VACUUM HIGH VOLTAGE LIVE TANK CIRCUIT BREAKER FREE OF FLUID

Abstract

A circuit breaker apparatus has a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact therein, a first actuator cooperative with the movable contact so as to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact, a support insulator supporting the vacuum interrupter and adapted to insulate the vacuum interrupter from ground, a rod having one end connected to the first actuator and positioned exterior of the support insulator, and a second actuator connected to or adjacent to an opposite end of the rod. The second actuator moves the rod such that the first actuator moves the movable contact away from the fixed contact so as to open the circuit. The vacuum interrupter has a vacuum interior within a hollow insulator body.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker apparatus comprising: a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact therein, the movable contact being movable between an open position in which the fixed contact is in spaced relation to the movable contact and a closed position in which the fixed contact is in electrically conductive relation to the movable contact, said vacuum interrupter having a vacuum interior and positioned within a hollow insulator body; a first actuator cooperative with the movable contact so to move the movable contact from the closed position to the open position; a support isolator supporting said vacuum interrupter, said support isolator adapted to insulate said vacuum interrupter from ground; a rod having one end connected to said first actuator, said rod positioned exterior of said support isolator; and a second actuator connected to or adjacent to an opposite end of said rod, said second actuator moving said rod such that said first actuator moves the movable contact to the open position.

2. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pedestal adapted to support the circuit breaker apparatus above the earth, said second actuator being affixed to said pedestal, said pedestal supporting said support insulator.

3. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply; and an operating mechanism cooperative with said second actuator, said operating mechanism causing said second actuator to move said rod in relation to a power conducting condition.

4. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a silicone elastomer interposed between said vacuum interrupter and the hollow insulator body so as to seal a space therebetween.

5. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, said rod being a pulling rod adapted to create a force on said first actuator so as to move the movable contact to the open position.

6. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, said rod being a longitudinal member extending in spaced relation to the exterior of said support isolator and in spaced relation to the hollow insulator body.

7. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, said rod extending in a vertical orientation between said first actuator and said second actuator.

8. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, said rod being of a solid non-conductive material.

9. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 8, the non-conductive material being epoxy glass having a coating of silicone on an exterior thereof.

10. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, said support isolator being solid and formed of a non-conductive material.

11. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker apparatus is free of fluid.

12. A circuit breaker apparatus comprising: a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact therein, the movable contact being movable between an open position in which the fixed contact is in spaced relation to the movable contact and a closed position in which the fixed contact is in electrically conductive relation to the movable contact, said vacuum interrupter having a vacuum interior and positioned within a hollow insulator body; a first actuator cooperative with the movable contact so as to move the movable contact from the closed position to the open position; a support isolator supporting said vacuum interrupter, said support isolator adapted to insulate said vacuum interrupter from ground; a rod having one end connected to said first actuator, said rod positioned exterior of said support isolator and an exterior of the hollow insulator body; and an operating mechanism cooperative with said rod, said operating mechanism causing said rod to move said first actuator so as to create the power conducting.

13. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a second actuator connected to or adjacent to an opposite end of said rod, said second actuator moving said rod such that said first actuator moves the movable contact to the open position, said operating mechanism connected to said second actuator so as to cause said second actuator to move said rod in relation to the power condition of said power supply.

14. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a silicone elastomer interposed between said vacuum interrupter and the hollow insulator body so as to seal a space therebetween.

15. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 12, said rod being a longitudinal member extending in spaced relation to an exterior of said support isolator.

16. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 12, said rod being of a solid non-conductive material.

17. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 16, the non-conductive material being epoxy glass having a coating of silicone on an exterior thereof.

18. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 12, said support insulator being solid and formed of a non-conductive material.

19. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 13, wherein the circuit breaker apparatus is free of fluid.

20. A circuit breaker apparatus comprising: a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact therein, the movable contact being movable between an open position in which the fixed contact is in spaced relation to the movable contact and a closed position in which the fixed contact is in electrically conductive relation to the movable contact, said vacuum interrupter having a vacuum interior, said vacuum interrupter positioned within a hollow insulator body; a silicone elastomer interposed between said vacuum interrupter and the hollow insulator body so as to seal a space therebetween; a support isolator connected to said vacuum interrupter, said support isolator adapted to insulate said vacuum interrupter from a surface; and a first actuator interconnected to the movable contact of said vacuum interrupter so as to move the movable contact from the closed position to the open position.

21. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: a rod having one end connected to said first actuator, said rod positioned exterior of said support isolator and an exterior of the hollow insulator body.

22. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 20, wherein said silicone elastomer is a two component silicone elastomer.

23. The circuit breaker apparatus of claim 20, wherein said silicone elastomer comprises a ring positioned around said vacuum interrupter in an area adjacent said first actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a live tank circuit breaker of the prior art.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a cut-cutaway perspective view of a vacuum interrupter.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the circuit breaker apparatus of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a frontal view showing the circuit breaker apparatus of the present invention.

[0049] FIGS. 5a and 5b show the circuit breaker apparatus of the present invention in respective closed and open positions.

[0050] FIGS. 6a and 6b show the circuit breaker apparatus of the present invention during a detailed view of the operation of the first actuator in associated with the respective closing and opening of the circuit breaker apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a circuit breaker apparatus 40 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In particular, the circuit breaker apparatus 40 includes a vacuum interrupter 42 that is mounted upon a support insulator 44. Support insulator 44 is positioned upon a pedestal 46. Pedestal 46 is mounted to a concrete base 48 which can be implanted in the earth such that the circuit breaker apparatus 40 is supported above the earth. A first actuator 50 is positioned at the bottom of the vacuum interrupter 42 and positioned above the support isolator 44 and a second actuator 52 is illustrated as positioned on the top of the pedestal 46 and below the support isolator 44. A rod 54 will extend between the first actuator 50 and the second actuator 52. An operating mechanism 56 is shown as affixed to the pedestal 46 generally at a location below the second actuator 52 if in a three-phase operation (or below each phase when in a single phase operation). The operating mechanism 56 will allow electrical power to pass to the vacuum interrupter 42 so as to manage the operation of the second actuator 52. In the event of a fault, the operating mechanism 56 will trip and move the second actuator 52 which will pivot an arm and cause the rod 54 to move upwardly in order to cause the fixed contact and the movable contact within the vacuum interrupter 42 to open. The first actuator 50 and the second actuator 52 are illustrated in greater detail in association with FIGS. 5a and 5b herein.

[0052] The rod 54 is a pulling rod that is adapted to create a pulling force on the first actuator 50 so as to move the movable contact to a position toward the fixed contact. It can be seen that the rod 54 is a longitudinal member extending in spaced relation to an exterior of the support isolator 44. In FIG. 3, the rod 54 has a generally vertical orientation between the first actuator 50 and the second actuator 52. However, within the concept of the present invention, the rod 54 could assume other orientations. The rod is formed of a solid non-conductive material. In the preferred embodiment the present invention, the non-conductive material of rod 54 is an epoxy glass having a coating of silicone on an exterior thereof.

[0053] The support isolator 44 is solid and also formed of a non-conductive material. Support isolator 44 serves to insulate the vacuum interrupter 42 from the pedestal 46 and from other structures.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a frontal view of the circuit breaker apparatus 40 of the present invention. It can be seen that there are three poles 60, 62 and 64 each having identical configurations. In particular, these poles 60, 62 and 64 will correspond to the three phases of electrical energy passing therethrough. The pole 60 will include the vacuum interrupter 42, the first actuator 50, the support isolator 44 and the second actuator 52. Pole 62 will also include a vacuum interrupter 66, a first actuator 68, a support isolator 70 and a second actuator 72. The third pole 64 will also include a vacuum interrupter 74, a first actuator 76, a support isolator 78 and a second actuator 80. Ultimately, the operating mechanism 56 is illustrated as mounted below a cross beam 82 of the pedestal 46. Operating mechanism 56 opens and closes the circuit breaker so as to manage the actuators 52, 72 and 80 and allowing or cutting the flow of power through the vacuum interrupters 42, 66 and 74. Each of the vacuum interrupters 42, 66 and 74 are connected at their ends to the power grid. The pedestal 46 includes a pair of legs 86 and 88 with a crossmember 90 extending therebetween. The concrete base 48 will be connected to legs 86 and 88 through the use of brackets 92 and 94, respectively. Suitable fasteners can engage with the concrete of the concrete base 48 so as to provide a secure foundation for the circuit breaker apparatus 40.

[0055] FIGS. 5a and 5b show cross-sectional views of the circuit breaker apparatus 40 of the present invention. As can be seen in each of the FIGS. 5a and 5b, the circuit breaker apparatus 40 includes the vacuum interrupter 42, the support isolator 44, the first actuator 50 and the second actuator 52. FIG. 5a shows the movable and fixed contacts within the interior of the vacuum interrupter 42 in a closed position. FIG. 5b shows the movable and fixed contacts within the interior of the vacuum interrupter 42 in an open position.

[0056] As can be seen in FIG. 5a, the vacuum interrupter 42 has an interior 100 that is maintained in a vacuum condition. The vacuum interrupter 42 is located within the interior of the hollow insulator body 102. A terminal 104 is located adjacent to the top of the vacuum interrupter 42 so as to transmit electrical energy from the fixed contact 105 within the interior of the vacuum interrupter 42. Ultimately, this electrical energy can flow outwardly of the circuit breaker apparatus 40 by way of a line 106.

[0057] There is a silicone elastomer 107 formed between the vacuum interrupter 42 and the hollow insulator body 102. The silicone elastomer 107 seals between the interior wall of the hollow insulator body 102 and the exterior of the vacuum interrupter 42. The silicone elastomer 107 has at least a one hundred millimeter height ring of silicone elastomer that seals the gap between the hollow insulator body 102 and the vacuum interrupter 42. Enough silicone elastomer 107 should be provided so as to provide the required electrical isolation therebetween. The silicone elastomer is a two component elastomer. This two component elastomer is specifically SLYGUARD 160 by Dow Corning. SLYGUARD 170 can also be used (if fast curing is required). The two component silicone elastomer fills this void between the vacuum interrupter 42 and the interior of the hollow isolator body 102. This allows these adjacent components to behave differently with temperature. This is because the silicone elastomer is elastic. This elastomer can resist temperatures that range from 50 C. to 200 C. The duration of the two component silicone elastomer should be longer than the life of the circuit breaker apparatus 40.

[0058] The introduction of the silicone elastomer 107 will cause the volume of remaining air between the hollow isolator body 102 and the vacuum interrupter 42 to be minimal. The reduction in the amount of air will mean less water accumulating within the space. This reduces or eliminates the risk of solidification and the breaking of components when at very low temperatures. The minimization of the amount of air will also mean less risk of damage in those circumstances where the vacuum interrupter 42 would fail. This means less risk of explosion of the hollow isolator body 102.

[0059] The silicone elastomer is 100% ecological. Since it is 100% ecological, it is not required that the manufacturer or users provide specific procedures for the final disposal of the materials and substances therein. Since no polluting products are generated during the manufacture, the present invention, through the use of this silicone elastomer, will not use dielectric gases or liquids. These can require controlled procedures in order to avoid degradation, leaks and polluting spills. Such uses are limited internationally. The configuration of the present invention, using the silicone elastomer, will not require the use of pressurized dry air, such as a dielectric (or any other non-polluting gas) in the interrupting chamber. The dielectric in the present invention is a solid insulator that includes the two component silicone, especially suitable for extreme service conditions. The two component silicone elastomer will effectively seal the space between the vacuum interrupter 42 and the hollow insulator body 102. During installation, the elastomer can be poured in as a liquid and then cured so as to transform into a flexible elastomer.

[0060] In the present invention, the insulator supporting poles are solid. The use of the solid elastomeric insulator increases the operational safety of the switch because no additional dielectrics are required. Whether the dielectrics are either gaseous or liquid, they will require long-term water tightness. This increases the risks associated with failures or explosions due to degradation or leakage. Although dry air does not pollute the environment, it is problematic in order to maintain against leakage over long periods of time. In particular, it is difficult to maintain tightness for forty years in a pressurized enclosure because very small leaks for such a long period of time can cause loss of pressure and consequently loss of insulation. This will make it necessary to permanently monitor the pressure or density so as to avoid any compromise of the performance of the equipment due to the decrease in insulation.

[0061] The present invention, through the use of the silicone elastomer, provides virtually no risk of explosion. This is because the volume of the air in the interrupting chamber is very small and is at atmospheric pressure. An internal discharge at one pole generates a minimum pressure that can be easily released with a small flow overpressure valve. If the air volume is to be reduced to zero, there is no difficulty because, the spaces between the vacuum interrupter body 102 and the vacuum interrupter 42 are filled. This leaves no air that can expand in the event of an electrical shock inside the arc chamber or inside the vacuum interrupter 42. In conventional equipment with pressurized air (or any other gas), the volume occupied by this dielectric is enormous. This is in the order of more than fifty times the volume required in the present invention. This will require safety valves that can evacuate an enormous volume of gas in a few milliseconds. In practice, these valves are often unable to remain sealed for long periods of time, especially in extreme weather conditions. In addition, the valve fails to open, the pole of the affected phase can explode so as to result in extreme danger to persons and adjacent equipment at the substation. When accidents of this type occur, there are enormous delays associated with restoring the electrical service. This is because the damage to the equipment and to the equipment nearby is significant.

[0062] Additionally, it is noteworthy to the present invention, that the insulated pulling rod 54 will transmit the movement of the operating mechanism of the vacuum interrupter 42. The insulated pulling rod 54 is located on the outside of the support insulator 44. This, in combination with the silicone elastomer (i.e. the solid insulator mentioned hereinabove) makes it possible to dispense with a liquid or gaseous dielectric in the isolation of the phase from the ground. The motion transmission mechanism of the present invention is designed in such a way that during the closed switched position, the insulating connecting rods are subjected to tensile stress. This prevents the possibility of buckling. In contrast, in the prior art, an insulating bar with a high leakage line is required for these voltage levels. The length of the insulating bar can cause it to buckle when subjected to high compressive stress for a long period of time. In the open position, the connecting rod of the present invention has no difficulty in withstanding compressive stresses since they are negligible. As such, the connecting rod will not buckle.

[0063] FIG. 5a shows that the fixed contact 105 is closed with respect to the movable contact 108. The insulated pulling rod 54 (as shown in FIG. 3) transmits the movement of the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupter 42 and is located on the exterior of the support isolator 44. As can be seen, a rocker arm 110 will be secured to an end of the insulated pulling rod 54. When the insulated pulling rod 54 is moved downwardly, this will cause a pivoting of the rocker arm 110 of the first actuator 50 such that the push rod 112 moves upwardly so as to cause the internal pushing rod 114 to move upwardly. This urges against the sliding contact 136 so as to urge the movable contact 108 into its closed position (as shown in FIG. 5a). A spring 136 located within a cavity of the sliding contact 134. Spring 136 causes electrical communication between the sliding contact 134 and the stationary contact 140. Another spring 160 helps to press upwardly the sliding contact 134 pushed by the internal pushing rod 114 when the moveable contact 108 moves to its closed position.

[0064] In normal use, electrical energy can flow through the internal pushing rod 114, through the spring 136, through the sliding contact 134, through the movable contact 108, and into the fixed contact 105. Ultimately, the electrical energy wall flow from the fixed contact 105 to the terminal 104 and to the line 106. This electrical communication is broken when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact 105. This break is shown in FIG. 5b hereinafter.

[0065] FIG. 5b shows that the first actuator 50 has been actuated by the insulated pulling rod 54 so as to move the movable contact 108 away from the fixed contact 105. In particular, the insulated pulling rod 54 moves upwardly by actuation from the second actuator 52 so as to cause the rocker arm 110 to pivot about a pivot point. This causes the push rod 112 to pull the internal pushing rod 114 downwardly. In turn, this causes the connected rod 124 to urge the movable contact 108 away from the fixed contact 105. As such, the circuit is broken.

[0066] The second actuator 52 will have a pivoting lever 116 therein. This pivoting lever 116 will act on an arm. When a fault is detected in the electrical power supply, the pivoting lever of the second actuator 52 will pivot so as to urge the insulated pulling rod 54 upwardly. This, in turn, will cause the rocker arm 110 of the first actuator to pull the push rod 112 downwardly, which, in turn, causes the internal pushing rod 114 to move downwardly. As a result, the rod 124 will cause the movable contact 108 to separate from the fixed contact 105.

[0067] FIGS. 6a and 6b show details associated with the first actuator 50 associated with the closing and opening of the circuit breaker apparatus 40 of the present invention. FIG. 6a shows the circuit breaker apparatus with the movable and fixed contacts in a closed position. FIG. 6b shows the movable contact in the fixed contact in an open position.

[0068] In FIG. 6a, it can be seen that the rocker arm 110 pivots about pivot point 130 by the action of a linkage 132 connected to an end of the insulated pulling rod 54. A downward movement of the insulated pulling rod 54 (during normal operation of the circuit breaker apparatus) will cause the rocker arm 110 to pivot upwardly. This urges the push rod 112 upwardly. The push rod 112 urges the internal pushing rod 114 upwardly. The upper end of the internal pushing rod 114 is joined with the sliding contact 134 through spring 160. Spring 136 (located in cavity 138) is responsible for electrical transmission between stationary contact 140 and sliding contact 134. A contact spring cavity 138 is formed in a wall of the stationary contact 140. The upward movement of the internal push rod 114 will urge the sliding contact 134 upwardly toward the fixed contact. The spring 136 will be in electrical communication between the sliding contact 134 and stationary contact 140.

[0069] FIG. 6a shows that the housing 142 is secured to a base 144 of the hollow insulator body 102. The internal pushing rod 114 is guided and maintained in sealed relationship with the base 144 by virtue of O-ring seals 146. Seals 146 are formed of TEFLON and will prevent any liquid intrusion into the interior of the housing 140. A pin 148 secures the internal pushing rod 114 to the sliding contact 134.

[0070] FIG. 6a further shows that the first actuator 50 has one end 150 secured to the base 144 of the hollow insulator body 102. An opposite end of the first actuator 50 is a base 152 that is secured to a top of the support isolator 44.

[0071] FIG. 6b shows how the rocker arm 110 has been moved so as to cause the push rod 112 to move the internal pushing rod 114 downwardly in order to open the circuit and to cause the movable contact 108 to move away from the fixed contact 105 (as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b). In particular, the insulated pushing rod 54 moves upwardly. This urges against the push rod 132 so as to force the rocker arm 110 to pivot about pivot point 130. This causes the push rod 112 to pivot with respect to the bottom of the internal pushing rod 114. Internal pushing rod 114 will move downwardly so as to cause the sliding contact 134 to move downwardly within the housing 142. Contact spring 136 is in electrical communication between sliding contact 134 and stationary contact 140. O-ring seal 162 is placed on a cavity of the inner wall of the stationary contact 140 so as to guide sliding contact 134 through stationary contact 140. O-ring seal 162 can be of a TEFLON material. The contact spring 136 in contact spring cavity 138 establishes electrical communication between stationary contact 140 and sliding contact 134.

[0072] Ultimately, the sliding contact 134 moves downwardly by rod 114 so as to cause the movable contact to separate from the fixed contact (as shown in FIG. 5b). When the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, this will create a break and open the circuit.

[0073] In the present case, the insulated pulling rod 54 is positioned exterior of the supporting isolator 44. The supporting isolator 44 is solid on the interior thereof. The insulated pulling rod 54 acts as an isolator in and of itself. The positioning of the insulated pulling rod 54 on the exterior of the supporting isolator 44 assures a long life with almost no maintenance and no risk of leaks. Since the vacuum interrupter technology is a mature technology, there is virtually no risk of the vacuum interrupter 42 losing its vacuum or failing. Since there is no need for fluid in the interior of the assembly, the assembly at the job site becomes easier. There is no need to bring gas or liquid-filling machinery to the site.

[0074] 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 is the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.