High-Voltage Circuit Breaker Multi-Axis Interrupter Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage circuit breakers face mechanical stability and environmental concerns due to the limitations of existing designs, which restrict their ability to handle high voltages efficiently and sustainably, leading to increased costs and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A high-voltage circuit breaker design featuring interrupter units arranged on different axes, allowing for a compact and stable configuration that increases the switching voltage capacity while using vacuum tubes or gas-filled circuit breakers without harmful gases, and employing a support frame with minimal height for improved insulation and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the number of breaker units arranged in series is increased to handle higher voltages, then the switching voltage capacity is improved, but the length of the arms increases and mechanical stress increases sharply, leading to higher costs and possible impossibility of further lengthening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching voltage capacityVSAvoidarm length
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of breaker units along a single axis to a multi-dimensional configuration where breaker units are arranged on multiple intersecting axes (at least two axes) within a compact support structure. This dimensional change allows the circuit breaker to achieve high switching voltage capacity (handling up to 1200 kV) without requiring proportionally long arms, as the breaker units are distributed spatially in a compact geometry rather than extended linearly, thereby reducing mechanical stress and overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Power

If the arms are lengthened to accommodate more breaker units, then the switching voltage capacity increases, but the mechanical stress increases sharply and the device occupies more space, resulting in higher costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching voltage capacityVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging breaker units on multiple intersecting axes within a compact support structure, the patent achieves high switching voltage capacity without proportional increase in device footprint. The multi-axis configuration allows efficient spatial utilization, concentrating the breaker units in a three-dimensional arrangement rather than extending them linearly, thereby reducing the overall area occupied by the circuit breaker while maintaining high voltage handling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested configuration where breaker units are arranged concentrically or in a compact hierarchical structure around a central support point. The interrupter units are positioned at different radial distances and angular positions, creating a nested spatial arrangement that maximizes voltage capacity within a minimized footprint, similar to how nested dolls compact multiple objects within a limited space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If environmental influences such as wind are considered, then mechanical stability must be ensured, but reinforcing mechanical components increases costs and material usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidmechanical component reinforcement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-axis arrangement of breaker units creates a balanced, symmetric configuration that inherently distributes wind loads and environmental forces more evenly across the support structure. This geometric distribution reduces the need for excessive reinforcement of individual components, as the forces are naturally balanced through the spatial arrangement, thereby maintaining mechanical stability with reduced material usage and lower costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design achieves a mechanically stable, compact, and cost-effective high-voltage circuit breaker capable of handling high voltage levels with enhanced insulation and reduced environmental impact, enabling efficient switching up to 1200 kV and beyond.

Implementation Method 1

In order to avoid climate-damaging switching and/or insulating gases, vacuum tubes in particular are used as interrupter units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The composite insulator housings, in which an interrupter unit is located, are filled with a switching and/or insulating gas, in particular SF6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

For good electrical insulation between switch contacts, and across open switch contacts, the pressure of the switching and/or insulating gas in the composite insulator housing is one bar or greater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 4

Gas-insulated interrupter units, in particular with a rated current contact and with an arcing contact as switching contacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric arc: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP3655981B1High-voltage power circuit breaker for a pole and use of the high-voltage power circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3655981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3655981B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a high-voltage power circuit breaker (1) for a pole (19, 20, 21) and the use thereof in multipole outdoor switchgear (25) having series-connected interrupter units (2, 3, 4, 5) that are mechanically stably connected together. The interrupter units (2, 3, 4, 5) are arranged on at least one support (6). According to the invention, the interrupter units (2, 3, 4, 5) are arranged on different axes (23, 24).