Bullet-Resistant Electrical Installation

Abstract

An electrical installation, in particular a transformer, phase shifter or inductor, which includes a fluid-filled tank having side walls, wherein, for protection against bombardment and/or fragmentation effects, the side walls are formed in a bullet-resistant manner and are made of a material having a traction strength of greater than 1000 MPa, or wherein a bullet-resistant reinforcement made of such a material is provided, the outer side of which envelope the side walls.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An electrical installation, comprising: a fluid-filled tank having side walls; wherein one of (i) the side walls are formed penetration-inhibiting manner and made of a material having a tensile strength greater than 1000 MPa for protection against effects of at least one of bullets and fragments and (11) a penetration-inhibiting reinforcement made of such a material is provided and envelops the side walls on the outside for protection against the effects of at least one of the bullets and fragments.

16. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 15, wherein a reinforcement envelops the side walls all-round at a distance and is fastened to the tank via a plurality fastening elements.

17. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 16, wherein the reinforcement is formed of panels, wherein adjacent panels overlap each other.

18. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein that the panels are arranged vertically or horizontally lengthways.

19. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein each panel has a cross-sectional profile with limbs, wherein adjacent limbs interlock.

20. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein each panel has a cross-sectional profile with limbs, wherein adjacent limbs interlock.

21. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein each fastening element of the plurality fastening elements has a spring element.

22. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 19, wherein each fastening element of the plurality fastening elements has a spring element.

23. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 21, wherein each fastening element of the plurality fastening elements has a bracket which is fastened to the tank and a further bracket which is fastened to the reinforcement; and wherein the bracket and the further bracket are connected via the spring element.

24. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 21, wherein the spring element is made of an elastomeric material which is adhesively fastened to fee bracket and the further bracket.

25. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 23, wherein the spring element is made of an elastomeric material which is adhesively fastened to the bracket and the further bracket.

26. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tank has a tank lid upon which at least one of domes and other installation parts are arranged; and wherein the panels extend beyond at least one of (i) the domes at their upper ends and (ii) other installation parts at their upper ends.

27. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tank has a tank lid, upon which is arranged a cylindrical expansion vessel whose surface is enveloped via the panels.

28. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one panel which is mounted on a hinge and which can be swiveled towards the external environment.

29. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 17, further comprising: a noise-damping material arranged in an intermediate space formed between the side wall and the reinforcement.

30. The electrical installation as claimed in claim 15, wherein the electrical installation is one of a transformer, a phase shifter and an inductor.

31. A method for upgrading an electrical installation comprising a liquid-filled tank having side walls, the method comprising: attaching a penetration-inhibiting reinforcement to the side walls, fastening side walls to the tank via fastening elements; and enveloping the side walls all-round at a distance, such that at least the liquid-filled tank and, if applicable, installation parts arranged on a lid of the liquid-filled tank are protected against effect from bullets and fragments.

32. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein a noise-damping material is arranged in an intermediate space formed by the penetration-inhibiting reinforcement which is attached to the side wall at the distance.

33. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the electrical installation is one of a transformer, a phase shifter and an inductor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to explain the invention further, reference is made in the following part of the description to drawings from which further advantageous embodiments, details and developments of the invention can be derived based on a non-restrictive exemplary embodiment, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a transformer whose tank side walls are enveloped by a penetration-inhibiting reinforcement in accordance with the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the transformer of FIG. 1, in a viewing angle obliquely from below to the radiator attached at the front side;

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the transformer of FIG. 1, in a plan view;

[0028] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which the reinforcement is formed by individual vertically arranged panels as per detail X from FIG. 3;

[0029] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fastening of the panels to the tank in accordance with the invention; and

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a bullet-resistant electrical installation, illustrated using the example of a power transformer 1. Here, the power transformer 1 is standing on a base which is not illustrated in detail. In accordance with the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the penetration-inhibiting reinforcement or armor 4 envelope the side walls of the power transformer 1 and extends down to the ground. With respect to its structure and dimensions, the armor 4 is constructed to withstand a threat of bullets or fragments coming from the surrounding terrain, such that all parts of the installation are protected. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this reinforcement or armor 4 consists of individual plates or panels that form a vertical protective wall. This row of successive plates 7 completely surrounds the installation 1, and form a protective shell that provides protection against bullets and effects of fragments. The individual panels are made of steel plate whose tensile strength R.sub.m is >1000 megapascal. The plate thickness complies with the intended rating (UL 752) or test level (VPAM APR 2006). The length of the individual panels 7 is dimensioned such that any effect of bullets or fragments coming from the surrounding terrain is not able to inflict damage on the transformer 1 or those installation parts situated on the tank lid. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the individual panels 7 therefore extend at their upper ends beyond the installation components arranged on the tank lid, such as lower parts of high-voltage ducts and domes 10 or other installation parts of the power transformer 1.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the power transformer 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1, likewise in a perspective view but this time seen from behind and obliquely below. For the removal of operating heat, the power transformer 1 has a radiator 16 on a longitudinal side. The view in FIG. 2 is directed at this radiator 16 from obliquely below. The radiator 16 is likewise armored on the outside and protected against destructive lateral effects. Although a vertical cooling channel in the region of the radiator 16 is left open for the purpose of cooling, this is also externally screened by panels 7 in a projectile-proof and fragment-proof manner.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows the power transformer 1 of FIG. 1 in a plan view. The radiator 16 is situated on a long side wall of the transformer 1. The connection to the energy supply network is made via high-voltage ducts and domes 10 that are arranged on the roof of the tank 2. An expansion vessel 15 is also situated on the lid of the tank 2. The expansion vessel 15 has the shape of a cylinder. The lateral surface of the expansion vessel 15 lies approximately parallel with the plane of the tank lid. An end face of the cylinder extends beyond the ground plan of the transformer tank at the side. As illustrated in the drawing of FIG. 3, not only the tank 2 but also the surface of the expansion vessel 17, i.e., its lateral surface and end faces, is covered by armor 4. This armor 4 can likewise be composed of individual panels 7. The panels 7 are arranged vertically and horizontally in this case.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a detail X of FIG. 3 in a magnified illustration. A preferred profile and arrangement of the individual panels 7 is depicted by way of example. The panels 7 are arranged vertically and one beside the other. The panels 7 overlap each other laterally. Each panel 7 is connected by a plurality of fastening elements 5 to the tank 2 or to a side wall 3 of the tank 2. The fastening can be anchored either directly to the tank wall 3, or to ribs or strengthening elements 19 of the tank 2. The individual panels of the reinforcement 4 are arranged so as to surround the tank wall 3 at a distance 6. The fastening elements 5, which are described in greater detail below, are situated in a circumferential intermediate space 18 that is delimited by the tank wall 3 and the facing inner side of the panels 9. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, the panels have a U-shape profile consisting of two limb parts 9 and a connecting part 8. The limb parts 3 are bent up relative to the connecting part 8 that connects them, and with the connecting part 8 each form an obtuse angle. In this way, the arrangement is selected such that adjacent panels 7 present a mirror image to each other with respect to their cross section. Limb parts 9 interlock in this arrangement. A gap is left in this case. The gap and the shape of the curve of the limb 9 are dimensioned such that a quasi labyrinth is formed. This labyrinth prevents penetration, in the region of the point of impact, by a bullet or fragment body that has been shot from the external environment 21. If a fragment or a projectile strikes one of the panels 7, the attachment of the fastening elements S ensures that the energy of the missile is distributed over a plurality of fastening points. Each panel 7 is supported by a plurality of support points on the tank 2. The pressure wave that spreads in the cooling and insulation liquid 22 in the tank interior 20 is therefore less intense. It is thereby possible to avoid an unintentional shutdown of the installation due to the effects of bullets or an external explosion. The supply of electrical energy in a distribution network is maintained in the event of a destructive attack. If panels are seriously damaged, they can easily be replaced.

[0035] The illustration of FIG. 4 also shows a hinge 14, whereby the panel 7′ can be swiveled (rotated) away from the transformer tank 2 as per the arrow. By virtue of this ability to swivel one or more of the panels 7′, equipment or externally mounted parts 23 that are situated in the intermediate space 18 between reinforcement 4 and tank wall 3 can be accessible from the outside. Such equipment 23 may comprise a display unit, a switch unit or a connection device, for example.

[0036] A panel 7 can have a width ranging from 20 cm to a number of meters. The hinge 1 can extend over the whole height or only a section of the height.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a possible configuration of the fastening device 5 for fastening the panels to the tank 2. The panels 7 are fastened vertically and at a distance 6 relative to the tank wall 3. An intermediate space 18 is provided between the tank wall 2 and a panel 7. By way of example, a fastening with two fastening elements 5 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Here, the upper and lower fastening elements 5 consist essentially of a metal-rubber-metal component that is fastened by a bracket 10 on the tank side and a bracket 11 on the panel side to the tank wall 2 and the panel 7, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the upper fastening structure 5 is arranged horizontally and the lower fastening structure 5 is arranged vertically. This makes assembly easier, because the panel 7 is hooked on at the bottom and then fastened at the top by a screw connection, for example. The panel 7 is thereby isolated from the tank 2 with respect to vibration. A spring steel can also be used instead of rubber for isolation and fastening.

[0038] In order to reduce operating noise, the circumferential intermediate space 18 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be filled with a noise-damping material.

[0039] Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted to the examples disclosed herein. Other variations may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

[0040] For example, depending on the size of a power transformer or an inductor, it may be advantageous to fasten each panel 7 to the tank 2 with a plurality of fastening points. It should be appreciated the assisting strengthening elements or ribs on the tank 2 can be used or shared for the purpose of fastening. Suitable fastening means can preferably be provided already via a welded connection during the manufacture of the tank. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a panel 7 consists of a single steel plate having a high tensile strength. However, non-metallic materials can also be used to keep any effect of bullets or explosion away from the tank. It is conceivable for the panels 7 to be sandwich panels, made of a composite material of metal and synthetic material. It is also conceivable to solely use a polymer material for the armor 7, this consisting of, e.g., individual panels 7 of synthetic material. The armor 4 is then lighter in weight but also more expensive. For example, the synthetic material panels 7 can be made of the aramide fiber Kevlar®, or a high-performance polyethylene (HPDE) or another suitable polymer.

[0041] The invention is not restricted to the power transformer described above, but is applicable generally to electrical installations in energy supply networks, e.g. high-voltage switches which are operated using protective gas or similar installations.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for upgrading an electrical installation comprising a liquid-filled tank (2) having side walls (3). The method comprises attaching a penetration-inhibiting reinforcement (4) to the side walls (3), as indicated in step 610. Next, the side walls (3) are fastened to the tank (3) via fastening elements (5), as indicated in step 620. The side walls (3) are now enveloped all-round at a distance (6), such that at least the liquid-filled tank (2) and, if applicable, installation parts arranged on a lid of the liquid-filled tank are protected against effect from bullets and fragments, as indicated in step 630.

[0043] While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.