Gas-Insulated Switchgear Modules Using Vacuum Interrupters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gas-insulated RMUs for medium voltage electric systems face challenges with structural compactness and reliability due to the use of environment-friendly insulation gases, which offer poorer dielectric insulation and arc-quenching capabilities compared to SF6, leading to complex switching arrangements and larger module sizes.
Innovation Solution
The switchgear equipment features switching modules with a compact design, utilizing a vacuum interrupter and a motion transmission mechanism within a pressurized insulating gas environment, allowing for efficient circuit-breaking and grounding functionalities while ensuring high dielectric insulation and accommodating fuse devices in a smaller form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If environment-friendly insulation gases (pressurized dry air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, fluorinated gas) are used instead of SF6, then environmental impact is reduced, but dielectric insulation performance and arc-quenching capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite insulation system combining pressurized dry air (or other environment-friendly gases) with a vacuum interrupter. The vacuum chamber provides superior dielectric insulation for the arc-quenching function, while the pressurized gas provides insulation for other live parts. This composite approach achieves both environmental goals and electrical performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a vacuum environment (completely inert atmosphere) within the vacuum interrupter chamber to provide excellent dielectric insulation and arc-quenching capabilities. The vacuum acts as an inert medium that prevents arc propagation and provides superior insulation, compensating for the weaker insulation properties of environment-friendly gases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If environment-friendly insulation gases are used instead of SF6, then environmental impact is reduced, but switching arrangement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter creates a simplified switching arrangement by providing inherent arc-quenching capabilities within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum environment naturally suppresses arc propagation, eliminating the need for complex external arc-quenching mechanisms that would be required with environment-friendly gases alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the vacuum interrupter within the switching module that also contains the pressurized gas insulation system. This nested configuration allows the vacuum chamber to handle the arc-quenching function while the outer pressurized gas environment provides additional insulation, creating a compact integrated solution rather than separate complex systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If environment-friendly insulation gases are used instead of SF6, then environmental impact is reduced, but module size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter's vacuum chamber provides compact insulation with superior dielectric strength per unit distance compared to environment-friendly gases. This allows the arc-quenching function to be achieved in a smaller volume, offsetting the space requirements of the pressurized gas insulation system and maintaining compact module dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite insulation system combines the space-efficient vacuum environment for arc-quenching with the environment-friendly pressurized gas for general insulation. This optimization of insulation media in different spatial zones achieves both environmental goals and compact module sizing, avoiding the need for uniformly large dimensions throughout the entire module.
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 achieves high structural compactness and reliable operation with effective dielectric insulation, facilitating easier industrial production and installation at competitive costs, while reducing the environmental impact of using alternative, less performant insulation gases.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum interrupter comprising a fixed arc contact electrically connected to said first pole terminal and a movable arc contact electrically connected to said fourth fixed contact. The movable arc contact is reversibly movable along a corresponding translation axis between a coupled position with said fixed arc contact and an uncoupled position from said fixed arc contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes a vacuum chamber, in which said fixed arc contact and said movable arc contact are enclosed
Implementation Method 2
an outer casing defining an internal volume filled with an insulating gas
Implementation Method 3
pressurized insulating gas environment
Implementation Method 4
a motion transmission mechanism operatively coupled to said movable arc contact and actuatable by said movable contact to cause a movement of said movable arc contact along said translation axis
Data Source
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AI summary
Switchgear equipment for electric power distribution grids including a plurality of switching modules, each of which comprises an outer casing defining an internal volume that is filled with an insulating gas, first module terminals electrically couplable with corresponding first conductors of an electric line and second module terminals electrically couplable with corresponding second conductors of an electric line. Each switching module comprises a switching device having a reduced size. Said switchgear equipment comprises one or more first switching modules and one or more second switching modules. Each first switching module comprises said switching device and a fuse assembly electrically connected in series between said first and second module terminals and accommodated in the internal volume of said first switching module. Each second switching module comprises said switching device electrically connected in series between said first and second module terminals and accommodated in the internal volume of said second switching module.