Electrical disconnection equipment featuring an insulation barrier

Abstract

Electrical disconnection equipment having an insulation barrier. Electrical disconnection equipment (10) comprising a box (12) and a circuit breaker (14) disposed in the box (12), the circuit breaker (14) having at least two sections (26, 32, 38) positioned along a main axis (XX) in line with each other and one of which internally delimits a disconnection space (59), the two sections (26, 32, 38) being separated by a conductive ring (41, 42), the box (12) having at least one wall having at least one conductive area (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 the level of a region (50) of the conductive ring (41, 42). opposite the conductive zone (22) of the wall closest to the ring (41, 42). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical cut-off equipment having an insulating barrier

[0001] The present invention relates to electrical cut-off equipment, of the type comprising a box and a circuit breaker arranged in the box, the circuit breaker comprising at least two sections positioned along a main axis in the extension of one another and one of which internally delimits a disconnection space, the two sections being separated by a conductive ring whose external circumference comprises at least one exposed connection area, the box comprising at least one wall having at least one exposed conductive zone facing the circuit breaker.

[0002] Railway vehicles require cut-off equipment to ensure the protection of the vehicle's electrical circuits. Such equipment includes, in particular, high-voltage circuit breakers, of the order of 15kV and 25kV, mounted on the roof of the vehicle to secure the electrical connection between the alternating current coming from the catenary and the vehicle's network.

[0003] Circuit breakers have insulators to protect the circuit breaker's breaking chamber from grounded equipment located outside the circuit breaker, for example on the roof. The insulators prevent the creation of an electric arc between the grounded equipment and the internal circuits of the circuit breaker carried at a high voltage.

[0004] The circuit breaker generally has an oblong shape. The electrical connections of the circuit breaker to the catenary and to the vehicle network are positioned in the middle of the circuit breaker in order to isolate the high potential introduced from the ends of the circuit breaker connected to ground. The insulators are thus positioned on the roof along an axis orthogonal to the rolling plane of the railway vehicle, in order to also distance the central connection at a high potential from the roof of the vehicle connected to ground.

[0005] The cut-off equipment is then placed on the roof and exposed to the elements and storms. In addition, the space available in height on the roof of a railway vehicle is limited.

[0006] Solutions to the lack of available space and exposure to the weather 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-height, grounded electrical box. The high-potential central connection is insulated from the grounded mounting plate by a layer of insulating material on the mounting plate.

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

[0009] The aim of the invention is to propose a cut-off device which prevents the formation of electric arcs in the electrical box.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cut-off device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that at least one of the sections comprises at least one barrier covering the conductive ring at a region of the conductive ring opposite the conductive zone of the wall closest to the ring.

[0011] According to embodiments, the cut-off equipment comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

[0012] - the two sections are distinct from each other, and the conductive ring separates the two sections around the entire periphery of the circuit breaker;

[0013] - the or each barrier is generated by a generator extending substantially pa rallying to the main axis;

[0014] - the section has an external insulating column and the barrier came from matter with the column;

[0015] - the barrier extends along the main axis beyond the conductive ring on a additional length between 20% and 300% of the ring length along the main axis;

[0016] - each section comprises 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 zone of the wall closest to the ring;

[0017] - the barrier of at least one section is embedded in a groove provided in the thickness of the barrier of the other section;

[0018] - the circuit breaker comprises at least three sections separated by at least two rings conductive, 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

[0019] - the barrier extends angularly over an angle centered on the axis of the section included between 20° and 120°.

[0020] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle comprising cut-off equipment as described above, in which the wall closest to the ring having at least one conductive zone is in plane support with a partition of the railway vehicle, the main axis of the circuit breaker being substantially parallel to the partition of the vehicle.

[0021] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective view of a cutting equipment according to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial sectional view of the cutting equipment along a longitudinal plane; and

[0024] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial perspective and sectional view of the cutting equipment along a transverse plane passing through a conductive ring.

[0025] [Fig.l] shows electrical cut-off equipment 10 advantageously positioned on a vehicle roof, particularly a railway vehicle.

[0026] The cut-off equipment 10 comprises a box 12 and a circuit breaker 14 arranged in the box 12.

[0027] The trunk 12 comprises a bottom 16 resting on the roof of the vehicle and four side walls 18 defined along an elevation direction E of the trunk 12. A cover 20 visible in [Fig.2] extends above the side walls 18 parallel to the bottom 16.

[0028] In another embodiment, the bottom 16 is in flat support against another partition of the railway vehicle.

[0029] The cover 20 and one of the side walls 18 are not shown in [Fig.l].

[0030] The trunk 12 is closed. Openings in the walls of the trunk 12 are advantageously carefully reserved for the passage of electrical cables connecting circuit breaker 14 to the overhead electrical network and / or to the vehicle network.

[0031] The bottom 16 and the side walls 18 have a conductive material connected to ground, at least in one area, thus defining a conductive area 22.

[0032] Advantageously, the trunk 12 has a conductive material connected to ground over the entire bottom 16 and the side walls 18.

[0033] Circuit breaker 14 is a vacuum circuit breaker.

[0034] The circuit breaker 14 comprises a mechanical control 24 fixed on a side wall 18 as shown in [Fig.l]. The mechanical control 24 is controlled by a control unit, not shown.

[0035] The circuit breaker 14 comprises a cylindrical actuating section 26 positioned along a main axis XX.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The actuating section 26 forms, with the mechanical control 24, an actuator 27. The actuating section 26 is positioned against the mechanical control 24. The actuating 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.

[0038] The actuating section 26 is shown alone in [Fig.3].

[0039] The circuit breaker 14 further comprises a middle section 32 positioned along the axis main 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.

[0040] The circuit breaker 14 also comprises a support section 38 located in succession to 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 in [Fig.2]. The support section 38 comprises a hollow insulating cylindrical support column 40.

[0041] The sections 26, 32, 38 are distinct from one another. Each column 28, 34, 40 is made of insulating material such as ceramic or a composite, each column being in particular molded from epoxy resin.

[0042] The circuit breaker 14 comprises an output conductive ring 41 separating the actuating section 26 and the middle section 32. The circuit breaker 14 comprises 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 conductive ring 42 is connected to the support section 38 via a connector 44.

[0043] The connection 44 is a metal part receiving the support section 38, a part of the connection 44 being oriented along the main axis XX and another along the secondary axis YY, thus providing the link between two directions of elongation of the sections 32, 38.

[0044] Each conductive ring 41, 42 is a metal part, comprising an outer circumference 46 having at least one exposed connection pad 48. The outer circumference 46 is also conductive. The connection pad 48 of the output conductive ring 41 is connected to the pantograph and the connection pad of the input conductive ring 42 is connected to the vehicle transformer.

[0045] [Fig.3] shows a section at the output conductive ring 41 with the exposed connection pads 48 visible.

[0046] Each conductive ring 41, 42 separates the two sections which surround it over the entire periphery of the circuit breaker 14. The external circumference 46 is therefore clear.

[0047] Each conductive ring 41, 42 is fixed to the two sections which frame it by screws as shown in [Fig.3].

[0048] Each conductive ring 41, 42 has a region 50 opposite the conductive zone 22 of the bottom 16.

[0049] As visible in [Fig. 1], the conductive zone 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.

[0050] The actuator column 28 is fixed on the mechanical control 24 and the ring output conductor 41 by screws shown in [Fig.2].

[0051] Each column 28, 34, 40 has externally a succession of transverse collars on its external surface and has a cylindrical internal surface.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The cylindrical internal surface of the middle column 34 internally delimits a disjunction space 59, in which the cutting chamber 36 is positioned. The control rod 30 is connected on one side to the mechanical control 24 and on the other to the cutting chamber 36.

[0054] Each column 28, 34 comprises a cylindrical body extended by a barrier in an insulating material. The material is advantageously ceramic or a composite.

[0055] The actuator column 28 comprises an internal barrier 61 partially covering the output conductive ring 4L. The middle column 34 comprises an external barrier 62 covering the internal barrier 61 at the right of the output conductive ring 4L.

[0056] The internal barrier 61 and the external barrier 62 are superimposed in the region 50 of the conductive output ring 41 while remaining distinct from one another. The external barrier 62 delimits a groove 64 formed in its thickness, the internal barrier 61 being embedded in the groove 64.

[0057] In another embodiment, the groove is provided in the internal barrier 61 receiving the external barrier 62.

[0058] The middle column 34 further comprises an input barrier 66 covering the input conductive ring 42 located in the region 50 of the input conductive ring 42.

[0059] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 is made in one piece 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.

[0060] In another embodiment, not shown, the support column 40 comprises a support barrier covering the input conductive ring 42 overlapping with the input barrier 66 in the region 50 of the input conductive ring 42.

[0061] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 is radially separated from the conductive ring 41, 42, as well as from the conductive zone 22 of the wall closest to the corresponding ring 41, 42.

[0062] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 is generated by a generator extending substantially parallel to the main axis XX. The barriers 61 and 66 extend along the axis main axis XX beyond the corresponding conductive ring 41, 42 over an additional length of between 20% and 300% of the thickness of the ring 41, 42 along the main axis XX.

[0063] Each barrier 61, 62, 66 extends angularly over an angle centered on the axis XX of between 20° and 120° around the periphery of the corresponding ring 41, 42. Each barrier 61, 62, 66 has a thickness, defined radially with respect to the main axis XX, of between 10% and 50% of the thickness of the column at the level of the attachment with the corresponding ring 41, 42.

[0064] The operation of the circuit breaker 14 will now be briefly described.

[0065] The circuit breaker 14 has a nominal configuration when current flows through the circuit breaker 14. The circuit breaker 14 also has a cut-off configuration when a fault or operation on the voltage line or the vehicle requires the current to be opened.

[0066] In the nominal configuration, a current is supplied to the exposed connection pads 48 on the input conductive ring 42, thus placing the input conductive ring 42 under high voltage. The current flows in the disconnection space 59 and in particular through the breaking chamber 36. The current is transported out of the circuit breaker 14 at the output conductive ring 41, thanks to the exposed connection pads 48.

[0067] The current is transported outside the circuit breaker 14 using a pantograph and cables connecting it to the overhead network and to the vehicle network.

[0068] The actuating section 26 and the support section 38 allow the isolation of the cutting chamber 36. The actuating section 26 also allows the transmission of forces from the mechanical control 24 to the cutting chamber 36.

[0069] When a fault is detected, or during an operation on the voltage line or on the vehicle, the mechanical control 24 receives the order from the control unit to cut off 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 breaking can take place in the breaking chamber 36.

[0070] The cut-off equipment 10 has the advantage of being compact while ensuring the safety of the vehicle's electrical network.

[0071] Each conductive ring 41, 42 being in a nominal configuration under high voltage and having exposed conductive connections, there are risks of electric arcing between the conductive ring 41, 42 and a conductive zone 22. The bottom 16 in plane support with the roof of the vehicle being connected to the ground of the vehicle, the conductive zone 22 which results therefrom is conducive to the formation of arcs.

[0072] The presence of a barrier 61, 62, 66 makes it possible to physically limit 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.

[0073] The presence of two separate sections 26, 32 makes it possible to maintain easy assembly and maintenance of the circuit breaker 14 thanks to the presence of the exposed connection pads 48 on the conductive ring 41, 42.

[0074] The barrier 61, 62, 66 being integral with the corresponding column 28, 34, 40 allows for economical and simple manufacturing, limiting the number of separate parts, in particular by using the same mold for the column 28, 34 and the corresponding barrier 61, 62, 66. The mechanical strength of each section 26, 32, 38 is thus preserved.

[0075] 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 extends the distance to be covered by the arc between the conductive ring 41, 42 and the conductive zone 22.

[0076] The superposition of the internal barrier 61 and the external barrier 62 at the region 50 of the output conductive ring 41 makes it possible to further extend the path to be traveled by the electric arc for it to form, the distance to be traveled by Parc going up to double between a configuration without barrier and with barrier.

[0077] 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 pads 48 and to the means for fixing the conductive ring 41, 42 to the sections 26, 32, 38 while protecting the region 50 most at risk of seeing an electric arc appear.

[0078] The vehicle comprising such cut-off equipment 10 thus has a reduced height since the circuit breaker 14 is placed parallel to the partition of the vehicle, while limiting the risks of electric arcing due to the proximity of the conductive ring 41, 42 to a conductive partition.

Claims

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 the level of 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 zone conductive (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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