Telescoping Current Path Structure for Circuit Breaker Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers require tank separation to remove resistor or interrupter assemblies, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping current path structure is introduced, allowing the resistor or interrupter assembly to be removed without separating the tanks by using an electrically conductive fixed support and a hollow conductor with a removable connector, enabling the assembly to be electrically connected and then collapsed for clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the resistor assembly or interrupter assembly is removed from separate tanks, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but the tank structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current path structure employs nested telescoping conductors where an inner conductor can be inserted into or removed from an outer conductor. This nesting arrangement allows the resistor assembly or interrupter assembly to be accessed and removed independently without separating the tank structures, thereby improving maintenance efficiency while avoiding increased structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The current path is segmented into multiple independent conductive elements (inner conductor, outer conductor, coupling structure) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation enables selective removal of the resistor or interrupter assembly while maintaining the integrity of the tank structure, resolving the contradiction between maintenance efficiency and structural complexity
2Ease of operation
If the tanks are separated to remove assemblies, then assembly removal is simplified, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the current path structure from the fixed tank structure, allowing the inner conductor to be independently removed from the outer conductor. This extraction enables the resistor or interrupter assembly to be accessed and removed without separating the tanks, simplifying the operation while reducing maintenance time
Solution Approach 2:
The current path structure transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic telescoping arrangement where conductors can move relative to each other. This dynamic capability allows the inner conductor to be easily extracted for maintenance while the tanks remain connected, improving ease of operation and reducing maintenance time
Data Source
AI summary
Current path structure provides a current path between an interrupter assembly and a resistor assembly of a dead tank circuit breaker and includes an electrically conductive fixed support having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. A substantially hollow, electrically conductive conductor has first and second ends, with a connector at the first end thereof. The connector is removably connected to the other of the interrupter assembly or the resistor assembly. Coupling structure removably couples the conductor with the fixed support such that when coupled, the current path structure is in an operative position electrically connecting the interrupter assembly with the resistor assembly, and when decoupled, the fixed support can be moved into telescoping relation within the conductor defining a collapsed position of the current path structure.