Vacuum circuit breaker, assembly including a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, and method for voltage distribution among a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vacuum interrupter (1) for switching voltages, in particular high voltages, comprising at least one housing (2), at least one fixed contact (3) and at least one movable contact (4), and including a number of control elements (8, 9, 10), in particular of different length and / or width, arranged on at least one vacuum interrupter (1). The present invention further relates to an assembly comprising a number of the above-mentioned vacuum interrupters (1) electrically connected in series, in particular having a number of control elements (8, 9, 10) arranged on at least two vacuum interrupters (1) and / or in which the control elements (8, 9, 10) of one vacuum interrupter (1) are connected in series with the control elements of another vacuum interrupter (1), in particular with the control elements (8, 9, 10) of all vacuum interrupters (1). The present invention further relates to a method for voltage distribution of a plurality of vacuum interrupters (1), the voltage distribution being performed by a plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10), in particular by a plurality of capacitors and / or a plurality of resistors arranged on said plurality of vacuum interrupters (1), in particular within one housing (14) comprising said plurality of vacuum interrupters (1) and / or a plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) of a plurality of different vacuum interrupters (1) connected in series.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum circuit breaker for switching voltage, comprising at least one housing, at least one fixed contact, and at least one movable contact. The present invention also includes an assembly comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned vacuum circuit breakers, and a method for voltage distribution of a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers.

[0002] A vacuum circuit breaker comprising a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers or an assembly of a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers is, for example, an electric power switch in which a plurality of switching contacts movable relative to one another are arranged in at least one vacuum interrupting chamber. In high-voltage technology, such vacuum circuit breakers are used for switching in the high-voltage range, in particular for voltages above 52 kV, and / or for switching large currents in the range of up to several tens of kiloamperes. In particular, vacuum circuit breakers included in switching assemblies require little maintenance, have a long service life, and are easily and reliably driven, in particular via spring-operated drives. For high-voltage requirements, for example, an assembly with a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers is used, the switching paths of which are electrically connected in series, as is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,699,494. Alternatively, for example, a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, in particular with a plurality of switching paths within one vacuum circuit breaker, are used.

[0003] In the case of multiple vacuum circuit breakers, voltage distribution suitable for these vacuum circuit breakers is desired to avoid overloading of the individual vacuum circuit breakers when their switching circuits are open. In particular, when there are multiple vacuum circuit breakers with multiple switching circuits in one vacuum circuit breaker, voltage distribution suitable for these switching circuits is desired to avoid overloading when the switching circuits of the vacuum circuit breakers are open. For example, in the case of multiple vacuum circuit breakers or multiple switching circuits that are identically designed and connected one after another in series, voltage distribution as uniform as possible for these vacuum circuit breakers or switching circuits is desired to avoid overloading.

[0004] To achieve the desired voltage distribution for multiple vacuum circuit breakers or multiple switching circuits, passive electrical components, such as control resistors, are connected in parallel to a single vacuum circuit breaker. However, these components increase the installation space required for a single vacuum circuit breaker or for an assembly of multiple vacuum circuit breakers. In particular, vacuum circuit breakers using clean, dehumidified compressed air as the insulating gas surrounding the vacuum circuit breaker require significant insulation distances between the vacuum circuit breaker and a passive electrical component, and between the passive electrical component and the metal circuit breaker housing of an assembly of one or more vacuum circuit breakers. This is because the insulating strength of compressed air is weaker than that of other insulating gases, such as sulfur hexafluoride. To achieve sufficient insulation between multiple vacuum circuit breakers and a circuit with multiple passive components, it is possible to arrange an assembly of multiple vacuum circuit breakers and the connected passive components in separate housings. However, these configurations require large installation space and are expensive. Specific voltage distribution across the individual components of the vacuum interrupter is not possible with such an arrangement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102013208419A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to enable voltage distribution in a vacuum circuit breaker and / or in an assembly comprising several vacuum circuit breakers in a space-saving manner and / or to provide a method for voltage distribution of several vacuum circuit breakers in a space-saving manner, in particular with a specific, predetermined voltage distribution across the individual components of one or several vacuum circuit breakers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a vacuum circuit breaker for switching voltage having the features of claim 1, an assembly according to claim 11 comprising a plurality of such vacuum circuit breakers, and / or a method for distributing voltage between a plurality of such vacuum circuit breakers, in particular a plurality of such vacuum circuit breakers, according to claim 13. Advantageous embodiments of the vacuum circuit breaker according to the invention for switching voltage and / or the assembly according to the invention comprising a plurality of such vacuum circuit breakers are set out in the dependent claims. The subject matter of the main claim may be combined with the features of the dependent claims and the features of several dependent claims may be combined with each other.

[0008] A vacuum circuit breaker for switching voltage according to the present invention comprises at least one housing, at least one fixed contact, and at least one movable contact, and also includes control elements mounted on at least one vacuum circuit breaker, which may be mounted in a common housing with the vacuum circuit breaker and are not mounted in a separate housing from the vacuum circuit breaker.

[0009] These control elements allow a defined and predetermined voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupter when the electrical contacts are open, i.e., when both contacts of the vacuum interrupter are separated. This allows for a particularly uniform voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupter, thereby avoiding damage due to overvoltages and ensuring long-term stable and reliable functioning of the vacuum interrupter. The installation of multiple control elements on at least one vacuum interrupter allows for a compact, space-saving, and low-cost assembly of the control elements and at least one vacuum interrupter, particularly within at least one common housing filled with, for example, clean air, reducing the risk of electrical flashover. The compact design allows for material savings, particularly a small housing size, reducing costs, and enabling the use of alternative switching gases such as clean air in compact assemblies, enabling simple and environmentally friendly use of the vacuum interrupter.

[0010] The vacuum interrupter may include a plurality of control elements of different lengths and / or widths. The first length may be, for example, in the range of 10-100 mm, the second length may be, for example, in the range of 20-200 mm, and / or the third length may be, for example, in the range of 30-300 mm. The widths of the control elements may be, for example, in the range of 10-80 mm. Thus, multiple circuit connections of control elements with different values ​​of capacitance and / or ohmic resistance are possible, thereby enabling a predetermined desired voltage distribution across multiple regions of the vacuum interrupter.

[0011] These control elements can include at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor, and / or at least one control element can be a capacitor and / or a resistor, and / or all control elements can be composed of multiple capacitors and / or multiple resistors. In particular, these control elements can be composed of multiple capacitors with different widths and / or lengths and / or multiple resistors with different widths and / or lengths, particularly multiple capacitors with different capacitance values ​​and / or multiple resistors with different ohmic resistance values. These different values ​​can be produced, for example, by using different materials, particularly different doped materials. The advantages mentioned above are thus associated with or readily realized. These control elements can be made of, for example, a ceramic-polymer composite material and / or can include a ceramic-polymer composite material, particularly in a molded resin matrix. A ceramic-polymer composite material, particularly in a molded resin matrix, is well suited to producing compact, low-cost capacitors and / or resistors in various shapes.

[0012] The vacuum interrupter may include a housing with at least one main shield and at least two ceramic segments, the at least one main shield being arranged between the at least two ceramic segments, and / or the control elements may be arranged on the housing of the vacuum interrupter, in particular on the ceramic segments of the housing, in particular in the immediate surroundings and / or in direct material-bonded contact with the ceramic segments, thus enabling a space-saving construction with the above-mentioned advantages and an increased dielectric strength due to the electrical insulating properties of the ceramic segments.

[0013] These ceramic segments are divided into ceramic segment elements, in particular by steam shields that protrude from, in particular, the interior of the vacuum interrupter to the outer region of the vacuum interrupter. At least one control element is longer than one ceramic segment element and / or has a length that is substantially the same as two or more ceramic segment elements. This allows for interconnection of the control elements via steam shields, e.g., made of copper and / or steel, to realize control elements with different values, e.g., capacitances and / or ohmic resistances. A circuit for voltage distribution or voltage sharing on a vacuum interrupter in an open, i.e., separated, state is easily and cost-effectively realized with different values ​​of the control elements and via the steam shields, which can be interconnected in any desired or defined manner. Overvoltages on individual ceramic segments and / or ceramic segment elements can be prevented, thereby increasing the service life of the vacuum interrupter and enabling long-term stable functioning without failures or even destruction due to overvoltages, particularly on the ceramic segments.

[0014] At least two control elements, in particular three or more control elements, may be provided, which are arranged circularly on the circumference of the at least one vacuum interrupter, in particular circularly on the circumference of the at least one ceramic segment element. The circular or ring-like arrangement of the control elements on the ceramic segments and / or ceramic segment elements allows a compact, space-saving assembly of the control elements and a simple, low-cost interconnection of the control elements, in particular via the vapor shields, which has the advantages mentioned above.

[0015] These control elements can be arranged circularly around the circumference of at least one vacuum interrupter, with each control element located on a different ceramic segment element, where each control element can be located on exactly one ceramic segment element and / or each control element can be located on two ceramic segment elements and / or each control element can be located on more than two ceramic segment elements. This allows for multiple circuits including multiple control elements with different values, in particular different capacitance and / or ohmic resistance values, where control elements of equal length and width, for example, have equal values, and those extending beyond two or more ceramic segment elements can have, for example, smaller capacitance and, for example, larger resistance. Multiple control elements of equal length can be connected in parallel, in particular by electrical connection via the same steam shield, and can also be connected in series via different, successively located steam shields. Parallel connection of multiple control elements connected in series with multiple extended ceramic segment elements protruding or positioned beyond the multiple ceramic segment elements is easily possible. In this way, any number of circuits of control elements with different control element values ​​is possible in a simple, cost-effective and space-saving manner, thereby realizing a desired, predefined voltage distribution or voltage sharing across a number of vacuum circuit breakers, with the advantages mentioned above.

[0016] These control elements can be electrically and / or spatially arranged between at least one fixed contact and at least one movable contact, in particular between at least one fixed contact and one steam shield, and / or between at least one fixed contact and one main shield, and / or between one steam shield and one main shield, and / or between two steam shields, and / or between at least one movable contact and one steam shield, and / or between at least one movable contact and one main shield.

[0017] Such an arrangement of the control elements on the circumference of the vacuum interrupter, between the contacts, steam shields and / or main shields, allows for space-saving and compact assembly, easy electrical contact, uniform field distribution due to, for example, uniform placement around the circumference of the vacuum interrupter, and / or any predetermined circuit connection, and in particular, for example, uniform and discrete division of capacitance and / or ohmic resistance between the contacts, steam shields and / or main shields, which allows for a discrete division of capacitance and / or ohmic resistance along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum interrupters, and further allows for precise and defined voltage distribution or voltage sharing along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum interrupters, thereby providing the above-mentioned advantages.

[0018] The total capacitance of these control elements can be in the range of 10 to 4000 pF, in particular in the range of 500 to 4000 pF. These values ​​allow for precise and defined voltage distribution or voltage sharing along the longitudinal axis and / or along the circumference of the vacuum circuit breaker, and include total values ​​for voltage distribution at high voltages, in particular in the range of 52 kV and above. This vacuum circuit breaker can be designed to switch voltages in the high voltage range, in particular in the range of 52 kV and above.

[0019] In an assembly according to the invention comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned vacuum interrupters, at least two, in particular more than two, vacuum interrupters may be electrically connected in series, and the assembly may in particular have a plurality of control elements which may be arranged on at least two of the vacuum interrupters and / or the control elements of one vacuum interrupter are connected in series with the control elements of another vacuum interrupter, in particular with the control elements of all the vacuum interrupters.

[0020] Switching of higher voltage levels, particularly in the range of 52 kV and above, can be accomplished in this manner using a plurality of low-cost, commercially available vacuum circuit breakers. Voltage distribution as described above, using a plurality of control elements, each along the circumference and / or longitudinal axis of the vacuum circuit breaker, allows voltage distribution across a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers and precise voltage distribution of individual vacuum circuit breakers or vacuum circuit breaker elements connected one after the other in series. This allows the above-mentioned advantages to be achieved, particularly in a low-cost, simple, space-saving, and compact structure or assembly.

[0021] A plurality of vacuum interrupters may be arranged inside one metal tank housing and / or insulating housing, which may in particular be filled with clean air as insulating gas.

[0022] The compact arrangement of multiple control elements along the circumference and / or longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter allows for a compact metal tank housing and / or insulator housing with less material and cost expenditure, reducing the risk of electrical flashover, reducing the amount of insulating gas, and / or allowing the use of climate-friendly or climate-neutral insulating gases, such as clean air, in a compact, e.g., low-cost available, standard housing.

[0023] In the voltage distribution method according to the invention for a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, in particular for a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers as described above, and / or for an assembly comprising a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, the voltage distribution is carried out by a plurality of control elements, in particular by a plurality of capacitors and / or a plurality of resistors arranged on these vacuum circuit breakers, in particular within one housing which contains a plurality of control elements of the vacuum circuit breakers and / or a plurality of different vacuum circuit breakers connected in series.

[0024] The advantages of the voltage distribution method according to claim 13 of the invention for a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, in particular for a plurality of the above-mentioned vacuum circuit breakers and / or for an assembly comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned vacuum circuit breakers, and the advantages of the assembly according to claim 11 of the invention comprising a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, are similar to the advantages of the vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 1 of the invention for voltage switching, and vice versa.

[0025] In the following, several embodiments of the invention are shown schematically and explained in more detail. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] Schematic oblique side view of a vacuum circuit breaker 1 according to the invention for switching voltage, with control elements 8, 9 of different lengths arranged on the housing 2 of the vacuum circuit breaker. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a vacuum interrupter 1 according to the invention similar to the vacuum interrupter 1 of FIG. 1, including control elements 8, 9, 10 of, for example, three different lengths, which are in electrical contact and interconnected between contacts 3, 4 via a plurality of steam shields 7 and a main shield 5. [Figure 3] 2 shows an assembly 16 according to the invention in which two vacuum circuit breakers 1 of FIG. 2 are connected in series, and a schematic interconnection diagram of control elements 8, 9, 10 interconnected via a plurality of steam shields 7 and main shields 5 between contacts 3, 4 for each vacuum circuit breaker is shown. [Figure 4]1 shows an assembly 16 according to the present invention in which two vacuum circuit breakers 1 similar to those in FIG. 3 are connected in series, and the assembly is surrounded by a single housing 14 filled with, for example, clean air as insulating gas 15. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of voltage distribution of potentials Uges applied to one ceramic segment 6 of a vacuum circuit breaker 1, which is divided into multiple ceramic segment elements 11 by multiple steam shields 7 with multiple steam shield potentials 17 and 18, via multiple different capacitors interconnected as control elements 8, 9. [Figure 6] Normalized potential curves U are shown as a function of time t for the first vapor shield potential 17, the second vapor shield potential 18, and the chamber potential 19. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum circuit breaker 1 according to the present invention, seen obliquely from the side, for switching voltages, particularly high voltages in the range of 52 kV or higher. The vacuum circuit breaker 1 has a housing 2, which includes, among other things, a central main shield 5 and ceramic segments 6 adjacent to the central shield 5 and the ceramic segments 6. The main shield 5 and the ceramic segments 6 are formed in a hollow cylindrical or tubular shape and are fluid-tightly sealed at both ends of the vacuum circuit breaker 1. The interior of the vacuum circuit breaker 1 is evacuated, i.e., evacuated. Contacts 3 and 4 protrude into the housing 2 of the vacuum circuit breaker 1 from both ends of the vacuum circuit breaker 1. For example, the fixed contact 3 protrudes from one side of the cylinder, i.e., from the base surface, and the movable contact 4 protrudes from the other side of the cylinder, i.e., from the top surface.

[0028] The main shield 5 is made of, for example, metal, in particular copper and / or steel, and may include, for example, multiple vapor deposition shields therein, which are not shown for simplicity's sake. The multiple hollow cylindrical ceramic segments 6 are made of, for example, sintered ceramic and are particularly surface-treated. These ceramic segments 6 include, for example, multiple ceramic segment elements 11 connected to each other via vapor shields 7. This connection is achieved, for example, during the manufacture of the vacuum interrupter 1, during a brazing process in a furnace at several hundred degrees Celsius. The vapor shields 7 are made of, for example, metal, in particular copper and / or steel, and are ring-shaped. Inside the vacuum interrupter 1, these vapor deposition shields 7 are, for example, not shown for simplicity's sake. These vapor shields 7 may protrude outward from the vacuum interrupter 1, for example, in the shape of a flat ring, or may protrude beyond the circumference of the ceramic segment elements 11. The vapor shields 7 divide each ceramic segment 6 into multiple ceramic segment elements 11.

[0029] The contacts 3 and 4 are made, for example, of copper and / or steel, are particularly bolt-shaped, and have, for example, a slit, dished end formed inside the vacuum interrupter 1. The fixed contact 3 is fluid-tightly connected to a lid-like closure at one end of the vacuum interrupter 1, which closure is made, for example, of metal, in particular copper and / or steel. The movable contact 4 is fluid-tightly connected to a lid-like closure at the other end of the vacuum interrupter 1 and is movably supported, for example, via a bellows, which is not shown in Figure 1 for the sake of simplicity. Here, this closure is made, for example, of metal, in particular copper or steel.

[0030] This vacuum circuit breaker can be electrically connected via bolts leading to the fixed contact 3 and the movable contact 4. When making a circuit, the movable contact 4 moves toward the fixed contact 3, i.e., closes a gap between the dish-shaped contact ends of the contacts 3 and 4, thereby enabling electrical switching. When breaking a circuit, the movable contact 4 moves away from the fixed contact 3, i.e., creates a gap between the dish-shaped contact ends of the contacts 3 and 4, thereby enabling electrical switching. Since the gap between the contact ends of the contacts 3 and 4, and the contact ends themselves, are located inside the evacuated interior of the vacuum circuit breaker 1, a gap ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters is sufficient, particularly for interrupting high voltages. This vacuum circuit breaker 1 has a length, for example, in the range of 30 to 100 cm, and a circumference, for example, in the range of 10 to 100 cm.

[0031] According to the present invention, a plurality of control elements 8, 9, 10 are arranged around the circumference of the vacuum interrupter 1 on the housing 2 of the vacuum interrupter 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These control elements 8, 9, 10 are, for example, capacitors and / or resistors. The capacitors are, in particular, ceramic capacitors, and the capacitance value of each individual capacitor is, for example, in the range of 10 to 4000 pF. The total capacitance of the assembly is therefore, for example, in the range of 10 to 4000 pF. The resistors are, in particular, ohmic resistors, and the value of each individual resistor is, for example, in the range of a few ohms to hundreds of ohms, or thousands of ohms, or tens of thousands of ohms, or even hundreds of thousands of ohms. The total resistance is therefore, in the range of a few ohms to hundreds of ohms, or thousands of ohms, or tens of thousands of ohms, or even hundreds of thousands of ohms.

[0032] The control elements 8, 9, 10 may have, for example, a cylindrical, rectangular, and / or elliptical shape. Other shapes, such as those with convex and / or concave surfaces, are also possible, e.g., allowing for space-saving arrangements. The assembly of the control elements 8, 9, 10 around the circumference of the housing 2 of the vacuum circuit breaker 1 is performed, for example, circularly along a cross section of the circumference. The control elements 8, 9, 10 may be formed, for example, with different lengths and / or widths, for example, to realize multiple control elements 8, 9, 10 with different capacitance and / or ohmic resistance values. The length l may be, for example, in the range of 10 to 100 mm, 20 to 200 mm, and / or 30 to 300 mm. The width may be, for example, in the range of 10 to 80 mm. In FIG. 1, multiple control elements 8 having a length equal to the length of the ceramic segment element 11 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum circuit breaker 1; these are hereinafter referred to as short control elements 8. The control elements 8 of one ceramic segment element 11 are in particular interconnected in parallel with one another and electrically connected to one another, i.e. interconnected, via a plurality of steam shields 7 that are arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1. The short control elements 8 are, for example, regularly and / or equidistantly spaced from one another and interconnected in parallel along the circumference of the respective ceramic segment element 11 and / or along the circular cross section of the vacuum interrupter 1. The control elements 8 that are electrically interconnected in series along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1 are arranged on different ceramic segment elements 11 and / or on a plurality of ceramic segments 6 and / or on a plurality of vacuum interrupters 1, as will be explained in more detail in the following examples.

[0033] Control elements 9, the length of which is equal to that of two ceramic segment elements 11, are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1 and will hereinafter be referred to as medium-length control elements 9. These control elements 9 are interconnected in parallel with a plurality of control elements 8, 9 of the same two ceramic segment elements 11, with each of two series-connected control elements 8 being connected in parallel to a control element 9, and this interconnection or electrical connection is made via three steam shields 7 installed one after the other along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1, with the central steam shield 7 having a recess or depression at the location of the control element 9 and not electrically connected to the control element 9. The short and medium-length control elements 8 and 9 are arranged regularly and / or equidistantly from each other, for example along the circumference of one ceramic segment element 11 and / or two ceramic segment elements 11, respectively, or along the circular cross-section of the vacuum interrupter 1, for parallel interconnection with the control elements 9. The control elements 8, 9, electrically interconnected in series along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum circuit breaker 1, are arranged on different ceramic segment elements 11, or on different ceramic segment element pairs for the control element 9, and / or on different ceramic segments 6, and / or on different vacuum circuit breakers 1, as will be described in more detail in the following examples.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, control elements 8, 9, 10 having three different lengths may also be used, or control elements 8, 9, 10 having a greater difference in length may also be used, but these are not shown for simplicity. FIG. 2 also shows a control element 10 having a length equal to the length of the three ceramic segment elements 11, which will be referred to as the long control element 10 hereinafter. The assembly and interconnection of the short control element 8 and the medium-length control element 9 are arranged and interconnected parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1, connected in series along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter, and connected in parallel along the cross-section of the vacuum interrupter. Other possibilities for the arrangement and length are possible, such as an arrangement along a spiral line and / or a diagonal line, as well as the use of multiple control elements 8, 9, 10 with different widths to achieve different values ​​of capacitance and / or ohmic resistance, but these are not shown for simplicity.

[0035] 1 and 2, these control elements 8, 9, 10 are arranged electrically and spatially spaced apart, for example along the circumference of the housing 2 of the vacuum interrupter 1, on a circular cross section of the circumference of the vacuum interrupter 1, and are arranged symmetrically along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1 between the fixed contacts 3 and the moving contact 4, in particular between the fixed contacts 3 and one steam shield 7, between two adjacent steam shields 7, between one steam shield 7 and the main shield 5, between the main shield 5 and one steam shield 7, between two adjacent steam shields 7, and between one steam shield 7 and the moving contact 4. In this case, the steam shields 7 and the main shield 5 serve to ensure good conductive contact between the control elements 8, 9, 10 and each other and with the contacts 5 and 6, for example via the lid-like closures at both ends of the vacuum interrupter 1, in particular via a bellows in the case of the moving contact 4. At the locations of control elements 9, 10 that protrude above multiple steam shields 7 or that overlie or cover multiple ceramic segment elements 11 connected by one or more steam shields 7, the or each steam shield 7 has, for example, recesses and / or depressions arranged therein, which makes it possible to prevent electrical contact between each steam shield 7 and each protruding control element 9, 10.

[0036] These steam shields 7 may be made of, for example, metal, in particular copper and / or steel, and may divide the ceramic segments 6, in particular by vapor shields protruding into the vacuum interrupter 1. The connection of the components of the vacuum interrupter 1, such as the ceramic segments 6, the main shield 5, the steam shields 7, the lid-like closures, and / or with the control elements 8, 9, 10, may be made, for example, by brazing and / or conductive adhesive bonding. The assembly of the control elements 8, 9, 10 on the vacuum interrupter 1 or on the casing 2 of the vacuum interrupter 1 may involve a material-bonding mechanical contact with the casing 2 and / or have a small spacing in the range of a few millimeters, in which case the direct contact of the control elements 8, 9, 10 with the casing may be made, for example, via the steam shields 7, the main shield 5, and / or the lid-like closures.

[0037] The control elements 8, 9, 10 connected between the different steam shields 7 are arranged, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1, parallel to the longitudinal axis, in particular in a straight or curved line or offset from one another, respectively. This arrangement of the control elements 8, 9, 10 on the circumference of the vacuum interrupter 1 creates, for example, a regular or irregular pattern. The assembly of the control elements 8, 9, 10 on the circumference of the vacuum interrupter 1 or on the circumference of its housing 2 has a minimal cross section and is space-saving.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows two series arrangements of vacuum circuit breakers 1 according to the present invention, according to an assembly 16 of multiple vacuum circuit breakers 1, with the connection circuits of the control elements 8, 9, 10 shown diagrammatically. The connection circuits, i.e., the electrical contacts and circuits of the control elements 8, 9, 10, are established between the contacts 3 and 4 of each vacuum circuit breaker 1 via multiple steam shields 7 and one main shield 5. Various circuits are possible depending on the desired voltage distribution across the multiple vacuum circuit breakers 1. In particular, a symmetrical circuit can be used for uniform voltage distribution across the multiple vacuum circuit breakers 1. Alternatively, various circuits can be used via multiple ceramic segments 6, which are not shown for simplicity. FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, a series circuit of two vacuum circuit breakers 1 having a total of four ceramic segments 6, each divided into three ceramic segment elements 11 by two steam shields 7.

[0039] In the example shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, two vacuum circuit breakers 1 each have identical control elements 8, 9, and 10, i.e., control circuits. Each vacuum circuit breaker 1 uses two mirror-image partial circuits in the main shield 5, through which two ceramic segments 6 are connected. Here, three sets of three short control elements 8 are connected in series for each ceramic segment 6. Each set of three series-connected control elements 8 is connected in parallel with two other sets of three control elements 8, and all of the control elements 8 are electrically connected through the vapor shield 7 between the contacts 3 or 4 and the main shield 5. A single long control element 10 is connected in parallel to these. Furthermore, a series-connected medium-length control element 9 and a single short control element 8 are connected in parallel with the single long control element 10. Each of the short control elements 8 is connected in parallel with one of the three series-connected control elements 8. This circuit is shown as an example in FIG. 3 and can be configured differently depending on the desired voltage distribution. In FIG. 3, only capacitance in the form of capacitors is used as the control elements 8, 9, and 10. Additionally or alternatively, ohmic resistors may be used.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an assembly 16 according to the invention of two vacuum circuit breakers 1 connected in series, similar to FIG. 3, surrounded by or arranged in a single housing 14. This housing 14 is, for example, a hermetically sealed metal tank housing and / or a hermetically sealed insulator housing. The metal tank housing is made of, for example, steel or aluminum and is connected to ground potential in a dead-tank manner. The insulator housing is made of, for example, ceramic, silicone, and / or composite material and has, for example, a ribbed outer surface to extend the leakage current path. The housing 14 is filled with, for example, climate-neutral clean air as insulating gas 15. Alternatively or additionally, insulating gases 15 such as SF6 and / or CO2 can be used.

[0041] The vacuum circuit breakers 1 are connected to one another, in particular directly, via both fixed contacts 3, as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, the vacuum circuit breakers 1 can also be connected to one another, in particular electrically and mechanically, via both movable contacts 4, or via one movable contact 4 and one fixed contact 3. For driving the movable contacts 4 during electrical opening and closing, drives, e.g. motor drives and / or spring drives, are provided, which are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0042] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the voltage distribution and arrangement or interconnection of capacitors as control elements 8, 9, 10 of a ceramic segment 6 of a vacuum circuit breaker 1 similar to Figures 1 and 2. The ceramic segment 6 is now divided into three ceramic segment elements 11 by two vapor shields 7. Unlike the circuits of Figures 1 and 2, for simplicity, Figure 5 shows three short control elements 8 connected in series, one medium-length control element 9 connected in parallel with two of the three series-connected control elements 8, and one short control element 8 connected in parallel with the third of the three series-connected control elements 8. Additionally, in the reverse order, one short control element 8 is connected in parallel with the first of the three series-connected control elements 8, and one medium-length control element 9 is connected in parallel with the other two of the three series-connected control elements 8, where the medium-length control element 9 is connected in series with one short control element 8, and the one short control element 8 is connected in parallel with the first of the three series-connected control elements 8.

[0043] The ceramic segment 6, which is divided into three ceramic segment elements 11 by two vapor shields 7, is supplied with a potential, i.e., a total voltage U ges is applied or removed, hereinafter referred to as the chamber potential, which, interconnected by control elements 8, 9, generates a vapor shield 8, a first vapor shield potential 17 and a second vapor shield potential 18.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows the normalized potential curves U of the chamber potential 19, the first steam shield potential 17, and the second steam shield potential 18 as a function of time t for the ceramic segments 6 interconnected according to FIG. 5. The chamber potential 19 shows the strongest rise before the potential 19 reaches saturation, while the steam shield potential 17 shows the smallest rise. The potential curve for the steam shield potential 18 is intermediate between them. Both the steam shield potential curves 17 and 18 are below the chamber potential 19, thereby preventing excessive voltage buildup in the steam shield 7. Excessive voltage buildup reduces the long-life characteristics of the vacuum interrupter and can cause damage or failure during switching. The interconnections shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 enable fault-free, reliable, and long-term stable functioning of the vacuum interrupter 1 and / or an assembly 16 having multiple vacuum interrupters, thereby saving costs, particularly maintenance and restoration costs, and time.

[0045] The above-described embodiments can be combined with one another and / or with prior art. Thus, for example, more than two vacuum circuit breakers 1 can be interconnected, in particular in series and / or in parallel. The control elements 8, 9, 10 can have different shapes, in particular cylindrical, tubular with an oval base and top, rectangular, square, and / or with convex and / or concave surfaces. The control elements 8 are fixed, for example, on the vacuum circuit breaker 1, by brazing, screwing, adhesive bonding, clamping, and / or welding to metal parts, in particular copper parts. The control elements 8, 9, 10 are mounted on the housing 2, in particular on the ceramic segments 6, for example by direct friction bonding, and are electrically insulated from the ceramic segments 6, in particular by insulating paint and / or surface treatment. And / or the control elements 8, 9, 10 are mounted on the casing 2, in particular on the ceramic segments 6, for example directly, at a small distance from the ceramic segments 6, in particular between the steam shields 7, the main shields 5 and / or the contacts 3, 4, for example by screwing, clamping, brazing, gluing and / or welding. The small distance may range, for example, from a few millimeters to one centimeter.

[0046] The control elements 8, 9, 10 are arranged as individual parts, in particular spaced apart from one another, on, for example, the housing 2 of, one or more vacuum interrupters 1. In this case, the assembly is carried out, for example in the form of rings, along, for example, a circular cross section of the vacuum interrupter 1, with different rings arranged along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 1. Adjacent control elements 8, 9, 10 in different rings are arranged, for example, in a straight line or offset from one another. Alternatively, the control elements 8, 9, 10 can be arranged, for example, in a helical line, i.e., in a spiral. Other assemblies and / or combinations of assemblies are also possible.

[0047] Using the above-described vacuum circuit breaker 1 according to the invention and an assembly 16 according to the invention in which several vacuum circuit breakers 1 are interconnected one after the other, in particular in series, it is possible to distribute voltages over several vacuum circuit breakers 1 via several control elements 8. These voltages can be divided uniformly or non-uniformly in a predetermined manner over several vacuum circuit breakers 1 or their components, for example ceramic segments 6 and / or ceramic segment elements 11 of different lengths, by selecting the control elements 8, 9, 10 and their circuit connection. This assembly of control elements 8, 9, 10 on one vacuum circuit breaker 1 or on several vacuum circuit breakers 1 allows a compact, space-saving construction, which in turn allows for a low-cost, spatially minimized housing 14 and the use of insulating gases, such as clean air, in particular in housings with small or minimized and / or standard dimensions. Thanks to the multiple control elements 8, 9, 10 and their interconnections, this voltage distribution over the vacuum interrupter 1 or multiple vacuum interrupters 1 makes it possible to prevent overvoltages and even damage or failure of one vacuum interrupter 1 and / or of an assembly 16 comprising multiple vacuum interrupters 1 when the contacts open, i.e. when the contacts 3 and 4 are separated from each other. In particular, by using multiple capacitors and / or multiple resistors of different sizes, in particular lengths and / or widths, any desired voltage distribution is possible by means of multiple different circuits. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1. Vacuum circuit breaker 2 Outer cover 3 Fixed contacts 4 Movable contacts 5 Primary Shield 6 ceramic segments 7. Vapor Shield 8 Short Control Elements 9 Medium-length control elements 10 Long Control Elements 11 Ceramic segment elements 12 Circuit diagram of control elements 13 Bellows 14 Housing 15 Insulating gas 16 Assembly with multiple vacuum interrupters 17 First Vapor Shield Potential 18 Second Vapor Shield Potential 19 Chamber potential t time U potential

Claims

1. A vacuum circuit breaker (1) for switching voltage, comprising at least one housing (2), at least one fixed contact (3) and at least one movable contact (4), a plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) are included, the plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) being disposed on at least one vacuum interrupter (1); The control elements (8, 9, 10) are of different lengths and / or different widths. A vacuum circuit breaker (1).

2. the plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) comprise at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor; and / or at least one control element (8, 9, 10) is a capacitor and / or a resistor; and / or All of the control elements (8, 9, 10) are composed of a plurality of capacitors and / or a plurality of resistors. A vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1.

3. The vacuum interrupter (1) comprises an outer casing (2) having at least one main shield (5) and at least two ceramic segments (6), the at least one main shield (5) is disposed between the at least two ceramic segments (6); and / or The plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) are arranged on the housing (2) of the vacuum circuit breaker (1). A vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1.

4. 4. The vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ceramic segments (6) are divided into a plurality of ceramic segment elements (11) by a plurality of steam shields (7) protruding from the interior of the vacuum interrupter (1) to the outer region of the vacuum interrupter (1); and / or the length of at least one of the control elements (9, 10) is greater than that of one ceramic segment element (11); and / or having a length of substantially two or more ceramic segment elements (11); A vacuum circuit breaker (1).

5. at least two control elements (8, 9, 10), the at least two control elements (8, 9, 10) are arranged circularly on the circumference of the at least one vacuum interrupter (1); A vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1.

6. the plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) are arranged in a circular pattern on the circumference of at least one vacuum interrupter (1), with each control element (8, 9, 10) being on a different ceramic segment element (11); In this case, each control element (8) is arranged on exactly one ceramic segment element (11), and / or each control element (9) is arranged on two ceramic segment elements (11), and / or each control element (10) is arranged on more than two ceramic segment elements (11). A vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 5.

7. The control elements (8, 9, 10) Between at least one fixed contact (3) and at least one moving contact (4), and / or between at least one fixed contact (3) and the main shield (5), and / or between one steam shield (7) and the main shield (5), and / or between two steam shields (7), and / or between at least one moving contact (4) and one steam shield (7), and / or between at least one moving contact (4) and the main shield (5), electrically and / or spatially arranged, A vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1.

8. 2. Vacuum circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the total capacitance of the control elements (8, 9, 10) is in the range of 10 to 4000 pF.

9. 9. Vacuum interrupter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum interrupter (1) is configured to switch high voltages.

10. An assembly (11) comprising a plurality of vacuum interrupters according to claim 1, At least two vacuum interrupters (1) are electrically connected in series and have control elements (8, 9, 10) arranged on the at least two vacuum interrupters (1), and / or the control element (8, 9, 10) of one vacuum interrupter (1) is connected in series with the control element of another vacuum interrupter (1).

1. An assembly of a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers, comprising:

11. 11. The assembly (11) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises one metal tank housing and / or insulating housing (14) in which the plurality of vacuum interrupters (1) are arranged.

12. A method for voltage distribution of a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers (1) according to claim 1 or a method for voltage distribution of an assembly (16) of a plurality of vacuum circuit breakers (1) according to claim 10, comprising: the voltage distribution is carried out by a plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) or in one housing (14) with a plurality of control elements (8, 9, 10) of a plurality of different vacuum circuit breakers (1) connected in series; A voltage distribution method comprising:

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