Transformer firewall with cooling vent

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/724,587 filed Oct. 7, 2005.

This invention relates to an improved firewall for protection of high-value and essential equipment such as high-voltage transformers in an electrical utility station. Transformers of this type typically contain a flammable oil which can ignite into a dangerous fire in the event of a major short circuit or other equipment failure or environmental problems. Such fires can reach very high temperatures which can spread the fire to adjacent equipment such as other transformers, putting in jeopardy the ability of the utility service to provide electrical energy.

The improved firewall is made of cementitious inorganic composite material which has good insulation and fire-resistant properties. In a presently preferred form the composite material is an inorganic phosphate cement as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The wall is preferably made in sections which are supported between spaced-apart vertically upstanding girders such as steel I beams. The beams are preferably protected by overlying sheets of glass-fiber fabric impregnated with the cementitious material.

The new feature to which this application is directed relates to firewalls with cooling vents to encourage flow of cooling air over the transformer during normal operation. The life expectancy of power-station high-voltage transformers depends largely on the transformer temperature during operation. If the temperature rise exceeds certain limits, aging of insulting material in the transformer is accelerated, and the cooling function of oil in the transformer is deteriorated.

Solid firewalls at the sides of a transformer significantly reduce cooling airflow, and the heat-generating transformer will in effect be operating in an oven. One solution is to de-rate the transformer, but this results in an undesirable decrease in performance. Nevertheless, the firewalls must present a solid flame barrier should a fire occur. The firewall of this invention has vents which remain open during normal operation, but the vents are automatically triggered to close in the event of a fire. The improvement of this invention is especially suitable for modification of an unvented firewall as described in my PCT application PCT/US2005/038674, published as WO 2006/047644 A2, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Some of the drawings and text from this earlier application are included in the present application for convenience.

A firewall system comprising an upright firewall of inorganic cementitious material, preferably inorganic phosphate cement. The firewall is supported between space-apart vertical beams. The firewall has a vented portion which is normally open to enable a flow of cooling air. A heat-activatable means is provided to close the vented portion should a fire occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of three spaced-apart firewalls positioned on opposite sides of equipment (such as power-station transformers) to be protected;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel, partly broken away, the firewall having a plurality of vertically stacked such panels;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the firewall;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lower end of a firewall section as modified to include the cooling-vent panel of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, but shows the cooling vent in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified lower firewall panel for positioning above the cooling-vent panel;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a lower end of a firewall stack; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7.

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