EP2577702B1 - Control device using electric motors for controlling a plurality of current switching devices - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of high voltage and more particularly to the control of current cut-off devices for powering or de-energizing portions of an electrical network.

These devices may be circuit breakers with protection function of the electrical network, disconnectors with isolation function of a circuit breaker or other device, a section of line to allow the operating personnel to access them safe or earthing switches for safety. These power cut-off devices comprise, in three-phase, three pairs of electrical contacts, each of the pairs comprising at least one movable electrical contact that is actuated during the closing or opening of the pair of electrical contacts. Closing or opening these pairs of electrical contacts can close or open the electrical circuit on which these devices are mounted. Actuation is via a motor that operates the movable contacts of all pairs of the same device power failure. Each engine assists only one power failure device. These power cutoff devices are grouped into bays, an electrical substation grouping several bays. The substations provide thus the junction between the different electrical networks to be able to "direct" the energy from the place of production to the place of consumption.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

For reasons of architecture and operation of the substation, the various power cut-off devices of a span are actuated in turn, while respecting an order given to respect the safety of the service, personnel and equipment. A cabinet located at the end of the span generally groups the control devices of all the power cut-off devices in the bay. An order can be given locally from the cabinet at the end of the span or remotely from a centralized control / command panel located several tens of kilometers from the substation.

The control of an engine requires electromechanical or electronic power components to manage the reversals of direction of rotation related to the opening or closing of the electrical contacts of the device cooperating with the engine, safety means to avoid false maneuvers and means to take into account orders given locally or remotely.

Existing solutions have many electronic or electromechanical components per power cut-off device, the safety circuits require a lot of wiring. For the monitoring of all these electronic or electromechanical components, it is necessary to add in plus a lot of materials like contactors, sensors etc. In addition, if one wants to be able to benefit from a regulation of the speed of rotation of the motors according to the progress of the contacts of the power cut-off devices, it is necessary to provide further components. The local acceleration of the path of an electrical contact of a disconnector makes it possible to reduce the generation of disturbances.

Another important point for safety is that it is not necessary that two power cut-off devices of the same bay can be operated simultaneously as this can lead to the loss of operation of the substation. But local or distant orders can lead to this simultaneous maneuver. In one assembly or two bar disconnectors frame a circuit breaker, this circuit breaker being associated with an earthing switch. When you want to close a busbar disconnector, you must first have the associated earthing switch open and the circuit breaker open. It is theoretically possible to simultaneously close the bar disconnect and the earthing switch while the circuit breaker is closed. There are electromechanical locking means between the bar disconnectors and the earthing switches but they take a few milliseconds to become operational. This duration corresponds to the time interval between an order given by an operator and its effect on the devices via a conventional human machine interface. But with a digital man-machine interface, this interval of time is much shorter and simultaneous activation becomes possible despite the locking means. This is very dangerous.

We have shown on the figure 1 , the mounting of the control device of a plurality of motors M1, M2, M3 maneuvers current switching devices mounted in the same bay of a substation. The power cut-off devices are not illustrated so as not to overload the figure.

Each of the motors M1, M2, M3 is mounted in the diagonal of a bridge P1, P2, P3 comprising in each of its four branches a power contactor. The power contactors are referenced K11, K12, K13, K14 for the bridge P1, K21, K22, K23, K24 for the bridge P2, K31, K32, K33, K34 for the bridge P3. A DC voltage V is applied across the other diagonal of each bridge P1, P2, P3. Two power contactors located in branches adjacent to a bridge, for example for the bridge P1 the power contactors K11 and K13 or K11 and K14 work in opposition, one being closed when the other is open. For this purpose, a pair of control means is provided for each of the bridges P1, P2, P3: these control means being referenced B1 _1-2 , B1 _3-4 for the bridge P1, B2 _1-2 , B2 _3-4 for bridge P2, B3 _1-2 , B3 _3-4 for bridge P3. Each of the control means of a pair simultaneously controls two power contactors placed in opposite branches of the same bridge. Thus, when in a bridge, for example P1, two opposite power contactors, for example K11 and K12, are closed and the two other power contactors, for example example K13 and K14, are open, the motor M1 rotates in one direction. When in the same bridge P1, the two opposite power contactors K11 and K12 are open and the other two power contactors, K13 and K14, are closed, the motor M1 rotates in the opposite direction.

This assembly requires four times more power contactors than motors. This assembly is bulky and therefore expensive. This circuit does not include regulation of the speed of the motors. Some manufacturers have associated electronic speed control with each of the engines. The size and cost is further increased.

Published patents also deal with the control of motors for actuating electrical contacts of power cut-off devices. The patent US 6,252,365 discloses an electronic microprocessor control circuit stopping an electric motor with a protection function. This electronic circuit does not provide neither the speed regulation nor the choice of the direction of rotation. This electronic circuit is dedicated to a single motor. For the control of several engines, it would therefore be necessary to multiply the number of microprocessors.

The patent US 6,531,841 An electromechanical actuator is operable to actuate a movable contact of a power failure apparatus including a motor associated with a control unit. The patent US 6,750,567 completes the previous patent by adding current and / or voltage measurement means between the power failure device and the network electric. Position sensors at the motor or at the power cut-off device are provided.

In these two patents, the problem of size and cost arises since one must multiply the number of control units to control several devices of power failure.

In the patent application 2004/0099639 each power failure device is associated with local control means. These local control means receiving control signals from remote control means.

In the patent application US 2005/0168891 the motor used to operate a circuit breaker is controlled by a complex electronic circuit, this electronic circuit being dedicated to a given motor.

Most of these documents only show electronic circuits dedicated to a single motor and these circuits are to be multiplied by the number of motors to be controlled, which leads to a particularly costly and cumbersome solution. The configuration in which the electronic circuit is in the vicinity of the power failure device poses reliability problems because the electronic circuit is subjected to climatic constraints in the external electrical stations.

The patent DE 3823574 discloses a control device of a group of devices for power failure through, for each device of power failure, a motor, this device comprising a single non-inverting contactor and several reversing contactors.

The patent application WO 2008/034467 discloses a compact circuit of a switching unit having three inverter contactors for controlling the direction of rotation of a three-phase motor.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is precisely to propose a device for controlling a plurality of power cut-off devices which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above, namely the cost and bulk since it reduces the number of electronic or electromechanical components involved.

One purpose is in particular to provide such a control device which is more reliable than conventional devices because, in particular, it does not allow simultaneous maneuvers of several power cut-off devices and it has fewer electronic components than in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to propose a device for controlling a plurality of current-breaking devices via a motor dedicated to each of the current-breaking devices in order to maneuver at least one moving contact in one direction or in the other. other so as to close or open at least one pair of electrical contacts that contributes to form this movable contact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for controlling a plurality of current-breaking devices via a motor dedicated to each of the current-breaking devices for operating a moving contact with an adjustable speed.

To achieve this, the present invention proposes to use a single inverter contactor controlled by control means in association with current switching means through the reversing contactor to the motor to operate the current cutoff device to maneuver.

More specifically, the present invention is a device for controlling a group of power cut through, for each power cut-off device, an operating motor according to claim 1. It comprises a single inverter contactor controlled by control means, intended to be connected to a power source motors and, moreover, means for switching a current from the power source and passing through the reversing contactor, the single reversing contactor being connected to the motors via the switching means.

The control means can control the reversing contactor pulse width modulation if it is static or all or nothing if it is electromechanical. The first solution allows a variation of the speed of the engine.

The control device further comprises means for conveying an order of opening or closing of a power cut-off device on the one hand, to the control means and, on the other hand, to the control means. switching, this order being local or remote.

The switching means may comprise an electromagnetic relay by motor, having an excitation circuit connected to the routing means and one or more sets of contacts able to assume a rest position or a working position when the relay is energized, one of these sets of contacts used to connect the motor to the reversing contactor when in working position.

A relay may have two sets of contacts for connecting the control means of the contactor inverter to limit switches associated with the power failure device.

A relay may have a set of contacts connected to the excitation circuit of the relay and intended to be connected to a source of self-supply of the relay via the control means of the reversing contactor, these control means of the reversing contactor driving the self-feeding or power failure of the relay self-supply, all relay contact sets swinging from the working position to the rest position when the reversing contactor control means cut off the self-power supply.

The means for routing an opening or closing order of a power cut-off device may comprise a block for each current-breaking device, each block comprising cascade branches, with two pairs of input branches. , and two output branches, the two input branches of a pair being intended to be connected at one end to a source of polarization and being connected at the other end to each other at a node connected to an output branch and to the control means of the reversing contactor, the two output branches being interconnected in a node and the switching means, one of the pairs used for opening a current cutoff apparatus and the other for closing the current cut-off device, in a pair, an input branch comprising a switching means controlled by a local command and the other input branch comprising a switching means controlled by a remote command.

In addition, it is preferable that each of the branches has a diode to avoid current returns to the polarization source.

It is preferably provided that the switching means controlled by a remote command has a galvanic isolation function such as an electromagnetic relay or an opto-coupler, the remote member intended to generate the remote command being generally brought to a voltage. very different from that of the control device.

To improve safety, means for measuring the current supplying the reversing contactor are provided, these means being integrated or not into the reversing contactor, this measurement being transmitted to the control means of the reversing contactor.

The control device may further include control means dedicated to the switching means controlled by a local command, these control means being intended to be connected to a human-machine interface external to the control device.

To gain compactness and practicality, it is preferable to mount at least the reversing contactor, the control means of the reversing contactor, the switching means on the same printed circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 montre un schéma d'un dispositif de commande, conforme à l'art antérieur, d'un groupe d'appareils de coupure de courant par l'intermédiaire, pour chaque appareil de coupure de courant, d'un moteur de manoeuvre ;
• la figure 2 montre un schéma d'un dispositif de commande, conforme à l'invention, d'un groupe d'appareils de coupure de courant par l'intermédiaire, pour chaque appareil de coupure de courant, d'un moteur de manoeuvre ;
• la figure 3 donne plus de détails sur le dispositif de commande objet de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 montre un schéma électrique d'un contacteur inverseur statique utilisable dans le dispositif de commande de l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments given, purely for illustrative purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 shows a diagram of a control device, according to the prior art, a group of current cutoff devices through, for each current cutoff device, an operating motor;
• the figure 2 shows a diagram of a control device, according to the invention, of a group of devices for power failure through, for each device of power failure, an operating motor;
• the figure 3 gives more details on the control device object of the invention;
• the figure 4 shows a circuit diagram of a static inverter contactor usable in the control device of the invention.

Well known structures are not shown in detail so as not to unnecessarily burden the present patent application.

Identical, similar or equivalent parts of the different figures described below bear the same numerical references so as to facilitate the passage from one figure to another.

The different parts shown in the figures are not necessarily in a uniform scale, to make the figures more readable.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

On the figure 2 there is shown a schematic single-line view of the control device of a group of current cutoff devices 21, 22, 23 located in particular in the same bay of a high voltage substation. These current cutoff devices 21, 22, 23 are represented in number of three. It can be disconnectors or circuit breakers for example. They each comprise at least one pair of electrical contacts P1, P2, P2 of which at least one of the electrical contacts c1, c2, c3 is movable. This pair of electrical contacts P1, P2, P2 can be in the open position or in the closed position. Accordingly, the corresponding power cut-off apparatus 21, 22, 23 is either open or closed. An electric motor M1, M2, M3 is provided to mechanically actuate the movable contact c1, c2, c3 of the pair of electrical contacts P1, P2, P3 to move it from the open position to the closed position or vice versa. There are as many electric motors M1, M2, M3 as current cutoff devices 21, 22, 23 to be controlled. These electric motors M1, M2, M3 are preferably DC motors.

There is provided a single inverter contactor 11, and further switching means R1, R2, R3. The single inverting contactor may for example be a static inverter contactor connected to control means 12, for example a microcontroller, to a DC voltage supply source V and to each of the motors M1, M2, M3 via the d switching R1, R2, R3. These switching means R1, R2, R3 allow directing the current from the inverter contactor 11 to the motor to be activated, when the control means 12 have activated the inverter contactor 11.

The use of a single inverter contactor 11 associated with the switching means R1, R2, R3 allows only one of the current cutoff devices of the group to be operated at a given moment. We obviously gain in reliability compared to the state of the art since the number of components is reduced.

In this context, a static contactor makes it possible to switch an electric current without recourse to mechanical or electromechanical elements. The term inverter means that, at the output of the reversing contactor 11, the polarities can be reversed so as to adjust the direction of rotation of the motor supplied by the reversing contactor. According to the direction of rotation of the motor M1, M2, M3, the pair of mechanically motor driven electrical contacts P1, P2, P3 is in the open or closed position. The reversing contactor 11 ensures the establishment or the power failure of the supply current of the motors M1, M2, M3.

In the case of a static inverter contactor 11, the control means 12 may be a microcontroller capable of delivering to the static inverter contactor 11 to activate it a pulse width modulated control signal (known by the acronym PWM for Pulse-Width Modulation in English), so as to adjust the rotational speed of the engine M1, M2, M3 fed. The static inverter contactor 11 comprises discrete power electronic components such as MOSFET or IGBT transistors or still thyristors. These components can be grouped together in at least one electronic unit to make an inverter bridge. We can refer to the figure 4 which shows a circuit diagram of such a static inverter contactor.

It is possible in a variant to use an integrated static inverter contactor such as the IRAMX circuit 16UP60A of the company International rectifier. This circuit allows the control of three-phase DC or AC motors up to 16 A with a maximum voltage of 600 V. Another suitable integrated circuit is the LMD 18200 from National Semiconductor. This circuit allows the control of three-phase DC or AC motors up to 3 A with a maximum voltage of 55 V. These two circuits also have the advantage of being fully integrated and having, in a native way, a measurement of current and an internal temperature measurement. This reduces the number of components to be implanted around the static reversing contactor. Reliability is further increased.

Instead of using a static reversing contactor, it is possible to use an electromechanical inverter contactor, such as that bearing the reference LC2 of Schneider Electric. A difference from the static inverter contactor is that it can not be controlled by pulse width modulation. It is controlled by all or nothing by the control means 12. As a result, the speed of the motors can not be adjusted, it is constant.

A static reversing contactor has a longer life than an electromechanical reversing contactor.

The switching means R1, R2, R3 can be made by a series of switching relay R1 to R3 electromagnetic, each of them having a set of contacts j11, j21, j31 cooperating with a motor M1, M2, M3 given and consequently with a current cut-off device 21, 22, 23 given. The set of contacts j11, j21, j31, said set of engine contacts can take a working position in which the contacts are touching and a rest position in which they are disjoint. The switching relays R1, R2, R3 do not have to be able to cut the current of the supply current of the motors M1, M2, M3 because, as will be seen below, they are always operated in the absence current flow in the motor contact set j11, j21, j31. Thus a given motor, for example M1, is associated with a single current cutoff device 21 on the one hand and a single given switch relay R1. The reversing contactor 11 is able to control each of the motors M1, M2, M3 but each in turn through the presence of switching relays R1, R2, R3.

We now refer to the figure 3 which more fully illustrates the control device object of the invention. On this figure 3 , there are only two engines M1, M2 to simplify the drawing, but of course there could be more. A given switching relay, for example R1, is excited when it receives an order for the maneuver of the associated power cut-off device 21, this operating order being either given locally at a man-machine interface 13 or is given remotely, this order in both cases passes through routing means 14 of the order, on the one hand to the control means 12 and on the other hand to the switching means R1, R2. This operating order contains information on the power cut-off device to be operated and information on the type of maneuver to be performed, that is to say the opening or closing of the power cut-off device.

These routing means 14 receiving an order maneuver ensure its routing to the switch relay concerned on the one hand and to the control means 12. The control means 12 thus acquire knowledge of the nature of the maneuver, that is, opening or closing the contacts.

The routing means 14 comprise a block B1, B2 associated with each switching relay R1, R2. The block B1 comprises a cascade of branches, with from upstream to downstream, two pairs π11, π12 of input branches (e11, e12), (e13, e14) and two output branches s1, s2 connected to one another. one part and switch relay R1 on the other hand. For the block B2, the pairs are referenced π21, π22, the input branches are called e21, e22, e23, e24 and the output branches s3, s4.

One of the pairs π11, π21 of input branches is intended to convey an opening order of the current cutoff apparatus 21, 22 and the other pair π12, π22 of input branches is intended to convey a closing order of the current breaking device 21, 22.

In each pair π11, π12, π21, π22 of input branches, one of the input branches e11 e13, e21, e23 is intended to convey a local command and the other input branch e12, e14, e22 , e24 a distant order. Each input branch e11 e13, e21, e23 intended to convey a local order is connected upstream to a first conductor of polarity 15.1. Each input branch e12 e14, e22, e24 intended to convey a remote command is connected upstream to a second conductor of polarity 15.2. The two polarity conductors 15.1, 15.2 are connected to the same polarization source 15 via inverter means 15.3. In one position, the inverter means 15.3 allows operation in local mode and in the other position it allows operation in remote mode. Also provided between the bias source 15 and the inverter means 15.3 is a polarization lock switch means 15.4. This switching means 15.4 is controlled by the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11, as will be seen below. For fail-safe setting when detecting a short-circuit current in the conductor connecting the DC voltage supply source V to the reversing contactor 11, it is possible to cut off any order possibility.

When the switching means 15.4 is open, it prevents the switching relays R1, R2 to be excited, regardless of the position of the inverter means 15.3.

The input branches e11, e13, e21, e23 intended to convey a local order each comprise a switching means I11, I13, I21, I23 controlled by a local command from the human machine interface 13 via dedicated control means. 17 to the switching means controlled by a local command. This switching means I11, I13, I21, I23 may be a semiconductor or electromechanical switch. These dedicated control means 17 have a digital input and an analog output. The inverter means 15.3 is controlled by the man-machine interface 13 via the dedicated control means 17.

The input branches e12, e14, e22, e24 intended to convey a remote command each comprise a switching means with a galvanic isolation function I12, I14, I22, I24. It can be an electromagnetic relay or an optocoupler. These switching means with galvanic isolation function I12, I14, I22, I24 are controlled by electrical signals from remote members (not shown) and often operate with voltage levels much higher than those of the object control device. of the invention.

Each input branch e11, e12, e13, e14, e21, e22, e23, e24 further comprises, in series with the switching means I11, I12, I13, I14, I21, I22, I23, I24, a diode d11 , d12, d13, d14, d21, d22, d23, d24. The two input branches e11, e12; e13, e14; e21, e22; e23, e24 of a pair are connected to each other at level of diodes d11, d12; d13, d14; d21, d22; d23, d24, which means that the two diodes d11, d12; d13, d14; d21, d22; d23, d24 of a pair have their anodes interconnected in a common node N1, N2, N3, N4. The cathodes of the diodes d11, d12, d13, d14, d21, d22, d23, d24 are respectively connected to the respective switching means I11, I12, I13, I14, I21, I22, I23, I24.

The common nodes N1, N2, N3, N4 are connected to the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11. These control means 12 then receive information on the power cutoff device to be operated and the nature of the maneuver to be performed. . From each common node N1, N2, N3, N4 is derived one of the output branches s1, s2, s3, s4. Each of the output branches s1, s2, s3, s4 is provided with a diode d1, d2, d3, d4 to avoid power returns. Two output branches s1, s2 and s3, s4 of the same block B1, B2 meet in a common node N10, N20 which is connected to a first terminal of the excitation circuit ex1, ex2 of the switching relay R1, Corresponding R2. Each excitation circuit ex1, ex2 has another terminal carried at a given potential V1, V2 (generally ground) via a latching switching means CV1, CV2 whose open or closed position depends on the position of other devices of power cut adjacent one that cooperates with the switch relay R1, R2 concerned.

It has been explained above that the various devices of power cut of the group could not be maneuvered that respecting a certain logic related to the positions of the neighboring power cut-off devices. A given switching relay can be excited only if on the one hand the routing circuit 14 provides an order and if the associated locking switch means CV1 or CV2 is in the closed position.

The switching relays R1, R2 electromagnetic may have several sets of contacts that are controlled simultaneously.

The first set of contacts j11, j21 of one of the switching relays R1, R2 is a set of motor contacts as already described and it serves to close or open a circuit section which connects the motor M1, M2 associated with the single reversing contactor 11.

Conventionally, each current-breaking device 21, 22 cooperates with at least one pair of auxiliary end-of-travel contacts ax, bx, the auxiliary end-of-travel contacts ax, bx always have opposite positions, one being closed and the other being open when the power failure device is in a stable position. The open or closed state of the auxiliary end-of-travel contacts ax, bx therefore represents the open or closed position of the power failure device. The auxiliary end-of-travel contacts ax, bx are slaved at the same time to the corresponding power cut-off device 21, 22 and motor M1, M2.

It is expected that each switching relay R1, R2 comprises a second set of contacts j12, j22 mounted between the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 and one of the limit switches, for example bx and a third set of contacts j13, j23 mounted between the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 and the other of the end-of-travel contacts, for example ax.

When these sets of contacts j12, j22, j13, j23 are in the working position, the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 thus acquire the open or closed position of the current interrupter 21, 22 associated via the position of the auxiliary limit switches ax, bx. This allows monitoring or even control of the position of the power failure device.

It is also possible for each switching relay R1, R2 to have a set of contacts j14, j24 for the self-power supply, connected between the first terminal of the excitation circuit ex1, ex2 and a self-power source V '. via the control means 12. In the event of an anomaly or at the end of the control, the control means 12 cut off the connection to the self-feeding source V ', so that all the contact sets j11, j12, j13, j14 of a switching relay R1, for example, who were in the working position will return to the rest position.

It is also possible, cooperating with each current cutoff apparatus 21, 22, a rotary position sensor CP1, CP2 which reflects the position of its contacts. The rotary position sensors CP1, CP2 are connected to the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 so as to provide it with the position of the current-breaking devices 21, 22.

Measuring means MI of the current supplying the reversing contactor 11 are also provided. These current measuring means MI may be integrated in the inverter contactor 11, in particular if it is produced by an integrated circuit of the type of those mentioned above. As a variant, it is possible to provide external current measurement means MI, for example of the Hall effect type, placed between the DC voltage source V and the inverting contactor 11. These current measuring means MI are connected together to the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 so that the control means 12 can monitor the motor current and thus the engine torque, the forces generated during a maneuver and the operating kinematics of the switchgear device. associated current. The measurement of the motor current brought back to the control means 12 also enables them to detect an overcurrent and to cut the current via the control of the reversing contactor 11. This current measurement also allows the control means 12 to vary and adjust the speed of a motor in operation by means of pulse width modulation.

At standstill, the electrical insulation of the motors M1, M2 is ensured by the reversing contactor 11 in the open position, but also by the space between the contacts of the motor contact set j11, j21 of the switching relays R1, R2. The contacts of the contact sets j11, j21 engine are open, that is to say at rest.

For the sake of compactness and convenience, it is preferable to group all the components of the control device object of the invention on the same printed circuit board PCB (known as the acronym PCB for Printed Circuit Board in English). This PCB printed circuit board will be preferably connected by a digital link 16 to the human-computer interface 13 to digital communication for the transmission of local orders. The human-machine interface 13, external to the control device object of the invention, will comprise for example a touch screen computer. The local orders are sent from the computer and the latter informs the user, through the screen, of the state of the control device.

The digital link 16 will for example be an RS 232 link, an RS 485 link or an Ethernet link. In the control device which is the subject of the invention, there will be provided dedicated analog output control means 17 for transmitting the local commands to the switching means I11, I13, I21, I23 of the routing means 14.

We have shown on the figure 4 , an example of a static inverter switch 11 made based on transistors. The static inverter contactor 11 comprises four transistors T1, T2, T3, T4, here IGBT transistors mounted in bridge H. It is recalled that an IGBT transistor is a bipolar transistor insulated gate. Transistors T1 to T4 may be, for example, IRGP50B60PD transistors of International Rectifier. MOS transistors could have been used. The two transistors T1, T2 are paired, their gates being connected to the same control device G1. They are connected in series, the transmitter of one and the collector of the other forming a common node E. In the same way the transistors T3 and T4 are paired, their gates being connected to a same control device G2. They are connected in series, the transmitter of one and the collector of the other forming a common node B. The two control devices G1, G2 are connected to the control means 12 of the static reversing contactor 11. The devices of FIG. control G1, G2 may be integrated circuits IR 2114 of the company International Rectifier. The motors referenced M are mounted between the two nodes E and B. This figure does not show a switching relay to avoid overloading the figure. The collectors of two unpaired transistors, for example T1 and T3 that do not belong to the nodes E and B, are interconnected in a node C and the emitters of two unpaired transistors, for example T2 and T4 that do not belong to the nodes. E and B are connected together in a node D. The DC voltage source V is connected between the node C and the node D. The current measuring means MI are provided between the DC voltage source V and the static inverter contactor 11 upstream of the engine. They comprise a shunt resistor Rsh mounted between the positive terminal of the DC voltage source V and the node C and a differential amplifier A0 mounted at the terminals of the shunt resistor Rsh and the output of which is connected to the control means 12 of the contactor static inverter 11.

We will now detail the operation of such a control device. We refer again to the figure 3 . It is assumed that the power cut-off device reference 21 is open and that it is desired to close it. Engine M1 associate is stopped. The sets of contacts j11, j12, j13, j14; j21, j22, j23, j24 switching relays R1, R2 are at rest in disjoint position. The reversing contactor 11 is inactivated, and the DC voltage source V does not supply motors.

The limit switches ax, bx associated with the power cutoff device 21 to be operated are in a position such that the contact ax is open and the contact bx is closed.

It is assumed that the latching switching means CV1 associated with the switching relay R1 that will be energized is closed and that switching means 15.4 also polarization lock. We notice that on the figure 3 this is not illustrated because this figure shows all the open switching means. From the man-machine interface 13 an operator sends a local order to close the current-breaking device 21. This command, while passing through the dedicated control means 17, controls the closing of the switching means I13 of the branch local function input e13 arrive at the node N2 and the control means 12 of the inverter contactor 11.

This closing command propagates to the excitation circuit ex1 of the switching relay R1. Relay R1 is energized and its sets of contacts j11, j12, j13, j14 move from the rest position to the working position. The engine M1 does not start to turn because the reversing contactor 11 is not activated and no supply current from the DC voltage source V reaches the motor M1.

The sets of contacts j13, j12 of the energized switching relay R1 associated with the end-of-travel contacts ax, bx being in the working position, the control means 12 acquire the position of the end-of-travel contacts ax, bx of the power cutoff apparatus 21 to be operated. The control means 12 validate the self-supply of the switching relay R1 excited. The control means 12 control the inverter contactor 11 which then provides the DC power supply of the motor M1 associated with the current cutoff device 21 to maneuver. The motor M1 begins to rotate and maneuver the mobile contact (s) of the device this power failure 21 to close it. As soon as the current cut-off device 21 is closed, the end-of-travel contacts ax, bx have changed state and their state is transmitted to the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 via the sets of contacts j12, j13 of FIG. relay switching excited R1. The control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 deactivate the inverter contactor 11 which cuts the DC power supply of the motor M1. They also interrupt the self-supply of the excited relay R1 by interrupting the connection between the set of contacts j14 and the power source V '. All contact sets j11, j12, j13, j14 of the switching relay R1 return to the idle state. The same sequence would occur if the order was remote except that it is the switching means I14 of the remote input branch e14 that would close. The way inverter 15.3 would switch so that the driver 15.2 can be biased. The man-machine interface 13 has a switch (not shown) which, thanks to the dedicated control means 17, makes the inverter means 15.3 pass from a position corresponding to the local control to a position corresponding to the remote control and vice versa. On the other hand, the control means 12 of the reversing contactor 11 are not informed of this local command / remote control change.

The control device according to the invention provides a complete, integrated and communicating solution to the manufacturers of equipment for high-voltage substations. This control device brings both greater security, greater reliability and more flexibility of operation than in the prior art. In addition, its cost is reduced since fewer electronic components are involved.

Claims (12)

1. A device for controlling a group of current-breaker devices (21, 22) via a respective motor (M1, M2) for operating each current-breaker device, the device comprising a single contactor (11) driven by driving means (12), intended to be connected to a power supply (V) of the motors, and further means (R1, R2) for directing a current coming from the power supply (V) and passing in transit through the contactor (11) towards the motor intended to operate the current-breaker device to be operated, the single contactor (11) being connected to the motors via the directing means (R1, R2), characterized in that the single contactor is a changeover contactor intended to set the direction of rotation of the motor intended to operate the current-breaker device to be operated.
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means (12) drive the changeover contactor (11) by pulse width modulation if it is solid-state or by on/off control if it is electromechanical.
3. The control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further including means (14) for routing an instruction to open or to close a current-breaker device (21, 22) both to the driving means (12) and to the directing means (R1, R2), this instruction being local or remote.
4. The control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the directing means (R1, R2) include an electromagnetic relay (R1, R2) for each motor (M1, M2) having an excitation circuit (ex1, ex2) connected to the routing means (14) and one or more sets of contacts (j11, j12, j13, j14, j21, j22, j23, j24) able to assume a working position when the relay is excited or a rest position when the relay is not excited, one of these sets of contacts (j11, j21) being for connecting the motor (M1, M2) to the changeover contactor (11) when it is in the working position.
5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein two sets of contacts (j12, j13; j22, j23) of a relay (R1, R2) serve to connect the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor (11) to end-of-stroke contacts (ax, bx) associated with the current-breaker device (21, 22).
6. The control device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein one set of contacts (j14, j24) of a relay (R1, R2) is connected to the excitation circuit (ex1, ex2) of the relay and is intended to be connected to a self-powered supply (V') of the relay via the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor (11) that drive making or breaking the self-power supply of the relay (R1, R2), all the sets of contacts (j11, j12, j13, j14, j21, j22, j23, j24) of the relay (R1, R2) switching from the working position to the rest position when the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor (11) break the self-power supply.
7. The control device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the means (14) for routing an instruction to open or close a current-breaker device (21, 22) include a block (B1, B2) for each current-breaker device, each block (B1, B2) including cascaded branches (e11, e12, e13, e14; e21, e22, e23, e24), with two pairs (π11, π12; π21, π22) of input branches (e11, e12), (e13, e14), (e21, e22), (e23, e24) and two output branches (s1, s2; s3, s4), both input branches of a pair being intended to be connected to one end of a bias supply (15) and being connected at the other end to each other at a node (N1, N2, N3, N4) connected to an output branch (s1, s2, s3, s4) and to the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor (11), the two output branches (s1, s2; s3, s4) being connected to each other at a node (N10, N20) and to the directing means (R1, R2), one of the pairs (π11, π21) serving to open a current-breaker device (21, 22) and the other pair (π12, π22) to close the current-breaker device, one input branch (e11, e13; e21, e23) of a pair including switching means (I11, I13; I21, I23) controlled by a local instruction and the other input branch (e12, e14; e22, e24) including switching means (I12, I14; I22, I24) controlled by a remote instruction.
8. The control device according to claim 7, wherein each of the branches includes a diode (d11, d12, d13, d14, d21, d22, d23, d24, d1, d2, d3, d4) to prevent reverse flow of current toward the bias supply (15).
9. The control device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the switching means (I12, I14, I22, I24) controlled by a remote instruction have a function of galvanic isolation, including such as an electromagnetic relay or an opto-coupler.
10. The control device according to any preceding claim, further including means (MI) for measuring the current supplying the changeover contactor (11), which means may optionally be incorporated in the changeover contactor, this measurement being sent to the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor (11).
11. The control device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further including dedicated driving means (17) for the switching means (I11, I13, I21, I23) controlled by a local instruction, these driving means (17) being intended to be connected to a man-machine interface (13) external to the control device.
12. The control device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least the changeover contactor (11), the driving means (12) of the changeover contactor, and the directing means (R1, R2) are mounted on the same printed circuit board (PCB).

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