Tank-Type Vacuum Circuit Breaker Modular Interrupter Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vacuum interrupter in tank-type vacuum circuit breakers has a shorter electrical and mechanical life compared to other components, especially when interrupting large currents, requiring frequent replacements that are cumbersome and time-consuming due to the need for multiple openings and a large workspace.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the vacuum interrupter, stationary-electrode side terminal, moving-electrode side terminal, and insulating frame into a single unit that can be easily removed and mounted within the pressure tank, reducing the number of connections and workspaces needed for replacement and allowing for insertion or removal along the radius of the vacuum interrupter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum interrupter is replaced by disassembling and reassembling components within the pressure tank, then the breaker can remain installed in the facility, but the work requires multiple openings and a large workspace, reducing workability and increasing outage hours
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter assembly is segmented from other breaker components through a modular design. The vacuum interrupter can be independently removed as a separate unit through the working opening, while other components remain in place. This segmentation enables replacement work to be performed through a single opening without requiring disassembly of the entire breaker assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum interrupter is extracted as a removable component from the pressure tank assembly. The design allows the vacuum interrupter to be taken out through the working opening for replacement, and the extracted component can be replaced without disturbing other breaker components. This extraction principle eliminates the need for multiple openings and reduces workspace requirements.
2Ease of operation
If multiple openings are provided in the pressure tank for replacement work, then access to internal components is improved, but the number of sealing operations increases, reducing airtight reliability and increasing work time
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker components are segmented spatially so that the vacuum interrupter can be accessed and replaced through a single dedicated working opening. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple openings, thereby reducing the number of sealing operations required and maintaining the airtight integrity of the pressure tank.
3Ease of manufacture
If the vacuum interrupter requires a large workspace for removal and insertion, then the replacement process can be performed, but the breaker cannot be installed in locations with limited space around the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter is segmented as an independently removable module that can be extracted through a single working opening. This modular segmentation reduces the workspace required for replacement operations, enabling the breaker to be installed in locations with limited surrounding space while maintaining replacement feasibility.
4Productivity
If the vacuum interrupter is integrated with terminals and insulating frame as a single unit, then the number of connections to be disconnected is reduced, but the integration complexity of the unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter, terminals, and insulating frame are merged into a single integrated unit. This combining of components reduces the number of separate connections that need to be disconnected during replacement, thereby increasing replacement productivity. The integrated unit is designed to be removed and installed as one assembly, simplifying the replacement process despite the internal complexity of the unified structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A tank-type vacuum circuit breaker includes: a pressure tank; an insulating frame that is detachably supported by a support member provided in the pressure tank using a coupling; a vacuum interrupter that is supported by the insulating frame and includes a stationary electrode and a moving electrode; a stationary-electrode side terminal that is connectably/disconnectably connected to a bushing-terminal side internal conductor; a moving-electrode side terminal that is connectably/disconnectably connected to a bushing-terminal side internal conductor; and an insulating rod, the inside end of which is detachably coupled to the moving electrode and the outside end of which is coupled to an opening/closing actuation mechanism that opens/closes the contacts of the stationary contact and moving contact. The vacuum interrupter, the stationary-electrode side terminal, the moving-electrode side terminal and the insulating frame are integrated into a unit, and the unit can be removed and mounted by disconnecting the connections and the couplings.