DISTRIBUTION GROUNDING SWITCH TO SUPPORT DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES

Abstract

A distribution grounding switch for an electricity distribution network has a first electrical terminal adapted connectable to a mains line, a second electrical terminal connectable to a lateral line, a first vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, a second vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, and a magnetic linkage cooperative with one of the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle and one of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle so as to cause the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle the close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle to open. The mechanical linkage also causes the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle to open generally simultaneously with the closing of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle.

Claims

1. A grounding switch apparatus comprising: a first electrical terminal adapted for connection to a mains line; a second electrical terminal adapted for connection to a lateral line; a first vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, one of the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle being electrically connected or interconnected to said first electrical terminal, another of said pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle electrically connected or interconnected to said second electrical terminal; a second vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle being electrically connected or interconnected to said first electrical terminal or to said second electrical terminal, another of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle being electrically connected or interconnected to ground or neutral; and a mechanical linkage cooperative with one of the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle and one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle so as to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle to open and so as to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to open and generally simultaneously cause the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle to close.

2. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 1, one of the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle having a first rod extending therefrom, one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle having a second rod extending therefrom, said mechanical linkage comprising: a yoke pivotally mounted at a pivot point, the first rod mounted to said yoke on one side of the pivot point, the second rod being mounted to said yoke on an opposite side of the pivot point.

3. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a housing in which said mechanical linkage is positioned, said yoke being pivotally mounted within said housing.

4. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an actuator cooperative with said mechanical linkage, said actuator selectively acting on said mechanical linkage so as to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to close while the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle open or to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to open while the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle close.

5. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 4, said actuator comprising: a magnetic actuator that selectively applies an electromagnetic force to an actuator rod so as to cause the actuator rod to move in at least one direction.

6. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 5, said actuator further comprising: a permanent magnet positioned adjacent said magnetic actuator, said permanent magnet exerting a magnetic force on said actuator rod such that the actuator rod is retained in a fixed position after moving in the one direction.

7. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 6, said magnetic actuator being cooperative with said permanent magnet or with the actuator rod so as to release the actuator rod from the permanent magnet such that the actuator rod moves in an opposite direction.

8. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a resilient member connected or interconnected to the actuator rod so as to urge the actuator rod in the opposite direction.

9. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 4, said mechanical linkage having a pin member pivotally mounted thereto, the pin member being pivotally mounted to said actuator.

10. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 9, one of the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle having a first rod extending therefrom, one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle having a second rod extending therefrom, said mechanical linkage comprising: a yoke pivotally mounted at a pivot point, the first rod being mounted to said yoke on one side of the pivot point, the second rod being mounted to said yoke on an opposite side of the pivot point, said pin member being pivotally mounted to only one of the sides of said yoke.

11. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: an actuator cooperative with said mechanical linkage, said actuator selectively acting on said mechanical linkage so as to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to close while the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle open or to cause the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle to open while the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle close, said actuator comprising: a magnetic actuator that selectively applies an electromagnetic force to an actuator rod so as to cause the actuator rod to move in at least one direction, said pin member being pivotally mounted to said actuator rod.

12. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 11, said actuator rod having a hinge member extending at an end of said actuator rod, said hinge member being pivotally connected to said pin member.

13. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: an indicator connected or interconnected to said pin member, said indicator having a display that indicates a position of the pair of contactors of either of said first and second vacuum bottles, a movement of said pin member causing said indicator to show a status of the grounding switch apparatus.

14. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a first current transformer connected between said first electrical terminal and said first and second vacuum bottles, said first current transformer adapted to detect a variation of a current flowing through said first current transformer, said first current transformer being cooperative with said actuator such that said actuator causes a movement of a contactor of each of said pair of contactors in said first and second vacuum bottles upon detection of a current condition in said first current transformer.

15. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a second current transformer connected to at least one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle, said second current transformer adapted to determine if a flow of current exists after said mechanical linkage causes the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle to close in order to ground or neutralize the current.

16. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an arrestor cooperative with the pair of contactors of the said first vacuum bottle so as to protect the mains line or the lateral line from overvoltages when the pair of contactors of said first vacuum bottle separate.

17. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 2, said mechanical linkage further comprising: a shock-absorber connected to at least one of the sides of said yoke, said shock absorber adapted to absorb shocks caused by a movement of the first and second rods of said pair of contactors of said first and second vacuum bottles.

18. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 5, said magnetic actuator having a power source connected thereto so as to supply power to said magnetic actuator in order to move the actuator rod, the transfer switch apparatus further comprising: a sensor that senses a current flowing through the pair of contactors of said first and second vacuum bottles, said sensor cooperative with said power source so as to actuate said magnetic actuator.

19. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: an arm connected or interconnected to said yoke, said arm positioned outwardly of one side of said housing, said arm being actuatable exterior of said housing and adapted to allow a person to manually move said yoke in order to set a position of the pair of contactors of either of said first and second vacuum bottles.

20. The grounding switch apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a mains line connected to said first electrical terminal; a lateral line connected to said second electrical terminal; and a ground line connected to one of the pair of contactors of said second vacuum bottle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a utility pole having the distribution grounding switch of the present invention installed thereon.

[0079] FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the system of the present invention as used in association with relays to the utility.

[0080] FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the distribution grounding switch of the present invention.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the distribution grounding switch of the present invention with the mains closed and the grounding open.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the distribution grounding switch of the present invention with the mains open and the grounding closed.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view of the distribution grounding switch of the present invention of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0084] Referring to FIG. 1, there is the system 10 of the present invention. The system 10 includes a utility pole 12 having a crossbeam 14 at a top thereof and a mains line 16 positioned on the crossbeam 14. The mains line 16 will be ultimately connected to a utility. The distribution grounding switch 18 is supported on the pole 12 below the crossbeam 14. Ultimately, a line 20 extends from the mains line 16 to a cutout or to a fuse 22. Line 24 extends from the fuse 22 to a potential transformer 26. Potential transformer 26 is supported on the pole 12 generally opposite to the distribution grounding switch 18. Lateral line 28 is connected to the pole 12. Lateral line 28 has a branch 30 that is connected to the distribution grounding switch 18. The mains line 16 is ultimately connected by branch line 32 to the distribution grounding switch 18. A control or relay 32 is supported by the pole 12 in a conventional manner A neutral or grounding line 36 is connected or interconnected to the distribution grounding switch 18. Ultimately, a ground rod 38 extends downwardly from the bottom of the pole 12.

[0085] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the system 10 of the present invention. System 10 allows the utility to have control and monitoring of the distributed energy resources. The distribution grounding switch 18 is illustrated as having a mains vacuum interlock 40 and a grounding vacuum interlock 42 therein. A mechanical linkage 44 connects the mains vacuum interrupter 40 to the grounding vacuum interrupter 42 (in the matter to be described hereinafter). Relay 34 is connected to a line 46 extending to the mains line 16. A potential transformer 26 is positioned on line 26. Relay 34 is connected by lines 48 and 50 to lateral line 30. Lateral line 30 has a fuse 52 thereon. Fuse 52 is located between the single phase grounding switch 18 and the mains line 16. A first current transformer 54 extends from line 48 to the relay 34. A second current transformer 56 is connected to the line 50 and extends to the relay 34. As will be described hereinafter, the first current transformer is located on top of the main breaker and will detect any variation on the intensity of the current flowing through it. If there is a huge increase in current, the current transformer 54 will detect it and send a signal to the protection relay attached to it. This ultimately sends a tripping signal to the magnetic actuator (to be described hereinafter). The second current transformer 56 is located between the two poles so as to determine if the system is grounded.

[0086] The distribution grounding switch 18 has the mains vacuum interrupter 40 connected to the mains line 16 and to the lateral line 30. The grounding vacuum interrupter 42 is connected to the mains line 16 and to ground line 36 and/or to ground rod 38. The mechanical linkage 44 will cause the mains vacuum interrupter 42 to open when a fault condition occurs. This generally simultaneously causes the grounding vacuum interrupter 42 to close so that the power from the mains line 16 flows to ground rod 38 or to neutral line 36. Alternatively, when a no-fault condition is sensed, then the mains vacuum interrupter 40 will remain closed so that power from the lateral line 30 will flow to the mains line 16.

[0087] Relay 34 is configured to sense the condition of power flowing to the utility from the distributed energy resources connected to lateral line 30. Relay 34 will inform the utility of an under-voltage 27, an over-voltage 59, a directional power 32 and an inverse time over-current 50 and 51. As such, relay 34 facilitates the ability of the utility to send the shutdown signal to the distribution grounding switch 18 and ultimately to the distributed energy resources connected to the lateral line 30. As such, if it is necessary to shut down the distributed energy resources, the shutdown signal is sent through the mains line 16 to the distribution grounding switch 18 so that power is no longer transmitted from the distributed energy resource along lateral line 30 to the mains line 16 and so that the power flows to ground.

[0088] FIG. 3 shows the distribution grounding switch 18 of the present invention. As can be seen, the distribution grounding switch 18 has a first electrical terminal 60 connected to the mains line 16. There is a second electrical terminal 62 connected to the lateral line 30. The mains vacuum interrupter 40 is connected to the first electrical terminal 60 and the second electrical terminal 62 so that power can flow therebetween. The grounding vacuum interrupter 42 is illustrated as connected to the second electrical terminal 62 and connected to ground bar 38. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the grounding vacuum interrupter 42 can also be connected to a neutral or grounding line.

[0089] FIG. 3 shows that there is a housing 64 positioned at the bottom of the mains vacuum interrupter 40 and the grounding vacuum interrupter 42. Housing 44 will contain the mechanical linkage therein (to be described hereinafter). An arm 66 extends outwardly of the housing 64. The arm 66 will be connected or interconnected to the linkage within the interior of the housing 44 (to be described hereinafter). The arm 66 is actuatable exterior of the housing 64 so as to allow a person to manually move the mechanical linkage in order to set a position of the pair of contactors of either the mains vacuum interrupter 40 or the grounding vacuum interrupter 42. An indicator 68 is pivotally mounted on the exterior of the housing 64. Indicator 68 is a display that indicates a position of the pair of contactors of either the mains vacuum interrupter 44 or the grounding vacuum interrupter 42. A movement of the indicator 68 shows the status of the distribution grounding switch 18.

[0090] An arrestor 70 is connected to the electrical terminal 62. Arrestor 70 is cooperative with the pair of contactors of the mains vacuum interrupter 40 or with a pair of contactors of the grounding vacuum interrupter so as to protect the mains line or the lateral line from transient overvoltages when the pair of contactors of the mains vacuum interlock 40 separate.

[0091] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the distribution grounding switch 18 of the present invention. This distribution grounding switch 18 has a first electrical terminal 60 adapted to be connected to the mains line 16. The first current transformer 54 is connected to the first terminal 60. The second electrical terminal 62 is adapted to be connected to the lateral 30. A second current transformer 56 is positioned adjacent to the second electrical terminal 62. The mains vacuum interrupter 40 comprises a first vacuum bottle 72 having a pair of contactors 74 and 76 therein. Contactor 74 is electrically connected or interconnected to the first electrical terminal 60. The contactor 76 is electrically connected or interconnected to the second electrical terminal 62.

[0092] The grounding vacuum interrupter 42 has a second vacuum bottle 78 therein. Second vacuum bottle 78 has a pair of contactors 80 and 82 therein. Contactor 80 is electrically connected to ground bar 38. The second contactor 42 will ultimately be electrically connected or interconnected to the second electrical terminal 62.

[0093] A mechanical linkage 84 is positioned in the interior of housing 64. Mechanical linkage 84 is cooperative with one of the contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 and one of the pair of contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 so as to cause the pair of contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 to close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 to open (as shown in FIG. 4). In this configuration, power from the lateral line 32 can flow to and from the mains line 16. In this circumstance, the system is operating properly and power from the distributed energy resources are being delivered to the utility.

[0094] The contactor 76 of the second vacuum bottle 72 has a rod 86 extending therefrom. Contactor 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 has a rod 88 extending therefrom. The mechanical linkage 84 includes a yoke 90 pivotally mounted at a pivot point 92 within the housing 64. The rod 86 has one end mounted at pivot 94 the yoke 90 on one side of the pivot 92. The rod 88 is connected to pivot 96 of the yoke 90 on an opposite side of the pivot point 92. Yoke 90 operates in a seesaw manner such that when a downward force is applied to the yoke 90 on one side of the pivot point 92, the opposite side of the yoke 90 will create an upward force. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the yoke 90 is pivoted such that the rod 86 moves upwardly so as to close the pair of contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 generally simultaneously with the opening of the pair of contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78.

[0095] The distribution grounding switch 40 has an actuator 98 that is cooperative with the mechanical linkage 84. The actuator 98 selectively acts on the mechanical linkage 84 so as to cause the pair of contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 to close while the pair of contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 open. The actuator 98 includes a magnetic actuator 100 that selectively applies an electromagnetic force onto an actuator rod 102 so as to cause the actuator rod 92 to move in one direction. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the magnetic actuator 100 has caused the actuator rod 102 to move toward the right such that an end of the actuator rod 102 engages with a permanent magnet 104. Permanent magnet 104 is positioned adjacent to the magnetic actuator 100. The permanent magnet 104 exerts a magnetic force onto the actuator rod 102 such that the actuator rod 102 is retained in a fixed position after moving in one direction. The magnetic actuator 100 is cooperative with the permanent magnet 104 or with the actuator rod 102 so as to release the actuator rod 102 from the permanent magnet 100 and such the actuator rod 102 can move in an opposite direction. A resilient member 106 is connected or interconnected to the actuator rod 102 so as to urge the actuator rod in the opposite direction. The resilient member 106 can be a spring mounted to a side of the housing 64.

[0096] The mechanical linkage 84 has a pin member 108 pivotally mounted thereto. The pin member 104 will be pivotally mounted to the actuator 98. In particular, the pin member 108 (as will be described hereinafter) will be connected by a pivoting linkage to the actuator rod 102. The pin member 108 is illustrated as pivotally mounted to only one side of the yoke 90. Pin member 108 is particularly shown as connected to pivot 96 of yoke 90. Ultimately, pin member 108 will move upwardly (with the movement of the actuator rod 102) so as to urge the rod 88 upwardly such that the contactors 80 and 82 of the ground vacuum interlock 42 to close. In particular, the actuator rod 102 will have a hinge member 110 pivotally mounted to an end of the actuator rod 102. As will be described hereinafter, the hinge member 110 will also be pivotally connected to the pin member 108 at an end opposite the pivot 96 of the yoke 90.

[0097] An indicator 112 is connected or interconnected to the pin member 108. The indicator 112 has a display 114 that indicates a position of the pair of contactors of either of the first vacuum bottle 72 or the second vacuum bottle 78. A movement of the pin member 108 can cause the indicator 112 to show a status of the distribution grounding switch 40.

[0098] The first current transformer 54 is connected between the first electrical terminal 60 and the first and second vacuum bottles 72 and 74. The first current transformer 54 is adapted to detect a variation of current flowing through the first current transformer 54. The first current transformer 54 is cooperative with the actuator 98 such that the actuator causes a movement of a contactor of each of the pair of contactors in the first and second vacuum bottle 72 and 78 upon detection of a current condition in the first current transformer 54.

[0099] The second current transformer 56 is connected to at least one of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle 78. The second current transformer 56 is adapted to determine if a flow of current exists after the mechanical linkage 84 causes the pair of contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 to close in order to ground or neutralize the current.

[0100] A shock absorber 116 is connected to at least one of the sides of the yoke 90. The shock absorber 116 is in the nature of a spring that is adapted to absorb shock caused by the movement of the first rod 86 or the second rod 88.

[0101] The magnetic actuator will have a power source connected thereto so as to supply power to the magnetic actuator 100 in order to move the actuator rod 102. A sensor (in the nature of the first current transformer 54 the second transformer 56) will sense the current flowing through the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle 72 and the second vacuum bottle 78. The sensor is cooperative with the power source so as to actuate the magnetic actuator 100.

[0102] An arm 116 is connected or interconnected to the yoke 90. The arm 116 is positioned outwardly of one side of the housing 64. The arm 116 is actuatable exterior of the housing 64 and adapted to allow a person to manually move the yoke 90 in order to set a position of the pair of contactors of either of the first vacuum bottle 72 or the second vacuum bottle 78. The arm 116 is also cooperative with the pin member 108 so as to allow the indicator 112 to appropriately move on the display 114.

[0103] In FIG. 4, it can be seen that power is flowing through the lateral line 30 and through the mains line 16. In this configuration, if power is generated by distributed energy resource, it can be delivered through the second electrical terminal 62 and into the mains vacuum interrupter 40. Since the contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 are closed, this power will flow therethrough and to the first electrical terminal 60. If the transformer 54 should sense a fault in the current or sense a signal from the utility to close the distributed energy resource or resources, the contactor 74 and 76 in the first vacuum bottle 72 will separate while generally simultaneously the contactors 80 and 82 of the first second vacuum bottle 78 will close in the manner shown in FIG. 5 hereinafter.

[0104] FIG. 6 shows the distribution grounding switch 40 in the configuration in which power from the mains line 16 passes through ground bar 38 and in which the power from the distributed energy resource from the lateral line 30 of the distributed energy resource passes to ground. In particular, it can be seen that the pair of contactors 74 and 76 of the first vacuum bottle 72 are separated. As a result, current from the first electrical terminal 60 will not flow through the contactors 74 and 76 to the first rod 86. Because the contactors 74 and 76 are separated, power to or from the main 16 will not flow from or to the distributed energy resource by the lateral line 30 extending from the second electrical terminal 62. Under the circumstances where the first current transformer 54 should detect a fault condition or detect a signal from the utility, the first current transformer 54 will transmit a signal to the magnetic actuator 100 so as to cause the actuator rod 102 to be released from the permanent magnet 104 and moved to the left. In particular, the resilient member 106 will urge the actuator rod 102 away from the permanent magnet 106. As such, the pin member 108 will pivot at pivot 96 so as to extend generally vertically. The hinge member 110 extends linearly. As such, the pin member 108 will urge the yoke 90 to pivot on pivot point 92 such that the second rod 88 moves upwardly so as to cause the contactors 80 and 82 of the second vacuum bottle 78 to close. In this configuration, power from the distributed energy resource will flow to ground rod 34. Additionally, the power from the mains line 16 will flow to the ground rod 38.

[0105] Since the pin member 108 is in a vertical configuration, this will cause the indicator 112 of display 114 to move so as to indicate (exterior of housing 60) that the system is off. In particular, the pin member 108 acts on a pivot 120 so as to cause the indicator 112 to move. The second current transformer 56 will now sense that there is no current flowing through the distribution grounding switch 40. As such, this will provide information to workers that the system is in a condition to be worked on. As such, this avoids potential electrocution.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the distribution grounding switch 40 of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the arrestor 70. The mechanical commutation process can take up to twenty milliseconds for either opening or closing. During the opening process, the contacts 74 and 76 of the mains vacuum interrupter 40 move apart. At the beginning of this movement, there is still flow of electricity. When the current stops flowing, temporary overvoltages will occur for small periods of time until the contactors 80 and 82 of the ground vacuum interrupter 42 close. If the transient overvoltages are too high, the can cause damage to the system. The arrestor 70 will limit transient overvoltages during this time. The arrestor 70 is connected to the second electrical terminal 62 and supported by frame 140. The arrestor 70 extends outwardly of the housing 64.

[0107] FIG. 6 further shows that the magnetic actuator 100 is located within the interior of housing 64. The magnetic actuator 100 will have a rod 142 extending therefrom and outwardly of the housing. Rod 142 is cooperative with the pin member 108 so as to cause the movement of the indicator 112 in the manner described herein previously. Similarly, the arm 116 is illustrated as extending outwardly of the housing 64. Arm 116 also has a rod 118 extending into the housing 64 so as to act upon the pin member 108 in order to move the yoke 90 in the desired direction. As such, when a force is applied to the arm 116 exterior of the housing 64, the user can selectively move the contactors between their respective positions.

[0108] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.