CN117296119A

CN117296119A - Hybrid circuit breaker with vacuum interrupter

Info

Publication number: CN117296119A
Application number: CN202280034805.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·维里尔; T·P·坦伯利; M·卡岑施泰内尔
Original assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-11
Filing date: 2022-05-06
Publication date: 2023-12-26
Also published as: GB202108896D0; GB2606587A

Abstract

A hybrid circuit breaker (1) is disclosed, comprising an input connector (2 a,2 b) for an electrical network, an output connector (3 a,3 b) for a load (RL), and a current path (4 a,4 b) between the input connector and the output connector. Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker (1) comprises an electromechanical bypass switch (5) arranged in the current path (4 a,4 b) and a semiconductor circuit (6) connected in parallel to the electromechanical bypass switch (5). Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker (1) comprises a control unit (CTRL) capable of controlling the commutation from the current paths (4 a,4 b) arranged to the electromechanical bypass switch (5) to the semiconductor circuit (6) in case of a cut-off operation. The electromechanical bypass switch (5) is implemented as a vacuum interrupter comprising a switch contact (S1) and an actuator (7) designed to drive the switch contact (S1).

Description

Hybrid circuit breaker with vacuum interrupter

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hybrid circuit breaker comprising an input connector to be connected to an electrical network, an output connector to be connected to a load, and a current path connecting the input connector with the output connector. Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker comprises an electromechanical bypass switch arranged in the current path and a semiconductor circuit connected in parallel with the electromechanical bypass switch. Finally, the hybrid circuit breaker comprises a control unit capable of controlling the commutation of the current path from the arranged electromechanical bypass switch to the semiconductor circuit in case of a switching-off operation of the hybrid circuit breaker.

Background

Hybrid circuit breakers as defined above are generally known and are disclosed, for example, in US 9,947,496 B2. When the electromechanical bypass switch is opened due to, for example, an overload condition at the output connector (e.g., due to an arc fault or short circuit in the load or in the circuit leading to the load), current flowing through the switch contacts of the electromechanical bypass switch passes or commutates to the semiconductor circuit. In detail, when the contacts of the electromechanical bypass switch are opened, an arc voltage is generated between the contacts, resulting in a commutation of the current from the bypass switch to the semiconductor switch. After the current commutates, the current through the hybrid circuit breaker no longer flows through the electromechanical bypass switch, but flows to the semiconductor circuit. By these measures the detrimental effects of the switching arc on the switching contact are reduced in time and thus the impact on the contact is limited. Thus, hybrid circuit breakers combine the advantages of electromechanical circuit breakers that provide extremely low on-state resistance, but are prone to damage to the switching contacts due to the large number of arcs; and combines the advantages of solid state circuit breakers that do not have mechanical switch contacts, but have a relatively high on-state resistance.

In general, one disadvantage of a hybrid circuit breaker is that it becomes cumbersome when it has to conduct a large rated current, since the semiconductor circuit has to withstand very high over-currents and fault currents. It must therefore also absorb very high electrical energy, which results in significant electrical stresses on the components of the hybrid circuit breaker, in particular the semiconductor circuits. In addition, electrical energy is converted in the semiconductor circuit into thermal energy which must be absorbed and dissipated. In a common concept, the semiconductor circuit is made so large that it can withstand such high overcurrent and fault current, and thus, as described above, the hybrid circuit breaker becomes heavy at high current.

Cooling of the semiconductor circuit is also possible in principle, but is technically complex and challenging. The reason is that the thermal energy is generated very fast, in other words the thermal power is very high, and cooling has to be performed near the junction of the semiconductor element to be effective. Generally, the outer surface of a conventional enclosure is not suitable for cooling due to the thermal resistance between the junction and the outer surface, and due to the heat capacity of the enclosure. In other words, cooling through the outer surface is too slow.

It should also be noted that the above problems increase linearly beyond the rated current, as high speed electromechanical bypass switches slow down in addition to the increased current. The reason is that the conductive and movable elements have to be heavier to handle the higher currents and thus heavier. Furthermore, the commutation of the current occurs later and requires a longer time due to the increased mass of the movable contact of the electromechanical bypass switch. This is why the stress on the semiconductor circuit increases linearly with the rated current.

In the above context, it should be noted that when an arc fault or short circuit occurs, the current does not immediately reach its highest level, but the current rises sharply due to the grid impedance. Because it takes some time to open the contacts to reach a sufficient mechanical distance to establish the required dielectric strength, the semiconductor circuit conducts the worse part of the overload, i.e. the part with the higher current. It is readily understood that the longer it takes for the current to commutate to the semiconductor circuit, the worse the situation becomes.

The same problem can occur in view of other parts of the hybrid circuit breaker, for example in view of varistors that are switched in parallel with the electromechanical bypass switch.

In summary, the advantages of hybrid circuit breakers over electromechanical and solid state circuit breakers decrease with increasing rated current, and there are technical and economic limitations to the use of hybrid circuit breakers.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is a problem of the present invention to provide an improved hybrid circuit breaker. In particular, the size and cost of the semiconductor circuit of the hybrid circuit breaker should be reduced, especially for high rated currents. In particular, the technical and economic limitations of using hybrid circuit breakers should shift to higher rated currents without increasing the size and cost of the hybrid circuit breaker.

The problem of the invention is solved by a hybrid circuit breaker as defined in the opening paragraph, wherein the electromechanical bypass switch is implemented as a vacuum interrupter comprising a switch contact and an actuator designed to drive the switch contact of the vacuum interrupter.

Because vacuum has excellent dielectric strength, a stroke of about only 1mm is required to achieve the required dielectric strength required for the electromechanical bypass switch of a hybrid circuit breaker. The contact distance can be reached very quickly as long as the driving force is sufficient. Therefore, the electrical energy that the semiconductor circuit must absorb is significantly lower than in conventional hybrid circuit breaker designs. This results in an overall reduction of the electrical stress on the components of the hybrid circuit breaker, in particular on the semiconductor circuit. By the above measures, hybrid circuit breakers can generally withstand higher overcurrent and can be used for higher rated currents without increasing the size of the semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, the technical and economic limitations of using hybrid circuit breakers shift to higher rated currents. Thus, a greater range of electrical devices may benefit from the advantages of hybrid circuit breakers.

It should be noted in this connection that hybrid circuit breakers of the type proposed can be used in AC applications as well as DC applications.

Other advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the claims and the description and in the drawings.

Advantageously, the actuator of the vacuum interrupter may be implemented as an electric actuator comprising a voice coil movably arranged in a magnetic field. In particular, the electric actuator may comprise a permanent magnet with an iron core designed to guide a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet, wherein a voice coil is movably arranged in an air gap of the iron core and said magnetic field flows through the voice coil. The electric actuator can generate relatively high forces with a low stroke and can therefore advantageously be used for the proposed hybrid circuit breaker. Due to the high driving force, the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter open very quickly, helping to keep the current in the semiconductor circuit low. It should be noted that in the context above, a "voice coil" may be equivalently referred to as a "moving coil" throughout the specification.

In another advantageous embodiment, the hybrid circuit breaker comprises a first capacitor bank, which is electrically connected in a switchable manner to the actuator of the vacuum interrupter and is designed to assist in opening the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter when the first capacitor bank is switched to the actuator. In particular, the control unit may additionally be designed to switch the first capacitor bank to the actuator of the vacuum interrupter in a first polarity in case of a switching-off operation. By using the first capacitor bank, the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter can be opened faster. This is especially true if the actuator of the vacuum interrupter is implemented as an electric actuator. The first capacitor bank (in this first polarity) may be disconnected again from the actuator of the vacuum interrupter, for example once the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter are opened or in case of an on operation.

Advantageously, the control unit may additionally be designed to switch the first capacitor bank to the actuator of the vacuum interrupter with a second opposite polarity in case of a switching-on operation. In this way, the first capacitor bank can also be used to very quickly close the switch contacts of the vacuum interrupter. This may also help reduce contact aging. The first capacitor bank (in this second polarity) may be disconnected again from the actuator of the vacuum interrupter, for example once the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter are closed or in case of a cut-off operation.

In another advantageous embodiment, the hybrid circuit breaker comprises a second capacitor bank, which is electrically connected in a switchable manner to the actuator of the vacuum interrupter and is designed to assist in closing the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter when the second capacitor bank is switched to the actuator. In particular, the control unit may additionally be designed to switch the second capacitor bank to the actuator of the vacuum interrupter (in a second opposite polarity) in case of a switching-on operation. This is another possibility to help very quickly close the switch contacts of the vacuum interrupter. The second capacitor bank (in this second polarity) may be disconnected again from the actuator of the vacuum interrupter, for example once the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter are closed or in case of a cut-off operation.

Advantageously, the first capacitor bank and/or the second capacitor bank is part of the control unit. In this way, the number of components of the hybrid circuit breaker can be reduced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the hybrid circuit breaker, the first capacitor bank has a higher capacity than the second capacitor bank. Thus, opening the switch contacts of the vacuum interrupter is faster than closing the switch contacts. By these features, it is prioritized to have the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter open quickly in order to keep the overall size of the capacitor bank small.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the switching contact of the vacuum interrupter is held in the closed position of the switching contact or in the open position of the switching contact by means of a mechanical latch. Accordingly, a continuous electromagnetic force is not required to hold the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter in the closed or open position.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention,

the switch contact of the vacuum interrupter is held in its closed position by means of a spring and is designed to be opened by applying a current to the actuator, or

The switch contact of the vacuum interrupter is held in its open position by means of a spring and is designed to be closed by applying a current to the actuator. This is another embodiment in which no continuous electromagnetic force is required to hold the switch contacts of the vacuum interrupter in either the closed or open position.

In particular, the latch may be combined with a spring to obtain a bi-stable character of the switch contact of the vacuum interrupter, which means that only a driving force is required to change the switch contact of the vacuum interrupter between an on-state and an off-state, without the need to maintain the on-state and the off-state.

Finally, it is advantageous that:

the hybrid circuit breaker additionally comprises a relay which is switched in series with the vacuum interrupter and

the control unit is additionally designed to open the relay after the vacuum interrupter has been opened.

In particular, if the vacuum interrupter has only single pole switch contacts, full pole disconnection of the electrical network can be achieved by the relay. In general, a single pole switch contact for a vacuum interrupter is advantageous because the amount of movement is small. The vacuum interrupter may however also have full pole switch contacts. If this is the case, no relay is required for galvanic isolation.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to particular embodiments, however the invention is not limited to these embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary hybrid circuit breaker;

fig. 2 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker, wherein a first capacitor bank can be switched to an actuator of a vacuum interrupter with two different polarities;

fig. 3 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker with a first capacitor bank and a second capacitor bank;

fig. 4 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker with a spring for opening the switching contacts of the vacuum interrupter;

fig. 5 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker with a spring for closing a switch contact of a vacuum interrupter, and

fig. 6 shows a portion of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker with a latch for holding open the switch contacts of the vacuum interrupter.

Detailed Description

Generally, the same or similar components are denoted by the same/similar names and reference numerals. Features disclosed in the specification apply to components having the same/similar designation numerals, respectively. The indication of orientation and relative position is related to the associated drawing and the indication of orientation and/or relative position must therefore be modified accordingly in different drawings according to the specific circumstances.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary hybrid circuit breaker 1 comprising input connectors 2a,2b for an electrical network; output connectors 3a,3b for the load RL; and current paths 4a,4b connecting the input connectors 2a,2b with the output connectors 3a,3 b. Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker 1 comprises an electromechanical bypass switch 5 in the current path 4a and an exemplary semiconductor circuit 6 connected in parallel with the electromechanical bypass switch 5.

The electromechanical bypass switch 5 is implemented as a vacuum interrupter comprising a switch contact S1 arranged in the vacuum chamber B and an actuator 7 designed to drive the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5.

Because the vacuum has excellent dielectric strength, the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 requires a stroke of about only 1mm to achieve the required dielectric strength required for the electromechanical bypass switch 5 of the hybrid circuit breaker 1. The contact distance can be reached very quickly as long as the driving force is sufficient.

The semiconductor circuit 6 comprises a rectifier D1..d4, the input of which is connected to the terminals of the series connection of the electromechanical bypass switch 5. In this example, two parallel transistors T1, T2 (in detail, IGBTs here) switch between the outputs of rectifiers D1..d 4. However, a different number of transistors T1, T2 may alternatively be used. Furthermore, an optional buffer circuit 8 is arranged in parallel with the two transistors T1, T2. The snubber circuit 8 includes a snubber resistor R1 and a snubber capacitor C connected in series, and a snubber diode D5 connected in parallel with the snubber resistor R1.

The hybrid circuit breaker 1 further comprises a varistor R2 connected to the terminals of the series connection of the electromechanical bypass switch 5 and forming an overvoltage protection for it.

Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker 1 comprises a shunt R3, the terminals of which are connected to the input of the control unit CTRL and are used for measuring the current I flowing through the input connector 2 a.

The control unit CTRL is not only used for measuring the current I, but is also capable of controlling the commutation from the current path 4a, in which the electromechanical bypass switch 5 is arranged, to the semiconductor circuit 6 in case of a switching operation, for example in case of an overcurrent through the electromechanical bypass switch 5. In particular, commutation can be initiated when the electromechanical bypass switch 5 is opened by the control unit CTRL and an arc voltage is generated. For this purpose, the output of the control unit CTRL is connected to the input of the electromechanical bypass switch 5 and to the transistors T1, T2.

The control unit CTRL is supplied by a power unit 9 which is connected to the current paths 4a,4b and converts the voltage from the grid voltage source VG into a voltage suitable for the control unit CTRL.

Furthermore, the hybrid circuit breaker 1 comprises an optional relay 10 with relay switch contacts S2, S3 in the current paths 4a,4b, providing galvanic isolation. The output of the control unit CTRL may also be connected to the input terminals of the relay switch contacts S2, S3. In particular, if the vacuum interrupter 5 has only single pole switch contacts as shown in fig. 1, full pole disconnection of the electrical network can be achieved by the relay 10. In general, the single-pole switch contact for the vacuum interrupter 5 is advantageous because the amount of movement is small. The vacuum interrupter 5 may however also have full pole switch contacts. If this is the case, the relay 10 is not required for galvanic isolation.

Fig. 1 also shows a grid voltage source VG connected to the input connectors 2a,2b of the hybrid circuit breaker 1. At the output connectors 2a,2b a load RL is connected and an electrical fault EF is also shown, for example in the form of a short circuit or an arc flash.

The components of the hybrid circuit breaker 1 are preferably arranged in a common housing. However, a modular design is also possible.

In this example, the actuator 7 of the mechanical bypass switch 5 is implemented as an electric actuator comprising a voice coil 11 movably arranged in a magnetic field. The electric actuator 7 may comprise a permanent magnet 12 with a core 13 designed to guide the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 12, as depicted in the example of fig. 1. The voice coil 11 is movably disposed in an air gap of the iron core 13, and the magnetic field flows through the voice coil. In detail, the voice coil 11 is connected to the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 by means of a rod 14. The electric actuator 7 can generate relatively high forces with a low stroke and can therefore be used advantageously for the proposed hybrid circuit breaker 1. Due to the high driving force, the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 opens very quickly, helping to keep the current in the semiconductor circuit 6 low.

Furthermore, the optional first capacitor bank 15 is electrically connected to the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in a switchable manner and helps to open the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 when the first capacitor bank 15 is switched to the actuator 7 (in this example to its voice coil 11). In more detail, the control unit CTRL is designed to switch the first capacitor bank 15 to the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in a first polarity in case of a switching-off operation. The first capacitor bank 15 in this first polarity may again be disconnected from the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5, for example once the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is opened or in case of an on-operation. Switching the first capacitor bank 15 to and from the actuator 7 occurs by triggering the first set of switch contacts S4. Other measures may be used to close and/or keep open the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5, as depicted in fig. 2-6.

By using the first capacitor bank 15, the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 can be opened more quickly. This is especially true if the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is implemented as an electric actuator as in the case of fig. 1.

The basic functions of the hybrid circuit breaker 1 are as follows: if the current I measured by using the shunt R3 exceeds the current limit, the control unit CTRL switches the first capacitor bank 15 to the actuator 7 by using the first set of switch contacts S4, which in turn causes the switch contacts S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 to open. Furthermore, the control unit CTRL drives the transistors T1, T2, resulting in a commutation of the current from the vacuum interrupter 5 to the semiconductor circuit 6. Finally, the relay 10 is opened by the control unit CTRL, thereby providing galvanic isolation. To switch on the hybrid circuit breaker 1, the control unit CTRL closes the relay 10 and switches off the transistors T1, T2. Then, the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is closed. For this step several options are possible, which are presented below by using fig. 2 to 6. It should also be noted at this point that the first capacitor bank 15 and relay 10 are optional. The actuator 7 may also be switched directly to the power unit 9 and a single-pole switch may be considered sufficient. Alternatively, the vacuum interrupter 5 may also have more than one switch contact S1.

Fig. 2 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker 1 different from the hybrid circuit breaker of fig. 1. In this embodiment, the control unit CTRL is additionally designed to switch the first capacitor bank 15 to the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in a second opposite polarity in the event of a switching-on operation. For this purpose, the first set of switch contacts S4 is designed as a bipolar switch which reverses the polarity of the voltage fed to the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5. In this way, the first capacitor bank 15 serves not only for opening the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5, but also for very rapidly closing the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5. This may also help reduce contact aging. It should also be noted that the first set of switch contacts S4 may have a third switch state providing galvanic isolation between the first capacitor bank 15 and the actuator 7. Thus, the switching sequence may be Note that the first group is openedThe switch contacts S4 have a natural but transient galvanic isolation state anyway, because the first set of switch contacts S4 (rapidly) moves through the galvanic isolation zone when the switching state changes from s4=first polarity to s4=second polarity. Typically, the first capacitor bank 15 in the second polarity may be disconnected from the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 again, for example once the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is closed or in case of a cut-off operation.

Fig. 3 shows a part of another alternative hybrid circuit breaker 1 different from the hybrid circuit breaker of fig. 1. In detail, there is a second capacitor bank 16 which is electrically connected in a switchable manner to the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5 and which is designed to assist in closing the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 when the second capacitor bank 16 is switched to the actuator 7. In more detail, the control unit CTRL is additionally designed to switch the second capacitor bank 16 to the actuator 7 (in a second opposite polarity) of the vacuum interrupter 5 in case of an on-operation by using the second set of switch contacts S5. This is another possibility to help very quickly close the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5. The second capacitor bank 16 in the second polarity may be disconnected again from the actuator 7 of the vacuum interrupter 5, for example once the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is closed or in case of a switching-off operation.

The first set of switch contacts S4 and the second set of switch contacts S5 may be triggered simultaneously but in the opposite manner, or have an additional state in which both the first set of switch contacts S4 and the second set of switch contacts S5 are open. In the first case, the control unit CTRL changes only between the following states: s4=closed, s5=open, s1=open and s4=open, s5=closed, s1=closed. Here, in principle no further measures are required to keep the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in the closed state and in the open state. However, the state may also be changed as follows: s4=closed, s5=open, S5=off, < >>S5=closed, ">S5=open, s1=closed. In this case, when both the first set of switch contacts S4 and the second set of switch contacts S5 are open, additional measures may be taken to keep the switch contacts S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 closed or open. Fig. 4 to 6 show examples of how this can be achieved.

In fig. 1 to 3, the capacitor bank 15 and the second capacitor bank 16 are separate modules outside the control unit CTRL. However, the first capacitor bank 15 and/or the second capacitor bank 16 may also be part of the control unit CTRL. In this way, the number of components of the hybrid circuit breaker 1 can be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the first capacitor bank 15 has a higher capacity than the second capacitor bank 16, as can be seen in fig. 3, with a greater number of capacitors in the first capacitor bank 15. By these features, it is prioritized to make the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 open quickly in order to keep the overall size of the capacitor banks 15, 16 small.

Fig. 4 shows another (smaller) part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker 1 than the hybrid circuit breaker of fig. 1. In detail, the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is held in its open position by means of a spring 17 and is designed to be closed by applying an electric current to the actuator 7. Accordingly, a continuous electromagnetic force is not required to hold the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in the open position. This embodiment is particularly helpful in combination with an actuator 7 which is only designed for closing the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5.

Fig. 5 is very similar to fig. 4. In contrast, the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is held in its closed position by means of a spring 17 and is designed to be opened by applying a current to the actuator 7. Accordingly, a continuous electromagnetic force is not required to hold the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in the closed position. This embodiment is particularly helpful in combination with an actuator 7 which is only designed for opening the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5.

Fig. 6 shows a part of an alternative hybrid circuit breaker 1 which is still different from the hybrid circuit breaker of fig. 1. In detail, the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is held in its open position by means of a mechanical latch 18. The latch 18 includes a pin 19 biased by a spring 20 and a detent 21 connected to the voice coil 11. When the voice coil 11 moves downward, the pin 19 locks the pawl 21 and thus the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5. Thus, this is another embodiment in which no continuous electromagnetic force is required to hold the switching contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in the open position. Of course, some type of unlocking mechanism is required, however, it is not shown in fig. 6 for the sake of brevity. It is noted that the pawl 21 may also be constructed in reverse such that the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 is latched in its closed position. This embodiment is particularly helpful in combination with an actuator 7 which does not need to be activated at all times to hold the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 in either the open or closed position of the switch contact.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above, but that combinations of different variants are possible. In particular, the first and second capacitor banks 15 and 16, the spring 17 and the latch 18 may be combined in any desired manner. In particular, the latch 18 may be combined with the spring 17 to obtain a bi-stable character of the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5, which means that only a driving force is required to change the switch contact S1 of the vacuum interrupter 5 between the on-state and the off-state, without the need to maintain the on-state and the off-state.

In practice, the hybrid circuit breaker 1 may have more or fewer components than shown in the figures. Furthermore, the present description may include additional independent inventive subject matter.

It should also be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements and the use of the article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Elements described in association with different embodiments may also be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

List of reference numerals

1 hybrid circuit breaker

2a,2b input connector

3a,3b output connector

4a,4b current paths

5. Electromechanical bypass switch

6. Semiconductor circuit with a high-voltage power supply

7. Actuator with a spring

8. Buffer circuit

9. Power unit

10. Relay device

11. Voice coil

12. Permanent magnet

13. Iron core

14. Rod

15. First capacitor bank

16. Second capacitor bank

17. Spring

18. Latch lock

19. Pin

20. Spring

21. Pawl for a bicycle

B vacuum chamber

C buffer capacitor

CTRL control unit

D1 … D4 rectifier

D5 Buffer diode

EF electrical failure

I current

R1 buffer resistor

R2 varistor

R3 shunt

RL load

S1 switch contact of vacuum interrupter

S2, S3 relay switch contact

S4 first group of switch contacts

S5 second group of switch contacts

T1, T2 transistor (IGBT)

VG grid voltage source

Claims

1. A hybrid circuit breaker (1), the hybrid circuit breaker comprising

Input connectors (2 a,2 b) ready to be connected to the grid,

output connectors (3 a,3 b) ready to be connected to a load (RL),

-a current path (4 a,4 b) connecting the input connector (2 a,2 b) with the output connector (3 a,3 b),

an electromechanical bypass switch (5) arranged in the current path (4 a,4 b),

-a semiconductor circuit (6) connected in parallel with the electromechanical bypass switch (5), and

-a control unit (CTRL) capable of controlling the commutation from the current path (4 a,4 b) in which the electromechanical bypass switch (5) is arranged to the semiconductor circuit (6) in the event of a switching-off operation,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

-the electromechanical bypass switch (5) is implemented as a vacuum interrupter comprising a switch contact (S1) and an actuator (7) designed to drive the switch contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5).

2. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) is implemented as an electric actuator comprising a voice coil (11) movably arranged in a magnetic field.

3. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electric actuator (7) comprises a permanent magnet (12) with an iron core (13) designed to guide a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (12), wherein the voice coil (11) is movably arranged in an air gap of the iron core (13) and the magnetic field flows through the voice coil.

4. A hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a first capacitor bank (15) which is switchably electrically connected to the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) and which is designed to assist in opening the switch contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5) when the first capacitor bank (15) is switched to the actuator (7).

5. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (CTRL) is additionally designed to switch the first capacitor bank (15) to the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) with a first polarity in case of a cut-off operation.

6. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit (CTRL) is additionally designed to switch the first capacitor bank (15) to the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) with a second opposite polarity in case of a switching-on operation.

7. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by a second capacitor bank (16) which is switchably electrically connected to the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) and which is designed to assist in closing the switching contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5) when the second capacitor bank (16) is switched to the actuator (7).

8. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (CTRL) is additionally designed to switch the second capacitor bank (16) to the actuator (7) of the vacuum interrupter (5) in case of a switching-on operation.

9. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first capacitor bank (15) and/or the second capacitor bank (16) are part of the control unit (CTRL).

10. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the first capacitor bank (15) has a higher capacity than the second capacitor bank (16).

11. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the switch contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5) is held in the closed position of the switch contact or in the open position of the switch contact by means of a mechanical latch (18).

12. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that,

-the switch contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5) is held in its closed position by means of a spring (17) and is designed to be opened by applying a current to the actuator (7), or

-the switch contact (S1) of the vacuum interrupter (5) is held in an open position of the switch contact by means of a spring (17) and is designed to be closed by applying an electric current to the actuator (7).

13. Hybrid circuit breaker (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that,

-the hybrid circuit breaker (1) additionally comprises a relay (10) switching in series with the vacuum interrupter (5), and

-the control unit (CTRL) is additionally designed to open the relay (10) after the vacuum interrupter (5) has been opened.