Contactor Vacuum Interrupter Speed Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum interrupters in contactors have a relatively limited lifetime due to their fragility, leading to potential damage and reduced service life, especially in high-voltage applications like railway systems.
Innovation Solution
The contactor incorporates hydraulic shock absorbers to regulate the opening speed of vacuum interrupters throughout the opening stroke, limiting the speed to prevent damage and ensuring consistent operation, thereby extending the lifespan of the vacuum interrupters and the contactor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the opening speed of vacuum interrupters is increased to improve switching performance, then the switching speed is improved, but the vacuum interrupters are more prone to damage and their lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a two-stage opening mechanism: first, the opening mechanism rapidly opens the contacts; second, the regulating means (hydraulic or friction-based) progressively reduces the opening speed during the opening stroke. This periodic control of speed stages ensures both fast initial opening for good switching performance and controlled deceleration to prevent damage, thereby extending vacuum interrupter lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter dynamically during the opening stroke. The regulating means modifies the opening speed from high (at the beginning) to low (at the end) by adjusting mechanical resistance through friction elements or hydraulic pressure. This parameter change ensures that the vacuum interrupter experiences high initial speed for effective switching but reduced speed during the critical separation phase, minimizing mechanical stress and extending service life.
2Reliability
If hydraulic shock absorbers are added to regulate opening speed, then the lifetime of vacuum interrupters is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the opening mechanism and the speed regulating means into a single integrated assembly. The regulating means is directly coupled to the opening mechanism, sharing common structural elements and mounting points. This merging approach allows the system to achieve both fast opening and controlled deceleration without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the two functions share mechanical components and space.
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 regulation of opening speed through hydraulic shock absorbers reduces the risk of damage to vacuum interrupters, ensuring compatibility with manufacturer recommendations and enhancing the service life of the contactor by maintaining appropriate opening speeds throughout the movement.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic shock absorber (50) capable of regulating the speed of movement of the rod (18) in the direction of movement (X), throughout the movement of the rod (18) from the closed position to an open position of the switch (12)
Data Source
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AI summary
This contactor (10) comprises: - at least one no-load switch (12), each having a fixed contact (14), a moving contact (16), and a rod (18) integral with the moving contact (16), the rod (18) being movable between a closed position of the switch (12) in which the moving contact (16) is pressed against the fixed contact (14) and an open position of the switch (12) in which the moving contact (16) is away from the fixed contact (14), and - a first moving element (20) for each rod (18) along a direction of movement (X), from the closed position to the open position. The contactor (10) further comprises means (30) for regulating the speed of movement of each rod (18) throughout the movement of said rod (18) from the closed position to the open position.