Vacuum Interrupter Shielding for High-Voltage Closing Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-speed earth electrodes in high-voltage applications, such as HVDC systems, have closing times that are too long, posing a risk to system protection.
Innovation Solution
A closing contact system utilizing a vacuum interrupter with plate contacts and a shielding element of low electrical conductivity, coupled with a drive mechanism that achieves high closing speeds and prevents arc ignition, allowing for reduced contact distance and faster switching times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gas-insulated switchgear is used for high-speed earth electrodes, then system protection is provided, but the closing time is too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum as an inert environment to replace conventional gas insulation. The vacuum interrupter creates a vacuum atmosphere between the plate contacts, eliminating the need for long closing times associated with gas-insulated switchgear while maintaining reliable system protection through effective arc quenching in the vacuum environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the insulation medium parameter from gas to vacuum, and modifies the contact geometry from conventional contacts to plate contacts. These parameter changes enable significantly reduced closing times while maintaining the protective function required for high-speed earth electrodes in high-voltage applications.
2Loss of time
If plate contacts are used in a vacuum interrupter, then closing time is reduced, but contact spacing must be maintained for insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum interrupter creates a vacuum atmosphere that provides superior electrical insulation compared to gas, allowing plate contacts to be positioned at very small spacing while maintaining insulation integrity. This enables reduced closing time without compromising the required insulation distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach combining vacuum environment with plate contact geometry. The vacuum serves as the insulation medium while the plate contacts provide the conductive path, creating an effective composite system that achieves both short spacing and maintained insulation performance.
3Length of stationary object
If shielding element with low electrical conductivity is added, then flashover is prevented and contact distance can be reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element acts as an intermediary component between the plate contacts and the surrounding environment. This low-conductivity shielding structure prevents flashover paths while allowing the primary contacts to maintain minimal spacing, effectively mediating between the need for short distance and flashover prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element provides localized protection around specific contact areas rather than requiring complete system redesign. By applying the shielding element only where flashover risk exists, the patent achieves flashover prevention and contact distance reduction with minimal increase in overall device complexity.
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 system significantly reduces closing time, enhancing protection by preventing flashovers and minimizing contact bouncing, thus ensuring faster and more reliable high-voltage switching.
Implementation Method 1
the high electrical insulation properties which are provided by the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum interrupter
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the plate contacts is surrounded by a shielding element in a rotationally symmetrical manner, the shielding element having an electrical conductivity of less than 40×10^-6
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a make contact system for high-voltage applications, characterized in that a vacuum switching tube (28) having two switch contacts in the form of plate contacts (2, 4) is provided, of which at least one is a moving contact (30) coupled to a drive (5), and whereby at least one plate contact (2, 4) is rotationally symmetrically surrounded by a shielding element (32), and the shielding element (32) has an electric conductivity which is less than 40 10-6 S/m.