Auxiliary Connector Blocks for Withdrawable Breaker B-Circuit Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large power circuit breakers, especially of the withdrawable type, the auxiliary B circuits fail to maintain an opposite status to the main circuit breaker when racked out, leading to undesirable asynchrony with the main circuit condition, and require mechanical solutions that are maintenance-prone and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A primarily electrical system using make before break contacts and insulating fins in mating electrical connector blocks ensures that B auxiliary circuits remain closed even when the main circuit breaker is racked out, by isolating the shorting contacts when mated and allowing them to complete the circuit when separated, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical linkages are used to maintain auxiliary B circuits status, then the asynchrony between main and auxiliary circuits can be maintained, but the device complexity increases and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical linkages with an electrical solution using make-before-break contacts and insulating fins. The movable connector block contains insulating fins that physically separate make-before-break contacts from stationary connector block contacts when mated, preventing unintended circuit completion. This electrical field-based solution eliminates complex mechanical moving parts while maintaining the desired asynchrony between main and auxiliary circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating fins act as an intermediary element between the movable and stationary connector blocks. These fins create a physical barrier that controls the interaction between make-before-break contacts and stationary contacts, allowing the system to maintain auxiliary circuit status without direct mechanical linkage. The insulating fins mediate the electrical field interaction to achieve the desired circuit behavior.
2Reliability
If make before break contacts are used in mating connector blocks, then the B auxiliary circuits can remain closed when separated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the connector block design: the movable connector block integrates make-before-break contacts, insulating fins, and the circuit breaker connection interface into a single unit. The stationary connector block similarly integrates corresponding elements. This merging reduces the need for separate mechanical devices while achieving auxiliary circuit continuity through the electrical connection design itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating fins are strategically positioned only in specific locations within the connector block where they are needed to control the make-before-break contact interaction. This localized approach to insulation allows the system to maintain circuit continuity where required while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas of the connector design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and apparatus for maintaining the desired synchronous and asynchronous A and B auxiliary electrical circuits, respectively, by use of connector block halves, one connector block half being connected to wiring out for auxiliary circuitry and being secured to the movable circuit breaker and the other auxiliary connector block half also being connecting to wiring out for auxiliary circuitry and secured to the relatively stationary wall or surface of the cubicle, where the connector block halves have some portion of its contacts of the “make before break” type so that the A and B auxiliary circuits operate as intended when the connector halves are connected and the A and B auxiliary circuits still reflect the proper condition, synchronous or asynchronous, of the A and B circuits, respectively, even when the auxiliary connector block halves are physically and/or electrically separated from one another.