Gas Circuit Breaker

Abstract

To realize a gas circuit breaker capable of handling a large current while maintaining high performance without enlarging the equipment.SOLUTION: A gas circuit breaker to break a current (100) includes a first gas flow path (13) provided on the central axis side of a cylinder (20) communicating with an arc discharge space (60) in which hot gas is generated by the arc discharge (Z), a second gas channel (45) provided in the piston (40) and communicating with the first gas channel (13), and an exhaust port (46) communicating the second gas flow path (45) with the outside. The cylinder (20) moves relative to the piston (40) from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, and a part of the exhaust port (46) is placed in overlapping position for the cylinder side body (23) in the current interruption state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas circuit breaker that is used to interrupt a fault current in an electric power system and extinguishes an arc discharge generated between contacts by spraying an arc-extinguishing gas thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, gas circuit breakers are known that blow gas to extinguish arc discharges that occur during current interruption operations such as when a short circuit occurs. For example, cited reference 1 discloses a gas circuit breaker that includes a puffer cylinder containing an arc-extinguishing gas and has a hot gas treatment space that takes in hot gas to cool the hot gas caused by the arc discharge. The gas circuit breaker described in cited reference 1 has a plurality of exhaust holes in a wall portion that surrounds the hot gas treatment space, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream exhaust hole is made smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upstream exhaust hole, thereby defining the exhaust direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 066119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have a problem that the gas circuit breaker becomes large. When a gas circuit breaker is made to handle a large current, the arc energy becomes high. In order to handle high arc energy while maintaining the performance of the gas circuit breaker, a large amount of hot gas must be exhausted. However, in the gas circuit breaker described in the cited document 1, in order to provide multiple exhaust holes to exhaust a large amount of hot gas, it is necessary to enlarge the wall portion where the exhaust holes are provided, and as a result, the gas circuit breaker becomes large.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and has an object to realize a gas circuit breaker that can handle large currents without increasing the size of the device while maintaining high performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a gas circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present invention is a gas circuit breaker that interrupts a current, comprising: a first contactor; a second contactor that can be brought into contact with and separated from the first contactor by moving relatively to the first contactor; a cylinder that is fixed to the second contactor and slidably arranged on a piston into which it is inserted; a first gas flow path provided on the central axis side of the cylinder and communicating with an arc discharge space in which hot gas is generated by an arc discharge generated between the first contactor and the second contactor when the first contactor and the second contactor are separated from each other, the first gas flow path communicating with the first gas flow path and provided within the piston; and an exhaust port that communicates the second gas flow path with the outside, the cylinder moving in a direction away from the first contactor with respect to the piston from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, and a part of the exhaust port being positioned to face and overlap a side surface of the cylinder in the current interruption state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a gas circuit breaker that can handle a large current without increasing the size of the device while maintaining high performance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a gas circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a normal current-carrying state. [Diagram 2] 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation of a closing member of the gas circuit breaker. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state during an opening operation of the gas circuit breaker. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the gas circuit breaker is interrupted. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a modified example of the gas circuit breaker. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining another modified example of the gas circuit breaker. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a gas circuit breaker as a comparative example, illustrating a normal current-carrying state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the gas circuit breaker is interrupted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a gas circuit breaker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the normal current-carrying state of the gas circuit breaker 100 during normal current-carrying. First, an overview of the gas circuit breaker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gas circuit breaker 100 is used to interrupt a short-circuit current or the like in an electric power system. When interrupting a fault current or the like, the gas circuit breaker 100 performs an opening operation, which will be described later, to interrupt the fault current or the like. During the opening operation, an arc discharge occurs between the arc contacts (second contact 31). The gas circuit breaker 100 sprays an extinguishing gas onto the generated arc discharge to extinguish the arc discharge.

[0010] Since the hot gas generated by the arc discharge reaches a high temperature, measures are required to exhaust the hot gas from the gas circuit breaker 100. One possible measure is to disperse the hot gas and exhaust it. However, simply providing multiple exhaust ports requires that the locations where the exhaust ports are provided be large, which results in an increase in the size of the gas circuit breaker 100.

[0011] Therefore, the gas circuit breaker 100 has a part of the hot gas exhaust port arranged in a position that faces and overlaps with the side surface of the cylinder when the current is interrupted. As a result, the gas circuit breaker 100 can achieve a compact size without compromising performance even if it is a gas circuit breaker that can handle a large current. An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0012] (Gas Circuit Breaker Configuration) A schematic configuration of the gas circuit breaker 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, as shown in Fig. 1, a direction parallel to the axis P is defined as the x direction, a direction perpendicular to the axis P is defined as the y direction, and the direction from the first fixed part M toward the second fixed part N (the direction in which the cylinder 20 moves away from the first contact 3) is defined as the positive side of the x direction.

[0013] The gas circuit breaker 100 is provided in a sealed container (not shown). The sealed container is made of a grounded metal or insulator, and is filled with insulating gas as an electrical insulating medium. The gas circuit breaker 100 is fixed in the sealed container with insulation.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the gas circuit breaker 100 includes a first fixed part M, a second fixed part N, and a movable part K. The first fixed part M, the second fixed part N, and the movable part K are arranged coaxially with an axis P as a central axis. The positions of the first fixed part M and the second fixed part N are fixed with respect to the sealed container, and the movable part K is provided so as to be movable along the axial direction of the axis P. The movable part K is arranged so as to be able to move toward and away from the first fixed part M. In addition, a part of the second fixed part N is fitted into the movable part K, and the movable part K is arranged so as to be able to slide with respect to the part of the second fixed part N fitted into it. The first fixed part M, the second fixed part N, and the movable part K will be described in detail below.

[0015] (1st fixed part) The first fixed part M includes a fixed current-carrying contact 1, a current-carrying part 2, and a first contact 3. The fixed current-carrying contact 1 is a cylindrical conductor having an axis P as its central axis and extending substantially parallel to the axis P. The fixed current-carrying contact 1 is electrically connected to the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100. The fixed current-carrying contact 1 is insulated and fixed to a sealed container.

[0016] The first contactor 3 is a conductor extending substantially on the axis P along the axis P. The first contactor 3 is disposed within the fixed current-carrying contactor 1, and is fixed to and electrically connected to the fixed current-carrying contactor 1 via a current-carrying part 2. When the contacts are opened, a current flows from the fixed current-carrying contactor 1 through the current-carrying part 2 to the first contactor 3.

[0017] (Movable part) The movable part K includes an operating rod 10, a cylinder 20, a second contact 31, a nozzle 32, and a movable current-carrying contact 33.

[0018] The operating rod 10 is a cylindrical member extending substantially along the axis P. The cylinder 20, the second contact 31, the nozzle 32, and the movable current-carrying contact 33 are fixed to the operating rod 10. When the operating rod 10 is moved in the x direction by a driving device (not shown), each of the components fixed to the operating rod 10 moves integrally with the operating rod 10.

[0019] The operating rod 10 includes an operating part 11 and a gas flow path section 12, with the operating part 11 on the positive side in the x direction and the gas flow path section 12 on the negative side in the x direction. The gas flow path section 12 is made of a hollow member, and its inside forms a first gas flow path 13. A cylinder 20 is disposed around the gas flow path section 12. The first gas flow path 13 is provided on the side of the central axis P of the cylinder 20 of a puffer chamber 21 provided in the cylinder 20, which will be described later.

[0020] The first gas flow passage 13 communicates with an arc discharge space 60, which will be described later. The first gas flow passage 13 is formed in a first gas flow passage side body 14, which defines the first gas flow passage 13, with communication ports 15 that communicate the first gas flow passage 13 with a second gas flow passage 45, which will be described later. The communication ports 15 are formed in the x direction between an end of the cylinder 20 on the positive side in the x direction and an end of the operating part 11 on the negative side in the x direction. The shape of the communication ports 15 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a round hole or a hole elongated in the longitudinal direction. In addition, it is preferable that the communication ports 15 are formed evenly in the circumferential direction of the first gas flow passage side body 14.

[0021] The cylinder 20 has a donut-shaped bottom surface 22 at its end on the negative x-direction side, surrounded by two concentric circles with different radii and centered on the axis P. The bottom surface 22 is formed by extending a surface from the outer periphery of the end on the negative x-direction side of the operating rod 10 toward the outer circle of the bottom surface 22. In other words, the inner circle of the bottom surface 22 coincides with the end on the negative x-direction side of the operating rod 10, and the bottom surface 22 is fixed to the end on the negative x-direction side of the operating rod 10.

[0022] The cylinder 20 has a cylinder side body 23 extending from the outer circle of the bottom surface 22 along the axis P. An insertion portion 41, which is a part of a piston 40 described later, is inserted from the positive side in the x direction into the space between the cylinder side body 23 and the first gas flow path side body 14 and is arranged so as to be slidable on the piston 40. The puffer chamber 21 is formed by the bottom surface 22, the cylinder side body 23, the first gas flow path side body 14, and the piston 40 described later. In other words, the cylinder 20 forms the puffer chamber 21 containing the arc-extinguishing gas between the piston 40 and the second contact 31. The cylinder 20 is made of a conductor.

[0023] On the negative side in the x direction of the bottom surface 22, a second contact 31, a nozzle 32, and a movable current-carrying contact 33 are fixed in this order from the axis P side.

[0024] The second contactor 31 is cylindrical and fixed to the bottom surface 22 so as to be in contact with the outer periphery of the first contactor 3 in a normal energized state. The second contactor 31 can be brought into contact with and separated from the first contactor 3 by moving relatively to the first contactor 3. When the first contactor 3 and the second contactor 31 are separated from each other, an arc discharge occurs between the second contactor 31.

[0025] The nozzle 32 is disposed between the second contact 31 and the movable current-carrying contact 33, and rectifies the arc-extinguishing gas and the heat gas. The inner surface of the nozzle 32 on the axis P side is inclined so as to open from the positive side in the x direction toward the negative side in the x direction. The nozzle 32 has insulating properties, and can be made of, for example, a fluororesin (e.g., Teflon (registered trademark)).

[0026] A blowing port 24 is formed between the second contact 31 on the bottom surface 22 and the nozzle 32. When the cylinder 20 moves relatively to the piston 40 in the positive x-direction (longitudinal direction), the distance between the bottom surface 22 and a fitting portion 41 of the piston 40 described later decreases, and the volume of the puffer chamber 21 decreases, compressing the arc-extinguishing gas. The compressed arc-extinguishing gas is blown out from the blowing port 24 toward the nozzle 32, rectified by the nozzle 32, and blown to the arc discharge in the arc discharge space 60.

[0027] The movable current-carrying contact 33 is cylindrical and fixed to the bottom surface 22 so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the fixed current-carrying contact 1 in a normal energized state.

[0028] (Second fixed part) The second fixed portion N includes a piston 40 and a closing member 50. The piston 40 is a cylindrical conductor having an axis P as a central axis and extending substantially parallel to the axis P. The piston 40 is electrically connected to the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100.

[0029] The inner diameter of the piston 40 is larger than the outer diameter of the operating rod 10, and the operating rod 10 is disposed inside the piston 40. An insert portion 41 is provided at the end of the piston 40 on the negative side in the x direction, protruding radially inward and outward of the piston 40, and the insert portion 41 is inserted into the cylinder 20.

[0030] The end of the piston 40 on the positive side in the x direction is insulated and fixed to the sealed container via a support part 42. The support part 42 is formed with a hole 43 through which the operating rod 10 can move in the x direction. The inner diameter of the hole 43 is larger than the outer diameter of the operating rod 10 and smaller than the inner diameter of the piston 40. A second gas flow path 45 is formed in the piston 40 by the fitting part 41, the support part 42, the piston side body 44, and the operating rod 10. The second gas flow path 45 communicates with the first gas flow path 13. In addition, the piston side body 44 is formed with an exhaust port 46 that communicates the second gas flow path 45 with the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100. The exhaust port 46 will be described in detail.

[0031] (Exhaust port) The exhaust port 46 exhausts the hot gas that has been taken into the first gas passage 13 and that has been heated by arc discharge in an arc discharge space 60 (described later) from the second gas passage 45 to the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100, i.e., into the insulating gas filled in the sealed container. A part of the exhaust port 46 is positioned to face and overlap the cylinder side body 23 in the current interruption state.

[0032] The piston side body 44 may have one exhaust port 46 or may have a plurality of exhaust ports 46. In this embodiment, a first exhaust port 46a and a second exhaust port 46b are formed as the exhaust port 46. The first exhaust port 46a is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cut state, and the second exhaust port 46b is disposed at a position that overlaps with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cut state. In other words, the first exhaust port 46a is formed on the downstream side far from the arc discharge space 60, and the second exhaust port 46b is formed on the upstream side close to the arc discharge space 60. By forming the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b separately on the upstream and downstream sides, the hot gas flows separately, and the hot gas is easily exhausted from the first exhaust port 46a on the downstream side.

[0033] Furthermore, the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b are arranged such that the communication port 15 is located between the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b in the current-interrupted state. As a result, even if the closing member 50 is not provided, a large amount of hot gas is exhausted from the second exhaust port 46b at the start of the contact-opening operation, and in the latter half of the contact-opening operation, more hot gas is exhausted from the first exhaust port 46a, which is advantageous for dispersive exhaust of the hot gas.

[0034] The exhaust port 46 may be arranged so that a part of the exhaust port 46 faces and overlaps with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cutoff state. For example, the exhaust port 46 may be a single hole connecting the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b. In this case, it is sufficient that a part of the hole connecting the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b is arranged at a position facing and overlapping with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cutoff state. Also, the first exhaust port 46a or the second exhaust port 46b may each have a plurality of holes. The shapes of the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a round hole or a long hole in the longitudinal direction. Also, it is preferable that the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b are evenly formed in the circumferential direction of the piston side body 44.

[0035] The sizes of the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b are not particularly limited, but by making the size of the upstream second exhaust port 46b smaller than the size of the downstream first exhaust port 46a, it becomes easier to exhaust hot gas from the downstream first exhaust port 46a.

[0036] (Closing member) The closing member 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the closing member 50 of the gas circuit breaker 100. A state 1001 in Fig. 2 shows a normal energized state, and a state 1002 in Fig. 2 shows an interrupted state.

[0037] The closing member 50 is disposed inside the cylinder side body 23 that faces and overlaps with the second exhaust port 46b in the current-interrupted state, and covers the second exhaust port 46b, which is a part of the exhaust port 46. The closing member 50 is movable in response to the movement of the cylinder 20, and covers a larger area of ​​the exhaust port 46 in the current-interrupted state than in the current-carrying state. As a result, even if the second exhaust port 46b and the cylinder side body 23 overlap in the current-interrupted state, the closing member 50 covers the second exhaust port 46b, so that the cylinder side body 23 can be protected from the hot gas exhausted to the outside from the second gas flow path 45, and deterioration of the cylinder 20 can be prevented.

[0038] Specifically, the closing member 50 is a cylindrical member, and is disposed inside the cylinder side body 23 and outside the piston side body 44 so as to be slidable relative to the piston side body 44. A protruding portion 50a that protrudes on the opposite side to the axis P is disposed at the end of the closing member 50 on the positive side in the x direction. The height L1 of the protruding portion 50a is greater than the radial distance L2 from the piston side body 44 to the cylinder side body 23. As a result, when the cylinder 20 moves in the positive x direction, the end 23a of the cylinder side body 23 on the positive x direction comes into contact with the protruding portion 50a, and the closing member 50 slides together with the cylinder 20 in the positive x direction.

[0039] An end 50b of the closing member 50 on the first contactor 3 side is fixed to one end 51a of a tension spring 51. The other end 51b of the tension spring 51 is fixed to a surface 41a of the insertion portion 41 on the closing member 50 side, which is located on the piston 40 closer to the first contactor 3 than the closing member 50 is.

[0040] As shown in state 1001, in a normal energized state, when the tension spring 51 is contracted, the closing member 50 is disposed closer to the insertion portion 41 than the second exhaust port 46b, and the closing member 50 does not overlap the second exhaust port 46b. In addition, in a cut-off state, as shown in state 1002, as the cylinder 20 moves in the positive x-direction, the protrusion 50a is pushed by the end 23a of the cylinder side body 23, and the closing member 50 slides in the positive x-direction. Then, in a state in which the tension spring 51 is stretched, the closing member 50 covers the second exhaust port 46b. Thereafter, the elastic force of the tension spring 51 causes the closing member 50 to return to the position in the normal energized state. As a result, the closing member 50 can return to the position in the normal energized state from the position where it blocked the second exhaust port 46b in the cut-off state without requiring any other power.

[0041] The fixed position of the tension spring 51 is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that the closing member 50 covers a portion of the exhaust port 46 when the tension spring 51 is extended, and the closing member 50 is fixed so that the elastic force of the tension spring 51 returns the closing member 50 to the position in the normal energized state.

[0042] The material of the closing member 50 may be metal or resin. For example, by using a resin material such as fluororesin (e.g., Teflon (registered trademark)) for the closing member 50, a cooling effect of the hot gas can be expected due to the latent heat of vaporization generated when the closing member 50 melts due to the hot gas.

[0043] The closing member 50 only needs to cover the portion of the exhaust port 46 that faces and overlaps with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cut state. For example, if the exhaust port 46 is a single hole connecting the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b, the closing member 50 covers a portion of the hole connecting the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b that faces and overlaps with the cylinder side body 23 in the current-cut state. The closing member 50 may be omitted.

[0044] <Gas circuit breaker operation> The operation of the gas circuit breaker 100 in each state will be described below with reference to Figures 1, 3, and 4. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the gas circuit breaker 100 in an opening state. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the gas circuit breaker 100 in an interrupting state.

[0045] (Normal power supply state) In the normal energized state of the gas circuit breaker 100, which is the time of normal energization, the fixed energized contact 1 and the movable energized contact 33 are in contact with each other as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, current supplied from the outside on the upstream side of the gas circuit breaker 100 flows from the fixed energized contact 1 through the movable energized contact 33, through the cylinder 20 and the piston 40, to the outside on the downstream side of the gas circuit breaker 100, thereby conducting current. In the normal energized state, the tension spring 51 is in a contracted state, and in the piston 40, the closing member 50 is located closer to the fitting portion 41 than the second exhaust port 46b.

[0046] (Opening operation in progress) When a short circuit current or the like occurs in the power system in which the gas circuit breaker 100 is installed and an opening operation is started, the gas circuit breaker 100 operates as shown in Fig. 3. That is, in the gas circuit breaker 100, the operating rod 10 is moved to the positive side in the x direction by a driving device (not shown), so that the movable current contact 33 moves to the positive x side, and the fixed current contact 1 and the movable current contact 33 are separated. As a result, the current path in the gas circuit breaker 100 is changed from a normal current-carrying state, and current flows from the fixed current contact 1 through the current-carrying part 2, through the first contact 3, through the second contact 31, the cylinder 20, and the piston 40 to the outside on the downstream side of the gas circuit breaker 100. After that, when the second contact 31 is separated from the first contact 3, an arc discharge Z is generated between the second contacts 31.

[0047] The gas in the arc discharge space 60 formed by the first contact 3, the second contact 31, and the nozzle 32 is heated by the arc discharge Z, becomes hot gas, and expands. The expanded hot gas is introduced from the arc discharge space 60 into the first gas flow passage 13, as shown by the arrow G in Fig. 3. Then, the gas flows into the second gas flow passage 45 through the communication port 15, and is further dispersed by the first exhaust port 46a and the second exhaust port 46b, and the hot gas is exhausted to the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100.

[0048] Furthermore, when the contact-opening operation is started, the cylinder 20 moves toward the positive x-direction, and the puffer chamber 21 is compressed, causing the arc-extinguishing gas to be blown to the arc discharge Z from the blowing port 24. In other words, from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, the cylinder 20 moves in a direction away from the first contact 3 relative to the piston 40, blowing the arc-extinguishing gas to the arc discharge Z.

[0049] (Shutdown state) In the latter half of the contact opening operation, the arc discharge Z is cooled and loses its conductivity due to the arc extinguishing gas sprayed onto the arc discharge Z, and the current in the power system in which the gas circuit breaker 100 is installed is interrupted at the AC zero point.

[0050] The extinguishing gas sprayed onto the arc discharge Z is exhausted to the outside of the gas circuit breaker 100 via the same route as the hot gas or through the nozzle 32. In addition, in the interrupted state, as shown in Fig. 4, the closing member 50 covers the second exhaust port 46b, so that it is possible to prevent the hot gas from being sprayed onto the inner surface of the cylinder 20. Thereafter, the closing member 50 returns to the position of the normal energized state due to the elastic force of the tension spring 51. As a result, the gas circuit breaker 100 also returns to the normal energized state.

[0051] [Modifications] A modified example of the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a gas circuit breaker 100A which is a modified example of the gas circuit breaker 100. State 2001 in Fig. 5 shows a normal current-carrying state, and state 2002 in Fig. 5 shows a cut-off state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a gas circuit breaker 100B which is a modified example of the gas circuit breaker 100. State 3001 in Fig. 6 shows a normal current-carrying state, and state 3001 in Fig. 6 shows a cut-off state. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the embodiment, and explanations of the same points as those in the embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

[0052] (magnet) As shown in FIG. 5, the gas circuit breaker 100A differs from the gas circuit breaker 100 in that it has a first magnet 52a and a second magnet 52b instead of the tension spring 51, but the rest of the configuration is the same.

[0053] In the gas circuit breaker 100A, a first magnet 52a is arranged on the end 50b of the closing member 50 on the first contactor 3 side, and a second magnet 52b is installed on a surface 41a facing the first magnet 52a of the insertion portion 41 of the piston 40, which attracts the first magnet 52a by magnetic force.

[0054] As shown in state 2001, in a normal energized state, the first magnet 52a and the second magnet 52b are attracted to each other, and the closing member 50 is disposed closer to the insertion portion 41 than the second exhaust port 46b, and the closing member 50 does not overlap the second exhaust port 46b. In addition, in a cut-off state, as shown in state 2002, as the cylinder 20 moves in the positive x-direction, the protruding portion 50a is pushed by the end portion 23a of the cylinder side body 23, and the closing member 50 slides in the positive x-direction. Then, in a state in which the first magnet 52a and the second magnet 52b are separated, the closing member 50 covers the second exhaust port 46b. Thereafter, the closing member 50 returns to the position in the normal energized state (the first contact 3 side of the second exhaust port 46b) due to the magnetic force of attraction between the first magnet 52a and the second magnet 52b.

[0055] The type and fixed positions of the first magnet 52a and the second magnet 52b are not limited to those described above, and it is sufficient that the magnetic force of the first magnet 52a and the second magnet 52b fixes the closing member 50 so that it returns to the position in the normal energized state.

[0056] (Compression spring) As shown in FIG. 6, the gas circuit breaker 100B is different from the gas circuit breaker 100 in that it has a compression spring 53 instead of the tension spring 51, but the rest of the configuration is the same.

[0057] In the gas circuit breaker 100B, a surface 50c of a protruding portion 50a which is an end portion of the closing member 50 away from the first contact 3 is fixed to one end 53a of a compression spring 53. The other end 53b of the compression spring 53 is fixed to a surface 42a (a position on the piston 40 away from the first contact 3 with respect to the closing member 50) which faces the surface 50c.

[0058] As shown in state 3001, in a normal energized state, with the compression spring 53 stretched, the closing member 50 is disposed closer to the fitting portion 41 than the second exhaust port 46b, and the closing member 50 does not overlap the second exhaust port 46b. In a cut-off state, as shown in state 3002, as the cylinder 20 moves in the positive x-direction, the protrusion 50a is pressed by the end 23a of the cylinder side body 23, causing the closing member 50 to slide in the positive x-direction. Then, with the compression spring 53 contracted, the closing member 50 covers the second exhaust port 46b. Thereafter, the elastic force of the compression spring 53 causes the closing member 50 to return to the position in the normal energized state.

[0059] The fixed position of the compression spring 53 is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that the closing member 50 covers a portion of the exhaust port 46 when the compression spring 53 is compressed, and the elastic force of the compression spring 53 returns the closing member 50 to the position in the normal energized state.

[0060] (effect) The effects of the gas circuit breaker 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the schematic configuration of a gas circuit breaker 200 as a comparison object, showing a normal current-carrying state. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the gas circuit breaker 200 in a cut-off state. Note that, in the following, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment, and explanations of the same points as in the above embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

[0061] 7 and 8, the gas circuit breaker 200 has only the first exhaust port 46a as an exhaust port that communicates the second gas flow path 45 with the outside. Therefore, the hot gas heated by the arc discharge Z is exhausted intensively through the first exhaust port 46a, and the insulating performance of the insulating gas may be deteriorated and dielectric breakdown may occur due to the influence of the increase in the flow rate of the insulating gas in the sealed container around the first exhaust port 46a. In addition, the metal around the first exhaust port 46a may be melted and worn away by the hot gas.

[0062] In contrast, the gas circuit breaker 100 is provided with a first exhaust port 46a and a second exhaust port 46b as exhaust ports 46 to exhaust hot gas, as shown in Fig. 1. This allows hot gas to be dispersed and exhausted from a plurality of exhaust ports during contact opening operation, and prevents wear and tear on the material forming the exhaust port 46. In addition, it is possible to prevent hot gas from concentrating on a specific part of the sealed container, for example, and to prevent deterioration of the sealed container. Furthermore, it is possible to slow down the flow rate of the hot gas, thereby preventing a decrease in the insulating performance of the insulating gas.

[0063] In addition, in the gas circuit breaker 100, the second exhaust port 46b is disposed in a position facing and overlapping with the cylinder side body 23 in the current interruption state, so that the number of exhaust ports can be increased without making the device larger. Furthermore, in the latter half of the contact opening operation, the second exhaust port 46b is covered by the closing member 50. This makes it possible to block the blowing of hot gas onto the inner surface of the cylinder 20, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in performance of the puffer function due to gas leakage caused by the roughness of the inner surface of the cylinder 20. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of exhaust ports without making the device larger while maintaining performance, so that even when dealing with a large current, it is possible to achieve a compact device while maintaining high performance.

[0064] 〔summary〕 A gas circuit breaker (100, 100A, 100B) according to a first aspect of the present invention is a gas circuit breaker for interrupting a current, comprising: a first contact (3); a second contact (31) capable of moving relatively to the first contact to come into contact with and separate from the first contact; a cylinder (20) fixed to the second contact and arranged slidably on a piston (40) inserted therein; and a gas circuit breaker (100, 100A, 100B) for breaking a current, the gas circuit breaker including: a first contact (3); the first gas flow path (13) communicating with an arc discharge space (60) formed in the piston and provided on the central axis (P) side of the cylinder; a second gas flow path (45) communicating with the first gas flow path and provided within the piston; and an exhaust port (46) communicating the second gas flow path with the outside, the cylinder moving in a direction away from the first contact with respect to the piston from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, and a part of the exhaust port is disposed at a position facing and overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in the current interruption state.

[0065] According to the above-mentioned configuration, when the current interruption starts, the hot gas can be exhausted from the entire exhaust port, so that the hot gas can be prevented from being exhausted in a concentrated manner. This allows the hot gas to be exhausted to the outside of the gas circuit breaker without deteriorating the insulating performance of the insulating gas between the gas circuit breaker and the container provided outside the gas circuit breaker.

[0066] In addition, since the exhaust port is provided at a position that faces and overlaps with the side surface of the cylinder when the current is cut off, there is no need to provide the exhaust port at a position that avoids the side surface of the cylinder when the current is cut off, and there is no need to enlarge the device to increase the effective area of ​​the exhaust port.

[0067] As a result, even in the case of a gas circuit breaker that can handle a large current, it is possible to reduce the size of the device without compromising performance.

[0068] A gas circuit breaker (100, 100A, 100B) according to a second aspect of the present invention may be configured as in the first aspect, wherein the exhaust port (46) has a first exhaust port (46a) and a second exhaust port (46b), the first exhaust port being arranged in a position that does not face but overlaps with the side surface (cylinder side body 23) of the cylinder (20) in the current-interrupted state, and the second exhaust port being arranged in a position that faces but overlaps with the side surface of the cylinder in the current-interrupted state.

[0069] According to the above configuration, by providing a plurality of exhaust ports, the hot gas flows in separate directions, and it is possible to prevent the hot gas from being exhausted to one exhaust port in a concentrated manner.

[0070] The gas circuit breaker (100 / 100A / 100B) according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, may further comprise a closing member (50) for covering a portion of the exhaust port, which is disposed on the inside of the side surface (cylinder side body 23) of the cylinder that faces and overlaps with the exhaust port (second exhaust port 46b) when the current is interrupted.

[0071] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent hot gas from being blown against the inner surface of the cylinder.

[0072] The gas circuit breaker (100, 100A, 100B) according to a fourth aspect of the present invention may be configured as follows: in the third aspect, the closing member (50) is movable in response to movement of the cylinder (20), and the closing member may cover a larger area of ​​the exhaust port (46) in the current-blocking state compared to the current-carrying state.

[0073] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the exhaust area can be increased at the start of contact opening, and the exhaust port overlapping the side surface of the cylinder can be covered by the closing member as the contacts are brought into the cut-off state.

[0074] In the gas circuit breaker (100, 100A, 100B) according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the material of the closing member (50) may be resin. According to the above configuration, the resin is melted by the hot gas, and the hot gas is cooled by the latent heat of vaporization.

[0075] A gas circuit breaker (100) according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the closing member (50) is fixed to one end (51a) of a tension spring (51), the other end (51b) of the tension spring is fixed to a position (face 41a) on the piston (40) closer to the first contact than the closing member, and in the current interruption state, the closing member covers a portion of the exhaust port (second exhaust port 46b) when the tension spring is extended.

[0076] According to the above configuration, after the closing member covers the exhaust port in a state where the current is interrupted, the closing member and the cylinder can be returned to their original positions without requiring any other power.

[0077] A gas circuit breaker (100B) according to a seventh aspect of the present invention may be any one of the third to fifth aspects, in which the closing member (50) is fixed to one end (53a) of a compression spring (53), the other end (53b) of the compression spring is fixed to a position (face 50b) on the piston (40) that is farther from the first contact than the closing member, and in the current interruption state, the closing member covers a part of the exhaust port (second exhaust port 46b) when the compression spring is compressed. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as in the sixth aspect.

[0078] A gas circuit breaker (100A) according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is any one of the third to fifth aspects, further comprising: a first magnet (52a) disposed on the closing member (50); a second magnet (52b) disposed on the piston (40); and in the current-carrying state, the closing member is returned to the first contact side of the exhaust port (46) by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet. With this configuration, the same effect as in the sixth aspect can be achieved.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 3 First Contact 13 First gas flow path 20 cylinders 21 Puffer Room 23 Cylinder side body (side surface of cylinder) 31 Second contact 40 Piston 45 Second gas flow path 46 Exhaust port 46a First exhaust port 46b Second exhaust port 50 Closure member 51 Tension Spring 52a First magnet 52b Second magnet 53 Compression spring 60 Arc Discharge Space 100, 100A, 100B Gas Circuit Breaker P axis (center axis) Z Arcing

Claims

1. A gas circuit breaker for interrupting electric current, A first contact; a second contactor that is movable relative to the first contactor to be brought into contact with and separated from the first contactor; a cylinder fixed to the second contact and slidably disposed on a piston inserted therein; a first gas flow passage provided on a central axis side of the cylinder, the first gas flow passage communicating with an arc discharge space in which hot gas is generated by an arc discharge generated between the first contact and the second contact when the first contact and the second contact are separated from each other; a second gas flow passage provided within the piston and communicating with the first gas flow passage; an exhaust port communicating the second gas flow path with the outside; Equipped with the cylinder moves in a direction away from the first contact with respect to the piston from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, a portion of the exhaust port is disposed at a position facing and overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in the current-interrupted state; a closing member that covers a part of the exhaust port and is disposed on an inner side of a side surface of the cylinder that faces and overlaps with the exhaust port in the current-interrupted state; The closure member is fixed to one end of a tension spring; the other end of the tension spring is fixed to a position on the piston closer to the first contact than the closing member; In the current interruption state, the closing member covers a portion of the exhaust port when the tension spring is extended.

2. A gas circuit breaker for interrupting electric current, comprising: A first contact; a second contactor that is movable relative to the first contactor to be brought into contact with and separated from the first contactor; a cylinder fixed to the second contact and slidably disposed on a piston inserted therein; a first gas flow passage provided on a central axis side of the cylinder, the first gas flow passage communicating with an arc discharge space in which hot gas is generated by an arc discharge generated between the first contact and the second contact when the first contact and the second contact are separated from each other; a second gas flow passage provided within the piston and communicating with the first gas flow passage; an exhaust port communicating the second gas flow path with the outside; Equipped with the cylinder moves in a direction away from the first contact with respect to the piston from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, a portion of the exhaust port is disposed at a position facing and overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in the current-interrupted state; a closing member that covers a part of the exhaust port and is disposed on an inner side of a side surface of the cylinder that faces and overlaps with the exhaust port in the current-interrupted state; The closure member is fixed to one end of a compression spring; the other end of the compression spring is fixed to a position on the piston that is farther away from the first contact than the closing member; A gas circuit breaker, wherein in the current interruption state, the closing member covers a portion of the exhaust port when the compression spring is compressed.

3. A gas circuit breaker for interrupting electric current, comprising: A first contact; a second contactor that is movable relative to the first contactor to be brought into contact with and separated from the first contactor; a cylinder fixed to the second contact and slidably disposed on a piston inserted therein; a first gas flow passage provided on a central axis side of the cylinder, the first gas flow passage communicating with an arc discharge space in which hot gas is generated by an arc discharge generated between the first contact and the second contact when the first contact and the second contact are separated from each other; a second gas flow passage provided within the piston and communicating with the first gas flow passage; an exhaust port communicating the second gas flow path with the outside; Equipped with the cylinder moves in a direction away from the first contact with respect to the piston from the start of current interruption to the current interruption state, a portion of the exhaust port is disposed at a position facing and overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in the current-interrupted state; a closing member that covers a part of the exhaust port and is disposed on an inner side of a side surface of the cylinder that faces and overlaps with the exhaust port in the current-interrupted state; A first magnet is disposed on the closure member; A second magnet is disposed on the piston; a gas circuit breaker, wherein in the current-carrying state, the closing member is returned to the first contact side of the exhaust port by the magnetic forces of the first magnet and the second magnet.

4. The exhaust port has a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port, the first exhaust port is disposed at a position facing but not overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in the current-interrupted state, The gas circuit breaker according to claim 1 , wherein the second exhaust port is disposed at a position facing and overlapping with a side surface of the cylinder in a current-interrupted state.

5. The closing member is movable in response to movement of the cylinder, The gas circuit breaker according to claim 1 , wherein the closing member covers a larger area of ​​the exhaust port in the current-interrupted state than in the current-carrying state.

6. A gas circuit breaker as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the material of the closing member is resin.

Images