Electrical switching equipment having an insulation barrier

Abstract

Electrical disconnection equipment (10) comprising a housing (12) and a circuit breaker (14) disposed in the housing (12), the circuit breaker (14) having at least two sections (26, 32, 38) positioned along a principal axis (XX) in line with each other, one of which internally delimits a disconnection space (59), the two sections (26, 32, 38) being separated by a conductive ring (41, 42), the housing (12) having at least one wall having at least one conductive zone (22) exposed opposite the circuit breaker (14), characterized in that at least one section (26, 32, 38) has at least one barrier (61, 62, 66) covering the conductive ring (41, 42) at a region (50) of the conductive ring (41, 42) opposite the conductive zone (22) of the wall closest to the ring (41, 42).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical switching device of the type comprising a box and a circuit breaker disposed in the box, the circuit breaker comprising at least two sections positioned along a main axis in line with each other and one of which internally delimits a disjunction space, the two sections being separated by a conductive ring whose external circumference includes at least one exposed connection area, the box comprising at least one wall having at least one exposed conductive area opposite the circuit breaker.

[0002] Rail vehicles require switching equipment to protect their electrical circuits. This equipment includes high-voltage circuit breakers, typically 15kV and 25kV, mounted on the vehicle's roof to secure the electrical connection between the alternating current from the overhead line and the vehicle's electrical system.

[0003] Circuit breakers have insulators that protect the circuit breaker's interrupting chamber from grounded equipment located outside the breaker, such as on the roof. These insulators prevent the formation of an electrical arc between the grounded equipment and the breaker's internal circuits, which carry high voltage.

[0004] The circuit breaker is generally oblong in shape. The electrical connections from the circuit breaker to the catenary and the vehicle's electrical system are positioned in the middle of the breaker to isolate the introduced high potential from the ends of the breaker connected to ground. The insulators are thus positioned on the roof along an axis perpendicular to the railway vehicle's running plane, in order to also distance the central high-potential connection from the roof of the vehicle connected to ground.

[0005] The shut-off equipment is then placed on the roof and exposed to the elements and storms. Furthermore, the available vertical space on the roof of a railway vehicle is limited.

[0006] Solutions to the lack of available space and exposure to weathering are described, for example, in document CN 205565304 U.

[0007] A circuit breaker is placed in a plane parallel to the running plane, in a low-profile, grounded electrical box. The high-potential center connection is insulated from the grounded mounting plate by a layer of insulating material on the mounting plate.

[0008] However, this disconnecting equipment does not prevent the formation of electrical arcs between the central connection and another element of the electrical box.

[0009] The invention aims to provide a cutting device that prevents the formation of electrical arcs in the electrical box.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cutting equipment of the aforementioned type, characterized in that at least one of the sections comprises at least one barrier covering the conductive ring at the level of a region of the conductive ring opposite the conductive area of ​​the wall closest to the ring.

[0011] Depending on the embodiment, the switching equipment comprises one or more of the following characteristics: the two sections are distinct from each other, and the conductive ring separates the two sections around the entire periphery of the circuit breaker; each barrier is generated by a generatrix extending substantially parallel to the main axis; the section has an insulating outer column and the barrier is formed of material with the column; the barrier extends along the main axis beyond the conductive ring for an additional length of between 20% and 300% of the length of the ring along the main axis; each section has at least one barrier covering the conductive ring, the barriers of each section overlapping at the level of the region of the conductive ring opposite the conductive area of ​​the wall closest to the ring; the barrier of at least one section is embedded in a groove formed in the thickness of the barrier of the other section;The circuit breaker comprises at least three sections separated by at least two conductive rings, each ring being covered by a barrier at a region of the conductive ring opposite the conductive area of ​​the wall closest to the ring; and the barrier extends angularly over an angle centered on the axis of the section between 20° and 120°.

[0012] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle comprising a switching equipment as described above, in which the wall closest to the ring having at least one conductive area is in planar support with a partition of the railway vehicle, the main axis of the circuit breaker being substantially parallel to the partition of the vehicle.

[0013] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a switching device according to the invention; [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cutting equipment along a longitudinal plane; and [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a partial perspective and cross-sectional view of the switching equipment along a transverse plane passing through a conductive ring.

[0014] There figure 1 shows an electrical cut-off device 10 advantageously positioned on a vehicle roof, particularly a railway vehicle.

[0015] The switching equipment 10 comprises a box 12 and a circuit breaker 14 arranged in the box 12.

[0016] The trunk 12 comprises a base 16 resting on the roof of the vehicle and four side walls 18 defined along an elevation direction E of the trunk 12. A lid 20 visible on the figure 2 extends above the side walls 18 parallel to the bottom 16.

[0017] In another embodiment, the bottom 16 is supported flat against another partition of the railway vehicle.

[0018] The lid 20 and one of the side walls 18 are not shown on the figure 1 .

[0019] The compartment 12 is closed. Openings in the walls of the compartment 12 are advantageously reserved for the passage of electrical cables connecting the circuit breaker 14 to the overhead electrical network and / or the vehicle network.

[0020] The base 16 and the side walls 18 have a conductive material connected to ground, at least in one area, thus defining a conductive zone 22.

[0021] Advantageously, the chest 12 has a conductive material connected to ground over the entire bottom 16 and side walls 18.

[0022] Circuit breaker 14 is a vacuum break circuit breaker.

[0023] The circuit breaker 14 includes a mechanical control 24 fixed to a side wall 18 as shown in the figure 1 The mechanical control 24 is controlled by a control unit, not shown.

[0024] The circuit breaker 14 includes a cylindrical actuation section 26 positioned along a main axis XX.

[0025] The main axis XX is substantially parallel to the bottom 16 of the trunk 12 and orthogonal to the elevation direction E of the trunk 12. It extends substantially parallel to the rolling plane of the vehicle.

[0026] The actuation section 26 forms, with the mechanical control 24, an actuator 27. The actuation section 26 is positioned against the mechanical control 24. The actuation section 26 comprises a hollow insulating cylindrical actuator column 28 and in its center a control rod 30, both positioned along the main axis XX.

[0027] The actuation section 26 is shown alone on the figure 3 .

[0028] The circuit breaker 14 further includes a middle section 32 positioned along the main axis XX in the extension of the actuation section 26. The middle section 32 comprises a hollow insulating middle cylindrical column 34 and in its center a breaking chamber 36, both positioned along the main axis XX.

[0029] The circuit breaker 14 also includes a support section 38 located following the middle section 32. The support section 38 is oriented along a secondary axis YY inclined relative to the main axis XX. The support section 38 is connected to the bottom 16, via a base 39 visible on the figure 2 The support section 38 comprises a hollow insulating cylindrical support column 40.

[0030] Sections 26, 32, and 38 are distinct from each other. Each column 28, 34, and 40 is made of insulating material such as ceramic or a composite, each column being molded in epoxy resin.

[0031] The circuit breaker 14 has an output conductive ring 41 separating the actuation section 26 and the middle section 32. The circuit breaker 14 has an input conductive ring 42 separating the middle section 32 and the support section 38. The input 42 and output 41 conductive rings are electrically connected to the breaking chamber 36. The input 42 conductive ring is connected to the support section 38 via a fitting 44.

[0032] The fitting 44 is a metal piece receiving the support section 38, one part of the fitting 44 being oriented along the main axis XX and another along the secondary axis YY, thus linking two directions of elongation of the sections 32, 38.

[0033] Each conductive ring 41, 42 is a metallic part, comprising an outer circumference 46 having at least one exposed connection area 48. The outer circumference 46 is also conductive. The connection area 48 of the output conductive ring 41 is connected to the pantograph and the connection area of ​​the input conductive ring 42 is connected to the vehicle transformer.

[0034] There figure 3 shows a cross-section at the level of the output conductive ring 41 with the exposed connection ranges 48 visible.

[0035] Each conductive ring 41, 42 separates the two sections that frame it around the entire periphery of the circuit breaker 14. The external circumference 46 is therefore clear.

[0036] Each conductive ring 41, 42 is fixed to the two sections that frame it by screws as shown in the figure 3 .

[0037] Each conductive ring 41, 42 has a region 50 opposite the conductive zone 22 of the bottom 16.

[0038] As seen on the figure 1 , the conductive area 22 of the wall closest to the ring 41, 42 is present on the bottom 16. The side walls 18 are further away than the bottom 16 from the ring 41, 42. The cover 20 has an insulating coating.

[0039] The actuator column 28 is fixed to the mechanical control 24 and the output conductive ring 41 by screws shown in the figure 2 .

[0040] Each column 28, 34, 40 has externally a succession of transverse collars on its external surface and has an internal cylindrical surface.

[0041] The cylindrical internal surface of the actuator column 28 internally delimits a passage 57. In the passage 57, the control rod 30 is positioned along the main axis XX.

[0042] The cylindrical inner surface of the median column 34 internally defines a disjunction space 59, in which the breaking chamber 36 is positioned. The control rod 30 is connected on one side to the mechanical control 24 and on the other to the breaking chamber 36.

[0043] Each column 28, 34 comprises a cylindrical body extended by a barrier made of an insulating material. The material is advantageously ceramic or a composite.

[0044] The actuator column 28 has an internal barrier 61 partially covering the output conductive ring 41. The middle column 34 has an external barrier 62 covering the internal barrier 61 at the position of the output conductive ring 41.

[0045] The internal barrier 61 and the external barrier 62 overlap in the region 50 of the output conductive ring 41 while remaining distinct from each other. The external barrier 62 defines a groove 64 formed in its thickness, the internal barrier 61 being embedded in the groove 64.

[0046] In another embodiment, the groove is provided in the internal barrier 61 receiving the external barrier 62.

[0047] The middle column 34 further includes an entry barrier 66 covering the entry conductive ring 42 located in the region 50 of the entry conductive ring 42.

[0048] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 came from material with the corresponding column 28 and 34, each barrier 61, 62, 66 being molded at the same time as the corresponding column 28 and 34.

[0049] In another embodiment, not shown, the support column 40 includes a support barrier covering the inlet conductive ring 42 overlapping with the inlet barrier 66 in the region 50 of the inlet conductive ring 42.

[0050] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 is radially separated from the conductive ring 41, 42, as well as from the conductive area 22 of the wall closest to the corresponding ring 41, 42.

[0051] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 is generated by a generatrix extending substantially parallel to the main axis XX. The barriers 61 and 66 extend along the main axis XX beyond the corresponding conducting ring 41, 42 for an additional length between 20% and 300% of the thickness of the ring 41, 42 along the main axis XX.

[0052] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 extends angularly at an angle centered on the axis XX, ranging from 20° to 120° around the periphery of the corresponding ring 41, 42. Each barrier 61, 62, 66 has a thickness, defined radially with respect to the principal axis XX, ranging from 10% to 50% of the column thickness at the point of attachment to the corresponding ring 41, 42.

[0053] The operation of circuit breaker 14 will now be briefly described.

[0054] Circuit breaker 14 has a nominal configuration when current flows through circuit breaker 14. Circuit breaker 14 also has a breaking configuration when a fault or operation on the voltage line or vehicle requires the current to be opened.

[0055] In its nominal configuration, a current is supplied to the exposed connection points 48 on the input conductive ring 42, thus placing the input conductive ring 42 under high voltage. The current flows through the disconnection space 59 and, in particular, through the breaking chamber 36. The current is carried out of the circuit breaker 14 at the output conductive ring 41, via the exposed connection points 48.

[0056] Current is transported out of circuit breaker 14 using a pantograph and cables connecting it to the overhead network and the vehicle network.

[0057] The actuation section 26 and the support section 38 allow the isolation of the breaking chamber 36. The actuation section 26 also allows the transmission of forces from the mechanical control 24 to the breaking chamber 36.

[0058] When a fault is detected, or during operation on the power line or the vehicle, the mechanical control 24 receives a command from the control unit to interrupt the current. The mechanical control 24 pulls along the main axis XX on the control rod 30 located in the passage 57, the force being transmitted to the breaking chamber 36 so that the interruption can take place in the breaking chamber 36.

[0059] The 10 cut-off equipment has the advantage of being compact while ensuring the safety of the vehicle's electrical network.

[0060] Since each conductive ring 41, 42 is in its nominal high-voltage configuration and has exposed conductive connections, there is a risk of electric arcing between the conductive ring 41, 42 and a conductive area 22. As the base 16, which is flat against the vehicle roof, is connected to the vehicle's chassis, the resulting conductive area 22 is prone to arcing.

[0061] The presence of a barrier 61, 62, 66 physically limits the risks of electric arcs, the path to be traveled by the arc between the conductive ring 41, 42 and the conductive zone 22, with the presence of the barrier 61, 62, 66 being increased.

[0062] The presence of two separate sections 26, 32 allows for easy assembly and maintenance of the circuit breaker 14 thanks to the presence of exposed connection areas 48 on the conductive ring 41, 42.

[0063] Since barriers 61, 62, and 66 are made from the same material as their corresponding columns 28, 34, and 40, this allows for economical and simple manufacturing, limiting the number of separate parts, particularly by using the same mold for columns 28 and 34 and the corresponding barriers 61, 62, and 66. The mechanical strength of each section 26, 32, and 38 is thus preserved.

[0064] The fact that the barrier 61, 66 is present over an additional length compared to the length of the conductive ring 41, 42 along the main axis XX further lengthens the distance to be traveled by the arc between the conductive ring 41, 42 and the conductive zone 22.

[0065] The superposition of the internal barrier 61 and the external barrier 62 at the level of the region 50 of the output conductive ring 41 makes it possible to further lengthen the path to be taken by the electric arc for it to form, the distance to be taken by the arc being up to doubled between a configuration without barrier and with barrier.

[0066] The barrier 61, 62, 66 extending angularly over an angle centered on the axis XX between 20° and 120° of the total periphery of the conductive ring 41, 42 allows easy access to the exposed connection areas 48 and to the means of fixing the conductive ring 41, 42 to the sections 26, 32, 38 while protecting the region 50 most at risk of an electric arc appearing.

[0067] The vehicle with such a cutting equipment 10 thus has a reduced height since the circuit breaker 14 is placed parallel to the vehicle partition, while limiting the risks of electric arcs due to the proximity of the conductive ring 41, 42 with a conductive partition.

Claims

1. Electrical cut-off equipment (10) comprising a box (12) and a circuit breaker (14) arranged in the box (12), the circuit breaker (14) comprising at least two sections (26, 32, 38) positioned along a main axis (XX) in the extension of one another and one of which internally delimits a disconnection space (59), the two sections (26, 32, 38) being separated by a conductive ring (41, 42) whose external circumference (46) comprises at least one exposed connection pad (48), the box (12) comprising at least one wall having at least one conductive zone (22) exposed opposite the circuit breaker (14), characterized in that at least one of the sections (26, 32, 38) comprises at least one barrier (61, 62, 66) covering the conductive ring (41, 42) at a region (50) of the conductive ring (41, 42) opposite the conductive zone (22) of the wall closest to the ring (41, 42).

2. Cut-off equipment (10) according to claim 1, in which the two sections (26, 32, 38) are distinct from each other, and the conductive ring (41, 42) separates the two sections (26, 32, 38) over the entire periphery of the circuit breaker (14).

3. Cutting equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each barrier (61, 62, 66) is generated by a generator extending substantially parallel to the main axis (XX).

4. Cut-off equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the section (26, 32) comprises an external insulating column (28, 34) and the barrier (61, 62, 66) is integral with the column (28, 34).

5. Cut-off equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the barrier (61, 62, 66) extends along the main axis (XX) beyond the conductive ring (41, 42) over an additional length of between 20% and 300% of the length of the ring (41, 42) along the main axis (XX).

6. Cut-off equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each section (26, 32) comprises at least one barrier (61, 62, 66) covering the conductive ring (41, 42), the barriers (61, 62) of each section (26, 32) overlapping at the region (50) of the conductive ring (41) opposite the conductive zone (22) of the wall closest to the ring (41).

7. Cutting equipment (10) according to claim 6, in which the barrier (61, 62) of at least one section (26, 32) is embedded in a groove (64) formed in the thickness of the barrier (61, 62) of the other section (26, 32).

8. Cut-off equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the circuit breaker (14) comprises at least three sections (26, 32, 38) separated by at least two conductive rings (41, 42), each ring (41, 42) being covered by a barrier (61, 62, 66) at a region (50) of the conductive ring (41, 42) opposite the conductive zone (22) of the wall closest to the ring (41, 42).

9. Cutting equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the barrier (61, 62, 66) extends angularly over an angle centered on the axis of the section (26, 32) of between 20° and 120°.

10. Railway vehicle comprising cut-off equipment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the wall closest to the ring (41, 42) having at least one conductive zone (22) is in plane support with a partition of the railway vehicle, the main axis (XX) of the circuit breaker (14) being substantially parallel to the partition of the vehicle.

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