Circuit breaker, in particular a high-voltage circuit breaker

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit breaker (1) comprising at least one interrupter unit (3) and a solid insulator (5) which surrounds the interrupter unit (3) and is formed at least predominantly from a solid insulator material that directly implements voltage control in the event of an overload on the circuit breaker (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Circuit breakers, especially high-voltage circuit breakers

[0003] The invention relates to a circuit breaker, in particular a high-voltage circuit breaker with an optional housing.

[0004] A high-voltage circuit breaker, in particular for switching voltages of up to 1200 kV and / or currents of up to several hundred amperes, in the case of a short circuit up to several tens of kiloamperes, is generally known.

[0005] To meet voltage requirements, particularly in transmission networks, for example of 380 kV and higher, circuit breakers (also called encapsulated circuit breakers or circuit-breaking chambers) are connected in series in order to comply with prescribed, particularly standardized, performance data. To avoid overloading a single circuit breaker in a series connection, the voltage is usually split in half (50%-50%), ideally between two circuit breakers. For this purpose, control elements such as resistors, capacitors or a combination thereof are usually arranged in separate housings and parallel to the circuit breaker. One such arrangement is known, for example, from patent US 3,604,869.After a power interruption, a steady-state voltage ratio corresponding to the capacitance of the control capacitors typically occurs when the contacts of the circuit breaker's interrupter unit (e.g., a vacuum interrupter) are open. Such control capacitors are very costly because they must be arranged parallel to the breaker poles in separate housings.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a circuit breaker which is improved, in particular with regard to its size, and designed for high voltages, and which is easy to control even in the event of an overload.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a circuit breaker having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A circuit breaker according to the invention comprises at least one interrupter unit and a solid insulator surrounding the interrupter unit, which is made at least predominantly of a solid insulator material that directly effects voltage control in the event of an overload. Optionally, the circuit breaker can comprise a housing with a housing wall, wherein the interrupter unit is arranged in the housing and the solid insulator is inserted in a space between the interrupter unit and the housing wall.

[0010] The term "solid insulator" implies that the solid insulator is a solid body under the operating conditions of the circuit breaker, i.e., in particular, neither a gas nor a liquid. Furthermore, according to the invention, the solid insulator is made at least predominantly from an electrically insulating, electrically conductive, and / or thermally conductive solid insulator material.

[0011] Such a solid insulator can have a significantly higher dielectric strength, which is also referred to as dielectric strength, than, for example, an insulating gas. Therefore, by arranging the solid insulator directly on the interrupter unit or optionally between the interrupter unit and the housing wall of the circuit breaker housing, a housing can be omitted or the distance between the interrupter unit and the housing wall can be significantly reduced compared to a circuit breaker in which the space between the interrupter unit and the housing wall is only filled with an insulating gas.

[0012] Therefore, in addition to the control effect in the event of an overload, the invention advantageously makes it possible to significantly reduce the volume and thus the size of the circuit breaker compared to a circuit breaker in which the space between the interrupter unit and the housing wall is only filled with an insulating gas.

[0013] The wording that the circuit breaker comprises a solid insulator with the properties mentioned does not mean that the circuit breaker only has one such solid insulator. Rather, the circuit breaker can also have a plurality of such solid insulators. The wording therefore means that the circuit breaker has at least one such solid insulator. If the circuit breaker has a plurality of solid insulators, solid insulators, in particular solid insulator materials, can be arranged, for example, in radial layers and / or axial layers around different regions of an interrupter unit.

[0014] Accordingly, the wording that the circuit breaker comprises an interrupter unit does not mean that the circuit breaker has only one interrupter unit. Rather, the circuit breaker can also have a plurality of interrupter units. The wording therefore means that the circuit breaker has at least one interrupter unit. If the circuit breaker has a plurality of interrupter units, the circuit breaker can, for example, have at least one solid insulator for each of these interrupter units, which is arranged around the interrupter unit. In particular, the circuit breaker can also have a solid insulator that is arranged around all of the interrupter units.

[0015] Because the solid insulating material directly controls voltage, additional complex control elements, such as control capacitors and resistors, in separate housings are eliminated. This formulation means that the solid insulating material itself is configured to control voltage. Such a solid insulating material can, in particular, be designed as a gradient material that has predetermined thermal, mechanical, and / or electrical properties due to its constituents and / or fillers.

[0016] In particular, the at least one solid insulating material with a control effect can be configured such that an electrically insulating control and / or a thermally conductive control is effected in the event of an overload at the circuit breaker, in particular in the event of a power interruption, for example, when the contacts of an interrupter unit are open. The at least one solid insulating material can be configured, through its composition itself and / or through additives and / or fillers, to effect an electrically insulating control, an electrically conductive control, and / or a thermally conductive control in the event of an overload at the circuit breaker.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the solid insulating material has a predetermined dielectric constant in a range of up to 10,000, in particular from 10 to 2,000. The dielectric constant (sr, also called permittivity) is the degree to which an insulating material, in this case the solid insulating material, influences the capacitance of a capacitor.

[0018] The solid insulator material as a gradient material can in particular have a predetermined radial gradient and / or a predetermined axial gradient. The axial gradient characterizes, for example, a predetermined layering of identical or different solid insulator materials in the axial direction, for example to achieve a stable dielectric layering and / or stable thermal layering in the axial direction along the interrupter unit. The radial gradient characterizes, in particular, a predetermined layering of identical or different solid insulator materials in the radial direction, for example to achieve a stable dielectric layering and / or stable thermal layering in the radial direction around the interrupter unit.

[0019] In a further possible embodiment, the solid insulator material has a predetermined capacitance in a range from 10 pF to 10,000 pF. For example, the solid insulator material can comprise discrete control capacitors as capacitive control elements. Ceramic cylinders, glass cylinders, or glass-ceramic cylinders can be provided as discrete control capacitors, in particular incorporated into the solid insulator material. For example, discrete control capacitors can be cast into the solid insulator material. In particular, these discrete control capacitors are cast in when the solid insulator material is cast around the interrupter unit.

[0020] In addition, the solid insulator material can be provided with support structures. For example, triangular shapes, rods, rectangular shapes, ribs or similar structures can be cast into the solid insulator material as support structures. The support structures, in particular microstructures, for example structures with millimeter dimensions, can be shaped such that they compensate for temperature-dependent expansion of the solid insulator material. In one embodiment, the solid insulator material can additionally comprise at least one filler as control elements. For example, aluminum nitride, boron nitride and / or barium titanate can be added as filler. The dielectric constant of the solid insulator material and / or the thermal conductivity of the solid insulator material can be increased by one or more such fillers.

[0021] A further development provides that the solid insulator, in particular the solid insulator material, is formed from several insulating layers, in particular several axial and / or radial layers, around the interrupter unit with different dielectric constants and / or from different materials. This allows the control effect of the solid insulator to be adjusted accordingly.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the solid insulator can be formed from a plurality of conductive layers, in particular resistive layers for a resistive control effect and / or capacitive layers for a capacitive control effect.

[0023] Furthermore, an adhesive layer can be arranged between the at least one interrupter unit and the solid insulating material. This can prevent air pockets in a boundary layer to live parts.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, an outer contour of the solid insulator, in particular of the solid insulator material, and / or of the optional housing has a shield structure, a wave structure, a rib structure, or the like. This allows the creepage path for a possible flashover to be extended. Furthermore, a plurality of interrupter units can be provided, which are preferably connected in series.

[0025] The solid insulator material of the solid insulator is formed, in particular, from a potting material, such as epoxy resin, silicone, or polyurethane. The solid insulator material can surround at least one interrupter unit as a potting compound. In particular, the solid insulator material surrounds the respective interrupter unit in layers.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the optional housing of the circuit breaker can be made of a composite material, in particular of ceramic and / or silicone. The housing can be designed, in particular, as a ribbed, wave-shaped, or shield-shaped housing.

[0027] The above-mentioned embodiment of the invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding of the interrupter unit by direct contact of the solid insulator.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the solid insulator material (= insulator material of the solid insulator) can be a silicone or an epoxy resin or a plastic material, for example polyurethane or the like. A silicone or epoxy resin or plastic material is suitable as an insulator material of the solid insulator due to its dielectric properties and the advantageous production of the solid insulator, for example by encapsulating the interrupter unit with the silicone or epoxy resin or plastic material.

[0029] The above-mentioned embodiment of the invention utilizes the fact that by embedding fillers, such as aluminum nitride, boron nitride and / or barium titanate and / or discrete control capacitors, in the solid insulator material, a control, in particular a voltage control, can be effected directly in a load case of the circuit breaker without additional separate control elements, such as control capacitors, control resistors or the like.

[0030] In particular, a dielectric constant and a capacitance can be specified and adjusted by embedding appropriate fillers, such as aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate and / or discrete control capacitors, into the solid insulator material in suitable areas. The fillers can be randomly distributed throughout the solid insulator material.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, the solid insulator is located directly on the interrupter unit.

[0032] The above-mentioned embodiment of the invention advantageously enables a dielectric shielding of the interrupter unit to the outside and optionally with respect to the housing by a direct contact of the solid insulator with the interrupter unit as well as a control effect in the event of an overload by the solid insulator material with a predetermined dielectricity and a predetermined capacitance.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the space between the optional housing of the circuit breaker and the interrupter unit is completely filled with the solid insulator. The aforementioned embodiment of the invention advantageously enables a particularly small distance between the interrupter unit and the housing wall of the circuit breaker housing, since the space between the interrupter unit and the housing wall is completely filled with the solid insulator. As a result, this embodiment of the invention also enables a particularly small overall size of the circuit breaker. In a further embodiment of the invention, a part of the space between the housing wall and the interrupter unit that is not filled with the solid insulator can be and / or be filled with an insulating gas.For example, the insulating gas is synthetic air, a fluorinated gas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of at least two of these gases. The aforementioned embodiment of the invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding of the interrupter unit from the housing by combining the solid insulator with a suitable insulating gas.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the interrupter unit comprises a vacuum interrupter.

[0035] A vacuum interrupter has a switching chamber which is evacuated during operation of the circuit breaker, so that a (technical) vacuum prevails in the switching chamber. Two contact elements are arranged in the switching chamber and can be moved relative to one another between a first switching position in which they rest against one another and a second switching position in which they are separated from one another. A vacuum interrupter is advantageous, among other things, because when the contact elements are separated, no gas discharges can occur between the contact elements, thus reducing so-called switching arcs between the contact elements.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, the circuit breaker has at least one electrical conductor or electrical terminal embedded in solid insulation, which is electrically connected to the interrupter unit. The solid insulation advantageously electrically shields the electrical conductor or electrical terminal from the outside or from the optional housing of the circuit breaker. The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understandable in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

[0037] The only one shows:

[0038] FIG schematically shows a circuit breaker with two interrupter units, each surrounded by a solid insulator.

[0039] The single figure (FIG) shows an exemplary embodiment of a circuit breaker 1 in a sectional view. The circuit breaker 1 comprises two interrupter units 3 and a solid insulator 5 surrounding each of the interrupter units 3.

[0040] The circuit breaker 1, in particular a high-voltage circuit breaker for switching voltages up to 1200 kV and / or currents of up to several hundred amperes, is, for example, T-shaped and comprises two interrupter units 3 which are electrically connected in series between two external electrical terminals 7.

[0041] For example, electrical consumers, power generators and / or power grids can be connected to the terminals 7, which can be switched on or off via the circuit breaker 1 as a switching device.

[0042] Each interrupter unit 3 and / or each terminal 7 is surrounded by the solid insulator 5 for dielectric shielding. The interrupter units 3 are each arranged coaxially in the solid insulator 5, with their longitudinal axis equal to the longitudinal axis of the solid insulator 5.

[0043] In the middle, between the two interrupter units 3, a deflection gear 9 is arranged, which connects the interrupter units 3 to one another.

[0044] Optionally, the respective interrupter unit 3 and the solid insulator 5 can be arranged coaxially in an associated housing 11. The two housings 11 of the two interrupter units 3 can be mechanically securely fastened to the deflection gear 9, for example, via flanges 17, in particular metallic flanges 17, for example via screw connections.

[0045] The deflection gear 9 is arranged on an upright, in particular circular-cylindrical, support insulator 13. The support insulator 13 is, for example, substantially circular-cylindrical, elongated, with a ribbed structure on the surface for good electrical insulation across the outer surface of the support insulator 13. The support insulator 13 is, for example, formed from ceramic and / or silicone and / or plastic material or comprises these materials.

[0046] The post insulator 13 can comprise one or more parts 15 which are connected to one another via flanges 17. The post insulator 13 is fastened to the deflection gear 9, to which the interrupter units 3 are fastened. The post insulator 13 and the deflection gear 9 are arranged in a columnar manner, standing upright on a base (not shown), in particular on a foundation. The post insulator 13 can have, in a lower region, a further gear (not shown in detail) and a drive for switching the circuit breaker 1, in particular the interrupter units 3. The respective interrupter unit 3 has two contact elements 21, 22 which are arranged in a switching chamber 19 and which can be moved relative to one another between a first switching position in which they rest against one another, and a second switching position in which they are separated from one another.

[0047] For example, the respective interrupter unit 3 has a vacuum interrupter, the switching chamber 19 of which is evacuated during operation of the circuit breaker 1, so that a (technical) vacuum prevails in it.

[0048] The respective outer terminal 7 of the circuit breaker 1 (also called circuit breaker assembly) is connected to a contact element 21 of the associated interrupter unit 3 facing the outer terminal 7. The contact elements 22 facing away from the respective terminal 7 are electrically connected to one another, so that the two interrupter units 3 are connected in series.

[0049] Both the interrupter unit 3 with the outer switching chamber 19 and the contact elements 21, 22 located therein, as well as the outer terminals 7, are surrounded by the solid insulator 5. The solid insulator 5 can be formed from the same solid insulator material in the region of the interrupter units 3 and the outer terminals 7. Alternatively, the solid insulator material in the region of the interrupter units 3 can have different properties with regard to dielectricity and / or capacitance than in the region of the outer terminals 7.

[0050] The solid insulator 5 is made at least predominantly from an electrically insulating insulator material, for example from a silicone or epoxy resin or a plastic material.

[0051] The respective solid insulator 5 is formed at least predominantly from a solid insulator material which directly effects a control, in particular a voltage control, in the event of an overload on the circuit breaker 1.

[0052] In particular, the at least one solid insulating material of the respective solid insulator 5 with a control effect can be configured such that an electrically insulating control and / or a thermally conductive control is effected in the event of an overload on the circuit breaker 1, in particular in the event of a power interruption, for example when the contact elements 21, 22 of the interrupter unit(s) 3 are open. The at least one solid insulating material can be configured, through its composition itself and / or through additives and / or fillers, to effect an electrically insulating control and / or a thermally conductive control in the event of an overload on the circuit breaker 1.

[0053] In one possible embodiment, the solid insulator material has a predetermined dielectric constant in a range of up to 10,000, in particular from 10 to 2,000.

[0054] The solid insulator material (= insulator material of the solid insulator) can be, for example, a silicone or an epoxy resin or a plastic material, for example, polyurethane or the like. In particular, during the manufacture of the solid insulator 5, the solid insulator material is directly connected, in particular materially bonded, to the interrupter unit 3 by encapsulating the interrupter unit 3 with the silicone or the epoxy resin or the plastic material.

[0055] The solid insulator material as a gradient material can in particular have a predetermined radial gradient and / or a predetermined axial gradient. In particular, the solid insulator material can be formed from a plurality of layers (= insulating layers), in particular a plurality of axial and / or radial layers, around the respective interrupter unit 3, with different dielectric constants and / or from different materials. As a result, the control effect of the solid insulator 5 can be adjusted accordingly. The solid insulator 5 can alternatively or additionally be formed from at least one or more conductive layers, in particular resistive layers for a resistive control effect and / or capacitive layers for a capacitive control effect.

[0056] In a further possible embodiment, the solid insulator material has a predetermined capacitance in a range from 10 pF to 10,000 pF. For example, the solid insulator material can comprise discrete control capacitors as capacitive control elements. Ceramic cylinders, cylinders made of glass, or cylinders made of glass-ceramic can be provided as discrete control capacitors, for example in the form of additives or fillers, in particular introduced into the solid insulator material. For example, discrete control capacitors can be cast into the solid insulator material. In particular, these discrete control capacitors are cast in when the solid insulator material is cast around the interrupter unit 3.

[0057] Additionally, the solid insulator material can be provided with support structures. Support structures can include, for example, triangular shapes, rods, square shapes, ribs, or similar structures cast into the solid insulator material. The support structures, in particular microstructures, for example, structures with millimeter dimensions, can be shaped, for example, to compensate for temperature-dependent expansion of the solid insulator material.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the solid insulator material can comprise at least one filler as a control element. For example, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, and / or barium titanate can be added as a filler. The filler or fillers can have a proportion of at least 10 percent by volume up to 50 percent by volume. The filler concentration can vary from region to region, for example, being higher in a region near the interrupter unit 3 than in outer regions.

[0059] The additives, support structures and / or fillers are arranged, for example, in regions of the solid insulator 5 in which the solid insulator 5 borders on the interrupter unit 3, and / or in regions of the solid insulator 5 in the vicinity of which an electrical connection 7 and / or contacts 21, 22 run or run.

[0060] The solid insulator 5 rests directly against the interrupter unit 3 and is spaced apart from the housing wall of the optional housing 11. Optionally, an adhesive layer can be arranged between the interrupter unit 3 and the solid insulator material of the solid insulator 5. This can prevent air inclusions in a boundary layer to live parts 15 of the circuit breaker 1.

[0061] The area of ​​a possible gap 24 between the optional housing 11 and the interrupter unit 3 not filled by the solid insulator 5 can be filled with an insulating gas during operation of the circuit breaker 1.

[0062] The optional housing 11 of the circuit breaker 1 can be made of a composite material, in particular of ceramic and / or silicone. The housing 11 can, in particular, have a ribbed, wave-shaped, or shield-shaped housing shape.

[0063] In the design of the circuit breaker 1 without a housing 11, the solid insulator 5 can in particular have a ribbed, wave-shaped or shield-shaped housing shape. The above-mentioned design of the invention advantageously enables dielectric shielding and voltage control of the interrupter unit 3 even in the event of an overload due to the direct contact of the solid insulator 5 with the interrupter unit 3 and the material properties of the solid insulator 5.

[0064] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, this includes persons of male, female, or other gender identities.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Circuit breaker (1) comprising - at least one interrupter unit (3) and - a surrounding the interrupter unit (3) Solid insulator (5) which is formed at least predominantly from a solid insulating material which directly effects voltage control in the event of an overload on the circuit breaker (1).

2. Circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the solid insulating material has a predetermined dielectric constant in a range of up to 10,000, in particular from 10 to 2,000.

3. Circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the solid insulating material has a predetermined capacitance in a range of 10 pF to 10,000 pF.

4. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulating material is formed from epoxy resin, silicone or polyurethane.

5. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulating material comprises discrete control capacitors as capacitive control elements.

6. Circuit breaker (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the solid insulating material comprises ceramic cylinders, glass cylinders or glass-ceramic cylinders as discrete control capacitors.

7. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulating material is provided with support structures.

8. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulating material comprises at least one filler as control elements.

9. Circuit breaker (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that aluminum nitride, boron nitride and / or barium titanate are or are added as filler.

10. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulator (5) is formed from several insulating layers with different dielectric constants and / or from different materials.

11. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulator (5) is formed from several conductive layers, in particular resistive layers for a resistive control effect and / or capacitive layers for a capacitive control effect 12. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adhesive layer is arranged between the at least one interrupter unit (3) and the solid insulating material.

13. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer contour of the solid insulator (5) has a shielding structure.

14. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid insulating material surrounds at least one interrupter unit (3) as a casting compound.

15. Circuit breaker (1) according to one of the preceding claims Claims, characterized in that several interrupter units (3) are provided which are connected in series.

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