Rotary actuator consisting of partial shells

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary actuator (1) comprising: - a stator (10); - at least one stator coil (11) which is connected to the stator (10) such that a force acting on the stator coil (11) is transmitted to the stator (10), wherein the stator (10) is divided into at least two stator partial shells (10', 10'') each having a stator coil (11', 11''); - an armature (20) which is rotatable relative to the stator (10) about an axis of rotation (2), wherein the armature (20) is divided into at least two armature partial shells (20', 20'') each having an armature coil (21', 21''); - at least one armature coil (21) which is connected to the armature (20) such that a force acting on the armature coil (21) is transmitted to the armature (20); - power lines (3) which can be used to energize at least one stator coil (11); and - cables (4) which can be used to energize the at least one armature coil (21).

Description

[0001] 202415876

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Rotary actuator made of partial shells

[0005] The present invention relates to a rotary actuator made of partial shells, a method for operating the rotary actuator, and various uses of the rotary actuator.

[0006] Switching devices for low-voltage and high-voltage applications, such as load switches, disconnect switches, or circuit breakers, can inherently have two mechanical disadvantages: First, when the switching device is energized, i.e., when the contact system closes, the mass of the moving contact, and additionally the mass of the switch mechanism, is abruptly stopped at the galvanic contact point, which can lead to contact bounce. Second, due to arcing, the two contacts can easily weld together. Therefore, when the switching device is energized, i.e., when the contact system opens, a so-called break-up shock, i.e., a higher force for contact separation, must be generated to break up any welded contact system.Conventional actuators for switching devices, which convert the rotary motion of a drive shaft into the linear motion of the moving contact, deliver a more or less continuous force precisely within this range. Examples of such actuators for switching devices include spring actuators and magnetic actuators (classic solenoid).

[0007] Current approaches aim to improve contact bounce behavior through special kinematics, such as deflection levers to control the speed profile, or by using servomotors with complex control systems to decelerate the moving contact just before galvanic contact. However, the breaking shock is currently achieved with additional accelerated masses, which in turn require a higher overall drive energy.

[0008] Main drives for vacuum tube circuit breakers sometimes use linear or rotary actuators based on solenoids. These actuators inherently have relatively low forces or torques at the start of movement due to a large air gap, which leads to low efficiency. Therefore, a disproportionately large amount of electrical energy must be expended at the beginning of the movement to initiate it. Currently, the initial force is increased by using special air gap geometries. However, this requires 202415876

[0009] 2 a relatively complicated geometry of armature and / or stator and reduces the force in the remaining stroke range.

[0010] Switchgear often incorporates a short-circuiting device to extinguish an arc fault before it causes significant damage from a metallic short circuit. The short-circuiting device must operate within milliseconds. Explosives are typically used as the activating agent, but this results in contamination of the system and the release of toxic substances. Alternatively, short-circuiting devices powered by stored spring energy are used, though these require considerable mechanical effort.

[0011] DE 102023209 544.0 comprises a stator. The stator has at least one stator coil connected to the stator in such a way that a force acting on the stator coil is transmitted to the stator. The rotary actuator has an armature. The armature is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the stator. The armature has at least one armature coil connected to the armature in such a way that a force acting on the armature coil is transmitted to the armature. The rotary actuator has electrical conductors through which the at least one stator coil can be energized.

[0012] Highly dynamic electromagnetic rotary actuators according to DE 10 2023209 544.0 are mounted on an extended switch shaft of a circuit breaker with a keyway and spline, protruding laterally beyond the actual required switch width. This necessitates a circuit breaker with a greater overall width, resulting in a larger required installation space in the customer's system. Furthermore, the pressed-in spline makes disassembly (repair, replacement) difficult.

[0013] There is therefore a need for an improved drive that can be used in switching devices, e.g. circuit breakers, and in short-circuiting devices.

[0014] This problem is solved according to the invention by a rotary actuator with the features specified in claim 1, a method with the features specified in claim 9, a switching device with the features specified in claim 13, and a switching device with the features specified in claim 14. 202415876

[0015] 3

[0016] The rotary actuator according to the invention comprises a stator. The stator has at least one stator coil connected to the stator in such a way that a force acting on the stator coil is transmitted to the stator, wherein the stator is divided into at least two stator sub-shells, each with at least one stator coil. The rotary actuator has an armature. The armature is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the stator. The armature has at least one armature coil connected to the armature in such a way that a force acting on the armature coil is transmitted to the armature, wherein the armature is divided into at least two armature sub-shells, each with at least one armature coil. The rotary actuator has electrical conductors through which the at least one stator coil can be energized.

[0017] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for operating the aforementioned rotary actuator, wherein a current pulse triggers a braking or acceleration pulse. The triggering of the current pulse is initiated by an angular position of the armature relative to the stator.

[0018] The object of the invention is further achieved by a switching device with at least one switch, wherein a rotary actuator according to the invention functions as an auxiliary drive of the switch. The switching device has a rotating shaft and a main drive acting on the rotating shaft. A movement of a moving contact of the at least one switch is caused by a rotation of the rotating shaft. The switching device also has a rotary actuator as described above, wherein the rotary actuator functions as an auxiliary drive of the switch. The armature of the rotary actuator is arranged non-rotatably on and coaxially with the rotating shaft.

[0019] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a switching device with at least one switch, wherein a rotary actuator according to the invention functions as a main drive of the switching device. The switching device has a rotary actuator as described above, wherein the rotary actuator functions as a main drive of the switch and wherein a movement of a moving contact of the at least one switch is caused by a rotation of the rotary actuator. Such a rotary actuator can be used, by means of suitable timing, to drive the entire switch or the entire switching device. 202415876

[0020] 4

[0021] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least two anchor partial shells are connected to each other by means of at least one connector.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stator coil and the at least one armature coil are connected in series. An advantage of this is that an impulse current through the series-connected coils results in a virtually instantaneous torque pulse, whereby the sign of the torque pulse can be defined by the current direction, e.g., in the armature coil.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the number of pole pairs of the armature and the stator is the same. For example, the armature has three strands, each with an armature coil; the coils generate magnetic fields whose axes are oriented in the directions 0°, 120°, and 240°. The stator is configured analogously.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary actuator has an electrical energy storage device, e.g., a capacitor, which can discharge its charge into the at least one stator coil and / or at least one armature coil. The electrical energy storage device can be discharged in pulses via the series- or parallel-connected coils. An advantage of this is that such a pulse current results in a virtually instantaneous torque pulse, whereby the sign of the torque pulse can be defined by the current direction, e.g., in the armature coil.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary actuator has a control unit that controls the current flow to the at least one stator coil and the at least one armature coil. After suitable triggering, e.g., by a Hall sensor to generate a trigger signal at the galvanic contact point of a vacuum tube or by determining a trigger point from typical points in the current waveform of a main magnetic drive of a switching device (if present), an electrical energy storage device, e.g., a capacitor, can be discharged intermittently via the series- or parallel-connected coils. Upon receiving a trigger signal, the control unit can cause an electrical energy storage device, such as a capacitor, to discharge its electrical charge into the at least one stator coil and the at least one armature coil. An advantage of this is that the control unit [202415876]

[0027] 5

[0028] The movements of the rotary actuator can be adapted to different requirements.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control an electronic reversal of the coils. The coils are thus reversed electronically, not by means of sliding contacts. An advantage of this is that this electronic reversal method is simpler and causes less wear than an electromechanical reversal method.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one stator coil and the at least one armature coil overlap radially. The achievable torque depends on the degree of overlap. An advantage of this is that the rotary actuator can be adapted to different requirements by selecting the degree of coil overlap.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a current pulse, triggered by an angular position of the armature relative to the stator, generates a braking or acceleration pulse. An advantage of this is that the movements of the rotary actuator can be adapted to different requirements by means of the current pulse.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, several successive current pulses cause a continuous movement of the armature, e.g., over an angular range greater than 15 degrees. An advantage of this is that the movements of the rotary actuator can be adapted to different requirements by means of the current pulses.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more current pulses exhibit a current change dl / dt. An advantage of this is that the movements of the rotary actuator can be adapted to different requirements by adjusting the magnitude of the current change.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in an initial position a first stator coil and an armature coil overlap; a current pulse is triggered, causing movement of the armature so that the overlap of the first stator coil and the armature coil increases, and another current pulse is triggered when the overlap of the first stator coil and armature coil has decreased again. An advantage 202415876

[0035] 6. The advantage is that in this way a relatively high torque can be generated over a relatively large rotation angle of the armature.

[0036] The invention will now be explained using several embodiments and the accompanying drawing. Each drawing is schematic and not to scale.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a rotary actuator;

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram for the electrical connection of the rotary actuator of Fig. 1;

[0039] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the rotary actuator according to the invention;

[0040] Fig. 4 Exploded view of the rotary actuator according to the invention from Fig. 3;

[0041] Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C Assembly of the rotary actuator according to the invention of Fig. 2;

[0042] Fig. 6 Detail of a rotary actuator according to the invention mounted on the main drive of a circuit breaker;

[0043] Fig. 7 Rotary actuator according to the invention mounted on the main drive of a circuit breaker;

[0044] Fig. 8 shows a circuit breaker with a vacuum interrupter and a rotary actuator, which acts as an auxiliary drive for the circuit breaker; and

[0045] Fig. 9 shows a circuit breaker with a vacuum switching tube and a rotary actuator that acts as a main drive of the circuit breaker.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a rotary actuator 1.

[0047] The rotary actuator 1 has a hollow cylindrical stator 10, e.g. made of a metal, which has six longitudinal ribs 12 extending along its axis of rotation 2 on its inner circumference. Three stator coils 11 are wound in the spaces (slots) between the longitudinal ribs 12. The three stator coils 11 are thus connected to the stator 10 as shown in figure 202415876.

[0048] 7 connected that a force acting on the stator coils 11 is transferred to the stator 10.

[0049] The rotary actuator 1 has a hollow cylindrical armature 20, e.g. made of a metal, which is arranged inside the stator 10 and which is rotatable about its axis of rotation 2 relative to the stator 10.

[0050] The armature 20 has six longitudinal ribs 22 extending along its axis of rotation 2 on its outer circumference. Three armature coils 21 are wound in the spaces (slots) between the longitudinal ribs 22. The three armature coils 21 are thus connected to the armature 20 in such a way that a force acting on the armature coils 21 is transmitted to the armature 20.

[0051] The rotary actuator 1 can be used to generate a rotary motion of a rotating shaft; for this purpose, the rotating shaft is guided through the armature, along the axis of rotation of the armature, and connected to the armature in a rotationally fixed manner, e.g. by a known tongue-and-groove connection. Thus, a rotation of the armature results in a rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0052] The stator coils 11 and the armature coils 21 are supplied from a voltage source in parallel or series connection because this allows relatively high impulse torques to be generated.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram of a circuit 9 for the rotary actuator 1 of Figure 1. The rotary actuator 1 of Figure 1 has a stator 10 and an armature 20, each with three coils.

[0054] In circuit 9, a stator coil 11 and an armature coil 21 are connected in series and electrically connected to a voltage source 50. Thus, the stator coil 11 and the armature coil 21 are energized if a switch 52 connected in circuit 9 is in the conducting state. The voltage source 50 can be designed as an electrical energy storage device 6, e.g., a capacitor, which can discharge its electrical charge into the stator coil 11 and the armature coil 21.

[0055] The circuit 9 has power lines 3 through which the stator coil 11 can be energized, and flexible lines 4, e.g. stranded wires, through which the armature coil 21 202415876

[0056] 8 can be energized. The flexibility of the lines 4 is necessary because the armature 20 is to perform a rotary movement and no sliding contacts are provided.

[0057] A freewheeling path 13 is connected in parallel to the stator coil 11 and the armature coil 21, in which a freewheeling diode D is arranged. During the time intervals in which the switch 52 is closed, the freewheeling diode D carries the inductive current of the coils 11 and 21. This is a standard circuit configuration for inductive loads, in this case the coils 11 and 21, to prevent current interruption and thus overvoltages for the switch 52, e.g., a power semiconductor.

[0058] The rotary actuator also has a control unit 7 that controls the current supply to the stator coil 11 and the armature coil 21 by actuating the switch 52, causing the switch 52 to open (current does not flow) or close (current flows) the circuit 9 at defined times.

[0059] Figure 3 shows a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention. The rotary actuator 1 has a stator 10 and at least one stator coil 11, which is connected to the stator 10 such that a force acting on the stator coil 11 is transmitted to the stator 10, wherein the stator 10 is divided into at least two stator sub-shells 10', 10" each with at least one stator coil 1T, 11". Furthermore, the rotary actuator 1 has an armature 20 rotatable about an axis of rotation 2 relative to the stator 10 and at least one armature coil 21, which is connected to the armature 20 such that a force acting on the armature coil 21 is transmitted to the armature 20, wherein the armature 20 is divided into at least two armature sub-shells 20', 20" each with at least one armature coil 2T, 21".Furthermore, the rotary actuator 1 according to the invention has electrical lines 3 through which at least one stator coil 11 can be energized and electrical lines 4 through which the at least one armature coil 21 can be energized.

[0060] Figure 3 shows the rotary actuator 1 according to the invention in an assembled form, Figure 4 shows the rotary actuator 1 according to the invention in an exploded view.

[0061] The rotary actuator 1 according to the invention additionally comprises at least one connector 28', 28", which connects the at least two armature partial shells 20', 20" to each other. 202415876

[0062] 9

[0063] Figure 5A shows the rotary actuator 1 according to the invention in its individual parts, in Figure 5B the armature coil 21 with the at least two armature partial shells 20', 20" each with at least one armature coil 2T, 21" is shown divided.

[0064] In Figure 5B, the connectors 28', 28" and the at least two armature sub-shells 20', 20" are mounted and connect them to each other. In Figure 5C, the fully assembled rotary actuator 1 according to the invention is shown with the stator 10 and the at least one stator coil 11, which is connected to the stator 10 in such a way that a force acting on the stator coil 11 is transmitted to the stator 10, wherein the stator 10 is divided into at least two stator sub-shells 10', 10" each with at least one stator coil 1T, 11".

[0065] Figure 6 shows a detail of a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention, which is mounted on a rotary shaft 209 of a main drive 203 of a circuit breaker. Figure 7 shows a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention mounted on the main drive of a circuit breaker.

[0066] Figure 8 shows a switch 201 of a vacuum circuit breaker, as described, for example, in the Siemens manual "Instruction Manual, Type 3AH35-MA vacuum circuit breaker magnetic-actuator operator module, Installation operation maintenance", Article No. E50001-F710-K378-V6-4A00, published by Siemens Industry, Inc., Wendell, North Carolina, 27591, USA, 2016. The vacuum circuit breaker is a component of a circuit breaker. The switch 201 has two electrical switching contacts 204, 205, namely a fixed contact 204 and a moving contact 205, which are arranged in an evacuated switching chamber of the vacuum circuit breaker (not shown). The switching contacts 204, 205 are designed as pressure contacts, i.e., to form a current-carrying contact between the switching contacts 204, 205, the switching contacts 204, 205 are pressed against each other.The fixed contact 204 is located at one end of a fixed contact rod 206, and the moving contact 205 is located at one end of a moving contact rod 207, which is slidably guided, vacuum-sealed by means of a metal bellows (not shown), and led out of the switching chamber of the vacuum switching tube through a cover (not shown). By means of the moving contact rod 207, the moving contact 205 can be brought into galvanic contact with the fixed contact 204 in a closing operation and, in an opening operation, separated from the fixed contact 204 to such an extent that a sufficient safety distance exists between the two contacts 204 and 205 to prevent arcing. The distance between the contacts is 202415876.

[0067] 10

[0068] 204, 205 must be large enough that the arc extinguishes at the zero crossing of the current and that the arc does not reignite when the voltage rises again.

[0069] The axial movement of the moving contact rod 207 is effected by a magnetic drive 203, which serves as the main drive of the vacuum switching tube. An armature 224 of the magnetic drive 203, designed as a plunger, is moved between two end positions by interaction with a permanent magnet PM and a magnetic coil EM of the magnetic drive 203. For this purpose, an axial movement of the armature 224 is redirected into an axial movement of the moving contact rod 207 by means of a transmission gear 202. Figure 8 shows that a second end position of the armature 224 corresponds to an open contact position of the switching contacts 204, 205.

[0070] The transmission mechanism 202 has an angled three-joint link 218, which is connected to the moving contact rod 207 via a first joint 211. The three-joint link 218, which is rotatably mounted in a second joint 212, is connected to a connecting rod 219 via a third joint 213. The connecting rod 219, in the manner of a telescopic tube, has an outer tube and an inner tube axially displaceable within the outer tube. The axial displacement of these tubes relative to each other is effected by a contact compression spring 208, which is designed as a coil spring clamped between two spring support elements formed on the outer and inner tubes, respectively. Connecting rods of this type are found as spring elements, for example, in the automotive sector.

[0071] Switches with pressure contacts, which include vacuum switches in particular, require a contact spring that constantly maintains the pressure necessary for current flow between the contacts—the so-called contact force—when the switch is in the closed state (contacts closed). The contact force is generated when the kinematic chain reaches its end position due to the compression of the contact spring. The contact spring is located at a suitable point within the mechanism responsible for transmitting the drive forces to the contacts and has a preload designed so that its spring characteristic, along with its travel, generates the required contact force. During the switch-on process, this preload is overcome when the pressure contacts make contact, resulting in a steep rise in the force-displacement curve of the drive mechanism.Following the overcoming of the preload of the contact pressure spring, it is further compressed by the söge- 202415876.

[0072] 11 mentioned the stroke tension, so that the desired or required contact force is still present even when the contacts wear out or burn-off occurs.

[0073] The connecting rod 219 is connected via a fourth joint 214 to a lever link 220, which is fixed against rotation on a pivot shaft 209 rotatably mounted in a fifth joint 215; the fifth joint 215, which serves as the bearing point for the pivot shaft 209, is also simply referred to as a bearing. The lever link 220 is further connected via a sixth joint 216 to a connecting rod 221, which in turn is connected via a seventh joint 217 to a drive rod 222. The drive rod 222 itself is fixed to the armature 224.

[0074] In addition to the magnetic drive 203, which serves as the main drive and acts on the rotary shaft 209 via the connecting rod 221 and the lever link 220, the circuit breaker also has a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention, which functions as an auxiliary drive of the circuit breaker. The armature of the rotary actuator 1 is arranged non-rotatably on and coaxially with the rotary shaft 209.

[0075] The vacuum switching unit has one switch 201 for each of the three phases L1, L2, L3 of a three-phase line current. For the sake of simplicity, only the switch 201 for one of the three phases L1, L2, L3 is shown in Figure 8. All three moving contacts 205 of the vacuum switching unit are actuated together by the magnetic drive 203. For this purpose, the rotating shaft 209 carries three lever elements 220, of which only one lever element 220 is shown in Figure 8 for the sake of simplicity. Each of the three lever elements 220 actuates the moving contact 205 of the contact pair 204, 205 of one of the three switches 201 of the vacuum switching unit; thus, the three switches 201 of the vacuum switching unit open and close simultaneously.Simultaneous opening and closing of the switching contacts is the "usual" case; however, there is also the application of using separate actuators for phase-selective switching, in which case the switching of the three phases occurs at different times. The invention can, of course, also be implemented with such a phase-selective switch.

[0076] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that there are also single-pole drives in which not all three moving contacts of the vacuum switching unit are actuated by a common magnetic drive, but in which each phase has a separate drive and a separate kinematic chain. There are also single-phase and two-phase 202415876

[0077] 12

[0078] Switching devices. The invention can of course also be implemented with such a single-pole drive, a single-phase or a two-phase switching device.

[0079] Figure 9 shows a circuit breaker with at least one vacuum interrupter 1, which includes a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention. The circuit breaker shown in Figure 9 differs from the circuit breaker shown in Figure 8 in that the rotary actuator 1 acts as a main drive of the circuit breaker and that movement of the moving contact 205 of the vacuum interrupter 1 is caused by a rotation of the rotary actuator 1. The magnetic drive 203 shown in Figure 8 is not present in the circuit breaker shown in Figure 9.

[0080] The rotary actuator 1 according to the invention can be designed such that the at least one stator coil 11 and the at least one armature coil 21 are connected in series.

[0081] Likewise, the rotary actuator 1 according to the invention can be designed such that the number of pole pairs of the armature 20 and the stator 10 are the same.

[0082] The rotary actuator 1 can have an electrical energy storage device 6 which can discharge its charge into at least one stator coil 11 and / or at least one armature coil 21.

[0083] Likewise, the rotary actuator according to the invention can have a control unit 7 that controls the current supply to the at least one stator coil 11 and the at least one armature coil 21. The control unit 7 of the rotary actuator 1 can be configured to control the electronic reversal of the coils 11 and 21.

[0084] In the rotary actuator 1, the at least one stator coil 11 and the at least one armature coil 21 can radially overlap.

[0085] To operate the rotary actuator 1, a current pulse, triggered by an angular position (cp) of the armature 20 relative to the stator 10, can generate a braking or acceleration pulse. Several consecutive current pulses can cause continuous movement of the armature 20. The single or multiple current pulses can cause a current change dl / dt. 202415876

[0086] 13

[0087] In an initial position, a first stator coil 11 and an armature coil 21 can overlap and trigger a current pulse that causes a movement of the armature 20, so that the overlap of the first stator coil 11 and the armature coil 21 increases and triggers another current pulse when the overlap of the first stator coil 11 and armature coil 21 has decreased again.

[0088] The switching device according to the invention, comprising at least one switch 201, has a rotary shaft 209 and a main drive 203 acting on the rotary shaft 209, wherein a movement of a moving contact 205 of the at least one switch 201 is caused by a rotation of the rotary shaft 209, furthermore the switching device has a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention, wherein the rotary actuator 1 functions as an additional drive of the switch 201 and the armature 20 of the rotary actuator 1 is arranged non-rotatably on and coaxial to the rotary shaft 209.

[0089] The switching device according to the invention with at least one switch 201 can also have a rotary actuator 1 according to the invention, wherein the rotary actuator 1 functions as a main drive of the switch 201 and wherein a movement of a moving contact 205 of the at least one switch 201 is caused by a rotation of the rotary actuator 1.

[0090] The rotary actuator 1 can be structurally divided longitudinally into several partial shells, so that a partial coil of the armature 20 and of the stator 10 is located in a semicircular partial segment.

[0091] Electromagnetically, the radial air gap that then exists does not result in any significant reduction in the effectiveness of the rotary actuator 1, since the magnetic flux is guided by the remaining laminated core volume and by the switch shaft.

[0092] Unlike conventional motors, no rotating windings are necessary: ​​O-shaped partial coils lying in the longitudinal grooves are used, which have separately brought-out leads.

[0093] Since rotary actuator 1 does not perform a complete rotation, but only a limited rotation (e.g., 60°), highly flexible wires are used for connection instead of a commutator with carbon brushes. 202415876

[0094] 14

[0095] By appropriately designing the switch 201, free space is created on the switch shaft 209 between the switch poles, which can be used to attach the rotary actuator 1.

[0096] First, the two armature sub-shells 20', 20" are placed on the shaft and fixed to the switch shaft 209 with connectors 28', 28".

[0097] For the purpose of torque transmission, a groove or a rib is incorporated on the switch shaft 290 and the corresponding counterpart in the armature shells 20', 20".

[0098] Subsequently, the stator partial shells 10', 10" are mounted analogously and fastened in the switch housing in such a way that the drive torque can be safely absorbed.

[0099] With a symmetrical design of the circuit breaker, possible mounting spaces can arise between the switch poles, so that two narrower rotary actuators 1 can also be mounted per circuit breaker if a higher drive energy is required.

[0100] The separate sub-shells of these two rotary actuators 1 are wired externally, e.g. in series.

[0101] Basically, this rotary actuator 1 is scalable, so that depending on the energy requirements, several narrower parts, e.g. with a uniform width, can be combined.

[0102] By installing the rotary actuator 1 between the switch poles, no extended switching shaft and therefore no larger installation space needs to be provided in the customer's system.

[0103] The principle of the rotary actuator 1 allows for virtually unlimited scaling, including in width. Therefore, a rotary actuator 1 with a standardized drive energy could be manufactured, and the number of units installed could vary depending on the energy requirements of the circuit breaker. This results in significant potential savings in manufacturing.

[0104] The partial shell construction allows for subsequent disassembly and assembly of the rotary actuator 1. This also allows for repairs during servicing, whereas with keyway and key 202415876

[0105] The 15 pressed components can only be disassembled and reassembled with difficulty and using special tools.

Claims

202415876 16 Patent claims 1. Rotary actuator (1), comprising: - a stator (10), - at least one stator coil (11) connected to the stator (10) in such a way that a force acting on the stator coil (11) is transferred to the stator (10), wherein the stator (10) is divided into at least two stator partial shells (10', 10") each with at least one stator coil (1 T, 11"); - an armature (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation (2) relative to the stator (10), - at least one armature coil (21) connected to the armature (20) in such a way that a force acting on the armature coil (21) is transferred to the armature (20), wherein the armature (20) is divided into at least two armature sub-shells (20', 20") each with at least one armature coil (2T, 21"); - electrical conductors (3) through which at least one stator coil (11) can be energized, and - electrical lines (4) through which the at least one armature coil (21) can be energized.

2. Rotary actuator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two armature partial shells (20', 20") are connected to each other by means of at least one connector (28', 28").

3. Rotary actuator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one stator coil (11) and the at least one armature coil (21) are connected in series.

4. Rotary actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of pole pairs of the armature (20) and the stator (10) are the same.

5. Rotary actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an electrical energy storage device (6) which can discharge its charge into the at least one stator coil (11) and / or at least one armature coil (21).

6. Rotary actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (7) which controls the current supply to the at least one stator coil (11) and the at least one armature coil (21). 202415876 17 7. Rotary actuator (1) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (7) is configured to control an electronic reversal of the coils (11 , 21).

8. Rotary actuator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one stator coil (11) and the at least one armature coil (21) overlap radially.

9. Method for operating the rotary actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a current pulse, triggered by an angular position (cp) of the armature (20) relative to the stator (10), causes a braking or acceleration pulse.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein several current pulses in succession cause a continuous movement of the armature (20).

11. Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein one or more current pulses cause a current change dl / dt.

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein in an initial position a first stator coil (11) and an armature coil (21) overlap, a current pulse is triggered which causes a movement of the armature (20) so that the overlap of the first stator coil (11) and the armature coil (21) increases and a further current pulse is triggered when the overlap of the first stator coil (11) and armature coil (21) has decreased again.

13. Switching device with at least one switch (201), comprising a rotary shaft (209) and a main drive (203) acting on the rotary shaft (209), wherein a movement of a moving contact (205) of the at least one switch (201) is caused by a rotation of the rotary shaft (209), further comprising a rotary actuator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotary actuator (1) functions as an additional drive of the switch (201) and the armature (20) of the rotary actuator (1) is arranged non-rotatably on and coaxial to the rotary shaft (209).

14. Switching device with at least one switch (201), 202415876 18 comprising a rotary actuator (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rotary actuator (1) acts as a main drive of the switch (201) and wherein a movement of a moving contact (205) of the at least one switch (201) is caused by a rotation of the rotary actuator (1).

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