Multi-circuit breaker

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a circuit breaker with several interrupter units.

[0002] Circuit breakers are electrical switches designed for high-voltage electrical currents and voltages, in particular to safely interrupt high overload currents and short-circuit currents, as known, for example, from DE 38 10 453 A1, DE 298 10 520 U1, and DE 10 2013 210136 A1. For this purpose, circuit breakers comprise an interrupter unit with at least one movable switching element for opening and closing a current path.

[0003] Circuit breakers for high voltages, in particular, can have multiple breaker units whose current paths are electrically connected in series to distribute the voltage applied to the circuit breaker among the current paths of the individual breaker units. To ensure that the individual breaker units are evenly loaded during a switching operation, synchronization of the switching movements in the individual breaker units is required. This means that the current paths of the breaker units must be opened and closed at least approximately simultaneously during the switching operation. For this purpose, for example, several drives can be used to drive the switching elements of different breaker units and to synchronize them with each other.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a circuit breaker with several interrupter units, which is improved in particular with regard to the synchronization of the switching movements in the individual interrupter units.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A circuit breaker according to the invention comprises a plurality of interrupter units, each of which has at least one movable switching element for opening and closing a current path of the interrupter unit, wherein the current paths of all interrupter units are electrically connected in series. The circuit breaker has a drive to which each movable switching element is coupled via a kinematic chain for moving the switching element, wherein the kinematic chains are of equal length.

[0008] A circuit breaker according to the invention thus has several interrupter units, whose movable switching elements are all driven by a single common drive, for example, a spring-loaded drive or a motor drive. Synchronization of the switching movements in the individual interrupter units is achieved by coupling the movable switching elements of the different interrupter units to the drive via kinematic chains of at least approximately the same length. This results in a significant reduction in costs and material, for example, compared to a circuit breaker design with several synchronized drives for switching elements of different interrupter units.

[0009] One embodiment of the invention provides a drive rod driven directly by the drive, which serves as a transmission link for all kinematic chains. This advantageously enables simultaneous activation of all kinematic chains via a common drive rod.

[0010] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each kinematic chain has at least one coupling rod coupled to the drive rod via a drive lever, wherein the coupling rods are of equal length. This advantageously ensures that the links of the kinematic chains formed by the coupling rods are of equal length.

[0011] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each coupling rod is guided in its central region by a guide lever. This advantageously prevents or at least reduces buckling of the coupling rods under high compressive loads, which reduces force transmission through the coupling rods.

[0012] A further embodiment of the invention provides that two coupling rods of different kinematic chains are moved in opposite directions via the drive lever. This makes it possible for the coupling rods of different kinematic chains to be subjected to simultaneous compressive or tensile loading during a shifting operation. This is advantageous because a compressive load on the coupling rod of one kinematic chain and a simultaneous tensile load on the coupling rod of another kinematic chain can cause uneven force transmission through these coupling rods, which can impair the synchronization of the shifting elements connected to these kinematic chains.

[0013] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each kinematic chain has two coupling rods coupled to the drive rod via the drive lever, which are moved in opposite directions via the drive lever. This has the effect that with each gear shift, one coupling rod of each kinematic chain is subjected to tensile stress and the other coupling rod is subjected to compressive stress. This advantageously eliminates the disadvantage of a reduction in power transmission due to compressive stress on the coupling rod in the case of a kinematic chain with only one coupling rod. Furthermore, the use of guide levers to reduce buckling of the coupling rods under compressive stress can be dispensed with, since with each gear shift, one of the coupling rods, which can primarily assume the power transmission, is always subjected to tensile stress.

[0014] A further embodiment of the invention provides a support frame comprising a support configured as a hollow body, within which the coupling rods and the drive lever are arranged, and on which the drive is mounted. The drive lever and the drive are arranged in a central region of the support, and each coupling rod extends from the central region of the support to an end region of the support. Thus, a support frame of the circuit breaker is advantageously used for arranging the coupling rods, the drive lever, and the drive, with the central arrangement of the drive lever and the drive supporting the implementation of kinematic chains of equal length.

[0015] Each kinematic chain has a switching rod that runs in a respective associated insulator column, on which at least one interrupter unit is arranged. The switching rods are at least approximately the same length. This advantageously ensures, on the one hand, that the links of the kinematic chains formed by the switching rods are of the same length and, on the other hand, that the interrupter units are arranged electrically insulated on the insulator columns.

[0016] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each coupling rod of a kinematic chain is coupled to the shift rod of the kinematic chain via a deflection gear. This advantageously enables power transmission from the coupling rods to the interrupter units via the shift rods.

[0017] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each insulator column is arranged on the support. This allows switching rods arranged in the insulator columns to be advantageously coupled to coupling rods arranged in the support.

[0018] A further embodiment of the invention provides for two interrupter units to be arranged on each insulator column, which protrude from the insulator column on opposite sides. This advantageously allows each insulator column to accommodate two interrupter units.

[0019] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the movable switching elements of the two interrupter units arranged on an insulator column are coupled to a switching rod extending within the insulator column. This advantageously enables the transmission of a driving force from the drive to the switching elements via the switching rods.

[0020] A further embodiment of the invention provides that each movable shift element is coupled to a shift rod via an output deflection unit and an output rod, wherein the output rods are at least approximately the same length. This advantageously ensures that the links of the kinematic chains formed by the output rods are of the same length.

[0021] A further embodiment of the invention provides four interrupter units. This advantageously allows the voltage applied to the circuit breaker to be distributed among four interrupter units.

[0022] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. FIG 1a first embodiment of a circuit breaker, FIG 2a section of the Figure 1 illustrated circuit breaker, FIG 3 shows a section of a second embodiment of a circuit breaker, FIG 4 shows a section of a third embodiment of a circuit breaker, and FIG 5 shows a section of a fourth embodiment of a circuit breaker.

[0023] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0024] Figure 1shows a first embodiment of a circuit breaker 1. The circuit breaker 1 has two vertical insulator columns 3, 4, four interrupter units 5 to 8, and a support frame 9. The support frame 9 has a horizontally extending support 10 and frame legs 11 on which the support 10 is arranged. The insulator columns 3, 4 are arranged on the support 10 at opposite end regions of the support 10. The support 10 and the insulator columns 3, 4 are each designed as a hollow body.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a section of the Figure 1 illustrated circuit breaker 1 in the area of ​​the support frame 9, wherein the support 10 is shown broken open.

[0026] At the upper end of each insulator column 3, 4, two interrupter units 5 to 8 are arranged, which protrude from the insulator column 3, 4 on opposite sides, wherein one of the two interrupter units 5 to 8 protrudes from the insulator column 3, 4 in the direction of the other insulator column 3, 4 and the other interrupter unit 5 to 8 protrudes from the insulator column 3, 4 in the opposite direction.

[0027] Each interrupter unit 5 to 8 has an insulating housing in which a switching chamber of the circuit breaker 1 is arranged. The insulating housings are each tubular and extend horizontally parallel to the support 10. A switching element 13 of the interrupter unit 5 to 8 is arranged in the switching chamber of each interrupter unit 5 to 8 and can be moved between two switching positions. A current path of the interrupter unit 5 to 8 is open in a first switching position of the switching element 13 and closed in the second switching position of the switching element 13. The current paths of the four interrupter units 5 to 8 are electrically connected in series.For this purpose, the current paths of the two interrupter units 5 to 8 arranged on the same insulator column 3, 4 are electrically connected in series with one another and connected to the current paths of the two interrupter units 5 to 8 arranged on the other insulator column 3, 4 by an electrical connecting line 15.

[0028] Below each interrupter unit 5 to 8, a capacitor unit 17 is arranged parallel to the interrupter unit 5 to 8 for uniformly distributing an electrical voltage applied to the circuit breaker 1 to the current paths of the individual interrupter units 5 to 8. Each capacitor unit 17 has at least one capacitor arranged in an insulating housing.

[0029] At one end of each interrupter unit 5 to 8, which is remote from the insulator column 3, 4 on which the interrupter unit 5 to 8 is arranged, a shielding ring 19 is arranged for dielectric shielding of the interrupter unit 5 to 8 and the capacitor unit 17 arranged underneath.

[0030] The circuit breaker 1 has a drive 21, by which the movable switching elements 13 of all interrupter units 5 to 8 can be moved. Each movable switching element 13 is coupled to the drive 21 via a kinematic chain. The drive 21 is arranged in a central region of the support 10 on an underside of the support 10 and is designed, for example, as a spring-loaded drive or a motor drive. A drive control 23 for controlling the drive 21 is also arranged on the support 10.

[0031] A first kinematic chain is formed by a drive rod 25, a first coupling rod 27, a first shift rod 37, and a first output rod 31. The drive rod 25 is driven directly by the drive 21 and extends essentially vertically from the drive 21 into the carrier 10. The drive rod 25 is coupled to the first coupling rod 27 via a drive lever 35. The first coupling rod 27 extends essentially horizontally within the carrier 10 from the drive lever 35 to a first deflection gear 39, which is arranged below a first insulator column 3 and couples the first coupling rod 27 to the first shift rod 37. The first shift rod 37 extends essentially vertically within the first insulator column 3 from the first deflection gear 39 to a first output deflection unit 45, from which the first shift rod 37 is coupled to the first output rod 31.The first output rod 31 is coupled to the movable switching element 13 of a first interrupter unit 5, which is arranged on the first insulator column 3.

[0032] A second kinematic chain is formed by the drive rod 25, the first coupling rod 27, the first switching rod 37, and a second output rod 32. The second output rod 32 is also coupled to the first switching rod 37 via the first output deflection unit 45. Furthermore, the second output rod 32 is coupled to the movable switching element 13 of a second interrupter unit 6, which is arranged on the first insulator column 3.

[0033] A third kinematic chain is formed by the drive rod 25, a second coupling rod 28, a second shift rod 38, and a third output rod 33. The drive rod 25 is coupled to the second coupling rod 28 via the drive lever 35. The second coupling rod 28 runs essentially horizontally within the carrier 10 from the drive lever 35 to a second deflection gear 40, which is arranged below a second insulator column 4 and couples the second coupling rod 28 to the second shift rod 38. The second shift rod 38 runs essentially vertically within the second insulator column 4 from the second deflection gear 40 to a second output deflection unit 46, from which the second shift rod 38 is coupled to the third output rod 33. The third output rod 33 is coupled to the movable switching element 13 of a third interrupter unit 7 arranged on the second insulator column 4.

[0034] A fourth kinematic chain is formed by the drive rod 25, the second coupling rod 28, the second switching rod 38, and a fourth output rod 34. The fourth output rod 34 is also coupled to the second switching rod 38 via the second output deflection unit 46. Furthermore, the fourth output rod 34 is coupled to the movable switching element 13 of the fourth interrupter unit 8 arranged on the second insulator column 4.

[0035] The drive lever 35 has two essentially perpendicular lever arms, one lever arm being connected to the drive rod 25 and the other lever arm being connected to the two coupling rods 27, 28. Thus, the drive lever 35 translates a substantially vertical movement of the drive rod 25 into similarly directed, substantially horizontal movements of the coupling rods 27, 28.

[0036] The first deflection gear 39 translates a substantially horizontal movement of the first coupling rod 27 into a substantially vertical movement of the first shift rod 37. For this purpose, the first deflection gear 39 has a first deflection shaft 41, which is connected in a connecting rod-like manner to the first coupling rod 27 and the first drive rod 25. The first deflection shaft 41 is guided through the wall of a first deflection gear housing 43, the interior of which, together with the interiors of the first insulator column 3, the first interrupter unit 5, and the second interrupter unit 6, forms, for example, a continuous gas-tight cavity, which can be filled, for example, with an insulating gas such as sulfur hexafluoride.

[0037] The second deflection gear 40 similarly translates a substantially horizontal movement of the second coupling rod 28 into a substantially vertical movement of the second shift rod 38. For this purpose, the second deflection gear 40 has a second deflection shaft 42, which is connected in a connecting rod-like manner to the second coupling rod 28 and the second drive rod 25. The second deflection shaft 42 is guided through the wall of a second deflection gear housing 44, the interior of which, together with the interiors of the second insulator column 4, the third interrupter unit 7, and the fourth interrupter unit 8, forms, for example, a continuous gas-tight cavity, which can be filled, for example, with an insulating gas such as sulfur hexafluoride.

[0038] The first output deflection unit 45 translates a substantially vertical movement of the first switching rod 37 into mutually opposite substantially horizontal movements of the first output rod 31 and the second output rod 32, which are translated into mutually opposite horizontal movements of these switching elements 13 by their couplings to the movable switching elements 13 of the first interrupter unit 5 and the second interrupter unit 6.

[0039] Accordingly, the second output deflection unit 46 translates a substantially vertical movement of the second switching rod 38 into mutually opposite substantially horizontal movements of the third output rod 33 and the fourth output rod 34, which are translated into mutually opposite horizontal movements of these switching elements 13 by their couplings to the movable switching elements 13 of the third interrupter unit 7 and the fourth interrupter unit 8.

[0040] Each coupling rod 27, 28 is guided in its central region by a guide lever 36. This advantageously prevents or reduces buckling of the coupling rod 27, 28 under high compressive loads, which reduces the force transmission to the respective deflection gear 39, 40.

[0041] The two coupling rods 27, 28 are of equal length, the two switching rods 37, 38 are of equal length, and the output rods 31 to 34 are of equal length, so that the four kinematic chains are also at least approximately of equal length. This advantageously ensures that the movable switching elements 13 of all four interrupter units 5 to 8 are moved at least approximately simultaneously by the drive 21.

[0042] Figure 3 shows one to Figure 2analogous section of a second embodiment of a circuit breaker 1. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 only in the design of the drive lever 35. The drive lever 35 of this embodiment is designed as a three-armed lever, which has two mutually parallel lever arms, each connected to a coupling rod 27, 28, and a lever arm perpendicular thereto, which is connected to the drive rod 25. As a result, a substantially vertical movement of the drive rod 25 is translated into mutually oppositely directed substantially horizontal movements of the coupling rods 27, 28. Compared to the Figure 1 and 2 In the embodiment shown, the two coupling rods 27, 28 are thus both subjected to either compressive or tensile stress during a switching operation, while in the Figures 1 and 2In the illustrated embodiment, one of the coupling rods 27, 28 is subjected to compression and the other to tensile load during each switching operation. This more even loading of the two coupling rods 27, 28 enables a Figures 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment, a further improved synchronization of the movements of the switching elements 13 of the interrupter units 5 to 8.

[0043] Figure 4 shows one to Figure 2Analogous section of a third embodiment of a circuit breaker 1. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 3 essentially by two additional coupling rods 29, 30, each of which connects a deflection gear 39, 40 to the drive lever 35, so that the two mutually parallel lever arms of the drive lever 35 are each connected by a coupling rod 27 to 30 to each of the two deflection gears 39, 40. As a result, during each switching operation, one of the coupling rods 27 to 30 connecting the drive lever 35 to a deflection gear 39, 40 is subjected to a compressive load and the other coupling rod 27 to 30 connecting the drive lever 35 to this deflection gear 39, 40 is subjected to a tensile load.If a pressure-loaded coupling rod 27 to 30 buckles, the driving force can therefore be transmitted by a tensile-loaded coupling rod 27 to 30, so that guide levers (36) for the coupling rods 27 to 30 which prevent buckling can advantageously be omitted.

[0044] Figure 5 shows one to Figure 2 analog section of a fourth embodiment of a circuit breaker 1. This embodiment also differs from the one shown in the Figures 1 and 2illustrated embodiment merely by the design of the drive lever 35. The drive lever 35 of this embodiment is designed as a spreading lever, which has two lever arms, which can be moved towards and away from each other by vertical movements of the drive rod 25 and which are each connected to a coupling rod 27, 28. As a result, a substantially vertical movement of the drive rod 25 is translated into mutually oppositely directed substantially horizontal movements of the coupling rods 27, 28. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, compared to the Figure 1 and 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the two coupling rods 27, 28 are therefore both subjected to either pressure or tensile stress during a switching operation, which is a Figures 1 and 2illustrated embodiment enables improved synchronization of the movements of the switching elements 13 of the interrupter units 5 to 8.

[0045] In all the Figures 1 to 5In the embodiments shown, the insulator columns 3, 4 or sections of the insulator columns 3, 4 are each made, for example, from porcelain or designed as a double tube with an outer tube made of silicone and an inner tube made of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. Furthermore, the insulator columns 3, 4 have annular insulator shields on the outside to extend the creepage paths of externally flowing leakage currents. The insulating housings of the interrupter units 5 to 8 and the capacitor units 17 are also each made, for example, from porcelain or designed as a double tube with an outer tube made of silicone and an inner tube made of a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic and have annular insulator shields on the outside to extend the creepage paths of externally flowing leakage currents.

[0046] Each output deflection unit 45, 46 coupling a switching rod 37, 38 to two output rods 31 to 34 of the Figures 1 to 5 shown embodiments can also be designed, for example, as an output lever, which is analogous to the drive lever 35 of the Figures 3 or 5 shown embodiments and translates a substantially vertical movement of the switching rod 37, 38 into mutually opposite substantially horizontal movements of the output rods 31 to 34.

[0047] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Circuit breaker (1) having a plurality of interrupter units (5 to 8) which each have at least one movable switching element (13) for opening and closing a current path of the interrupter unit (5 to 8), wherein - the current paths of all the interrupter units (5 to 8) are connected electrically in series, - and the circuit breaker (1) has a drive (21) to which each movable switching element (13) is coupled by means of a kinematic chain for moving the switching element (13), wherein the kinematic chains are of equal length, characterized in that each kinematic chain has a switching rod (37, 38) which runs in a respectively associated insulator column (3, 4) on which at least one interrupter unit (5 to 8) is arranged, wherein the switching rods (37, 38) are at least approximately of equal length.

2. Circuit breaker (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a drive rod (25) which is driven directly by the drive (21) and is a transmission element of all the kinematic chains.

3. Circuit breaker (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each kinematic chain has at least one coupling rod (27 to 30) which is coupled to the drive rod (25) by means of a drive lever (35), wherein the coupling rods (27 to 30) are of equal length.

4. Circuit breaker (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that each coupling rod (27 to 30) is guided in its central region by a guide lever (36).

5. Circuit breaker (1) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that two coupling rods (27 to 30) of kinematic chains which are different from one another are moved in opposite directions by means of the drive lever (35) .

6. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each kinematic chain has two coupling rods (27 to 30) which are coupled to the drive rod (25) by means of the drive lever (35) and are moved in opposite directions by means of the drive lever (35).

7. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized by a supporting frame (9) which has a carrier (10) which is embodied as a hollow body and within which the coupling rods (27 to 30) and the drive lever (35) are arranged and on which the drive (21) is arranged, wherein the drive lever (35) and the drive (21) are arranged in a central region of the carrier (10), and each coupling rod (27 to 30) runs from the central region of the carrier (10) to an end region of the carrier (10).

8. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that each coupling rod (27 to 30) of a kinematic chain is coupled to the switching rod (37, 38) of the kinematic chain by means of an angle gear (39, 40).

9. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that each insulator column (3, 4) is arranged on the carrier (10).

10. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that two interrupter units (5 to 8) are arranged on each insulator column (3, 4) and protrude from the insulator column (3, 4) on sides lying opposite one another.

11. Circuit breaker (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the movable switching elements (13) of the two interrupter units (5 to 8) which are arranged on an insulator column (3, 4) are coupled to a switching rod (37, 38) which runs in the insulator column (3, 4).

12. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that each movable switching element (13) is coupled to a switching rod (37, 38) by means of an output deflector unit (45, 46) and an output rod (31 to 34), wherein the output rods (31 to 34) are at least approximately of equal length.

13. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by four interrupter units (5 to 8).

14. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (21) is a spring energy-store drive or a motor drive.