Vacuum interrupter

Abstract

The invention relates to a vacuum interrupter (1). The vacuum interrupter (1) comprises a housing (3), a fixed contact (5) fixedly arranged in the housing (3), a moving contact (7) which can be moved in the housing (3) relative to the fixed contact (5) between a first end position, in which the moving contact (7) makes contact with the fixed contact (5), and a second end position, in which the moving contact (7) is spaced apart from the fixed contact (5), and a first drive element (9) and a second drive element (11) which are designed to move the moving contact (7) between the end positions. The movements of the drive elements (9, 11) are coordinated in such a way that, while the moving contact (7) is moving from the first end position to the second end position and while the moving contact (7) is moving from the second end position to the first end position, the drive elements (9, 11) each move relative to one another.

Description

[0001] 2024PF00659

[0002] Description

[0003] Vacuum switching tube

[0004] The invention relates to a vacuum switching tube.

[0005] A vacuum switching tube comprises a housing and two switching contacts that are movable relative to each other and are arranged in a vacuum within the housing. Typically, one switching contact is a fixed contact, which is rigidly fixed within the housing, and the other switching contact is a movable contact, which is movable relative to the fixed contact between a first switching position, in which it touches the fixed contact, and a second switching position, in which it is separated from the fixed contact.

[0006] A breaker unit for a high-voltage switching device must be able to withstand the recurring voltage after a current zero crossing. For successful current interruption, the dielectric strength between the breaker unit's contacts must therefore be sufficiently high. To achieve this, at higher Bernessung voltages, breaker units are connected in series, or, in a gas-insulated breaker unit, both sides of the switching contacts are moved to achieve a greater relative movement. However, a technique in which the movements of the switching contact sides are coupled via an insulating nozzle is not feasible in a vacuum.

[0007] In a vacuum switching tube with a fixed contact and a moving contact, the contact gap is achieved solely by the movement of the moving contact. This places high demands on the actuator for the moving contact, especially at higher voltage levels and the associated larger required contact strokes. The contact gap in a vacuum switch is determined, on the one hand, by the required mobility of a sealing sleeve, which is typically 2024PF00659.

[0008] 2 is designed as a bellows, and on the other hand is limited by the energy of the drive of the moving contact. Therefore, at higher rated voltage levels, for example, vacuum interrupters are connected in series to achieve a sufficiently large contact distance.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing a vacuum switching tube with a fixed contact and a moving contact, which is improved in particular with regard to the mobility of the moving contact.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by a vacuum switching tube with the features of claim 1.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] A vacuum switching tube according to the invention comprises

[0013] - a case,

[0014] - a fixed contact permanently arranged in the housing,

[0015] - a moving contact which is movable in the housing relative to the fixed contact between a first end position in which the moving contact touches the fixed contact and a second end position in which the moving contact is spaced away from the fixed contact, and

[0016] - a first drive element and a second drive element, which are configured to move the moving contact between the end positions, wherein

[0017] - the movements of the drive elements are coordinated in such a way that when the moving contact moves from the first end position to the second end position and when the moving contact moves from the second end position to the first end position, the drive elements each perform a relative movement relative to each other.

[0018] The formulation that a vacuum switching tube according to the invention comprises two drive elements with the aforementioned features for moving the moving contact includes 2024PF00659

[0019] 3 does not imply that the vacuum switching tube has more than two drive elements for moving the moving contact, which perform relative movements to each other when the moving contact is moved between its end positions. Therefore, this formulation means that the vacuum switching tube has at least two such drive elements.

[0020] Moving the moving contact of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention by (at least) two drive elements advantageously allows the driving of the movement of the moving contact to be divided between the two drive elements. In particular, the realization of a contact stroke of the moving contact during these movements can be distributed between movements of the drive elements. Furthermore, different movement sequences of the moving contact can be realized by coupling the movements of the moving contact and the drive elements, for example by coupling the movements of the drive elements, for example by a gearbox. In particular, multi-stage movements of the moving contact can be realized.For example, the speed of these movements can be influenced such that the magnitude of the speed decreases between the end positions of the moving contact during each movement, so that the magnitude of the speed at the beginning of the movement is always greater than at the end. This can, for example, ensure that the moving contact does not contact the fixed contact at too high a speed, but still releases from the fixed contact quickly.

[0021] In one embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention, the first drive element is rigidly connected to the moving contact and is rod-like, and the second drive element is tube-like, surrounding the first drive element. 2024PF00659

[0022] 4

[0023] This design of the drive elements results in a space-saving configuration that requires hardly any more installation space than the design of the vacuum switching tube with only one drive element for the moving contact. Furthermore, this design of the drive elements allows for simple coupling of the drive elements.

[0024] Another embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention comprises a first bellows which has a first end connected gas-tight to the housing and a second end connected gas-tight to the second drive element.

[0025] The first bellows seals the housing gas-tight against the second drive element, so that no gas from the space between the first bellows and the second drive element can flow into the vacuum chamber of the vacuum switching tube in which the fixed contact and the moving contact are arranged.

[0026] Another embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention comprises a second bellows which has a first end connected gas-tight to the first drive element and a second end connected gas-tight to the second drive element.

[0027] The second bellows seals a gap between the drive elements gas-tight, preventing gas from flowing from the gap into the vacuum chamber. The bellows thus prevent gas from entering the vacuum chamber.

[0028] Another embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention comprises a coupling that couples the two drive elements to each other by their relative movements. 2024 PF00659

[0029] 5

[0030] The coupling of the drive elements enables, in particular, the multi-stage movement of the moving contact by the drive elements mentioned above.

[0031] In a further embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention, the coupling of the drive elements comprises a coupling element firmly connected to the first drive element and a coupling opening in the second drive element, wherein the coupling element is guided through the coupling opening and is displaceable in the coupling opening between two edges of the coupling opening parallel to the relative movements of the drive elements.

[0032] The edges of the coupling opening form stops for the coupling element guided through the coupling opening, limiting the relative movements of the drive elements and causing the coupling of the drive elements.

[0033] In a further embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention, the coupling of the drive elements comprises a coupling lever and a coupling support fixedly connected to the second drive element, wherein the coupling lever is rotatably connected to the first drive element about an axis of rotation and is slidably coupled to the coupling support. The coupling lever is, for example, slidably coupled to the coupling support parallel or perpendicular to the relative movements of the drive elements.

[0034] The displacement of the coupling lever enables the relative movement of the drive elements and simultaneously the coupling of the drive elements when the coupling lever reaches an end position of the displacement.

[0035] Another embodiment of an inventive vacuum switching tube includes a drive connected to one of the drive elements and configured to drive movements of that drive element. 2024PF00659

[0036] 6

[0037] In particular, the drive can cause movement of both drive elements if the drive elements are appropriately coupled.

[0038] The statements that the vacuum switching tube has a coupling element, a coupling opening, a coupling lever, a coupling support and / or an actuator do not mean that the vacuum switching tube has only one coupling element, one coupling opening, one coupling lever, one coupling support and / or one actuator. Rather, these statements mean that the vacuum switching tube has at least one coupling element, one coupling opening, one coupling lever, one coupling support and / or one actuator.

[0039] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. These drawings show:

[0040] FIG 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention.

[0041] FIG 2 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention with a moving contact in a first end position,

[0042] FIG 3 shows a sectional view of the vacuum switching tube shown in Figure 2 with the moving contact in a second end position,

[0043] FIG 4 shows a sectional view of a third embodiment of an invention 2024PF00659

[0044] Vacuum switching tube with a moving contact in a first end position,

[0045] FIG 5 shows a sectional view of the vacuum switching tube shown in Figure 4 with the moving contact in a second end position,

[0046] FIG 6 shows a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a vacuum switching tube according to the invention with a moving contact in a first end position,

[0047] FIG 7 shows a sectional view of the vacuum switching tube shown in Figure 6 with the moving contact in a second end position,

[0048] Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0049] Figure 1 (FIG 1) shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention. The vacuum switching tube 1 comprises a housing 3, a fixed contact 5, a moving contact 7, a contact shaft 8, a first drive element 9, a second drive element 11, a first bellows 13 and a second bellows 14.

[0050] The housing 3 comprises a first end section 15, a second end section 16, a middle section 17, a first insulating body 18, and a second insulating body 19. The first insulating body 18 is arranged between the first end section 15 and the middle section 17. The second insulating body 19 is arranged between the second end section 16 and the middle section 17. Each insulating body 18, 19 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, a ceramic material, and is tubular, essentially hollow cylindrical, around a longitudinal axis 20 of the housing 3. The two 2024PF00659

[0051] 8

[0052] End sections 15, 16 and the middle section 17 are each made of an electrically conductive material, for example copper or stainless steel.

[0053] The fixed contact 5 is fixedly arranged in the housing 3 on the contact shaft t 8, which is connected to the first end section 15 of the housing 3.

[0054] The first drive element 9 is rod-like and extends along the longitudinal axis 20, and is rigidly connected to the moving contact 7. The second drive element 11 is tube-like and surrounds the first drive element 9. Both drive elements 9 and 11 extend out of the housing 3 through an opening 21 in the second end section 16. Furthermore, both drive elements 9 and 11 are movable along the longitudinal axis 20 and are also movable relative to each other. The movements of the drive elements 9 and 11 are indicated by arrow symbols in Figure 1.

[0055] The first bellows 13 has a first end 23 that is gas-tightly connected around the opening 21 to the second end section 16 of the housing 3 and a second end 24 that is gas-tightly connected to the second actuating element 11. The second bellows 14 has a first end 25 that is gas-tightly connected to the first actuating element 9 and a second end 26 that is gas-tightly connected to the second actuating element 11. The first bellows 13 seals the housing 3 gas-tight against the second actuating element 11, so that no gas can flow from the space between the first bellows 13 and the second actuating element 11 into the vacuum chamber of the vacuum switching tube 1, in which the switching contacts 5, 7 are arranged. The second bellows 14 seals a slot between the actuating elements 9, 11 gas-tight, so that no gas can flow from the slot into the vacuum chamber. 2024PF00659

[0056] 9

[0057] The moving contact 7 is movable by movements of the drive elements 9, 11 between a first end position, in which the moving contact 7 touches the fixed contact 5, and a second end position, in which the moving contact 7 is spaced apart from the fixed contact 5. The movements of the drive elements 9, 11 are coordinated such that when the moving contact 7 moves from the first end position to the second end position and when the moving contact 7 moves from the second end position to the first end position, the drive elements 9, 11 each perform a relative movement relative to each other. The first drive element 9 and / or the second drive element 11 are driven by at least one drive (not shown). Furthermore, the drive elements 9, 11 can be coupled to each other. Various embodiments of such a coupling are shown in Figures 2 to 7.The movements of the moving contact 7 between the end positions via movements of the drive elements 9, 11 can in particular be carried out in a step-like manner, so that, for example, the magnitude of a velocity of these movements decreases in each case, i.e., so that the magnitude of the velocity at the beginning of the movement is always greater than at the end of the movement.

[0058] Figures 2 and 3 each show a sectional view of a second embodiment of a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention. The vacuum switching tube 1 comprises a housing 3, a fixed contact 5, a moving contact 7, a contact shaft 8, a first drive element 9, a second drive element 11, a first bellows 13, and a second bellows 14, which are each designed and arranged as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and are therefore not described again here. The vacuum switching tube 1 further comprises a coupling 28, which couples the two drive elements 9 and 11 to each other by their relative movements. 2024PF00659

[0059] 10

[0060] The coupling 28 comprises two coupling elements 30 rigidly connected to the first drive element 9 and a coupling opening 32 in the second drive element 11 for each coupling element 30. Each coupling element 30 is guided through a coupling opening 32 and is displaceable within the coupling opening 32 between two edges 34, 35 of the coupling opening 32 parallel to the relative movements of the drive elements 9, 11 along the longitudinal axis 20. The edges 34, 35 of each coupling opening 32 form stops for the coupling element 30 guided through the coupling opening 32, limiting the relative movements of the drive elements 9, 11.

[0061] Figure 2 (FIG 2) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the first end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the coupling elements 30 each rest against a first edge 34 of a coupling opening 32.

[0062] Figure 3 (FIG 3) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the second end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the coupling elements 30 each rest against a second edge 35 of a coupling opening 32.

[0063] The movements of the moving contact 7 between the end positions are caused by movements of the drive elements 9, 11, each of which comprises a relative movement of the drive elements 9, 11, in which the coupling elements 30 each move in a coupling opening 32 between the edges 34, 35 of the coupling opening 32.

[0064] Figures 4 and 5 each show a sectional view of a third embodiment of a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3 only in the design of the coupling 28, which couples the two drive elements 9, 11 to each other. 2024PF00659

[0065] 11

[0066] The coupling 28 comprises a coupling lever 37 and a component rigidly connected to the second drive element 11.

[0067] Coupling support 39. The coupling lever 37 is rotatably connected to the first drive element 9 about a pivot axis 41. The coupling support 39 has a perforated disc-like end section 43 through which the second drive element 11 is guided and to which the second drive element 11 is connected. Furthermore, the coupling support 39 has a hollow cylindrical tube section 45, which is connected to the end section 43 and is tubular about the longitudinal axis 20. The coupling lever 37 is coupled to the coupling support 39 so that it is displaceable between two end positions parallel to the relative movements of the drive elements 9, 11, such that the end positions limit the relative movements of the drive elements 9, 11. The coupling lever 37 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, although it is arranged in front of the plane of Figures 4 and 5.

[0068] Figure 4 (FIG 4) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the first end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the coupling lever 37 is in a first end position relative to the coupling support 39.

[0069] Figure 5 (FIG 5) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the second end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the coupling lever 37 is in a second end position relative to the coupling support 39.

[0070] The movements of the moving contact 7 between the end positions are caused by movements of the drive elements 9, 11, each of which includes a relative movement of the drive elements 9, 11, in which the coupling lever 37 moves between the two end positions relative to the coupling support 39.

[0071] Figures 6 and 7 each show a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a vacuum switching tube 1 according to the invention. This embodiment differs from the 2024PF00659 shown in Figures 2 to 5.

[0072] 12

[0073] Exemplary embodiments are distinguished solely by the design of the coupling 28, which couples the two drive elements 9, 11 together.

[0074] The coupling 28 comprises two coupling levers 47 and, for each coupling lever 47, a coupling support 49 rigidly connected to the second drive element 11. Each coupling lever 47 is rotatably connected to the first drive element 9 about a pivot axis 41. Each coupling support 49 has a recess 51 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20, in which an end section 52 of a coupling lever 47 is guided. The recess 51 of each coupling support 49 has two edges 53, 54 that limit movement of the end section 52 of a coupling lever 47 guided in the recess 51 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. The coupling levers 47 are shown in Figures 6 and 7, although they are arranged in front of the plane of Figures 6 and 7.

[0075] Figure 6 (FIG 6) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the first end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the end regions 52 of the coupling levers 47 each rest against a first edge 53 of a recess 51.

[0076] Figure 7 (FIG 7) shows the vacuum switching tube 1 in the second end position of the moving contact 7. In this end position, the end regions 52 of the coupling levers 47 each rest against a second edge 54 of a recess 51.

[0077] The movements of the moving contact 7 between the end positions are caused by movements of the drive elements 9, 11, each comprising a relative movement of the drive elements 9, 11, in which the end regions 52 of the coupling levers 47 move between the two edges 53, 54 of a recess 51.

[0078] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not distinguished from the disclosed examples 2024PF00659

[0079] 13. Other variations can be derived by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

2024PF00659 14 Patent claims 1. Vacuum switching tube (1) , comprising - a housing (3) , - a fixed contact (5) arranged in the housing (3) , - a moving contact (7) which is movable in the housing (3) relative to the fixed contact (5) between a first end position in which the moving contact (7) touches the fixed contact (5) and a second end position in which the moving contact (7) is spaced away from the fixed contact (5), and - a first drive element (9) and a second drive element (11) which are configured to move the moving contact (7) between the end positions, wherein - the movements of the drive elements (9, 11) are coordinated in such a way that during a movement of the The moving contact (7) moves from the first end position to the second end position and, when the moving contact (7) moves from the second end position to the first end position, the drive elements (9, 11) each perform a relative movement relative to each other.

2. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first drive element (9) is rigidly connected to the moving contact (7) and is rod-shaped, and the second drive element (11) is tube-shaped around the first drive element (9) is formed around it.

3. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 2, comprising a first bellows (13) which has a first end (23) connected gas-tight to the housing (3) and a second end (24) connected gas-tight to the second drive element (11).

4. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 2 or 3, with a second bellows (14) having a first end (25) connected gas-tight to the first drive element (9) and a second end (26) connected gas-tight to the second drive element (11). 2024PF00659 15 5. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a coupling (28) which couples the two drive elements (9, 11) to each other by their relative movements.

6. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 5, wherein the coupling (28) comprises a coupling element (39) fixedly connected to the first drive element (9) and a coupling opening (32) in the second drive element (11), wherein the coupling element (30) is guided through the coupling opening (32) and is displaceable in the coupling opening (32) between two edges (34, 35) of the coupling opening (32) parallel to the relative movements of the drive elements (9, 11).

7. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the coupling (28) comprises a coupling lever (37, 47) and a coupling support (39, 49) fixedly connected to the second drive element (11), wherein the coupling lever (37, 47) is rotatably connected to the first drive element (9) about a pivot axis (41) and is slidably coupled to the coupling support (39, 49).

8. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 7, wherein the coupling lever (37) is slidably coupled to the coupling support (39) parallel to the relative movements of the drive elements (9, 11).

9. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to claim 7, wherein the coupling lever (47) is slidably coupled to the coupling support (49) perpendicular to the relative movements of the drive elements (9, 11).

10. Vacuum switching tube (1) according to one of the preceding claims with a drive which is connected to one of the drive elements (9, 11) and is configured to drive movements of this drive element (9, 11).

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