EP2409310B1 - Simplified conductor for electrical switchgear and electrical switchgear comprising such a conductor - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates mainly to a conductor for electrical equipment, and in particular to a movable contact for disconnector for transmission and distribution of high voltage electrical energy installations in the open air, and more generally to a switch for transmission installations and distributing high voltage electrical energy in the open air.

A high voltage substation comprises in particular a set of circuit breakers and disconnectors.

The disconnector in a substation has a safety function, which is opened after the circuit breaker has been opened, making any intervention on the substation safe.

The disconnector comprises, in known manner, a movable contact rotated about an axis and a fixed contact. When the disconnector is closed, the movable contact and the fixed contact are in mechanical and electrical contact.

A high-voltage disconnector of known type comprises in known manner a movable contact about an axis, the latter being substantially horizontal when the disconnector is closed and substantially vertical when the disconnector is open. The movable contact is formed by a set of interconnected pieces defining an air gap, in which a fixed contact is housed when the moving contact is moved. The parts of the movable contact are fixed to each other by screw-nut assemblies, copper parts to ensure contact are also reported on the parts of the through contacts. The particular structure of the fixed contact provides mechanical pinching and electrodynamic pinching of the movable contact by the fixed contact when the moving contact comes into contact therewith.

This disconnector is entirely satisfactory in terms of operational safety and current conducting efficiency. However, the realization of the moving contact requires the implementation of many parts assembled.

The patent EP 0 203 373 discloses a disconnector for medium voltage electrical equipment having a fixed contact and a movable contact. As before, the structure of the contacts is relatively complex.

The document CH526855 discloses an electrical conductor having a tube on which are diametrically opposed contacts, the contacts being fixed to the tube by screws.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide simplified electrical apparatus with respect to the apparatus of the state of the art, more particularly to provide a high-voltage disconnector of simplified design.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The previously stated purpose is attained by a conductor for electrical equipment according to claim 1. It includes in particular at least one electrically conductive support element and at least two contact elements for electrically contacting, the support element having housings for the contact elements in which the contact elements are introduced by elastically deforming the support element and are maintained in these by releasing the elastic deformation.

In other words, the parts of the conductor intended to come into contact with at least one other contact of the electrical equipment are held by pinching in housings made in a support piece also electrically conductive.

The inventors have found that a pinch hold was sufficient to make conductors for electrical equipment offering great robustness and the ability to conduct the current required. The realization of the conductor according to the present invention then no longer requires screw-nut assemblies or bores. Its structure is very simple. In addition, its cost is reduced.

This conductor is particularly suitable for producing a movable contact for a disconnector.

Advantageously, the structure of the support element is such that it facilitates the opening and closing of the grooves to avoid any plastic deformation, allowing easy replacement of the contacts without deterioration of the moving contact.

Preferably, the structure of the fixed contact is such that it allows the appearance of a loop effect allowing the occurrence of an electrodynamic pinch phenomenon reinforcing the maintenance by pinching of the contact elements by the support element.

The main subject of the present invention is thus a conductor for electrical equipment comprising a first electrically conductive support element with a longitudinal axis and at least two electrical contact elements intended to come into contact, the support element having a recessed cylindrical shape provided on its outer periphery of at least two housings receiving the contact elements, said housings being arranged substantially symmetrically, wherein the contact elements are held in the housing by clamping, said contact elements having free ends extending transversely out housing, said contact elements being introduced into the housing by elastically deforming the support member and being held in the housing by releasing the elastic deformation.

The section of the support member may be defined by a first and a second arc connected at their ends at the housing, and wherein each housing is formed by a groove extending longitudinally over at least a portion of the length of the housing. the support element, each groove being delimited by two lateral edges connecting to a bottom, each arc being connected to a lateral edge of each groove, bringing the arcs together towards each other by elastic deformation causing the edges to move away from each other; side of each groove allowing the introduction of the contact elements into the grooves and a distance from the arcs from one another to a return to a substantially undistorted position causing the pinching of the elements of contact in the grooves and their maintenance therein.

Each lateral edge of a groove is advantageously connected to the bottom of the groove by a thinned zone so as to form an axis of rotation about which the lateral edge will pivot during the application of a force on the arches.

Each arc advantageously comprises a less rigid median zone surrounded by two more rigid portions, said stiffer portions forming levers pivoting around the thinned connection zone of the lateral edge of the groove to which they are connected.

The conductor according to the invention may comprise means for transversely stiffening the support element so as to avoid loosening of the nip. The means for stiffening are, for example formed by a plate attached to the free end of the support member on the first and second arc so as to immobilize them relative to each other in a pinch position of contact elements.

The plate is for example fixed by means of bolts screwed into bores made in the arches. In an exemplary embodiment, each bore is delimited by a pair of longitudinal ribs projecting from the inner edge of an arc, said longitudinal ribs being bent towards one another.

A clearance may be provided between the bottom of each groove and the end of the contact element vis-à-vis it contains. Reminder means resilient may be disposed in each groove between the bottom and the contact element.

The support element is for example made by extrusion, for example aluminum alloy.

The contact elements have, for example, the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose ends intended to come into contact with the fixed contact comprise a radius of curvature.

The conductor may form a movable contact of a disconnector, the support member having a first longitudinal end intended to be articulated on an insulating support, and a second longitudinal end at least at which the grooves are located.

The present invention also relates to an electrical apparatus comprising at least one conductor according to the present invention, intended to come into contact with at least one contact of the apparatus.

The conductor can be mobile and cooperate with at least one fixed contact or be fixed and cooperate with at least one moving contact.

In a variant, the conductor can be fixed and bring into contact two contacts of the apparatus.

The contact (s) with which the driver comes into contact has (for example) a generally U-shape.

The electrical equipment according to the present invention may comprise means able to apply a force on each arc tending to bring them closer to each other. allow at least temporary release of the contact elements.

In the case where the electrical equipment according to the present invention forms a disconnector, the conductor can form a movable contact and having at least one fixed contact, the support element being articulated on an insulating support by a first longitudinal end and carrying the contact elements at least at its second longitudinal end intended to come into contact with the at least one fixed contact.

For example, each branch of the fixed contact is extended by an inwardly folded tab so as to be substantially parallel to the branch of the U to which it is attached, said tab being intended to come into mechanical contact with at least one element of the contact of the mobile contact.

Returning means are advantageously interposed between the tab and the branch to which it is attached to bias the tab inward towards the moving contact when it is in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un exemple de réalisation d'un conducteur selon la présente invention
• la figure 2A est une vue en perspective de l'élément support seul du conducteur de la figure 1 à l'état non déformé,
• la figure 2B est une vue de face de l'élément support seul du conducteur de la figure 1 à l'état déformé,
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'une vue de face d'un détail d'un sectionneur dans lequel le conducteur selon la présente invention peut être utilisé,
• la figure 4A est une vue de côté d'un exemple de réalisation d'un sectionneur selon la présente invention en position fermée,
• la figure 4B est une vue de côté du sectionneur de la figure 4A en position ouverte,
• les figures 5A et 5B sont des vues agrandies du côté droit et de face du sectionneur des figures 4A et 4B respectivement,
• la figure 6 est une vue agrandie de la figure 5B,
• la figure 7 est une vue de face d'un autre exemple de réalisation d'un conducteur selon la présente invention.

The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows and the drawings in appendices in which:

• the figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a conductor according to the present invention
• the Figure 2A is a perspective view of the only support element of the driver of the figure 1 in the undeformed state,
• the Figure 2B is a front view of the only support element of the driver of the figure 1 in the deformed state,
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation of a front view of a detail of a disconnector in which the conductor according to the present invention can be used,
• the Figure 4A is a side view of an embodiment of a disconnector according to the present invention in the closed position,
• the Figure 4B is a side view of the disconnector of the Figure 4A in open position,
• the Figures 5A and 5B are enlarged views of the right and front side of the disconnector Figures 4A and 4B respectively,
• the figure 6 is an enlarged view of the Figure 5B ,
• the figure 7 is a front view of another embodiment of a conductor according to the present invention.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the conductor according to the present invention will be described in its implementation in a disconnector. However, it is understood that the conductor according to the present invention can be implemented in any type of electrical equipment in which a conductor is required. In addition, the conductor is described as mobile, but it is understood that a fixed conductor is not beyond the scope of the present invention.

On the Figures 4A and 4B we can see an example of an isolator S to which the driver can apply. The disconnector is shown in the closed position. The disconnector S comprises a movable contact 2 formed by the conductor according to the present invention, two fixed contacts 4 and insulating supports 8, 10. The movable contact 2 is hingedly mounted on the insulating support 8, a fixed contact 4 is fixedly mounted on an insulating support 8 and the other fixed contact 4 is fixedly mounted on the support 10.

It is understood that the present invention applies to a disconnector comprising a single fixed contact.

The movable contact 2 is able to pivot about an axis substantially orthogonal to the plane of the sheet, the movable contact can then move from a substantially horizontal position (position shown in FIG. Figure 4A ) when the disconnector is in the closed state at a substantially vertical position (position shown on the Figure 4B ) when the disconnector S is open.

In the example shown, the insulating support 8 of the movable contact 2 is formed of two columns 8.1, 8.2 supporting the articulation mechanism of the movable contact 2.

The operating mechanism of the disconnector is of known type and will not be described in detail. In the example shown, it comprises a ribbon spring spiral intended to cause balancing of the disconnector blade. The insulating column 8.1 also forms a control rod for controlling the movement of the moving contact.

The moving contact 2 is electrically connected to the electrical distribution network by a connection 12 symbolized on the left of the disconnector and the fixed contacts 4 are connected to the electrical distribution network by a connection 13 symbolized on the right of the disconnector.

We recall that a disconnector is associated with a circuit breaker, the disconnector having little power cut.

The disconnector represented on Figures 4A and 4B comprises two fixed contacts 4, each intended to receive one end of the movable contact. The two fixed contacts 4 being of similar structure, we would describe only one in detail.

The fixed contact 4, particularly visible on the figures 3 , 5A and 5B , has substantially a U-section whose two substantially parallel branches are electrically conductive, these two branches define an air gap in which is positioned the movable contact when the disconnector is in the closed position, the electrical conduction occurring between the movable contact and parallel branches. The fixed contact 4 will be described in detail in the following description.

We will now describe in detail the mobile contact according to the present invention in relation to the Figures 1 to 3 more particularly.

The movable contact 2 comprises a first support element 14 having the shape of a rod articulated by a first longitudinal end 14.1 on the first insulating support 8. The support element 14 has a second longitudinal end 14.2 opposite the first end 14.1 provided with 16.1, 16.2 contact elements intended to cooperate with a fixed contact 4. In the particular example shown, the support element 14 also comprises at the first longitudinal end 14.1 contact elements to cooperate with the other fixed contact 4 arranged on the support 8.

In the example shown, the support element 14 has a cylindrical shape of Y axis with a substantially ellipsoidal cross section.

For the rest of the description, we define the X and Z axes, the X axis being the axis directed horizontally on the Figure 2B and the axis being the axis directed vertically on the Figure 2B .

The support element comprises housings receiving the contact elements. The housings 20, 21 are made in the form of two grooves 20, 21 on the outer periphery of the cylinder, aligned on the X axis and arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry P, the grooves being open towards the outside.

Each groove 20, 21 has two lateral edges 20.1, 20.2 and 21.1, 21.2 respectively, the lateral edge 20.1 connecting to the lateral edge 21.1 by an arc portion 22 and the lateral edge 20.2 connecting to the lateral edge 21.2 by an arc portion 23.

As can be seen on the figure 1 , the grooves 20, 21 extend over the entire length of the support member 14. This structure allows a simple embodiment by extrusion, and a cut to the desired length. In addition, this embodiment makes it possible to have a substantially constant conducting section.

It is understood that a support element having grooves only at its second longitudinal end does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, and as can be seen on the figure 1 , the contact elements 16.1, 16.2 are arranged in the grooves 20, 21 and are held by gripping between the edges 20.1, 20.2 and 21.1, 21.2, at a first end, their second end extending out of the grooves.

The grooves 20, 21 have a U-shaped cross section substantially corresponding to the outer profile of the contact elements and ensuring the maintenance thereof as we will see later. In the example shown, the contact elements 16.1, 16.2 bear against the bottom of the grooves.

The contact elements 16 are advantageously flat and have a radius of curvature at the ends penetrating into the grooves and ends intended to come into contact with the fixed contact, these ends extending out of the grooves.

We will now explain how such a pinch is obtained.

By applying a force F1 at the central zones of the arcs 22, 23 along the Z axis towards the inside of the cylinder so as to bring the arcs 22, 23 closer to each other, as is schematized on the figure 2 , the grooves 20, 21 tend to open, ie the edges 20.1, 20.2 and 21.1, 21.2 deviate from each other respectively. The opening of the grooves 20, 21 is symbolized by the angles α.

The contact elements 16.1, 16.2 are then introduced into the grooves 20, 21.

The force F1 is then released on the arches 22, 23, the grooves tend to return to their original shape, the edges 20.1, 20.2 and 21.1, 21.2 then approach each other respectively. The contact elements having a transverse dimension slightly greater than that of the grooves receiving them, the grooves do not resume their initial configuration, a reaction stress F2 is then exerted on the contact elements 16 so as to pinch them and to immobilize them inside the grooves. The contact elements are then secured to the support member 14 and this without using screw-nut assemblies or any other fastening mechanism. The F2 efforts thus obtained can reach several thousand Newtons. F1 is for example of the order of 7000N.

When applying the forces F1 on the arches 22, 23, the lateral edges 20.1, 20.2, 21.1, 21.1 substantially perform a rotational movement around pivot axes designated Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 respectively. Each axis Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 is located substantially at the junction between a lateral edge and the bottom of the corresponding groove.

In addition, the rotational movement of the lateral edges is advantageously facilitated by providing a thinning of the material at the junction between the side edge and the associated bottom. Thus the effort required to cause the pivoting of the lateral edge relative to the bottom of the groove is reduced, the risks of plastic deformation are also reduced.

In addition, arches 22, 23 are advantageously provided with a central zone 22.1, 23.1 thinned so as to facilitate the elastic deformation thereof. On the Figure 2B the support member 14 can be seen in a deformed state, the two parts of each arches on either side of the thinned central portion 22.1, 23.1 having pivoted with respect to the central portion.

Each arc portion then functions as an independent rigid lever associated with a side edge of a groove.

The values of the deformations applied to the support element, in particular those of the stresses F1, are limited to the area of elastic deformation of the support element so as to have a reversible deformation of the grooves. Thus the contact elements can be mounted and dismounted without deterioration of the mechanical properties of the support element.

The contact elements can suffer a wear by micro switching of the induced potentials in the de-energized lines by the proximity of the live lines, or wear due to the number of operations performed.

The removal of the contact elements is obtained by applying again a force F1 on the two arcs 22, 23 so as to bring them closer, causing the opening of the grooves, the contact elements can then be removed.

Means 24 (visible on the figure 6 ) to freeze the configuration of the cross section of the support member are also provided, eliminating any risk that the contact elements do not escape the grooves when applying an accidental force F1 on the support member. These means are formed, in the example shown, by a plate 26 fixed on the free end of the support element on both the upper arc and the lower arc so as to immobilize them relative to each other. to the other in the pinch position of the contact elements. In the example shown, the plate 26 is rectangular and is fixed at its four corners by four screws 27 to the two arches 22, 23. The screws 27 are advantageously self-tapping screws, simplifying the production of the support and bores 28 .

Each of the arcs comprises two bores 28 to receive the screws 27. In the example shown, the bores 28 are partially delimited by two longitudinal ribs projecting from the inner edge of the support element, curved towards one another. This shape allows the simple realization of the bores directly during the extrusion manufacturing of the support element. In addition, a material gain is obtained. But it is understood that one could achieve these bores by machining the support member.

The plate blocks deformation of the support member, and also provides electrical transfer to the priming horns 31 or two-electrode spark gaps during rotation of the support member for the residual currents.

In addition, there is provided stop means along the Y axis so as to limit the recoil movement of the support member 14 during the short circuit. These means are formed by the curved end 36.1 of the movable beam 36 of the movable contact, able to abut against the spark gaps 31.

In addition, thanks to the particular structure of the fixed contact, the maintenance of the contact elements in the grooves is further improved thanks to the effect of loop or "loop effect" due to the flow of current in the fixed contact. This circulation is schematized on the figures 3 and 6 .

The fixed contact 4 comprises a first U-shaped part 30, this part being fixed on the insulating support by its bottom 30.1, this part 30 comprises two substantially parallel branches 30, 2, 30, between which the mobile contact 2 is positioned.

Each branch 30.2, 30.3 is extended by a tab 32.2, 32.3 folded inwards and intended to come into contact with a contact element 16.12, 16.1 of the movable contact 2.

Elastic means 34, helical spring type, are advantageously provided between the tab 32.1, 32.3 and the branch 30.2, 30.3 respectively pushing the tab 32.1, 32.3 inwards, improving the electrical contact between the tab and the associated contact element .

In the example shown, the tabs 32.2, 32.3 are reported by screwing on the branches 30.2, 30.3 respectively. One could also provide to realize the branch and the leg of a single piece by folding. In this case, the parts 30.2, 30.3 will be doubled so that the looping effect tends to push the tabs 32.2, 32.3 towards the moving contact without folding the branches 302, 30.3 rearwardly, which would reduce the contact pressure. .

In the front view depicted on the figure 6 , we only see two contact elements and two branches of the contact, however on the side view of the Figure 5A it can be seen that the fixed contact 4 has four branches on either side, the movable contact 2 comprises two contact elements 16.1 and 16.2 on each side associated with each of the branches. The movable contact then comprises two contact elements whose length makes it possible to cover about six contact fingers in case of displacement by the short circuit along the Y axis, and the fixed contact comprises four U-shaped parts.

It is understood that fixed contacts comprising another number of pairs of contacts are not outside the scope of the present invention.

The support element is for example made of aluminum alloys, advantageously by extrusion.

The contact elements 16 and the tabs are for example silver-plated copper, the branches of the U are for example also made of aluminum alloys.

We will now explain the loop effect, we will limit ourselves to the circulation of the short-circuit current in the visible elements in the front view of the figure 3 .

dans laquelle l_c est la longueur totale de circuit d'un conducteur, l_i est la longueur d'un tronçon élémentaire rectiligne du circuit d'un conducteur, et f_i est la force d'attraction mutuelle de deux tronçons élémentaires parallèles (l_i et f_i correspondent respectivement à dl et df pour un tronçon élémentaire).This effect is based on the well-known electrotechnical principle of the elementary force exerted on a conductor when it is traversed by a current and when it is subjected to an induction field. On the basis of this principle, it is known that two parallel conductive elements d1 traversed in the same direction by a current I undergo a pulling force df which tends to bring them closer to one another, and which is proportional to the square of the current. Considering an electrical circuit consisting of two identical non-rectilinear conductors arranged substantially parallel to each other and traversed by the same current I, these two conductors attract each other with a force F _c which verifies the following relation: $$F_{\mathrm{VS}}=\frac{1}{l_{\mathrm{vs}}}\cdot {\displaystyle \underset{i=0}{\overset{\mathrm{not}}{\Sigma }}}{f}_i\cdot l_i$$

where l _c is the total circuit length of a conductor, _{i i} is the length of a straight elementary section of the circuit of a conductor, and f _i is the force of mutual attraction of two parallel elementary sections (l _i and f _i respectively correspond to dl and df for an elementary section).

It is also known that each element of a loop circuit (as a coil) traversed by a current I undergoes a force df tending to move the loop of the electric circuit.

When the disconnector is closed and a short-circuit current i flows from the moving contact to the fixed contact through the two contact elements, a current i1 flows in the contact element 16.1, then in the tab 32.2, then in branch 30.2; a current i2 flows in the contact element 16.2, in the contact tab 32.3 and in the branch 30.3. The currents i1 and i2 flow symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane P. The current i1 flows in the leg 32.2 and the leg 30.2, which causes the repulsion of the leg 32.2 and the leg 30.2 one of the other. Electromagnetic forces are thus created which tend to move the tab 32.2 and the branch 30.2 away from each other, the branch 30.2 being more rigid than the tab 32.2, there is a movement of the tab 32.2 towards the moving contact. 16.1 the stronger the short-circuit current is and the distance between the leg 32.2 and the branch 30.2 is small. This effect is used to obtain a pinch effect of movable contact 2 between the ends of the two tabs 32.2, 32.3 of the fixed contact.

The same phenomenon appears between tab 32.3 and 30.3.

On the other hand, the flow direction of the current i1 in the branch 30.2 is opposite to that in the leg 32.2, which causes a leg gap 32.2 and the leg 30.2, which also has the effect of moving the leg 32.2 to the inside. The same phenomenon appears between leg 32.3 and -branche 30.3.

There is therefore an appearance of forces designated F ₃ along the X axis, directed inward towards the plane P on the tabs 32.2 and 32.3 and transmitted to the contact elements 16.1, 16.2. These forces F3 tend to distance the arches 22, 23 from one another, which has the effect of increasing the nip of the contact elements by the grooves, their maintenance is thus further improved during the passage of the short current -circuit.

The forces F ₃ for pinching and blocking the moving contact in the gap of the fixed contact, which are dynamic forces in that they occur only in the presence of a short circuit, are all the more important. that the short-circuit current flowing in the contacts is high. It is therefore understood that after closure of the disconnector according to the invention, the maximum contact force between the fixed contact and the movable contact is provided only during a short circuit.

A horizontal abutment for the movable contact is also provided between the two electrodes of the spark gap 31.

The operation of the disconnector according to the present invention is similar to that of a disconnector of known type and will not be described in detail.

In the example shown, the moving contact is rigid, ie it does not deform under the application of constraints during the operation of the disconnector and the fixed contact is conformable, ie it is able to deform to adapt to the dimension of the moving contact during operation. This ability to deform is obtained thanks to the flexible tabs and the return springs. The size of the air gap increases when the moving contact enters the fixed contact and adapts to the transverse dimension of the moving contact, the electrical contact thus obtained is of very good quality.

However, it can be provided that it is the movable contact that is able to deform, in particular that is capable of modifying its transverse dimension, i.e. the distance separating the two ends of the contact elements oriented radially outwards.

On the figure 7 , we can see an embodiment of a conductor according to the present invention capable of varying its transverse dimension.

References used to describe the driver of the figure 1 will also be used to describe the driver of the figure 7 .

In this example, it is expected that the contact elements are able to be movable in the grooves that receive them.

For this, a clearance J is provided between the bottom of the groove and the end of the contact element vis-à-vis.

Thus, the transverse dimension D of the conductor can then be modified and can be adapted as a function of the dimension of the fixed contact.

Advantageously, an elastic return means 38, coil spring type, may be disposed between the bottom of the groove and the contact element to apply a force tending to bring the contact element out of the groove. Retaining means (not shown) are advantageously provided to prevent the contact element from emerging entirely from the groove.

We will now explain how such a conformation of the moving contact is obtained.

When the moving contact is going to penetrate the fixed contact, provision is made to apply forces F1 on the two arcs towards the inside of the support element so as to open the two grooves, the contact elements 16.1, 16.2 are then free to slide transversely in the grooves. When the moving contact effectively enters between the two legs of the fixed contact, the outer ends of the contact elements come into contact with the tabs and are pushed naturally towards the inside of the grooves, the transverse dimension of the moving contact is therefore reduced and adapted to that of the fixed contact. F1 efforts are released.

In the case where return means are arranged in the bottom of the grooves, they are compressed.

When the disconnector is open, it can be provided to apply the F1 forces again to allow the contact elements to slide outwardly under the effect of the return means.

To achieve such a conformation, it is also possible to deform the section of the support element in the direction of the contact elements by crushing, similar to the efforts F3. In this case, the adaptation of the movable contact to the dimension of the fixed contact also ensures a confirmation of the pinch since the crushing causes an increase of the forces F2.

The deformability of the moving contact makes it possible to simplify the fixed contact.

The means capable of applying the forces F1 may be provided at the means maintaining the support element in its pinch configuration of the contact elements.

As indicated above, the conductor according to the present invention can be implemented in any type of electrical equipment to ensure intermittent or continuous electrical contact. This can be set up in electrical equipment and then no longer moved. In this configuration, the conformability of the driver is particularly interesting. geometry of the driver permanently adapting to those of the elements with which it is connected.

In the case where the conductor is intended to electrically connect two parts of an electrical equipment, the conductor may comprise contact elements at its two longitudinal ends, the contact elements of one end being in contact with a part of the electrical equipment. electrical equipment and the elements of the other longitudinal end being in contact with the other part of the electrical equipment. In this case, the current flows in the longitudinal direction from one longitudinal end to another. In this embodiment, the presence of the grooves along the entire length of the support element is particularly advantageous.

The conductor can also be implemented so that the current flows from a contact element to the opposite contact element through the support member.

It is understood that in the case where the conductor is mobile, the present invention is not limited to a movable contact in rotation, but also applies to a movable contact in translation and a movable contact in translation and / or in translation. rotation.

It is understood that a conductor according to the present invention may comprise more than two contact elements.

In addition, the loop effect also appears when the driver is implemented otherwise than in a disconnector, as a moving contact.

The electrical apparatus according to the present invention is thus of simplified embodiment compared with those of the state of the art, in particular the disconnectors. Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly of the contact elements are simplified.

One could provide several parallel grooves on each side of the support member, to have the contact elements on several levels. In this case, it would provide a displacement of the movable contact by telescopic penetration in preference to a displacement by rotation.

Claims (17)

1. A conductor (2) for switchgear, comprising a conductive first support element (14) with a longitudinal axis (Y), and at least two contact elements (16.1, 16.2) adapted to make contact, the support element (14) having a hollow cylindrical shape formed, on its outer periphery, with at least two housings (20, 21) for receiving the contact elements (16.1, 16.2), said housings (20, 21) being disposed substantially symmetrically, wherein the contact elements (16.1, 16.2) are held in their housings (20, 21) by gripping action.
2. A conductor according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the support element (14) is defined by a first arcuate portion (22) and a second arcuate portion (23) that are joined at their ends at the level of the housings (20, 21), and wherein each housing (20, 21) consists of a groove that extends longitudinally over at least part of the length of the support element (14), each groove (20, 21) being defined by two lateral wall portions (20.1, 20.2; 21.1, 21.2) that are joined to a base portion, each arcuate portion (22, 23) being joined to a lateral wall portion (20.1, 20.2; 21.1, 21.2) of each groove (20, 21), whereby movement of the arcuate portions (22, 23) towards each other by elastic deformation causes the wall portions (20.1, 20.2; 21.1, 21.2) of each groove (20, 21) to move away from each other so as to enable contact elements (16.1, 16.2) to be introduced into the grooves (20, 21), and whereby movement of the arcuate portions (22, 23) away from each other to return towards a substantially undeformed position causes the contact elements (16.1, 16.2) to be gripped in the grooves (20, 21) and held therein.
3. A conductor according to claim 2, wherein each lateral wall portion (20.1, 20.2; 21.1, 21.2) of a groove (20, 21) is joined to the base portion of that groove (20, 21) through a zone of reduced thickness in such a way as to define an axis of rotation (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4) about which the lateral wall portion (20.1, 20.2; 21.1, 21.2) pivot when a force is applied on the arcuate portions (22, 23).
4. A conductor according to claim 3, wherein each arcuate portion (22, 23) has a middle zone (22.1, 23.1) of reduced stiffness flanked by two stiffer portions, said stiffer portions defining levers that can pivot about the connecting zone of reduced thickness of the lateral wall portion of the groove (20, 21) to which said stiffer portions are joined.
5. A conductor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means (24) for transversely stiffening the support element (14) so as to avoid relaxation of said gripping action.
6. A conductor according to claim 5 in combination with claim 2, wherein the stiffening means (24) consist of a plate (26) that is fastened to the free end of the support element on the first arcuate portion (22) and second arcuate portion (23), so as to immobilise the arcuate portions relative to each other in a position in which the contact elements (16.1, 16.2) are gripped.
7. A conductor according to claim 6, wherein the plate (26) is fastened by means of screws (27) screwed into bores (28) formed in the arcuate portions (22, 23), each bore (28) being defined by a pair of longitudinal ribs that project from the inner side of an arcuate portion (22, 23), said longitudinal grooves being curved towards each other.
8. A conductor according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a clearance is defined between the base portion of each groove and the contact element facing the base portion and contained in the groove.
9. A conductor according to the previous claim, having resilient biasing means disposed in each groove between the base portion thereof and the contact element.
10. A conductor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each contact element (16.1, 16.2) is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, of which the ends that are arranged to make contact with the stationary contact have a radius of curvature.
11. A conductor according to any one of claims 1 to 9 that constitutes a movable contact for a disconnector, the support element having a first longitudinal end that is arranged to be hinged on an insulating support, and a second longitudinal end, the grooves being situated at at least the second end.
12. Switchgear comprising at least one conductor according to any one of claims 2 to 11, arranged to make contact with at least one contact of the switchgear.
13. Switchgear according to the previous claim, wherein the conductor is movable and cooperates with at least one stationary contact, or wherein the conductor is stationary and cooperates with at least one movable contact or wherein the conductor is stationary and puts two contacts of the switchgear into contact with each other.
14. Switchgear according to claim 12 or 13, further including means for applying a force on each arcuate portion so as to tend to move the arcuate portions towards each other, whereby to enable the contact elements to be released at least provisionally.
15. Switchgear according to claim 13 constituting a disconnector, wherein the conductor is a movable contact (2), the disconnecor further including at least one stationary contact (4), the support element being hinged on an insulating support at a first longitudinal end of the support element, and carrying, at least at its second longitudinal end, the contact elements for making contact with the stationary contact.
16. Switchgear according to the previous claim, wherein each branch (30.2, 30.3) of said at least one stationary contact (4) is extended by a contact plate (32.2, 32.3) bent inwards so as to be substantially parallel to the branch (30.2, 30.3) of the U to which it is fastened, said contact plate (32.2, 32.3) being arranged to make mechanical contact with at least one contact element (16.1, 16.2) of the movable contact (2).
17. Switchgear according to the previous claim, wherein biasing means (34) are interposed between the contact plate (32.2, 32.3) and the branch (30.2, 30.3) to which it is fastened, so as to urge the contact plate (32.2, 32.3) inwardly towards the movable contact (2) when the movable contact is in position.

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