WO2014128103A1

WO2014128103A1 - Electrical appliance comprising a movable electrode

Info

Publication number: WO2014128103A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/053077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Vinson; Liului HUANG
Original assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-20
Filing date: 2014-02-18
Publication date: 2014-08-28
Also published as: EP2959494B1; EP2959494A1; FR3002364A1; FR3002364B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-voltage appliance (10) comprising: an upstream contact (12) and a downstream contact (22) axially movable between a closed position of the appliance (10) and a downstream open position of the appliance (10); and a downstream electrode (30) that is rigidly connected to the downstream contact (22) during a movement between said downstream position and an intermediate position located downstream from the upstream position and located upstream from said downstream position, characterized in that the upstream contact (12) is movably mounted in the appliance (10) and is capable of moving, while rigidly connected to the downstream contact (22), between a downstream position in which the contact is set up between the upstream contact (12) and the downstream contact (22), and an upstream position corresponding to the closed position of the appliance (10).

Description

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT COMPRISING A MOBILE ELECTRODE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention provides an electrical apparatus for a high voltage electrical power transmission line, such as an earthing switch, a disconnector or a circuit breaker, including means for delaying the moment of appearance of an arc. during a closing phase of the electrical equipment and to limit the duration of such an arc during a closing phase or opening of the electrical equipment.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

An electrical apparatus for a high voltage electrical power transmission line such as for example a disconnector for a high voltage transmission line is a safety device which aims to establish electrical isolation between live parts.

The electrical equipment comprises an upstream contact and a downstream contact, which are able to be brought into contact or to be separated, depending on whether or not an electrical connection is to be established between the two parts under tension.

The apparatus also comprises an electrically conductive closed enclosure, in which the contacts are received, and this enclosure is filled with an electrically insulating gas such as, for example, sulfur hexafluoride SF6 or a gaseous mixture under pressure, to limit the formation of the electric arc.

When closing or opening the electrical equipment, because of the potential difference between the contacts, one or more arcs are formed between the two contacts. These arcs between contacts may have radial branches which, under certain conditions, may propagate radially and reach the surrounding conductive enclosure.

These radial electric arcs strongly damage the enclosure since a short circuit is established in the occurrence of such an event.

It is therefore important to reduce the causes of occurrence of these radial branches of electric arcs so that they do not reach the envelope.

This is why solutions have been sought to limit the possibilities of occurrence of arcing, or solutions that reduce the duration of the existence of an electric arc to reduce the probability of branching. the arc reaches the tank, or solutions concerning the environment of the main electric arc that can control the radial branches.

A solution that makes it possible in part to limit the appearance of the radial branches of the electric arcs consists in increasing the speed of movement of the moving contact. However, this involves designing large training means dimensions, thus increasing the cost of fitting. Furthermore, it is also known that the rapid opening of a disconnector on a portion of vacuum bar sets can induce a so-called "trapped" electrical charge which is greater than in the case of a slow maneuver. This increases the likelihood of an arc developing towards the tank at the next closing maneuver.

The object of the invention is to propose electrical equipment designed to limit the risk of occurrence of radial branches of electric arcs, to optimize the reliability of the equipment during a step of opening or closing the apparatus by improving the capabilities of the device according to the three points mentioned above.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes a high voltage apparatus having a longitudinal main axis A, comprising an upstream contact which is arranged at an upstream end of the apparatus and a downstream contact which is arranged at a downstream end of the apparatus, which is movable axially between a downstream opening position of the equipment in which the downstream contact is located axially downstream and away from the upstream contact and an upstream position in which the downstream contact is in contact with the upstream contact,

and comprising an upstream electrode which is integral with the upstream contact and which extends radially around the upstream contact, and a movable downstream electrode extending radially around the downstream contact, which is mounted axially movable in a manner synchronized with the movement of the downstream contact, between a downstream position and an intermediate position in which the downstream electrode is located downstream and away from the upstream electrode, the downstream electrode being electrically connected to the downstream contact,

characterized in that the downstream contact is movable axially upstream from said upstream position in which the downstream contact comes into contact with the upstream contact, and a closed position of the apparatus in which the downstream contact is in contact with the upstream contact and with the upstream electrode.

The movable downstream contact is electrically connected to the upstream contact before it is connected to the upstream electrode. Also, the movable downstream contact makes it possible to make the electrical connection of the downstream electrode with the upstream electrode indirectly via the upstream contact, then directly, during a closing phase of the apparatus.

Preferably, the downstream contact has an outer cylindrical face which is in contact with an inner cylindrical face complementary to the upstream electrode when the downstream contact is in contact with the upstream contact and with the upstream electrode.

Preferably, the downstream electrode has an upstream end face which is located at a predefined longitudinal dimension with respect to an upstream end face of the downstream contact when the downstream contact and the downstream electrode are located axially between the downstream position. and the intermediate position. Preferably, the downstream contact is located axially projecting upstream with respect to the upstream end face of the downstream electrode when the longitudinal position of the downstream contact is located upstream of said intermediate position.

Preferably, the downstream end face of the upstream electrode is located at the same axial dimension as a downstream end face of the upstream contact when the upstream contact is in its downstream position.

Preferably, the upstream contact is movably mounted in the equipment and is able to move in solidarity with the downstream contact between a downstream position in which the contact is established between the upstream contact and the downstream contact and an upstream position corresponding to the closed position of the apparatus.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises means for driving the upstream contact in displacement axially downstream.

Preferably, the upstream contact is driven by the downstream contact moving from its downstream position to its upstream position.

Preferably, the upstream contact consists of a tubular element and the downstream contact comprises an axial rod whose free end is adapted to be received without play inside said tubular element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 5 are similar axial sections showing different successive positions of the upstream and downstream contacts, when closing the apparatus according to the invention;

- Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, showing an alternative embodiment of the contacts of the apparatus.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

There is shown in the figures an electrical apparatus 10 for a high voltage electric power transmission line, which here consists of a disconnector or a circuit breaker.

The apparatus 10 has the function of electrically connecting a live part of an electrical network, which is at a certain electrical potential, to another part of the electrical network, which may be at another electric potential, depending on the conditions of use of the equipment 10.

During the operation of the apparatus 10, a series of arcs is formed inside the apparatus 10. These arcs can damage the internal components of the apparatus, it is preferable to limit them, or the less to control them.

The apparatus 10 consists of a generally elongate element of main axis A which is here oriented longitudinally. The apparatus 10 comprises an upstream contact 12 which is arranged at an upstream axial end of the apparatus 10 with respect to the main axis A, here the right axial end in the figures, and which is connected to a part of the network. electric power transmission

The apparatus 10 also comprises a downstream contact 22 which is arranged at the downstream axial end of the apparatus 10, here the left end, and which is here connected to another part of the electrical power transmission network.

The downstream contact 22 is positioned axially vis-à-vis the upstream contact 12.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the upstream contact 12 and the downstream contact 22 each consist of an axially extending axial rod and the upstream end face 22a of the downstream contact 22 is adapted to come into operation. permanent contact with the downstream end face 12a vis-à-vis the fixed contact 12 when the apparatus is in a closed position.

In the present description of the invention, it will be understood that the term "rod" used may designate both a solid rod and a hollow or tubular rod.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the upstream contact 12 has a tubular shape and the downstream contact 22 has a radially internal rod 14 and a tubular portion 16 surrounding the internal rod 14. The upstream end 14a of the rod 14 is defined to be received without play inside the upstream contact 12, when the upstream 12 and downstream contacts 22 are connected to each other, as will be seen more in detail later.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a fixed body 20 through which the downstream contact 22 is guided in axial translation. The fixed body 20 is made of an electrically conductive material and is connected to the earth's electrical potential. An insulating material support 18 makes it possible to electrically isolate the fixed body from the downstream contact 22.

When closing the apparatus 10, the downstream contact 22 moves axially upstream towards the upstream contact 12, from a first downstream opening position of the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. , in which the downstream contact 22 is situated at a distance from the upstream contact 12.

In a certain axial position shown in FIG. 4, which is situated axially between the downstream opening position and the upstream closing position of the apparatus 10, the downstream contact 22 comes into contact with the upstream contact 12. In this position so-called axial contact, the two contacts 12, 22 are directly connected to one another.

During the displacement of the downstream contact 22 between the open position shown in FIG. 1 and the contact position shown in FIG. 4, electric arcs can be formed between the two contacts 12, 22 and secondary electric arcs. may be formed between the contacts 12, 22 and the body 20 from these arcs.

To limit the formation of these secondary arcs, the apparatus 10 comprises a downstream electrode 30 which is mounted at the downstream end of the apparatus 10 and an upstream electrode 32 which is mounted at the upstream end of the apparatus. the apparatus 10.

The downstream electrode 30 consists of an element of revolution which surrounds the downstream contact 22. The downstream electrode 30 has a radially extending main upstream face 30a which faces the upstream contact 12 and the upstream electrode 32.

The upstream electrode 32 is of a shape similar to the shape of the downstream electrode 30. It consists of a revolution element which surrounds the upstream contact 12 and has a downstream face 32a extending mainly radially facing the face. upstream 30a of the downstream electrode 30.

The downstream electrode 30 is mounted axially movable relative to the body 20 between a downstream position shown in FIG. 1, in which the upstream face 30a of the downstream electrode 30 is flush with the upstream face 22a of the movable contact 22 and an upstream position. represented in FIGS. 2 and following.

The downstream electrode 30 moves axially synchronously with the axial displacement of the downstream contact 22 from the downstream position to an intermediate position shown in Figure 2 in which the downstream electrode 30 is in its extreme upstream position. According to the invention, the downstream contact 22 moves axially upstream beyond the contact position shown in FIG. 4, towards a closed position of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

When the downstream contact 22 is in the closed position of the apparatus 10, it is simultaneously in contact with the upstream contact 12 and the upstream electrode 32.

The two electrodes are thus electrically connected to one another via the downstream contact 12.

During this movement between the contact position and the closed position, the downstream contact 22 is permanently in contact with the upstream contact 12, to avoid any occurrence of an electric arc in

1 apparatus.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the upstream contact 12 is able to move upstream, simultaneously with the downstream contact 22.

For this purpose, the upstream contact 12 is mounted to move relative to the fixed body 20 between a downstream position shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and an upstream position shown in FIG.

The drive of the upstream contact 12 from its downstream position to its upstream position is performed via the downstream contact 22, so that the displacement of the two contacts 12, 22 is simultaneous.

The drive of the upstream contact 12 from its upstream position to its downstream position is carried out by example by elastic means (not shown) such as a compression spring for example. The elastic means exert on the upstream contact 12 a continuous action of driving the upstream contact 12 to its downstream position.

Thus, the elastic means make it possible to maintain the upstream contact 12 and the downstream contact 22 in contact with each other during their upstream or downstream displacements between the contact position and the closed position of the Apparatus 10. According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6, the upstream contact 12 remains stationary when the downstream contact 22 moves between the contact position and the closed position of the apparatus 10.

As mentioned above, the electrical connection between the upstream contact 12 and the downstream contact 22 is made via the rod 14 whose free end 14a is received without play in the upstream contact 12. electrical contact is maintained between the two electrical contacts, the inner shape of the upstream contact 12 is cylindrical, to allow axial sliding upstream of the free end 14a of the rod 14, while maintaining an electrical contact.

The electrical connection between the downstream contact 22 and the upstream electrode 32 is formed by the contact between an outer cylindrical face of the downstream contact 22 and an inner cylindrical face complementary to the upstream electrode 32. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, this outer cylindrical face of the downstream contact 22 is its outer face. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, this outer cylindrical face of the downstream contact 22 is the outer face of the tubular portion 16 surrounding the inner rod 14. As described above, the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode move synchronously coordinated way, preferably they move simultaneously.

During the simultaneous displacement of the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode 30, according to a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment, their respective upstream faces 22a, 30a are always at the same axial dimension with respect to each other, along the main axis A.

Thus, they are simultaneously approaching the respective downstream faces 12a, 32a of the upstream contact 12 and the upstream electrode 32, so as to limit the formation of the radial secondary arcs between the upstream contact 12 and the fixed body 20.

When the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode 30 reach the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2, it is considered that the radial secondary arcs can no longer be formed.

From this intermediate position, only the downstream contact 22 moves upstream, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, independently of the downstream electrode 30. The upstream face 22a of the downstream contact then projects axially towards the upstream relative to the upstream face 30a of the downstream electrode 30. Electrical arcs are formed between the upstream contact 12 and the downstream contact 22. These two components 12, 22 are designed to be able to withstand the stresses from these arcs.

Then, the downstream contact 22 comes into contact with the upstream contact 12, as shown in FIG. 4, and then, as previously described, the downstream contact 22 move towards the upstream position of closure of the apparatus 10, simultaneously with the contact upstream 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5, or in sliding relative to the upstream contact according to the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

The downstream contact 22 then comes into contact with the upstream electrode 32, thus closing the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 is opened in a reverse movement of the upstream contact 12, the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode 30, that is to say by successively passing from the state shown in FIG. 5 in the state shown in Figure 1.

Thus, according to a first movement, the upstream contact 12 moves downstream to the contact position shown in FIG.

The electrical contact between the downstream contact 22 and the upstream electrode 32, then the electrical contact enter the upstream contact 12 and the downstream contact 22 are broken one after the other, allowing the formation of electric arcs. Then, the downstream contact 22 reaches the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2 in which its upstream end face 22a is at the same axial dimension as the upstream end face 30a of the downstream electrode 30.

From this intermediate position, the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode 30 move simultaneously downstream to the open position of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. During this simultaneous movement of the downstream contact 22 and the downstream electrode 30, their upstream end faces 22a and 30a are always at the same axial dimension with respect to each other, limiting the formation of radial arcs.

Claims

A longitudinal main-axis high voltage switchgear (10) having an upstream contact (12) which is arranged at an upstream end of the switchgear (10) and a downstream contact (22) which is arranged at one end downstream of the apparatus (10), which is axially movable between a downstream opening position of the apparatus in which the downstream contact (22) is situated axially downstream and away from the upstream contact (12) and an upstream position in which the downstream contact (22) is in contact with the upstream contact (12),

and having an upstream electrode (32) which is integral with the upstream contact (12) and which extends radially around the upstream contact (12), and a downstream movable electrode (30) extending radially around the downstream contact (22). , which is mounted axially movably in synchronism with the movement of the downstream contact (22), between a downstream position and an intermediate position in which the downstream electrode (30) is located downstream and away from the upstream electrode (32) the downstream electrode (30) being electrically connected to the downstream contact,

characterized in that the downstream contact (22) is axially movable upstream from said upstream position in which the downstream contact (22) comes into contact with the upstream contact (12), and a closed position of the apparatus ( 10) in which the downstream contact (22) is in contact with the upstream contact (12) and with the upstream electrode (32).

2. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the downstream contact (22) comprises an outer cylindrical face which is in contact with an inner cylindrical face complementary to the upstream electrode (32) when the downstream contact (22) ) is in contact with the upstream contact (12) and with the upstream electrode (32).

3. Apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the downstream electrode (30) has an upstream end face which is located at a predefined longitudinal dimension with respect to an upstream end face of the contact. downstream (22) when the downstream contact (22) and the downstream electrode (30) are located axially between the downstream position and the intermediate position.

4. Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the downstream contact (22) is located axially projecting upstream with respect to the upstream end face (30a) of the downstream electrode (30) when the longitudinal position of the downstream contact (22) is located upstream of said intermediate position.

Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the downstream end face (32a) of the upstream electrode (32) is located at the same axial dimension as a downstream end face (12a). the upstream contact (12) when the upstream contact (12) is in its downstream position.

6. Preferably, the upstream contact (12) is movably mounted in the apparatus and is able to move in solidarity with the downstream contact (22) between a downstream position in which the contact is established between the upstream contact (12). ) and the downstream contact (22) and an upstream position corresponding to the closed position of the apparatus.

7. Apparatus (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises drive means of the upstream contact (12) moving axially downstream.

8. Apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upstream contact (12) is driven by the downstream contact (22) moving from its downstream position to its upstream position.

9. Apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upstream contact (12) consists of a tubular element and the downstream contact (22) comprises an axial rod (14) whose end free (14a) is adapted to be received without play inside said tubular element.