EP3100325B1 - Gas-filled spark gap - Google Patents

Gas-filled spark gap Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3100325B1
EP3100325B1 EP15700904.4A EP15700904A EP3100325B1 EP 3100325 B1 EP3100325 B1 EP 3100325B1 EP 15700904 A EP15700904 A EP 15700904A EP 3100325 B1 EP3100325 B1 EP 3100325B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
electrodes
spark gap
insulating envelope
flanges
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EP15700904.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3100325A1 (en
Inventor
François Guichard
Yves GANNAC
Vincent LAPAUW
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CITEL SAS
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CITEL SAS
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
    • H01T4/00—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps
    • H01T4/10—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps having a single gap or a plurality of gaps in parallel
    • H01T4/12—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps having a single gap or a plurality of gaps in parallel hermetically sealed

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of gas dischargers for the protection against overvoltages of all types of electrical circuits, such as circuits for the transmission of very high power energy, or as protective equipment for photovoltaic installations. or at high voltages.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to the field of rare gas spark gaps used to provide circuit protection against overvoltages caused inter alia by lightning.
  • Any electrical network or data transmission may be subject to transient overvoltages in many cases. These transient overvoltages may have various causes, such as for example lightning, the fall of electrical network wires having different voltages or industrial disturbances, etc. These networks are not designed to support these transient overvoltages. It is therefore necessary to protect them by installing a suitable protection device upstream of the network.
  • Such protection devices of the electrical network normally consist of rare gas spark gaps.
  • a gas spark gap is an electrical component which, in normal operation of the electrical network, that is to say in the absence of overvoltage, normally has a very high insulation resistance, which can be considered almost infinite.
  • trigger voltage of the spark gap When subjected to a transient overvoltage, the value of which exceeds a certain threshold called trigger voltage of the spark gap, the spark gap starts suddenly and becomes conductive with a very low impedance.
  • the gas spark gap is then comparable to a short circuit thus allowing to divert to the earth a strong discharge current corresponding to the transient overvoltage. It is thus possible to protect the electrical circuits located downstream of the spark gap against transient overvoltages, the current corresponding to the transient overvoltage being discharged by the spark gap to the ground.
  • such a gas spark gap has the following characteristics.
  • a peripheral portion of the end surface of each of the electrodes has an angle with an inner face of the insulating envelope, said angle being inclined towards one of the electrodes so as to deflect projections. of material towards said electrode.
  • the cups are made of a material having a coefficient of expansion extremely close to the coefficient of expansion of the insulating material of the outer envelope.
  • the difference in coefficient of expansion between the material of the cups and the material of the insulating envelope is for example less than 2 * 10 -6 per Kelvin (K -1 ) and preferably less than or equal to 1 * 10 -6 K - 1 .
  • the end surfaces of a first electrode has a recess and the end surface of the second electrode has a projection.
  • the end surfaces of the electrodes comprise surfaces of complementary shapes.
  • the gas trapped in the insulating envelope may be chosen from rare gases or non-chemically active gases.
  • the gas trapped in the insulating envelope is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, neon, hydrogen, helium, rare gases, and mixtures of these gases.
  • the electrodes can be made of many metals.
  • the electrodes may be made of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper of tungsten, iron, their alloys, or others according to the technical requirements.
  • a part of the outer bars projecting outside the insulating envelope beyond the cups is threaded.
  • a non-threaded portion of the external bars projecting outside the insulating envelope beyond the cups has a locking block in rotation.
  • the open ends of the insulating envelope comprise for example a layer of moly-manganese, also known as molybdenum-manganese, covered with a layer of nickel, the seal between the cups and the insulating jacket being made by brazing.
  • moly-manganese also known as molybdenum-manganese
  • the cups are made of an alloy of iron and nickel.
  • the seal between the cups and the electrodes is made by Ag-Cu solder.
  • the through-orifice of a cup has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the outer bar which provides a clearance of expansion to allow thermal expansion of the outer bar higher than the expansion. thermal of the cup.
  • Some aspects of the invention are based on the idea of ensuring better dissipation of heat in the gas discharge device during an overvoltage.
  • One aspect of the invention is based on the idea of dissipating the heat produced during a very high intensity pulse by using an electrode which extends in a monobloc manner to the outside of the envelope through the sealing cup which avoids the thermal barriers associated with the interfaces between several metal parts.
  • Another aspect of the invention is to locate the accumulation of projections of the metal atoms, caused by the very strong electric currents passing through the spark gap. This location on one half of the spark gap allows the other half of the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical outer envelope to be spared by these projections. An important result of this location is to keep intact the insulating characteristics between the two connection bars of the spark gap.
  • Another aspect of the invention is to avoid the degradation of the insulating envelope.
  • An idea of the invention is to limit the reciprocal efforts in contraction / expansion between the cups and the insulating envelope.
  • an electrical line to be protected 1 is connected by a protection device 4 to another electrical line 3, for example a ground connection.
  • the electrical line 1 belongs, for example, to a very high power energy transmission network intended for the use of photovoltaic devices, a high voltage network, a telecommunication network, a medium voltage network or a low voltage network.
  • the power line 1 carries an AC or DC voltage.
  • a protective device 4 takes for example the form of a gas spark gap 4.
  • the gas spark gap 4 is thus connected on the one hand to an electric line 1 and, on the other hand, connected to a ground line or other discharge line, for example any other power line of the network.
  • the gas discharge 4 In the absence of transient overvoltage, the gas discharge 4 has a very high insulation resistance, considered almost infinite. When it is subjected to transient overvoltages, the value of which exceeds a certain threshold (ignition voltage of the spark gap 4), the spark gap 4 starts suddenly and becomes conductive with a very low resistance, similar to a short circuit drifting at the ground line 3 a strong discharge current.
  • the starting voltage chosen is, of course, a little greater than the normal operating voltage of the power line 1 to be protected.
  • Such a gas spark gap according to the invention has, for example, an impact current withstand of 100 kA, 10/350 ⁇ s. The activation of the gas spark gap 4 makes it possible to divert the shock wave towards the ground line 3 from the line 1 without causing damage to the protected electrical network.
  • the Figure 2A represents a perspective view of a gas spark gap 4 according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the gas spark gap 4 is mainly in the form of a cylinder 6 of insulating material, usually ceramic.
  • connection pad 8 Two opposite ends of the gas spark gap 4 have a connection pad 8 in order to connect the spark gap 4 respectively to the electric line 1 and the discharge line 3.
  • the connection between the pads 8 respectively the power line 1 and the earth 3 is made in any suitable manner, for example by means of a wiring comprising metal lugs (not shown) held on the gas discharge 4 with nuts (not shown).
  • the pads 8 comprise blocking flats in order to hold the pad 8 with a wrench when screwing the nut.
  • the Figure 2B represents a sectional view of the spark gap of the Figure 2A .
  • the ceramic cylinder 6 is hollow and forms an internal housing 11 for two electrodes 12.
  • Each electrode 12 has a main body 14 housed in a respective portion of the inner housing 11 of the ceramic cylinder 6 substantially representing half of the inner housing 11.
  • the main body 14 of the electrodes 12 is cylindrical.
  • the ceramic cylinder 6 and the main body 14 of the electrodes 12 are coaxial.
  • a first end 16 of the electrodes 12 forms the connection pads 8 protruding in opposite directions out of the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • the pads 8 are generally cylindrical in shape and coaxial with the main body 14.
  • the pads 8 comprise a portion opposite the main body 14 provided with a thread intended to to cooperate with the nuts and a contiguous portion of the main body 14 having the aforementioned locking flats.
  • the pads 8 are formed in one piece with the main body 14 of the electrodes 12.
  • the use of electrodes 12 monobloc avoids the thermal barriers associated with the interfaces between several metal parts. The heat produced during a high intensity pulse is thus quickly and easily dissipated.
  • the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 are separated by an internal space 23 called gap 23.
  • the distance separating the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 makes it possible to define the starting voltage at which the gas spark gap 4 is activated, that is from what current intensity the gas spark gap 4 diverts said current directly to the ground line 3. Beyond a certain voltage value at the electrode 12, ignition occurs and a current is established between the electrodes 12 forming an electric arc, symbolically represented at 24, deviating said current from the electric line 1 protected by the gas spark gap 4.
  • an inert gas is trapped in the ceramic cylinder 6, including the gap 23.
  • Such an inert gas is for example argon, neon, nitrogen, water hydrogen, helium, a mixture of these gases or other for stopping or limiting the time of keeping the electric arc 24 between the electrodes 12.
  • This inert gas is stored in the gas gap 4 in depression, for example of the order of 0.5 bar. This depression affects the starting voltage of the spark gap.
  • the gas can be trapped in the gas spark gap at different pressures, depending on the desired starting voltage for the gas spark gap.
  • the inner housing 11 is sealed.
  • the internal housing 11 is sealed by two cups 25 sealingly mounted on the open ends of the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • the cups 25 advantageously have a contour shape identical to the base of the ceramic cylinder 6. Each cup 25 develops in a plane parallel to the base of the ceramic cylinder 6. The cup 25 has a through orifice 29 of dimensions greater than the dimensions of the stud 8.
  • any suitable means may be used to seal between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • a layer of molybdenum-manganese may be used to cover a wafer 30 of the ends of the ceramic cylinder 6, this molybdenum layer -manganese is itself covered with a layer of nickel.
  • the sealing between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 is for example made by brazing between the metal cups and the nickel layer.
  • the seal between the electrodes 12 and the cups 25 can be achieved by any known means such as by brazing, laser welding, heat-resistant bonding or any other suitable method.
  • the inner surface 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6 comprises a plurality of graphite lines 32. These graphite lines 32 are distributed in a regular manner around the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 parallel to the axis 22 of the ceramic cylinder 6. The graphite lines 32 do not extend over the entire length of the ceramic cylinder 6, along the axis 22 of the ceramic cylinder 6. For example, in the context a gas gap 4 50 mm long and 31.5 mm in diameter, for a ceramic cylinder 6 28 mm in length, the ends 33 of the graphite lines 32 are spaced about 1.6 mm from the slices The ends of the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • the electrodes 12 are usually made of copper, an alloy of copper and tungsten or any other suitable metal or alloy.
  • the material used for the cups 25 advantageously has the same coefficient of expansion, or a coefficient of expansion very close to the expansion coefficient of a ceramic cylinder 6.
  • the cups are for example made of an alloy of iron and nickel.
  • the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 expand and contract in a similar manner so that the forces they exert on one another contraction / expansion are not likely to deteriorate the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • the solders between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 have little risk of breakage, the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 being made of metal. It is however necessary to provide a passage 29 of the cups 25 having a diameter sufficiently large to contain the pads 8 of the electrodes 12 both in their contracted state, ie at room temperature, and in their expanded state, ie at the temperature of the realization of the solder.
  • the seal between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 may be made at any point of contact between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 between the inner face 34 of the cups 25 and the outer face 35 of the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12.
  • the ceramic cylinder is made of alumina having a coefficient of expansion between 8 * 10 -6 K -1 and 9 ⁇ 10 -6 K -1
  • the cups are made of alloy of iron and nickel having a coefficient of expansion of 9 * 10 -6 K -1
  • the electrodes are made of copper having a coefficient of expansion greater than 17 * 10 -6 K -1 .
  • the orifice 29 of the cups has, at ambient temperature, a diameter for example of the order of 12 mm and the pads 8 of the electrodes 12 have for example an outer diameter of the order of 10.8 mm, thus avoiding the excessive force generation between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 during firing to achieve the solders.
  • the figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment in which the electrodes 12 delimit the gap 23 in a specific form. More particularly, the inner face 36 of a first electrode 12 and the inner face 26 of a second electrode 12 have a frustoconical shape inclined towards the second electrode 12.
  • peripheral zones 15 of the inner faces 36 and 26 of the electrodes 12 develop in parallel and at an angle 9 inclined relative to the inner face 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • This angle 9 makes it possible to orient the projections of ions of 4.
  • This orientation of the projections limits the zones affected by the projections of metal ions on the internal face 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6 to an impact zone situated in contact with the metal. with respect to a single electrode, limiting the locations of the ceramic cylinder 6 whose electrical insulation property is degraded.
  • the ceramic cylinder 6 retains its integrity and insulating capabilities through the orientation of the peripheral ends 15 which has the effect of directing the metal projections to only one of the two electrodes.
  • a gas spark gap as described above may be used in any type of electrical circuit.

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  • Spark Plugs (AREA)
  • Insulators (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention se rapporte au domaine des éclateurs à gaz pour la protection contre les surtensions de tous types de circuit électrique, comme par exemple les circuits pour le transport d'énergie à très haute puissance, ou comme les équipements de protection destinés aux installations photovoltaïques ou aux hautes tensions. La présente invention se rapporte plus particulièrement au domaine des éclateurs à gaz rare utilisés pour réaliser la protection des circuits contre les surtensions provoquées entre autres par la foudre.The invention relates to the field of gas dischargers for the protection against overvoltages of all types of electrical circuits, such as circuits for the transmission of very high power energy, or as protective equipment for photovoltaic installations. or at high voltages. The present invention relates more particularly to the field of rare gas spark gaps used to provide circuit protection against overvoltages caused inter alia by lightning.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnological background

Tout réseau électrique ou de transmission de données peut être soumis à des surtensions passagères dans de nombreux cas. Ces surtensions passagères peuvent avoir diverses causes, comme par exemple la foudre, la chute des fils de réseaux électriques ayant des tensions différentes ou des perturbations industrielles, etc... Ces réseaux ne sont pas prévus pour supporter ces surtensions passagères. Il est donc nécessaire de les protéger en installant en amont du réseau un dispositif de protection adapté.Any electrical network or data transmission may be subject to transient overvoltages in many cases. These transient overvoltages may have various causes, such as for example lightning, the fall of electrical network wires having different voltages or industrial disturbances, etc. These networks are not designed to support these transient overvoltages. It is therefore necessary to protect them by installing a suitable protection device upstream of the network.

De tels dispositifs de protection du réseau électrique sont normalement constitués d'éclateurs à gaz rare. Un éclateur à gaz est un composant électrique qui, en fonctionnement normal du réseau électrique, c'est-à-dire en l'absence de surtension, présente normalement une résistance d'isolement très élevée, pouvant être considérée comme quasiment infinie. Lorsqu'il est soumis à une surtension passagère, dont la valeur dépasse un certain seuil appelé tension d'amorçage de l'éclateur, l'éclateur à gaz s'amorce brusquement et devient conducteur avec une impédance très faible. L'éclateur à gaz est alors assimilable à un court-circuit permettant ainsi de dériver à la terre un fort courant de décharge correspondant à la surtension passagère. Il est ainsi possible de protéger les circuits électriques situés en aval de l'éclateur contre des surtensions passagères, le courant correspondant à la surtension passagère étant évacué par l'éclateur à gaz vers la terre.Such protection devices of the electrical network normally consist of rare gas spark gaps. A gas spark gap is an electrical component which, in normal operation of the electrical network, that is to say in the absence of overvoltage, normally has a very high insulation resistance, which can be considered almost infinite. When subjected to a transient overvoltage, the value of which exceeds a certain threshold called trigger voltage of the spark gap, the spark gap starts suddenly and becomes conductive with a very low impedance. The gas spark gap is then comparable to a short circuit thus allowing to divert to the earth a strong discharge current corresponding to the transient overvoltage. It is thus possible to protect the electrical circuits located downstream of the spark gap against transient overvoltages, the current corresponding to the transient overvoltage being discharged by the spark gap to the ground.

Le document JP H08 64335 A décrit le préambule de la revendication 1.The document JP H08 64335 A describes the preamble of claim 1.

Résumésummary

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit un éclateur à gaz avec les caractéristiques de la revendication 1 convenant pour réaliser un dispositif de protection de circuit électrique. L'éclateur à gaz comporte :

  • une enveloppe isolante de forme cylindrique creuse ouverte à deux extrémités opposées. Cette enveloppe isolante est en matière très isolante et résistante aux très hautes températures de l'arc électrique, par exemple en céramique. Elle délimite le logement interne de l'éclateur à gaz,
  • deux coupelles d'étanchéité montées de manière étanche sur l'enveloppe isolante respectivement aux deux extrémités opposées de l'enveloppe isolante afin de sceller de manière étanche les ouvertures de l'enveloppe isolante. Cependant chaque coupelle comporte un orifice traversant.
  • deux électrodes métalliques monoblocs. Chaque électrode comporte un corps principal prolongé par une barre externe de connexion. Le corps principal de chaque électrode est logé dans le logement interne de l'enveloppe isolante. Chaque électrode comporte une surface d'extrémité opposée à la barre de connexion, les surfaces d'extrémité des deux électrodes délimitant entre elles un entrefer séparant les corps principaux des deux électrodes dans le logement interne. Ces barres externes des électrodes traversent chacune l'orifice traversant d'une des coupelles, les coupelles étant montées de manière étanche sur les électrodes pour fermer le logement interne de manière étanche au gaz. Les barres externes font saillie à l'extérieur de l'enveloppe isolante au-delà des coupelles.
  • un gaz inerte est emprisonné dans le logement interne de l'éclateur à gaz, y compris dans l'entrefer. De préférence, ce gaz est emprisonné à une pression prédéterminée.
According to one embodiment, the invention provides a gas spark gap with the features of claim 1 suitable for providing an electrical circuit protection device. The gas spark gap comprises:
  • an insulating shell of hollow cylindrical shape open at two opposite ends. This insulating envelope is made of highly insulating material and resistant to very high temperatures of the electric arc, for example ceramic. It delimits the internal housing of the spark gap,
  • two sealing cups sealingly mounted on the insulating casing respectively at the two opposite ends of the insulating casing for sealing the openings of the insulating casing. However each cup has a through hole.
  • two monoblock metal electrodes. Each electrode has a main body extended by an external connecting bar. The main body of each electrode is housed in the inner housing of the insulating envelope. Each electrode has an end surface opposite to the connection bar, the end surfaces of the two electrodes delimiting between them a gap separating the main bodies of the two electrodes in the inner housing. These outer bars of the electrodes each pass through the through orifice of one of the cups, the cups being mounted sealingly on the electrodes to close the inner housing in a gas-tight manner. The outer bars protrude outside the insulating envelope beyond the cups.
  • an inert gas is trapped in the inner housing of the gas spark gap, including the gap. Preferably, this gas is trapped at a predetermined pressure.

Selon des modes de réalisation, un tel éclateur à gaz comporte les caractéristiques suivantes.According to embodiments, such a gas spark gap has the following characteristics.

Selon un mode de réalisation, une portion périphérique de la surface d'extrémité de chacune des électrodes présente un angle avec une face interne de l'enveloppe isolante, ledit angle étant incliné en direction de l'une des électrodes de manière à défléchir des projections de matière en direction de ladite électrode.According to one embodiment, a peripheral portion of the end surface of each of the electrodes has an angle with an inner face of the insulating envelope, said angle being inclined towards one of the electrodes so as to deflect projections. of material towards said electrode.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les coupelles sont réalisées dans un matériau ayant un coefficient de dilatation extrêmement voisin du coefficient de dilatation du matériau isolant de l'enveloppe externe. La différence de coefficient de dilatation entre le matériau des coupelles et le matériau de l'enveloppe isolante est par exemple inférieure à 2*10-6 par Kelvin (K-1) et de préférence inférieure ou égale à 1*10-6 K-1.According to one embodiment, the cups are made of a material having a coefficient of expansion extremely close to the coefficient of expansion of the insulating material of the outer envelope. The difference in coefficient of expansion between the material of the cups and the material of the insulating envelope is for example less than 2 * 10 -6 per Kelvin (K -1 ) and preferably less than or equal to 1 * 10 -6 K - 1 .

Selon un mode de réalisation, les surfaces d'extrémités d'une première des électrodes comporte un renfoncement et la surface d'extrémité de la seconde électrode comporte une saillie.According to one embodiment, the end surfaces of a first electrode has a recess and the end surface of the second electrode has a projection.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les surfaces d'extrémité des électrodes comportent des surfaces de formes complémentaires.According to one embodiment, the end surfaces of the electrodes comprise surfaces of complementary shapes.

Le gaz emprisonné dans l'enveloppe isolante peut être choisi parmi les gaz rares, ou les gaz non actifs chimiquement. Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le gaz emprisonné dans l'enveloppe isolante est choisi dans le groupe constitué, de l'azote, de l'argon, du néon, de l'hydrogène, de l'hélium, des gaz rares, et des mélanges de ces gaz.The gas trapped in the insulating envelope may be chosen from rare gases or non-chemically active gases. In a particular embodiment, the gas trapped in the insulating envelope is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, neon, hydrogen, helium, rare gases, and mixtures of these gases.

Les électrodes peuvent être faites en de nombreux métaux. Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, les électrodes peuvent être faites d'un métal choisi dans le groupe constitué du cuivre du tungstène, du fer, de leurs alliages, ou autres suivant les impératifs techniques.The electrodes can be made of many metals. In a particular embodiment, the electrodes may be made of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper of tungsten, iron, their alloys, or others according to the technical requirements.

Selon un mode de réalisation, une partie des barres externes faisant saillie à l'extérieur de l'enveloppe isolante au-delà des coupelles est filetée.According to one embodiment, a part of the outer bars projecting outside the insulating envelope beyond the cups is threaded.

Selon un mode de réalisation, une partie non filetée des barres externes faisant saillie à l'extérieur de l'enveloppe isolante au-delà des coupelles présente un méplat de blocage en rotation.According to one embodiment, a non-threaded portion of the external bars projecting outside the insulating envelope beyond the cups has a locking block in rotation.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les extrémités ouvertes de l'enveloppe isolante comportent par exemple une couche de moly-manganèse, aussi connu sous le nom de molybdène-manganèse, recouverte d'une couche de nickel, l'étanchéité entre les coupelles et l'enveloppe isolante étant réalisée par brasure.According to one embodiment, the open ends of the insulating envelope comprise for example a layer of moly-manganese, also known as molybdenum-manganese, covered with a layer of nickel, the seal between the cups and the insulating jacket being made by brazing.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les coupelles sont réalisées dans un alliage de Fer et de Nickel.According to one embodiment, the cups are made of an alloy of iron and nickel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'étanchéité entre les coupelles et les électrodes est réalisée par brasure Ag-Cu.According to one embodiment, the seal between the cups and the electrodes is made by Ag-Cu solder.

Selon un mode de réalisation, à température ambiante, l'orifice traversant d'une coupelle présente un diamètre interne supérieur au diamètre externe de la barre externe qui ménage un jeu de dilatation pour permettre une dilatation thermique de la barre externe plus élevée que la dilatation thermique de la coupelle.According to one embodiment, at ambient temperature, the through-orifice of a cup has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the outer bar which provides a clearance of expansion to allow thermal expansion of the outer bar higher than the expansion. thermal of the cup.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée d'assurer une meilleure dissipation de la chaleur dans l'éclateur à gaz lors d'une surtension. Un aspect de l'invention part de l'idée de dissiper la chaleur produite lors d'une impulsion de très forte intensité grâce à l'utilisation d'une électrode qui s'étend de manière monobloc jusqu'à l'extérieur de l'enveloppe à travers la coupelle d'étanchéité ce qui évite les barrières thermiques liées aux interfaces entre plusieurs pièces métalliques.Some aspects of the invention are based on the idea of ensuring better dissipation of heat in the gas discharge device during an overvoltage. One aspect of the invention is based on the idea of dissipating the heat produced during a very high intensity pulse by using an electrode which extends in a monobloc manner to the outside of the envelope through the sealing cup which avoids the thermal barriers associated with the interfaces between several metal parts.

Un autre aspect de l'invention est de localiser l'accumulation de projections des atomes de métal, provoquée par les très forts courants électriques traversant l'éclateur. Cette localisation sur une moitié de l'éclateur permet que l'autre moitié de la superficie interne de l'enveloppe externe cylindrique creuse soit épargnée par ces projections. Un résultat important de cette localisation est de conserver intacte les caractéristiques isolantes entre les deux barres de connexion de l'éclateur.Another aspect of the invention is to locate the accumulation of projections of the metal atoms, caused by the very strong electric currents passing through the spark gap. This location on one half of the spark gap allows the other half of the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical outer envelope to be spared by these projections. An important result of this location is to keep intact the insulating characteristics between the two connection bars of the spark gap.

Un autre aspect de l'invention est d'éviter la dégradation de l'enveloppe isolante. Une idée de l'invention est de limiter les efforts réciproques en contraction/dilatation entre les coupelles et l'enveloppe isolante.Another aspect of the invention is to avoid the degradation of the insulating envelope. An idea of the invention is to limit the reciprocal efforts in contraction / expansion between the cups and the insulating envelope.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts, détails, caractéristiques et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description suivante de plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés uniquement à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés.

  • La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'un réseau électrique comportant un dispositif de protection de réseau électrique;
  • Les figures 2A et 2B sont des vues schématiques de l'éclateur à gaz de protection de réseau selon un premier mode de réalisation respectivement en perspective schématique et en coupe longitudinale ;
  • La figure 3 est une vue en coupe de l'éclateur à gaz selon un deuxième mode de réalisation dans lequel l'entrefer permet de localiser les projections d'ions métalliques vers une partie de l'enveloppe externe afin de prolonger considérablement la vie de l'éclateur.
The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • The figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical network comprising an electrical network protection device;
  • The Figures 2A and 2B are schematic views of the network protection gas spark gap according to a first embodiment respectively in schematic perspective and in longitudinal section;
  • The figure 3 is a sectional view of the gas discharge according to a second embodiment in which the gap makes it possible to locate the projections of metal ions towards a portion of the outer envelope in order to considerably extend the life of the spark gap.

Description détaillée de modes de réalisationDetailed description of embodiments

En référence à la figure 1, une ligne électrique à protéger 1 est relié par un dispositif de protection 4 à une autre ligne électrique 3, par exemple une liaison de mise à la terre.With reference to the figure 1 , an electrical line to be protected 1 is connected by a protection device 4 to another electrical line 3, for example a ground connection.

La ligne électrique 1 appartient, par exemple, à un réseau pour le transport d'énergie à très haute puissance destiné à l'utilisation de dispositifs photovoltaïques, un réseau à haute tension, un réseau de télécommunication, un réseau à moyenne tension ou encore un réseau à basse tension. La ligne électrique 1 transporte une tension alternative ou continue.The electrical line 1 belongs, for example, to a very high power energy transmission network intended for the use of photovoltaic devices, a high voltage network, a telecommunication network, a medium voltage network or a low voltage network. The power line 1 carries an AC or DC voltage.

Certains évènements peuvent entraîner de fortes surtensions transitoires sur la ligne électrique 1, cette surtension transitoire prenant la forme d'une brusque augmentation de la tension ou de l'intensité du courant électrique sur un bref instant. Une telle augmentation de la tension ou de l'intensité du courant peut entraîner de très nombreux dégâts tant aux dispositifs alimentés par la ligne 1 qu'au réseau électrique lui-même.Certain events can lead to high transient overvoltages on the electrical line 1, this transient overvoltage taking the form of a sudden increase in the voltage or the intensity of the electric current over a brief moment. Such an increase in the voltage or the intensity of the current can cause a great deal of damage to both the devices powered by the line 1 and the power network itself.

Un dispositif de protection 4 prend par exemple la forme d'un éclateur à gaz 4. L'éclateur à gaz 4 est ainsi raccordé d'une part à une ligne électrique 1 et, d'autre part, raccordée à une ligne de terre ou une autre ligne de décharge, par exemple tout autre ligne électrique du réseau.A protective device 4 takes for example the form of a gas spark gap 4. The gas spark gap 4 is thus connected on the one hand to an electric line 1 and, on the other hand, connected to a ground line or other discharge line, for example any other power line of the network.

En l'absence de surtension transitoire, l'éclateur à gaz 4 présente une résistance d'isolement très élevée, considérée comme quasiment infinie. Lorsqu'il est soumis à des surtensions transitoires, dont la valeur dépasse un certain seuil (tension d'amorçage de l'éclateur à gaz 4), l'éclateur à gaz 4 s'amorce brusquement et devient conducteur avec une résistance très faible, assimilable à un court-circuit dérivant à la ligne de terre 3 un fort courant de décharge. La tension d'amorçage choisie est, bien entendu, un peu supérieure à la tension normale de fonctionnement de la ligne électrique 1 à protéger. Un tel éclateur à gaz selon l'invention présente par exemple une tenue en courant de choc de 100 kA, 10/350 µs. L'activation de l'éclateur à gaz 4 permet de détourner de la ligne 1 l'onde de choc vers la ligne de terre 3 sans créer de dégâts dans le réseau électrique protégé.In the absence of transient overvoltage, the gas discharge 4 has a very high insulation resistance, considered almost infinite. When it is subjected to transient overvoltages, the value of which exceeds a certain threshold (ignition voltage of the spark gap 4), the spark gap 4 starts suddenly and becomes conductive with a very low resistance, similar to a short circuit drifting at the ground line 3 a strong discharge current. The starting voltage chosen is, of course, a little greater than the normal operating voltage of the power line 1 to be protected. Such a gas spark gap according to the invention has, for example, an impact current withstand of 100 kA, 10/350 μs. The activation of the gas spark gap 4 makes it possible to divert the shock wave towards the ground line 3 from the line 1 without causing damage to the protected electrical network.

La figure 2A représente une vue en perspective d'un éclateur à gaz 4 selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention. L'éclateur à gaz 4 se présente principalement sous la forme d'un cylindre 6 en matériau isolant, généralement en céramique.The Figure 2A represents a perspective view of a gas spark gap 4 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The gas spark gap 4 is mainly in the form of a cylinder 6 of insulating material, usually ceramic.

Deux extrémités opposées de l'éclateur à gaz 4 présentent un plot de connexion 8 afin de raccorder l'éclateur à gaz 4 respectivement à la ligne électrique 1 et à la ligne de décharge 3. Le raccordement entre les plots 8 respectivement la ligne électrique 1 et la terre 3 est réalisé de toute manière adaptée, par exemple à l'aide d'un câblage comportant des cosses métalliques (non représentée) maintenues sur l'éclateur à gaz 4 à l'aide d'écrous (non représentés). Avantageusement, les plots 8 comportent des méplats de blocages afin de maintenir le plot 8 à l'aide d'une clé lors du vissage de l'écrou.Two opposite ends of the gas spark gap 4 have a connection pad 8 in order to connect the spark gap 4 respectively to the electric line 1 and the discharge line 3. The connection between the pads 8 respectively the power line 1 and the earth 3 is made in any suitable manner, for example by means of a wiring comprising metal lugs (not shown) held on the gas discharge 4 with nuts (not shown). Advantageously, the pads 8 comprise blocking flats in order to hold the pad 8 with a wrench when screwing the nut.

La figure 2B représente une vue en coupe de l'éclateur de la figure 2A. Le cylindre en céramique 6 est creux et forme un logement interne 11 pour deux électrodes 12.The Figure 2B represents a sectional view of the spark gap of the Figure 2A . The ceramic cylinder 6 is hollow and forms an internal housing 11 for two electrodes 12.

Chaque électrode 12 comporte un corps principal 14 logé dans une partie respective du logement interne 11 du cylindre en céramique 6 représentant sensiblement la moitié du logement interne 11. Le corps principal 14 des électrodes 12 est de forme cylindrique. Le cylindre en céramique 6 et le corps principal 14 des électrodes 12 sont coaxiaux. Une première extrémité 16 des électrodes 12 forme les plots de connexion 8 faisant saillie dans des directions opposées hors du cylindre en céramique 6. Les plots 8 sont de forme générale cylindrique et coaxiaux avec le corps principal 14. Les plots 8 comportent une partie opposée au corps principal 14 munie d'un filetage destiné à coopérer avec les écrous et une partie jointive du corps principal 14 comportant les méplats de blocage susmentionnés.Each electrode 12 has a main body 14 housed in a respective portion of the inner housing 11 of the ceramic cylinder 6 substantially representing half of the inner housing 11. The main body 14 of the electrodes 12 is cylindrical. The ceramic cylinder 6 and the main body 14 of the electrodes 12 are coaxial. A first end 16 of the electrodes 12 forms the connection pads 8 protruding in opposite directions out of the ceramic cylinder 6. The pads 8 are generally cylindrical in shape and coaxial with the main body 14. The pads 8 comprise a portion opposite the main body 14 provided with a thread intended to to cooperate with the nuts and a contiguous portion of the main body 14 having the aforementioned locking flats.

Les plots 8 sont formés d'un seul tenant avec les corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12. L'utilisation d'électrodes 12 monobloc évite les barrières thermiques liées aux interfaces entre plusieurs pièces métalliques. La chaleur produite lors d'une impulsion de forte intensité est ainsi rapidement et facilement dissipée.The pads 8 are formed in one piece with the main body 14 of the electrodes 12. The use of electrodes 12 monobloc avoids the thermal barriers associated with the interfaces between several metal parts. The heat produced during a high intensity pulse is thus quickly and easily dissipated.

Dans le logement interne 11, les corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12 sont séparés par un espace interne 23 appelé entrefer 23. La distance séparant les corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12 permet de définir la tension d'amorçage à laquelle l'éclateur à gaz 4 est activé, c'est-à-dire à partir de quelle intensité de courant l'éclateur à gaz 4 détourne ledit courant directement vers la ligne de terre 3. Au-delà d'une certaine valeur de tension au niveau de l'électrode 12, un amorçage se produit et un courant s'établit entre les électrodes 12 en formant un arc électrique, symboliquement représenté au chiffre 24, déviant ledit courant de la ligne électrique 1 protégée par l'éclateur à gaz 4.In the inner housing 11, the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 are separated by an internal space 23 called gap 23. The distance separating the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 makes it possible to define the starting voltage at which the gas spark gap 4 is activated, that is from what current intensity the gas spark gap 4 diverts said current directly to the ground line 3. Beyond a certain voltage value at the electrode 12, ignition occurs and a current is established between the electrodes 12 forming an electric arc, symbolically represented at 24, deviating said current from the electric line 1 protected by the gas spark gap 4.

Afin de limiter le courant de suite, un gaz inerte est emprisonné dans le cylindre en céramique 6, y compris dans l'entrefer 23. Un tel gaz inerte est par exemple de l'argon, du néon, de l'azote, de l'hydrogène, de l'hélium, un mélange de ces gaz ou autre permettant d'arrêter ou de limiter le temps de maintien de l'arc électrique 24 entre les électrodes 12. Ce gaz inerte est conservé dans l'éclateur à gaz 4 en dépression, par exemple de l'ordre de 0,5 bar. Cette dépression influe sur la tension d'amorçage de l'éclateur à gaz. Le gaz peut être emprisonné dans l'éclateur à gaz à différentes pressions, selon la tension d'amorçage souhaitée pour l'éclateur à gaz.In order to limit the current in succession, an inert gas is trapped in the ceramic cylinder 6, including the gap 23. Such an inert gas is for example argon, neon, nitrogen, water hydrogen, helium, a mixture of these gases or other for stopping or limiting the time of keeping the electric arc 24 between the electrodes 12. This inert gas is stored in the gas gap 4 in depression, for example of the order of 0.5 bar. This depression affects the starting voltage of the spark gap. The gas can be trapped in the gas spark gap at different pressures, depending on the desired starting voltage for the gas spark gap.

Afin d'assurer l'emprisonnement du gaz inerte dans l'éclateur à gaz 4, le logement interne 11 est étanchéifié. L'étanchéité du logement interne 11 est réalisée par deux coupelles 25 montées de manière étanche sur les extrémités ouvertes du cylindre en céramique 6.In order to ensure the imprisonment of the inert gas in the gas discharge 4, the inner housing 11 is sealed. The internal housing 11 is sealed by two cups 25 sealingly mounted on the open ends of the ceramic cylinder 6.

Les coupelles 25 présentent avantageusement une forme de contour identique à la base du cylindre en céramique 6. Chaque coupelle 25 se développe dans un plan parallèle à la base du cylindre en céramique 6. La coupelle 25 comporte un orifice traversant 29 de dimensions supérieures aux dimensions du plot 8.The cups 25 advantageously have a contour shape identical to the base of the ceramic cylinder 6. Each cup 25 develops in a plane parallel to the base of the ceramic cylinder 6. The cup 25 has a through orifice 29 of dimensions greater than the dimensions of the stud 8.

Tout moyen adapté peut être utilisé pour assurer l'étanchéité entre les coupelles 25 et le cylindre en céramique 6. Par exemple, une couche de molybdène-manganèse peut être utilisée pour recouvrir une tranche 30 des extrémités du cylindre en céramique 6, cette couche molybdène-manganèse étant elle-même recouverte d'une couche de nickel. L'étanchéité entre les coupelles 25 et le cylindre en céramique 6 est par exemple réalisée par brasure entre les coupelles 25 métalliques et la couche de nickel.Any suitable means may be used to seal between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6. For example, a layer of molybdenum-manganese may be used to cover a wafer 30 of the ends of the ceramic cylinder 6, this molybdenum layer -manganese is itself covered with a layer of nickel. The sealing between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 is for example made by brazing between the metal cups and the nickel layer.

Il est également nécessaire d'assurer l'étanchéité entre les électrodes 12 et les coupelles 25. Les électrodes 12 et les coupelles 25 étant en métal, l'étanchéité entre les électrodes 12 et les coupelles 25 peut être réalisée par tout moyen connu tel que par brasure, soudure laser, collage thermorésistant ou tout autre méthode adaptée.It is also necessary to ensure the seal between the electrodes 12 and the cups 25. The electrodes 12 and the cups 25 being made of metal, the seal between the electrodes 12 and the cups 25 can be achieved by any known means such as by brazing, laser welding, heat-resistant bonding or any other suitable method.

Afin d'améliorer l'amorçage de l'éclateur à gaz 4, la surface interne 31 du cylindre en céramique 6 comporte une pluralité de traits en graphites 32. Ces traits en graphite 32 sont répartis de manière régulière autour des corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12 parallèlement à l'axe 22 du cylindre en céramique 6. Les traits en graphites 32 ne s'étendent pas sur toute la longueur du cylindre en céramique 6, selon l'axe 22 du cylindre en céramique 6. Par exemple, dans le cadre d'un éclateur à gaz 4 de 50 mm de longueur et de 31,5 mm de diamètre, pour un cylindre en céramique 6 de 28 mm de longueur, les extrémités 33 des traits en graphite 32 sont distantes d'environ 1.6mm des tranches 30 des extrémités du cylindre en céramique 6.In order to improve the priming of the gas spark gap 4, the inner surface 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6 comprises a plurality of graphite lines 32. These graphite lines 32 are distributed in a regular manner around the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12 parallel to the axis 22 of the ceramic cylinder 6. The graphite lines 32 do not extend over the entire length of the ceramic cylinder 6, along the axis 22 of the ceramic cylinder 6. For example, in the context a gas gap 4 50 mm long and 31.5 mm in diameter, for a ceramic cylinder 6 28 mm in length, the ends 33 of the graphite lines 32 are spaced about 1.6 mm from the slices The ends of the ceramic cylinder 6.

Les électrodes 12 sont fabriquées habituellement en Cuivre, dans un alliage de Cuivre et de Tungstène ou tout autre métal ou alliage adapté.The electrodes 12 are usually made of copper, an alloy of copper and tungsten or any other suitable metal or alloy.

Le matériau utilisé pour les coupelles 25 présente avantageusement le même coefficient de dilatation, ou un coefficient de dilatation très proche du coefficient de dilatation d'un cylindre en céramique 6. Les coupelles sont par exemple réalisées dans un alliage de Fer et de Nickel. Ainsi, les coupelles 25 et le cylindre en céramique 6 se dilatent et se contractent de manière analogue de sorte que les efforts qu'ils exercent l'un sur l'autre en contraction/dilatation ne risquent pas de détériorer le cylindre en céramique 6.The material used for the cups 25 advantageously has the same coefficient of expansion, or a coefficient of expansion very close to the expansion coefficient of a ceramic cylinder 6. The cups are for example made of an alloy of iron and nickel. Thus, the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 expand and contract in a similar manner so that the forces they exert on one another contraction / expansion are not likely to deteriorate the ceramic cylinder 6.

Le procédé de fabrication d'un tel éclateur à gaz est le suivant :

  • Dans un premier temps, les coupelles 25 sont montées sur les électrodes 12, les plots 8 des électrodes 12 étant enfilés dans les passages 29 des coupelles 25 jusqu'au contact entre une face interne 34 des coupelles 25 et une face externe 35 des corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12 ;
  • Dans une seconde étape, un premier cycle thermique permet de réaliser la solidarisation de manière étanche entre les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12.
  • Les deux ensembles formés par les électrodes 12 et les coupelles 25 sont ensuite montés dans le cylindre en céramique 6 de manière à ce que la face interne 34 des coupelles 25 soit en contact avec la tranche 30 des extrémités respectives du cylindre en céramique 6.
  • L'ensemble ainsi formé est positionné dans un four à atmosphère contrôlée. Lors d'un second cycle thermique le gaz destiné à être emprisonné dans l'éclateur à gaz 4 est injecté dans le four. Tant que l'étanchéité entre les coupelles 25 et le cylindre en céramique 6 n'a pas encore été réalisée, le logement interne 11 n'est pas étanche et le gaz présent dans le four à atmosphère contrôlée s'introduit dans le logement interne 11. En fin de cycle, à température plus élevée, l'étanchéité entre les coupelles 25 et le cylindre en céramique 6 est réalisée par fusion de la brasure.
The method of manufacturing such a gas spark gap is as follows:
  • In a first step, the cups 25 are mounted on the electrodes 12, the pads 8 of the electrodes 12 being threaded into the passages 29 of the cups 25 until contact is made between an inner face 34 of the cups 25 and an outer face 35 of the main bodies. 14 of the electrodes 12;
  • In a second step, a first thermal cycle makes it possible to seal the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 in a sealed manner.
  • The two sets formed by the electrodes 12 and the cups 25 are then mounted in the ceramic cylinder 6 so that the inner face 34 of the cups 25 is in contact with the wafer 30 of the respective ends of the ceramic cylinder 6.
  • The assembly thus formed is positioned in a controlled atmosphere oven. During a second thermal cycle the gas intended to be trapped in the gas gap 4 is injected into the oven. As long as the tightness between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 has not yet been achieved, the inner housing 11 is not sealed and the gas present in the controlled atmosphere furnace is introduced into the inner housing 11 At the end of the cycle, at a higher temperature, the seal between the cups 25 and the ceramic cylinder 6 is formed by fusion of the solder.

Les brasures entre les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12 présentent peu de risques de ruptures, les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12 étant faites en métal. Il est cependant nécessaire de prévoir un passage 29 des coupelles 25 ayant un diamètre suffisamment grand pour contenir les plots 8 des électrodes 12 à la fois dans leur état contracté, i.e. à température ambiante, et dans leur état dilaté, i.e. à la température de la réalisation de la brasure. L'étanchéité entre les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12 peut être réalisée en tout point de contact entre les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12 entre la face interne 34 des coupelles 25 et la face externe 35 des corps principaux 14 des électrodes 12.The solders between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 have little risk of breakage, the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 being made of metal. It is however necessary to provide a passage 29 of the cups 25 having a diameter sufficiently large to contain the pads 8 of the electrodes 12 both in their contracted state, ie at room temperature, and in their expanded state, ie at the temperature of the realization of the solder. The seal between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 may be made at any point of contact between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 between the inner face 34 of the cups 25 and the outer face 35 of the main bodies 14 of the electrodes 12.

Dans un mode de réalisation, le cylindre en céramique est réalisé en alumine présentant un coefficient de dilatation entre 8*10-6 K-1 et 9*10-6 K-1, les coupelles sont réalisées en alliage de Fer et de Nickel présentant un coefficient de dilatation de 9*10-6 K-1, et les électrodes sont réalisées en cuivre présentant un coefficient de dilatation supérieur à 17*10-6 K-1. On a donc une différence de coefficient de dilatation entre les coupelles et le cylindre en céramique inférieure à 1*10-6 K-1 évitant ainsi une dégradation du cylindre en céramique 6 lors du second cycle de cuisson. En outre, l'orifice 29 des coupelles présente, à température ambiante, un diamètre par exemple de l'ordre de 12 mm et les plots 8 des électrodes 12 présentent par exemple un diamètre externe de l'ordre de 10.8mm, évitant ainsi la génération d'efforts trop important entre les coupelles 25 et les électrodes 12 lors de la cuisson pour réaliser les brasures.In one embodiment, the ceramic cylinder is made of alumina having a coefficient of expansion between 8 * 10 -6 K -1 and 9 × 10 -6 K -1, the cups are made of alloy of iron and nickel having a coefficient of expansion of 9 * 10 -6 K -1 , and the electrodes are made of copper having a coefficient of expansion greater than 17 * 10 -6 K -1 . There is therefore a difference in coefficient of expansion between the cups and the ceramic cylinder less than 1 * 10 -6 K -1 thus avoiding degradation of the ceramic cylinder 6 during the second baking cycle. In addition, the orifice 29 of the cups has, at ambient temperature, a diameter for example of the order of 12 mm and the pads 8 of the electrodes 12 have for example an outer diameter of the order of 10.8 mm, thus avoiding the excessive force generation between the cups 25 and the electrodes 12 during firing to achieve the solders.

La figure 3 représente une variante de réalisation dans laquelle les électrodes 12 délimitent l'entrefer 23 selon une forme spécifique. Plus particulièrement, la face interne 36 d'une première électrode 12 et la face interne 26 d'une seconde électrode 12 présentent une forme tronconique inclinée vers la seconde électrode 12.The figure 3 represents an alternative embodiment in which the electrodes 12 delimit the gap 23 in a specific form. More particularly, the inner face 36 of a first electrode 12 and the inner face 26 of a second electrode 12 have a frustoconical shape inclined towards the second electrode 12.

Ainsi, Des zones périphériques 15 des faces internes 36 et 26 des électrodes 12 se développent parallèlement et selon un angle 9 incliné par rapport à la face interne 31 du cylindre en céramique 6. Cet angle 9 permet d'orienter les projections d'ions de métal lors de l'amorçage de l'éclateur à gaz 4. Cette orientation des projections limite les zones atteintes par les projections d'ions de métal sur la face interne 31 du cylindre en céramique 6 à une zone d'impact située en vis-à-vis d'une seule électrode, limitant les endroits du cylindre en céramique 6 dont la propriété d'isolation électrique est dégradée. Ainsi, le cylindre en céramique 6 conserve son intégrité et ses capacités isolantes grâce à l'orientation des extrémités périphérique 15 qui a l'effet d'orienter les projections de métal vers une seule des deux électrodes.Thus, peripheral zones 15 of the inner faces 36 and 26 of the electrodes 12 develop in parallel and at an angle 9 inclined relative to the inner face 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6. This angle 9 makes it possible to orient the projections of ions of 4. This orientation of the projections limits the zones affected by the projections of metal ions on the internal face 31 of the ceramic cylinder 6 to an impact zone situated in contact with the metal. with respect to a single electrode, limiting the locations of the ceramic cylinder 6 whose electrical insulation property is degraded. Thus, the ceramic cylinder 6 retains its integrity and insulating capabilities through the orientation of the peripheral ends 15 which has the effect of directing the metal projections to only one of the two electrodes.

En variante, d'autres matériaux isolants que les céramiques peuvent être employés pour le cylindre isolant 6. Un éclateur à gaz tel que décrit ci-dessus peut être utilisé dans tout type de circuit électrique.Alternatively, other insulating materials than ceramics may be employed for the insulating cylinder 6. A gas spark gap as described above may be used in any type of electrical circuit.

Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en liaison avec plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers, il est bien évident qu'elle n'y est nullement limitée et qu'elle comprend tous les équivalents techniques des moyens décrits ainsi que leurs combinaisons si celles-ci entrent dans le cadre de l'invention.Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it is comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they fall within the scope of the invention.

L'usage du verbe « comporter », « comprendre » ou « inclure » et de ses formes conjuguées n'exclut pas la présence d'autres éléments ou d'autres étapes que ceux énoncés dans une revendication. L'usage de l'article indéfini « un » ou « une » pour un élément ou une étape n'exclut pas, sauf mention contraire, la présence d'une pluralité de tels éléments ou étapes.The use of the verb "to include", "to understand" or "to include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those set out in a claim. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a step does not exclude, unless otherwise stated, the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Dans les revendications, tout signe de référence entre parenthèses ne saurait être interprété comme une limitation de la revendication.In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses can not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims (8)

  1. A gas-filled spark gap comprising:
    - an insulating envelope (6) with a hollow cylindrical shape open at two opposing ends bounding an internal housing (11) of the gas-filled spark gap,
    - two sealing metal flanges (25) assembled in an air-tight manner onto the insulating envelope respectively at the two opposing ends of this insulating envelope in order to seal in an air-tight manner the openings of the insulating envelope, each flange comprising a through-orifice (29),
    - two metal electrodes (12), each electrode comprising a main body (14) extended by an external connection bar (8), the main body of each electrode being accommodated within the internal housing of the insulating envelope, each electrode comprising an end surface opposite to the connection bar, the end surfaces of the two electrodes bounding between them an air-gap separating the main bodies of the two electrodes in the internal housing, the external bars of the electrodes each passing through the through-orifice of one of the flanges, the flanges being assembled in an air-tight manner onto the electrodes so as to enclose the internal housing in a manner sealed to the gas, the external bars protruding to the outside of the insulating envelope beyond the flanges, and
    - an inert gas trapped in the internal space of the insulating envelope at a predetermined pressure,
    the gas-filled spark gap being characterized in that the two metal electrodes (12) are single pieces, a peripheral portion (15) of the end surface of each of the electrodes makes an angle (9) with an internal face of the insulating envelope, said angle being inclined in the direction of one of the electrodes in such a manner as to deflect projections of material in the direction of said electrode, the flanges are made of a material having a coefficient of expansion whose difference with the coefficient of expansion of the material of the insulating envelope is less than 2*10-6 K-1, and, at ambient temperature, the through-orifice of a flange has an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of the external bar which forms an expansion play so as to allow a greater thermal expansion of the external bar than the thermal expansion of the flange.
  2. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in claim 1, in which the flanges are made of a material having a coefficient of expansion whose difference with the coefficient of expansion of the material of the insulating envelope is less than or equal to 1*10-6 K-1.
  3. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the gas trapped in the insulating envelope is chosen from within the group composed of nitrogen, of argon, of neon, of hydrogen, of helium, of rare gases, and of mixtures of these gases.
  4. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, in which the electrodes are made of a metal chosen from within the group composed of copper, of tungsten, of iron and of their alloys.
  5. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, in which a part of the external bars protruding to the outside of the insulating envelope beyond the flanges is threaded.
  6. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, in which the open ends of the insulating envelope comprise a layer of molybdenum-manganese covered with a layer of nickel, the sealing between the flanges and the insulating envelope being formed by brazing.
  7. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, in which the flanges are made from an alloy of iron and nickel.
  8. The gas-filled spark gap as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, in which the sealing between the flanges and the electrodes is formed by Ag-Cu brazing.
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FR1450644A FR3017004B1 (en) 2014-01-27 2014-01-27 GAS ECLATOR
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CN105981242B (en) 2018-01-16
SI3100325T1 (en) 2018-03-30
EP3100325A1 (en) 2016-12-07
WO2015110641A1 (en) 2015-07-30
CN105981242A (en) 2016-09-28
FR3017004A1 (en) 2015-07-31
FR3017004B1 (en) 2017-10-06

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