EP3234975A1 - Improved contact for disconnector - Google Patents

Improved contact for disconnector

Info

Publication number
EP3234975A1
EP3234975A1 EP15816131.5A EP15816131A EP3234975A1 EP 3234975 A1 EP3234975 A1 EP 3234975A1 EP 15816131 A EP15816131 A EP 15816131A EP 3234975 A1 EP3234975 A1 EP 3234975A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
section
bracket
improved
disconnector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP15816131.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3234975B1 (en
Inventor
Ramamurthy Palakurthy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens Energy Global GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Siemens Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG, Siemens Corp filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP3234975A1 publication Critical patent/EP3234975A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3234975B1 publication Critical patent/EP3234975B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H31/00—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H31/02—Details
    • H01H31/023—Base and stationary contacts mounted thereon
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/36—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding
    • H01H1/44—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by sliding with resilient mounting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H31/00—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H31/14—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means with bridging contact that is not electrically connected to either line contact in open position of switch
    • H01H31/16—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means with bridging contact that is not electrically connected to either line contact in open position of switch with angularly-movable bridging contact or contact-carrying member
    • H01H31/18—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means with bridging contact that is not electrically connected to either line contact in open position of switch with angularly-movable bridging contact or contact-carrying member actuated through the movement of one or more insulators
    • H01H31/20—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means with bridging contact that is not electrically connected to either line contact in open position of switch with angularly-movable bridging contact or contact-carrying member actuated through the movement of one or more insulators at least one insulator being rotatable about its own geometrical axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a modified disconnector connected with a power supply line and more particularly, to a horizontal double break disconnector connected with the power supply line. From last few decades there is a continuously increasing demand of electrical power for various residential and industrial applications. Hence electrical systems are
  • Switchgear is a combination of switches, fuses and/or circuit breakers.
  • Basic function of the switchgear is to control supply of electrical power and to protect electrical
  • switchgear isolates multiple components or parts or modules from the electrical system in order to avoid the damage of various components or parts or modules of the electrical system.
  • switchgear For the isolation or disconnection of various components and/or modules of the electrical system a variety of application and/or voltage dependent disconnectors are used within the electrical system.
  • Disconnectors are classified based on the position of a disconnector in the electrical system. Types of disconnectors on the basis of position include, but not limited to, bus side disconnector, line side disconnector and transfer bus side disconnector. Disconnectors are also classified on the basis of system requirements. System requirement based disconnector classification includes, but not limited to, single break disconnector, double break disconnector and pantograph type disconnector. Double break disconnectors are very commonly used in
  • FIG 1 illustrates a basic assembly of a double break disconnector 100.
  • the double break disconnector 100 includes three support insulators 102, 104 and 106, a support frame 108 and a motor 110.
  • the motor 110 is connected with the centre support insulator 104 through a rotation mechanism 118.
  • the three support insulators 102, 104 and 106 has one contact each 112, 114 and 116 at the top, as shown in FIG 1.
  • the three contacts 112, 114 and 116 are connected through a conductive tube 120.
  • the motor 110 can rotate the centre support insulator 104 by using the rotation mechanism 118 which leads to a rotation motion of the contact 114 i.e.
  • a first external bus bar 122 is connected with the fixed contact 112 and a second external bus bar 124 is connected with the fixed contact 116.
  • the two fixed contacts 112 and 116 are remain connected through the moving contact 114 which allows the flow of current from the first bus bar 122 to the second external bus bar 124 via conductive tube 120, as illustrated in FIG 1.
  • the double break disconnector 100 Due to a horizontal connection of the conductive tube 120 with the first external bus bar 122 and the second external bus bar 124, through the contacts 112, 114 and 116, the double break disconnector 100 also referred as horizontal double break disconnector.
  • the double break disconnector 100 needs to disconnect the fixed contacts 122 and 116 from the first bus bar 122 and the second bus bar 124, respectively.
  • the motor 110 rotates the centre support insulator 104 by using the
  • disconnector 100 is referred as the double break disconnector 100.
  • the fixed contacts used in double break disconnectors have fingers that are connected with the terminal pads which connect with the external bus bars.
  • a limitation of the fixed contacts known in the state of the art is, the terminal pads size are fixed hence a particular size of terminal pad can be used only for a specific external bus bar i.e. the size of terminal pads are limited by current rating of external bus bars.
  • Another limitation is the fingers of the contacts are fixed with single bolt which increases the possibility of loosening and also mutual misalignment of the fingers of a contact.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient contact for double break disconnector which is suitable for multiple current ratings and provides a very stable connection between a conductive tube of the disconnector and an external bus bar.
  • the object is achieved by providing an improved contact according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the present invention are addressed in the dependent claims.
  • the improved contact comprises one or more contact fingers and at least one U-bracket.
  • the at least one U-bracket has at least one first section and at least one second section.
  • a first section of the at least one first section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
  • a first section of the at least one second section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers .
  • the improved contact further comprises at least one support frame.
  • the at least one support frame comprises bolts which are used for tightening the improved contact with at least one support insulator.
  • improved contact further comprises at least one terminal pad.
  • the at least one terminal pad is electrically and/or
  • the at least one terminal pad comprises a plurality of holes for electrically and/or physically connecting at least one external bus bar.
  • the at least one terminal pad has one or more first holes from plurality of holes at one end of the at least one terminal pad and one or more second holes from plurality of holes at another end of the at least one
  • improved contact further comprises one or more isolation mechanisms.
  • the one or more isolation mechanisms comprise one or more studs and/or one or more springs.
  • the one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one first section of the at least one U-bracket with the first section of the at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
  • the one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one second section of the at least one U-bracket with the first section of the at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
  • the improved contact further comprises one or more bolted joints.
  • the one or more bolted joints comprise at least one first bolted joint and at least one second bolted joint.
  • the at least one first bolted joint of the one or more bolted joints connects a second section of the at least one first section of the at least one U-bracket with a second section of at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
  • the at least one second bolted joint of the one or more bolted joints connects a second section of the at least one second section of the at least one U-bracket with a second section of at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
  • the present invention provides an improved contact for a horizontal double break disconnector.
  • the present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the
  • FIG 1 illustrates a double break disconnector
  • FIG 2 illustrates current path of a horizontal double break disconnector in accordance with an
  • FIG 3 illustrates a prospective view of an improved contact in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 2 illustrates a current path 200 of a horizontal double break disconnector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the current path includes contacts 202, 204, and 206 connected through a conductive tube 208 of the horizontal double break disconnector.
  • Support frame, motor, rotation mechanism and support insulators are also parts of the horizontal double break disconnector however the support frame, motor, rotation mechanism and support insulators are not illustrated in FIG 2 in order to simplify the
  • the contacts 202 and 206 are improved fixed contacts and the contact 204 is moving contact that are coupled together with the conductive tube 208 as illustrated in FIG 2.
  • a first external bus bar, not shown in FIG 2 will connect with a terminal pad 210 of the improved fixed contact 202 and a second external bus bar, not shown in FIG 2, will connect with a terminal pad 212 of the improved fixed contact 206.
  • a flow of current from the external bus bars thorough the conductive tube 208 of the current path 200 is same as a flow of current in the
  • disconnection of the conductive tube 208 from the improved fixed contacts 202 and 206 is also similar to the horizontal double break disconnector 100, illustrated in FIG 1.
  • the improved fixed contacts 202 and 206 are exactly same in look and design however a front view of the improved fixed contact 202 and a back view of the improved fixed contact 206 are illustrated in FIG 2 so that the conductive tube 208 can be isolated and connected from both the fixed contacts 202 and 204 simultaneously when the moving contact 204 rotates at its axis .
  • FIG 3 illustrates a prospective view of an improved contact 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
  • the improved contact 300 can be used as, but not limited to, an improved fixed contact in a horizontal double break disconnector.
  • the improved contact 300 has a terminal pad 302, contact fingers 304A and 304B, a U-bracket 306 and a support frame 312. Bottom side of the support frame 312 of the improved contact 300 has bolts 314 which are used for tightening the improved contact 300 with a support insulator, not shown in FIG 3.
  • the improved contact 300 is attached with an external bus bar, not shown in FIG 3, by using the
  • the terminal pad 302 has holes 308 and 310 on either side of it, as illustrated in FIG 3.
  • the holes are used for tightening the external bus bars with the terminal pad, to establish a connection between the external bus bar and the improved contact 300.
  • the improved contact 300, illustrated in FIG 3, is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and in a preferred embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal pad 302 of the improved contact 300 has multiple holes on either side of it.
  • the terminal pad 302 of the improved contact 300 is in contact with the U-bracket 306, as illustrated in FIG 3.
  • a lower contact finger 304A is contacted to the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 through a bolted joint 320A and an upper contact finger 304B is contacted to the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 through a bolted joint
  • a conductive tube is connected between the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B of the improved contact 300.
  • the current flows from the external bus bar to terminal pad 302 then to the lower portion 306A and the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306, then it flows from the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B the improved contact 300 to the conductive tube.
  • the lower contact finger 304A is separated from the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 via bolted joints 320A and 320B, respectively, from one end, as illustrated in FIG 3.
  • the lower contact finger 304A is separated from the lower portion 306A of the
  • the U-bracket 306 by using a lower non-conductive stud 318A along with a lower insulated spring 316A.
  • the upper contact finger 304B is separated from the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 by using an upper non-conductive stud 318B along with an upper insulated spring 316B.
  • a combination of non-conductive studs 318A, 318B and the insulated springs 316A, 316B can call as an isolation mechanism.
  • the lower and upper non-conductive studs 318A and 318B of the isolation mechanism are made of non-conductive material which is, but not limited to, nylon hence the non-conductive studs 318A and 318B prevent leakage of current from the contact fingers 304A and 304B to the U- bracket 306 through the insulated springs 316A and 316B.
  • the lower non-conductive stud 318A along with the lower insulated spring 316A provides separation between a portion, other than the lower bolted joint 320A, of the lower contact finger 304A and of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306.
  • the upper non-conductive stud 318B along with the upper insulated spring 316B provides separation between a portion, other than the upper bolted joint 320B, of the upper contact finger 304B and of the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306. Due to the separation between the lower contact finger 304A and of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306, the flow of current in the separated portion of the lower contact finger 304A is in opposite direction with respect to the flow of current in the separated portion of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 which in turns develops a repulsive force between the separated portion of the lower contact finger 304A and the separated portion of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306.
  • a same kind of repulsive force also develops between the separated portion of the upper contact finger 304B and the separated portion of the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 due to opposite flow of current. Due to the repulsive forces, the contact fingers 304A and 304B pushed away from the lower and upper portions 306A and 306B of the U-bracket 306 which provides a firm grip for the conductive tube, not shown in FIG 3, inserted between the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B.
  • the repulsive forces explained above, will be applicable either the current flows from the conductive tube to the external bus bar or the current flows from the external bus bar to the conductive tube. The flow of current is in
  • the improved contact 300 can also referred as reverse loop contact.
  • the present invention provides an improved contact for horizontal double break disconnector which is efficient and can use with external bus bars of different current ratings.
  • the improved contact disclosed in the present invention, provides a stable and firm grip to a conductive tube due to the design of contact fingers

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Abstract

An improved contact for disconnector is disclosed in the present invention. The improved contact comprises one or more contact fingers and at least one U-bracket. A first section of a at least one first section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers. Also, a first section of a at least one second section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.

Description

Description
Improved contact for disconnector The present invention relates to a modified disconnector connected with a power supply line and more particularly, to a horizontal double break disconnector connected with the power supply line. From last few decades there is a continuously increasing demand of electrical power for various residential and industrial applications. Hence electrical systems are
becoming increasingly complex, heavy and powerful. An
essential component of an electrical system is switchgear. Switchgear is a combination of switches, fuses and/or circuit breakers. Basic function of the switchgear is to control supply of electrical power and to protect electrical
components of the electrical system in an event of abnormal condition. In case of any abnormal condition, like short circuit, switchgear isolates multiple components or parts or modules from the electrical system in order to avoid the damage of various components or parts or modules of the electrical system. For the isolation or disconnection of various components and/or modules of the electrical system a variety of application and/or voltage dependent disconnectors are used within the electrical system.
Disconnectors are classified based on the position of a disconnector in the electrical system. Types of disconnectors on the basis of position include, but not limited to, bus side disconnector, line side disconnector and transfer bus side disconnector. Disconnectors are also classified on the basis of system requirements. System requirement based disconnector classification includes, but not limited to, single break disconnector, double break disconnector and pantograph type disconnector. Double break disconnectors are very commonly used in
electrical distribution systems for the isolation of various electrical distribution system components and/or modules. FIG 1 illustrates a basic assembly of a double break disconnector 100. The double break disconnector 100 includes three support insulators 102, 104 and 106, a support frame 108 and a motor 110. The motor 110 is connected with the centre support insulator 104 through a rotation mechanism 118. The three support insulators 102, 104 and 106 has one contact each 112, 114 and 116 at the top, as shown in FIG 1. The three contacts 112, 114 and 116 are connected through a conductive tube 120. The motor 110 can rotate the centre support insulator 104 by using the rotation mechanism 118 which leads to a rotation motion of the contact 114 i.e. connected with the centre support insulator 104 hence the contact 114 also referred as moving contact 114. The two side support insulators 102 and 106 are fixed insulators so the contacts 112 and 116 are also fixed hence referred as fixed contacts 112 and 116. A first external bus bar 122 is connected with the fixed contact 112 and a second external bus bar 124 is connected with the fixed contact 116.
During normal operation of the electrical system, the two fixed contacts 112 and 116 are remain connected through the moving contact 114 which allows the flow of current from the first bus bar 122 to the second external bus bar 124 via conductive tube 120, as illustrated in FIG 1. Due to a horizontal connection of the conductive tube 120 with the first external bus bar 122 and the second external bus bar 124, through the contacts 112, 114 and 116, the double break disconnector 100 also referred as horizontal double break disconnector. When isolation is required, the double break disconnector 100 needs to disconnect the fixed contacts 122 and 116 from the first bus bar 122 and the second bus bar 124, respectively. To achieve disconnection, the motor 110 rotates the centre support insulator 104 by using the
rotation mechanism 118 which leads to a rotation of the moving contact 114. Due to the rotation of the moving contact 114, the conductive tube 120 also rotates on its axis which leads to the disconnection of the conductive tube 120 from the fixed contacts 112 and 116. The rotation action of the conductive tube 120 leads to the disconnection from both the fixed contacts 112 and 116 at once hence the break
disconnector 100 is referred as the double break disconnector 100.
From the working principle of the double break disconnector 100, illustrated in FIG 1, it is evident that shape and design of the contacts 112, 114 and 116 plays a very
important role during the connection and disconnection of the conductive rod 120 with the fixed contacts 112 and 116.
According to the state of the art, the fixed contacts used in double break disconnectors have fingers that are connected with the terminal pads which connect with the external bus bars. A limitation of the fixed contacts known in the state of the art is, the terminal pads size are fixed hence a particular size of terminal pad can be used only for a specific external bus bar i.e. the size of terminal pads are limited by current rating of external bus bars. Another limitation is the fingers of the contacts are fixed with single bolt which increases the possibility of loosening and also mutual misalignment of the fingers of a contact. In addition to it, when there is a flow of high current through the external bus bars an electrodynamic force develops which leads to vibrations in the external contacts that in turns loosens or opens the fixed contacts and also enhances the chances of mutual misalignment between the fingers of the contacts .
From the above mentioned problems associated with contacts, specifically fixed contacts, of horizontal double break disconnector in accordance with the state of the art it is clearly evident that there is a strong need of a fixed contact that can be used for various current ratings, should be capable of holding external bus bars rigidly for a long time and also capable to sustain high flow current.
It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient contact for double break disconnector which is suitable for multiple current ratings and provides a very stable connection between a conductive tube of the disconnector and an external bus bar. The object is achieved by providing an improved contact according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the present invention are addressed in the dependent claims.
In the present invention, an improved contact for
disconnectors is disclosed. The improved contact comprises one or more contact fingers and at least one U-bracket. The at least one U-bracket has at least one first section and at least one second section. A first section of the at least one first section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers. Also, a first section of the at least one second section of the U-bracket is isolated with a first section of at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers .
In accordance with the present invention, the improved contact further comprises at least one support frame. The at least one support frame comprises bolts which are used for tightening the improved contact with at least one support insulator.
Further in accordance with the present invention, the
improved contact further comprises at least one terminal pad. The at least one terminal pad is electrically and/or
physically connected with the at least one U-bracket. The at least one terminal pad comprises a plurality of holes for electrically and/or physically connecting at least one external bus bar. The at least one terminal pad has one or more first holes from plurality of holes at one end of the at least one terminal pad and one or more second holes from plurality of holes at another end of the at least one
terminal pad.
Further in accordance with the present invention, the
improved contact further comprises one or more isolation mechanisms. The one or more isolation mechanisms comprise one or more studs and/or one or more springs. The one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one first section of the at least one U-bracket with the first section of the at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers. Also, the one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one second section of the at least one U-bracket with the first section of the at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
Furthermore in accordance with the present invention, the improved contact further comprises one or more bolted joints. The one or more bolted joints comprise at least one first bolted joint and at least one second bolted joint. The at least one first bolted joint of the one or more bolted joints connects a second section of the at least one first section of the at least one U-bracket with a second section of at least one first contact finger of the one or more contact fingers. In addition to it, the at least one second bolted joint of the one or more bolted joints connects a second section of the at least one second section of the at least one U-bracket with a second section of at least one second contact finger of the one or more contact fingers.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved contact for a horizontal double break disconnector. The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG 1 illustrates a double break disconnector in
accordance with the state of the art,
FIG 2 illustrates current path of a horizontal double break disconnector in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG 3 illustrates a prospective view of an improved contact in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
FIG 2 illustrates a current path 200 of a horizontal double break disconnector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The current path includes contacts 202, 204, and 206 connected through a conductive tube 208 of the horizontal double break disconnector. Support frame, motor, rotation mechanism and support insulators are also parts of the horizontal double break disconnector however the support frame, motor, rotation mechanism and support insulators are not illustrated in FIG 2 in order to simplify the
description. In the current path 200, the contacts 202 and 206 are improved fixed contacts and the contact 204 is moving contact that are coupled together with the conductive tube 208 as illustrated in FIG 2. A first external bus bar, not shown in FIG 2, will connect with a terminal pad 210 of the improved fixed contact 202 and a second external bus bar, not shown in FIG 2, will connect with a terminal pad 212 of the improved fixed contact 206. A flow of current from the external bus bars thorough the conductive tube 208 of the current path 200 is same as a flow of current in the
horizontal double break disconnector 100, as described in FIG 1. In addition to it, the method and operation of
disconnection of the conductive tube 208 from the improved fixed contacts 202 and 206 is also similar to the horizontal double break disconnector 100, illustrated in FIG 1. The improved fixed contacts 202 and 206 are exactly same in look and design however a front view of the improved fixed contact 202 and a back view of the improved fixed contact 206 are illustrated in FIG 2 so that the conductive tube 208 can be isolated and connected from both the fixed contacts 202 and 204 simultaneously when the moving contact 204 rotates at its axis .
FIG 3 illustrates a prospective view of an improved contact 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The improved contact 300 can be used as, but not limited to, an improved fixed contact in a horizontal double break disconnector. The improved contact 300 has a terminal pad 302, contact fingers 304A and 304B, a U-bracket 306 and a support frame 312. Bottom side of the support frame 312 of the improved contact 300 has bolts 314 which are used for tightening the improved contact 300 with a support insulator, not shown in FIG 3. The improved contact 300 is attached with an external bus bar, not shown in FIG 3, by using the
terminal pad 302. The terminal pad 302 has holes 308 and 310 on either side of it, as illustrated in FIG 3. The holes are used for tightening the external bus bars with the terminal pad, to establish a connection between the external bus bar and the improved contact 300. Due to different combination of holes 308 and 310 i.e. four holes 308 and two holes 310, different kinds of external bus bars can be connected with the terminal pad 302 and as the holes 308 and 310 are on either side of the terminal pad 302 hence the external bus bar can be connected on either side of the improved contact 300. The improved contact 300, illustrated in FIG 3, is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and in a preferred embodiment of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the terminal pad 302 of the improved contact 300 has multiple holes on either side of it.
The terminal pad 302 of the improved contact 300 is in contact with the U-bracket 306, as illustrated in FIG 3.
Current flows from the external bus bar to the U-bracket 306 through the terminal pad 302. The current flows through a lower portion 306A and an upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306. A lower contact finger 304A is contacted to the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 through a bolted joint 320A and an upper contact finger 304B is contacted to the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 through a bolted joint
320B, as illustrated in FIG 3. Due to the bolted joints 320A and 320B, the current received at the U-bracket 306, from the external bus bar through the terminal pad 302, passes from the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 to the lower contact finger 304A and from the upper portion 306B of the U- bracket 306 to the upper contact finger 304B. A conductive tube, not shown in FIG 3, is connected between the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B of the improved contact 300. The current flows from the external bus bar to terminal pad 302 then to the lower portion 306A and the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306, then it flows from the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B the improved contact 300 to the conductive tube. The lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger
304B are connected with the lower portion 306A and the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 via bolted joints 320A and 320B, respectively, from one end, as illustrated in FIG 3. Other than the bolted joint 320A section, the lower contact finger 304A is separated from the lower portion 306A of the
U-bracket 306 by using a lower non-conductive stud 318A along with a lower insulated spring 316A. Also, Other than the bolted joint 320B section, the upper contact finger 304B is separated from the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 by using an upper non-conductive stud 318B along with an upper insulated spring 316B. A combination of non-conductive studs 318A, 318B and the insulated springs 316A, 316B can call as an isolation mechanism. The lower and upper non-conductive studs 318A and 318B of the isolation mechanism are made of non-conductive material which is, but not limited to, nylon hence the non-conductive studs 318A and 318B prevent leakage of current from the contact fingers 304A and 304B to the U- bracket 306 through the insulated springs 316A and 316B. The lower non-conductive stud 318A along with the lower insulated spring 316A provides separation between a portion, other than the lower bolted joint 320A, of the lower contact finger 304A and of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306. Also the upper non-conductive stud 318B along with the upper insulated spring 316B provides separation between a portion, other than the upper bolted joint 320B, of the upper contact finger 304B and of the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306. Due to the separation between the lower contact finger 304A and of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306, the flow of current in the separated portion of the lower contact finger 304A is in opposite direction with respect to the flow of current in the separated portion of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 which in turns develops a repulsive force between the separated portion of the lower contact finger 304A and the separated portion of the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306. A same kind of repulsive force also develops between the separated portion of the upper contact finger 304B and the separated portion of the upper portion 306B of the U-bracket 306 due to opposite flow of current. Due to the repulsive forces, the contact fingers 304A and 304B pushed away from the lower and upper portions 306A and 306B of the U-bracket 306 which provides a firm grip for the conductive tube, not shown in FIG 3, inserted between the lower contact finger 304A and the upper contact finger 304B. The repulsive forces, explained above, will be applicable either the current flows from the conductive tube to the external bus bar or the current flows from the external bus bar to the conductive tube. The flow of current is in
opposite directions between the lower contact finger 304A and the lower portion 306A of the U-bracket 306 and also the flow of current is in opposite directions between the upper contact finger 304B and the upper portion 306B of the U- bracket 306 under both the conditions hence due to the innovative reverse loop design of the improved contact 300 disclosed in the present invention, the improved contact 300 can also referred as reverse loop contact.
From the foregoing description it is evident that the present invention provides an improved contact for horizontal double break disconnector which is efficient and can use with external bus bars of different current ratings.
In addition to it, the improved contact, disclosed in the present invention, provides a stable and firm grip to a conductive tube due to the design of contact fingers
explained above. Also, during a fault condition, when a high current flows from the external bus bars to the conductive tube, due to the reverse loop design of the improved contact, repulsive forces are developed between the contact fingers and the U-bracket, which leads to tightening the grip of the contact fingers on the conductive tube that opposes the electrodynamic force developed due to high current. Further, the rigid bolted joints and repulsive forces between the U-bracket and the contact fingers eliminate the
possibility of misalignment of the contact fingers. Also, due to the innovative reverse loop design of the improved
contact, disclosed in the present invention, less amount of raw material is required for manufacturing the improved contact in comparison to the raw material required for manufacturing the fixed contacts known in the state of the art . While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those
embodiments. In view of the present disclosure, many
modifications and variations would present themselves, to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of various embodiments of the present invention, as described herein. The scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.

Claims

Claims :
1. An improved contact (300) comprises:
-one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) ;
-at least one first section (306A) of at least one U- bracket (306) wherein a first section of the at least one first section (306A) is isolated with a first section of at least one first contact finger (304A) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) ; and -at least one second section (306B) of the at least one
U-bracket (306) wherein a first section of the at least one second section (306B) is isolated with a first section of at least one second contact finger (304B) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) .
2. The improved contact (300) according to claim 1 further comprises at least one support frame (312) .
3. The improved contact (300) according to claim 1 wherein the at least one U-bracket (306) is in contact with at least one terminal pad (302) .
4. The improved contact (300) according to claim 3 wherein the at least one terminal pad (302) comprises a plurality of holes (308, 310) for connecting at least one external bus bar.
5. The improved contact (300) according to claim 1 further comprises one or more isolation mechanisms.
6. The improved contact (300) according to claim 5 wherein the one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one first section (306A) of the at least one U-bracket (306) with the first section of the at least one first contact finger (304A) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) .
7. The improved contact (300) according to claim 5 wherein the one or more isolation mechanisms isolate the first section of the at least one second section (306B) of the at least one U-bracket (306) with the first section of the at least one second contact finger (304B) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) .
8. The improved contact (300) according to claim 5 wherein the one or more isolation mechanisms comprises one or more studs (318A, 318B) .
9. The improved contact (300) according to claim 5 wherein the one or more isolation mechanisms comprises one or more springs (316A, 316B) .
10. The improved contact (300) according to claim 1 further comprises one or more bolted joints (320A, 320B) .
11. The improved contact according to claim 10 wherein at least one first bolted joint (320A) of the one or more bolted joints (320A, 320B) connects a second section of the at least one first section (306A) of the at least one U-bracket (306) with a second section of at least one first contact finger (304A) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) .
12. The improved contact according to claim 10 wherein at least one second bolted joint (320B) of the one or more bolted joints (320A, 320B) connects a second section of the at least one second section (306B) of the at least one U-bracket (306) with a second section of at least one second contact finger (304B) of the one or more contact fingers (304A, 304B) .
EP15816131.5A 2014-12-16 2015-12-15 Improved contact for disconnector Active EP3234975B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN1305KO2014 2014-12-16
PCT/EP2015/079850 WO2016096891A1 (en) 2014-12-16 2015-12-15 Improved contact for disconnector

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3234975A1 true EP3234975A1 (en) 2017-10-25
EP3234975B1 EP3234975B1 (en) 2021-03-10

Family

ID=55022449

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15816131.5A Active EP3234975B1 (en) 2014-12-16 2015-12-15 Improved contact for disconnector

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3234975B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2016096891A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3134865A (en) * 1960-12-27 1964-05-26 Kearney James R Corp Rotating blade switch
JPH06318422A (en) * 1992-12-14 1994-11-15 Abb Power T & D Co Inc High-voltage switch
IT1400992B1 (en) * 2010-07-12 2013-07-05 Areva T&D Italy S P A DISCONNECTOR, PARTICULARLY OF THE DUAL-INTERRUPTION TYPE WITH DOUBLE MOVEMENT.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016096891A1 (en) 2016-06-23
EP3234975B1 (en) 2021-03-10

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