EP3979280A1

EP3979280A1 - A medium voltage switching pole arrangement

Info

Publication number: EP3979280A1
Application number: EP20199836.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dietmar Gentsch; Christian Reuber
Original assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Current assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
Priority date: 2020-10-02
Filing date: 2020-10-02
Publication date: 2022-04-06

Abstract

The invention relates to a medium voltage switching pole arrangement, comprising:
- an insulating housing (10) with an upper terminal (20) and a lower or lateral terminal (50);
- a vacuum interrupter (30) comprising a fixed contact (32) and a moveable contact (34);
- a flexible or slidable electrical contact (40); and
- a pushrod (60).

The vacuum interrupter is located within the insulating housing. The pushrod (60) is located within the insulating housing (10). A first end of the pushrod (60) is coupled to the moveable contact (34) of the VI and to the flexible or slidable electrical contact (50), A second end (66) of the pushrod (60) comprises a threaded portion (64). The pushrod (60) is configured to move along a centre axis of the insulating housing (10) to move the moveable contact (34) of the VI (30) to connect to and disconnect from the fixed contact (32) of the VI (30). The insulating housing (10) comprises a standardized interface (100) to which any drive (400) of a plurality of drives (400) can be mounted, such that a shaft of the drive, with a threaded portion (420) that matches the threaded portion (64) of the pushrod (60), is configured to move the pushrod (60) along the centre axis of the insulating housing (10).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medium voltage switching pole arrangement, a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement, a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system, a medium voltage switchgear and to a medium voltage switchgear operation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Medium voltage switches such as circuit breakers with vacuum interrupters, have specific drives with specific capabilities. This can pose problems if the switch is required to operate in a different manner.
There is a need to address this problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved switch.
The object of the present invention is solved with the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims.
In a first aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switching pole arrangement, comprising:

an insulating housing comprising an upper terminal and a lower or lateral terminal;
a vacuum interrupter (VI) comprising a fixed contact and a moveable contact;
a flexible or slidable electrical contact; and
a pushrod.

In an example, the drive is configured to rotate its threaded portion that matches the threaded portion of the pushrod, like a rotating motor, and the pushrod is configured in a way that it cannot rotate so that the rotation of the drive is resulting in a linear movement of the pushrod along the centre axis of the insulating housing.
In an example, the drive is configured to move its threaded portion that matches the threaded portion of the pushrod linearly along the centre axis of the insulating housing, like a linear actuator, and so to move the pushrod. The threaded portion of the drive and the threaded portion of the pushrod are then fixedly connected, e.g. by means of a locking nut.
In an example, the standardized interface comprises a first mounting plane. The insulating housing comprises a plurality of mounting means that extend from the first mounting plane. The plurality of mounting means of the insulating housing are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means of the drive.
In an example, the plurality of mounting means of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes in the insulting housing. Openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the first mounting plane. The plurality of screw holes in the insulating housing are configured to match the plurality of mounting means of the drive.
In an example, the standardized interface comprises an inner assembly area measured perpendicularly to the centre axis of the insulating housing that is configured to accommodate any drive of the plurality of drives.
In an example, the standardized interface comprises an inner assembly depth measured parallel to the centre axis of the insulating housing that is configured accommodate any drive of the plurality of drives.
In an example, the standardized interface comprises a second mounting plane located between the first mounting plane and the vacuum interrupter. The insulating housing comprises a plurality of mounting means that extend from the second mounting plane. The plurality of mounting means of the insulating housing are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means of a support plate of the drive. A first end of an opening spring is configured to be fixed to the support plate and a second end of the opening spring is configured to be fixed to the pushrod.
In an example, the plurality of mounting means of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes in the insulting housing. Openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the second mounting plane. The plurality of screw holes in the insulating housing are configured to match the plurality of mounting means of the support plate of the drive.
In an example, the second mounting plane is indented with the first mounting plane.
In a second aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement, comprising:

a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to the first aspect; and
a drive.

In a third aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system, comprising:

a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to the first aspect; and
a plurality of drives.

In an example, the plurality of drives comprises a mechanical drive and an electrical drive.
In a fourth aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switchgear, comprising a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to the first aspect, and/or a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement according to the second aspect.
In a fifth aspect, there is provided a medium voltage switchgear operation system comprising:

a medium voltage switchgear; and
a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system according to the third aspect.

The above aspects and examples will become apparent from and be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments will be described in the following with reference to the following drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a switching pole with a thread, that can be a high helix thread, in the pushrod and a standardised interface for a drive with a first mounting plane;
Fig. 2 shows a switching pole with an optional second mounting plane;
Fig. 3 shows a switching pole with an optional second mounting plane that is indented with the first mounting plane; and
Fig. 4 shows an example of a drive installed or mounted in the switching pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figs. 1-4 relate to a new design of a medium voltage switching pole arrangement.
An example of the medium voltage switching pole arrangement comprises an insulating housing 10 with an upper terminal 20 and a lower or lateral terminal 50, a vacuum interrupter 30 with a fixed contact 32 and a moveable contact 34, a flexible or slidable contact 40, and a pushrod 60. The vacuum interrupter is located within the insulating housing. The pushrod 60 is located within the insulating housing 10. A first end of the pushrod 60 is coupled to the moveable contact 34 and to the flexible or slidable contact 40. The flexible or slidable contact 40 is also connected to the lower or lateral terminal 50. A second end 66 of the pushrod 60 comprises a threaded portion 64. The pushrod 60 is configured to move along a centre axis of the insulating housing 10 up and down to connect to and disconnect the contacts of the VI.
The insulating housing 10 comprises a standardized interface 100 to which any drive 400 of a plurality of drives 400 can be mounted, such that a shaft of the drive, with a threaded portion 420 that matches the threaded portion 64 of the pushrod 60, when rotated is configured to move the pushrod 60 along the centre axis of the insulating housing 10.
In an example, the standardized interface 100 comprises a first mounting plane 105. The insulating housing 10 comprises a plurality of mounting means 120 that extend from the first mounting plane 105. The plurality of mounting means 120 of the insulating housing 10 are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means (410) of the drive.
In an example, the plurality of mounting means 120 of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes 120 in the insulting housing. Openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the first mounting plane 105. The plurality of screw holes 120 in the insulating housing 10 are configured to match the plurality of mounting means 410 of the drive.
In an example, the standardized interface 100 comprises an inner assembly area 130 measured perpendicularly to the centre axis of the insulating housing 10 that is configured to accommodate any drive 400 of the plurality of drives 400.
In an example, the standardized interface 100 comprises an inner assembly depth 140 measured parallel to the centre axis of the insulating housing 10 that is configured accommodate any drive 400 of the plurality of drives 400.
In an example, the standardized interface 100 comprises a second mounting plane 205 located between the first mounting plane 105 and the vacuum interrupter 30. The insulating housing 10 comprises a plurality of mounting means 220, 320 that extend from the second mounting plane 205. The plurality of mounting means 220, 320 of the insulating housing 10 are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means of a support plate 440 of the drive. A first end of an opening spring 430 is configured to be fixed to the support plate 440 and a second end of the opening spring 430 is configured to be fixed to the pushrod 60.
In an example, the plurality of mounting means 220, 320 of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes 220, 320 in the insulting housing. Openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the second mounting plane 205. The plurality of screw holes 220, 320 in the insulating housing 10 are configured to match the plurality of mounting means of the support plate 440 of the drive.
In an example, the second mounting plane 205 is indented with the first mounting plane 105.
A medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement as described above can comprise a drive 400, but can be manufactured without a drive.
A medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system can have a medium voltage switching pole arrangement as described above and a plurality of drives 400. Thus a customer can have a at least two drives with different functionalities that can each individually be mounted to the medium voltage switching pole arrangement, and can choose which drive to use.
In an example, the plurality of drives comprises a mechanical drive and an electrical drive.
A medium voltage switchgear can have the medium voltage switching pole arrangement as described above.
A medium voltage switchgear can have the medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement as described above.
A medium voltage switchgear operation system can have a medium voltage switchgear with a medium voltage switching pole arrangement as described above, with a plurality of drives that can be mounted to the switching pole arrangement. Thus, in effect the customer has a medium voltage switchgear and a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system as described above.
Thus, a standardised interface is added to a switching pole arrangement so that the switching part or even pole part with for example a high-helix thread can be used with a variety of drives in a modular way.
When the pushrod is locked against rotation, rotative drives can be used. The rotation of the drive is then transferred into a linear movement of the pushrod. The high helix of the thread supports fast operation of the switch, as e.g. a single rotation of the drive can be sufficient for a full closing or opening operation of the switch.
Generally, also linear or "push-pull" drives can be used that would directly move the pushrod up and down. The threads of the drive and the pushrod would then be locked, e.g. using a locking nut.
It is also possible to use the same kind of thread both for rotative and linear drives, so that the standardisation of the interface is including also this aspect.
The medium voltage switch pole, medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement, medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system, medium voltage switchgear and medium voltage switchgear operation system and load break switch are now described in specific detail with, where again reference is made to Figs. 1-4.
Fig. 1 shows a switching pole 1 with a high helix thread in the pushrod and a standardised interface for a drive. The switching pole 1 is also referred to as a switching pole arrangement. The switching pole 1 consists of an insulating housing 10. Assembled or casted into the insulating housing is an upper terminal 20, a vacuum interrupter (VI) 30 and a lower or lateral terminal 50. Here, the upper terminal 20 is also the upper end of the VI 30 that is connected to the fixed contact 32. Internally within the switching pole 1, the moveable contact 34 of the VI 30 is connected by a flexible conductor or sliding contact 40 to the lower or lateral terminal 50 so that current can flow through the VI (or the other switching device) from the upper terminal 20 to the lower terminal 50 or vice versa when the VI is closed. Furthermore, internally within the switching pole 1, a pushrod 60 is assembled to the moveable contact 34 of the VI and to the flexible or slidable contact 40 so that the VI can be opened or closed by a drive that is to be assembled or mounted to the lower end of the pushrod. When the VI is closed, the drive pushes the pushrod 60 against the moveable contact 34 of the VI 30 so that the contacts of the VI are firmly closed with the force of the contact spring 62 that is integrated in 60 in this example. The contact spring 62 is however not essential. The switching pole 1 has a standardised interface 100, so that different kinds of drives can be used with the same switching pole 1. This enables different technical requirements or customer preferences to be realised with the same switching pole. As an example, a mechanical rotative drive can be used where the switching pole just has the task to switch ON and OFF. On the other hand, an electrical rotative drive like an electrical motor can be used when the opening and/or closing operation must be performed in a very controlled manner, e.g. for switching operations that are synchronised with the frequency of the network.
The standardised interface 100 comprises:

a mounting plane 105, also referred to as a first mounting plane. The space below the plane 105 is generally reserved for the drive, while the space above of the plane is generally reserved for the switching pole.
a defined distance 110 from the plane 105 to the lower end 66 of the pushrod. The defined distance 110 can extend upwards from the plane 105 further into the switching pole 1, as shown in the figures, or 110 can extend downwards from the plane 105 into the space that is generally reserved for the drive.
a defined thread 64 in the pushrod, assuming that the drive comprises a corresponding thread. It is possible that the thread 64 in the pushrod is a female thread and the drive provides a corresponding male thread, but it is also possible that these threads are arranged vice-versa, i.e. that the male thread is at the pushrod and the female thread is at the drive. Further, the threads can be high helix threads, as shown in the figures, or standard metric threads, or any other suitable kind of thread.
a defined set of screw holes 120 starting in the plane 105 and comprising defined positions, e.g. 4 screw holes evenly placed on a circuit around the centre axis of the pushrod, defined thread and defined thread depth. The screw holes can however be threaded dowels, or threads formed or cut into the insulation material, or cylindrical holes prepared for self-tapping screws. Thus in general mounting means 120 are provided, an example of which can be these screw holes.
a defined assembly area 130 matching the area that is required by all corresponding drives, also called an inner assembly area. The area can be circular, as shown in the figures, but it can have also other shapes, e.g. hexagonal. It has to be noted that a generally circular shape can be advantageous for the assembly procedure when the threaded part of the drive cannot be freely rotated independently from the rest of the drive during the assembly of the drive to the switching pole. With a fixed threaded part, the entire drive may need to be rotated during the assembly so that the threads of the drive and of the pushrod can be joined.
a defined assembly height 140, also termed inner assembly depth. In case the drive fits into 140, the switching pole can be covered with a simple plate. In case the drive is larger, the switching pole can be closed with e.g. a cup shaped deep-drawn or injection moulded part
a defined radius 150 in the outer edge or edges of the first mounting plane 105. Smaller radii will work, but larger radii might collide with the drive.

Fig. 2 shows an optional second mounting plane 205. This can advantageously be used in case the drive requires an external opening spring as shown in Fig. 4. In case a second mounting plane is part of the standardised interface 100, the interface additionally comprises:

a defined set of screw holes 220 starting in the plane 205 and comprising defined positions, e.g. 4 screw holes evenly placed on a circuit around the centre axis of the pushrod, defined thread and defined thread depth. Said screw holes can be threaded dowels, or threads formed or cut into the insulation material, or cylindrical holes prepared for self-tapping screws. Thus, as discussed above mounting means 220 are provided, an example of which can be screw holes.
a defined assembly area 230. The area can be circular, as shown in Fig. 2, but it can have also other shapes, e.g. hexagonal, or indented with the first mounting plane 105; see Fig. 3.
a defined assembly height or depth 240.
a defined radius 250 in the outer edge or edges of the second mounting plane 205. Smaller radii will work, but larger radii might collide with the assembled parts.

Fig. 3 shows an optional second mounting plane 305 indented with the first mounting plane 105. This can advantageously be used to save space. In case a second mounting plane 305 is part of the standardised interface 100, the interface additionally comprises:

a defined set of screw holes 320 starting in the plane 305 and comprising defined positions, e.g. 4 screw holes evenly placed on a circuit around the centre axis of the pushrod, defined thread and defined thread depth. The screw holes can be threaded dowels, or threads formed or cut into the insulation material, or cylindrical holes prepared for self-tapping screws. The positions of 320 are located in a way that is supporting the concept of indentation with the plane 105 and the positions of the screw holes 120. Thus, as discussed above mounting means 320 are provided, an example of which can be screw holes. In the upper part of Fig. 3, the screw holes 120 are located on the horizontal and vertical axes of the drawing, and the screw holes 320 are located on axes that are turned by 45° so that the two groups of screw holes are indented.
a defined assembly area 330. As it is indented with the area 130, it is not circular in this case.
a defined radius 350 in the outer edges of the second mounting plane 305. Smaller radii will work, but larger radii might collide with the assembled parts.

Fig. 4 shows an example how a drive 400 can be installed into the switching pole 1 with the standardised interface 100.
The drive 400 provides a thread 420 that matches the thread 64 of the pushrod.
The drive 400 provides assembly features 410 that match the screw holes 120 provided by the standardized interface 100.
The size of the drive 400 matches the space provided by the standardized interface 100. The drive 400 may require an external opening spring. The opening spring can advantageously be placed around the lower part of the pushrod, as there is space available if the upper end of a metallic opening spring does not come too close to the lower end of the VI for dielectric reasons.
An upper support plate 440 is assembled onto the second mounting plane 205. The upper support plate 440 does not necessarily have to be flat as shown; it could also be indented or deep-drawn so that the upper end of the opening spring 430 is higher or lower than the second mounting plane 205 (plus the thickness of 440). The upper support plate 440 defines the fixed upper end of the opening spring 430. Shown at 68 is a plate that can optionally be assembled onto the lower end of the pushrod 60 to support the lower end of the opening spring 430. When the pushrod is moved from a lower position to a higher position, i.e. when the switch in closed, the opening spring is compressed and so charged. This energy is used for driving the pushrod downwards in a subsequent opening operation.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

Reference Numerals

1 Switching pole with high helix thread and standardised interface
10 Insulating housing
20 Upper terminal
30 Vacuum interrupter (VI)
32 Fixed contact of 30
34 Moveable contact of 30
40 Flexible electrical contact or sliding contact
50 Lower or lateral terminal
60 Pushrod
62 Contact spring
64 Thread
66 Lower end of 60 at VI contact touch
68 Optional lower support plate for opening spring
100 Standardised interface
105 First mounting plane of 100
110 Defined distance between 105 and 66
120 Defined screw holes in 105
130 Defined assembly area of 105
140 Defined assembly height of 105
150 Defined radius at the outer edge of 105
205 Second mounting plane of 100
220 Defined screw holes in 205
230 Defined assembly area of 205
240 Defined assembly height of 205
250 Defined radius at the outer edge of 205
305 Second mounting plane of 100 indented with 105
320 Defined screw holes in 305
330 Defined assembly area of 305
340 Defined assembly height of 305
350 Defined radius at the outer edges of 305
400 Drive
410 Assembly features of 400
420 Thread of 400, matching 64
430 Opening spring
440 Upper support plate for 430

Claims

A medium voltage switching pole arrangement, comprising:
- an insulating housing (10), comprising an upper terminal (20) and a lower or lateral terminal (50);

- a vacuum interrupter (30), comprising a fixed contact 32 and a moveable contact 34;

- a flexible or slidable electrical contact (40); and

- a pushrod (60);
wherein, the vacuum interrupter is located within the insulating housing;
wherein, the pushrod (60) is located within the insulating housing (10);
wherein a first end of the pushrod (60) is coupled to the moveable contact (34) of the VI and to the flexible or slidable electrical contact (40), and wherein a second end (66) of the pushrod (60) comprises a threaded portion (64);
wherein, the pushrod (60) is configured to move along a centre axis of the insulating housing (10) to move the moveable contact (34) of the VI to connect to and disconnect from the fixed contact (32); and
wherein, the insulating housing (10) comprises a standardized interface (100) to which any drive (400) of a plurality of drives (400) can be mounted, such that a shaft of the drive, with a threaded portion (420) that matches the threaded portion (64) of the pushrod (60), is configured to move the pushrod (60) along the centre axis of the insulating housing (10).
Switching pole according to claim 1, wherein the pushrod is configured not to rotate, and wherein a rotation of the shaft of the drive is configured to move the pushrod (60) along the centre axis of the insulating housing (10).
Switching pole according to claim 1, wherein the pushrod is configured to be fixedly connected to the shaft of the drive, and wherein a translation of the shaft of the drive is configured to move the pushrod along the centre axis of the insulating housing.
Switching pole according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the standardized interface (100) comprises a first mounting plane (105), wherein the insulating housing (10) comprises a plurality of mounting means (120) that extend from the first mounting plane (105), and wherein the plurality of mounting means (120) of the insulating housing (10) are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means (410) of the drive.
Switching pole according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of mounting means (120) of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes (120) in the insulting housing, wherein openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the first mounting plane (105), and wherein the plurality of screw holes (120) in the insulating housing (10) are configured to match the plurality of mounting means (410) of the drive.
Switching pole according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the standardized interface (100) comprises an inner assembly area (130) measured perpendicularly to the centre axis of the insulating housing (10) that is configured to accommodate any drive (400) of the plurality of drives (400).
Switching pole according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the standardized interface (100) comprises an inner assembly depth (140) measured parallel to the centre axis of the insulating housing (10) that is configured accommodate any drive (400) of the plurality of drives (400).
Switching pole according to claim 4 or any of claims 5-7 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the standardized interface (100) comprises a second mounting plane (205) located between the first mounting plane (105) and the vacuum interrupter (30), wherein the insulating housing (10) comprises a plurality of mounting means (220, 320) that extend from the second mounting plane (205), wherein the plurality of mounting means (220, 320) of the insulating housing (10) are configured to engage with a plurality of mounting means of a support plate (440) of the drive, and wherein a first end of an opening spring (430) is configured to be fixed to the support plate (440) and a second end of the opening spring (430) is configured to be fixed to the pushrod (60).
Switching pole according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of mounting means (220, 320) of the insulating housing are a plurality of screw holes (220, 320) in the insulting housing, wherein openings of the plurality of screw holes are located in the second mounting plane (205), and wherein the plurality of screw holes (220, 320) in the insulating housing (10) are configured to match the plurality of mounting means of the support plate (440) of the drive.
Switching pole according to any of claims 8-9, wherein the second mounting plane (205) is indented with the first mounting plane (105).
A medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement, comprising:
- a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to any of claims 1-10; and

- a drive (400).
A medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system, comprising:
- a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to any of claims 1-10; and

- a plurality of drives (400);
wherein, the plurality of drives comprises at least two drives with different functionalities; and
wherein, each drive of the plurality of drives can be individually mounted to the medium voltage switching pole arrangement.
Medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of drives comprises a mechanical drive and an electrical drive.
A medium voltage switchgear, comprising a medium voltage switching pole arrangement according to any of claims 1-10, and/or a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement according to claim 11.
A medium voltage switchgear operation system comprising:
- a medium voltage switchgear;

- a medium voltage switching pole drive arrangement system according to any of claims 12-13; and
wherein the medium voltage switchgear comprises the medium voltage switching pole arrangement of the medium voltage switching pole arrangement system.