Medium Voltage Switching Apparatus Single Actuation Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional load-break switches for medium voltage electric systems have complex structures, high environmental impact due to the use of SF6 gas, and are costly to manufacture, while also requiring multiple actuation shafts and actuators.
Innovation Solution
A compact switching apparatus with a simplified structure using a single actuation shaft and motion transmission assembly to independently actuate movable contact members, utilizing air or environmentally friendly gases for insulation, and reducing the number of actuation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuation shafts and actuators are used to actuate movable contacts, then the switching apparatus can provide reliable circuit-breaking and circuit-disconnecting functionalities, but the structural complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
A single actuation shaft is designed to perform multiple functions: it actuates both the first movable contact member (for circuit-breaking) and the second movable contact member (for circuit-disconnecting). The shaft incorporates multiple actuators that can independently control different contact members, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require separate actuation systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple actuation mechanisms into a single integrated actuation shaft structure. Instead of having separate shafts and actuators for circuit-breaking and circuit-disconnecting operations, the design merges these functions into one unified actuation system, reducing the number of parts while maintaining the ability to perform both operations reliably.
2Reliability
If SF6 gas is used for insulation and arc-quenching, then excellent dielectric insulation and arc-quenching performance are achieved, but the environmental impact increases due to SF6 being a powerful greenhouse gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the insulating medium by replacing SF6 gas with alternative gases or gas mixtures that have lower environmental impact. The design allows for using air, nitrogen, or other environmentally friendly gases while maintaining the necessary dielectric strength and arc-quenching capabilities through adjusted composition ratios and pressure parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the harmful environmental effect of SF6 by converting to alternative gases that are environmentally benign. The design accepts that alternative gases may require different operational parameters or slight design modifications, but gains the benefit of eliminating the harmful greenhouse gas while maintaining or improving overall system performance.
3Reliability
If traditional load-break switch designs are used, then proven circuit-breaking performance is achieved, but manufacturing costs are high due to complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuation system into modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. The single actuation shaft is designed with separate actuator modules that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to traditional multi-shaft designs while maintaining circuit-breaking performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A switching apparatus for medium voltage electric systems, said switching apparatus comprising one or more electric poles, wherein, for each electric pole, said switching apparatus comprises: - a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal and a ground terminal, said first pole terminal being electrically couplable with a first conductor of an electric line, said second pole terminal being electrically couplable to a second conductor of said electric line and said ground terminal being electrically couplable to a grounding conductor; - a first contact arrangement including a first fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, said first fixed contact member being electrically connected to said first pole terminal and including a first fixed contact, said first movable contact member being electrically connected to said second pole terminal and including a first movable contact, said first movable contact member being reversibly movable along a translation axis, so that said first movable contact can be coupled with or decoupled from said first fixed contact; - a second contact arrangement including a second fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, said second fixed contact member being electrically connected to said ground terminal and including a second fixed contact, said second movable contact member being electrically connected to said second pole terminal and including a second movable contact, said second movable contact member being reversibly movable about a corresponding rotation axis, so that said second movable contact can be coupled to or decoupled from said second fixed contact; - an actuation assembly for actuating the first and second movable contact members of each electric pole during a switching manoeuvre of said switching apparatus, said actuation assembly including an actuation shaft reversibly movable about a corresponding rotation axis; - a motion transmission assembly for transmitting mechanical forces provided by said actuation shaft to the first and second movable contact members of each electric pole.