Circuit breaker, in particular high-voltage circuit breaker

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker (1) comprising at least one interrupting unit (3) and a solid insulator (5) surrounding the interrupting unit (3), which is formed at least predominantly from a solid insulator material that enables direct voltage control in the event of an overload at the circuit breaker (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly to a high-voltage circuit breaker having an optional housing. Background Technology

[0002] High-voltage circuit breakers, in particular, are generally known for switching voltages up to 1200 kV and / or currents up to several hundred amperes, and currents up to tens of thousands of amperes in short-circuit conditions.

[0003] To meet voltage requirements, particularly those of 380 kV and higher in transmission power grids, circuit breakers (also known as enclosed circuit breakers or power switch compartments) are connected in series to comply with prescribed, and in particular, standardized, power specifications. To prevent overloading of a single circuit breaker in a series circuit, the voltage is typically, ideally, divided equally between the two circuit breakers (50%-50%). For this purpose, control elements, such as resistors, capacitors, or combinations thereof, are typically arranged in a separate housing and in parallel with the circuit breakers. This arrangement is known, for example, from patent US 3,604,869. Upon interruption of current, a stable voltage ratio is typically generated corresponding to the capacitance of the control capacitor when the contacts of the circuit breaker's interruption unit (e.g., a vacuum switch tube) open. Such control capacitors are very expensive because they must be arranged in a separate housing in parallel with the switching electrodes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker that is particularly improved in terms of its structural dimensions and designed for high voltage, which can be easily controlled even under overload conditions.

[0005] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned technical problem is solved by a circuit breaker having the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous designs of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The circuit breaker according to the invention includes at least one interrupting unit and a solid insulator surrounding the interrupting unit, the solid insulator being made primarily of a solid insulating material that directly achieves voltage control in the event of an overload. Optionally, the circuit breaker may include a housing having a housing wall, wherein the interrupting unit is arranged in the housing, and the solid insulator is introduced into the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall.

[0008] The term "solid insulator" includes the following: under the operating conditions of the circuit breaker, the solid insulator is a solid, that is, specifically neither a gas nor a liquid. Furthermore, according to the invention, the solid insulator is made primarily of an electrically insulating, electrically conductive, and / or thermally conductive solid insulating material.

[0009] For example, this solid insulator can have a significantly higher dielectric strength (also known as breakdown strength) compared to insulating gas. Therefore, by placing the solid insulator directly on the interrupting unit or optionally between the interrupting unit and the housing wall of the circuit breaker, the housing can be omitted, or the distance between the interrupting unit and the housing wall can be greatly reduced compared to a circuit breaker that simply fills the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall with insulating gas.

[0010] Therefore, compared with circuit breakers that simply fill the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall with insulating gas, the present invention advantageously enables a significant reduction in the volume of the circuit breaker and thus a reduction in the structural dimensions of the circuit breaker, in addition to achieving control under overload conditions.

[0011] The statement "the circuit breaker includes a solid insulator having the aforementioned characteristics" does not mean that the circuit breaker has only one such solid insulator. On the contrary, a circuit breaker may have multiple such solid insulators. Therefore, this statement implies that the circuit breaker has at least one such solid insulator. When a circuit breaker has multiple solid insulators, the solid insulators, particularly the solid insulator material, may be arranged in layers radially and / or axially around different regions of the interrupting unit.

[0012] Correspondingly, the statement "the circuit breaker includes interruption units" does not mean that the circuit breaker has only one interruption unit. On the contrary, a circuit breaker may also have multiple interruption units. Therefore, this statement implies that the circuit breaker has at least one interruption unit. When a circuit breaker has multiple interruption units, the circuit breaker may, for example, have at least one solid insulator for each of these interruption units, the solid insulator being arranged around the interruption unit. In particular, the circuit breaker may also have solid insulators arranged around all interruption units.

[0013] Because voltage control is achieved directly from the solid insulating material, additional expensive control elements, such as control capacitors and control resistors, are eliminated from the need for a separate housing. This statement implies that the solid insulating material itself is configured for voltage control. Such solid insulating materials can, in particular, be constructed as gradient materials, possessing predetermined thermal, mechanical, and / or electrical properties due to their composition and / or fillers.

[0014] In particular, at least one solid insulating material with a control function can be configured to achieve electrical insulation control and / or thermal conductivity control when overloaded at the circuit breaker, especially when current is interrupted, for example, when the contacts of the interrupting unit open. Here, the at least one solid insulating material can be configured, by its components themselves and / or by additives and / or by fillers, to achieve electrical insulation control, conductivity control, and / or thermal conductivity control when overloaded at the circuit breaker.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the solid insulating material has a predetermined dielectric constant in the range of 10 to 2000, up to 10000. Permittivity (also known as capacitance) is a parameter that measures the extent to which insulating materials, specifically solid insulating materials, affect the capacitance of a capacitor.

[0016] Solid insulating materials, as gradient materials, can in particular have a pre-defined radial gradient and / or a pre-defined axial gradient. An axial gradient, for example, characterizes a pre-defined layering of identical or different solid insulating materials in the axial direction, for example, to achieve stable dielectric layering and / or stable thermal layering along a break unit in the axial direction. A radial gradient, in particular, characterizes a pre-defined layering of identical or different solid insulating materials in the radial direction, for example, to achieve stable dielectric layering and / or stable thermal layering around a break unit in the radial direction.

[0017] In another possible implementation, the solid insulating material has a predetermined capacitance in the range of 10 pF to 10000 pF. For example, the solid insulating material may include discrete control capacitors as capacitance control elements. As discrete control capacitors, for example, ceramic cylinders, glass cylinders, or glass-ceramic cylinders may be provided, particularly incorporated into the solid insulating material. For example, discrete control capacitors may be injected into the solid insulating material. In particular, these discrete control capacitors are injected together around the interrupt unit during the casting of the solid insulating material.

[0018] Additionally, the solid insulating material may be provided with a support structure. As a support structure, such as a triangular, rod-shaped, quadrilateral, rib-shaped, or similar structure, it may be injected into or be injected into the solid insulating material. The support structure, particularly microstructures (e.g., millimeter-scale structures), may be shaped to compensate for the temperature-dependent expansion of the solid insulating material.

[0019] In one design, the solid insulating material used as a control element may additionally include at least one filler. For example, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate may be added as fillers. Using one or more of these fillers can improve the dielectric constant and / or thermal conductivity of the solid insulating material.

[0020] An extended embodiment is configured such that the solid insulator, particularly the solid insulating material, is formed around the interrupting unit by multiple insulating layers, particularly multiple axial layers and / or radial layers, these insulating layers having different dielectric constants and / or being made of different materials. Thus, the control function of the solid insulator can be correspondingly configured.

[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the solid insulator may be formed of multiple conductive layers, particularly resistive layers for resistance control and / or capacitive layers for capacitance control.

[0022] Furthermore, an adhesive layer can be arranged between at least one interruption unit and the solid insulating material. This prevents gas inclusions from forming in the boundary layer with the charged part.

[0023] According to one design of the invention, the outer contour of the solid insulator, particularly the solid insulating material, and / or optionally the housing, has an umbrella-like structure, a corrugated structure, a rib-like structure, or a similar structure. This extends the creepage distance of potential discharge sparks.

[0024] In addition, multiple interrupt units can be set, which are preferably connected in series.

[0025] The solid insulating material of the solid insulator is particularly formed from a casting material, such as epoxy resin, silicone resin, or polyurethane. Here, the solid insulating material, as a casting material, can surround at least one interruption unit. Specifically, the solid insulating material surrounds the corresponding interruption unit in a layered manner.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the optional housing of the circuit breaker may be made of composite materials, particularly ceramics and / or silicone. The housing may be implemented in particular as a ribbed, corrugated, or umbrella-shaped housing.

[0027] The aforementioned design of the present invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding of the interruption unit through direct contact with a solid insulator.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the solid insulating material (= the insulating material of the solid insulator) may be silicone resin, epoxy resin, or a synthetic material, such as polyurethane or similar materials. Silicone resin, epoxy resin, or synthetic material is suitable as the insulating material of the solid insulator due to its dielectric properties and the advantageous manufacturing process, for example, by injecting silicone resin, epoxy resin, or synthetic material into the solid insulator surrounding the interrupting unit.

[0029] The aforementioned design of the present invention utilizes the ability to directly achieve control, particularly voltage control, under circuit breaker load conditions by embedding fillers, such as aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate and / or discrete control capacitors, into a solid insulating material, without requiring additional separate control elements, such as control capacitors, control resistors, or similar elements.

[0030] In particular, the dielectric constant and capacitance can be predetermined and adjusted by embedding corresponding fillers, such as aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate and / or discrete control capacitors, into the solid insulating material in suitable regions. Here, the fillers can be arranged in an intentionally distributed manner within the solid insulating material.

[0031] In another design of the present invention, the solid insulator is directly attached to the interrupt unit.

[0032] The aforementioned design of the present invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding of the interrupting unit outward and optionally towards the housing through direct contact between the solid insulator and the interrupting unit, and enables control under overload conditions through the solid insulating material having a predetermined dielectric constant and a predetermined capacitance.

[0033] In another design of the invention, the gap between the optional housing of the circuit breaker and the interrupting unit is entirely filled with a solid insulator. The aforementioned design of the invention advantageously allows for a particularly small distance between the interrupting unit and the housing wall of the circuit breaker, because the gap between the interrupting unit and the housing wall is entirely filled with a solid insulator. Consequently, this design of the invention also allows for a particularly small structural size of the circuit breaker.

[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, the portion of the gap between the housing wall and the interrupting unit that is not filled with solid insulator may be filled with and / or filled with an insulating gas. For example, the insulating gas is synthetic air, fluorinated gas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of at least two of these gases. The aforementioned embodiments of the invention advantageously enable dielectric shielding of the interrupting unit against the housing through the combination of solid insulator and a suitable insulating gas.

[0035] In another design of the present invention, the interrupt unit has a vacuum switch tube.

[0036] A vacuum switch tube has a switch chamber that is evacuated during circuit breaker operation, thus creating a (technical) vacuum within the switch chamber. Two contact elements are arranged within the switch chamber, movable relative to each other between a first switching position and a second switching position. In the first switching position, the two contact elements are in contact with each other, and in the second switching position, the two contact elements are separated from each other. Vacuum switch tubes are particularly advantageous because no gas discharge occurs between the contact elements when they are separated, thus reducing the so-called switching arc between the contact elements.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the circuit breaker has at least one electrical conductor or electrical connector embedded in solid insulation, which is electrically connected to the interrupting unit. This solid insulation advantageously provides electrical shielding to the conductor or electrical connector outwards or with respect to an optional housing of the circuit breaker. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The features, characteristics, advantages, and implementations of the present invention described above will become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Here, in the attached diagram:

[0040] Figure 1 A circuit breaker with two interruption units is schematically shown, each of which is surrounded by a solid insulator. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 (Appendix) Figure 1 An embodiment of the circuit breaker 1 is shown in cross-section. The circuit breaker 1 includes two interruption units 3 and correspondingly includes a solid insulator 5 surrounding the respective interruption unit 3.

[0042] The circuit breaker 1, particularly a high-voltage circuit breaker for switching voltages up to 1200 kV and / or currents up to several hundred amperes, is constructed, for example, in a T-shape and includes two interruption units 3 connected in series between two external electrical terminals 7.

[0043] For example, electrical equipment, power generation equipment and / or power grid can be connected to connector 7, and circuit breaker 1 can be used as a switching device to switch on and off the electrical equipment, power generation equipment and / or power grid, for example, to connect or disconnect.

[0044] Each interrupt unit 3 and / or each connector 7 is surrounded by a solid insulator 5 for dielectric shielding.

[0045] Interruption unit 3 is coaxially arranged in solid insulator 5, wherein its longitudinal axis is the same as the longitudinal axis of solid insulator 5.

[0046] A steering transmission device 9 is arranged in the middle between the two interruption units 3, which connects the interruption units 3 to each other.

[0047] Optionally, the corresponding interruption unit 3 and solid insulator 5 can be arranged coaxially in their respective housings 11. The two housings 11 of the two interruption units 3 can be mechanically secured to the steering transmission 9, for example, by means of bolts, via flanges 17, particularly metal flanges 17.

[0048] The steering transmission 9 is arranged on an upright, particularly cylindrical, support insulator 13. The support insulator 13 is, for example, substantially cylindrical and elongated in shape, and has ribbed structures on its surface to ensure good electrical insulation over the entire outer surface of the support insulator 13. The support insulator 13 is, for example, formed of or comprises ceramic and / or silicone and / or synthetic materials.

[0049] The support insulator 13 may include one or more portions 15 connected to each other via flanges 17. The support insulator 13 is fixed to the steering transmission 9, and the interrupting unit 3 is fixed to the steering transmission 9. The support insulator 13 and the steering transmission 9 are arranged in a columnar manner, upright on a foundation (not shown), particularly a base. The support insulator 13 may have additional transmission devices (not shown in detail) and drive devices for switching the circuit breaker 1, particularly the interrupting unit 3, in its lower region.

[0050] The corresponding interrupt unit 3 has two contact elements 21 and 22 arranged in the switch chamber 19. The contact elements 21 and 22 can move relative to each other between a first switch position and a second switch position. In the first switch position, the contact elements 21 and 22 are in close contact with each other, and in the second switch position, the contact elements 21 and 22 are separated from each other.

[0051] For example, the corresponding interruption unit 3 has a vacuum switch tube, and when the circuit breaker 1 is running, the switch chamber 19 of the vacuum switch tube is evacuated to a vacuum, thereby creating a (technical) vacuum in the switch chamber 19.

[0052] The corresponding external connector 7 of the circuit breaker 1 (also called the circuit breaker device) is connected to the contact element 21 of the corresponding interruption unit 3 facing the external connector 7. The contact elements 22 away from the corresponding connector 7 are electrically connected to each other, so that the two interruption units 3 are connected in series.

[0053] The interrupt unit 3, the external switch chamber 19, and the contact elements 21, 22 located within it, as well as the external connector 7, are surrounded by a solid insulator 5. Here, the solid insulator 5 can be formed of the same solid insulating material in both the interrupt unit 3 and the external connector 7. Alternatively, the solid insulating material in the interrupt unit 3 may have different dielectric and / or capacitance properties in the region of the interrupt unit 3 than in the region of the external connector 7.

[0054] The solid insulator 5 is made primarily of an electrically insulating insulating material, such as silicone resin, epoxy resin, or synthetic material.

[0055] The corresponding solid insulator 5 is formed primarily of a solid insulating material that directly controls, in particular, voltage control, when an overload occurs at the circuit breaker 1.

[0056] In particular, at least one solid insulating material of the corresponding solid insulator 5 with a control function can be configured to achieve electrical insulation control and / or thermal conductivity control when overloaded at the circuit breaker 1, especially when the current is interrupted, for example when the contact elements 21, 22 of the interruption unit 3 are opened. Here, the at least one solid insulating material can be configured by its components themselves and / or by additives and / or by fillers to achieve electrical insulation control and / or thermal conductivity control when overloaded at the circuit breaker 1.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the solid insulating material has a predetermined dielectric constant in the range of up to 10,000, particularly 10 to 2,000.

[0058] The solid insulating material (= the insulating material of the solid insulator) can be, for example, silicone resin, epoxy resin, or a synthetic material, such as polyurethane or similar materials. In particular, when manufacturing the solid insulator 5, the solid insulating material is directly connected to the interrupting unit 3 by injecting silicone resin, epoxy resin, or synthetic material into the interrupting unit 3, especially by a material-fitting manner.

[0059] The solid insulating material, as a gradient material, can in particular have a predetermined radial gradient and / or a predetermined axial gradient. Specifically, the solid insulating material can be formed of multiple layers (= insulating layers), particularly multiple axial and / or radial layers surrounding the corresponding interruption unit 3, these layers having different dielectric constants and / or being composed of different materials. Thus, the control function of the solid insulator 5 can be correspondingly provided. Alternatively or additionally, the solid insulator 5 can be formed of at least one or more conductive layers, particularly resistive layers for resistance control and / or capacitive layers for capacitance control.

[0060] In another possible implementation, the solid insulating material has a predetermined capacitance in the range of 10 pF to 10000 pF. For example, the solid insulating material may include discrete control capacitors as capacitance control elements. As discrete control capacitors, ceramic cylinders, glass cylinders, or glass-ceramic cylinders may be provided as additives or fillers, particularly introduced into the solid insulating material. For example, discrete control capacitors may be injected into the solid insulating material. In particular, these discrete control capacitors are injected together around the interruption unit 3 during the casting of the solid insulating material.

[0061] Additionally, the solid insulating material may be provided with a support structure. As a support structure, such as a triangular, rod-shaped, quadrilateral, rib-shaped, or similar structure, it may be injected into or be injected into the solid insulating material. The support structure, particularly microstructures (e.g., millimeter-scale structures), may be shaped to compensate for the temperature-dependent expansion of the solid insulating material.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, the solid insulating material used as the control element may include at least one filler. For example, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate may be added as fillers. One or more fillers may have a share of at least 10 volume percent up to 50 volume percent. Here, the filler concentration may vary locally, for example, higher in the region near the interruption unit 3 than in the outer region.

[0063] Additives, support structures, and / or fillers are arranged, for example, in the region of the solid insulator 5 adjacent to the interrupting unit 3 and / or in the region of the solid insulator 5 where electrical connectors 7 and / or contacts 21, 22 extend accordingly in the vicinity of these regions.

[0064] The solid insulator 5 is directly attached to the interrupting unit 3 and spaced apart from the housing wall of the optional housing 11. Optionally, an adhesive layer may be arranged between the interrupting unit 3 and the solid insulating material of the solid insulator 5. This avoids the formation of gas inclusions in the boundary layer with the energized part 15 of the circuit breaker 1.

[0065] When the circuit breaker 1 is in operation, the area of ​​the unfilled solid insulator 5 in the possible gap 24 between the optional housing 11 and the interruption unit 3 can be filled with insulating gas.

[0066] The optional housing 11 of the circuit breaker 1 can be made of composite materials, particularly ceramics and / or silicone. The housing 11 can in particular have a ribbed, corrugated, or umbrella-shaped housing shape.

[0067] In the design of the circuit breaker 1 without the housing 11, the solid insulator 5 may in particular have a ribbed, corrugated, or umbrella-shaped housing shape.

[0068] The aforementioned design of the present invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding and voltage control of the interruption unit 3 even under overload conditions, through the direct contact between the solid insulator 5 and the interruption unit 3 and the material properties of the solid insulator 5.

[0069] Although the invention has been shown and described in further detail through preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and those skilled in the art can derive other variations therefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0070] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, people with either male or female gender identity are included.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker (1), the circuit breaker comprising: - At least one interrupt unit (3), and - A solid insulator (5) surrounding the interruption unit (3), the solid insulator being formed primarily of a solid insulating material that directly enables voltage control when overloaded at the circuit breaker (1).

2. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1. Its features are, The solid insulating material has a predetermined dielectric constant in the range of up to 10,000, particularly 10 to 2,000.

3. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1 or 2. Its features are, The solid insulating material has a predetermined capacitance in the range of 10 pF to 10000 pF.

4. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulating material is formed from epoxy resin, silicone resin, or polyurethane.

5. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulating material includes discrete control capacitors as capacitance control elements.

6. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 5. Its features are, The solid insulating material includes ceramic cylinders, cylinders made of glass, or cylinders made of glass-ceramic as discrete control capacitors.

7. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulating material is provided with a supporting structure.

8. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulating material includes at least one filler as a control element.

9. The circuit breaker (1) according to claim 8. Its features are, Aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate were added as fillers.

10. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulator (5) is formed of multiple insulating layers, which have different dielectric constants and / or are made of different materials.

11. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulator (5) is formed of multiple conductive layers, particularly resistive layers for resistance control and / or capacitive layers for capacitance control.

12. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, An adhesive layer is arranged between the at least one interrupting unit (3) and the solid insulating material.

13. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The outer contour of the solid insulator (5) has an umbrella-shaped structure.

14. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The solid insulating material, as a casting material, surrounds at least one interruption unit (3).

15. The circuit breaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, Multiple interrupt units (3) are provided, and the multiple interrupt units are connected in series.

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