Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker Insulating Base Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium voltage circuit breakers have complex and lengthy production processes, require numerous mechanical parts, are inflexible in configuration, and necessitate costly insulation solutions, leading to increased manufacturing, installation, and maintenance costs, as well as electrodynamic stresses.
Innovation Solution
A medium voltage circuit breaker with an insulating base frame that simplifies assembly by allowing pre-assembly of components outside the production line, reduces mechanical parts through a sliding kinematic chain, and enables linear current paths without costly bushings, enhancing flexibility and reducing electrodynamic stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal base frame is used, then structural strength is improved, but insulation distance requirements increase and insulation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the insulating function from the mechanical support function by using a separate insulating base frame instead of relying on the metal frame's structural properties. This allows the metal frame to provide strength while the insulating frame handles insulation requirements, eliminating the need for complex insulation solutions on metal frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining metal components (for structural strength) with insulating materials (for electrical insulation). The insulating base frame may incorporate composite material structures that provide both mechanical support and electrical insulation properties simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If contact arms are positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, then current path configuration is achieved, but electrodynamic stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning contact arms parallel to the longitudinal axis instead of perpendicular. This reversal of the traditional configuration reduces the non-linear current path and consequently decreases electrodynamic stress on the contacts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circuit breaker configurations are used for different panel configurations, then application flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal circuit breaker configuration that can adapt to different panel arrangements. The insulating base frame and contact arm assembly are designed with standardized interfaces and adjustable features that allow the same basic design to serve multiple application configurations, eliminating the need for entirely different breaker designs for different panels.
4Stress or pressure
If a linear current path is implemented, then electrodynamic stress is reduced, but insulation requirements may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating base frame serves as an intermediary element that facilitates the linear current path while providing the necessary insulation. The insulating frame acts as a mediator between the current-carrying components and the ground, enabling the straight current path configuration without compromising insulation requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A Medium Voltage circuit breaker which comprises a pole assembly having, for each phase, an interruption chamber housing a first fixed contact and a second movable contact reciprocally couplable/uncouplable between an open and close position; the Medium Voltage circuit breaker further comprises an actuator to actuate the opening and closing operation of said circuit breaker and an insulating base frame supporting said pole assembly and said actuator.