IP Library Granted Patent US 7,426,100
Granted Patent B2
US 7,426,100 · App. 11/255,008 · Granted Sep 16, 2008

Drive kinematics in a hybrid circuit-breaker

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,426,100
App. No.
11/255,008
Granted
Sep 16, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for the actuation of the movable contacts of a hybrid circuit breaker allows the following time diagram to be implemented: command the opening of the interrupting chamber, offset the opening of the vacuum switch so as to allow the interrupting chamber contacts to separate at a minimum speed and in a way that is synchronous with the separation of the vacuum switch contacts, close the vacuum switch while keeping the interrupting chamber in the open position. Moreover, closing the interrupting chamber does not act upon the contacts of the vacuum switch.

Claims (37)

1. Hybrid circuit breaker including:

a first cut-out switch including a first pair of contacts wherein a first movable contact may be displaced along a first axis between a closed position and an open position of the first pair of contacts,

a second cut-out switch including a second pair of contacts wherein a second movable contact may be displaced along a second axis between a closed position and an open position of the second pair of contacts,

actuation means displacing, under the action of a single command, said first and second movable contacts between a closed position and an open position, which are adapted, during the opening phase of the circuit breaker, to open the first and the second pair of contacts, then to reclose the second pair of contacts while keeping the first pair open.

2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the actuation means include means for delaying the opening of the second pair of contacts relative to the single command.

3. Circuit breaker according to claim 2 wherein the action delaying means are adapted to open the second pair of contacts after the opening of the first pair of contacts, preferably 3 ms afterwards.

4. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the actuation means are additionally adapted to then reclose the first pair of contacts while keeping the second pair closed.

5. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 including a return means acting upon the second pair of contacts in the direction of closure.

6. Circuit breaker according to claim 5 wherein the return means includes a mechanical spring independent of said actuation means.

7. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the first cut-out switch is a gas interrupting chamber and/or the second cut-out switch is a vacuum interrupter.

8. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the first and second axes are substantially perpendicular.

9. Hybrid circuit breaker including:

a first cut-out switch including a first pair of contacts wherein a first movable contact may be displaced along a first axis between a closed position and an open position of the first pair of contacts,

a second cut-out switch including a second pair of contacts wherein a second movable contact may be displaced along a second axis between a closed position and an open position of the second pair of contacts,

actuation means displacing, under the action of a single command, said first and second movable contacts between an open position and a closed position which are adapted, during the closure phase of the circuit breaker, to keep the second pair of contacts closed when the first pair of contacts moves from the open position to the closed position.

10. Circuit breaker according to claim 9 wherein the first cut-out switch is a gas interrupting chamber and/or the second cut-out switch is a vacuum interrupter.

11. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the actuation means include an operating component connected in a fixed way to the first movable contact, and a component connected to the second movable contact and engaging with the operating component so as to be able to be displaced along the first axis.

12. Circuit breaker according to claim 11 wherein the component connected to the second movable contact includes a protuberance formed on a shaft connected to the second movable contact and extending in the direction of the second axis, said protuberance sliding in the operating component.

13. Circuit breaker according to claim 12 including a mechanism forming a pawl liable to engage the sliding protuberance.

14. Circuit breaker according to claim 13 wherein the mechanism forming a pawl is rotational around the pivot connected to the operating component and fitted with a stop.

15. Circuit breaker according to claim 14 wherein the mechanism forming a pawl includes an action delaying arm parallel to the axis of displacement of the operating component, in the rest position.

16. Circuit breaker according claim 14 wherein the mechanism forming a pawl includes return means.

17. Circuit breaker according to claim 11 wherein the component connected to the second movable contact includes a rod which supports a component mounted to slide along the second axis.

18. Circuit breaker according to claim 17 wherein the rod includes means for the return of the sliding component.

19. Circuit breaker according to claim 17 wherein the operating component includes a projecting part liable to engage with the sliding component.

20. Circuit breaker according to claim 19 wherein the projecting part includes a ramp inclined relative to the axis of displacement of the first movable contact.

21. Circuit breaker according to claim 20 wherein the projecting part includes an action delaying arm.

22. Circuit breaker according to claim 11 additionally including a closure damper of the first cut-out switch.

23. Circuit breaker according to claim 9 wherein the actuation means include an operating component connected in a fixed way to the first movable contact, and a component connected to the second movable contact and engaging with the operating component so as to be able to be displaced along the first axis.

24. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein the actuation means include a gear.

25. Circuit breaker according to claim 24 wherein the gear includes a first wheel connected by means of a first connecting rod to the first movable contact so that the displacement of the first movable contact in the longitudinal direction drives the rotation of the first wheel.

26. Circuit breaker according to claim 25 wherein the complete travel of the first movable contact drives the rotation of the first wheel over 60°.

27. Circuit breaker according to claim 25 wherein the gear includes a second wheel connected by means of a second connecting rod to the second movable contact.

28. Circuit breaker according to claim 27 wherein the complete travel of the first movable contact drives the rotation of the second wheel over 360°.

29. Circuit breaker according to claim 27 wherein the second connecting rod and/or the second wheel include action delaying means.

30. Circuit breaker according to claim 27 wherein the gear includes an anti-return system such that the rotation of the second wheel can only be performed in one direction.

31. Circuit breaker according to claim 9 wherein the actuation means include a first wheel connected by means of a first connecting rod to the first movable contact so that the displacement of the first movable contact in the longitudinal direction drives the rotation of the first wheel and a second wheel connected by means of a second connecting rod to the second movable contact.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 16, 2013
From: ALSTOM GRID SAS
To: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
Reel/Frame 031029/0933 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 27, 2012
From: AREVA T&D SAS
To: ALSTOM GRID SAS
Reel/Frame 029355/0641 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 23, 2012
From: AREVA T&D SA
To: AREVA T&D SAS
Reel/Frame 029343/0282 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2006
From: NEVEU, ANDRE'; CIMALA, ANDRE'; GIRODET, ALAIN; LEBIAD, MEHDI; MARQUEZIN, GWENAEL
To: AREVA T&D SA
Reel/Frame 017450/0058 →