Electrical contactor including a protection system, electrical installation comprising at least one such contactor and aircraft comprising an electrical installation including at least one such contactor

Abstract

The invention relates to a contactor (38) configured to occupy open and closed states, comprising at least one actuator (44) configured to at least switch and / or maintain the contactor (38) in the closed state upon receipt of a closing signal, as well as a protection system (48) configured to occupy a first state in which the protection system (48) allows the contactor (38) to switch between the open and closed states, as well as a second state, upon receipt of a protection signal, in which the protection system (48) irremediably maintains the contactor (38) in the open state. Integrating the protection function into the contactor (38) tends to limit the mass of an electrical installation comprising at least one such contactor (38). The invention also relates to an electrical installation comprising such a contactor (38) and to an aircraft comprising such an electrical installation.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical contactor integrating a protection system, to an electrical installation adapted to high electrical powers comprising at least one such contactor as well as to an aircraft comprising an electrical installation integrating at least one such contactor.

[0002] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 1 , an electrical installation 10 of an aircraft comprises at least one electrical source 12 having first and second terminals 12.1, 12.2, at least one electrical load 14 having first and second terminals 14.1, 14.2 as well as an electrical circuit 16 connecting the first and second terminals of the source 12 and the load 14. According to one application, the electrical installation 10 is configured for high powers, well beyond 1200 V and 500 A.

[0003] This electrical installation 10 comprises a current distribution device comprising a contactor 18 interposed between the first terminals 12.1, 14.1 of the source and the load 12, 14 as well as a control 20 configured to control the state of the contactor 18, the latter being configured to occupy a closed state in which the contactor 18 allows an electric current to flow between the source and the load 12, 14 and an open state in which the contactor 18 prevents a current from flowing between the source 12 and the load 14. The contactor 18 comprises first and second input terminals 18.1, 18.2 connected to the control 20. According to one operating mode, the control 20 provides a first voltage of the order of 0V on the first input terminal 18.1 when the contactor 18 is in the open state. To switch the contactor 18 to the closed state and maintain it in this state, the control 20 supplies a second voltage of the order of 28V on the second input terminal 18.2. To switch contactor 18 to the open state, control 20 no longer supplies the second voltage.

[0004] The electrical installation 10 also comprises a current sensor 22 and a single-use safety switch 24 positioned at the electrical circuit 16 and connected to the control 20. The current sensor 22 is configured to detect an overcurrent and transmit a signal to the control 20 when an overcurrent is detected. The single-use safety switch 24 is of the pyrotechnic type and configured to occupy a closed state during normal operation and an irremediably open state upon receipt of a signal emitted by the control 20 due to the detection of an overcurrent.

[0005] The presence of a single-use safety switch 24, separate from the contactor 18 and in series with the latter, leads to an increase in the mass of the electrical installation 10.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a contactor configured to occupy an open state in which the contactor isolates two sections of an electrical circuit and a closed state in which the contactor ensures electrical continuity between the two sections, said contactor comprising an actuator configured to at least switch and / or maintain the contactor in the closed state upon receipt of a closing signal.

[0008] According to the invention, the contactor comprises a protection system configured to occupy a first state in which the protection system allows the contactor to switch between the open and closed states as well as a second state, upon receipt of a protection signal, in which the protection system irremediably maintains the contactor in the open state.

[0009] Such a contactor makes it possible to limit the impact of short circuits on an electrical installation, without it being necessary to add an electrical protection component separate from the contactor, in series with the latter, which tends to limit the mass of the electrical installation. According to another characteristic, the contactor comprises first, second and third input terminals, the closing signal being received on at least one of the first and second input terminals, the protection signal being received on the third input terminal. According to another characteristic, the protection system comprises a pyrotechnic system.

[0010] According to another feature, the protection system comprises a fuse element.

[0011] According to another characteristic, the actuator has two poles, the first pole being connected to the first input terminal, the second pole being connected to a first terminal of the protection system, a second terminal of the protection system being connected to the second input terminal, the contactor comprising a conductive wire connecting the third input terminal and the first terminal of the protection system and / or the second pole of the actuator.

[0012] The invention also relates to a distribution and protection device comprising a contactor according to one of the preceding characteristics as well as a control configured to transmit a closing signal when the contactor must switch to the closed state and / or be in the closed state and a protection signal when an anomaly is detected.

[0013] According to another feature, the contactor comprises first, second and third input terminals. In addition, the control is configured to transmit the closing signal to at least one of the first and second input terminals and the protection signal to the third input terminal.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the contactor comprises at least one actuator configured to occupy a rest state, corresponding to the open state of the contactor, when the actuator receives a first voltage as well as an activated state, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor, when the actuator receives a second voltage, different from the first voltage. In addition, the control is configured to generate the first voltage between the first and second input terminals when the contactor must occupy the open state, the second voltage between the first and second input terminals when the contactor must occupy the closed state and apply to the third input terminal a protection voltage, different from the second voltage, when an anomaly is detected.

[0015] The invention also relates to an electrical installation comprising at least one distribution and protection device according to one of the preceding characteristics as well as an aircraft comprising at least one such electrical installation.

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which: There figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical installation illustrating an embodiment of the prior art, The figure 2 is a schematic representation of an electrical installation illustrating an embodiment of the invention, The figure 3 is a schematic representation of a contactor illustrating an embodiment of the invention, The figure 4 is a schematic representation of a contactor illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

[0017] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 2 , an electrical installation 30 comprises at least one electrical source 32 having first and second terminals 32.1, 32.2, at least one electrical load 34 having first and second terminals 34.1, 34.2 as well as an electrical circuit 36 ​​connecting the first and second terminals 32.1, 32.2, 34.1, 34.2 of the source 32 and of the load 34 in which an electric current circulates.

[0018] The electrical installation 30 (in particular its source 32, its load 34 and its electrical circuit 36) is configured for high powers, well beyond 500 V and 400 A.

[0019] According to one application, an aircraft, in particular an electrically powered aircraft, comprises at least one electrical installation 30.

[0020] The electrical installation 30 comprises at least one device for distributing and protecting electric current which comprises a contactor 38 positioned at the level of the electric circuit 36 ​​and configured to occupy a closed state in which the contactor 38 allows an electric current to flow between the source and the load 32, 34 and an open state in which the contactor 38 prevents an electric current from flowing between the source and the load 32, 34 as well as a control 40 configured to control the closed or open state of the contactor 38.

[0021] According to a first embodiment, the contactor 38 comprises a first contact 38.1 secured to a first section 36.1 connected to the source 32, a second contact 38.2 secured to a second section 36.2 connected to the load 34, a bridge 42 movable between a first position, corresponding to the open state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is spaced from the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2, and a second position, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is in contact with the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2 and ensures electrical continuity between the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2 as well as at least one actuator 44 configured to move the bridge 42 between the first and second positions.

[0022] According to a second embodiment, the contactor 38 comprises a single contact 38.1 secured to a first section 36.1 connected to the source 32, a bridge 42 secured to a second section 36.2 connected to the load 34, movable between a first position, corresponding to the open state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is spaced from the contact 38.1 and a second position, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is in contact with the contact 38.1, as well as an actuator 44 configured to move the bridge 42 between the first and second positions.

[0023] Whatever the embodiment, the contactor 38 is configured to occupy an open state in which it isolates two sections 36.1, 36.2 of an electrical circuit 36 ​​and a closed state in which it ensures electrical continuity between the two sections 36.1, 36.2. For this purpose, the contactor 38 comprises at least one contact 38.1 secured to a first section 36.1 of the electrical circuit 36 ​​and distant from a second section 36.2 of the electrical circuit 36, a bridge 42 movable between a first position, corresponding to the open state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is spaced from the contact 38.1 and the first and second sections 36.1, 36.2 are isolated from each other, and a second position, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor 38, in which the bridge 42 is in contact with the contact 38.1 and ensures electrical continuity between the first and second sections 36.1, 36.2 as well as an actuator 44 configured to move the bridge 42 between the first and second positions.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the actuator 44 could be an electromagnetic actuator such as a solenoid for example. Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0025] The electrical installation 30 also comprises at least one current sensor 46 positioned on the electrical circuit 36 ​​and configured to determine or measure at least one characteristic of the electric current flowing in the electrical circuit 36 ​​and transmit at least one anomaly signal to the control 40 as a function of the characteristic of the electric current determined or measured. According to one embodiment, the current sensor 46 is configured to detect an anomaly of the electric current, such as an overcurrent, and transmit an anomaly signal to the control 40 when an overcurrent is detected. Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the current sensor 46. The latter is not described further because it may be identical to those of the prior art.

[0026] As illustrated in the figure 3 , the contactor 38 comprises a protection system 48 configured to occupy a first state in which the protection system 48 allows the contactor 38 to switch between the open and closed states (i.e. from the open state to the closed state and vice versa) as well as a second state in which the protection system 48 irremediably maintains the contactor in the open state, without the possibility of switching to the closed state. The protection system 48 is single-use and its transition to the second state is irreversible. The first and second states of the protection system 48 are controlled by the control 40.

[0027] In normal operation, the protection system 48 is in the first state. When the current sensor 46 detects an anomaly and transmits an anomaly signal to the control 40, the latter is configured to transmit a protection signal to the contactor 38 and / or to the protection system 48. Upon receipt by the contactor 38 and / or the protection system 48 of the protection signal transmitted by the control 40, the protection system 48 switches to the second state.

[0028] According to one configuration, the protection system 48 comprises a pyrotechnic system.

[0029] According to another configuration, the protection system 48 comprises a fuse element.

[0030] According to another configuration, the protection system 48 comprises a pyrotechnic system and a fuse element.

[0031] Of course, the invention is not limited to these configurations for the protection system 48. A pyrotechnic system is preferred over a fuse element because it allows the bridge 42 to be moved much further away from the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2 of the contactor 38 when the pyrotechnic system is activated.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the protection system 48 comprises first and second terminals 48.1, 48.2 as well as a fuse element 48.3 interposed between the first and second terminals 48.1, 48.2, the fuse element 48.3 ensuring electrical continuity between the first and second terminals 48.1, 48.2 when the protection system 48 is in the first state and isolating the first and second terminals 48.1, 48.2 when the protection system 48 is in the second state.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the contactor 38 comprises at least first, second and third input terminals 50.1, 50.2, 50.3.

[0034] According to an operating mode, in normal operation, the command 40 is configured to: upon receipt of an instruction to keep the contactor 38 in the open state, transmit a first signal to the first input terminal 50.1 of the contactor 38, upon receipt of an instruction to close the contactor 38 and keep the latter in the closed state, transmit a second signal (different from the first signal) to the second input terminal 50.2 of the contactor 38, upon receipt of an instruction to open the contactor 38, no longer transmit the second signal to the second input terminal 50.2 of the contactor 38.

[0035] According to this mode of operation, when the second signal is transmitted, the first signal is not or is no longer transmitted. Conversely, when the first signal is transmitted, the second signal is not or is no longer transmitted.

[0036] Additionally, according to this operating mode, the actuator 44 of the contactor 38 is configured to maintain the bridge 42 in the first position, corresponding to the open state of the contactor 38, when the first input terminal 50.1 receives the first signal and in the second position, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor 38, when the second input terminal 50.2 receives the second signal.

[0037] According to another mode of operation, the first signal transmitted to the first input terminal 50.1 is permanent. It continues to be transmitted even when the second signal is transmitted to the second input terminal 50.2.

[0038] According to another embodiment, the contactor 38 comprises at least one return spring to keep it in the open state in the absence of a signal transmitted by the control 40. In addition, the contactor 38 comprises at least one actuator 44 configured to, upon receipt of a closing signal transmitted by the control 40, move the bridge 42 towards the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2 and hold it against the latter against the forces generated by the return spring.

[0039] Of course, the invention is not limited to these embodiments for the contactor 38 and to these operating modes for the control 40. Whatever the embodiment, the control 40 is configured to transmit to at least one of the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2 a closing signal when the contactor 38 must switch to the closed state and / or be in the closed state. In the absence of a signal, the contactor 38 is in the open state. Additionally, the actuator 44 is configured to at least switch and / or maintain the contactor 38 in the closed state upon receipt of a closing signal on at least one of the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2 of the contactor 38, the actuator 44 maintaining the contactor 38 in the open state in the absence of a signal or upon receipt of a first signal on at least one of the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2 of the contactor 38.

[0040] In normal operation, the protection system 48 is in the first state.

[0041] When an anomaly is detected, the control 40 is configured to transmit a protection signal to the third input terminal 50.3. According to one configuration, this protection signal is transmitted only if the contactor 38 is in the closed state.

[0042] Upon receipt of this protection signal, the protection system 48 switches to the second state, which causes the bridge 42 to move to the first position, the latter remaining irremediably in this first position. Thus, the switching of the protection system 48 to the second state causes the contactor 38 to switch to the open state, the latter remaining irremediably in this open state. This protection signal is different from the second signal and may be identical to the first signal.

[0043] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 4, the contactor 38 comprises an actuator 44 which has two poles 44.1, 44.2, the first pole 44.1 being connected to the first input terminal 50.1, the second pole 44.2 being connected to the first terminal 48.1 of the protection system 48, the second terminal 48.2 of the protection system 48 being connected to the second input terminal 50.2. In addition, the contactor 38 comprises a conductive wire 52 connecting the third input terminal 50.3 and the first terminal 48.1 of the protection system 48 and / or the second pole 44.2 of the actuator 44.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the first and second signals correspond to first and second voltages and the protection signal corresponds to a protection voltage different from the second voltage.

[0045] According to this embodiment, the actuator 44 is configured to occupy a rest state when it receives a first voltage, in which it does not move the bridge 42 from the first position to the second position and an activated state when it receives a second voltage, different from the first voltage, in which it moves the bridge 42 from the first position to the second position and maintains it in this second position.

[0046] In normal operation, the control 40 is configured to generate the first voltage between the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2 when the contactor 38 is to occupy the open state as well as the second voltage between the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2 when the contactor 38 is to occupy the closed state.

[0047] When the control 40 applies the second voltage between the first and second input terminals 50.1, 50.2, which corresponds to the closed state of the contactor 38, if the current sensor 46 transmits an anomaly signal to the control 40, the latter applies a protective voltage to the third input terminal 50.3. This protective voltage causes the activation of the protection system 48, more particularly the rupture of the fuse element 48.3. From then on, the portion of the electrical circuit 36 ​​connecting the second input terminal 50.2 and the second pole 44.2 of the actuator 44 is open and the actuator 44 can no longer be supplied with electrical energy until the fuse element 48.3 is changed.

[0048] According to one configuration, the first voltage is equal to 0 V. The second voltage depends on the actuator 44. For example, the second voltage is substantially equal to 28 V. The protection voltage is equal to 0 V.

[0049] The contactor 38 of the invention makes it possible to limit the impact of short circuits on the electrical installation 30, without it being necessary to add an electrical component separate from the contactor 38, in series with the latter, for the clarification of short circuits, which tends to limit the mass of the electrical installation 30 compared to those of the prior art. In addition, the presence of a third input terminal 50.3 configured to receive a protection signal different from the second signal, at the contactor 38 dedicated to protection and distinct from a second input terminal 50.2 dedicated to the control of the contactor 38 makes it possible to obtain a certain level of dissimilarity between the control and protection functions.

[0050] Even if the detection of an anomaly in the electrical current leads to the rupture of the fusible element 48.3 and requires a change of the contactor 38 in its entirety, this change occurs only very rarely, with a frequency lower than that of the change of the contactor 38 due to its wear due to the ejection of material at the level of the first and second contacts 38.1, 38.2 of the contactor 38 produced during the cutting of a high power current.

Claims

1. Contactor (38) configured to occupy an open state in which the contactor (38) isolates two sections (36.1, 36.2) of an electrical circuit (36) and a closed state in which the contactor (38) ensures electrical continuity between the two sections (36.1, 36.2), said contactor (38) comprising at least one actuator (44) configured to at least switch and / or maintain the contactor (38) in the closed state upon receipt of a closing signal, characterized in that the contactor (38) comprises a protection system (48) configured to occupy a first state in which the protection system (48) allows the contactor (38) to switch between the open and closed states as well as a second state, upon receipt of a protection signal, in which the protection system (48) irremediably maintains the contactor (38) in the open state.

2. Contactor (38) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe contactor (38) comprises first, second and third input terminals (50.1, 50.2, 50.3), the closing signal being received on at least one of the first and second input terminals (50.1, 50.2), the protection signal being received on the third input terminal (50.3).

3. Contactor (38) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protection system (48) comprises a pyrotechnic system.

4. Contactor (38) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protection system (48) comprises a fuse element.

5. Contactor (38) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the actuator (44) has two poles (44.1, 44.2), the first pole (44.1) being connected to the first input terminal (50.1), the second pole (44.2) being connected to a first terminal (48.1) of the protection system (48), a second terminal (48.2) of the protection system (48) being connected to the second input terminal (50.2) and in that the contactor (38) comprises a conductive wire (52) connecting the third input terminal (50.3) and the first terminal (48.1) of the protection system (48) and / or the second pole (44.2) of the actuator (44).

6. Distribution and protection device comprising a contactor (38) according to one of the preceding claims as well as a control (40) configured to transmit a closing signal when the contactor (38) must switch to the closed state and / or be in the closed state and a protection signal when an anomaly is detected.

7. Distribution and protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contactor (38) comprises first, second and third input terminals (50.1, 50.2, 50.3) and in that the control (40) is configured to transmit the closing signal to at least one of the first and second input terminals (50.1, 50.2) and the protection signal to the third input terminal (50.3).

8. Distribution and protection device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the contactor (38) comprises at least one actuator (44) configured to occupy a rest state, corresponding to the open state of the contactor (38), when the actuator (44) receives a first voltage as well as an activated state, corresponding to the closed state of the contactor (38), when the actuator (44) receives a second voltage, different from the first voltage, and in that the control (40) is configured to generate the first voltage between the first and second input terminals (50.1, 50.2) when the contactor (38) must occupy the open state, the second voltage between the first and second input terminals (50.1, 50.2) when the contactor (38) must occupy the closed state and apply to the third input terminal (50.3) a protection voltage different from the second voltage when an anomaly is detected.

9. Electrical installation comprising an electrical circuit in which an electric current circulates, at least one distribution and protection device according to one of claims 6 to 8 as well as a current sensor (46) configured to determine or measure at least one characteristic of the electric current circulating in the electrical circuit (36) and transmit at least one anomaly signal to the control (40) as a function of the characteristic of the electric current determined or measured.

10. Aircraft comprising at least one electrical installation according to the preceding claim.

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