Single Vacuum Bottle Interrupter With Bellows Contact Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional current interrupters require multiple vacuum bottles in series due to high voltage requirements, leading to increased size and cost, as well as manufacturing challenges and potential seal failures.
Innovation Solution
A single vacuum bottle design with a modified bi-stable mechanism and bellows assembly is used, housed in a solid insulating material such as cycloaliphatic polymer epoxy, to achieve adequate contact separation and prevent arcing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vacuum bottles are used in series, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple vacuum bottles into a single vacuum bottle design. The single vacuum bottle contains multiple contact assemblies with contacts arranged in different planes, allowing the interrupter to handle high voltage (e.g., 145 kV) without requiring multiple separate vacuum bottles in series. This integration reduces the overall size and complexity of the interrupter assembly while maintaining the necessary voltage handling capability.
2Reliability
If multiple vacuum bottles are used in series, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple contact assemblies within a single vacuum bottle, reducing the total number of vacuum bottles required from three or more to just one. This reduces manufacturing complexity, eliminates the need for multiple bellows assemblies and housing structures, and lowers overall manufacturing cost while maintaining high voltage handling capability through the innovative contact arrangement in different planes.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single vacuum bottle is used, then the size and cost are reduced, but adequate contact separation becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges contacts in different spatial planes within the single vacuum bottle. The fixed contacts and moveable contacts are positioned in alternating planes along the central axis, allowing adequate separation between oppositely charged contacts while maintaining a compact overall structure. This three-dimensional arrangement enables sufficient arc quenching distance without requiring a larger vacuum bottle or multiple bottles in series.
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 single vacuum bottle design reduces the size and cost of the interrupter while maintaining effective arc quenching and preventing ignition, offering an improved housing design with enhanced reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between the contacts
Implementation Method 2
The bellows assembly including a spring biasing the contacts apart from each other
Implementation Method 3
The bi-stable mechanism including an actuator, and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving the moveable contact
Data Source
AI summary
A bellows assembly for a vacuum interrupter. The bellows assembly including an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring, a spring plate, a contact spring. The bellows assembly further including a bellows. Wherein the bellows assembly reciprocates a moveable contact of the vacuum interrupter to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other.