CN216750643U

CN216750643U - Device and system for overvoltage protection and for reporting overvoltage protection status

Info

Publication number: CN216750643U
Application number: CN202120578215.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: F-E·布兰德; S·普福纳; G·菲尼斯; C·伯克霍尔兹
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-22
Publication date: 2022-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-22
Also published as: DE102021105876A1

Abstract

Apparatus and system for overvoltage protection and for reporting overvoltage protection conditions. The device comprises a surge arrester for overvoltage protection of the circuit. The apparatus includes a spool valve movable transverse to the light tunnel between an operating state and at least one fault state, the spool valve having a first end facing the light tunnel. In the operating position, the first end is arranged outside the light tunnel, and in the at least one fault position, the first end is arranged at least partially in the light tunnel. The device further comprises a tensioning device which is designed to pretension the slide valve in the operating position by means of a prestressing force in the direction of at least one fault position. The device also comprises at least one heat-sensitive material, which locks the movement of the slide valve against prestress in the operating position. At least one temperature-sensitive material is in thermal contact with the surge arrester and is designed to undergo a phase change when heated, which releases the movement of the slide valve into at least one fault state.

Description

Device and system for overvoltage protection and for reporting overvoltage protection status

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection state. In particular, but not exclusively, an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection state and a system having at least one such apparatus are provided.

Background

In the field of electrical installation, in particular in the field of overvoltage protection, the state of components of the overvoltage protection or of the appliance is monitored. The monitoring is used to: the overloaded component or the overloaded appliance is disconnected from the circuit and/or a short circuit is created to a reference potential, for example a Protective Earth line (in technical terms: "Protective Earth" or PE). The disconnection helps to keep the circuit available, for example, despite a failure of the protection device. Short circuits, on the other hand, are more important than protection against overvoltages or overcurrents in the event that the protective component no longer operates reliably.

In both variants (open and short circuit), it is advantageous for the operator of the electrical circuit or of the electrical network to have a status reading of an overloaded component or of an overloaded appliance, in order to be able to quickly repair or replace this component or this appliance in order to restore the normal operating state.

Existing technologies for condition monitoring are integrated in the so-called TTC product family of the phoenix electric company. The optical signal is mechanically interrupted when the component to be monitored is overloaded. This technique is called "the grating principle".

Document DE 102011052689B 4 describes a Gas-filled surge arrester (english: "Gas Discharge Tube" or GDT) having a short-circuit spring and a measuring device for indirectly monitoring the short-circuit spring, wherein the measuring device is capable of measuring temperature changes and/or brightness changes. The short-circuit spring is fixed by means of a low-melting solder, which melts when the temperature of the GDT increases, whereby the short-circuit spring operates the short-circuit bar. Arcing in the GDT results in an increase in brightness that can be observed by the measurement device.

Documents DE 102013202795C 5, DE 102013202796B 4 and DE 102013202793B 4 each describe a reversible opening device which is connected in series with an overvoltage protection device and comprises a parallel circuit of two current branches, wherein one current branch comprises a switch made of a shape memory alloy which is thermally connected to the overvoltage protection device. Further circuits include variable resistors or impedances with inductive components in documents DE 102013202795C 5 and DE 102013202793B 4, and overvoltage protection elements for the switching voltage, in particular GDTs, in document DE 102013202796B 4.

Document US 9,941,691B 2 describes an overload protection comprising a voltage limiting element, in particular a varistor, and a voltage switching element, in particular a spark gap or GDT, which are connected in series. The voltage-limiting element has a parallel monitoring spark gap, which can be used as a bypass. By means of temperature monitoring, in the case of ageing, inadmissibly high supply voltages and/or low-energy periodic high-frequency overvoltages, the additional bypass can short-circuit not only the monitoring spark gap but also the voltage-switching element.

Document DE 202019101517U 1 describes an overvoltage protection module having at least two overvoltage protection devices connected in parallel, wherein the overvoltage protection module has a locally multi-stepped readout for displaying at least one operating state (also referred to as "OK" state), a warning state and a failure state (also referred to as "fault state"), which readout is changed by a mechanical rocker which is actuated by the two overvoltage protection devices connected in parallel, wherein the warning state is set by triggering an overvoltage protection device and the failure state is set by triggering the two overvoltage protection devices.

In the prior art, in particular, the semiconductor is monitored thermally and is switched off in the event of an overload. On the one hand, semiconductors are much more sensitive than GDTs, and on the other hand, the requirements on the separation point are smaller than in the case of gas arresters or GDTs, since the currents occurring at the semiconductors are smaller than in the case of gas-filled arresters, in particular GDTs, which can be up to 20kA (8/20 μ s) in some cases.

However, especially in the field of telecommunications GDTs with integrated short-circuit mechanisms are used, which provide protection against overvoltages and overcurrents, for example by means of so-called "power crossovers" (when a supply voltage is applied to a signal line, for example.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the following tasks exist: a technique is provided for overvoltage protection, the status of which can be reported, preferably remotely. In addition or alternatively, it is an object to provide a technique for overvoltage protection which can be monitored without auxiliary power.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to the drawings in part.

According to a first aspect, an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection status is provided. The device comprises a surge arrester for overvoltage protection of the circuit. The device further comprises a slide valve movable transversely to the light tunnel between an operating position and at least one fault position, the slide valve having a first end facing the light tunnel. In the operating position, the first end is arranged outside the light tunnel. In at least one fault state, the first end is arranged at least partially in the light tunnel. The device further comprises a tensioning device which is designed to pretension the slide valve in the operating position by means of a prestressing force in the direction of at least one fault position. In addition, the device comprises at least one heat-sensitive material which, in the operating position, locks the movement of the slide valve against prestress. The at least one temperature-sensitive material is in thermal contact with the surge arrester and is designed to undergo a phase change upon heating, which phase change releases the movement of the slide valve into at least one fault state.

The slide valve is longitudinally movable and/or pivotally movable. The slide valve which can be moved pivotally can also be referred to as a lever. The mechanically pretensioned slide valve or lever can also be referred to as a mechanical element.

The first end of the spool valve can also be referred to as a flag. The flag can be translucent and/or opaque (opaque). Alternatively or additionally, the first end can comprise at least two sections. The first section can be translucent. Alternatively or additionally, the second section can be opaque. Further, alternatively or additionally, the first and second sections can each be translucent, having different (e.g. disjoint) spectral ranges.

The light beam that is directed through the light tunnel can be used as a grating for reporting status. Dimming and/or interrupting a light beam conducted through the light tunnel by means of the first end of the slide valve can be referred to as interruption of the grating.

Embodiments of the apparatus can report an overvoltage protection condition by placing the first end of the spool valve in the light tunnel. These or further embodiments enable the reporting of overvoltage protection states and/or the monitoring of overvoltage arresters without auxiliary electrical energy.

Embodiments of the device enable thermal detection of an overload of the surge arrester (e.g. GDT). The warning reading and/or the malfunction reading (for example of the device or outside the device) can output an overvoltage protection status reported by means of the light tunnel. The reporting status can also be referred to as a display status (e.g., displayed as a failure reading).

The heat sensitive material can include a thermoplastic, glue, wax, and/or solder. Thermal contact is achieved by: a thermally sensitive material is fastened (for example in the operating state) to the housing of the surge arrester to be monitored.

The transition from the operating state to the fault state can be thermally and/or mechanically coupled to a disconnection device and/or a short-circuit device of the surge arrester.

The surge arrester can comprise a disconnection or short-circuit device, which is designed to disconnect or short-circuit the surge arrester from the circuit in the fault state. For example, a disconnection device or a short-circuit device can be mechanically coupled to the spool valve. Alternatively or additionally, the trigger temperature of the disconnection device or the short-circuit device can coincide with the transition temperature of the phase change of the heat-sensitive material.

Thus, for example, it is possible to report (preferably remotely) and/or display the triggering of a surge arrester, a short-circuit device, such as a GDT, for example, a short-circuit bar (also known in technical terms as a fail-safe bar).

In order to provide a report (for example a failure reading or a remote report) of a fault state (for example the triggering or overloading of a surge arrester) independently of the circuit to be protected, the tensioning device can provide the energy required for the report as mechanical energy. Preferably, in the fault state of the surge arrester, the prestressing of the tensioning device moves the slide valve into the fault position and thus interrupts the light barrier.

The fault condition of the surge arrester (also referred to as a fault condition) can be an overload condition (also referred to as an overload condition), for example an overvoltage and/or overcurrent in the electrical circuit and/or at the surge arrester.

The slide valve (i.e. the mechanical element) can be driven for this purpose by a tensioning device as a mechanically acting force source, which can usually be realized as a tensioning device by means of a spring element. The spring element can be, in particular, a helical spring and/or a torsion spring.

Preferably, the movement of the slide valve (i.e. the change from the operating state into the fault state) is triggered in the event of an overload by the heat input of the surge arrester to be monitored. Preferably, thermal action is used here, since it is directly related to the overload of the overvoltage arrester. Another possibility, in particular in the case of Gas dischargers (English: "Gas Discharge Tube", abbreviated to "GDT"), is the use of optical analysis. However, optical analysis uses the need for auxiliary energy in order to be able to identify e.g. arcs within the GDT. The requirement for auxiliary energy supply is considered disadvantageous for the monitoring of an overload.

The surge arrester can comprise a spark gap and/or a gas arrester (GDT) and/or a varistor and/or a suppressor diode.

The phase change of the at least one heat sensitive material can include a first order phase change and/or a second order phase change and/or a glass transition.

The at least one heat sensitive material is capable of changing its aggregation state by a phase change. For example, the heat-sensitive material can lock the slide valve in the operating position in a material-locking manner against a prestress (for example by means of an adhesively bonded solid adhesive or solder of a soldered joint). In the event of a fault of the surge arrester or of the circuit, the heat input from the surge arrester into the heat-sensitive material due to the thermal contact of the heat-sensitive material with the surge arrester can liquefy the heat-sensitive material and thereby release the cohesive connection between the two.

Upon phase change, the at least one heat sensitive material is capable of transforming from a solid or glassy state to a fluid state (e.g., liquid and/or gaseous). For example, upon phase change (e.g., glass transition), the viscosity can decrease, e.g., by a factor of 100 or 1000 or more.

The at least one heat sensitive material can comprise a thermoplastic and/or an adhesive and/or a wax and/or a solder.

The tensioning device can comprise a spring element, preferably a helical spring and/or a torsion spring.

The at least one thermally sensitive material can include a first thermally sensitive material and a second thermally sensitive material.

The first heat-sensitive material can lock the movement of the slide valve against prestress in the operating position. The first temperature-sensitive material and/or its thermal contact with the surge arrester can be designed to undergo a first phase change at a first point in time or to determine a first phase change of the first temperature-sensitive material, which releases the movement of the slide valve from the operating state into the first fault state. The second heat-sensitive material can lock the movement of the slide valve against prestress in the first error state.

The second temperature-sensitive material and/or its thermal contact with the surge arrester can be designed to undergo or determine a second phase change of the second temperature-sensitive material at a second time point, which is later than the first time point, which phase change releases the movement of the slide valve from the first into the second fault state.

The operating state can correspond to an operating state of the overvoltage protection (for example of a regulated operation of the overvoltage arrester). Alternatively or additionally, the first fault state can correspond to a warning state of the overvoltage protection. Alternatively or additionally, the second fault state can correspond to a failure state of the overvoltage protection.

The first phase change can correspond to a first transition temperature of the first thermosensitive material (preferably and corresponding to a corresponding operating temperature of the surge arrester). The second phase change can correspond to a second transition temperature of the second thermosensitive material (preferably and corresponding to a corresponding operating temperature of the surge arrester), which is greater than the first transition temperature. Alternatively or in addition, the first time point can correspond to a first heat input via the surge arrester and the second time point can correspond to a second heat input via the surge arrester, wherein the second heat input is greater than the first heat input. The first heat input can be determined by a first heat capacity of the first temperature-sensitive material and/or a first thermal conductivity of a thermal connection of the first temperature-sensitive material to the surge arrester. The second heat input can be determined by a second heat capacity of the second heat-sensitive material and/or a second thermal conductivity of the thermal connection of the second heat-sensitive material to the surge arrester.

The first transition temperature of the first phase change of the first heat sensitive material can be less than the second transition temperature of the second phase change of the second heat sensitive material. Alternatively or additionally, a first thermal conductivity of the thermal contacts of the first thermally sensitive material can be greater than a second thermal conductivity of the thermal contacts of the second thermally sensitive material. Additionally, alternatively or additionally, the first heat capacity of the first thermally sensitive material can be less than the second heat capacity of the second thermally sensitive material.

The first error state can comprise a first longitudinal movement of the slide valve relative to the operating state by a (preferably fixed) first path L1 or a first rotational movement relative to the operating state by a (preferably fixed) first rotational angle W1. The second error state can comprise a second longitudinal displacement of the slide valve by a (preferably fixed) second distance L2 relative to the operating state or a second rotational movement of the slide valve by a (preferably fixed) second rotational angle W2 relative to the operating state. Preferably, L1< L2 or W1< W2. For example, the first fault condition can include a fixed first angular change of the spool valve about the pivot axis relative to the operating condition. The second fault condition can include a second angular change of the spool valve about the same pivot axis in the same rotational direction.

The first end facing the light tunnel can include a first section and a second section. In the first fault state, the first section can be arranged in the light tunnel. In the second fault state, the second section can be arranged in the light tunnel. The first filtering property of the first section can be different from the second filtering property of the second section.

The first filtering property can include translucency. The second filtering property can include opacity. Alternatively or additionally, the first filtering property can relate to a first color and the second filtering property can relate to a color different from the first color.

The translucent first section can be wavelength-selective or color-selective.

Alternatively or additionally, the first color can be "yellow". A first color (e.g., "yellow") can correspond to a "warning" notification. Alternatively or additionally, the second color can be "red. The second color (e.g., "red") can correspond to a "failure" notification.

In the operating position, the first end and the second section can be arranged outside the light tunnel. Alternatively or additionally, in the first fault state, the second section can be arranged outside the light tunnel. Alternatively or additionally, in the second failure state, the first section can be arranged outside the light tunnel.

According to a second aspect, a system for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition is provided. The system comprises a device according to the first aspect. Alternatively, the system comprises at least two devices according to the first aspect, wherein the light tunnels of the at least two devices are arranged in mutual alignment. The system further comprises a light source, which is designed to emit a light beam (for example a needle beam or a laser beam) into the light tunnel or into at least two mutually aligned light tunnels. Furthermore, the system comprises a detection unit, which is configured to detect the light beam. The light tunnel or at least two aligned light tunnels (preferably along the light beam) are arranged between the light source and the detection unit. .

The at least two devices can each include a longitudinally movable spool valve. The longitudinal axes of the longitudinally movable slide valves can run at a distance and in parallel.

Alternatively or additionally, the longitudinal axis of the or each longitudinally movable slide valve can be arranged transversely (preferably perpendicularly) or at an angle (preferably 90 °) to the longitudinal axis determined by the light tunnel.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least two devices can each comprise a pivotally movable slide valve. The pivot axes of the pivotally movable spool valves can be parallel or coaxial (i.e. identical).

Alternatively or additionally, the pivot axis of the or each pivotally movable spool valve can be arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the light tunnel.

The detection unit can be configured to: the brightness and/or intensity and/or color of the light beam in the light tunnel and/or the change in brightness and/or intensity and/or color of the light beam in the light tunnel. Alternatively, the detection unit can be configured for: at least two steps of the brightness and/or intensity and/or color of the light beam in the light tunnel and/or two steps of the brightness and/or intensity and/or color change of the light beam in the light tunnel are detected.

Furthermore, the detection unit can be configured to output at least one warning signal depending on the detected brightness and/or intensity and/or color of the light beam. Alternatively or additionally, the detection unit can furthermore be designed to separate the power supply optionally from the circuit or the at least two circuits.

The at least one warning signal can comprise two differently colored indicia and/or two differently colored luminescent signals, which are output in dependence on the detected two steps.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows that:

fig. 1 a first embodiment of an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition;

FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition;

fig. 3A to 3C show a second exemplary embodiment of the device in the operating state, in the first error state or in the second error state, respectively;

fig. 4 is an embodiment of a system for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition, the system including at least one embodiment of the apparatus.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition, the apparatus being generally referred to by reference numeral 100.

The device 100 shown in fig. 1 comprises a surge arrester 110, for example a Gas arrester (english "Gas Discharge Tube" and "GDT"), and a longitudinally movable slide valve 112, which is pretensioned in the operating position by means of a tensioning device 114, in particular a spring. The longitudinally movable slide valve 112 is locked in the operating position by means of a heat-sensitive material 116 (for example, solder) at the surge arrester 110, so that a first end of the slide valve (optionally having two sections 122, 124) leaves a light tunnel 120.

When the surge arrester is heated, in particular as a result of an overload of the circuit connected, for example, in parallel with the surge arrester 110, the temperature-sensitive material 116 undergoes a phase change. For example, the solder can be heated beyond its melting point. Due to the change in state of aggregation of the heat sensitive material 116, the prestressing of the longitudinally movable spool valve 112 is relieved. The slide 112 is now moved along its longitudinal axis by means of the tensioning device 114, for example a spring, and in the fault position it at least partially covers the light tunnel 120 by means of its first end (optionally having two sections 122, 124). At a light sensor (not shown in fig. 1) spatially separated from the device 100, a change in brightness, light intensity and/or color of the light beam that can be conducted through the light tunnel 120 indicates a fault.

By locking the slide valve 112 (also called "mechanical element") by means of a heat-sensitive material 116, which has a reduced viscosity or adhesive force when the temperature rises, a thermal overload can be detected by means of a subsequent reading.

The slide valve 112 (e.g., a lever) is mechanically pretensioned and locked (e.g., fixed) by means of a heat-sensitive material 116 to the surge arrester 110 to be monitored, e.g., a GDT.

Variations of each embodiment can implement the spool valve 112 as a linear spool valve or a pivoting spool valve (also referred to as a lever) or other mechanical element.

The heat sensitive material 116 can for example consist of a thermoplastic, glue, wax or solder.

In the case of a temperature, which is determined, for example, by a phase transition of the temperature-sensitive material 116, which can be attributed to an overload of the surge arrester 110 (for example GDT) or of the circuit (preferably in parallel with the surge arrester 110), the locking is released and the mechanical element 112 can be moved and can, for example, interrupt the light beam in the light tunnel 120, optionally in addition to actuating the switch (for example to open the surge arrester 110 or short-circuit it).

In one embodiment, for example, the transition temperature (i.e., trigger temperature) of the thermally sensitive material 116 can correspond to a trigger characteristic (e.g., trigger temperature) of a shorting device, such as a shorting bar (also referred to in technical terms as a "fail-safe-B ü gel"). It is thus possible to display and remotely report the triggering of a short-circuit device attached at the surge arrester 110, for example a GDT, in an electrically isolated and without additional auxiliary voltage.

The short-circuiting device can comprise a switch made of a shape memory alloy.

The short-circuit device can cause the arc in the GDT to extinguish.

Alternatively or additionally, the disconnection device or the fuse device can lead to the overvoltage arrester 110 being electrically isolated from the circuit, the overvoltage arrester 110 being used for overvoltage protection of the circuit.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition, the apparatus being generally referred to by reference numeral 100. The second exemplary embodiment can be implemented separately or as an extension of the first exemplary embodiment.

Features (e.g., components or members) that are identical to or replaceable with those of fig. 1 are identified with the same reference numerals.

The device 100 shown in fig. 2 comprises a surge arrester 100, for example a GDT, and a longitudinally movable slide valve 112, which is mechanically and/or thermally connected to the surge arrester 110 by means of two thermally

sensitive materials

116, 118. In the operating position, the slide valve 112 is pretensioned by a tensioning device 114, for example a spring. The first temperature-sensitive material 116 locks the slide valve 112 in an operating state, which corresponds for example to an operating state of the circuit and/or of the surge arrester 110. For example, the transverse webs 115 at the slide valve 112 are connected to the surge arrester 110 by means of a thermally sensitive material 116 in a material-locking manner.

In addition, in the operating position, the slide valve 112 is guided through the second heat-sensitive material 118 without being mechanically or materially connected thereto. The spool valve 112 is able to slide through the second heat sensitive material 118, e.g., freely or at least with low friction, in a direction defined by its longitudinal axis. Alternatively or additionally, the second temperature sensitive material 118 includes a through-opening having an inner diameter or transverse dimension greater than an outer diameter or transverse dimension of the spool valve 112.

The first end of the spool 112 includes a translucent first section 122 and an opaque second section 124.

At a second end 113 of the slide 112 opposite the first end, the slide 112 widens, preferably in order to support the second end 113 in a form-locking manner at the second heat-sensitive material 118 in the first error position.

In the operating position, the first section 122 is arranged outside the light tunnel 120, for example at a distance L1 (at 126) from the light tunnel 120, preferably from the opposite side of the light tunnel 122. Alternatively or additionally, the spacing between the second thermally sensitive material 118 and the second end 113 can determine the length L1.

For example, the transverse dimension or diameter of the spool valve 112 at the second end 113 is greater than the outer diameter or transverse dimension (of preferably constant cross section) of the spool valve 112 between the second section 124 of the first end and the second end 113, and/or greater than the inner diameter or transverse dimension (of preferably constant cross section) of the through-going cutout in the second heat sensitive material 118.

The second temperature sensitive material 118 can extend in the longitudinal direction of the spool valve 112 over a length L2 indicated by reference numeral 128. In fig. 2, the section of the slide valve 112 determined by the lengths L1 and L2 is designated by the

reference numeral

126 or 128.

In the operating state, the first section 122 at the first end of the spool 122 is spaced apart from the light tunnel 120. In the operational state, the light tunnel 120 remains clear. In the second embodiment, the spacing L1 between the second end 113 of the spool valve 112 and the second heat sensitive material 118 at 126 on the left side in fig. 2 corresponds to the spacing L1 between the midpoint of the first segment 122 at the first end of the spool valve 112 on the right side in fig. 2 and the side of the light tunnel 120 distal from the first end of the spool valve 112.

Fig. 3A, 3B and 3C show variants of the second embodiment of the device 100 in the operating state and in the first and second fault states. Features (e.g., components) that are identical to or replaceable with those of fig. 2 are identified with the same reference numerals.

The variant of the second embodiment of the device 100 shown in fig. 3A differs from the variant of the second embodiment shown in fig. 2 in the operating state in that a distance L1 is determined from the midpoint of the first section 122 and of the light tunnel 120, respectively, at the first end of the slide valve 112 on the right in fig. 3A at 126.

Fig. 3B shows a second embodiment of the device 100 in a first failed bit state. Due to the thermal contact of the first heat sensitive material 116 (e.g. solder) with the surge arrester 110, the first heat sensitive material 116 has undergone a phase change, e.g. the solder has melted. Due to the phase change of the first heat-sensitive material 116, the locking of the slide valve 112 by means of the transverse bridge piece 115 has been released by the surge arrester 110, and due to the prestress of the tensioning device 114 (for example a spring), the slide valve 112 has moved a distance L1 (not shown in fig. 3B) into the light beam falling through the light tunnel 120. A translucent first section 122 covers the light tunnel 120.

The widened second end 113 of the spool valve 112 prevents the spool valve 112 from passing through the second heat sensitive material 118 before it changes phase. The tensioning device 114 (e.g., a spring) is held in the first failure state pre-tensioned with a pre-stress that is, for example, smaller than the pre-stress in the operating state.

Fig. 3C shows a second embodiment of the device 100 in a second failed bit state. Due to the thermal contact between the surge arrester 110 and the second heat sensitive material 118, this heat sensitive material has undergone a phase change, for example the viscosity of the second solder has decreased or it melts at a higher melting temperature than the melting temperature of the first heat sensitive material. Due to the still remaining prestress of the tensioning unit 114, the widened second end 113 of the slide valve 112 has moved along the path L2 at 128 through the, for example, liquefied second heat-sensitive material 118. An opaque second section 124 at the first end of the spool 112 completely obscures the light tunnel 120. Complete shadowing can correspond to a grating interrupting the passage of light through the light tunnel.

Preferably, the spool valve 112 for reporting (e.g., for display) a load and/or overload according to the second embodiment moves according to two temperature steps. In the case of a first load of the surge arrester 110 (e.g., GDT), which is greater than the load in the operating state with the corresponding heat generation, a first step (e.g., "warm") is preferably triggered in the warning state. At this first transition temperature, the slider 112 is detached from the overvoltage conductor 110, e.g., GDT, by softening of a first thermally sensitive material 116, e.g., a thermoplastic, wax, glue or solder.

Since the slide valve 112 is guided through the block of second heat sensitive material 118, which has for example a second trigger temperature or a second transition temperature, which is greater than the first transition temperature, the slide valve 112 is first stopped after the distance L1, because the end 113 having a larger diameter than the diameter of the main part or rod of the slide valve 112 does not pass through the through-going indentation in the block of second heat sensitive material. Preferably, in the first fault position, the main portion of the spool valve 112 extends between the second end 113 and a second section 124 of the first end of the spool valve 112 (particularly along the section of the spool valve 112 indicated at 126 or 128 at the left side in fig. 3A by L1 and L2) in the block of the second heat sensitive material 118, or between the block and the light tunnel 120.

Light propagation in the light tunnel 120 is affected by a translucent first section 122 (also referred to as a first region), e.g., a colored first section 122. These influences can be evaluated correspondingly by the receiving unit and displayed, for example, as an overvoltage protection state (e.g., as a "yellow" state or warning state).

A temperature step (e.g., "hot") higher than the first transition temperature (e.g., "warm") loosens or liquefies the pieces of the second heat sensitive material 118, thereby enabling the spool valve 112 to move further in the direction of the second failed state. This results in the light tunnel 120 being affected by the second section 124 (also referred to as the second region). For example, the light tunnel 120 is opaque or closed in the second failure state, i.e. the grating through the light tunnel 120 is interrupted. Alternatively or additionally, in the second failure state, the light tunnel 120 is only transparent to light colors different from the first failure state. The receiving unit is able to detect this change and display a fault condition (also known as a failure condition) or a "red" condition.

Alternatively or additionally, the first fault state and the second fault state (which can correspond to a warning state or a failure state of the overvoltage protection) can be displayed directly as color markings at a window of the device 100.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a system for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection status. System 400 includes at least one embodiment of device 100.

In the case of a plurality of devices 100, the devices are arranged (e.g., on a common support rail, particularly a top hat rail) such that the light tunnels 120 of all of the devices 100 are aligned.

The device 100 or the plurality of devices 100 is arranged between the light source 410 and the receiving unit 412 such that (e.g. in the operational state and/or in the first failure state) the light beam 414 extends through the light tunnel 120 or the aligned light tunnel 120. Preferably, the light source 410 and the receiving unit 412 are arranged on the same support track as the device 100 or the plurality of devices 100.

Optionally, the device 100 comprises the functionality of the light source 410 at a first end of the system 400, and/or the device 100 comprises the functionality of the receiving unit 412 at a second end of the system 400 opposite the first end.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be used instead. In addition, various modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

Device 100

Surge arrester 110

Spool valve 112

Widened end 113 of the slide valve

Tensioning device, preferably spring 114

Transverse bridge piece 115 at the slide valve

First thermosensitive material 116

Second thermally sensitive material 118

Light tunnel 120

A first, preferably translucent, section 122 at a first end of the spool valve

Second, preferably opaque, section 124 at the first end of the spool valve

First route L1126

Second route L2128

System 400

Light source 410

Receiving unit 412

A light beam 414.

Claims

1. Apparatus (100) for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition, comprising:

a surge arrester (110) for overvoltage protection of the circuit;

a slide valve (112) which is movable transversely to the light tunnel (120) between an operating position in which the first end (122, 124) is arranged outside the light tunnel (120) and at least one fault position in which the first end (122, 124) is arranged at least in sections in the light tunnel (120);

a tensioning device (114) which is designed to pretension the slide valve (112) in the operating position by means of a prestressing force in the direction of the at least one fault position; and

at least one heat-sensitive material (116, 118) which, in the operating position, blocks a movement of the spool valve (112) against the prestress, wherein the at least one heat-sensitive material (116, 118) is in thermal contact with the surge arrester (110) and is designed to undergo a phase change when heated, which phase change releases the movement of the spool valve (112) into the at least one fault position.

2. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the surge arrester (110) comprises a spark gap; gas discharger, GDT; a voltage dependent resistor; and/or suppressor diodes.

3. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the phase change of the at least one heat sensitive material (116, 118) comprises a first order phase change, a second order phase change, or a glass transition.

4. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat sensitive material (116, 118) comprises a thermoplastic, an adhesive, a wax, or a solder.

5. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the surge arrester (110) comprises a disconnection device or a short-circuit device configured to disconnect or short-circuit the surge arrester from the circuit in the fault state.

6. The apparatus (100) of claim 5, wherein the disconnect device or the short circuit device is mechanically coupled with the spool valve (112).

7. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the tensioning device (114) comprises a spring element.

8. The apparatus (100) of claim 7, wherein the tensioning device (114) comprises a coil spring and/or a torsion spring.

9. The apparatus (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermally sensitive material (116, 118) comprises a first thermally sensitive material (116) and a second thermally sensitive material (118),

wherein the first temperature-sensitive material (116) locks the movement of the spool valve (112) against the prestress in the operating state, and wherein the first temperature-sensitive material (116) and/or its thermal connection to the surge arrester (110) is designed to undergo a first phase change at a first point in time, which phase change releases the movement of the spool valve (112) from the operating state into a first fault state, and

wherein the second heat-sensitive material (118) locks the movement of the spool valve (112) against the prestress in the first fault state, and wherein the second heat-sensitive material (118) and/or its thermal connection to the surge arrester (110) is designed to undergo a second phase change at a second point in time which is later than the first point in time, the second phase change releasing the movement of the spool valve (112) from the first fault state into a second fault state.

10. The apparatus (100) of claim 9,

-a first transition temperature of a first phase change of the first heat sensitive material (116) is less than a second transition temperature of a second phase change of the second heat sensitive material (118), and/or

-a first thermal conductivity of thermal contacts of the first heat sensitive material (116) is greater than a second thermal conductivity of thermal contacts of the second heat sensitive material (118), and/or

-a first heat capacity of the first heat sensitive material (116) is smaller than a second heat capacity of the second heat sensitive material (118).

11. The apparatus (100) of claim 10, wherein the first end (122, 124) facing the light tunnel (120) comprises a first section (122) and a second section (124), and wherein in the first failure state the first section (122) is arranged in the light tunnel (120) and in the second failure state the second section (124) is arranged in the light tunnel (120), wherein a first filtering property of the first section (122) is different from a second filtering property of the second section (124).

12. The apparatus (100) of claim 11, wherein the first filtering property comprises translucency and the second filtering property comprises opacity, or wherein the first filtering property relates to a first color and the second filtering property relates to a second color different from the first color.

13. A system (400) for overvoltage protection and for reporting an overvoltage protection condition, comprising:

-one device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or at least two devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the light tunnels (120) of which are arranged in an aligned manner;

-a light source (410) configured for emitting a light beam (414) into the light tunnel (120) or at least two aligned light tunnels (120); and

a detection unit (412) configured for detecting the light beam (414),

wherein the light tunnel (120) or the at least two aligned light tunnels (120) are arranged between the light source (410) and the detection unit (412).

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the detection unit (412) is configured for detecting a change in brightness, intensity and/or color of the light beam (414) in the light tunnel (120).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the detection unit (412) is configured for detecting at least two steps of a change in brightness, intensity and/or color of the light beam (414) in the light tunnel (120).

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the detection unit (412) is further configured for, depending on the detected brightness, intensity and/or color of the light beam (414):

-outputting at least one warning signal; and/or

-separating a power supply from the circuit or the at least two circuits.

17. The system of claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least one warning signal comprises two differently colored indicia and/or two differently colored luminescent signals, the luminescent signals being output in response to the detected two steps, respectively.