Electrical Pole Insulating Barriers for DC Arc Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low and medium voltage switching apparatuses face challenges in efficiently interrupting DC currents at high voltages, leading to prolonged arcing and potential damage due to high energy arcs, which are costly and difficult to install, especially when operating at high voltages.
Innovation Solution
A low or medium voltage electrical pole with an insulating assembly featuring movable barrier elements that control arcing by creating a tortuous path for electrical arcs, using actuating means to coordinate the movement of contacts and barriers, ensuring compact structure and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relatively high number of switch poles are used to achieve high voltage operation, then interruption ratings improve, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching apparatus is divided into multiple independent electrical poles, each capable of handling high voltage independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high voltage interruption capability through series connection of poles rather than using a single complex high-voltage switch, thereby improving reliability while managing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier elements are nested within the electrical pole structure, with movable barriers positioned inside the pole housing. This nesting allows the barrier elements to be integrated into the existing pole design without requiring additional external space, enabling high voltage operation within a compact form factor and reducing overall device complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If barrier elements are made movable to control arcing, then arc management improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position in response to arc formation. The movable barriers can shift to intercept and control arcs during switching operations, significantly improving arc management capability while the simplicity of the movement mechanism keeps added complexity minimal
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier elements act as intermediary components between the electrical contacts and the surrounding environment. These movable barriers serve as mediators that intercept and control arc paths without requiring complex active control systems, achieving effective arc management through passive mechanical movement driven by the switching operation itself
3Reliability
If electrical poles are designed for high voltage operation, then voltage handling capability improves, but manufacturing cost and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical poles are designed with adjustable parameters including barrier element positioning, insulation distance, and contact geometry that can be optimized for different voltage levels. This parameter-based design allows the same basic pole structure to be adapted for various voltage ratings without requiring completely different designs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high voltage handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical pole design incorporates universal features that allow a single pole type to serve multiple voltage levels and application scenarios. The modular construction with standardized components and adjustable barrier elements enables the same pole design to be used across different voltage classes, reducing manufacturing complexity and installation difficulty while maintaining capability for high voltage operation
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 solution effectively manages arcing phenomena, provides performant interruption ratings, especially for short-circuit currents, and is cost-effective to manufacture, with a compact design suitable for easy installation and integration into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
Electric arcs, which usually strike between electric contacts under separation, may consequently last for a relatively long time
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A low and/or medium voltage electrical pole (1) which comprises at least a fixed contact (2) and at least a movable contact (3) separated from each other by an opening gap (10) in an open position, and further comprising first actuating means (4) for linearly moving the movable contact (3) along a first, longitudinal, axis (100) between an open and a closed position. The electrical pole also comprises an electrical insulating assembly (5) comprising a first barrier element (51) and a second barrier element (52). The first barrier element (51) is provided with at least a first (511) and a second (512) insulating wall separated from each other by an intermediate gap (55) and the second barrier element (52) is provided with at least a third insulating wall (523). The first (51) and second (52) barrier elements are coaxially positioned with respect to each other around a second, transversal, axis (200) which is substantially perpendicular to said first, longitudinal, axis (100). At least one of said first (51) and second (52) barrier element is rotationally movable around said second, transversal, axis (200) between a first operative position - in which the first (511) and second (512) insulating walls are spaced apart from said third insulating wall (523) on opposite sides of said opening gap (10) - and a second operative position - in which said third insulating wall (523) is at least partially inserted into the intermediate gap (55) between said first (511) and second (512) insulating wall. When the fixed (2) and movable (3) contact are in the closed position, the first (51) and second (52) barrier element are in said first operative position and when the fixed (2) and movable (3) contact are in the open position, the first (51) and second (52) barrier elements are in the second operative position with at least a portion of said first (51) and/or second (52) barrier element interposed between the fixed (2) and movable (3) contact in said opening gap (10).