Vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotive at altitude of 5100m

Abstract

The invention discloses a freight electric locomotive vacuum circuit breaker suitable for a 5100m altitude environment. The freight electric locomotive vacuum circuit breaker mainly structurally comprises a base assembly, an upper insulator assembly, a lower insulator assembly, an insulating cap, an upper grounding contact, a lower grounding contact, a connecting copper bar and a grounding switch. The lower insulator assembly is installed on the base assembly, the upper insulator assembly is installed on the lower insulator assembly, and the insulation cap is bonded to the top of the upper insulator assembly and used for protecting the upper grounding contact and an installation copper bar of the upper grounding contact, so that the electrical gap between the upper grounding contact and the lower grounding contact is enlarged, and the insulation performance between high-voltage fractures is improved. The height of the lower insulator and the insulating pull rod is about 150mm higher than that of the insulator and the insulating pull rod of a traditional vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breaker, the electrical insulating performance of the vacuum circuit breaker is improved, and the vacuum circuit breaker is suitable for a severe environment with high altitude of 5100m and low air pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to rail locomotive technology, and more particularly to a vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m, used in a 27.5kV overhead contact line high-voltage electrical cabinet in an environment at an altitude of 5100m. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum circuit breakers are installed in high-voltage cabinets on locomotives, roofs, or inside the vehicles. They serve as the main switch for electrical connection and disconnection between the entire vehicle and the overhead contact line, and are the most important protective equipment on locomotives and EMUs. When various serious faults occur in the vehicle, the vacuum circuit breaker can quickly, reliably, and safely cut off the vehicle's main power supply, thereby protecting the vehicle's electrical equipment. The structural features of the vacuum circuit breaker are single-break pneumatic cylinder drive and electro-pneumatic control. It uses vacuum as the insulating and arc-extinguishing medium, utilizing the high insulation strength and arc diffusion capacity under vacuum conditions to achieve deionization and arc extinguishing.

[0003] like Figure 4 As shown, the main structure of the vacuum circuit breaker includes a base assembly, an upper insulator assembly, a lower insulator assembly, an insulating cap, an upper grounding contact, a lower grounding contact, a connecting copper busbar, and a grounding switch. The lower insulator is mounted on the base assembly. The upper and lower insulator assemblies are assembled perpendicularly. The upper grounding contact is mounted on the upper flange of the upper insulator assembly, serving as the incoming cable interface. The lower grounding contact is mounted on the lower flange of the upper insulator assembly, which also connects to the outgoing copper busbar. The vacuum switch tube, serving as the main circuit switch, is installed in the upper insulator assembly. The flange, made of copper-chromium alloy, is cast onto the upper insulator assembly to connect the contact wire to the circuit breaker for current transfer. When the solenoid valve is energized, the pneumatic mechanism closes the moving and stationary contacts inside the vacuum switch tube. When the solenoid valve is de-energized, a spring mechanism mounted with the vacuum switch tube opens the moving and stationary contacts. The circuit breaker's pneumatic and electrical control systems, as well as the auxiliary interlocking mechanism responsible for status signal feedback, are installed inside the base assembly.

[0004] Existing vacuum circuit breakers, in an environment with an altitude of 5100m, have mechanical structures and electrical properties that are insufficient to meet the requirements for use as vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breakers. They are also unable to adapt to the harsh environment of high-altitude areas, such as thin air, low air pressure, low corona voltage, and the susceptibility to high-voltage discharge to ground.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m, in order to solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m of the present invention includes an upper insulator assembly 1, a lower insulator assembly 2, a base assembly 3, an insulating cap 4, a grounding switch 5, a mounting bracket 6, an upper grounding contact 7, and a lower grounding contact 8;

[0009] The lower insulator assembly 2 is mounted on the base assembly 3, the upper insulator assembly 1 is mounted on the lower insulator assembly 2, and the insulating cap 4 is bonded to the top of the upper insulator assembly 1, thereby increasing the electrical gap between the upper grounding contact 7 and the lower grounding contact 8.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m provided by this invention overcomes the mechanical and electrical design difficulties such as the electrical insulation distance of existing vacuum circuit breakers not meeting the requirements of high altitude. It is equipped with a high-voltage insulating cap for insulation protection between high-voltage breaks, thereby improving product reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of a vacuum circuit breaker for a freight electric locomotive at an altitude of 5100m, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the vacuum circuit breaker for a freight electric locomotive at an altitude of 5100m, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a side view of the high-altitude vacuum circuit breaker in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 This refers to a vacuum circuit breaker based on existing technology.

[0015] In the picture:

[0016] 1. Upper insulator assembly; 2. Lower insulator assembly; 3. Base assembly; 4. Insulating cap; 5. Grounding switch; 6. Mounting bracket; 7. Upper grounding contact; 8. Lower grounding contact. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them, and do not constitute a limitation on the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0018] First, the following explanations are provided for the terms that may be used in this article:

[0019] The terms “including,” “contains,” “comprising,” “having,” or other similar semantic descriptions shall be interpreted as non-exclusive inclusion.

[0020] The term "composed of" excludes any technical features not expressly listed. When used in a claim, it closes the claim to exclude all technical features other than those expressly listed, except for associated conventional impurities. If the term appears only in a clause of a claim, it limits the claim to the elements expressly listed in that clause; elements recited in other clauses are not excluded from the overall claim.

[0021] The contents not described in detail in the embodiments of this invention are prior art known to those skilled in the art. Where specific conditions are not specified in the embodiments of this invention, they shall be performed according to conventional conditions in the art or conditions recommended by the manufacturer. Where the manufacturers of the reagents or instruments used in the embodiments of this invention are not specified, they are all conventional products that can be purchased commercially.

[0022] The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m of the present invention includes an upper insulator assembly 1, a lower insulator assembly 2, a base assembly 3, an insulating cap 4, a grounding switch 5, a mounting bracket 6, an upper grounding contact 7, and a lower grounding contact 8;

[0023] The lower insulator assembly 2 is mounted on the base assembly 3, the upper insulator assembly 1 is mounted on the lower insulator assembly 2, and the insulating cap 4 is bonded to the top of the upper insulator assembly 1, thereby increasing the electrical gap between the upper grounding contact 7 and the lower grounding contact 8.

[0024] The height of the lower insulator assembly 2 and the insulating tie rod is 150mm higher than that of the insulator and insulating tie rod of the traditional vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breaker.

[0025] The upper grounding contact 7 and the lower grounding contact 8 are respectively installed on the upper flange and lower flange of the upper insulator assembly 1, and are used in conjunction with the grounding clamp of the grounding switch 5 installed on the rotating arm.

[0026] The base assembly 3 is internally equipped with a pneumatic system, circuit control and signal feedback lines, with an inlet protective cover installed at the high-voltage inlet end and an outlet protective cover installed at the high-voltage outlet end.

[0027] The upper insulator assembly 1 has interfaces at both ends for connecting the incoming cable and the outgoing cable.

[0028] Vacuum tubes used to disconnect the current between the contact network and the train are installed in the upper insulator assembly 1.

[0029] In summary, the vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m, as described in this embodiment of the invention, is suitable for environments at an altitude of 5100m. It features an increased electrical clearance between the upper and lower grounding contacts, improving insulation performance between high-voltage contacts. The lower insulator and insulating rod are approximately 150mm higher than those of traditional vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breakers. The overall high-voltage to ground electrical distance meets the technical requirements for operation at an altitude of 5100m. Furthermore, its compact structure makes it suitable for installation within the high-voltage electrical cabinet of an electric locomotive. While meeting the requirements for locomotive installation and electrical interfaces, it improves the electrical insulation performance of the vacuum circuit breaker, making it suitable for the harsh environment of low air pressure at an altitude of 5100m.

[0030] To more clearly demonstrate the technical solution and its effects provided by the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific examples.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] External structure of vacuum circuit breaker at 5100m altitude as follows Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 The overall structure includes an upper insulator assembly 1, a lower insulator assembly 2, a base assembly 3, an insulating cap 4, a grounding switch 5, a mounting bracket 6, an upper grounding contact 7, and a lower grounding contact 8. This invention designs the overall structure of a vacuum circuit breaker, as well as the structures of components such as the upper insulator assembly, lower insulator assembly, insulating cap, upper grounding contact, lower grounding contact, and grounding switch, and the connecting copper busbars and assembly parts between these components.

[0033] The main structure of a vacuum circuit breaker includes a base assembly, upper insulator assembly, lower insulator assembly, insulating cap, upper grounding contact, lower grounding contact, connecting copper busbar, and grounding switch. Key internal components include vacuum switch tubes, insulating rods, main cylinders, electromagnetic conversion valves, pressure regulating valves, and pressure switches. The lower insulator is mounted on the base assembly, and the upper insulator is mounted on the lower insulator assembly. The insulating cap is bonded to the top of the upper insulator assembly. The upper grounding contact and its mounting copper busbar provide insulation protection, increasing the electrical clearance between the upper and lower grounding contacts and improving the insulation performance between high-voltage breaks. The height of the lower insulator and insulating rod is 150mm higher than that of traditional vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breakers. The overall high-voltage to ground electrical distance meets the technical requirements for operation in high-altitude environments of railway locomotives at 5100m. The upper and lower grounding contacts are mounted on the upper and lower flanges of the upper insulator, respectively, and are used in conjunction with the grounding clamp mounted on the rotating arm of the grounding switch. This ensures reliable grounding when the vacuum circuit breaker requires maintenance grounding protection. The overall structure is compact and suitable for installation inside the high-voltage electrical cabinet of electric locomotives. The base houses the pneumatic system, circuit control, and signal feedback lines. A protective cover is installed at the high-voltage inlet and outlet of the high-voltage outlet. Vacuum tubes, used to disconnect the contact network and train current, are installed inside the upper insulator and connected to the spring mechanism and steering mechanism. The steering mechanism is connected to the transmission rod, which in turn is connected to the drive cylinder within the base. When the circuit breaker needs to close, the train supplies air to the vacuum circuit breaker's storage cylinder and powers the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve opens the pneumatic valve, and the high-pressure air pushes the cylinder piston, which in turn moves the spring mechanism and the moving contact of the vacuum tube via the steering mechanism, closing the main contacts of the vacuum circuit breaker and simultaneously compressing the return spring to store energy. When the circuit breaker needs to open, the train disconnects the control lines, the solenoid valve closes the air supply valve and discharges the high-pressure air, and the return spring in the spring mechanism pulls the main contacts open, restoring the circuit breaker to its open state.

[0034] The electrical clearances of the main insulator, auxiliary insulator, and internal transmission rod, as well as the creepage distance of the surface sheds, all meet the electrical insulation requirements for high-altitude areas of 5100m. The two ends of the upper insulator assembly have interfaces for connecting the incoming and outgoing cables, respectively. An insulating cap is installed on the top of the upper insulator assembly for protection against high-voltage break discharge.

[0035] This invention improves safety by increasing the assembly height of the lower insulator, the height of the internal insulating rod, and the assembly height of the upper insulator, while adding an insulating cap to increase the electrical clearance at the break point. It also optimizes the structure of the copper busbars at the inlet and outlet ends to create a uniform electric field, reducing the risk of high-voltage discharge to ground in high-altitude environments. The grounding clamp of the grounding switch and the grounding contact installed on the upper insulator assembly flange are both chamfered and the electrical distance is guaranteed.

[0036] This invention designs a 27.5kV overhead contact line vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breaker for use in high-altitude areas of 5100m. It overcomes the mechanical and electrical design difficulties of existing vacuum circuit breakers, such as the electrical insulation distance not meeting the requirements of high altitude. It adds a high-voltage insulating cap for insulation protection between high-voltage breaks, thereby improving product reliability.

[0037] The vacuum circuit breaker described in this invention for use in an environment with an altitude of 5100m has mechanical structure and electrical performance that meet the requirements for vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breakers. At the same time, it is suitable for the harsh environment of high-altitude areas where the air is thin, the air pressure is low, the corona initiation voltage is low, and high voltage discharge to ground is easy to occur. Its application prospects are very broad.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims. The information disclosed in the background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background technology of the present invention and should not be construed as an admission or implication in any way that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m, characterized in that, Includes upper insulator assembly (1), lower insulator assembly (2), base assembly (3), insulating cap (4), grounding switch (5), mounting bracket (6), upper grounding contact (7), lower grounding contact (8); The lower insulator assembly (2) is installed on the base assembly (3), the upper insulator assembly (1) is installed on the lower insulator assembly (2), and the insulating cap (4) is bonded to the top of the upper insulator assembly (1), thereby increasing the electrical gap between the upper grounding contact (7) and the lower grounding contact (8).

2. The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the lower insulator assembly (2) and the insulating tie rod is 150mm higher than that of the insulator and insulating tie rod of the traditional vehicle-mounted vacuum circuit breaker.

3. The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper grounding contact (7) and the lower grounding contact (8) are respectively installed on the upper flange and lower flange of the upper insulator assembly (1) and used in conjunction with the grounding clamp installed on the rotating arm of the grounding switch (5).

4. The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base assembly (3) is internally equipped with a pneumatic system, circuit control and signal feedback lines, with an inlet protective cover installed at the high-voltage inlet end and an outlet protective cover installed at the high-voltage outlet end.

5. The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m according to claim 4, characterized in that, The upper insulator assembly (1) has interfaces at both ends for connecting the incoming cable and the outgoing cable.

6. The vacuum circuit breaker for freight electric locomotives at an altitude of 5100m according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Vacuum tubes used to disconnect the current between the contact network and the train are installed in the upper insulator assembly (1).

Images