Rotatable Shaft for Gas-Insulated Switching Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing three-phase gas-insulated medium voltage switching devices with disconnecting devices between medium voltage levels and voltage transformers face complications due to complex mechanics and space constraints, leading to potential malfunctions and dielectric issues when operating from the front, especially with side-by-side bushings and contacts.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable shaft passing through the side wall of a gastight compartment allows for a simplified 90-degree movement of disconnector contacts between medium voltage and ground levels, eliminating the need for complex transmissions and enabling compact, front-accessible operation with metal sheet actuating elements and an insulating shaft, coupled with flexible conductive springs for contact compensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the shaft axis is parallel to the panel front to allow front operation, then operational accessibility is improved, but complex transmissions and gears are required inside the encapsulation increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront accessibilityVSAvoidtransmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the shaft from being parallel to the panel front to being perpendicular to the side wall, effectively rotating the entire mechanism 90 degrees. This dimensional change allows the cinematic chain to be arranged outside the encapsulation, eliminating the need for complex internal transmissions while maintaining front accessibility through the side-wall penetration approach

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

2Ease of operation

If the cinematic chain is moved inside the encapsulation, then front operation is enabled, but the risk of malfunction increases due to complicated mechanics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront operationVSAvoidmalfunction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cinematic chain and manual operating means from inside the gastight encapsulation and relocates them to the external side wall area. This extraction eliminates the risk of internal malfunction while preserving the front operation capability, as the shaft still penetrates the side wall to operate the disconnecting contacts within the encapsulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If components are arranged inside the encapsulation, then integration is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to limited space and access

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveintegrationVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operating mechanism into two distinct parts: the shaft and disconnecting contacts remain inside the encapsulation for electrical integration, while the manual operating means and cinematic chain are placed outside for easy assembly and maintenance. This segmentation allows independent assembly of each subsystem without the constraints of limited internal space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Area of stationary object

If the shaft passes through the side wall, then compact panel arrangement is enabled, but insulation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel spacingVSAvoidinsulation requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction for the shaft, combining insulating materials with mechanically robust properties. This allows the shaft to pass through the side wall and provide mechanical operation while maintaining electrical insulation between the high-voltage contacts inside the encapsulation and the external operating mechanism, thus enabling compact panel arrangement without compromising insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This design enhances operational simplicity, reduces the risk of malfunction, and allows for denser panel arrangement by eliminating the need for complex gears and transmissions, while maintaining effective insulation and mechanical stability.

Implementation Method 1

the conductive element is a spring made out of conductive material. The spring has to be flexible enough, to compensate the partly rotation movement of the contact means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2312710B1Three-phase gasinsulated medium voltage switching device
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2312710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2312710B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a three-phase gasinsulated medium voltage switching device with a disconnecting device between medium voltage levels and voltage transformers with disconnector contacts which are arranged on a rotatable shaft, in that way, that by a partly rotation of the shaft, the disconnector contacts switch connected voltage transformers between medium voltage level and ground level. The shaft is passing through the side wall of a gastight compartment and/or a housing.