises a cylindrical connecting body, the protrusion protrudes radially outward from the connecting body and comprises a first flat plate portion, and the inner surface of the housing comprises a plane portion; wherein the first flat plate portion abuts against the plane portion when the protrusion is fixed to the housing.

In some optional embodiments, a peripheral wall of the connecting body comprises a second flat plate portion, and the metal insert is connected to the second flat plate portion.

In some optional embodiments, at least one of the first flat plate portion, the plane portion, and the second flat plate portion is formed by machining. In this way, the fastening planes of the first flat plate portion, the plane portion, and the second flat plate portion may have a small manufacturing tolerance, which also helps reduce the assembly tolerance.

In some optional embodiments, the peripheral wall of the connecting body is provided with a particle catcher.

In some optional embodiments, the protrusion comprises a first fastening hole for fixing the protrusion to the housing by a first fastener, the connecting member comprises a second fastening hole for fixing the metal insert to the connecting member by a second fastener, and the protrusion is spaced apart from the second fastening hole in an axial direction of the connecting member.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an insulator assembly for a gas insulation system. The insulator assembly comprises: an insulator, having a central portion and a leg extending outward from the central portion; and a connecting member, being substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to surround the insulator, with the leg connected to the connecting member; wherein the connecting member comprises a protrusion protruding radially outward, the protrusion is adapted to be fixed to the housing of the gas insulation system and abuts against an inner surface of the housing when being fixed to the housing.

In some optional embodiments, a metal insert is embedded at an end of the leg and connected to the connecting member.

According to the gas insulation system and the insulator assembly of the present invention, the connecting/fastening structure for the insulator is simple and its manufacturing tolerance is easy to control, which facilitates the assembly with a small assembly tolerance.

Brief Description of Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following optional embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. l is a partial perspective view of a gas insulation system in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 2A and 2B are transverse cross-sectional views of the gas insulation system in FIG. 1 along different planes, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the gas insulation system in FIG. 1;

Figs. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a plan view, respectively, of a flange section of the housing of the gas insulation system in FIG. 1;

Figs. 5 A and 5B are perspective views of a connecting member of the gas insulation system in FIG. 1 from different angles; and

Figs. 6A and 6B are perspective views of an insulator of the gas insulation system in FIG. 1 from different angles.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention will be discussed in detail below. Yet, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. In description, the structural positions of components such as upper, lower, top, bottom, and other directions are not absolute but relative. When the components are arranged as shown in the figures, these directional expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the components in the figures change, the directional expressions also change accordingly.

In the present invention, the axial direction of a cylindrical or annular component refers to the direction along the central axis of the component; the circumferential direction of a cylindrical or annular component refers to the direction along the circumference of the component; and the radial direction of a cylindrical or annular component refers to the direction that passes through the central axis of the component and is perpendicular to the axial direction of the component.

The gas insulation system herein refers to the following system/equipment: the system/equipment comprises a metal housing and an electrical device/component, wherein the metal housing defines a closed space filled with insulating gas and the electrical device/component is accommodated in the metal housing. A GIL is taken as an example to discuss the gas insulation system of the present invention as well as the insulator assembly for the gas insulation system. It should be understood that the gas insulation system according to the present invention can be in the form of any other gas insulation system (such as a GIS), and the insulator assembly according to the present invention can be applied to other gas insulation systems, such as a GIS to support its bus.

FIG. 1 illustrates a gas insulation system (100) in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The gas insulation system (100) is a GIL. It can be understood that the GIL usually has a long length and may comprise a plurality of sections of the GIL shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the gas insulation system (100) mainly comprises a housing (102), a conductive tube (104) accommodated in the housing (102) for carrying current, and an insulator assembly (106) for supporting the conductive tube (104) and insulating the conductive tube (104) from the housing (102).

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the housing (102) may be substantially cylindrical in shape and provided with an opening (108) at its end. The housing (102) may comprise a cylindrical section (110) and a flange section (112) connected to an end of the cylindrical section (110). Optionally, the cylindrical section (110) and the flange section (112) can be fixed together by welding. In the illustrated embodiment, both ends of the cylindrical section (110) are provided with a flange section (112), which is used, for example, to connect the housing in other sections of GIL.

The conductive tube (104) can be coaxially arranged in the housing (102). Generally, the housing (102) is at ground potential, while the conductive tube (104) is at a relatively high potential, such as a potential in the range of 100 kV-1200 kV. The housing (102) and the conductive tube (104) can be made of metal materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 2B, an insulator assembly (106) is arranged between the housing (102) and the conductive tube (104) to support the conductive tube (104) in the housing (102). The insulator assembly (106) comprises an insulator (114) and a connecting member (116). The insulator (114) comprises a central portion (118) and a leg (120) extending outward from the central portion (118). The connecting member (116) is substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to surround the insulator (114). The leg (120) of the insulator (114) is connected to the connecting member (116). The connecting member (116) comprises a protrusion (122) protruding radially outward. The protrusion (122) is fixed to the housing (102) and abuts against an inner surface of the housing (102) when being fixed to the housing (102). Referring to Figs. 1-3 and 6A-6B, the insulator (114) has a central portion (118) extending along a central axis A and legs (120) extending from the central portion (118) in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis A. The central portion (118) is substantially annular in shape. The central portion (118) may be combined with a metal sleeve (128). The metal sleeve (128) is configured to accommodate the conductive tube (104), and the metal sleeve (128) is connected to the conductive tube (104). In the illustrated embodiment, the insulator (114) has three legs (120). The legs (120) can be arranged in such a way that two adjacent legs (120) form an angle of 120 degrees. A metal insert (130) may be embedded at an end of each leg, so as to connect the insulator (114) to the housing (102) by means of the connecting member (116). It is conceivable that the insulator (114) may be provided with other suitable numbers of legs (120), for example, two legs (120). The central portion (118) and the legs (120) may be made of insulating materials, such as epoxy resin. The metal insert (130) and the metal sleeve (128) can be made of metal materials, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Referring to Figs. 2Ato 5B, the connecting member (116) can be substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to surround the insulator (114). The connecting member (116) can be coaxially arranged in the housing (102).

In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member (116) comprises a substantially cylindrical connecting body (132). The protrusion (122) protrudes radially outward from the connecting body (132) and comprises a first fastening hole (124) for fastening the protrusion (122) to the housing (102) by a first fastener (126). The connecting member (116) may further comprise a second fastening hole (134), for fastening the metal insert (130) of the insulator (114) to the connecting member (116) by a second fastener (135).

The protrusion (122) may comprise a first flat plate portion (136) protruding relative to the connecting body (132). The first flat plate portion (136) may comprise a first fastening hole (124). Accordingly, the housing (102) comprises a third fastening hole (138) corresponding to the first fastening hole (124). The inner surface of the housing (102) may comprise a concave planar portion (140). The third fastening hole (138) may be located in the plane portion (140). When the protrusion (122) is fastened to the housing (102), the first flat plate portion (136) abuts against the plane portion (140). The first fastener (126) may be, for example, a threaded fastener, or a rivet. The first fastener (126) may pass through the first fastening hole (124) and enter the third fastening hole (138) to fix the protrusion (122) to the housing (102). In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener (126) is in the form of a bolt. Since the first fastening hole (124) is located in the first flat plate portion (136) of the protrusion (122) and the third fastening hole (138) is located in the plane portion (140) of the inner surface of the housing (102), when fastened, the head of the first fastener (126), the first flat plate portion (136) of the protrusion (122), and the plane portion (140) of the inner surface of the housing (102) can be closely attached together with a large contact area, so as to prevent the first fastener (126) from loosening and realize firm connection between the protrusion (122) and the housing (102). In addition, the head of the first fastener (126) is accommodated in the space defined by the protrusion (122) without protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the connecting body (132), so as to avoid the occurrence of tip discharge at the head of the first fastener (126).

The protrusion (122) and the second fastening hole (134) may be spaced apart in an axial direction of the connecting member (116). Since the insulator (114) is usually arranged at a certain distance from the end of the housing (102), the distance between the protrusion (122) and the second fastening hole (134) allows the protrusion (122) to be arranged closer to the end of the housing (102), so as to observe and align the first fastening hole (124) on the protrusion (122) with the third fastening hole (138) on the housing (102) during fastening, thereby facilitating the assembly of the gas insulation system (100). This will be further described below. Optionally, the protrusion (122) can be fastened to the end of the housing (102) so as to conveniently align and fasten the fastening holes through an opening (108) at the end of the housing (102). In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion (122) can be fastened to the flange section (112).

The connecting member (116) may comprise a plurality of protrusions (122) spaced apart in its circumferential direction. Each protrusion (122) may comprise at least one first fastening hole (124). In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting member (116) is provided with four protrusions (122), and each protrusion (122) comprises two first fastening holes (124). It can be understood that the connecting member (116) can also be provided with other suitable numbers of protrusions (122), and each protrusion (122) can also be provided with other suitable numbers of first fastening holes (124).

Referring to Figs. 3 to 6B, in the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall of the connecting body (132) may comprise a second flat plate portion (144). The second fastening hole (134) may be located in the second flat plate portion (144). The metal insert (130) of the insulator (114) may have a planar end face (146). The second fastener (135) may be, for example, a threaded fastener, or a rivet. The second fastener (135) can pass through the second fastening hole (134) and enter a fourth fastening hole (131) in the metal insert (130) to fix the insulator (114) to the connecting member (116). In the illustrated embodiment, the second fastener (135) may be in the form of a bolt. Since the second fastening hole (134) is located in the second flat plate portion (144) of the connecting body (132) and the end face (146) of the metal insert (130) is flat, when fastened, the head of the second fastener (135), the second flat plate portion (144) of the connecting member (116), and the end face (146) of the metal insert (130) can be closely attached together with a large contact area, so as to prevent the second fastener (135) from loosening and realize firm connection between the insulator (114) and the connecting member (116).

The connecting body (132) may comprise a plurality of second flat plate portions (144) spaced apart along its circumferential direction. Each second flat plate portion (144) may comprise at least one second fastening hole (134). In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting body (132) is provided with 3 second flat plate portions (144) and each second flat plate portion (144) comprises 4 second fastening holes (134). It can be understood that the connecting body (132) can also be provided with other suitable number of second flat plate portions (144), and each second flat plate portion (144) can also be provided with other suitable number of second fastening holes (134).

At least one of the first flat plate portion (136), the plane portion (140), and the second flat plate portion (144) is formed by machining. Optionally, the first flat plate portion (136), the plane portion (140), and the second flat plate portion (144) may be formed by machining, for example, stamping or milling, so as to ensure their precision and reduce the assembly tolerance.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5B, the peripheral wall of the connecting body (132) may be provided with a particle catcher (150). The particle catcher (150) can be configured to face the insulator (114) in a radial direction of the connecting member (116), so as to prevent particles in the housing (102) from adhering to the insulator (114) surface and causing flashover along the insulator (114) surface. The particle trap (150) may be, for example, in the form of an array of orifices.

An installation method of the gas insulation system (100) of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 6B.

First, the insulator (114) can be put into the connecting member (116) and fixed to the connecting member (116) by means of the second fastener (135). Next, the conductive tube (104) can be fixed to the metal sleeve (128) of the insulator (114).

Then, the assembled insulator (114), connecting member (116), and conductive pipe (104) are moved into the housing (102) along the axial direction of the housing (102), and the connecting member (116) is adjusted so that the first fastening hole (124) of the connecting member (116) and the first fastening hole (124) of the housing (102) are aligned with each other. The dimensions of the connecting member (116) and the housing (102) can be configured such that when the connecting member (116) is placed in the housing (102), the connecting member (116) is spaced from the inner surface of the housing (102), and the distance between the protrusion (122) and the inner surface of the housing (102) can be very small.

Finally, the first fastener (126) can be used to fasten the protrusion (122) of the connecting member (116) to, for example, the flange section (112) of the housing (102). In this process, the connecting member (116) may be slightly deformed so that the protrusion (122) abuts against the inner surface of the housing (102) when the connecting member is fastened to the housing (102), thereby fixing the insulator (114) to the housing (102) and providing support for the insulator (114).

The connecting member (116) can be formed by machining with a small manufacturing tolerance to have an accurate size, thus ensuring that the connecting member (116) can be spaced from the inner surface of the housing (102) when the connecting member is put into the housing (102). In this way, there is no scraping between the connecting member (116) and the housing (102), and the first fastening hole (124) of the connecting member (116) can be conveniently adjusted to align with the third fastening hole (138) of the housing (102). Moreover, the insulator (114) is directly fixed/assembled to the housing (102) by means of the connecting member (116), and the accumulated assembly tolerance in the assembly process is relatively small, which helps to keep the conductive tube (104) centered in the housing (102). It should be understood that the various components described herein can be made of various suitable materials, including but not limited to polymers, metals, or other materials or a combination thereof well known to those skilled in the art. The embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6B only illustrate the shapes, sizes and arrangements of optional components of the gas insulation system and insulator assembly according to the present invention, but these embodiments are only illustrative rather than restrictive; other shapes, sizes and arrangements can be adopted without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The technical solutions and features of the present invention have been disclosed above.

The embodiments above are not limitative but illustrative. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.