Embodiments of this disclosure relate to transformers and, more particularly, to an arrangement for rapidly modifying voltage taps for a transformer.
Power distribution units often include multi-phase transformers capable of delivering power levels. These multi-phase transformers may be multiple single phase transformers connected together or may be a single multi-phase transformer with a shared core. Single phase transformers or single multi-phase transformers can have multiple windings. That is, the transformer can have more than one primary or secondary winding. Multiple winding transformers allow re-configurability. For example, a transformer with one primary winding and multiple secondary windings can be configured to deliver different power levels by selecting voltage of one of the secondary windings as the transformer's output voltage. Sometimes a multiple winding transformer is achieved with one primary winding and one secondary winding, but the secondary winding includes a center tap which divides the secondary winding in two.
To access voltages from preferred windings in a multiple winding transformer, voltage taps are typically provided. Voltage taps are typically accessed by cables coupled to fittings positioned along a voltage distribution path. When a change of voltage provided is desired, the cables are disconnected from the undesired voltage path fittings, and connected to the desired voltage path fittings. Unfortunately, this procedure can be time consuming, error prone, and cumbersome.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a transformer for providing selectively configurable output voltages. The transformer is configured to receive a primary incoming voltage and provide at least two secondary output voltages. The transformer includes at least one secondary output assembly, the secondary output assembly including at least two secondary voltage stabs, wherein the number of voltage stabs is the same as the number of secondary output voltages. The secondary voltage stabs are connected and configured to provide access to a respective secondary output voltage of the at least two secondary output voltages. The transformer also includes a lug landing with at least one secondary cable attachment lug supported on and electrically connected with the at least one lug landing. The transformer also includes a tap change link. The tap change link configured for attachment to the lug landing and either of the at least two secondary voltage stabs. At least one fastener couples the tap change link to the lug landing, and at least one fastener couples the tap change link to one of the at least two secondary voltage stabs.
The present disclosure relates to an arrangement for rapid changing of voltage taps in connection with a transformer with multiple secondary windings. Such a transformer will be useful in applications where efficiently selecting between more than one step-up or step-down voltage is desired at the secondary side of the transformer. The embodiment of the disclosure illustrated in
As an aside, while not illustrated, other embodiments are contemplated outside of the three-phase power context. For instance, a transformer with an efficiently configurable tap change link for selecting one of a plurality of secondary windings may be used as a circuit breaker in a variety of applications. Additionally, although a single three-phase transformer is illustrated in
In
A primary incoming voltage may be provided to the transformer 102, 146 by way of connection to primary cable attachment lugs 104 coupled to one or more primary voltage stabs 108. The primary voltage stabs 108 are mounted to dielectric bars 106. In the embodiment illustrated in
In order to permit a draw of dual power from the transformer 102, 146, at least one secondary output assembly 150 is provided. Three such secondary output assemblies 150a, 150b, and 150c are illustrated in the figures. The number of secondary output assemblies depends on the number of coil units 146, where one secondary output assembly 150 is provided for one coil unit 146. The secondary output assemblies 150 include a plurality of secondary voltage stabs 112, 120. As illustrated, secondary output assembly 150c utilizes secondary voltage stabs 112c and 120c, secondary output assembly 150b utilizes secondary voltage stabs 112b and 120b, and secondary output assembly 150a utilizes secondary voltage stabs 112a and 120a.
The secondary voltage stabs 112, 120 may be mechanically supported by a dielectric support bar 110. The secondary voltage stabs 112, 120 are coupled to the transformer 102, 146 by way of respective dielectric insulators 126. The dielectric insulators 126 may connect the associated secondary voltage stab 112, 120 to the transformer 102, 146 in any suitable way, such as with a fastener 128. In certain embodiments, the dielectric insulators 126 are partially threaded and fastened on each side. Additionally, in certain embodiments, if a fastener 128 is used, the fastener 128 can fasten an associated secondary voltage stab 112, 120 to an associated dielectric insulator 126 on a top side, and another fastener 128 can fasten the dielectric insulator 126 to a transformer core clamp 118 of the transformer 102, 146.
The dielectric insulator 126 can be any suitable length, and can come in a variety of shapes, such as cylindrical. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, for example, the dielectric insulator 126 has a barrel-like shape. In some embodiments, the width will be no greater than twice the length of the dielectric insulator, and in some embodiments, the width will be no greater than the length of the dielectric insulator. The dielectric insulator can be made of a material such as glass, porcelain, thermoset plastic or any suitable material.
In order to provide a connection to the secondary voltage stabs 112, 120, the respective one of the secondary output assemblies 150 include at least one secondary cable attachment lug 134 supported on and electrically connected with a lug landing 138. In the illustrated embodiments, a plurality of secondary cable attachment lugs 134 are supported on and electrically connected with a lug landing 138 for each secondary output assembly 150. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that when a respective lug landing 138 is mechanically coupled with its respective secondary voltage stab 112, 120, an electrical connection is provided between its respective coil unit 146, the respective secondary voltage stab 112, 120, the respective lug landing 138, and respective secondary cable attachment lugs 134.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure,
The primary cable attachment lugs 104 may be attached to the primary voltage stabs 108 using one or more fasteners 137. Fasteners 137 allow a mechanical and electrical connection of the primary cable attachment lugs 104 to the primary voltage stabs 108. Similarly, the secondary cable attachment lugs 134 may be attached to the lug landing 138 using one or more fasteners 136. The fasteners 136 mechanically secure the secondary cable attachment lugs 134 to the lug landing 138, also allowing an electrical coupling between the lug landing 138 and the secondary cable attachment lugs 134. The cable attachment lugs 134 may be compression lugs or mechanical lugs.
The lug landing 138 may be mechanically coupled to a transformer core clamp 156 using fastener 132 and through a dielectric insulator 130. The mechanical coupling of the lug landing 138 to the transformer core clamp 156 holds the lug landing 138 in place in reference to the position of the transformer 102, 146.
Each secondary output assembly 150, for example, secondary output assembly 150c, further includes a tap change link 140, and fasteners for coupling the tap change link 140 with a respective secondary voltage stab 112, 120 and an associated lug landing 138. The tap configuration of the multi-phase transformer 100 for selecting between one of two secondary voltage stabs 112/120 may be determined based on the tap change link(s) 140 for each respective secondary assembly 150. The tap change link(s) 140 provides an electrical connection between the lug landing 138 and the secondary voltage stabs 112, 120. On one end, the tap change link 140 may be electrically and mechanically coupled to the lug landing 138 using one or more fasteners 144, and on the other end, the tap change link 140 may be electrically and mechanically coupled to the secondary voltage stabs 112, 120 using one or more fasteners 142.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure,
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure,
By way of example only, in one embodiment, the transformer 102, 146 steps-down an incoming voltage; for example, the primary incoming voltage on primary voltage stab 108 is 480V, and the secondary voltage stabs 112 provide a secondary output voltage of 240V and secondary voltage stabs 120 provide a secondary output voltage of 120V. The tap change links 140 are used to select either the 240V secondary voltage stabs or the 120V secondary voltage stabs for output through the secondary cable attachment lugs 134.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure,
Secondary stabs not connected to the tap change link 640 are shown to have holes 648. Although one fastener 642 is illustrated in
Alternate arrangements of fasteners are also envisioned. By way of example only, a double threaded rod could be threaded into one side of a bore or hole, and a nut engaged with the end of the rod extending through the other side of the bore or hole. Washers may be used in the threaded rod (or bolt) and nut arrangement.
Although the figures illustrate embodiments directed at multi-phase transformers with dual secondary voltage stabs for each individual coil unit, embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to transformers with triple secondary voltage stabs (or more) for each coil unit. Additionally, further embodiments of a transformer with efficiently configurable secondary voltage stabs are contemplated for use in applications that utilize more or less than three coil units illustrated in
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the disclosed arrangement may yield efficiencies in assembly and minimize material costs associated with fabrication of both the dielectric and the bus bars. Additionally, embodiments of the disclosed transformer with efficiently configurable secondary voltage taps offers numerous improvements over standard cable linking found in the prior art. By utilizing a tap change link according to embodiments of the disclosure, changing a secondary voltage of a transformer may be performed with much greater ease.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5621372 | Purohit | Apr 1997 | A |
8576032 | Herbert | Nov 2013 | B2 |
9984833 | Kaltenborn | May 2018 | B2 |
20070132534 | Osbun | Jun 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20190250655 A1 | Aug 2019 | US |