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EP 3 009 591 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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16.08.2017 Bulletin 2017/33 |
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Date of filing: 13.10.2014 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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Ventilation grid
Lüftungsgitter
Grille de ventilation
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Date of publication of application: |
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20.04.2016 Bulletin 2016/16 |
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Proprietor: ABB Schweiz AG |
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5400 Baden (CH) |
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Inventors: |
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- Nieto, Carlos
75301 Jüri Rae vald (EE)
- Pedersen, Ivan C
7000 Fredericia (DK)
- Palgi, Ants
75301 Jüri Rae vald (EE)
- Ionikan, Roman
75301 Jüri Rae vald (EE)
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Representative: Kinnunen, Kari Tapio et al |
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ABB Oy
Legal Affairs / Patents
Sähkötie 4 65320 Vaasa 65320 Vaasa (FI) |
(56) |
References cited: :
EP-A1- 0 674 090 DE-A1- 3 313 008 US-A1- 2012 015 596
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EP-A2- 0 222 456 DE-C1- 3 034 781
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to vertical ventilation arrangements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Enclosed devices like a distribution transformer in an electric distribution substation
or an inverter in a solar power substation dissipate a lot of heat. Enclosures typically
have at least one opening allowing air to flow, equipped with a grid for preventing
small animals passing in and for protecting against normal rain, providing no more
than IP23 class protection.
[0003] A better protection against horizontal rain can be achieved by a tight labyrinth
structure, but increased air flow resistance decreases ventilation capability.
[0004] In locations placed in areas with high density of insects or reptiles, a higher degree
of protection against access to hazardous parts and against solid foreign objects
indicated by the first characteristic numeral of the IP code may be needed in order
to ensure that no faults will occur in the equipment installed inside the enclosure
and/or compartment. In other areas, with a high number of rainy days per year and/or
the combination with horizontal wind, a higher degree of protection against ingress
of water indicated by the second characteristic numeral of the IP code may be needed
to protect the equipment inside the enclosure and/or compartment.
[0005] In order to provide a degree of protection against access to hazardous parts, it
is known that depending on the substation location, IP3X (access of objects less than
2.5mm) or IP4X (access of objects less than 1 mm) might be required or necessary to
ensure the protection of the equipment. For the ingress of water with horizontal rain
driven by high speed wind, the degree of protection of IPX5 (water jet) may be necessary.
[0006] DE 3034 781 C1 discloses an air conditioning for meteorological measuring instruments.
[0009] EP 0 674 090 A1 discloses a ventilation door with a number of spaced transverse vanes.
[0010] EP 0 222 456 discloses a ventilation device with louvred slat walls.
SUMMARY
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved ventilation grid. The
object is achieved with an invention, which is defined in the independent claim. Some
embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.
DRAWINGS
[0012] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of some
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a ventilation grid;
Figure 2 shows another embodiment a ventilation grid with a mesh;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of back side;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of front side, an inner grid in open position and
a mesh partly taken out;
Figure 5 shows a perspective view of back side, an inner grid in open position and
a mesh partly taken out.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Figure 1 shows a cut view on an embodiment of the invention. An outer grid (1) comprises
a first frame (2), preferably made of metallic or glass reinforced polyester rectangular
tube, shaped as rectangular or square, comprising lower horizontal beam (3) and upper
horizontal beam (not shown), fixed together by vertical beams (4). The shape of the
first frame may also be different of that, even like round or ellipse.
[0014] The first frame (2) is for fitting the ventilation grid as a one device on an opening
of a wall. The ventilation grid may be fitted on a door of the enclosure, as well.
The frame of the door may also serve as a first frame for the ventilation grid, or
at least some beams of the frames may be common for a door and the first frame.
[0015] The outer grid comprises plurality of substantially horizontal outer ribs (5) arranged
between the vertical beams (4) of the first frame. In a case that the outer ribs (5)
are made of steel, they may preferably be fixed to vertical beams (4) by welding.
In a case that the outer ribs (5) are of any type of plastic material like glass reinforced
polyester, the set of outer ribs (5) may have vertical ribs for fixing the ribs together.
The set of outer ribs may also be injection-molded as a whole with supporting vertical
beams and/or its own plastic frame for fixing the ribs to the first frame (2). The
outer ribs (5) may even be injection-molded with a frame to serve as the first frame
(2). The outer ribs (5) preferably have unequal legs, cross-section being shaped as
a letter "L" upside down with two substantially straight legs (6,7) substantially
perpendicular to each other, extending from the connecting point (8). The angle between
the legs (6,7) is preferably about 90 degrees, but may vary from that angle within
the scope of the invention. If significantly a smaller angle, the flow resistance
may increase because the space between two adjacent ribs is getting smaller. If the
angle is significantly bigger than 90 degrees, the capability to prevent water penetrating
may be not so good. The inner and outer radius of the corner of "L" may vary from
very small diameter like sharp "L" to a more rounded one. The first leg (6) of the
outer rib (5) is preferably longer than the second leg (7). The outer ribs (5) are
aligned on a way that a connecting point (8) connecting the legs (6,7) to each other
is on most of the top and both side legs are downwards for draining rain water down.
The connecting point constitutes a longitudinal corner of the L-shaped rib. The outermost
first leg (6) is preferably longer than the innermost second leg (7). The outermost
first leg (6) is for receiving a rain and preventing the water or sand or snow penetration
significantly through the outer grid (1). The innermost second leg (7) is directing
water etc. downwards but also preventing any thick rigid object to be pushed through
the outer grid (1). The outer ribs (5) of the outer grid (1) are preferably arranged
close each other so that not even any thin straight object could be pushed through
the outer grid. According to the requirement of the standard IEC 60529, a diameter
for a rigid straight object to be able to enter is maximum 12,5 mm for IP2X, 2,5 mm
for IP3X and 1 mm for IP 4X. Still the spacing of the outer ribs (5) may be bigger
than aforesaid measures because of the L-shape of the outer ribs. The distance between
the straight line drawn through the outer edge of the first leg (6) and the outer
edge of the second leg (7) of one rib, and the outer surface of the connecting point
(8) of the adjacent rib below defines the maximum straight object diameter to be able
to be pushed in.
[0016] The outer grid (1) with inclined legs of the outer ribs (5) may as such provide IPX3
class protection against a rain falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the
vertical.
[0017] The ventilation grid according to the invention further comprises an inner grid (9),
adjacent to the outer grid (1). The inner grid (9) comprises substantially horizontal
inner ribs (10).
[0018] The inner ribs (10) of the inner grid (9) are preferably shaped flat, like a letter
"I" of their cross-section, just being straight sheet of metal or plastic, like glass
reinforced polyester. The inner ribs are preferably inclined downward i.e. the outermost
edge (11) of the inner rib is nethermost for preventing the water drops draining in
the enclosure. Tilt angle of the inner ribs (10) of inner grid (9) is preferably 45
degrees providing air flowing easily, but the angle can be steeper or less steep of
that. The nethermost inner rib (12) on the bottom may preferably extend at least to
the outer surface level of the outer grid (1) to be able to drain the water finally
out from the interior of the ventilation grid.
[0019] In an embodiment on Figure1, the nethermost inner rib (12) and the adjacent inner
rib (13) to that are connected by a vertical portion (14) between the innermost edges
of the inner ribs (12,13) to avoid dropping water drops entering inside the enclosure.
Preferably the nethermost inner rib (12), the adjacent inner rib (13) and the vertical
portion (14) are bent of one sheet metal or injection-molded of plastic to be as a
one rib.
[0020] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the ventilation grid with a mesh (15) arranged
on a vertical direction in between the outer grid (1) and the inner grid (9). The
mesh (15) extends on vertical and horizontal directions on the space of openings of
the frames of the grids. The mesh (15) may have its own frame to keep the mesh on
a planar shape. Depending of the measures of the mesh openings, different protection
class can be fulfilled. Class IP3X means maximum apertures of 2,5 mm and class IP4X
means maximum apertures of 1 mm. Different measures, smaller or larger of the mesh
may be used depending of the need. The mesh (15) prevents bees or other type of insects
to pass the ventilation grid. Another benefit is that the mesh may brake the water
into smaller drops, thus hindering them to pass through the ventilation grid. The
mesh may be fabricated by punching openings on a sheet of metal or plastic, preferably
of stainless steel for hard environmental requirements, like close to the sea with
corrosive salt water. A wire mesh of thin wires may have the lowest flow resistance.
[0021] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the inner grid (9). The inner grid (9) comprises
a second frame (16) comprising beam elements corresponding to the shape of the beams
of the first frame (2) of the outer grid (1). The inner grid (9) beams of the second
frame (16) may be more light structure because the inner grid (9) is protected against
vandalism by the outer grid (1).
[0022] The inner grid (9) comprises substantially horizontal inner ribs (10) located between
the vertical beams (17), which inner ribs (10) are fixed to the vertical beams (17)
of the second frame e.g. by welding or gluing.
[0023] In another embodiment the inner ribs (10) may pass through openings (18) on the vertical
beams (17) making easier to fix the inner ribs on a right position, having an equal
space from rib to the adjacent rib with an equal and desired angle. The inner ribs
(10) may be fixed by welding or be glued to the vertical beams (17). The inner ribs
(10) may pass through the openings (18) and be bent by the outer edge of the openings
(18) of the vertical beams, preventing the ribs move on a horizontal direction.
[0024] In another embodiment the vertical beams (17) have a cross-shape of U-beam or rectangular,
where the openings are on the inner legs thus the outer legs are preventing or at
least limiting the horizontal movement of the inner ribs (10).
[0025] The inner grid (9) may be fixed detachable to outer grid (1) from its second frame
(16) by screws, or the inner grid (9) may be hinged allowing turning around the axis
of rotation axle of the hinges (19). The hinged inner grid (9) may be lockable by
at least one screw or any type of quick locking members, like a latch, allowing easy
opening.
[0026] When opened the inner grid (9), the surfaces of the outer ribs (5) and inner ribs
(10) are easy to be cleaned. The mesh (15) could be installed between inner and outer
grids and be taken out for cleaning or may be replaced to another one.
[0027] Figure 3 shows fixing members (20), preferably metal sheet strips of the outer grid
(1), attached to the inner side of the first frame (2) of the outer grid (1), allowing
to fix the ventilation grid from the inner side of the wall or a door, preventing
to remove the ventilation grid from outside of the enclosure by vandals or by children.
[0028] The vertical inner beams (17) of the inner grid (9) may extend lower than the nethermost
inner rib. Apertures (21) may be punched close to the end of the vertical beam (17)
for receiving a bolt (22) of a hinge (19) for allowing turning the inner grid (9)
from a closed position to an open position. A bracket (23) of the hinge (19) may be
fixed directly to the inner side of the wall or a door, or to the first frame (2)
of the outer grid (1), or the fixing member (20) of the outer grid (1). A hinge (19)
may have two brackets (23) and two bolts (22) or one long bolt (22) extending through
the both vertical beams (17) of the inner grid (9).
[0029] Figure 4 shows a ventilation grid arranged on a door of a cabinet. The inner grid
(9) is on an open position, the mesh (15) being partly taken out. The nethermost inner
rib (12) of the inner grid (9), extends on the horizontal level to the outer side
of the lower horizontal beam (3) of the outer grid (1), for draining the water drops
out. On an opened position of the inner grid (9) as shown in Figure 4, the nethermost
inner rib (12) is on a withdrawn position and not extending to the outer surface level
of the outer grid (1).
[0030] Figure 5 shows the ventilation grid from the inner side of a cabinet door. The inner
grid (9) is on an open position and the mesh (15) is partly taken out.
[0031] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances,
the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments
are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the
claims.
1. A ventilation grid for ventilation of an enclosure, comprising an outer grid (1),
having a plurality of horizontal outer ribs (5) for preventing water or solid foreign
objects to enter the interior of the enclosure, an inner grid (9) adjacent to the
outer grid in interior of the enclosure having a plurality of horizontal inner ribs
(10) for directing water that enters the interior of the outer grid (1), at least
one of the horizontal outer ribs (5) of the outer grid having a cross-section with
two legs (6,7) connected to each other in a connection point (8) and arranged to an
angle with respect to each other, each of the legs (6,7) extending downwards from
the connection point of the two sides, characterized in that the ventilation grid comprises a hinge (19) for connecting the inner grid (9) and
the outer grid (1) hinged to each other.
2. A ventilation grid according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner grid (9) is detachably attached to the outer grid (1).
3. A ventilation grid according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the ventilation grid comprises a mesh (15) arranged between the inner grid (9) and
the outer grid (1).
4. A ventilation grid according to claim 3, characterized in that the mesh (15) comprises openings that are dimensioned based on a desired IP protection
class.
5. A ventilation grid according to claim 3, characterized in that the openings of the mesh (15) are sized equal or smaller than 2,5 mm for providing
IP3X classified protection.
6. A ventilation grid according to claim 4, characterized in that the openings of the mesh (15) are sized equal or smaller than 1 mm for providing
IP4X classified protection.
7. A ventilation grid according to claim 3, characterized in that the mesh (15) is a metal wire mesh.
8. A ventilation grid according to claim 3, characterized in that the mesh (15) is a plastic wire mesh.
9. A ventilation grid according to any preceding claims, characterized in that the ventilation grid comprises an elastic sealing arranged between the inner grid
frame and the outer grid frame.
10. A ventilation grid according to any preceding claims, charact e r i z e d in that the legs (6,7) of the outer ribs (5) of the outer grid (1) have a different
length, the longer of the legs being arranged closer to the exterior of the enclosure.
11. A ventilation grid according to any preceding claims, characterized in that the nethermost inner rib (12) of the inner grid (9) extends on the outer side of
lower horizontal beam (3) of the first grid (1) for draining the water out and the
adjacent inner rib (13) for the nethermost rib (12) and the nethermost rib (12) are
connected with each other by a vertical portion (14).
12. A ventilation grid according to claim 11 characterized in that other inner ribs (10) of the inner grid (9) have a substantial cross section of a
shape of letter "I".
13. An electric distribution substation, characterized in that it comprises a ventilation grid according to any preceding claims.
1. Lüftungsgitter zur Lüftung eines Gehäuses, das ein äußeres Gitter (1) umfasst, das
eine Vielzahl von horizontalen äußeren Rippen (5) aufweist, um zu verhindern, dass
Wasser oder feste Fremdstoffe in den Innenbereich des Gehäuses eintreten, wobei ein
an das äußere Gitter angrenzendes und in dem Innenbereich des Gehäuses befindliches
inneres Gitter (9) eine Vielzahl von horizontalen inneren Rippen (10) aufweist, um
Wasser, das in den Innenbereich des äußeren Gitters (1) eintritt, zu leiten, wobei
wenigstens eine der horizontalen äußeren Rippen (5) des äußeren Gitters einen Querschnitt
mit zwei Schenkeln (6, 7) aufweist, die an einem Verbindungspunkt (8) miteinander
verbunden und in einem Winkel relativ zueinander angeordnet sind, wobei sich jeder
der Schenkel (6, 7) von dem Verbindungspunkt der zwei Seiten nach unten erstreckt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Lüftungsgitter ein Scharnier (19) umfasst, um das innere Gitter (9) und das äußere
Gitter (1) gelenkig miteinander zu verbinden.
2. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das innere Gitter (9) auf lösbare Weise an dem äußeren Gitter (1) angebracht ist.
3. Lüftungsgitter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Lüftungsgitter ein Maschengewebe (15) umfasst, das zwischen dem inneren Gitter
(9) und dem äußeren Gitter (1) angeordnet ist.
4. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Maschengewebe (15) Öffnungen umfasst, die auf Grundlage einer gewünschten IP-Schutzartklassifizierung
dimensioniert sind.
5. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Öffnungen des Maschengewebes (15) eine Größe von kleiner oder gleich 2,5 mm aufweisen,
um eine nach IP3X klassifizierte Schutzart bereitzustellen.
6. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Öffnungen des Maschengewebes (15) eine Größe von kleiner oder gleich 1 mm aufweisen,
um eine nach IP4X klassifizierte Schutzart bereitzustellen.
7. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem Maschengewebe (15) um ein aus Metall bestehendes Drahtgewebe handelt.
8. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei dem Maschengewebe (15) um ein aus Kunststoff bestehendes Drahtgewebe
handelt.
9. Lüftungsgitter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Lüftungsgitter eine elastische Versiegelung umfasst, die zwischen dem inneren
Gitterrahmen und dem äußeren Gitterrahmen angeordnet ist.
10. Lüftungsgitter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schenkel (6, 7) der äußeren Rippen (5) des äußeren Gitters (1) eine unterschiedliche
Länge aufweisen, wobei der längere der Schenkel näher an der Außenseite des Gehäuses
angeordnet ist.
11. Lüftungsgitter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die niedrigste innere Rippe (12) des inneren Gitters (9) auf der Außenseite
des unteren horizontalen Trägers (3) des ersten Gitters (1) erstreckt, um das Wasser
ablaufen zu lassen, und die an die niedrigste Rippe (12) angrenzende innere Rippe
(13) und die niedrigste Rippe (12) über einen vertikalen Abschnitt (14) miteinander
verbunden sind.
12. Lüftungsgitter nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die anderen inneren Rippen (10) des inneren Gitters (9) im Wesentlichen einen Querschnitt
aufweisen, der die Form des Buchstabens "I" hat.
13. Elektrische Verteilungstransformatorstation, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein Lüftungsgitter nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche umfasst.
1. Grille de ventilation pour ventiler une enceinte, comprenant une grille extérieure
(1), présentant une pluralité de nervures extérieures horizontales (5) pour empêcher
de l'eau ou des corps étrangers solides d'entrer à l'intérieur de l'enceinte, une
grille intérieure (9) adjacente à la grille extérieure à l'intérieur de l'enceinte
présentant une pluralité de nervures intérieures horizontales (10) afin de diriger
l'eau qui entre à l'intérieur de la grille extérieure (1), au moins une des nervures
extérieures horizontales (5) de la grille extérieure présentant une section transversale
comprenant deux branches (6, 7) connectées l'une à l'autre en un point de connexion
(8) et agencées selon un certain angle l'une par rapport à l'autre, chacune des branches
(6,7) s'étendant vers le bas à partir du point de connexion des deux côtés, caractérisée en ce que la grille de ventilation comprend une charnière (19) pour connecter la grille intérieure
(9) et la grille extérieure (1) articulées l'une à l'autre.
2. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la grille intérieure (9) est attachée de façon détachable à la grille extérieure
(1).
3. Grille de ventilation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la grille de ventilation comprend un maillage (15) agencé entre la grille intérieure
(9) et la grille extérieure (1).
4. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que le maillage (15) comprend des ouvertures qui sont dimensionnées sur la base d'une
classe de protection IP désirée.
5. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que les ouvertures du maillage (15) présentent une dimension égale ou inférieure à 2,5
mm afin d'assurer une protection de classe IP3X.
6. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que les ouvertures du maillage (15) présentent une dimension égale ou inférieure à 1
mm afin d'assurer une protection de classe IP4X.
7. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 3 caractérisée en ce que le maillage (15) est un maillage en fil métallique.
8. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que le maillage (15) est un maillage en fil plastique.
9. Grille de ventilation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la grille de ventilation comprend un élément d'étanchéité élastique agencé entre
le cadre de la grille intérieure et le cadre de la grille extérieure.
10. Grille de ventilation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les branches (6, 7) des nervures extérieures (5) de la grille extérieure (1) présentent
une longueur différente, la plus longue des branches étant agencée plus près du côté
extérieur de l'enceinte.
11. Grille de ventilation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la nervure intérieure la plus basse (12) de la grille intérieure (9) s'étend sur
le côté extérieur de la poutre horizontale inférieure (3) de la première grille (1)
afin de drainer l'eau et la nervure intérieure adjacente (13) pour la nervure la plus
basse (12) et la nervure la plus basse (12) sont connectées l'une à l'autre par une
partie verticale (14).
12. Grille de ventilation selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que d'autres nervures intérieures (10) de la grille intérieure (9) présentent une section
transversale substantielle ayant la forme de la lettre "I".
13. Sous-station de distribution électrique, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une grille de ventilation selon l'une quelconque des revendications
précédentes.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description