Circuit breaker poles for low or medium voltage operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker pole for low or medium voltage operation, the circuit breaker pole comprising: a body section; a first end section; and a second end section; the first end section being configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of an enclosure. The second end section being configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of the enclosure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to circuit breaker poles for low voltage or medium voltage operation. Background Art

[0002] Switchgear and controlgear (also referred to as controlgear) and one or more housings, which are typically formed of a metal sheet of a certain thickness, exhibit a certain flexibility or lack of rigidity when the housing is formed of a sheet with a larger surface area. As a result, the housing may exhibit a certain degree of mechanical instability, requiring additional mechanical reinforcement or support structures, or sheets of increased thickness. The housing must be able to withstand high temperatures (e.g., high temperatures generated due to the failure of one or more components), further requiring the housing of the switchgear or controlgear to have an appropriate level of structural integrity. This all adds to the cost of the switchgear or controlgear. In addition, when the housing size becomes larger, problems related to the alignment of mechanical components may arise.

[0003] Therefore, these problems need to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] It would therefore be advantageous to have an improved means of providing mechanical reinforcement or structural integrity to one or more enclosures of low voltage or medium voltage switchgear or controlgear.

[0005] The object of the present invention is solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] In a first aspect, a circuit breaker pole for low voltage or medium voltage operation is provided. The circuit breaker pole comprises:

[0007] -Main body section;

[0008] - a first end section; and

[0009] - a second end section;

[0010] The first end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of the housing. The second end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of the housing.

[0011] When the first end section is fixedly connected to the first wall of the housing and the second end section is fixedly connected to the second wall of the housing, the body section extends between the first wall and the second wall.

[0012] In an example, the first end section is configured to be disconnected from a wall of the housing; and

[0013] The second end section is configured to be disconnected from the wall of the housing.

[0014] In an example, the axis of the circuit breaker pole extends from the first end section to the second end section. The first end section includes a first portion and a second portion. The width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0015] In an example, the second portion is configured to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing and the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing.

[0016] In an example, the second portion comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross-section.

[0017] In an example, the second end segment includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein a width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than a width of the second portion in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0018] In an example, the second portion is configured to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing and the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing.

[0019] In an example, the second portion comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross-section.

[0020] In a second aspect, there is provided a switchgear or controlgear for low voltage or medium voltage operation, the switchgear or controlgear comprising:

[0021] - one or more housings; and

[0022] - A circuit breaker pole according to the first aspect;

[0023] - a first fixing device; and

[0024] - Second fixing means.

[0025] The first end section is connected to a first wall of the one or more housings. The second end section is connected to a second wall of the one or more housings. The first fixing device is connected to the first end section to fixedly connect the first end section to the first wall. The second fixing device is connected to the second end section to fixedly connect the second end section to the second wall.

[0026] In an example, the first fixing means is located on an opposite side of the first wall to the body section of the circuit breaker pole, and the second fixing means is located on an opposite side of the second wall to the body section of the circuit breaker pole.

[0027] In an example, the first fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the first end section; and the second fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the second end section.

[0028] In an example, the axis of the circuit breaker pole extends from the first end section to the second end section, and the first end section includes a first portion and a second portion. The width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The second end section includes a first portion and a second portion, and the width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0029] In an example, the second portion of the first end segment extends through the hole in the first wall, and the first portion of the first end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the first wall.

[0030] In an example, the second portion of the second end segment extends through the hole in the second wall, and the first portion of the second end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the second wall.

[0031] In an example, the second portion of the first end section comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section, and the second portion of the second end section comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section. The first fixing device has a threaded section threadedly connected to the second portion of the first end section, and the second fixing device has a threaded section threadedly connected to the second portion of the second end section.

[0032] In an example, the switchgear or controlgear comprises a plurality of mechanical reinforcement means and / or a plurality of support structure means. The circuit breaker pole forms part of the plurality of mechanical reinforcement means and / or part of the plurality of support structure means.

[0033] In an example, the hole in the fixed wall is configured to receive a portion of a circuit breaker pole; and wherein a cross-section of the hole is non-circular.

[0034] The above aspects and examples will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the following drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 An example showing the general concept of a three-phase switchgear or control device;

[0037] Figure 2 An example showing details of a new circuit breaker pole; and

[0038] Figure 3 Examples of hole geometries in fixed walls are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to place Figure 2In the context of the new circuit breaker pole shown in , it is worth introducing the general concept design of the circuit breaker pole, such as Figure 1 as shown in .

[0040] Figure 1 An example of a three-phase switchgear or control device is shown.

[0041] in:

[0042] 1 = arc-proof enclosure;

[0043] 2=main busbar system;

[0044] 3 = three-position disconnect switch;

[0045] 4 = Circuit breaker single pole + may have integrated current and voltage sensors;

[0046] 5 = Operator accessible cable connection box - with removable cover and / or door;

[0047] 6 = a removable module or box with disconnect switch actuators and auxiliary equipment with plug and socket connections to the power supply and station communication bus;

[0048] 7 = A removable module or box with circuit breaker control electronics, and auxiliary equipment with plug and socket connections to the circuit breaker driver, and auxiliary equipment with plug and socket connections to the power supply and station communication bus;

[0049] 8 = Ground copper.

[0050] A specific example of an existing three-phase switchgear or controlgear has primary circuits of different phases arranged in phases. In this example, all the main electrical components are in one plane for straight conductive paths, good accessibility, and easy monitoring. This layout results in: less mechanical stress on the busbars in case of short circuits; less electrical stress due to distance; less footprint; less thermal stress (better ventilation); less copper to some extent; less connections from one panel to other parts (long flat copper busbars); components are visible.

[0051] Another specific example of an existing switchgear or control device has components that require maintenance that are separate from the replaceable module. Here, these components are divided into two groups:

[0052] The first group (stationary parts), with components that do not require maintenance, are enclosed in a combined busbar+breaker compartment.

[0053] The second group of components that will require maintenance (removable components) are placed in the removable modules.

[0054] However, in this configuration, the circuit breaker pole structure is not fixedly connected to the wall structure in a manner that provides structural integrity to the wall structure. Furthermore, for longer pole sizes or larger panel sizes, it may be difficult to ensure proper alignment of mechanical components during panel assembly, and also to ensure correct alignment of movable components during operation. The panel wall is usually made of sheet metal of a certain thickness, which exhibits a certain flexibility / lack of stiffness for a large surface area. The mechanical strength is further reduced in this case when the temperature of the panel wall increases and the sheet metal thereby reduces its mechanical properties.

[0055] When the panel design itself is required to provide all the mechanical integrity caused by vibrations and forces from panel transportation, circuit breaker operation, temperature, arcing or short circuit current forces, the panel design needs to have additional mechanical reinforcement. Such reinforcement can be achieved through greater panel wall thickness or additional support structure, which reduces the available space and increases the cost, complexity and weight of the panel design.

[0056] Figure 2 The invention relates to a circuit breaker pole for low-voltage or medium-voltage operation, for example for use in low-voltage or medium-voltage switchgear or control gear, which solves these problems.

[0057] In an example of a circuit breaker pole for low voltage or medium voltage operation, the circuit breaker pole includes a body section, a first end section, and a second end section. The first end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of an enclosure. The second end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a wall of the enclosure.

[0058] When the first end section is fixedly connected to the first wall of the housing and the second end section is fixedly connected to the second wall of the housing, the body section extends between the first wall and the second wall.

[0059] In this way, a circuit breaker pole fixedly attached or connected to a wall of an enclosure may form part of a mechanical reinforcement or support structure for an enclosure for, for example, a switchgear or controlgear. Thus, the wall structure of the enclosure may be thinner than would otherwise be required, as the circuit breaker pole itself provides part of the mechanical integrity of the enclosure, rather than requiring further structural integrity to support the circuit breaker pole as is currently the case. Thus, not only may the wall structure of the enclosure be thinner, but some other support structures that would otherwise be required no longer need to be used, as the circuit breaker pole itself provides at least part of this required mechanical reinforcement of the enclosure.

[0060] In an example, when the first end segment is fixedly connected to the first wall of the enclosure and the second end segment is fixedly connected to the second wall of the enclosure, the circuit breaker pole is configured to maintain separation between the first wall and the second wall.

[0061] In an example, when the first end segment is fixedly connected to the first wall of the enclosure and the second end segment is fixedly connected to the second wall of the enclosure, the circuit breaker pole is configured to provide structural integrity to the enclosure.

[0062] In an example, when the first end segment is fixedly connected to the first wall of the enclosure and the second end segment is fixedly connected to the second wall of the enclosure, the circuit breaker pole is configured to provide mechanical reinforcement to the enclosure.

[0063] According to an example, the first end section is configured to be disconnected from a wall of the housing and the second end section is configured to be disconnected from the wall of the housing.

[0064] Thus, the breaker pole not only provides mechanical integrity to one or more enclosures of the switchgear or controlgear, making these enclosures less rigid and strong in nature and therefore cheaper, but the breaker pole itself can be removed from the enclosure in the event of a failure or other replacement. In fact, by providing mechanical integrity to the enclosure walls, which may be thinner, when the breaker pole is fixedly connected to the wall, the structure of the opposing walls as a whole becomes very strong and rigid, and the walls cannot move relative to each other. However, because the first section (first in section) and the second section (second in section) can be disconnected from the wall, the breaker pole can be removed. In addition, because the walls of the enclosure can now be more flexible in nature, or because the material (such as metal) is thinner or no other supporting structure is required, the wall can be bent away from the breaker pole when the breaker pole is not fixedly connected to the wall, enabling the breaker point to be removed. At this stage, the enclosure of the switchgear or controlgear may not have the required structural integrity. However, when the replacement circuit breaker pole is subsequently fixedly reconnected to the wall of the enclosure where the previous circuit breaker pole was located, the structural integrity of the enclosure is restored to the desired level because the circuit breaker pole provides a portion of the mechanical reinforcement or support structure for the wall or frame of the enclosure.

[0065] According to an example, the axis of the circuit breaker pole extends from the first end section to the second end section, and the first end section comprises a first portion and a second portion. The width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0066] According to an example, the second portion is configured to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing and the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing.

[0067] According to an example, the second portion comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section.

[0068] Figure 3An example of a hole in the fixing wall and a corresponding cross section of the second portion of the pole is shown, thereby preventing rotation of the pole and thus ensuring proper placement of the pole within the switchgear housing. Not having a completely circular cross section (i.e. a non-circular cross section) means that during tightening of the fixture, the pole may rotate, which makes it difficult to tighten during the assembly process. Therefore, a small flat portion is introduced in the fixing wall to prevent the pole from rotating during the tightening process.

[0069] In an example, the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing, and the second portion is an internally threaded portion of the first end segment.

[0070] According to an example, the second end section comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein a width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than a width of the second portion in the direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0071] According to an example, the second portion is configured to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing and the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing.

[0072] According to an example, the second portion comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section.

[0073] In an example, the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the wall of the housing, and the second portion is an internally threaded portion of the second end segment.

[0074] It is clear that the circuit breaker can be used with a switchgear or controlgear. Thus, the examples relate to switchgear or controlgear for low voltage or medium voltage operation. The switchgear or controlgear comprises one or more enclosures and as described above with respect to Figure 2 The switchgear or control device further comprises a first fixing device and a second fixing device. The first end section of the circuit breaker pole is connected to the first wall of the one or more housings. The second end section of the circuit breaker pole is connected to the second wall of the one or more housings. The first fixing device is connected to the first end section to fix the first end section to the first wall. The second fixing device is connected to the second end section to fix the second end section to the second wall.

[0075] In an example, the first wall and the second wall are walls of a same housing of the switchgear or controlgear.

[0076] In an example, the first wall and the second wall are walls of different housings of a switchgear or controlgear.

[0077] In an example, the first wall and the second wall are outer walls of the switchgear or controlgear.

[0078] In an example, the first wall and the second wall are inner walls of a switchgear or a controlgear.

[0079] In an example, the first wall is an outer wall of the switchgear or controlgear and the second wall is an inner wall of the switchgear or controlgear.

[0080] The body section of the circuit breaker pole then extends between the first wall and the second wall, and these walls may be outer walls or inner walls of the switchgear, and there may be intermediate walls between the first wall and the second wall. Thus, for example, the body of the circuit breaker pole may extend through the inner wall of the housing of the switchgear or the control device.

[0081] According to an example, the first fixing means are located on the opposite side of the first wall to the body section of the circuit breaker pole and the second fixing means are located on the opposite side of the second wall to the body section of the circuit breaker pole.

[0082] According to an example, the first fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the first end section and the second fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the second end section.

[0083] According to an example, the axis of the circuit breaker pole extends from the first end section to the second end section, and the first end section includes a first portion and a second portion. The width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis. In addition, the second end section includes the first portion and the second portion, and the width of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0084] According to an example, the second portion of the first end segment extends through the hole in the first wall, and the first portion of the first end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the first wall. In addition, the second portion of the second end segment extends through the hole in the second wall, and the first portion of the second end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the second wall.

[0085] According to an example, the second part of the first end section comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section, and the second part of the second end section comprises a threaded section having at least partially a circular cross section. The first fixing device has a threaded section threadedly connected to the second part of the first end section, and the second fixing device has a threaded section threadedly connected to the second part of the second end section.

[0086] In other words, the first fixing means and the second fixing means may comprise a nut with a washer (if required), the nut with a washer (if required) being screwed onto a threaded shaft of the circuit breaker pole, which protrudes through the wall of the housing so as to securely attach the circuit breaker pole to the wall, thereby providing structural integrity to the housing and the switchgear or control device.

[0087] In an example, the first portion of the first end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the first wall of the housing, and the second portion of the first end segment is an internally threaded portion of the first end segment.

[0088] In other words, the first fixing means and the second fixing means may comprise a bolt with a washer (if required) screwed into the internal threaded portion of the end of the circuit breaker pole. The bolt head is then located on one side of the wall and the bolt shaft is screwed into the end of the circuit breaker pole on the other side of the wall to securely attach the circuit breaker pole to the wall, thereby providing structural integrity to the enclosure and the switchgear or control device.

[0089] According to an example, the switchgear or controlgear comprises a plurality of mechanical reinforcement means and / or a plurality of support structure means. The circuit breaker pole then forms part of the plurality of mechanical reinforcement means and / or part of the plurality of support structure means. As a result, the housing structure without the circuit breaker pole can be softer, lighter, less rigid and generally have a lower mechanical structural integrity than would otherwise be required.

[0090] Continue to refer Figure 2 , a new specific design of the circuit breaker pole also serves as a mechanical reinforcement or support structure for the panel / switchgear wall or the frame of the switchgear or control gear. The pole is designed in such a way that both ends are equipped with external or internal threads to which additional nuts or bolts can be screwed and the panel wall is fixed between them. The pole can then be fixed to the rear wall of the combined circuit breaker and busbar chamber, ensuring proper alignment and distance between the walls and providing structural integrity to the walls, making them have lower inherent strength and requiring less additional support structure.

[0091] Therefore, if Figure 2 As shown in , a new design of a single interrupting unit (SIU) or circuit breaker pole is provided in such a way as to provide additional mechanical strength to the entire panel, so that the panel wall or panel frame does not need to be designed alone to withstand all possible mechanical forces.

[0092] refer to Figure 2 , SIU 4 is long enough to penetrate all panel compartments from the front side 11 to the cable side 12. It penetrates the switchgear wall / panel wall on each side. To strengthen the panel structure and fix to the front wall 13 and rear wall 14 of the panel (or switchgear or control gear), SIU 4 has:

[0093] - The built-in flange shapes 15 and 16 of the SIU are used to secure to the front and rear panel walls and prevent these walls from moving towards each other and, when secured to the walls, prevent them from moving away from each other.

[0094] - The areas or parts 17 and 18 of the SIU pass through or extend through the walls 13 and 14, the areas or parts 17 and 18 having a smaller diameter than the flanges 15 and 16 and having an internal external thread on the outer surface.

[0095] In order to connect the SIU 4 to the panel walls 13 and 14 and to strengthen the entire panel structure, the SIU is fixed to the panel by additional nuts 19 and 20. The nuts 19 and 20 and flanges 15 and 16 then tightly hold the panel walls 13 and 14 in a mechanically strong manner, thereby strengthening the overall assembly. The nuts essentially act as flanges, but from the other side of the panel wall. Having two "flange-like" structures on both sides significantly strengthens the mechanical rigidity of the panel, especially along the front-to-back axis.

[0096] The nuts 19 and 20 can be made of thermoplastic or thermosetting material and, besides the mechanical improvement, they will further increase the dielectric strength of the medium voltage component without introducing additional screws and pins.

[0097] Another fixing possibility can be achieved by using threaded inserts built into the flanges 15 and 16, with corresponding holes in the panel walls 13 and 14, which are bolted through the walls and fixed to the ends of the SIU or circuit breaker poles. However, this design may not be optimal because it results in a large number of screw engagements and the introduction of many necessary parts in the poles and during panel assembly, which may be more time consuming. This option is possible, but less preferred because it may not fix the panel walls as firmly as the above-mentioned design (with a single nut on each side), and it may also reduce the dielectric strength of the medium voltage connection on the cable side 12.

[0098] There may also be additional external or internal threads on the surface of the nut 19 and / or the nut 20 in order to provide the possibility of fixing / screwing in additional components on top. These components may alternatively also be screwed to the remaining threads of the pole parts 17 and 18. Such additional components may be, for example, a cover 21 for the pole drive on the front side 11 (to protect the pole drive from dust, moisture or accidental ingress) and / or a cover 22 around the bushing in the cable chamber 12 (to improve the dielectric field strength / distribution around this area).

Claims

1. A circuit breaker pole for low voltage or medium voltage operation, the circuit breaker pole comprising: -Main body section; - a first end section; as well as - a second end section; wherein the first end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a first wall of the housing; wherein the second end section is configured to be fixedly connected to a second wall of the housing, wherein the axis of the circuit breaker pole extends from the first end section to the second end section, wherein the first end section includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a width in a direction perpendicular to the axis that is greater than a width of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis, wherein the second portion is configured to extend through a hole in the first wall of the housing, and the first portion is configured not to extend through the hole in the first wall of the housing, and The second end segment includes a first part and a second part, wherein the width of the first part of the second end segment in a direction perpendicular to the axis is greater than the width of the second part of the second end segment in a direction perpendicular to the axis, wherein the second part of the second end segment is configured to extend through a hole in the second wall of the housing, and the first part of the second end segment is configured not to extend through the hole in the second wall of the housing.

2. The circuit breaker pole of claim 1, wherein the first end segment is configured to be disconnected from the first wall of the housing; and wherein the second end segment is configured to be disconnected from the second wall of the housing. 3 . The circuit breaker pole of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the first end segment and the second portion of the second end segment each comprise a threaded segment at least partially having a circular cross-section.

4. A switchgear or controlgear for low voltage or medium voltage operation, comprising: - one or more housings; as well as - A circuit breaker pole according to any one of claims 1 to 3; - a first fixing device; as well as - a second fixing device; wherein the first end section is connected to a first wall of the one or more housings; wherein the second end section is connected to a second wall of the one or more housings; wherein the first fixing means is connected to the first end section to fixedly connect the first end section to the first wall; and Wherein the second fixing device is connected to the second end section to fixedly connect the second end section to the second wall.

5. A switchgear or controlgear according to claim 4, wherein the first fixing device is located on the opposite side of the first wall to the main body section of the circuit breaker pole, and wherein the second fixing device is located on the opposite side of the second wall to the main body section of the circuit breaker pole.

6. The switchgear or controlgear according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the first fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the first end section; and wherein the second fixing device is configured to be disconnected from the second end section.

7. A switch device or control device according to claim 4, wherein the second part of the first end segment includes a threaded segment with at least a partial circular cross-section, and the second part of the second end segment includes a threaded segment with at least a partial circular cross-section; and wherein the first fixing device has a threaded segment that is threadedly connected to the second part of the first end segment, and wherein the second fixing device has a threaded segment that is threadedly connected to the second part of the second end segment.

8. A switchgear or controlgear according to any one of claims 4, 5 and 7, wherein the switchgear or controlgear comprises a plurality of mechanical reinforcement means, and wherein the circuit breaker pole forms part of the plurality of mechanical reinforcement means.

9. A switchgear or control device according to any one of claims 4, 5 and 7, wherein the holes in the first wall and the second wall of the housing are configured to receive a portion of the circuit breaker pole; and wherein the cross-section of the hole is non-circular.

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