Switchgear Removable Circuit Interrupter with Flexible Insulation Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas-insulated switchgear designs face challenges in compactly integrating medium-voltage circuit breakers and other components while ensuring effective insulation and environmental sealing, particularly in the context of arc generation and component spacing.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a housing with a gas-insulated compartment and an adjacent non-gas-insulated receptacle for removable insertion of circuit interrupter assemblies, utilizing flexible insulation members and multiple contact positions for secure electrical coupling and environmental sealing, including grounding capabilities during partial insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If circuit interrupter assemblies are removably inserted into non-gas-insulated receptacles adjacent to gas-insulated compartments, then adaptability and ease of maintenance are improved, but insulation reliability and environmental sealing become worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremovable circuit interrupter configurationVSAvoidinsulation and environmental sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible insulation members that extend from the receptacle wall into the receptacle interior. These flexible members conform to the circuit interrupter assembly and provide both electrical insulation and environmental sealing, allowing the receptacle to maintain reliability while accommodating removable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible insulation members act as intermediary elements between the non-gas-insulated receptacle and the circuit interrupter assembly. They bridge the gap between the two components, providing both insulation and sealing functions that enable reliable electrical coupling and environmental protection during insertion and removal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple contact positions are provided for different insertion positions, then ease of operation and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrounding capabilities during partial insertionVSAvoidmultiple contact positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed with multiple contact positions that serve different functions: full insertion provides normal electrical connection, while partial insertion positions provide grounding capabilities. This multi-functionality allows a single receptacle structure to handle both operational and safety requirements without needing separate grounding switches or devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grounding contacts are pre-positioned within the receptacle structure before the circuit interrupter assembly is inserted. This preliminary arrangement ensures that grounding capability is automatically available at specific insertion positions, eliminating the need for additional grounding switches and simplifying the overall device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration allows for a compact, efficient, and environmentally sealed arrangement of switchgear components, enhancing insulation and reducing contamination risks while enabling safe grounding procedures without additional switches.

Implementation Method 1

at least one flexible insulation member attached to a side wall of the non-gas-insulated receptacle. The at least one flexible insulation member may be configured to engage a sidewall of the pole unit to form an environmental seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

certain components that are prone to arc generation are placed in closed structures filled with an insulating high-dielectric gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). The insulation properties of the gas allow reduced spacing between components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10784659B2Switchgear with removable circuit interrupter configuration

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

An apparatus includes a housing having a gas-insulated compartment and a non-gas-insulated receptacle therein. The receptacle is disposed adjacent to the gas-insulated compartment and configured for removable insertion of a circuit interrupter assembly therein. A bus is disposed in the gas-insulated compartment, and a contact is disposed in the receptacle, electrically coupled to the bus in the gas-insulated compartment and configured to mate with a terminal of the circuit interrupter assembly when the circuit interrupter assembly is installed in the receptacle. The receptacle may be configured for insertion of an insulation-encapsulated circuit interrupter pole unit and the apparatus may include at least one flexible insulation member attached to a side wall of the receptacle and configured to engage a sidewall of the pole unit.