Vacuum Bulb Disconnector With Movable Arcing Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disconnectors for medium, high, or very high voltage gas-insulated installations face challenges in simplifying their structure and operation while effectively limiting electric arc formation during switching operations, which can damage components.
Innovation Solution
A disconnector design featuring a vacuum interrupter associated with pairs of contacts, where arcing contacts are movable relative to permanent contacts, using elastic means to maintain contact during opening and closing, and a vacuum interrupter to limit arc formation, with the stiffness of associated elastic means optimized to control contact positions and maintain electrical continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum interrupter is installed to limit electric arc formation, then component damage during switching operations is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum interrupter with the contact pairs into a single integrated disconnector unit. The vacuum interrupter is positioned between the first and second pairs of contacts, sharing the same enclosure and coordinate system, which merges multiple protective and switching functions into one compact structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining component protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum interrupter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it limits electric arc formation during switching operations, provides electrical isolation between contact pairs, and protects components from arc damage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective devices, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If arcing contacts are made movable relative to permanent contacts to maintain electrical continuity, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the arcing contacts movable relative to the permanent contacts through a dynamic mechanism that allows the arcing contacts to shift position during switching operations. This dynamic capability enables the arcing contacts to maintain electrical continuity with the permanent contacts even as the vacuum interrupter operates, improving ease of operation while the integrated design keeps the overall complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable arcing contacts act as intermediaries between the permanent contacts and the vacuum interrupter. During switching operations, the arcing contacts can move to maintain electrical connection while the vacuum interrupter opens or closes, thereby facilitating smooth operation without requiring direct mechanical coupling between all components, which simplifies the overall mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If the stiffness of elastic means is optimized to control contact positions, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the stiffness parameter of the elastic means to achieve precise control over contact positions. By carefully selecting and adjusting the stiffness values of the elastic elements, the system achieves accurate positioning of the arcing contacts relative to the permanent contacts, thereby improving manufacturing precision. The integrated design allows these elastic means to be calibrated as part of the overall assembly process.
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 design simplifies the disconnector's structure and operation, effectively limiting electric arc formation and preventing damage during switching operations by maintaining contact through controlled movement and vacuum interruption, ensuring reliable and efficient current transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum interrupter comprises an enclosure closed in a gas-tight manner and in which a vacuum has been created. The vacuum created makes it possible to limit the formation of electric arcs when the vacuum interrupter is opened.
Implementation Method 2
each pair of contacts comprises elastic means for driving the arcing contact of said pair of contacts towards the position away from the associated permanent contact
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The invention proposes an isolator (10) for a gas-insulated installation which comprises a first and a second pair of contacts (12, 14), each of which comprises a permanent contact (16, 20) and an arcing contact (18, 22), the second pair of contacts (14) being mobile in translation in relation to the first pair of contacts (12) between a disconnected position and an upstream closed position, the isolator (10) comprising a vacuum bulb (24) which is associated with one of the two pairs of contacts (12, 14), characterised in that the arcing contact (18, 22) of each pair of contacts (12, 14) is mounted mobile in longitudinal translation in relation to the associated permanent contact (16, 20), between a position close to the associated permanent contact (16, 20) and a position remote from the associated permanent contact (16, 20).