Flexible Insulating Shutter for Circuit Breaker Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical systems, particularly circuit breakers, face challenges in providing effective electrical insulation and isolation of breaker connections within limited space without impeding quick connection and disconnection processes.

Innovation Solution

A shutter assembly with a flexible insulating member that moves between access and isolation positions, utilizing a scroll mechanism with rotating drums and an insulating sheet to isolate conductors from primary contacts, driven by a mechanism that allows automatic positioning for safe disconnection and minimal space occupation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid insulating barrier is used to isolate breaker connections, then electrical insulation effectiveness is improved, but space requirements increase and connection speed is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulation effectivenessVSAvoidspace occupied by insulating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible insulating member made of dielectric material that can be moved between conductors and primary contacts. This flexible film structure provides effective electrical insulation when positioned between energized components, while its flexibility allows it to be stored in a compact manner when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a fixed insulating structure is implemented, then electrical isolation is improved, but the ability to quickly connect and disconnect breaker connections is impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidconnection and disconnection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static insulating structure into a dynamic system where the flexible insulating member can be rapidly moved between conductors and primary contacts. This dynamic positioning allows the insulating mechanism to provide electrical isolation when needed while being quickly stowed away to enable fast connection and disconnection operations, resolving the contradiction between isolation reliability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Volume of moving object

If a compact insulating mechanism is used, then space occupation is reduced, but the effectiveness of breaker connection isolation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by insulating mechanismVSAvoidbreaker connection isolation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating member can be positioned precisely between conductors and primary contacts to provide effective isolation, then collapsed or stowed in a compact manner when not in use. The flexibility of the thin film structure allows it to conform to the space between components, providing maximum insulation effectiveness in minimal space, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and isolation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If traditional rigid shutters are used, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility in positioning and space efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strength of insulating barrierVSAvoidpositioning flexibility and space efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible insulating member made of dielectric material provides sufficient electrical insulation strength while allowing rapid positioning between conductors and primary contacts. The flexibility enables the insulating barrier to adapt to different positions and configurations within the limited space, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and positioning adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8331081B2Electrical system, and electrical switching apparatus and shutter assembly therefor

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A shutter assembly is provided for an electrical system including at least one electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, and a plurality of electrical bus members, and a plurality of electrical cable members, and a ground member with a plurality of contacts. Each of the conductors of the circuit breaker is removably coupled to a corresponding primary contact to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical bus members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the electrical cable members and to electrically connect the circuit breaker to the ground members. The shutter assembly includes a flexible insulating member movably disposed between the conductors and the primary contacts. The flexible insulating member moves between a first position in which it provides access for the conductors to be coupled to the primary contacts, and a second position in which the flexible insulating member isolates and electrically insulates the bus member conductors from the primary contacts and the cable member conductors (“disconnected”) or isolates and electrically insulates the cable member conductors from the primary contacts and the ground member (“withdrawn”). An electrical switching apparatus and an electrical system employing the shutter assembly are also disclosed.