Vacuum switching tube and arrangement with vacuum switching tubes as well as method for controlling vacuum switching tubes

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vacuum switching tube for switching voltages, comprising at least one casing and at least one fixed contact as well as at least one movable contact. The invention further comprises an arrangement with the vacuum switching tubes described above and a method for controlling vacuum switching tubes.

[0002] Vacuum switching tubes or vacuum switches, which comprise arrangements of vacuum switching tubes, are circuit breakers in which switching contacts movable relative to each other are arranged in at least one vacuum switching chamber. Vacuum switching tubes are known, for example, from WO 02 / 097839 A1, JP S54163773 U and DE 10 2019 215309 A1. WO 2020 / 025407 A1 discloses a vacuum switching tube that corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] In high-voltage engineering, such vacuum switching tubes are used for switching voltages in the high-voltage range, particularly greater than or equal to 52 kV, and / or for switching large currents in the range of up to several tens of kiloamperes. Vacuum switching tubes, especially those comprised of switching arrangements, require little maintenance, are durable, and are driven simply and reliably, particularly by spring-loaded actuators. For high voltage requirements, arrangements with several vacuum switching tubes are used, for example, whose switching sections are electrically connected in series, as is known, for example, from DE 10 2013 208 419 A1. Alternatively, vacuum switching tubes with multiple switching sections are used, particularly within a single vacuum switching tube.

[0004] In the case of multiple vacuum tubes, when the switching paths of the vacuum tubes are open, a voltage distribution adapted to the vacuum tubes is sought, i.e., control, to prevent overloading of individual vacuum tubes. In the case of vacuum tubes with multiple switching paths, particularly within a single vacuum tube, a voltage distribution adapted to the switching paths is sought to prevent overloading. For example, with several identical vacuum tubes or switching paths connected in series, the aim is to achieve the most uniform possible voltage distribution across the vacuum tubes or switching paths. For example, when using a vacuum tube with one switching path...The aim was also to achieve the most even possible voltage distribution across the vacuum switching tube and across the switching path.

[0005] To achieve a desired voltage distribution across the vacuum switching tubes or switching sections, passive electrical components such as a control resistor are connected in parallel with a vacuum switching tube. However, these components increase the installation space required for a vacuum switch with a single vacuum switching tube or for an arrangement with multiple vacuum switching tubes. Particularly in a vacuum switch using purified and dehumidified compressed air (i.e., clean air as the insulating gas surrounding the vacuum switching tube), relatively large insulation distances are necessary between a vacuum switching tube and a passive electrical component, as well as between a passive electrical component and a switch housing (especially a metallic one) of the arrangement of one or more vacuum switching tubes. This is because compressed air has a relatively low dielectric strength compared to other insulating gases, such as sulfur hexafluoride.To achieve sufficient isolation between vacuum tubes and circuits with passive components, it is possible, for example, to arrange the vacuum tubes and interconnected passive components in separate housings. However, these arrangements are associated with high space requirements and costs.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of enabling voltage control on a vacuum switching tube and / or an arrangement with several vacuum switching tubes in a small space requirement, and / or of providing a method for controlling vacuum switching tubes in a small space requirement.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by a vacuum switching tube for switching voltages with the features of claim 1, an arrangement with vacuum switching tubes as described above according to claim 9, and a method for controlling vacuum switching tubes as described above according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the vacuum switching tube for switching voltages according to the invention and / or the arrangement with vacuum switching tubes as described above are specified in the dependent claims. The features of the main claim and the features of the dependent claims can be combined with each other.

[0008] A vacuum switching tube according to the invention for switching voltages comprises at least one casing and at least one fixed contact as well as at least one movable contact. According to the invention, at least one control element is included which is arranged directly on the at least one vacuum switching tube.

[0009] In the following, control elements are defined as being arranged directly on the at least one vacuum switching tube, in direct contact with the vacuum switching tube, or only a few millimeters away from it. In particular, the control elements are not arranged in a common housing separate from the housing of the vacuum switching tube. Arranging the control elements directly on the at least one vacuum switching tube allows for a compact, space-saving arrangement of the control elements and the at least one vacuum switching tube, especially in a common housing, which is, for example, filled with clean air, thus reducing the risk of electrical flashovers. A compact design allows for material savings, particularly a small housing size, enables the use of alternative switching gases such as clean air in compact arrangements, reduces costs, and facilitates simple, environmentally friendly use of the vacuum switching tubes.

[0010] The vacuum switching tube can comprise a casing, in particular with at least one main screen and at least two ceramic segments, wherein the at least one main screen can be arranged between the at least two ceramic segments. The at least one control element can be arranged directly on the casing of the vacuum switching tube, in particular directly on at least one ceramic segment of the casing. Arranging the at least one control element directly on the casing of the vacuum switching tube, in particular directly on at least one ceramic segment of the casing, enables a space-saving design with the advantages described above, and increased electrical breakdown strength due to the electrically insulating properties of the ceramic segments.

[0011] The at least one control element can comprise at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor, and / or at least one control element can be at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor, and / or all control elements can consist of capacitors and / or resistors. Capacitors and resistors are suitable for controlling voltages across vacuum switching tubes or for controlling or selectively influencing a voltage drop, particularly across elements of the vacuum switching tube, such as open-state switching contacts, main screens, and / or ceramic segments. In particular, capacitors, resistors, or a combination of capacitors and resistors are suitable for generating a predetermined, desired voltage distribution or a predetermined, desired potential drop along vacuum switching tubes. Capacitors and resistors are cost-effective, compact, and easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0012] At least two control elements can be included, in particular three or more control elements, which are arranged circularly or concentrically around the circumference of the at least one vacuum switching tube. Such an arrangement enables a uniform field distribution and control around the circumference of a vacuum switching tube, a space-saving division of a necessary capacitance and / or ohmic resistance into discrete, space-saving units.

[0013] A shielding ring can be included, in particular in an annular and / or circular form, which can be arranged directly on the casing of the vacuum switching tube and / or which can enclose the circumference of the vacuum switching tube. Such shielding rings enable good shielding of the vacuum switching tube's electric fields to the outside and a homogenization of the field distribution of electric and / or magnetic fields around the vacuum switching tube. The shielding rings can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to shields or vapor shields inside the vacuum switching tube.

[0014] It comprises several shielding rings, each arranged around the circumference of a ceramic segment, spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction of the vacuum switching tube. With multiple shielding rings, the advantages described above can be easily achieved around the entire vacuum switching tube.

[0015] The at least one control element can be electrically and / or spatially arranged between the at least one fixed contact and the at least one movable contact. Electrical contacting of the control elements can be achieved via the contacts, shield rings, and / or the main shield. The at least one control element is arranged between two shield rings. Arranging the control elements directly on the circumference of the vacuum switching tube, between the contacts, shield rings, and / or main shield, allows for a space-saving, compact arrangement, simple electrical contacting, uniform field distribution with a uniform arrangement around the circumference of the vacuum switching tube, and, in particular, a uniform, discrete distribution of the capacitances and / or ohmic resistances between the contacts, shield rings, and / or main shield.This allows for a discrete distribution of the capacitances and / or ohmic resistances along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum switching tube, and a targeted or defined control or voltage distribution along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum switching tube.

[0016] The at least one control element and / or the control elements can have a total capacitance in the range of 10 to 4000 pF, particularly in the range of 500 to 4000 pF. These values ​​enable targeted or defined control or voltage division along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum interrupter, with a total value particularly suitable for control at high voltages in the range of 52 kV or greater. The vacuum interrupter can be configured to switch voltages in the high-voltage range, particularly in the range of 52 kV or greater.

[0017] An arrangement according to the invention with the vacuum switching tubes described above comprises at least two, and in particular more than two, vacuum switching tubes, which can be electrically connected in series. Switching high voltage levels, especially high voltages in the range of 52 kV or greater, can thus be achieved with cost-effective, easily manufactured vacuum switching tubes. Control as described above, with control elements along the circumference and / or longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tubes, enables voltage distribution across the vacuum switching tubes and targeted control of the individual vacuum switching tubes connected in series. This allows the advantages described above to be achieved, particularly with a space-saving, compact design or arrangement.

[0018] A metal tank and / or insulator housing can be included in the arrangement according to the invention, in which the vacuum switching tube(s) can be arranged, in particular with the metal tank and / or insulator housing filled with clean air as insulating gas. The compact arrangement of the control elements along the circumference and / or longitudinal axis directly on the vacuum switching tube enables a compact metal tank and / or insulator housing with low material and cost expenditure, reduces the risk of electrical flashovers, reduces the insulating gas volume, and / or enables the use of climate-friendly or climate-neutral insulating gases such as clean air in compact, e.g., cost-effectively available standard housings.

[0019] An inventive method for controlling vacuum switching tubes, in particular vacuum switching tubes and / or arrangements with vacuum switching tubes described above, comprises electrical control by means of control elements, in particular by means of capacitors and / or resistors which are arranged directly on vacuum switching tubes.

[0020] The advantages of the inventive method for controlling vacuum switching tubes, in particular vacuum switching tubes and / or arrangements with vacuum switching tubes described above, according to claim 12, and the advantages of the arrangement with vacuum switching tubes described above according to claim 10, are analogous to the advantages of the vacuum switching tube according to the invention for switching voltages according to claim 1 and vice versa.

[0021] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated in the figures and subsequently described in more detail.

[0022] The following show Figure 1 schematically shows a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention for switching voltages in an oblique side view, with control elements 8 arranged directly on a shell 2 of the vacuum switching tube, and Figure 2 shows an arrangement 11 according to the invention of two vacuum switching tubes 1 connected in series. Figure 1 , which are enclosed by a housing 9, which is filled, for example, with clean air as insulating gas 10.

[0023] In Figure 1Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention for switching voltages, in particular high voltages in the range greater than or equal to 52 kV, in an oblique view from one side. The vacuum switching tube 1 has a casing 2 which includes, among other things, a central main screen 5 and a ceramic segment 6 that is flush with the right and left sides. The main screen 5 and the ceramic segments 6 are hollow cylindrical or tubular and are each fluid-tightly sealed at the ends of the vacuum switching tube 1. The vacuum switching tube 1 is evacuated, i.e., a vacuum prevails inside. Contacts 3 and 4 project from the ends of the vacuum switching tube 1 into the casing 2 of the vacuum switching tube 1, e.g., a fixed contact 3 from one side or base of the cylinder and a movable contact 4 from the other side or top of the cylinder, i.e., the vacuum switching tube 1.

[0024] The main screen 5 is, for example, made of a metal, in particular stainless steel, and includes, for example, vapor screens inside, which are not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.

[0025] The hollow cylindrical ceramic segments are made, for example, of sintered ceramic and are surface-treated. Contacts 3 and 4 are made, for example, of copper and are particularly bolt-shaped, with particularly slotted, disc-shaped ends inside the vacuum switching tube 1. The fixed contact 3 is fluid-tightly connected to a lid-shaped closure on one end of the vacuum switching tube 1, the closure being made, for example, of a metal, particularly copper or steel. The movable contact 4 is fluid-tightly connected to a lid-shaped closure on the other end of the vacuum switching tube 1, for example, by being movably mounted via a bellows, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity, the closure being made, for example, of a metal, particularly copper or steel.

[0026] The vacuum switching tube 1 can be electrically contacted via the externally projecting bolts of the fixed contact 3 and the movable contact 4. The movable contact 4 enables electrical switching by moving towards the fixed contact 3, i.e., closing a gap between the disc-shaped contact ends of contacts 3 and 4 when switching on, and by moving away from the fixed contact 3, i.e., creating a gap between the disc-shaped contact ends of contacts 3 and 4 when switching off. The gap created between the contact ends of contacts 3 and 4, as well as the contact ends themselves, are located in the evacuated interior of the vacuum switching tube 1, so that a gap in the range of millimeters to centimeters is sufficient for switching off, in particular, high voltages. The vacuum switching tube 1 has, for example, a length in the range of, in particular, 30 to 100 centimeters, and a circumference in the range of, in particular, 10 to 100 centimeters.

[0027] According to the invention, control elements 8 are arranged around the circumference of the vacuum switching tube 1 directly on a shell 2 of the vacuum switching tube. Control elements 8 are, for example, capacitors and / or resistors. Capacitors are, in particular, ceramic capacitors, e.g., with individual capacitance values ​​in the range of 10 to 4000 pF. This results in a total capacitance of the arrangement in the range of, for example, 10 to 4000 pF. Resistors are, in particular, ohmic resistors, e.g., with individual resistance values ​​in the range of a few ohms up to several hundred ohms, or several thousand ohms, or several hundred thousand ohms. This results in a total resistance in the range of a few ohms up to several hundred ohms, or several thousand ohms, or several hundred thousand ohms.

[0028] The control elements 8 have, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, and / or elliptical shape. The control elements 8 are arranged around the circumference of the casing 2 of the vacuum switching tube 1, for example, in a circular pattern along the cross-section of the circumference, wherein the control elements are connected in parallel to one another, particularly at regular and / or equal intervals, and / or along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tube 1, electrically connected in series. Electrical contact between adjacent control elements 8 connected in series is effected, for example, via shielding rings 7, which are each arranged or formed in a circular or ring shape along the cross-section of the circumference of the vacuum switching tube 1, spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tube 1.

[0029] As in the Figure 1As shown, the control elements 8 are arranged, for example, along the circumference of the casing 2 of the vacuum switching tube 1, electrically and spatially spaced apart, on circular cross-sections of the circumference of the vacuum switching tube 1, along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tube 1 between adjacent shielding rings 7, and in particular symmetrically. The shielding rings 7 and the main shield 5 serve to provide good electrical contact between the control elements 8 and between or with the contacts 5 and 6, for example, via the lid-shaped closures at the ends of the vacuum switching tube 1, and in particular via the bellows in the case of the movable contact 4.

[0030] Shielding rings 7 are, for example, made of a metal, in particular copper and / or steel, and can subdivide ceramic segments 6, in particular by means of vapor shields, which project into the vacuum switching tube 1. The elements of the vacuum switching tube 1, such as ceramic segments 6, the main shield 5, shielding rings 7, lid-shaped closures, and / or control elements 8, are connected, for example, by soldering and / or conductive bonding. An arrangement of the control elements 8 directly on the vacuum switching tube 1 or the casing 2 of the vacuum switching tube 1 comprises a material-bonded mechanical contact with the casing 2 and / or a small distance in the range of millimeters to one centimeter, wherein the direct contact with the casing is effected, for example, via the shielding rings 7, the main shield 5, and / or the lid-shaped closures.

[0031] Control elements 8 between different shield rings 7 are arranged, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tube 1 on lines parallel to the longitudinal axis, in particular straight or curved lines, or are arranged offset from one another. The arrangement of the control elements 8 on the circumference of the vacuum switching tube results, for example, in regular or irregular patterns. A direct arrangement of the control elements 8 on the circumference of the vacuum switching tube 1 or its casing 2 is space-saving, with a minimized cross-section of the arrangement.

[0032] In Figure 2 are two vacuum switching tubes 1 according to the invention Figure 1The vacuum switching tubes 1 are shown arranged in a series, one behind the other, according to an arrangement 11 of vacuum switching tubes 1 according to the invention. The vacuum switching tubes 1 are arranged in a housing 9 or are spatially enclosed by the housing 9. The housing 9 is, for example, a gas-tight sealed metal tank and / or a gas-tight sealed insulator housing. Metal tank housings are, for example, made of steel and / or aluminum, particularly at earth potential in the manner of a dead tank. Insulator housings are, for example, made of ceramic, silicone, and / or composite materials, particularly with a ribbed outer surface to extend tracking paths. The housing 9 is, for example, filled with clean air as an insulating gas 10, which is climate-neutral. Alternatively, insulating gases 10 such as SF6 and / or CO2 can be used.

[0033] The vacuum switching tubes 1 are, as in the Figure 2The vacuum switching tubes 1 are shown connected to each other via the fixed contacts 3, in particular directly connected. Alternatively, the vacuum switching tubes 1 can be connected to each other via the movable contacts 4, in particular electrically and mechanically, or a connection is made via a movable 4 and a fixed 3 contact piece. One or more drives, e.g., a motor and / or spring-loaded drive, are provided, for example, to drive the movable contacts 4 during electrical switching, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. For example, one drive is provided for each movable contact 4, or a common drive is included, in particular with a gearbox for mechanically driving the movable contacts 4.

[0034] The embodiments described above can be combined with one another and / or with the prior art. For example, more than two vacuum switching tubes 1 can be interconnected, in particular in series and / or parallel. The control elements 8 can have different shapes, in particular circular cylindrical shapes, cylindrical shapes with elliptical base and top surfaces, rectangular shapes, square shapes, and / or shapes with convex and / or concave surfaces. The control elements 8 are attached to the vacuum switching tube 1, for example, by soldering, in particular to metal parts such as copper parts, by screws, by gluing, by clamping, and / or by welding. The control elements 8 are arranged, for example, directly and force-fitted to the casing 2, in particular to ceramic segments 6, and are in particular electrically insulated from the ceramic segment by an insulating varnish and / or a surface treatment, and / or, for example, by...The control elements 8 are attached, for example, directly to the casing 2, in particular to ceramic segments 6, at a small distance from the ceramic segments 6, between the shielding rings 7, e.g., screwed, clamped, soldered, glued and / or welded, and / or, for example, via spring connections. A small distance is, for example, in the range of a few millimeters up to one centimeter.

[0035] The control elements 8 are arranged, for example, on the casing 2 of the vacuum switching tube 1 or vacuum switching tubes 1 as discrete components, in particular spaced apart from one another. They are arranged, for example, in a ring-like configuration, each ring along a circular cross-section of the vacuum switching tube 1, with different rings along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum switching tube 1. Adjacent control elements 8 in different rings are arranged, for example, on straight lines or offset from one another. Alternatively or additionally, the control elements 8 can be arranged, for example, on a helix or spiral. Further arrangements and / or combinations of arrangements are also possible.

[0036] With the vacuum switching tube 1 described above and the arrangement of vacuum switching tubes 1 according to the invention in series, in particular connected in series, it is possible to control voltages across the vacuum switching tubes 1 via the control elements 8. Voltages can be distributed evenly or differently, predetermined, to the vacuum switching tubes 1 and / or elements of the vacuum switching tubes 1, such as ceramic segments 6 of different lengths, by selecting the control elements 8 and their connection. The direct arrangement of the control elements 8 on the vacuum switching tube 1 or the vacuum switching tubes 1 enables a compact, space-saving design, which allows for a cost-effective, spatially minimized housing 9, and in particular enables the use of insulating gases, such as clean air, with small or minimized and / or standard dimensions of housings 9. Reference symbol:

[0037] 1 Vacuum switching tube 2 Casing 3 Fixed contact 4 Moving contact 5 Main shield 6 Ceramic segment 7 Shield ring 8 Control element 9 Housing 10 Insulating gas 11 Arrangement with vacuum switching tubes

Claims

1. A vacuum interrupter (1) for switching voltages, having at least one sleeve (2) with ceramic segments (6), and at least one fixed contact (3) and at least one movable contact (4), wherein at least one control element (8) is comprised, which is arranged directly on the at least one vacuum interrupter (1), characterized in that multiple shielding rings (7) are comprised, each arranged in particular on the circumference of each ceramic segment (6), spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the vacuum interrupter (1), and wherein the at least one control element (8) is arranged between two shielding rings (7).

2. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the vacuum interrupter (1) comprises a sleeve (2) having in particular at least one main shield (5) and at least two ceramic segments (6), wherein the at least one main shield (5) is arranged between the at least two ceramic segments (6), and that the at least one control element (8) is arranged directly on the sleeve (2) of the vacuum interrupter (1), in particular directly on at least one ceramic segment (6) of the sleeve (2).

3. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control element (8) comprises at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor, and / or the at least one control element is at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor, and / or that all control elements consist of capacitors and / or resistors.

4. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two control elements (8) are comprised, in particular three or more control elements (8), which are arranged circularly on the circumference of the at least one vacuum interrupter (1).

5. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one shielding ring (7) is comprised, configured in an annular and / or circular shape, which is arranged in particular directly on the sleeve (2) of the vacuum interrupter (1), and / or which encloses the circumference of the vacuum interrupter (1).

6. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control element (8) is arranged electrically and / or spatially between the at least one fixed contact (3) and the at least one movable contact (4).

7. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control element (8) and / or the control elements (8) have a total capacity in the range of 10 to 4000 pF, in particular in the range of 500 to 4000 pF.

8. The vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vacuum interrupter (1) is configured to switch voltages in the high voltage range, in particular in the range greater than or equal to 52 kV.

9. An assembly with vacuum interrupters (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two, in particular more than two, vacuum interrupters (1) are electrically connected in series.

10. The assembly (11) according to claim 9, characterised in that a metal tank and / or insulator housing (9) is comprised, in which the vacuum interrupters (1) are arranged, particularly filled with clean air as an insulating gas (10).

11. A method for controlling vacuum interrupters (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or assemblies with vacuum interrupters (11) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterised in that electrically controlling is performed by means of control elements (8), in particular by means of capacitors and / or resistors which are arranged directly on vacuum interrupters (1).