Pressurized-Gas Circuit Breaker Assembly with Eccentric Shaft Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage electrical switchgear assembly and disassembly processes are complex and prone to gas leaks, requiring careful monitoring to prevent gas loss during transport and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A gas-insulated current transmission line circuit breaker design with an upper and lower enclosure and a connecting sleeve, featuring an eccentric adjustment system for the connecting shaft, allowing for simplified assembly and reduced gas loss by eliminating the need for pre-connection of the shaft before sleeve mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connecting shaft is connected to the rod and connecting piece before mounting the sleeve, then the assembly can be completed, but the operation becomes complex and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly operationVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guiding member as an intermediary component that facilitates the connection between the connecting shaft and the rod. The guiding member provides alignment guidance and enables the shaft to be connected after the sleeve is mounted, simplifying the assembly sequence and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the sleeve on the lower enclosure before connecting the connecting shaft to the rod. This reverses the traditional sequence and allows for easier positioning and connection of the shaft components without requiring complex pre-alignment operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the circuit breaker is disassembled for transport or maintenance, then the elements can be separated, but gas loss occurs during disassembly and reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly capabilityVSAvoidgas loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the connecting shaft is received within the sleeve, and the guiding member is positioned within the sleeve to guide the shaft. This nested arrangement allows for compact disassembly while maintaining sealed connections, preventing gas loss during separation and reassembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding member acts as an intermediary that ensures proper alignment and sealing during the disassembly and reassembly process. By providing guided movement and positioning, it prevents misalignment that could cause gas leaks, enabling safe disassembly for transport and maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If special monitoring is implemented during assembly operations, then gas leaks can be avoided, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas leak preventionVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through the guiding member that automatically provides alignment guidance during assembly. The guiding structure inherently prevents misalignment and potential gas leaks without requiring external monitoring or complex control systems, maintaining reliability while simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Simplifies the assembly of enclosures while minimizing gas losses during assembly and disassembly, ensuring a leak-tight connection and efficient gas management.

Implementation Method 1

the adjustment means consist of an eccentric system which is carried in rotation by the sleeve and which comprises a finger engaging in an associated orifice of the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP2769397B1Pressurized-gas circuit breaker capable of being assembled and disassembled without gas loss
Publication Date: 2015.09.30 ALSTOM TECH LTD
  • EP2769397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2769397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2769397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas circuit breaker comprising an upper chamber (12) that comprises an upper housing comprising a movable rod, a lower chamber (14) that comprises a lower housing comprising a movable linking end-piece (36), and a sleeve (38) for coupling the upper housing to the lower housing (30) such that the inner spaces of the two housings are in communication with one another, in which a shaft (40) coupling the rod to the linking end-piece (36) is movably mounted, characterized in that it comprises a means (60) for adjusting the axial position of the coupling shaft (40) relative to the sleeve (38) during an operation of assembling the chambers (12, 14) together.