Claims:
1. An enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit (1), characterized in that the arrangement comprises:
a plurality of compartments, positioned within the enclosure, adapted to accommodate internal components of the substation unit;
at least one access door (2) positioned at a front outer surface of the enclosure, adapted to provide access to the internal components positioned within the enclosure;
at least one substation unit’s roof (5) positioned at the top of the compact substation unit (1);
a plurality of ventilating ducts (3) having C and Z profiled flanges arranged in a vertical manner with respect to ground, adapted to provide a vent for natural flow of air and restrain inlet of water by rain or artificial jetting, into the enclosure of the substation unit;
a plurality of ventilating ducts (3) having C and L profiled flanges arranged at the substation unit’s roof (5) adapted to vent out hot air from the substation unit (1);
wherein the arrangement provides a sheet metal panel structure with a louver arrangement along with the plurality of ventilating ducts (3) and at least one wire mesh adapted to assist natural air circulation/convection and provide shading to the substation unit (1) against solar radiations, and the wire mesh (4) restricts incoming solid particles or environmental dust if at all they have passed through the louver and ventilating ducts arrangement.

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the C-formed profiled flanges of louvers and ventilating ducts (3) are arranged in an overlapping manner and are held in position on a solid metallic frame by means of welding or bolting.

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substation unit (1) and the internal components of the substation unit (1) is made up of metal and is held together or assembled in place with methods like bolting, or welding.

4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substation unit’s roof (5) is slanted to a certain degree and is not flat with respect to ground adapted to allow the water to drain away along the sides outside the enclosure of the substation unit (1).

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a medium voltage switchgears and compact substation unit and more particularly to an enclosure arrangement to improve the thermal performance, ingress protection and reduce operating noise levels in a compact substation unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Compact Substation unit (CSU) is a compact enclosure consisting of MV switchgear, a transformer and an LV switchboard located in three separate compartments which are segregated from each other by means of partitions to ensure personnel safety. CSU’s are usually factory prefabricated to minimize site installation time and cost. All equipment is of high quality and is tested as a complete unit.

CSU’s are usually installed in urban areas where space is premium and is of prime importance. CSU offers many characteristic features like ease of maintenance of equipment’s installed; provide safety to the surrounding public through lockable doors provided for each compartment. CSU’s are designed with a capability to offer dielectric and thermal isolation along with withstanding the surrounding temperature, humidity, rain as well as solar radiation and condensation, thus making it practically maintenance free.

Document US2008/0222971 A relates to the construction of buildings for transformer stations, such as compact secondary substations. It discloses an electricity transformer station having a foundation and housing on top of the foundation, the housing comprising walls and a roof. The housing comprises a plurality of identical modules assembled in a row along a longitudinal axis of the housing, each of the modules having two side walls and a roof section connecting the side walls.

Document US3587908 A discloses a protective and cooling cover or housing for partially buried distribution transformers comprising a plurality of substantially identical ring like members mounted one on the other and spaced from each other by spacing members with a top member mounted on top of the uppermost ring member. Each of the ring members has a downwardly extending outer portion for directing air into the cover or housing and also preventing rain or snow or the like from entering the cover or housing and a downwardly extending inside portion for directing air downward onto an enclosed transformer and also to prevent foreign objects from being inserted into the cover to housing.

Being an outdoor switchgear unit thermal performance is one of the critical design factor for the CSU’s. Outdoor thermal environment has become a serious issue as the danger of heat stroke has increased. Adding to the problem, there is a design wise tendency to place electrical equipment in envelops for safety purpose which are made up of insulating material resulting in poor dissipation capacity. Secondly to achieve compactness the units are filled with the equipment to their limits.

Thus, as stated above, there are several problems associated with the existing substation enclosures. For this reason, there is a dire need to provide an enclosure arrangement to improve the thermal performance, ingress protection and reduce operating noise levels in a compact substation unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following disclosure presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit to improve the thermal performance, ingress protection and reduce operating noise levels in a compact substation unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit which provides improved thermal performance of the unit (up to class 5 K).

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit which provides complete isolation and ingress protection (up to IP 35).

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit which provides lower operational noise levels (less than 60 dB at 1 meter away).

Yet another object of the present invention is to avoid any addition in the overall dimension of the switchgear/unit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide rigid structure with light weight resulting into ease of transportation and installation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide flexible/adjustable add-on or pre-assembled module arrangement of assemblies for various variants.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide ease in manufacturability of components and reduced assembly time.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit. It discloses an innovative and practical method of use of louver arrangement along with the ventilating ducts as mode of passive cooling to cater the above said thermal problem to the extent possible. Louvers in general functions as shading against the solar radiations first and equally allow the penetration of natural airflow. This invention also explains about the correct placement of the louver arrangement along with the ventilating ducts thereby enhancing the cooling effect and thus improving overall thermal performance of the switchgear unit. Being an outdoor unit, ingress protection (IP) and noise levels (dB) are the two major safety features which are not at all compromised with the addition of louvers and ventilating duct arrangements.

In one implementation, present invention provides an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit, the arrangement comprises a plurality of compartments, positioned within the enclosure, adapted to accommodate internal components of the substation unit, at least one access door positioned at a front outer surface of the enclosure, adapted to provide access to the internal components positioned within the enclosure, at least one substation unit’s roof positioned at the top of the compact substation unit, a plurality of ventilating ducts having C and Z profiled flanges arranged in a vertical manner with respect to ground, adapted to provide a vent for natural flow of air and restrain inlet of water by rain or artificial jetting, into the enclosure of the substation unit and a plurality of ventilating ducts having C and L profiled flanges arranged at the substation unit’s roof adapted to vent out hot air from the substation unit.

In one implementation of the present invention, the arrangement provides a sheet metal panel structure with a louver arrangement along with the plurality of ventilating ducts and at least one wire mesh adapted to assist natural air circulation/convection and provide shading to the substation unit against solar radiations, and the wire mesh restricts incoming solid particles or environmental dust if at all they have passed through the louver and ventilating ducts arrangement.

In one implementation of the present invention, the C-formed profiled flanges of louvers and ventilating ducts are arranged in an overlapping manner and are held in position on a solid metallic frame by means of welding or bolting.

In one implementation of the present invention, the substation unit and the internal components of the substation unit is made up of metal and is held together or assembled in place with methods like bolting, or welding.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 Shows the enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 Shows the Front (outer portion of the unit) and back (inner portion of the unit) view of access door, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 3 (a) Shows the detail view of C-formed profiled flanges of louvers & ventilating ducts arranged in an overlapping manner, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 3 (b) Shows the detail magnified view of C-formed profiled flanges of louvers & ventilating ducts arranged in an overlapping manner, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 Shows sectional view isometric & side of the substation unit, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 Shows the ventilating ducts (C and Z profiled flanges) are arranged in vertical manner with respect to ground, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 6 Shows the detailed view C isometric & side and represents the air flow through the substation unit’s roof (side), according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 Shows the air flow through the substation unit’s roof (center), according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 (a) Shows the ventilating ducts (C and L profiled flanges) arranged at the unit’s roof at the center, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8(b) Shows the ventilating ducts (C and L profiled flanges) arranged at the unit’s roof at the center, according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may not have been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component surface" includes a reference to one or more of such surfaces.

All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which various embodiments belong. Further, the meaning of terms or words used in the specification and the claims should not be limited to the literal or commonly employed sense, but should be construed in accordance with the spirit of the disclosure to most properly describe the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of various embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, members, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, members, components, and/or groups thereof. Also, Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

The present invention discloses an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit. It discloses an innovative and practical method of use of louver arrangement along with the ventilating ducts as mode of passive cooling to cater the above said thermal problem to the extent possible. Louvers in general functions as shading against the solar radiations first and equally allow the penetration of natural airflow. This invention explains about the correct placement of the louver arrangement along with the ventilating ducts thereby enhancing the cooling effect and thus improving overall thermal performance of the switchgear unit.

In the present arrangement of substation unit/switchgear, sheet metal type construction is used. The substation unit/switchgear and its internal component arrangement is made up of metal and is held together or assembled in place with different methods like bolting, welding etc. Isometric view of the said invention is shown in Figure 1. The substation unit/switchgear in the said invention is segregated into separate compartments inside.

The present invention provides a sheet metal panel structure with a unique louver arrangement along with the ventilating ducts and wire mesh which has superior quality to assist or enhance natural air flow/convection and which is exceptionally strong and rigid in relation to its mass. The present invention constitutes a self-contained structure assembly which is furnished as a unit ready for erection without any trimming or fitting in the field, thereby to promote speed and economical erection. The present invention equally restrains the passage of water/rain to the level of IP 35 (water jetting) due to its unique zigzag/overlapping louver assembly.

Figure 2 represents the front (outer portion of the unit) and back (Inner portion of the unit) view of access door.

C-formed profiled flanges (3) of louvers and ventilating ducts are arranged in an overlapping manner as shown in Figures 3 (a-b) and are held in position on a solid metallic frame by means of welding or bolting forming a portable subassembly. The arrangement is such that it allows the natural air flow as shown by the dotted line and restrains the rainwater or any other unwanted means to the level of water jetting. The wire mesh (4) restricts the incoming solid particles or environmental dust if at all they have passed through the louvers and ventilating ducts arrangement.

Figure 4 represents sectional view isometric and side of the substation unit (1). As shown in Figure 4 section view, mesh opening inlets (4) are provided for the fresh cold air comparative to inside of enclosure to circulate inside the enclosure as a part of natural air circulation.

As shown in Figure 5, the ventilating ducts (3) (C and Z profiled flanges) are arranged in vertical manner with respect to ground i.e.: As the substation unit (1) is mounting in a standing position vertically. The air must flow as shown by the dotted lines, thereby providing a vent for the natural air flowing and restraining the inlet of water through rain or artificial jetting.

As shown in Figure 8, the ventilating ducts (3) (C and L profiled flanges) are arranged at the unit’s roof (5) at the center, allowing hot air to vent out as shown by the dotted lines as a part of natural air circulation. The arrangement is such that even though the roof (5) is exposed to the rainwater directly, the C and L profile flanges will restrict the water entering the inner portion of the unit. As the roof (5) is slanted to a certain degree and is not flat with respect to ground, it will allow the water to drain away along the sides outside the enclosure. The enclosure in the present invention according to the disclosure is for substation unit (1), but the disclosure may be used in other type of housings for technical equipment’s as well.

In one implementation, present invention provides an enclosure arrangement for compact substation unit (1), the arrangement comprises a plurality of compartments, positioned within the enclosure, adapted to accommodate internal components of the substation unit, at least one access door (2) positioned at a front outer surface of the enclosure, adapted to provide access to the internal components positioned within the enclosure, at least one substation unit’s roof (5) positioned at the top of the compact substation unit (1), a plurality of ventilating ducts (3) having C and Z profiled flanges arranged in a vertical manner with respect to ground, adapted to provide a vent for natural flow of air and restrain inlet of water by rain or artificial jetting, into the enclosure of the substation unit and a plurality of ventilating ducts (3) having C and L profiled flanges arranged at the substation unit’s roof (5) adapted to vent out hot air from the substation unit (1).

In one implementation of the present invention, the arrangement provides a sheet metal panel structure with a louver arrangement along with the plurality of ventilating ducts (3) and at least one wire mesh adapted to assist natural air circulation/convection and provide shading to the substation unit (1) against solar radiations, and the wire mesh (4) restricts incoming solid particles or environmental dust if at all they have passed through the louver and ventilating ducts arrangement.

In one implementation of the present invention, the C-formed profiled flanges of louvers and ventilating ducts (3) are arranged in an overlapping manner and are held in position on a solid metallic frame by means of welding or bolting.

In one implementation of the present invention, the substation unit (1) and the internal components of the substation unit (1) is made up of metal and is held together or assembled in place with methods like bolting, or welding.

In one implementation of the present invention, the substation unit’s roof (5) is slanted to a certain degree and is not flat with respect to ground adapted to allow the water to drain away along the sides outside the enclosure of the substation unit (1).

Some of the non-limiting advantages of the present invention are as follows:

- Improved thermal performance of the unit.
- Natural convection of surrounding environmental air (heat transfer method) is used to achieve desired thermal performance.
- Lower operational noise levels (dB).
- Capability to provide high degree of protection of equipment from ingress of foreign particles.
- Compact with respect to the space constraints offered.
- Optimized in terms of material used resulting into cost effective product.
- Effective ability to withstand & absorb higher thermal & mechanical stress generated during internal arc fault.
- Access to various parts/compartments is not compromised.

Those skilled in the art will recognize other use cases, improvements, and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and other use-cases are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.