Disconnection for high-voltage circuits

Abstract

Examples of embodiments include a high-voltage circuit connection and disconnection device comprising a first main terminal and a second main terminal, a first intermediate terminal connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance, a first arc-stopping chamber disposed between the first intermediate terminal and the first main terminal, a second intermediate terminal connected to the first intermediate terminal by a second impedance, the first intermediate terminal being connected in series between the first main terminal and the second intermediate terminal, a second arc-stopping chamber disposed between the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal, and a movable armature allowing connection, in the disconnection direction, firstly to the second main terminal and then, successively, to the first main terminal and the first intermediate terminal.and the second intermediate marker.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE

[0001] This presentation relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting an electrical circuit, for example direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) in high voltage (HV).

[0002] This switching device may in certain cases be capable of establishing, carrying and interrupting currents under normal operating conditions, under overload conditions, as well as of allowing, in the closed (or connected) position, for a specified time, the passage of currents under specified abnormal conditions, such as short-circuit conditions. This switching device may, in certain cases, be capable of establishing short-circuit currents without being capable of breaking them.

[0003] In this document, the term "high voltage" should be understood as covering the areas of Medium Voltage (MV) and High Voltage A (HVA), i.e. voltages above 1kV in alternating current and above 1.5kV in direct current, up to 50kV in alternating current and 75kV in direct current. TECHNIQUE ANTÉRIEURE

[0004] The concept of a device for connecting and disconnecting currents under load as described in the technical field is known in the field of medium and high voltage alternating current. Such a device can be defined as a switch.

[0005] There are several types of alternating current switches which can be classified according to the type of movement of a moving contact, or moving armature, such movement being for example rotary or linear, being according to a type of dielectric used (gas, air or oil for example) or even being according to an arc extinction principle (for example by pistoning, magnetic, by arc extension, or by combinations between these).

[0006] All these systems share a zero crossing of the alternating current to be interrupted, at a time defined by the frequency of this alternating current (for example, zero crossing every 10 ms for a frequency of 50 Hz). This zero crossing of the current is used by the switches to prevent electrons from traveling between a moving contact and a fixed contact at the time of interruption, and therefore to allow the current to be extinguished.

[0007] However, these devices known for interrupting alternating currents do not work for interrupting direct currents, especially at equivalent voltage levels.

[0008] This presentation therefore aims to propose an effective system for forcing currents to zero during a circuit opening operation, in particular high voltage direct current circuits.

[0009] The state of the art regarding different systems for limiting current and forcing it to zero varies depending on the voltage and current level to be interrupted. In some examples, low-voltage circuit breakers are equipped with arc chutes to increase an arc voltage drop and thus push currents to zero, once the arc voltage exceeds the voltage of such a circuit breaker and any potential overvoltages.

[0010] Documents CN1040810C, EP2600372A1 and EP0517618A1 describe the current load cut-off but do not take into account the possible existence of an electric arc during a transition between different resistance modules, or only consider it having a low value not taking into account a high voltage.

[0011] Document US9786454A1 deals with the extinction of electric arcs between different modules, without however obtaining a final extinction of current, which is transferred to an electronic module or to a surge arrester.

[0012] Documents KR20180063701A1 and WO2006100192A1 describe various modules for interrupting current, combined with power electronics requiring auxiliary connection and disconnection elements or electronic control devices to connect and disconnect the various modules. Document EP2450926A1 describes a connection / disconnection device with two main terminals and two intermediate terminals connected in series with impedances.

[0013] The objective of this presentation is to propose a simple, economical connection and disconnection device, offering a satisfactory level of safety for a user. Such a device can be based on mechanical connection and disconnection elements, without requiring the intervention of an auxiliary element or control electronics. Such a device should allow a transfer of current between the different elements, and a final extinction of current allowing the separation of the moving contact - or moving armature - from the fixed contact, while avoiding a transfer of current beyond the device itself. RÉSUMÉ

[0014] The purpose of this disclosure is achieved by the appended independent claims. Other features and advantages arising from the concepts disclosed herein are set forth in the following description. They will be apparent in part from the description or may be acquired by practicing the disclosed technologies. The features and advantages of these concepts may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosed technologies will be more fully apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be inferred from practicing the concepts disclosed herein.

[0015] The present disclosure describes a device for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage circuit according to claim 1.

[0016] Such a device allows a progressive diffusion of the energy transported by the current on the one hand by means of the impedances, on the other hand by means of the breaking chambers. The progressiveness is ensured by the plurality and succession of intermediate terminals, impedances and breaking chambers in the configuration described.

[0017] In some cases, the second main terminal comprises a sliding contact. More generally, one or more terminals of the devices described in this disclosure may indeed comprise a sliding contact. This makes it possible, for example, to facilitate the movement of the armature while maintaining electrical contact between the armature and the second main terminal during the movement.

[0018] In some cases, the movable armature is movable in translation. This can facilitate the nature of the movement to be carried out in order to obtain the disconnection, or allow the shape of the device to be adapted in order to integrate it into a specific installation.

[0019] In some cases, the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal and second intermediate terminal are arranged on the same straight line. This can facilitate the construction of the device and provide a particularly reliable structure.

[0020] In some cases, the movable armature is rotatable. This can allow for a particularly compact device, and an ergonomic manual mode of operation, or a simplified automated mode of operation.

[0021] In some cases, the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal and second intermediate terminal are arranged on the same arc of a circle. This can facilitate the construction of the device and make it possible to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the different elements of the device, reducing the risk that one of these terminals is more likely than another to be subjected to an electric arc between them and the second main terminal.

[0022] In some cases, the device comprises a third intermediate terminal connected to the second main terminal by a third impedance, a third electric arc breaking chamber arranged between the third intermediate terminal and the second main terminal, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the disconnection direction, on the one hand, and successively, the second main terminal and the third intermediate terminal and, on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, and the second intermediate terminal, the armature being moved beyond the third intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position.Such a configuration makes it possible to distribute the diffusion of the energy transported by the current to be interrupted both in a branch of the device comprising the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal, as in another branch of the device comprising the third intermediate terminal and the second main terminal.

[0023] In some cases, the device includes one or more additional intermediate terminals, and one or more additional arc-breaking chambers. Such terminals or intermediate breaking chambers allow additional distribution leading to a more gradual deduction of the current to be interrupted.

[0024] In certain cases, the device has a symmetrical structure, the first main terminal and the second main terminal being connected to the same number of respective intermediate terminals, the armature being, in the disconnected position, separated from the first and second main terminals by the same number of electric arc breaking chambers. This makes it possible to obtain a particularly balanced distribution of the progressive absorption of the energy carried by the current to be interrupted, and to facilitate and possibly standardize the manufacture of the device.

[0025] In some cases, each arc breaker chamber comprises a plurality of metal blades separated from each other by a determined distance. This makes it possible to obtain a particularly compact arc breaker chamber structure.

[0026] In some cases, each arc breaking chamber arranged between two specific terminals is sized in relation to the impedance connecting the same specific terminals, the sizing of each arc breaking chamber makes it possible to create an arc impedance or arc voltage, sufficiently high so that the current is switched into the impedance placed in parallel and the electric arc is extinguished in the breaking chamber within a determined time threshold. Such a relationship between the sizing of the impedances and the breaking chambers makes it possible to distribute the absorption of the energy transmitted by the current between these different components.

[0027] The present disclosure also describes an arrangement for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage circuit comprising a plurality of devices according to the present disclosure connected in series. This makes it possible to distribute the absorption of the energy transmitted by the current to be interrupted between these different devices.

[0028] This disclosure also describes a method of disconnecting a high voltage circuit comprising continuously moving an armature of a device according to this disclosure from the connection position to the disconnection position. The use of continuous movement avoids discontinuities in the movement, abrupt changes in direction or jerks. In some cases, the movement is linear. In some cases, the movement is rotational. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINS

[0029] Figures 1A-D are a representation of a first example of a device. Figures 2A-D are a representation of a second example device. Figures 3A-B are representations of third examples based on the first and second examples, respectively. Figure 4 is a representation of a fourth example device. Figure 5 is a representation of a fifth example device. Figure 6 is a representation of a sixth example device. Figure 7 is a representation of a seventh example device. Figure 8 is a representation of an exemplary connection and disconnection arrangement of a high voltage circuit comprising a plurality of devices. DESCRIPTION DES MODES DE REALISATION

[0030] This presentation concerns a device for connecting and disconnecting a high-voltage circuit. A high-voltage circuit should be understood as a circuit operating at a voltage above 1 kV in alternating current and above 1.5 kV in direct current, up to 50 kV in alternating current and 75 kV in direct current. The device is, however, particularly suitable for DC circuits, due to the difficulty of interrupting currents that do not pass through zero in such circuits.

[0031] A device or switch according to this disclosure may, for example, be integrated into a high-voltage alternating current or medium-voltage electrical distribution system in a loop configuration. In this type of distribution, a distribution loop connection to two different substations (or to two different feeders of the same substation) may be found, among load switches, for the configuration and operation of a network. In this type of electrical distribution, the network may be reinforced or meshed through switches connected to different branches of the distribution loop or to another substation feeder. In some examples, these switches or devices may be used for other types of distribution, such as radial distribution, for example for distribution in rural areas with low population density.

[0032] For direct current electrical distribution and in particular near consumption and / or generation points, an electrical distribution mode similar to the alternating current distribution mode may be provided, comprising one or more devices according to this disclosure.

[0033] The device comprises a first main terminal and a second main terminal for connecting the device to the high voltage circuit. Each of these main terminals may be a connection point or a contact for connecting the device to the network. The various terminals according to this disclosure may be placed on an insulating support, in particular a support offering a certain resistance to electric arc or possibly having arc extinguishing properties.

[0034] The device comprises a first intermediate terminal. The first intermediate terminal, like the main terminals and the other intermediate terminals introduced below, are capable of establishing an electrical connection by contact with a movable armature or movable contact, the device therefore forming a multi-contact or multi-terminal structure arranged to be connected to the movable armature of the same device.

[0035] The first intermediate terminal is connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance. This connection is electrical in nature. An impedance in this disclosure should be understood as a component opposing the passage of a current of fixed or variable value, this component being able to have a resistive, capacitive or inductive behavior, or a combination of such behaviors. In some examples, the impedance has a mainly resistive behavior with values ​​ranging for example from a few milliohms to a few megohms. In some cases, the impedance is a set of inductances and / or capacitances and / or active resistances, for example controlled by a load circuit comprising a processor or microprocessor, and / or managed by a dedicated electronic circuit.In some cases, the impedance is composed of passive elements comprising a selection of R, L and / or C type components, making it possible to avoid the use of an active charging and / or discharging circuit. In a specific example, a current taking a value of the order of 10kV / 400A is cut by a device comprising a total of 5 successive impedances, 5 successive intermediate terminals, and 6 successive arc chutes including a last arc chute, the 5 impedances respectively taking the following values ​​in the disconnection direction: 1; 5; 15; 40 and 150 ohms. The number of impedances, intermediate terminals and arc chutes can be adapted to the device and the current considered. In some examples, the value of the impedances increases in the disconnection direction in order to accelerate said disconnection during the progressive interruption of the current.In some examples, a first impedance in the disconnection direction has a value of less than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or even less than 1% than a value of a last impedance in the disconnection direction.

[0036] The device comprises a first electric arc breaking chamber disposed between the first intermediate terminal and the first main terminal. The positioning of an electric arc breaking chamber between two terminals is a positioning of the chamber in a space separating two adjacent terminals. In some examples, such adjacent terminals are separated by a space having a thickness of at least 5 cm, at least 10 cm or at least 15 cm. In some examples, an arc breaking chamber (implied, electric arc breaking chamber) has a thickness in a direction separating the terminals concerned of at least 4 cm, at least 9 cm or at least 14 cm.

[0037] An electric arc breaking chamber may comprise metal separating plates, or blades, stacked, for example in parallel, at a distance from each other, which make it possible to split an electric arc and absorb part of its energy, thus contributing to its extinction. These separating plates may be held in place by means of walls, for example perpendicular to the blades, also called cheeks or flanges, which delimit lateral edges of the breaking chamber. These walls may be made of plastic material (thermoplastic or thermosetting). In certain cases, an arc breaking chamber according to this disclosure may comprise or be combined with one or more insulating parts comprising an insulating material which, in the presence of an electric arc, releases molecules which participate in extinction and promote the transfer of the arc.

[0038] The arrangement of the arc chute between the terminals allows the extinction of an electric arc appearing between these same terminals.

[0039] In some cases, each electric arc cutting chamber comprises a plurality of metal blades separated from each other by a determined distance.

[0040] The device comprises a second intermediate terminal connected to the first intermediate terminal by a second impedance, the first intermediate terminal being connected in series between the first main terminal and the second intermediate terminal, as well as a second electric arc breaking chamber arranged between the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal. This configuration allows a progressive absorption of the energy of the current to be interrupted, in a first place by passing from the first main terminal to the first intermediate terminal, the first impedance and the first breaking chamber absorbing and diffusing a first quantity of energy, a second quantity of energy being absorbed by the second impedance and the second breaking chamber when passing from the first to the second intermediate terminal.The first and second impedances may have different values ​​or characteristics, or the same value and characteristics. The first and second arc breaking chambers may have different characteristics, or the same characteristics.

[0041] In some cases, each electric arc breaking chamber arranged between two specific terminals is sized in relation to the impedance connecting the same specific terminals, the sizing of each electric arc breaking chamber on the one hand contributes to the increase of the arc impedance or arc voltage and on the other hand makes it possible to switch the current from the breaking chamber to the impedance arranged in parallel to said breaking chamber.

[0042] After having traversed the whole of a device according to this disclosure, and when the moving armature contact is offset beyond a last terminal, in certain cases a low and limited direct current arc can be interrupted by a last breaking chamber located beyond such a last terminal (such as terminals 112, 212, 312 or 361 described below), allowing the moving armature to move away, in the disconnection direction, from this last terminal (last in the disconnection direction) and that an insulation distance can allow a recovery voltage to be maintained, producing a physical separation of two branches of the switch, or device according to this disclosure, while maintaining an effective break. Such a structure is illustrated for example in the Figures 3A et 3B which will be presented below.

[0043] The device comprises a movable armature. A movable armature is a conductive element for establishing, by contact, or removing, by absence of contact, a connection between two terminals. The movable armature, or movable contact, may in certain cases comprise two parallel conductive blades equipped with contact springs to be able to sequentially connect and disconnect different terminals between the two blades. In other cases, the movable armature may comprise a cylindrical piston allowing the connection and disconnection of terminals arranged for example in a cylindrical manner around said piston.

[0044] The movable armature is movable between a connection position and a disconnection position in a direction of disconnection of the high voltage circuit, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the disconnection direction, on the one hand the second main terminal and on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, and the second intermediate terminal, the armature being in contact with the first and second main terminals in the connection position, the armature being moved beyond the second intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position. The connection of two terminals by the movable armature may be direct, the connected terminals being simultaneously in contact with the movable armature, or may be indirect, the connection passing indirectly through another terminal or another component passing from the circuit.The movement of the movable armature is a determined and controlled movement, for example by means of a joint or a mechanical guidance system. The movement takes place, between a connection position and a disconnection position, in a disconnection direction. This disconnection direction is a determined direction following a straight line or a curve in a determined direction. In certain cases, this disconnection direction is a direction following a single direction in order to facilitate the disconnection operation. In certain cases, the device is reversible, the movable armature being movable between a disconnection position and a connection position in a connection direction of the high-voltage circuit, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the connection direction, on the one hand the second main terminal and on the other hand, and successively, the second intermediate terminal, the first intermediate terminal, and the first main terminal.In some cases, the direction of disconnection is opposite to the direction of connection.

[0045] A movement of the movable armature beyond a terminal in the disconnection direction involves a movement of the armature in the disconnection direction during which the armature moves beyond the relevant terminal, breaking contact with that terminal. In some examples, the armature is considered to be beyond a terminal once it is placed beyond a threshold distance from any point on the terminal. Such a threshold distance may be at least 5 mm, at least 1 cm, at least 5 cm, or at least 10 cm.

[0046] During its movement, when the armature passes from one terminal to another, these terminals being connected to each other by an impedance and separated from each other by a breaking chamber, the value of the current is progressively modified, this value being progressively reduced in the direction of disconnection. The multi-terminal, multi-impedance, and multi-breaking chamber progressiveness offered by the device according to this disclosure allows in particular effective breaking of high-value direct currents.

[0047] During a disconnection, when a voltage between two terminals connected by an impedance rises above the voltage imposed by the impedance concerned, the excess current passes through the moving armature, if the armature is in contact with two terminals of the device.

[0048] If the armature is not in contact with two terminals of the device, the excess current forms an electric arc through the relevant arc chute, which can be sized in coordination with the corresponding current level. In the disconnected position, the movable armature is sufficiently far from a terminal so that the arc voltage is sufficient to extinguish a residual current, for example by means of a last arc chute.

[0049] The connection operation is carried out in a manner inverse to the disconnection operation, starting from the armature in the open position beyond a terminal, and following a sequential connection until reaching the connection position, while limiting or even eliminating power dissipation or energy losses.

[0050] THE Figures 1A-D represent a first example of device 100 according to this disclosure. The device 100 is a device for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage circuit (not shown) comprising: a first main terminal 110 and a second main terminal 160 for connecting the device to the high voltage circuit; a first intermediate terminal 111 connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance 121 of value Z1; a first electric arc breaking chamber 131 arranged between the first intermediate terminal 111 and the first main terminal 110; a second intermediate terminal 112 connected to the first intermediate terminal 111 by a second impedance 122 of value Z2, the first intermediate terminal 111 being connected in series between the first main terminal 110 and the second intermediate terminal 112; a second electric arc breaking chamber 132 arranged between the first intermediate terminal 111 and the second intermediate terminal 112; and a movable armature 150 movable between a connection position, illustrated in the Figure 1A , and a disconnect position, illustrated in the Figure 1D , in a direction 199 of disconnection of the high voltage circuit, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the direction of disconnection, on the one hand the second main terminal and on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal ( Figure 1A ), the first intermediate terminal ( Figure 1B ), and the second intermediate terminal ( Figure 1C ), the armature being in contact with the first and second main terminals in the connection position, the armature being moved beyond the second intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position ( Figure 1D ). The numbering of the different elements of the device 100 is not repeated in the Figures 1B-D to make it easier to read.

[0051] In this example according to the Figures 1A-D , the mobile armature 150 is mobile in rotation, the first main terminal 110, first intermediate terminal 111 and second intermediate terminal 112 being arranged on the same arc of a circle.

[0052] Due to the fact that the device representations are in two dimensions, it may appear that during its movement the moving armature comes into contact with an extinguishing chamber when passing between two adjacent terminals separated by this extinguishing chamber. This is however not the case, the moving armature does not come into contact with the extinguishing chambers during its trajectory.

[0053] THE Figures 2A-D represent a second example of device 200 according to this disclosure. The device 200 is a device for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage circuit (not shown) comprising: a first main terminal 210 and a second main terminal 260 for connecting the device to the high voltage circuit; a first intermediate terminal 211 connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance 221 of value Z3; a first electric arc breaking chamber 231 arranged between the first intermediate terminal 211 and the first main terminal 210; a second intermediate terminal 212 connected to the first intermediate terminal 211 by a second impedance 222 of value Z4, the first intermediate terminal 211 being connected in series between the first main terminal 210 and the second intermediate terminal 212; a second electric arc breaking chamber 232 arranged between the first intermediate terminal 211 and the second intermediate terminal 212; and a movable armature 250 movable between a connection position, illustrated in the Figure 2A , and a disconnect position, illustrated in the Figure 2D , in a direction 299 of disconnection of the high voltage circuit, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the direction of disconnection, on the one hand the second main terminal and on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal ( Figure 2A ), the first intermediate terminal ( Figure 2B ), and the second intermediate terminal ( Figure 2C ), the armature being in contact with the first and second main terminals in the connection position, the armature being moved beyond the second intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position ( Figure 2D ). The numbering of the different elements of the device 100 is not repeated in the Figures 2B-D to make it easier to read.

[0054] In this example according to the Figures 2A-D , the movable armature 250 is movable in translation. In this example, the second main terminal comprises a sliding contact. In this example, the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal and second intermediate terminal are arranged on the same straight line.

[0055] THE Figure 3A et 3B represent third examples of devices 300 and 301 according to this disclosure. Device 300 is based on device 100, and comprises the components described in the context of device 100, as well as an additional electric arc breaking chamber 330. This breaking chamber 330 has the particularity of being a last breaking chamber, that is to say, in this case, a breaking chamber located beyond the second intermediate terminal 112 in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position, the armature being moved beyond this last breaking chamber in the disconnection position. Device 301 is based on device 200, and comprises the components described in the context of device 200, as well as an additional electric arc breaking chamber 331.This breaking chamber 331 has the particularity of being a last breaking chamber, that is to say, in this case, a breaking chamber located beyond the second intermediate terminal 212 in the direction of disconnection in the disconnection position, the armature being moved beyond this last breaking chamber in the disconnection position. Note that such a structure comprising a last breaking chamber separating a last intermediate terminal from the armature in the disconnection position can be integrated into any example according to this description, beyond the examples illustrated in these . Figures 3A et 3B , this in order to reinforce the cutting effect of the device concerned.

[0056] In some cases, a device according to this disclosure comprises one or more additional intermediate terminals, one or more additional impedances, and one or more additional arc-fault interrupting chambers. In some configurations, each additional impedance would electrically connect two adjacent terminals of a single branch, and each interrupting chamber would separate or be disposed or interposed between two adjacent terminals, i.e., in an inter-terminal space, of a single branch. In some cases, two adjacent terminals of a single branch are separated by a plurality of interrupting chambers.

[0057] There Figure 4 illustrates a fourth example of device 400 according to this disclosure. The elements of device 400 are not numbered since they can be directly deduced from those of device 300. In the case of device 400, the device has an axially symmetrical structure, the movement of the movable armature in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry, the first main terminal and the second main terminal being connected to the same number of respective intermediate terminals, the armature being, in the disconnected position, separated from the first and second main terminals by the same number of electric arc breaking chambers. This makes it possible to balance the device and possibly to facilitate its manufacture and assembly.This device comprises two additional sets of intermediate terminal, impedance and breaking chamber, these two additional sets forming the counterpart, in a branch connected to the second main terminal, of the elements of the branch connected to the first main terminal.

[0058] There Figure 5 illustrates a fifth example of device 500 according to this disclosure. The elements of device 500 are not numbered since they can be directly deduced from those of device 100. In the case of device 500, the device comprises: a third intermediate terminal connected to the second intermediate terminal by a third impedance of value Z3; a third electric arc breaking chamber arranged between the third intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal; the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the disconnection direction, on the one hand, and successively, the second main terminal and, on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, the second intermediate terminal, and the third intermediate terminal, the armature being moved beyond the third intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position.

[0059] In this example of device 500, the movable armature is movable in rotation, the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal, second intermediate terminal and third intermediate terminal being arranged on the same arc of a circle.

[0060] In this example device 500, the third intermediate terminal, third impedance, and third arc chute are, respectively, an additional intermediate terminal, an additional impedance, and an additional arc chute according to this disclosure.

[0061] There Figure 6 illustrates a sixth example of device 600 according to this disclosure. The elements of device 600 are not numbered since they can be directly deduced from those of device 200.

[0062] In the case of device 600, the device comprises: a third intermediate terminal connected to the second intermediate terminal by a third impedance; a third electric arc breaking chamber arranged between the third intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal; a fourth intermediate terminal connected to the third intermediate terminal by a fourth impedance; a fourth electric arc breaking chamber arranged between the third intermediate terminal and the fourth intermediate terminal; the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the disconnection direction, on the one hand, and successively, the second main terminal and, on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, the second intermediate terminal, the third intermediate terminal, and the fourth intermediate terminal, the armature being moved beyond the fourth intermediate terminal in the disconnection direction in the disconnection position.In this presentation, the term "successively" implies a movement following the listed order.

[0063] In this example of device 600, the movable armature is movable in translation, the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal, second intermediate terminal, third intermediate terminal and fourth intermediate terminal being arranged on the same straight line.

[0064] In this example device 600, the third and fourth intermediate terminals, third and fourth impedances, and third and fourth arc chutes are, respectively, additional intermediate terminals, additional impedances, and additional arc chutes according to this disclosure.

[0065] There Figure 7 illustrates a seventh example of device 700 according to this disclosure. The elements of device 700 are not numbered since they can be directly deduced from those of device 100.

[0066] The device 700 is functionally similar to the device 400, these devices having a symmetrical structure, the first main terminal and the second main terminal being connected to the same number of respective intermediate terminals, the armature being, in the disconnected position, separated from the first and second main terminals by the same number of electric arc breaking chambers. In the case of the device 400, the symmetry is an axial symmetry. In the case of the device 700, the symmetry is a central symmetry. In both cases, the symmetry is obtained by adding additional intermediate terminals, as well as corresponding impedances and breaking chambers. The configuration of the device 700 is particularly compact and ergonomic, the movable armature being movable in rotation, the rotation being centered at the central point of symmetry, all of the terminals being arranged on the same circle centered at the point of symmetry.Such a configuration may in some cases allow stacking of such devices, the centers of symmetry of the devices being on the same axis, the armatures of the devices being linked and rotating on this same axis, allowing currents passing through each of the stacked devices to be cut simultaneously by means of a single rotational movement. A similar stacking structure may be used with other devices according to the present disclosure.

[0067] There Figure 8 illustrates an example arrangement 800 for connecting and disconnecting a high voltage circuit comprising a plurality of devices according to this disclosure connected in series. In this specific example, three devices similar to device 700 are connected in series.

[0068] In some examples, a device according to this description may take a cylindrical shape, for example by stacking different devices as illustrated in Figure 8, the devices being stacked concentrically. In such examples, the armature itself may take the form of a cylindrical piston.

[0069] An example of a method for disconnecting a high-voltage circuit comprises continuously moving a movable armature of a device according to this disclosure from the connection position to the disconnection position. Continuous movement can be understood as movement along a trajectory in a plane or in space, this movement following an unbroken curve in order to avoid an abrupt change of direction in the operation of the devices. Examples of continuous movement include, in a plane or in three dimensions, straight lines, polynomial, spiral, exponential, parabolic, logarithmic, sinusoidal, hyperbolic, elliptical, oval or circular curves. In some cases, the movement is linear, such as for example in the cases of devices 200, 301, 400 or 600. In some cases, the movement is rotational, such as in the example of devices 100, 300 or 500.In some cases, the displacement may combine rotational and translational displacement, for example helical displacement.

Claims

1. A device (100, 200) for connecting and disconnecting a high-voltage circuit comprising: - a first main terminal (110, 210) and a second main terminal (160, 260) for connecting the device to the high-voltage circuit; - a first intermediate terminal (111, 211) connected to the first main terminal by a first impedance (121, 221); - a first electric arc interrupting chamber (131, 231) disposed between the first intermediate terminal and the first main terminal; - a second intermediate terminal (112, 212) connected to the first intermediate terminal by a second impedance (122, 222), the first intermediate terminal being connected in series between the first main terminal and the second intermediate terminal; - a second electric arc interrupting chamber (132, 232) disposed between the first intermediate terminal and the second intermediate terminal; - said electric arc interrupting chambers being positioned in a space having a thickness of at least 5cm separating the respective terminals, and - a movable armature (150, 250) displaceable between a connection position and a disconnection position in a predetermined direction along a straight line or a curve along a determined direction, the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the predetermined direction, on the one hand the second main terminal and on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, and the second intermediate terminal, the armature being in contact with the first and second main terminal in the connection position, the armature being displaced beyond the second intermediate terminal in the predetermined direction in the disconnection position, the armature keeping electrical contact between the armature and the second main terminal during the displacement of the armature, a current value being gradually reduced during the displacement of the armature from one terminal to the other.

2. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second main terminal comprises a sliding contact.

3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable armature is translationally movable.

4. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal and second intermediate terminal are disposed on a same straight line.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the movable armature is rotationally movable.

6. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the first main terminal, first intermediate terminal and second intermediate terminal are disposed on a same arc of circle.

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a third intermediate terminal connected to the second main terminal by a third impedance; - a third electric arc interrupting chamber disposed between the third intermediate terminal and the second main terminal; - the movable armature making it possible to connect, in the predetermined direction, on the one hand, and successively, the second main terminal and the third intermediate terminal and, on the other hand, and successively, the first main terminal, the first intermediate terminal, and the second intermediate terminal, the armature being displaced beyond the third intermediate terminal in the predetermined direction in the disconnection position.

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more additional intermediate terminals, one or more additional electric arc interrupting chambers, or a last interrupting chamber.

9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, having a symmetrical structure, the first main terminal and the second main terminal being connected to a same number of respective intermediate terminals, the armature being, in the disconnection position, separated from the first and the second main terminal by a same number of electric arc interrupting chambers.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each electric arc interrupting chamber comprises a plurality of metal blades separated from each other by a determined distance.

11. An arrangement for connecting and disconnecting a high-voltage circuit comprising a plurality of devices according to any one of the preceding claims connected in series.

12. A method for disconnecting a high-voltage circuit comprising continuously displacing an armature of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 from the connection position to the disconnection position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the displacement is linear.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the displacement is rotational.

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