EP3800655A1 - Quick disconnect switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick disconnect switch, that is to say a switch with which an electrical circuit can be disconnected particularly quickly. Such switches are sometimes also referred to as pyrotechnic disconnection devices or also as electrical interruption switching elements. In particular, it concerns a quick disconnect switch (10) which has a power supply contact and a power discharge contact, which are connected by a conductor (20), and in which the conductor (20) is passed through a separating chamber (12) and in the separating chamber ( 12) an expansion vessel (18) is provided, which can be expanded by an explosive charge. It is also about a method for the emergency disconnection of a circuit.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a quick disconnect switch, i. H. a switch with which you can disconnect an electrical circuit particularly quickly, even with high currents and high separation voltages. The switch is suitable for both DC and AC circuits. The switch usually uses a small amount of an explosive material for this purpose. Such switches are sometimes also referred to as pyrotechnic disconnection devices or also as electrical interruption switching elements. For example, they can be used in the increasingly important field of e-mobility, in particular to protect electric drives, especially in electric cars, electric trucks or electric buses. If an appropriately powered vehicle has an accident, it is important and necessary to quickly disconnect the power source from the vehicle wiring. The corresponding questions also arise when propelling ships with electric motors or, in the meantime, when propelling aircraft with electric motors, but also when it comes to corresponding tasks in control cabinets in general.

Background of the invention

Many circuit breakers use the action of propellant charges on a piston. After its acceleration and the pressure exerted on it, they are in any case able to quickly interrupt a circuit, even when high currents are flowing.

The European patent application EP 563 947 A1 discloses a method for securing circuits carrying high currents and also discloses a high current fuse element. A pyrotechnic charge is ignited to cut the conductor. This speeds you up Cutting punch. The cutting punch mechanically cuts through a conductor section.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE 196 16 993 A1 discloses a circuit pyrotechnic fuse element. A pyrotechnic charge is also used here. This accelerates a plastic piston, which guides a knife-like separating element, which in turn can cut through a conductor.

The German patent specification DE 44 38 157 also discloses a pyrotechnic cutting device which is suitable for accelerating an active part, which has essentially the shape of a piston, for cutting through a conductor.

These solutions all work on the basic principle of a piston-operated disconnector. Since it depends on the very fast separation of a circuit within milliseconds, the acceleration of the piston mass is a disadvantage. Accelerating a mass inevitably delays the process. Furthermore, the piston must be guided cleanly in a respective separation chamber in order to enable rapid movement. In addition, it is also necessary to provide sealing devices, for example between the piston and propellant charge.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE 44 02 994 A1 discloses an electrical safety switch for motor vehicles which can be described as piston-free. Here, two conductors are connected to one another in such a way that one conductor protrudes with a tapered end into the receiving space of another conductor. A gas generator, which acts as a propellant charge, is provided in this receiving space. With such a solution, however, exhaust gases, which are produced by a propellant charge, escape into the then open space between two conductors.

Also, the separation of the conductors is not in a well-defined way. If the separation is inadequate, arcing can therefore occur very quickly.

The present invention would like to offer a quick disconnector that can be manufactured inexpensively and reliably, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the disconnector can work piston-free, so that a disconnection with less accelerated mass is possible. The separation is intended to bring the conductor to be separated into a reliable, predefined separation state and thereby minimize arc effects, such as would occur especially in direct current circuits (DC circuits) when the electrical circuit is disconnected. Furthermore, the escape of exhaust gases from the propellant charge or pollution particles should be avoided, as well as contact of the exhaust gases with the separation point (s).

This object is achieved by a quick disconnect switch according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are given in the subclaims. A method for circuit separation according to method claim 11 and its dependent claims also has the corresponding advantages.

description

The quick-disconnect switch should have a power supply contact and a power discharge contact. However, these designations should not necessarily define a current direction; as a rule, the disconnector can operate independently of a specific current direction. These contacts can be provided directly on the disconnector, or the disconnector can also have line sections which in turn first have these contacts. The two contacts are connected by a conductor. This is often a copper or aluminum conductor. Another material, in particular another metallic or at least electrically conductive material, is also suitable.

The quick disconnector has a separation chamber. This in turn has an interior. The interior can have different shapes, often it is cuboid. The conductor is led through the separation chamber. The conductor is preferably passed through the separating chamber precisely or essentially in the middle. This results in a mirror-symmetrical position at least in one sectional plane.

According to the invention, an expansion vessel is provided in the separation chamber. The expansion vessel can contain an explosive charge. Alternatively, the explosive charge can be accommodated in a vessel adjoining the expansion vessel, for example together with an ignition charge. In any case, the explosive charge should be able to expand the expansion vessel in the event of an explosion.

In contrast to the prior art, the explosive charge is therefore not provided directly in the separation chamber, but in its own vessel.

The explosion of the explosive charge causes the mechanical separation of the conductor. This takes place with expansion of the expansion vessel. The expansion vessel can completely enclose the explosive charge even after the explosion.

This aspect leads to further fundamental advantages of the invention: The disconnector can be built gas-tight and can therefore be used at very low ambient pressures (e.g. in aviation). With switches from the state of the art, exhaust gas must be able to escape. Therefore, these switches cannot be built gas-tight and can be used at very low ambient pressures.

The expansion vessel can comprise a bellows, for example. Such a bellows facilitates rapid expansion. The expansion vessel should be able to expand, for example, to more than 200%, 300%, 400%, 500% or up to 1000% of its initial volume. Preferably this should happen non-destructively. The expansion vessel can also be elastic, so that its volume is reduced again after the explosion. However, elasticity is not required. The expansion vessel can expediently be made of metal or of a non-metal. Appropriate metals are steels, generally thin steels, and in particular also stainless steel. Alternatively, the expansion vessel can also be made of bronze or copper. In the case of non-metals, rubber, natural rubber, silicone or even TPE plastic are useful. Plastics such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide 6 (PA 6) or ABS can also be considered.

If an electrically conductive material is used for the expansion vessel, this usually has to be electrically stripped on the outside by an electrically non-conductive layer so that the remaining contact pieces are not electrically bridged after the conductor has been separated.

The expansion vessel is expediently lighter than the conductor section running in the separating chamber. This low weight enables the explosive charge to expand rapidly, also in relation to the mass of the conductor section to be severed. A rather heavy expansion vessel would cause the conductor to be severed in the manner of a piston. A metal expansion vessel can be designed in a corresponding manner. However, the conductor separation, for example by means of a sharp-edged piston-like section, would not be necessary in the context of the present invention. The conductors are separated mainly through the rapid expansion of the explosive material in the given space of the separation chamber, in other words through a pressure wave.

It is expedient if the conductor runs along an axis in a first direction through the separating chamber. The separating chamber and in particular the position of the expansion vessel can expediently be designed in such a way that the separation takes place with a completely, substantially, or at least predominant radial component in relation to this axis.

A conductor section to be separated can then be displaced radially. The conductor can be bent so that only a certain section is displaced radially, or a section can be separated from the conductor on two sides, which is displaced radially as a whole.

It can be useful if the conductor softens mechanical weakening elements. Such weakening elements reduce the conductor material to be separated without significantly increasing the electrical volume resistance of the conductor material. These weakening elements can include bores, grooves, partial cuts or notches. They also serve to make the separation of the conductor predictable in advance, to facilitate it and to organize it in advance in a favorable manner.

Drilling has the added benefit of allowing air to flow through the conductor. With a fast movement of the conductor or a distance between the conductors, there is less flow resistance. Even if the conductor moves into an extinguishing medium, the flow resistance and thus the resistance to the desired translational movement of the conductor can be significantly reduced through the bore. Incidentally, holes caused by the removal of the material are weak points at which a break point in the material can occur particularly easily.

In addition, weakening elements in the form of grooves or notches can be provided. A groove is to be understood here as a slot of a certain depth (which appears as a blind hole in cross section), but which also has a uniform thickness in cross section. A notch should be understood to mean a depression which is wider near the conductor surface than at a greater depth. Both are suitable attenuation elements. Notches advantageously allow entire sections of the conductor to be displaced radially. If only one groove is provided, in particular a narrow groove, the radial displacement can be made difficult or hindered by tilting and tilting.

The conductor can also have a zone of increased resistance. For example, the conductor diameter can be reduced in such a zone. The weakening elements enumerated above can expediently be used to increase the electrical resistance. This leads to electrical heating of the conductor. The resulting heat can be used to ignite explosive material lying there. For this purpose, the explosive material is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the zone of increased resistance and in good thermal contact with it.

There is also the advantageous possibility of optimizing the material of the expansion vessel for such a heat-triggered or "passive" explosion. The material of the expansion vessel can be adapted to this task as a whole, or the expansion vessel has in sections, namely at the contact surface with the conductor, a material that differs from the rest of the expansion vessel. Suitable materials here are copper, brass, aluminum, silver or bronze.

It is also possible if an additional contact layer is applied to the expansion vessel. For example, a contact layer made of copper could be used for particularly good heat conduction. In this way, the heat-induced separation can be adapted particularly precisely to the needs of the circuit.

This expedient design shows further advantages of using an expansion vessel. For example, where a piston is used, the piston must almost inevitably be applied between the explosive charge and the conductor. In this way, however, the piston prevents the explosive charge from being positioned close to the conductor. This is possible by dispensing with a piston. The triggering of the circuit disconnection by heating the conductor is particularly advantageous. they Thanks to the passive triggering of the explosive charge or the disconnector, which is present here, overheating of the circuit or a short-circuited power source due to excessively high currents is avoided without the need for complicated recording and evaluation of the currents and / or switching.

It can also be expedient to provide parts of the explosive charge inside the expansion vessel and to provide parts of the explosive charge outside the expansion vessel. For example, an explosive charge can be provided in a blind hole or a similar recess in the conductor. This explosive charge then heats up quickly through direct contact with the conductor. Their explosion can cause the remaining explosive charge in the separation vessel to explode through heat transfer. For this purpose, a bore can also be provided, for example, through which a jet of hot gas reaches the interior of the expansion vessel. Such a bore is not absolutely necessary, since an explosion of explosive material, which is provided inside the expansion vessel, can also be triggered quickly and reliably by thermal heating through the material of the expansion vessel.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the separating chamber can comprise an extinguishing medium. This extinguishing medium can for example be arranged below the conductor, that is to say on the side of the conductor facing away from the expansion vessel - or it fills more or less the entire interior of the disconnector outside the expansion vessel. Fill levels of 10% to almost 100% of the free internal volume of the disconnector are advantageous here.

1. a. Führen des Stromes durch einen Leiterabschnitt
2. b. Führen des Leiterabschnitts durch eine Trennkammer
3. c. Vorsehen eines Dehngefäßes in der Trennkammer
4. d. Vorhalten eines Explosivmaterials am oder im Dehngefäß
5. e. Zünden des Explosivmaterials
6. f. Durchtrennen des Leiterabschnittes

The present invention also relates to a method for the emergency disconnection of a circuit, which comprises the following steps:

1. a. Passing the current through a section of conductor
2. b. Passing the conductor section through a separation chamber
3. c. Providing an expansion vessel in the separation chamber
4. d. Holding an explosive material on or in the expansion vessel
5. e. Detonation of the explosive material
6. f. severing the conductor section

The explosive material should be held on or in the expansion vessel in such a way that the expansion vessel can be expanded by the reaction of the explosive material.

The steps are preferably carried out in context and in the order in which they are listed. The method is to be understood in relation to the quick disconnector according to the invention. This means that features of the design of the quick disconnector are to be transferred analogously to the method, and characteristics of the method are to be transferred analogously to characteristics of the quick disconnector.

A method in which the explosive material remains completely in the vessel after the explosion is also expedient.

A method is also expedient in which, after the conductor has been severed, a first conductor end and a second conductor end are produced, and the expansion vessel mechanically separates the first conductor end and the second conductor end. The expansion vessel thus expands between the ends of the conductor. In general, mechanical separation should be understood to mean that the expansion vessel cuts through an imaginary connecting line between the conductor ends and / or cuts along the original axial axis of the conductor.

In particular, a method in which the explosive material is ignited by an electrical ignition pulse is also expedient. As an alternative or in addition, but generally as an alternative, the explosive material can be ignited by heating a conductor section. In particular, a conductor section with an increased electrical resistance comes into consideration.

Expediently, it is also a question of a method in which the expansion vessel nestles entirely or in sections against the inner walls of the separating chamber.

Before the explosion, the expansion vessel is located in a partial volume of the separation chamber. This partial volume expediently makes up less than 80% or also less than 60% or also less than 40% of the total volume of the separation chamber.

The separation chamber should also have a so-called first volume. This volume is also limited to the area that cuts the conductor in the middle and is perpendicular to the expansion direction of the expansion vessel. The first volume should contain the expansion vessel. In relation to the first volume, it is useful if the expansion vessel occupies less than 80% or 60% or even 40% of the first volume.

After the explosion, the expansion vessel fills a larger volume of the separation chamber. It can fill almost the full volume of the separation chamber and then almost completely or completely cling to the inner walls of the separation chamber. Alternatively, this is done at least in sections. Nestling against the inner walls of the separation chamber and the appropriate selection and positioning of the expansion vessel make it easier for the expansion vessel walls not to burst or otherwise leak. The expansion vessel then only has to move with the expanding front of the propellant material in the explosion phase move with it until it hits a partition wall section. From this point in time, the pressure of the explosion is absorbed by the inner walls or at least one inner wall section of the separation chamber. Accordingly, although the walls of the expansion vessel must be able to withstand an explosion, they do not have to be overly stable. It is sufficient if the material itself is not very (pressure) resilient, but can be stretched quickly. This is especially true for rubber materials. The expansion vessel can then form a kind of balloon, which is designed for a one-time rapid expansion, but does not have to withstand large pressures, or at least does not necessarily have to withstand long-term.

An explosive charge is generally understood here to be a substance which, when activated, expands rapidly and strongly. A substance or a mixture of substances comes into question, which can cause the expansion of the expansion vessel through internal pressure. This can generate gases or vapors. Nitrocellulose powder or double base powder (these are mixtures of NC and NGL) are useful here, but above all the well-known igniting substances such as ZPP (zirconium potassium perchlorate), silver azide, hexogen or octogen.

Mixtures containing lead, such as lead azide, could also be used, but you want and should stay free of heavy metals here. Gases or especially in liquid form can also be used here.

Activation is usually carried out by a lighter or a detonator. The igniter can contain a hot wire or an explosion wire, or it can be ignited by an electrical discharge. A solid, liquid or other gaseous substance can also be added to a gas, in particular an oxidizing agent. Alternatively or additionally, an explosion can also be triggered passively, that is, by simply heating an explosive. In this case, explosive material can also be provided in two areas, with a first explosive material initially being used Explosion is brought and this explosion triggers the explosion of a second explosive.

The optionally provided extinguishing agent should be matched to the explosive charge. Basically, it can be liquid, gaseous, gel-like, foam-like or multi-fiber.

Fig. 1

ist eine Querschnittsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 2

ist eine Querschnittsansicht eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 3

ist eine Querschnittsansicht eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 4

ist eine Querschnittsansicht eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 5

ist eine Querschnittsansicht eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 6

ist eine Querschnittsansicht eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher in Ansicht (A) vor der Trennung und in Ansicht (B) nach der Trennung gezeigt wird.

Fig. 7

zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht von Teilen eines erfindungsgemäßen Trennschalters, welcher passiv gezündet werden kann.

Fig. 8

bietet Querschnittsansichten verschiedener Leiter, welche jeweils unterschiedliche Schwächungselemente aufweisen.

Further features, but also advantages of the invention, emerge from the drawings listed below and the associated description. Features of the invention are described in combination in the figures and in the associated descriptions. However, these features can also be included in other combinations of an object according to the invention. Each feature disclosed is therefore also to be regarded as disclosed in technically meaningful combinations with other features. Some of the illustrations are slightly simplified and schematic:

Fig. 1

is a cross-sectional view of a circuit breaker according to the invention, which is shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 2

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 3

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 4

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 5

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 6

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative circuit breaker according to the invention, shown in view (A) before disconnection and in view (B) after disconnection.

Fig. 7

shows a cross-sectional view of parts of a circuit breaker according to the invention which can be ignited passively.

Fig. 8

offers cross-sectional views of different conductors, each with different weakening elements.

Fig. 1 shows a quick disconnect switch 10 according to the invention in cross section. View (A) shows the quick disconnector 10 before it is triggered, ie before the conductor is disconnected.

The quick disconnect switch 10 has the separating chamber 12 which is surrounded by the separating chamber housing 14. An ignition element 16 is attached in the separation chamber 12. Subsequent to the ignition element 16, the expansion vessel 18 is provided. The conductor 20 runs through the separating chamber. The conductor 20 is equipped with various weakening elements, namely with the groove 22 and with bores 24.

The separation chamber 12 has a first volume V ₁ , which in this cross section is delimited at the bottom by the conductor 20 and is otherwise delimited by the walls of the separation chamber 12. The expansion vessel 18 occupies only a small area of this first volume V ₁ , significantly less than 50%.

Triggered by an ignition, there may be a significant (explosive) increase in volume of the expansion vessel. For this purpose, the expansion vessel 18 or the chamber around the ignition element 16 contains an explosive material (not shown in detail). As a result of this explosion, the circuit breaker 10 is converted into the state shown in view (B). (Unchanged elements are no longer identified and explained in more detail.) The expansion vessel 18 now takes up a significantly larger volume. The conductor 20 is cut. The bend 26 occurs in the process. As a result, the conductor 20 is completely separated at the separating surfaces 28a and 28b and a distance is produced between the separating surfaces which prevents electrical flashover.

It should be borne in mind that the isolating switch according to the invention can comprise further elements. It is shown here only schematically and in a slightly simplified manner. For example, terminals could be provided at the conductor ends, and the ignition element itself can consist of many parts. The disconnector 12 shown, however, already realizes all the essential elements of the invention.

Furthermore, the free volume of the assembly above and / or below the conductor 20 can be filled with a gaseous, liquid, powdery or gel-like extinguishing fluid (not shown here), including mixtures thereof.

Fig. 2 shows in a corresponding view another isolating switch 10 according to the invention. In this case, two grooves 22A and 22B are provided in the conductor 20. A conductor section is created between the grooves 22A and 22B. This conductor section 32 can, as can be seen in view (B), be displaced transversely as a whole as a result of the explosion. The advantage here is that the circuit is opened at 2 points during the disconnection process, like this that the voltage applied to the isolating switch is practically halved per opening point and therefore only half the energy is converted per opening point that was stored as magnetic energy in the circuit inductance at the moment of separation, as is the case with only one separation point. This means that circuits can still be opened at slightly higher voltages without an arc remaining at the separation points after opening or separation, as would occur in particular when DC circuits are separated.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in an analogous sectional view. The ladder is essentially designed as in Fig. 1 shown. Here, however, the expansion vessel is larger. Before the explosion, the expansion vessel essentially occupies the entire first volume V ₁ , which the separating chamber 12 above the conductor 20 provides.

The situation after the explosion is shown in view (B). The expansion vessel 18 has expanded; as it expands, it clings to the inner walls of the separating chamber and presses against the conductor 20. This leads analogously to the formation of a bend 26 in the conductor. The extensive expansion vessel suppresses arcing particularly efficiently.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in an analogous representation. Here again an expansion vessel has been used which takes up a large volume, namely the entire first volume V ₁ above the conductor 20. This in turn is equipped with grooves, namely the grooves 22A and 22B. The large expansion vessel also leads to the breakout of the conductor section 32 on the conductor after an explosion.

Fig. 5 Figure 3 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention. In this case, an expansion vessel 18 is used which has a bellows 30. As shown in view (B), the expansion of the expansion vessel 18 due to the explosion in turn leads to the formation of a bend 26 in the conductor 20. The expansion is made possible by the bellows 30, so that the corresponding folds disappear after the explosion, as shown in view (B). Even after the explosion, the expansion vessel remains in tact so that explosive material does not penetrate into the interior of the separation chamber.

Fig. 6 Figure 3 shows yet another embodiment of the invention. Here an expansion vessel 18 with a bellows is combined with a conductor 20, which in turn has two grooves, the grooves 22A and 22B. The expansion of the expansion vessel, during which the folds of the bellows in turn disappear due to expansion, results in a complete transverse displacement of the conductor section 32.

Also in the in FIGS. 2 to 6 The embodiments shown, the free volume of the assembly above and / or below the conductor 20 can again be filled with a gaseous, liquid, powdery or gel-like extinguishing fluid (not shown here), including mixtures thereof.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of parts of a circuit breaker according to the invention which can be ignited passively.

The quick disconnector 10 is not shown as a whole. The conductor 20 and its interaction with the expansion vessel 18 is shown. The expansion vessel 18 shown again has a bellows 30. This is useful if the expansion vessel is made of metal. In the case of an expansion vessel made of rubber, there is often no need to provide such a bellows. The expansion vessel 18 is filled with the explosive charge 36 in its lower area. This explosive charge rests on the conductor via a contact track. The contact track 38 can be manufactured in one piece with the expansion vessel, or it can be applied to the outside of the expansion vessel as an additional track. A blind hole 40 is provided in the conductor 20, which can partially accommodate the expansion vessel. In addition, grooves 22A and 22B are provided in the conductor 20. This mechanical On the one hand, the situation leads to a mechanical weakening of the conductor. Furthermore, an area of increased electrical resistance is generated by the blind hole 40 as well as by the grooves 22A and 22B. In this area, the conductor heats up quickly with a correspondingly high current flow.

The geometry also has the advantageous effect that the heat is quickly transferred to the expansion vessel 18 and the explosive charge 36 can be ignited there.

As already explained, but not shown here, it can also be expedient to provide a second explosive charge outside the expansion vessel 18 in the area of the blind hole and possibly also in the grooves 22A and 22B. The rapid ignition of such an explosive material outside the expansion vessel 18 in particular is possible through mere heat transfer. An optionally additional second explosive material which is also provided inside the expansion vessel is then particularly easily ignited by the first explosive material which is provided outside the expansion vessel 18.

If the bellows or the material of the expansion vessel is an electrically conductive material, it must be at least thinly coated on the outside with an electrically non-conductive material so as not to electrically short-circuit the conductor that was initially disconnected after the disconnector was triggered. Essentially all available plastics, plastics and rubber types are suitable for this.

Fig. 8 offers schematic cross-sectional views of further advantageous conductor shapes as they can be used in the context of the present invention together with a quick disconnector. These conductors are particularly suitable for disconnectors that can be passively ignited, as in Fig. 7 shown.

View (A) shows a conductor which is equipped with a blind hole 40 and in which additional grooves 22A and 22B are provided. This view corresponds to the embodiment which is already shown in Fig. 7 was shown.

View (B) shows an alternative design of the conductor in which four symmetrical slots are provided, slots 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D. These grooves also define a conductor section which can easily be moved transversely.

The view (C) shows a ladder with a deep blind hole 40. This blind hole can easily accommodate an expansion vessel. No additional grooves are used.

The view (D) shows a conductor 20 in which two notches 34A and 34B are provided. Unlike grooves, which are of constant depth, the notches widen upwards. Notches thus have the advantage that the conductor section 32 delimited by them can be displaced transversely more easily. Even with a very rapid movement, as is typical for an explosion, tilting or possible jamming of the conductor section 32 is thus efficiently avoided.

Overall, it can be seen how, according to the present invention, an efficient high-speed isolating switch can be produced which is suitable for both active and passive ignition.

List of reference symbols

10

Quick disconnect switch

12th

Separation chamber

14th

Separation chamber housing

16

Ignition element

18th

Expansion vessel

20th

ladder

22nd

Groove

24

Drilling

26th

Bend

28

Parting surfaces

30th

Bellows

32

Ladder section

34

score

36

Explosive charge (in expansion vessel)

38

Contact track

40

Blind hole

Claims (17)

Quick disconnector (10), which has a power supply contact and a power discharge contact, which are connected by a conductor (20), and in which the conductor (20) is passed through a separating chamber (12), and in the separating chamber (12) an expansion vessel ( 18) is provided, which can be expanded by an explosive charge. Quick disconnect switch (10) according to Claim 1, in which the expansion vessel (18) comprises a bellows (30). Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the expansion vessel (18) can expand to up to 500% of its initial volume. Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the expansion vessel (18) is made of metal or rubber. Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an expansion vessel (18) made of an electrically conductive material is coated or surrounded on the outside with an electrically non-conductive material. The quick disconnect switch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor section (32) within the separation chamber (12) has a first weight and the expansion vessel (18) has a second weight and the second weight is less than the first weight. Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the conductor (20) runs axially in a first direction through the separation chamber (12) and the expansion vessel (18) in its Expansion can exert a force with an essentially radial or predominantly radial component. Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, the conductor (20) of which has at least one mechanical weakening element (22; 24; 34). Rapid disconnector (10) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one weakening element (22; 24; 34) is provided in the form of a groove (22), a bore (24) or a notch (34). Quick disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the conductor (20) has a section of increased resistance. Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an extinguishing medium (41) is provided in the separating chamber (12). Rapid disconnector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the conductor (20) is provided with more than one weakening element in order to produce more than one separation point during the separation. Method for the emergency disconnection of a circuit in which current flows through a conductor (20), which comprises the following steps: a. Passing the current through a conductor section (32) b. Guide the conductor section (32) through a separating chamber (12) c. Providing an expansion vessel (18) in the separation chamber (12) d. Holding an explosive material in the expansion vessel (18) e. Detonation of the explosive material f. cutting through the conductor section (32) Method according to the preceding claim, in which the explosive material remains completely in the expansion vessel (18) after the explosion. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a first conductor end and a second conductor end are produced after the conductor (20) has been severed, and the expansion vessel (18) mechanically separates the first conductor end and the second conductor end. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the explosive material is ignited by heating the conductor section (32). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which, after the explosive material has been ignited, at least parts of the walls of the expansion vessel (18) nestle at least in sections against the inner walls of the separating chamber (12).

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