ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING OPEN CONTACT GAPS USING SWITCHING DEVICES

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for switching clearances between contacts by means of switching devices, wherein an energy provides an actuator energy for at least one switching device, in particular a vacuum interrupter.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. An arrangement for switching open contact gaps using switching devices, the arrangement being configured such that direct current (DC)-isolated energy transmission of radio-frequency energy provides actuator energy for at least one of the switching devices, the arrangement comprising: the at least one switching device, which comprises a vacuum interrupter, a switching device of the at least one switching device being mechanically connected to a radio-frequency source in a non-conductive manner via a dielectric waveguide arranged in a direction of an open contact gap of the vacuum interrupter for energy transmission, wherein the switching device comprises a converter configured to convert the transmitted radio-frequency energy into actuator energy, the converter comprising at least one rectifier arrangement and electrically operated switches connected downstream of the radio-frequency energy transmission as actuators.

12. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the electrically operated switches comprise relay switches,

13. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the arrangement is configured such that, for the purpose of transmitting energy, the radio-frequency energy is emitted as electromagnetic waves to the switching device, the switching device being configured to convert the transmitted radio-frequency energy into actuator energy.

14. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the at least one rectifier arrangement comprises at least two parallel rectifier arrangements.

15. The arrangement of claim 13, wherein the at least one rectifier arrangement comprises at least two parallel rectifier arrangements.

16. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the dielectric waveguide comprises a solid dielectric material.

17. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the solid dielectric material is aluminum oxide, Teflon, HDPE or hot-pressed silicon carbide.

18. The arrangement of claim 13, wherein the dielectric waveguide comprises a solid dielectric material.

19. The arrangement of claim 18, wherein the solid dielectric material is aluminum oxide, Teflon, HDPE or hot-pressed silicon carbide.

20. The arrangement of claim 14, wherein the dielectric waveguide comprises a solid dielectric material.

21. The arrangement of claim 20, wherein the solid dielectric material is aluminum oxide, Teflon, HDPE or hot-pressed silicon carbide.

22. The arrangement of claim 11, wherein the dielectric waveguide is formed from a flexible material filled with dielectric liquids.

23. The arrangement of claim 13, wherein the dielectric waveguide is formed from a flexible material filled with dielectric liquids.

24. The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the dielectric waveguide is formed from a flexible material filled with dielectric liquids.

25. The arrangement of claim 11, further comprising sensors, at least parts of elements of the arrangement comprising the sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a switching device formed by vacuum interrupters;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a typical use of a vacuum tube switching device as a circuit breaker;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a switching device of the circuit breaker in a side view; and

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment in a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a switching device formed by a vacuum interrupter. Typical structure includes a drive and a connecting bolt, a guide for the connecting bolt, and a movable contact piece that is mounted, in a manner surrounded by folding bellows, in a switching chamber. The switching chamber is encased by an insulator. A stationary contact piece is also mounted in the switching chamber, opposite the movable contact piece, and is terminated in a connection disk.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of the switching devices illustrated in the previous figure in a manner installed in a circuit breaker arrangement. The left-hand part of FIG. 2 illustrates a lever that moves the drive and connecting bolt during a switching operation and brings together or separates the two contact pieces and therefore closes or opens the circuit.

[0033] In order to illustrate one or more of the present embodiments, one of these elements of the circuit breaker is shown in a side illustration in FIG. 3. The vacuum interrupter VACUUM INTERRUPTER in the circuit breaker arrangement is fixed between an upper interrupter carrier and a lower interrupter carrier. Each of the upper interrupter carrier and the lower interrupter carrier is connected, according to the prior art, to a drive box DRIVE BOX via an insulator INSULATOR. The drive box DRIVE BOX moves the movable bolt during the switching operation via a mechanical switch MECHANICAL SWITCH, as stated above.

[0034] During each switching operation described above, a spring (not illustrated) is mechanically tensioned or relaxed. The switching operations are therefore subject to a high mechanical load and, under certain circumstances, wear out in the case of frequent switching operations, which reduces the maximum number of switching cycles.

[0035] Proceeding from the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 therefore shows how an exemplary embodiment improves the circuit breaker. Reference is therefore made to the elements that remain unchanged in FIG. 3 and to elements with omission/modification that is described using the reference symbols from FIG. 3.

[0036] The improvement is based in this case on the use of radio-frequency energy as actuator energy for actuating the switch of the vacuum interrupter VACUUM INTERRUPTER and to transmit this to the switch for this purpose. The transmission may be carried out, for example, by a dielectric waveguide DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE. Alternatively, the radio-frequency energy may also be transmitted in radiated fashion or using another waveguide that is not dielectric.

[0037] The mechanical actuator MECHANICAL SWITCH may be in the form of an electromagnet.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the vacuum interrupter is switched electrically (e.g., with the aid of a relay RELAY).

[0039] Instead of the lower insulator INSULATOR, a dielectric waveguide DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE is fitted in the exemplary embodiment shown. The dielectric waveguide has the advantage that the dielectric waveguide simultaneously insulates, stabilizes, and enables the transmission of the power used for the switching operation. Any possible heat produced may be dissipated via this waveguide DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE.

[0040] A signal generator MICROWAVE SIGNAL GENERATOR that uses a power amplifier MICROWAVE POWER AMPLIFIER to generate the required RF power signal (e.g., in the microwave or mm-wave range) that is then rectified at the other end of the dielectric waveguide DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE (e.g., on the side of the vacuum interrupter VACUUM INTERRUPTER) by a rectifier device MICROWAVE RECTIFIER and is supplied to the relay RELAY.

[0041] In this case, a plurality of rectifiers may be operated in a parallel manner as alternative developments for higher RF powers. The rectifier may include one or more diodes. The diodes may be Schottky diodes or other diodes, or may be modified transistors. The semiconductors may be based on a GaAs or GaN technology or another technology.

[0042] The rectifier may also be developed by being buffered or stabilized by corresponding circuitry measures. For example, the DC power may be buffered in a capacitance and may then be made available to the actuator (e.g., the relay RELAY) for actuating the vacuum switch VACUUM INTERRUPTER.

[0043] The waveguide may consist of aluminum oxide, Teflon, HDPE or another solid dielectric material. Hot-pressed silicon carbide (SiC, ε.sub.r=40, thermal conductivity 90-160 W cm.sup.−1 K.sup.−1⇄Cu 240-380 W cm.sup.−1 K.sup.−1) may also be considered for high thermal conductivity for the purpose of dissipating heat.

[0044] In addition, in one embodiment, the waveguide may consist of a tube filled with a corresponding dielectric liquid. In this case, the waveguide may be straight or may also assume complex forms that are produced using any desired known production method.

[0045] The entire assembly may be cast, which may be an advantage over switching linkages. Further advantages of this may be the avoidance of sparkovers, climatic encapsulation, or improved cooling.

[0046] One or more tubes may be operated in a parallel manner inside the assembly, which may result in economic advantages, for example. Parallel or serial operation is facilitated by the possibility of achieving a high degree of switching synchronicity using simple electromechanical measures. This switching synchronicity may be achieved by being able to superimpose a suitable trigger signal on the radio-frequency signal transmitting the energy.

[0047] The mechanical actuator MECHANICAL SWITCH or other parts on the interrupter or the entire arrangement may be equipped with sensors that measure relevant operating information. The information may be simultaneously transmitted back via the waveguide DIELECTRIC WAVEGUIDE during the power transmission.

[0048] Other forms of energy conversion without rectifiers for actuating the switch may also be provided. For example, operation during which the RF energy is used to heat a gas volume may be provided. This gas volume expands on account of the heating and therefore drives a piston connected to the tube. This enables a slow switching operation. Instead of the gas, the use of water that is heated by the RF energy, is evaporated, and therefore drives a piston may also be provided.

[0049] The elements and features recited in the appended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claims that likewise fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a single independent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that these dependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in the alternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independent or dependent. Such new combinations are to be understood as forming a part of the present specification.

[0050] While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.