Sealed On-Load Tap Changer Switch Housing for Arc Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arcing during the operation of electrical switches in on-load tap changers leads to wear and contamination of the switch and surrounding components, reducing their lifetime and increasing service needs.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed housing with vacuum or arc suppression gas inside, containing the electrical contacts and switch means, and routing conductors outside the housing to minimize arcing and contain contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical switches are operated in on-load tap changers, then switching function is achieved, but arcing causes wear and contamination of the switch and surrounding components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the on-load tap changer into separate hermetically sealed housing units, each containing specific electrical switches (main switch, resistor switch, pre-selector switch, diverter switch). This segmentation isolates the arcing and contamination effects to individual enclosed spaces, preventing contaminants from affecting the entire system or surrounding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful arcing and contamination effects are extracted and contained within the hermetically sealed housing. The housing acts as a barrier that takes out the harmful effects from the surrounding environment, confining them to a specific enclosed space where they cannot affect other components.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hermetically sealed housing with vacuum or arc suppression gas is used, then arcing and contamination are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetically sealed housing with vacuum or arc suppression gas is applied locally to specific electrical switches that are prone to arcing, rather than the entire on-load tap changer system. This localized approach reduces complexity by only enclosing necessary components while maintaining simplicity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design uses asymmetric configuration where different electrical switches are enclosed in separate housing units based on their specific arcing characteristics and operational requirements. This asymmetric approach optimizes the balance between protection effectiveness and structural complexity.
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
Enhances the lifetime of on-load tap changer components by reducing arcing and containing contaminants within the housing, allowing easy replacement of worn-out switches.
Implementation Method 1
The inner space is under vacuum or is filled with an arc suppression gas
Implementation Method 2
the inner space is under vacuum or is filled with an arc suppression gas
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switch for an on-load tap changer, said electrical switch comprising: at least three electrical contacts connected to a respective electrical conductor, a switch means configured to be movable between a plurality of positions, the switch means in each respective position physically contacting a respective combination of said electrical contacts to provide electrical contact between the electrical contacts in each respective combination of electrical contacts, the switch means including two electrically interconnected contacts or contact surfaces provided on a movable carrier element mounted on the operating member for movement along a said arcuate path, and the contacts or contact surfaces being provided at a same radial distance from the rotational axis and with a same spacing as the electrical contacts of each respective combination of electrical contacts.