High Speed Switch Latch Mechanism for Fast Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-speed switches face challenges in achieving rapid operation and reliability against environmental variables due to the limitations of spring mechanisms and permanent magnet actuators, which result in increased size, weight, and friction, leading to difficulties in maintaining high-speed operation and potential re-closure issues during fault current interruption.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed switch design incorporating a repulsive coil and guide rod assembly with a state-maintaining assembly, including a latch pin, elastic members, and coils, to control the movement of the guide rod assembly and maintain the open state, while the current interrupting means are embedded in a gas tank for improved insulation and ease of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a permanent magnet actuator is used to maintain the open state, then the switch can operate at high speed, but the size and weight of the actuator must be very large, increasing friction and preventing high-speed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the state-maintaining function from the permanent magnet actuator and implements it separately through a mechanical latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a latch pin that engages with a latch groove on the guide rod to maintain the open state mechanically, eliminating the need for a large permanent magnet actuator and its associated weight and friction issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the actuator system into two separate functional components: (1) the permanent magnet actuator that provides only the driving force for opening operation, and (2) the mechanical latch mechanism that provides the state-maintaining function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the latch mechanism using a small lightweight latch pin rather than a large permanent magnet.
2Speed
If a spring mechanism is applied to achieve high-speed operation, then the breaker can interrupt fault current quickly, but it is fundamentally difficult to achieve the required operating speed for fault current limiter and DC breaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation into two distinct phases: (1) the driving phase using the permanent magnet actuator to provide high-speed opening, and (2) the maintaining phase using the mechanical latch mechanism to reliably hold the open state. The spring mechanism is retained only for the closing operation, while the latch mechanism handles state maintenance, combining the advantages of both approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical latch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the permanent magnet actuator and the circuit breaker contacts. It receives the driving force from the actuator, maintains the open state through mechanical engagement of the latch pin with the latch groove, and provides a reliable holding function that neither the actuator alone nor a spring mechanism can achieve independently.
3Speed
If the opening operation speed is increased using a permanent magnet actuator, then high-speed operation is achieved, but a very large impact amount from the moving portion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a shock absorber that provides cushioning before the moving portion reaches the end of its travel. This shock absorber mitigates the impact by absorbing the kinetic energy of the moving components during high-speed opening operation, preventing the very large impact amounts that would otherwise occur.
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 enables high-speed operation within milliseconds, improved reliability against environmental variables, and ease of maintenance, allowing the switch to effectively manage ultra-high voltage lines by minimizing impact and friction, thus ensuring stable operation and reduced re-closure risks.
Implementation Method 1
a repulsive coil for providing a driving force to move the movable electrode of the current interrupting means
Implementation Method 2
a latch coil wound around an outer circumferential face of the latch pin to provide a driving force for releasing the latch pin from the latch groove
Implementation Method 3
current interrupting means embedded in a gas tank while actuation means is located outside the gas tank
Data Source
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AI summary
A high speed switch according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an interrupter unit connected to a main circuit and including a movable electrode and a driving electrode for opening or closing the main circuit; a driving unit including a repulsion coil for providing a driving force for moving the movable electrode of the interrupter unit, and a repulsion plate disposed opposite to the repulsion coil; a guide rod part connecting the movable electrode of the interrupter unit to the repulsion plate, having a latch groove formed therein, and reciprocating vertically according to movements of the repulsion plate; and a state-holding unit for regulating the movement of the guide rod part, wherein the state-holding unit comprises: a latch pin having an end corresponding to the latch groove; a latch elastic member for pressing the latch pin toward the guide rod part so as to be inserted into the latch groove; and a latch coil disposed opposite to the latch pin so as to provide a driving force for disengaging the latch pin from the latch groove.