Oil filtration system for plural phase power equipment tanks
Insulating oil in electric power generation, transmission and distribution equipment such as circuit breakers, regulators, phase shifters, tank diverter switches and capacitor banks for respectively separated phases of a plural phase transmission or distribution line is filtered for removal of accumulated water, carbon particles and other contaminants by filters in oil circuits respective to each phase in the plurality. Each oil circuit respective to each circuit breaker includes a respective filter and circulation pump. However, all pumps in the plural phase power system, for example, are driven by the same motor and drive line whereby a fluid condition or circulation interruption of one oil circuit that requires termination of pump operation in the one oil circuit terminates the pump operation in all oil circuits. Pump motor power is preferably drawn from an energy source that may be independent of that served by the transmission and/or distribution power source.
1. A method of protecting a cooperative set of power control and/or regulation devices, each device having operative control over a single power phase respective to a plural phase electric power generation, transmission or distribution line, each said device being substantially immersed in a respective reservoir of dielectric insulating fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
a. providing a separate fluid circulation loop for the insulating fluid in each reservoir, each circulation loop having a respective pump, filter and connecting fluid flow conduits;
b. providing a common drive line driven by a common power source for driving all pumps in said cooperative set;
c. providing independent fluid condition monitors for each fluid circulation loop; and,
d. providing for operational termination of said common power source upon the signal command of any one of said fluid condition monitors.
2. A method of protecting a cooperative set of power control and/or regulation devices as described by claim 1 wherein each of said independent fluid circulation loops is monitored for dielectric value.
3. A method of protecting a cooperative set of power control and/or regulation devices as described by claim 1 wherein housings respective to all of said pumps are combined as an integral unit.
4. A method of protecting a cooperative set of power control and/or regulation devices as described by claim 1 further comprising a plurality of fluid condition monitors respective to each fluid circulation loop in said set.
5. A method of protecting a cooperative set of power control and/or regulation devices as described by claim 4 wherein the operation of all pumps in said set is subject to termination on the command of any one fluid condition monitor respective to any one fluid circulation loop in said cooperative set.