Radial Flow Gas Blast Circuit Breaker Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas-blast circuit breakers face challenges in maintaining constant gas pressure and compact design due to the presence of a partition wall within the tubular rated current path, which is exposed to high pressure differences, leading to complex construction and potential overpressure issues.

Innovation Solution

A gas-blast switch with a non-closable through-flow opening between the low-pressure space and the blowing volume, allowing gas exchange radially, and a flushing valve that ensures constant pressure in the low-pressure space, combined with a pressure relief valve to prevent overpressure, enabling a simpler and more compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a partition wall is arranged within the tubular rated current path to separate the blowing volume from the low-pressure space, then gas pressure control is improved, but the device complexity and structural牢固ness requirements increase due to high pressure differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas pressure controlVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the partition wall from the tubular rated current path and relocates it to the end region of the blowing volume. This removes the partition wall from the high-pressure difference zone, eliminating the need for complex sealed connections while maintaining gas pressure control functionality through the radial through-flow opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the orientation of the through-flow opening from axial to radial direction. The radial through-flow opening in the partition wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis allows gas exchange between the blowing volume and low-pressure space without requiring the partition wall to withstand axial pressure differences, thus simplifying the structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a partition wall with sealed switching tube connection is used to separate pressure zones, then pressure control is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure zone separationVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the partition wall from the main tubular structure and positions it at the end region of the blowing volume. This separation allows the switching tube to connect directly to the low-pressure space without passing through the partition wall, eliminating complex sealed connections and simplifying manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the pressure control function by using a radial through-flow opening in the partition wall rather than requiring the switching tube to penetrate the partition. This segmentation allows independent assembly of the switching tube and partition wall components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the switching tube is fed through the partition wall in a sealed manner, then pressure containment is improved, but the device complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidsealed connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the switching tube from the partition wall penetration path and redirects it to connect directly to the low-pressure space at the end region. This eliminates the sealed connection between the switching tube and partition wall, removing a potential failure point while maintaining pressure containment through the radial through-flow opening design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If an axial evacuation line is used between thermal chamber and expansion space, then the structure is simple, but overpressure protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidoverpressure protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a radial through-flow opening in the partition wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, creating a new dimension for pressure relief. This radial opening provides direct overpressure protection from the blowing volume to the low-pressure space, complementing the axial evacuation line and enhancing overall reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 maintains constant gas pressure in the low-pressure space, prevents overpressure in the blowing volume, and ensures reliable operation by allowing gas exchange and pressure regulation, enhancing the compactness and reliability of the gas-blast switch.

Implementation Method 1

a non-closable through-flow opening which enables a gas exchange between the low-pressure space and the blowing volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

a flushing valve that ensures constant pressure in the low-pressure space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation:

Implementation Method 3

a pressure relief valve to prevent overpressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure relief:

Data Source

PatentEP2126947B1Gas blast circuit breaker with a radial flow opening
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2126947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2126947B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2126947B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The compressed-gas cutout (10) according to the invention comprises a first contact (14) and a second contact (18), which are displaceable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis (A). A blow volume (54, 52, 68) is provided around the first contact (14). Said blow volume (54, 52, 68) is connected via a gas channel (44) to an electric arc zone (40) in order to blow at an electric arc produced when disconnecting the first contact (14) from the second contact (18). The blow volume (54, 52, 68) is delimited radially on the outside by a disconnecting element (30), which disconnects the blow volume (54, 52, 68) from a low-pressure chamber (72). In the radial direction, a flow opening (64, 66, 68) enabling gas exchange leads from the low-pressure chamber (72) into the blow volume (54, 52, 68).