GB2038099A - Improved high-voltage modular "Y"-shaped multi-break circuit- interrupting arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Multi-break circuit-interrupting structure has a number of modular- type. "Y"-shaped, circuit-interrupting components 3 or 5, arranged in different ways to provide resultant circuit-interrupting assemblages. If only one "Y"-shaped component is provided, there are disposed, within the two legs of the "Y", two arc- extinguishing units which may be of the "puffer" type. Where two such "Y"-shaped, sub-assemblies 3 are utilized, an upper, inverted, "U"- shaped, casing element 60 connects the assemblies 3 and with a pair of terminal-bushings on the outer hollow legs of the "Y"- shaped sub-assemblies 3 form a "W"-shaped, interrupting assemblage. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved high-voltage modular "Y"-shaped multi-break circuit-interrupting arrangement This invention relates to a multi-break grounded, metallic tank type circuit interrupting assemblage.

According to the present invention, a multi break grounded, metallic tank-type circuit interrupting assemblage includes at least one upstanding modular "Y"-shaped circuitbreaker sub-assembly component having a "Y"-shaped metallic-grounded-casing structure, a pair of conjointly-operable arc-extinguishing units disposed vertically interiorly within the upper diverging leg portions of the "Y' '-shaped casing structure and electrically connected in series relationship, a common operating mechanism for the said two arcextinguishing units and disposed within the mid-portion of said metallic casing structure, operating-linkage means interconnecting said common operating mechanism with each of the said two arc-extinguishing units to effect their simultaneous opening and closing operations, an upstanding insulating pedestal-support for supporting said common operating mechanism from the lower portion of said "Y"-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly component, at least one terminal-bushing extending downwardly within one of the upper openended leg portions of said metallic grounded casing structure, and means supporting the respective arc-extinguishing unit in said one leg portion from the lower interior end of said terminal-bushing.

Conveniently, there are utilized one or more "Y"-shaped, modular, grounded, metallic casing structures, which may be used either singly, or in combination. When the single unit is employed with two terminal-bushings extending into the upper hollow legs thereof, a resultant two-break circuit-interrupter is provided. For using two such "Y"-shaped subassemblies, together with the two outer terminal-bushings, a generally "W"-shaped, highvoltage, interrupting assemblage results.

By using modular "Y' '-shaped sub-assemblies, their manufacture and production, in large numbers, is easily obtained, resulting thereby in considerable cost reduction.

Different voltages may be accommodated by using merely a number of such modular "Y"-shaped units in electrical series. In particular, an alternate arrangement aligns a number of such sub-assembly, "Y' '-shaped, modular units in alignment, that is one behind the other, when viewed from the front, with terminal-bushings disc in front and in back, and the intervening "Y' '-shaped units may each include a pair of serially-related arc-extinguishing units.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a double-break, circuitinterrupting assemblage of a voltage rating of, for example, 145 kv with one interrupting element; Figure 2 illustrates a similar "Y' '-shaped modular casing structure for a two-break circuit-interrupting assemblage having large dimensions than in Fig. 1 and suitable, for example, for 245 or 362 kv ratings; Figure 3 shows a pair of "Y"-shaped subassemblies joined together, resulting in a fourbreak, high-voltage, circuit-interrupter, the structure being adaptable, for example, to 420 or 550 kv ratings;; Figure 4 illustrates fragmentally the circuitinterrupting arrangement of either Figs. 1 or 2, illustrating the internal interrupter structure with the interrupting units being illustrated in the fully-open-circuit position; Figure 5 is a view, somewhat similar to that of Fig. 4, but showing the internal interrupter elements in greater detail, the interrupting elements being again illustrated in their fullyopen-circuit position; Figure 6 illustrates a modular, "Y"-shaped, metallic casing structure element, which forms a modular "building block" element for interrupters of different voltages and current ratings;; Figures 7, 8 and 9 collectively illustrate the essential interrupting elements of the arc-extinguishing units, which, as shown, are of the puffer-type, Fig. 7 illustrating the puffer unit in the fully-open-circuit position, Fig. 8 showing the puffer unit in the closed-circuit position, and Fig. 9 illustrating the puffer unit in the partially-open-circuit position; Figure 10 illustrates the ulitization of a pair of "Y' '-shaped, modular sub-assemblies bridged by a metallic briding casing, resulting in a generally "W"-shaped, high-voltage circuit-interrupting structure, such a device utilizing four contact breaks in electrical series relationship;; Figure ii shows, to an enlarged scale, the interior interrupting components of the ''W''- shaped, high-voltage interrupting structure of Fig. 10, with the interrupter elements illustrated in their closed-circuit position; and, Figure 12 illustrates a modified-type of multi-break circuit-interrupting assemblage using three "Y"-shaped modular interrupting sub-assemblies, thereby affording six breaks in electrical series relationship; and Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrates a modified-type construction, in which the "Y''- shaped sub-assemblies are in alignment, that is one behind the other, with the terminalbushings disposed at the front and back of the resultant interrupting structure.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a double-break type of circuit-interrupter 1 having a modular, ''Y''- shaped sub-assembly 3 formed of modular metallic casing elements 5, such as illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and having a pair of outwardly-disposed terminal-bushings 7 and 8 extending thereinto. As is customary, currenttransformer structures 9, 10 may encircle the terminal-bushings 7, 8 to measure the amperage of the line current passing through the circuit-interrupters 1.

The single or double-break, circuit-interrupting structure 1 of Fig. 1 would be adaptable, for example, for a voltage rating of 1 45 kv.

The interrupter 1 a of Fig. 2, having larger dimensions, would be capable, for example, of accommdating voltages of the order of 245 kv or 362 kv.

Fig. 3 illustrates a higher voltage device Ib in which the voltage rating would, for example, be 420 kv or 550 kv having four series breaks 15-18, it being noted that each hollow leg 20, 21 of the "Y"-shaped sub-assembly 3 of Fig. 3 accommodates a pair of arcextinguishing units 22, preferably of the compressed-gas puffer-type, and having a structure more clearly evident from an inspection of Figs. 7-9 of the drawings.

As is well-known by those skilled in the art, in puffer-type interrupting units, a stationary rod contact 23 cooperates with a movable contact assembly 25, carried at the outer end of an operating cylinder structure 27, which slides, during the opening operation, downwardly over a relatively-stationary piston structure 29 compressing gas 30 therebetween.

This compressed gas 30 is forced outwardly through an insulating nozzle 31 and into intimate engagement with the established arc 33, as is illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

As mentioned hereinbefore, each of the hollow leg portions 20, 21 of the "Y"-shaped sub-assembly 3 accommodates such a pufferunit 22, and the two movable contact structures 25 of adjacent units 22 are commonly operated by a suitable operating mechanism 34, such as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be observed that the movable operating cylinder 27, carrying the movable contact structure 25 is connected to a floating link 35, which is pivotally connected as at 36 to a portion of a rotating actuating disc 38. To effect rotation, and thus opening and closing movements of the drive-disc 38, there is secured to the disc 38 a driving link 40, which is pivotally connected, as at 41, to a lever-arm 42, which is affixed to a rotatable drive-shaft 44. The drive-shaft 44 may, in turn, be rotated by any suitable mechanism 44 may, in turn, be rotated by any suitable mechanism 46 (Fig. 1), preferably being of the pneumatic type, operated by compressed air, as the operating fluid.

Figs. 1-3 illustrate the compressor-unit 48, which is utilized to effect compression of compressed air, thus affording an operating fluid for driving the piston (not shown), within the operating mechanism 46. The pneumatic mechanism 46 is not illustrated, but it may be of any suitable type. Its net effect is to effect rotation of the operating shaft 44 of Fig. 5, and thereby effect simultaneous opening and closing movements of the movable contact structures 25 of both puffer-units 22 of Fig.

4.

Returning to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the stationary contact 23 (Figs. 7-9) of the intermediate puffer-units 22 of the four-break device 1b of Fig. 3, may be suitably affixed in a proper position by an interposed, insulating, support-plate 50, which preferably has apertures 51 therethrough to provide gaseous communication between the horizontally-extending hollow leg portions 21 of the "Y"shaped sub-assembles 3 of Fig. 3.

With reference to Fig. 5, it will be observed that the stationary contacts 23 have a centrally-disposed rod-like arcing contact 123, which is surrounded by a plurality of stationary main contact fingers 1 24. The movable contact structure 25, as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 9, is affixed to the movable operating cylinder 27, which, as mentioned, slides over the fixed piston structure 29 generating gas flow therebetween. The gas 30 flows out of the insulating movable nozzle 31 in a manner, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

In the eventuality that a closing resistance is desired for the higher voltage ratings, as is well known by those skilled in the art, and as set forth in detail in U.S. Patent 3,291,947, issued December 13, 1 966 to Roswell C. Van Sickle, a closing resistance 52 is provided, encircling the stationary contact support 54 of Fig. 5.

An adjacent, movable resitance contact 56, may be employed. The details of the closing resistance contact structure 56 are not pertinent to an understanding of the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates a four-break device 59, in which a pair of adjoining "Y"-shaped, modular, sub-assemblies 3 are employed, being bridged at the inner leg portions 21 by an inverted "U"-shaped metallic casing structure 60, having an internal centrally-disposed, live conductor (not shown), disposed therein, and making electrical engagement with the stationary contact 23 of the two intervening puffer-units 22 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows, in more detail, one side or half of the four-break interrupting assemblage 59 of Fig. 10, illustating with more clarity the common operating mechanism for the two puffer-units 22. It will be observed that again there is provided a rotatable crank-arm assembly 63, affixed to a rotatable drive-shaft 71 and having a plurality of lever-arms 65, 66, and 67. The movable contact structures 25 of the adjoining puffer-units 22 are actuated by floating links 69, 70 pivotally connected to this rotatable lever-driving structure 63. The rotation of the rotatable lever-driving structure 63, mounted upon rotatable drive-shaft 71, is caused by a pair of companion floating links 80 and 81 having their lower ends pivotally connected to a driving-lever 90 having a pair of oppositely-disposed driving-arms 91 and 92.The driving-arm structure 90 is affixed to the rotatable lower-disposed drive-shaft 100, which is operated by the mechanism 46 here it before described.

With further reference to Fig. 11, it will be noted that in place of the companion terminalbushing 8, which was used in the case of Figs. 1 and 2, instead, there is provided the bridging metallic casing structure 60 having the internal line-conductor 61 which, as mentioned hereinbefore, is electrically connected to the stationary contacts 23 of the two intervening puffer structures 22.

Fig. 1 2 shows a circuit-breaker assemblage 140 which utilizes three Y-shaped sub-assemblies 3 connected by two bridging structures 60 to provide six breaks in electrical series relationship.

Figs. 1 3-1 5 illustrate an alternate arrangement 130, involving a plurality of "Y"shaped, modular, sub-assemblies 3 disposed in alignment and oriented one behind the other, as illustrated in Fig. 1 2. Fig. 1 3 is a side view of the structure 130, and Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the arrangement. It will be noted, that as before, modular "Y' '-shaped sub-casing assemblies 5 (Fig. 6) are employed, and have upper hollow connecting portions 133, 1 34 to bridge the modular units 3 of each "Y' '-shaped sub-assembly.

Terminal-bushings 146, 147 are provided at the front and back ends of the aligned interrupting structure 1 30. As will be obvious, there may be four, six, or an additional number of breaks, as desired, to accommodate the higher voltage ratings.

Additionally, with reference to Fig. 14, it will be noted that a very appropriate place for the common operating mechanism 1 29 of the pole-unit 1 30 is below the intervening, or interposed modular, "Y' '-shaped, sub-assembly 3. By a suitable longitudinally-extending, rotatable, drive-shaft 150, the rotation of the individual driving shafts 44 (Fig. 4) may readily be arranged for simultaneously opening and closing operations.

Although the present invention has been particularly described with reference to the use of the commonly-well-known, compressed-gas-type of puffer-units 22, that is the type of extinguishing unit in which a movable operating cylinder 27, carrying the movable contact structure 25, slides over a stationary piston structure 29, as illustrated in Figs.

7-9, nevertheless it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that certain features of the modular, standardized, sub-assembly, casing structures 3 could be adaptable to other types of arc-interrupting units, say, for example, vacuum-type units, oil-type circuit-interrupting units, or units employing with other mediums, other than sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) gas 30, which is, however, preferred for the present preferred arrangement. The SF6 gas pressure ambient 30 may be of the order of 60 to 75 psig.

Claims (11)

1. A multi-break grounded metallic tanktype circuit-interrupting assemblage including at least one upstanding modular "Y"-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly component having a "Y"-shaped metallic-grounded-casing structure, a pair of conjointly-operable arcextinguishing units disposed vertically interiorly within the upper diverging leg portions of the "Y"-shaped casing structure and electrically connected in series relationship, a common operating mechanism for the said two arc-extinguishing units and disposed within the mid-portion of said metallic casing structure, operating-linkage means interconnecting said common operating mechanism with each of the said two arc-extinguishing units to effect their simultaneous opening and closing operations, an upstanding insulating pedestal-support for supporting said common operating mechanism from the lower portion of said "Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly component, at least one terminal-bushing extending downwardly within one of the upper open-ended leg portions of said metallic grounded casing structure, and means supporting the respective arc-extinguishing unit in said one leg portion from the lower interior end of said terminal-bushing.

2. An assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other arc-extinguishing unit is supported from the upper end of its respective leg portion of the grounded metallic casting structure.

3. An assemblage as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second, upstanding, modular, "Y"shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly component having also a "Y"-shaped grounded metallic casing structure is utilized, an additional pair of arc-extinguishing units disposed within said second-mentioned metallic casing structure, second common operating means disposed generally within the mid-portion of the second-mentioned grounded metallic casing structure, and a common grounded actuating means mechanically linked to the aforesaid two common operating mechanisms to effect their simultaneous operation, whereby the four arc-extinguishing units are actuated simultaneously in their opening and closing movements.

4. An assemblage as claimed in claim 3, wherein an inverted, U-shaped grounded metallic casing structure bridges the two leg portions of the adjacently-disposed, , ,Y, - shaped, casing structures, and interconnecting line-terminal means disposed generally-centrally within said inverted U-shaped bridging metallic grounded casing section to electrically interconnect two of the aforesaid arc-extinguishing units.

5. An assemblage as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, including the "Y"-shaped grounded metallic casing structure, said structure having three outwardly-jutting, cylindrical, hollow metallic casing portions rigidly secured together in a gas-tight manner, the structure when viewed in side elevation resembling a "Y"-shaped configuration, a pair of serially-related arc-extinguishing units disposed interiorly within the upper leg portions of said grounded, metallic, casing structure, means electrically connecting said two arcextinguishing units electrically in series, a common operating mechanism disposed within the area of intersection of the three jutting leg portions of said grounded metallic casing structure, means mechanically interconnecting said common operating mechanism with each of the two arc-extinguishing units to effect their simultaneous opening and closing operations, and additional operating means extending upwardly from the downwardly-oriented, lower, cylindrical hollow leg portion of the "Y' '-shaped metallic casing structure so as to operate said common operating mechanism from an external operating mechanism

6. As assemblage as claimed in claim 5, wherein an upstanding insulating pedestalsupport supports said common operating mechanism interiorly of said downwardly-extending leg portion from the lower end of said 'Y' '-shaped sub-assembly.

7. - An assemblage as claimed in claim 1 in which a "W"-shaped grounded, metallic, tank-type of circuit-interrupting assemblage is provided comprising, a pair of adjacently-disposed, modular, upstanding "Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly components, a pair of conjointly operated arc-extinguishing units disposed interiorly within the upper diverging leg portions of each of said 'Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly components, a terminal-bushing extending into one of the leg portions of each of said "Y' '-shaped, subassembly modular circuit-breaker components resembling thereby a ''W"-shaped circuitbreaker configuration, a common operating mechanism disposed within each of said "Y"shaped circuit-breaker, modular, sub-assembly components for simultaneously actuating the two arc-extinguishing units disposed therewithin, and an externally-disposed, common, actuating means mechanically linked to the aforesaid two common operating mechanisms for effecting thereby the simultaneous opening and closing operations of the four arc-extinguishing units.

8. An assemblage as claimed in claim 7, wherein said common actuating means is disposed between the two downwardly extending leg portions of the two "Y' '-shaped circuitbreaker sub-assembly components.

9. An assemblage as claimed in claim 1, including three upstanding modular "Y"shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly components disposed in straight-line alignment, each of said modular circuit-breaker sub-assembly components having a "Y' '-shaped grounded metallic casing structure, a terminal bushing extending interiorly into an outer leg portion of the outermost disposed modular circuitbreaker sub-assembly components, a pair of arc-extinguishing units disposed within each of the upper diverging leg portions of all of the three "Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker modular sub-assembly components, whereby six arcextinguishing units are disposed in electrical series relationship, a common operating mechanism disposed within each of the three modular "Y' '-shaped metallic casing structures, means for actuating each of the common operating mechanisms through the lower-extending hollow leg portion of the respective metallic casing structure, externallydisposed common actuating means mechanically linked to the three common mechanisms for effecting the simultaneous opening and closing operations of all of the six arc-extinguishing units, and a pair of inverted U-shaped bridging grounded metallic casing structures for pneumatically interconnecting an upper diverging leg portion of each of the outermost "Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly components with the intervening "Y' '-shaped circuit-breaker sub-assembly component, and line-terminal connecting means disposed generally centrally within two bridging segmental portions for electrically connecting all of the six arc-extinguishing units in electrical series relationship.

1 0. An assemblage as claimed in claim 9, wherein the six arc-extinguishing units are of the puffer-type, and sulfur-hexafluoride (SF6) gas is utilized as the gaseous arc-extinguishing ambient within said "Y"-shaped modular circuit-breaker sub-assembly components for gas-blast operation.

11. A multi-break grounded metallic tanktype circuit interrupting assemblage, constructed and adapted for use, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.