EP1878036B1 - Circuit breaker-contactor with a piezo-electric controlled locking - Google Patents

Circuit breaker-contactor with a piezo-electric controlled locking Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1878036B1
EP1878036B1 EP06742642A EP06742642A EP1878036B1 EP 1878036 B1 EP1878036 B1 EP 1878036B1 EP 06742642 A EP06742642 A EP 06742642A EP 06742642 A EP06742642 A EP 06742642A EP 1878036 B1 EP1878036 B1 EP 1878036B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
movable contact
circuit breaker
piezoelectric actuator
contact
contactor
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Not-in-force
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EP06742642A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1878036A1 (en
Inventor
Norbert Beyrard
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Individual
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Individual
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H57/00—Electrostrictive relays; Piezoelectric relays
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/127—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release using piezoelectric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive trip units

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a circuit breaker-contactor more particularly comprising one or two fixed contacts, a movable contact relative to the fixed contacts between a closed position and an open position, a movable contact moving means in the position of closing, and means for moving the movable contact in the open position.
  • a circuit breaker-contactor of this type is known in particular from the document EP-A-1 058322 .
  • the moving means of the moving contact closure is a piezoelectric actuator.
  • an electronic control unit operates on the piezoelectric actuator to trigger the opening of the contacts at a specific time, for example at when the intensity or voltage in the main circuit passes through a point of zero intensity or voltage, called zero point.
  • the piezoelectric actuator keeps the moving contact in the closed position as long as the circuit breaker is closed. It has been found that in order to obtain a rapid cutoff when the contact pressure between the fixed contacts and the moving contact is high, it is necessary to have a powerful piezoelectric actuator, that is to say still relatively expensive to actual hour.
  • One of the aims of the invention is to design a circuit breaker-contactor that overcomes this disadvantage.
  • the subject of the invention is a circuit-breaker comprising one or two fixed contacts, a movable contact relative to the fixed contacts between a closed position and an open position, a means for moving the movable contact in the closing position, means for moving the movable contact in the open position, and means for locking the movable contact in the closed position, a piezoelectric actuator deforming from a rest position to a working position to move the locking means to allow the moving contact to be moved in the open position by the opening moving means, and an electronic supply and control unit supplying and deforming the piezoelectric actuator in the working position to move the locking means to unlock the moving contact, in response to an electrical intensity detected in the fixed contact or contacts.
  • the idea is to cause the opening of the main circuit by releasing the potential energy of a powerful elastic means, for example a spring, by moving the locking means of the movable contact.
  • a powerful elastic means for example a spring
  • the potential energy of the spring has been accumulated during movement of the movable contact in the closed position. The release of this potential energy causes an extremely fast opening of the circuit breaker-contactor.
  • the locking means is for example a pawl or a trigger. It can be integrated with the piezoelectric actuator so that the latter acts directly on the moving contact.
  • the blocking means is not integrated with the piezoelectric actuator but is designed in the form of a lever for amplifying the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator.
  • the electronic control unit can operate to allow the circuit breaker to open very exactly at a time when, for example, the intensity is close to zero, without it being caused arc or spark that may affect the life of the circuit breaker and the operation of electronic systems arranged downstream or upstream.
  • a circuit breaker-contactor comprises two contacts 1.3 fixed relative to each other, a contact 5 movable relative to the fixed contacts 1.3 between a closed position and an open position, and a means 7 moving the movable contact 5 in the closed position.
  • the circuit breaker-contactor also comprises a means 11 for blocking the movable contact 5 in the closed position, a piezoelectric actuator 13 deforming to move the locking means 11 to unlock the movable contact 5 and allow its movement in the position d opening, and an electronic control unit 15 deforming control the piezoelectric actuator 13 in response to an electrical intensity detected in the fixed contacts 1.3.
  • the housing has for example the following dimensions: length, 65 mm; depth, 30mm; height, 50 mm.
  • the contacts 1 and 3 are fixed with respect to the housing 17.
  • the movable contact 5 is carried by a carrier arm 19 mounted to rotate about an axis 21.
  • a spring 9 is disposed on each side of the support arm 19 about the axis 21. It rests on a stop 23 of the arm carrier 19 to be deformed in torsion about the axis 21 when the support arm 19 is rotated by the lever 7 serving as a means of manual movement.
  • the locking means 11 is in the form of a lever arm and acts by a pawl 27 on a locking spike 25 fixed to the support arm 19 to lock the movable contact 5 in the closed position.
  • the pawl 27 takes up the force exerted by the springs 9 deformed in torsion about the axis 21.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 comprises an elliptical frame 29 within which piezoelectric elements 31 are arranged.
  • the major axis 33 of the ellipse is elongated while the minor axis 35 is shortened relative to a rest position.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 raises the lever arm 11, secured to the frame 29 of the piezoelectric actuator 13 by an attachment point 39 disposed along the minor axis 35.
  • a ballast 37 is provided at the opposite the point of attachment 39 along the minor axis 35 to create a free-free resonance condition at a resonance frequency of the order of 1000 Hz.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 is deformed for a very short time to move the lever arm 11 pivotally mounted relative to the housing 17 about a fixed link 24 relative to the housing 17.
  • the lever arm allows to amplify the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator 13.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 thus raises the pawl 27 above the locking spout 25 to unlock the rotation of the support arm 19 under the action of the force stored by the torsion springs 9.
  • the movable contact 5 is rotated by the carrier arm 19 to open the circuit breaker-contactor.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 acts only to release the lock, that is to say to move the locking means 11 to unlock the movable contact 5 of the closed position under the action of the force stored by the resilient means 9.
  • the closure of the circuit breaker-contactor is performed by the handle 7 to move the carrier arm 19 and at the same time cause the locking of the movable contact 5 in the position of closing.
  • the pawl 27 is driven in displacement by the locking nose 25 to engage with the latter. During this movement, it plays on the bending of the lever arm between the pawl 27 and the attachment point 39, while the piezoelectric actuator 13 is in the rest position.
  • the distance of the movable contact 5 relative to the fixed contacts 1.3 to 3 mm, after 2.5 milliseconds is largely sufficient to interrupt an arc or a spark for voltages of 220 at 230 volts.
  • the release time of the pawl 27 is 0.5 milliseconds and the loss of contact time of 0.8 milliseconds. In total, between the pulse given ten milliseconds before the zero point, a delay of the order of 6 to 8 milliseconds is sufficient after the order to lead to an opening of the main circuit at a correct time.
  • the circuit breaker-contactor is connected to the main current circuit by a line 2 connected to the fixed contact 1 and by a flexible cable 4 connected to the moving contact 5.
  • the displacement means 7 moves with a first intermediate lever arm 6 between the support arm 19 and the locking means 11.
  • the pawl 25 is no longer attached to the support arm 19 but to this intermediate lever arm 6 movable about an axis of rotation 22 fixed relative to the housing 17.
  • the locking means 11 is an arm of lever mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 24 fixed relative to the housing 17.
  • the spring 9 is integral with the movable contact 5 being attached to the carrier arm 19 at one end and the housing 17 at an opposite end to deform into elongation.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 is connected to the locking means 11 by a second intermediate lever arm 10, rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 26 and integral with the piezoelectric actuator 13 by a fulcrum 38.
  • An arm transmission 12 connects the locking means 11 to the second intermediate arm 10.
  • the circuit breaker is in the closed position.
  • the locking means 11 blocks the rotation of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 around the axis.
  • a spring 8 is attached to the second intermediate arm 10 at one end and to the housing 17 at an opposite end to hold the locking means in the locking position.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 is in the rest position.
  • the circuit breaker is in the open position.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 has deformed for a very short time in the working position, extending the minor axis 35 of the elliptical frame 29 and contracting the major axis 33.
  • This has resulted in a displacement of the second arm intermediate lever 10 pivoting about the axis of rotation 26, which has moved the locking means 11 pivotally about the axis of rotation 24 to raise the pawl 27 above the locking nose 25.
  • the second spring 8, integral with the intermediate lever arm 10 has compressed.
  • the unlocking of the pawl 27 has released the first intermediate lever arm 6 in rotation around the axis of rotation 22 and released the support arm 19 in rotation about the axis of rotation 21, under the action of the spring detent 9 integral with the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 is used only to lift the locking means 11 when opening the circuit breaker-contactor. In the open state, the piezoelectric actuator, no longer powered, returns to its rest position. To reset the circuit breaker-switch, it plays on the bending of the lever arm between the pawl 27 and the attachment point 39, as indicated above.
  • the piezoelectric actuator 13 is also used to lift the locking means 11 when opening the circuit breaker-contactor. And again, in the open state, the piezoelectric actuator 13 returns to its rest position. But to reset the circuit breaker-switch, it is necessary to deform it again in its working position to raise again the locking means 11 for a time necessary to allow the second intermediate arm 6 to pass below the pawl 27.
  • the two electronic chains are connected at 61 to an AND logic circuit.
  • the passing signal is then adjusted and amplified at 63. This signal then controls the piezoelectric actuator 13 for opening the circuit breaker-contactor.
  • the closing of the circuit breaker-contactor is carried out manually by means of the handle 7.
  • the closure can also be electrically controlled by a second piezoelectric actuator or by an electromagnetic actuator, consisting for example of an electromagnet operating only during the closing phase, so that, with the circuit-breaker closed, the power consumption is zero.
  • a solenoid 65 acts on the displacement means 7 of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 to allow the closing of the circuit breaker-contactor, thanks to the translation of a movable rod 67.
  • Figure 3 the solenoid 65 is returned to a rest position.
  • displacement means of the movable opening contact, with hydraulic, pneumatic or vapor pressure action which can be substituted for the spring 9.
  • These displacement means are controlled by the electronic control unit 15 and their control is coordinated with the control of the piezoelectric actuator 13 moving the locking means 11 until the release of the movable contact 5.
  • the water can be replaced by a gas 74 which, under the effect of heating, produced for example by an electrical resistor 79 causes the movement of the bellows 77, which in turn acts to cause the closing of the contacts in place and placing the solenoid as described with reference to the preceding figures 6 and 7.
  • a gas 74 which, under the effect of heating, produced for example by an electrical resistor 79 causes the movement of the bellows 77, which in turn acts to cause the closing of the contacts in place and placing the solenoid as described with reference to the preceding figures 6 and 7.
  • Such control means are bistable and under these conditions, if the supply of the solenoid or control means which may be substituted for it, is cut when its action is completed, the power consumption is zero outside the operating periods .
  • the engagement can be carried out at any time if the pressure of the contacts is such that rebounds at the moment of contact are very limited. Time coordination is provided for the action of the solenoid 65 acting on the means of movement of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 during the closing, and the action of the piezoelectric actuator 13 to enable the passage of the locking nose 25 below the pawl 27.
  • the closing or opening of the circuit breaker-contactor can be controlled remotely by any manual or automatic means.
  • a circuit breaker according to the invention can be miniaturized, which allows it to use for example a piezoelectric actuator for closing and another for opening and allows it to operate very quickly and therefore at higher frequencies.
  • the circuit breaker-contactor is thus capable of controlling the operating sequences of X-ray or laser beams used in particular in medical scanners, such as those described in the patent applications. FR 04.06497 and FR 04.52677 .

Landscapes

  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Keying Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)

Abstract

The inventive circuit breaker-contactor (1) comprises a fixed contact, a contact (5) movable (19, 21) with respect to the fixed contact between open and closed positions, means (7) for displacing the movable contact (5) in the closed position thereof, means (9) for displacing the movable contact in the open position. According to said invention, said circuit breaker-contactor comprises means (11) for locking the movable contact (5) in the closed position thereof, a piezo-electric actuator (13) deformable from a rest position to an operating position for displacing the locking means (11) in such a way that the movable contact (5) is enabled to be displaced to the open position by the means (9) for displacing to the open position and an electronic power supply and control unit (15) for feeding and controlling the piezo-electric actuator (13) deformation in the operating position for displacing the locking means (11) in such a way that the movable contact (5) is unlocked in response to an electric current detected by the fixed contact (1).

Description

L'invention se rapporte à un disjoncteur-contacteur comprenant plus particulièrement un ou deux contacts fixes, un contact mobile par rapport au contacts fixes entre une position de fermeture et une position d'ouverture, un moyen de déplacement du contact mobile dans la position de fermeture, et un moyen de déplacement du contact mobile dans la position d'ouverture.The invention relates to a circuit breaker-contactor more particularly comprising one or two fixed contacts, a movable contact relative to the fixed contacts between a closed position and an open position, a movable contact moving means in the position of closing, and means for moving the movable contact in the open position.

Un disjoncteur-contacteur de ce type est connu notamment du document EP-A-1 058322 . Le moyen de déplacement du contact mobile en fermeture est un actuateur piézoélectrique. Sous l'effet d'une anomalie détectée dans le circuit principal sur lequel est disposé le disjoncteur-contacteur, une unité électronique de contrôle-commande agit sur l'actuateur piézoélectrique pour déclencher l'ouverture des contacts à un instant précis, par exemple au moment où l'intensité ou la tension dans le circuit principal passe par un point d'intensité ou de tension nulle, dit point zéro.A circuit breaker-contactor of this type is known in particular from the document EP-A-1 058322 . The moving means of the moving contact closure is a piezoelectric actuator. Under the effect of an anomaly detected in the main circuit on which the circuit-breaker is arranged, an electronic control unit operates on the piezoelectric actuator to trigger the opening of the contacts at a specific time, for example at when the intensity or voltage in the main circuit passes through a point of zero intensity or voltage, called zero point.

Dans ce disjoncteur-contacteur, l'actuateur piézoélectrique maintient le contact mobile dans la position de fermeture aussi longtemps que le disjoncteur-contacteur est fermé. Il a été constaté que pour une obtenir une coupure rapide lorsque la pression de contact entre les contacts fixes et le contact mobile est élevée, il est nécessaire de disposer d'un actuateur piézoélectrique puissant, c'est à dire encore relativement coûteux à l'heure actuelle.In this circuit breaker-contactor, the piezoelectric actuator keeps the moving contact in the closed position as long as the circuit breaker is closed. It has been found that in order to obtain a rapid cutoff when the contact pressure between the fixed contacts and the moving contact is high, it is necessary to have a powerful piezoelectric actuator, that is to say still relatively expensive to actual hour.

L'un des buts de l'invention est de concevoir un disjoncteur-contacteur qui pallie cet inconvénient.One of the aims of the invention is to design a circuit breaker-contactor that overcomes this disadvantage.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un disjoncteur-contacteur comprenant un ou deux contacts fixes, un contact mobile par rapport aux contacts fixes entre une position de fermeture et une position d'ouverture, un moyen de déplacement du contact mobile dans la position de fermeture, un moyen de déplacement du contact mobile dans la position d'ouverture, ainsi qu'un moyen de blocage du contact mobile dans la position de fermeture, un actuateur piézoélectrique se déformant d'une position de repos à une position de travail pour déplacer le moyen de blocage afin de permettre au contact mobile d'être déplacé dans la position d'ouverture par le moyen de déplacement en ouverture, et une unité électronique d'alimentation et de contrôle-commande alimentant et commandant en déformation l'actuateur piézoélectrique dans la position de travail pour déplacer le moyen de blocage jusqu'à débloquer le contact mobile, en réponse à une intensité électrique détectée dans le ou les contacts fixes.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a circuit-breaker comprising one or two fixed contacts, a movable contact relative to the fixed contacts between a closed position and an open position, a means for moving the movable contact in the closing position, means for moving the movable contact in the open position, and means for locking the movable contact in the closed position, a piezoelectric actuator deforming from a rest position to a working position to move the locking means to allow the moving contact to be moved in the open position by the opening moving means, and an electronic supply and control unit supplying and deforming the piezoelectric actuator in the working position to move the locking means to unlock the moving contact, in response to an electrical intensity detected in the fixed contact or contacts.

L'idée est de provoquer l'ouverture du circuit principal en libérant l'énergie potentielle d'un puissant moyen élastique, par exemple un ressort, par le déplacement du moyen de blocage du contact mobile. L'énergie potentielle du ressort a été accumulée pendant le déplacement du contact mobile dans la position de fermeture. La libération de cette énergie potentielle provoque une ouverture extrêmement rapide du disjoncteur-contacteur.The idea is to cause the opening of the main circuit by releasing the potential energy of a powerful elastic means, for example a spring, by moving the locking means of the movable contact. The potential energy of the spring has been accumulated during movement of the movable contact in the closed position. The release of this potential energy causes an extremely fast opening of the circuit breaker-contactor.

Le moyen de blocage est par exemple un cliquet ou une gâchette. Il peut être intégré à l'actuateur piézoélectrique de sorte que ce dernier agit directement sur le contact mobile. De préférence, le moyen de blocage n'est pas intégré à l'actuateur piézoélectrique mais est conçu sous la forme d'un levier pour amplifier la déformation de l'actuateur piézoélectrique.The locking means is for example a pawl or a trigger. It can be integrated with the piezoelectric actuator so that the latter acts directly on the moving contact. Preferably, the blocking means is not integrated with the piezoelectric actuator but is designed in the form of a lever for amplifying the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator.

L'expérience a montré qu'au bout d'environ deux millisecondes, le circuit principal est suffisamment ouvert et que le délai de réaction de l'actuateur piézoélectrique est aussi de l'ordre de deux millisecondes. Ainsi, l'unité électronique de contrôle-commande peut fonctionner pour permettre au disjoncteur-contacteur de s'ouvrir très exactement à un moment où, par exemple, l'intensité est proche de zéro, sans qu'il ne soit provoqué d'arc ou d'étincelle susceptible de nuire à la vie du disjoncteur-contacteur et au fonctionnement des systèmes électroniques disposés en aval ou en amont.Experience has shown that after about two milliseconds, the main circuit is sufficiently open and that the reaction time of the piezoelectric actuator is also of the order of two milliseconds. Thus, the electronic control unit can operate to allow the circuit breaker to open very exactly at a time when, for example, the intensity is close to zero, without it being caused arc or spark that may affect the life of the circuit breaker and the operation of electronic systems arranged downstream or upstream.

D'autres avantages apparaîtront à la lumière de la description de deux modes de réalisation de l'invention illustrée par les dessins.

  • La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un disjoncteur-contacteur selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention.
  • La figure 2 est représente un oscillogramme illustrant la coupure à point zéro du disjoncteur-contacteur illustré par la figure 1.
  • La figure 3 est un vue schématique d'un disjoncteur-contacteur selon un exemple qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention, en position fermée.
  • La figure 4 est un vue schématique du disjoncteur-contacteur selon l'exemple, en position ouverte.
  • La figure 5 montre le schéma d'une commande électronique du disjoncteur-contacteur.
  • La figure 6 montre un moyen de déplacement à pression de vapeur de liquide, en position de repos.
  • La figure 7 montre le moyen de déplacement à pression de vapeur de liquide, en position de travail.
  • La figure 8 montre un moyen de déplacement à pression de gaz, en position de repos.
  • La figure 9 montre le moyen de déplacement à pression de gaz, en position de travail.
Other advantages will become apparent from the description of two embodiments of the invention illustrated by the drawings.
  • The figure 1 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • The figure 2 is represents an oscillogram illustrating the zero-point breaking of the circuit breaker illustrated by the figure 1 .
  • The figure 3 is a schematic view of a circuit breaker-contactor according to an example which is not part of the invention, in the closed position.
  • The figure 4 is a schematic view of the circuit breaker-switch according to the example, in the open position.
  • The figure 5 shows the diagram of an electronic control of the circuit breaker-contactor.
  • The figure 6 shows a means of displacement at liquid vapor pressure, in the rest position.
  • The figure 7 shows the means of displacement at liquid vapor pressure, in working position.
  • The figure 8 shows a gas pressure displacement means, in the rest position.
  • The figure 9 shows the gas pressure displacement means, in working position.

En référence à la figure 1, un disjoncteur-contacteur comprend deux contacts 1,3 fixes l'un par rapport à l'autre, un contact 5 mobile par rapport au contacts fixes 1,3 entre une position de fermeture et une position d'ouverture, et un moyen 7 de déplacement du contact mobile 5 dans la position de fermeture.With reference to the figure 1 , a circuit breaker-contactor comprises two contacts 1.3 fixed relative to each other, a contact 5 movable relative to the fixed contacts 1.3 between a closed position and an open position, and a means 7 moving the movable contact 5 in the closed position.

Le disjoncteur-contacteur comprend également un moyen 11 de blocage du contact mobile 5 dans la position de fermeture, un actuateur piézoélectrique 13 se déformant pour déplacer le moyen de blocage 11 jusqu'à débloquer le contact mobile 5 et permettre son déplacement dans la position d'ouverture, et une unité électronique de contrôle-commande 15 commandant en déformation l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 en réponse à une intensité électrique détectée dans les contacts fixes 1,3.The circuit breaker-contactor also comprises a means 11 for blocking the movable contact 5 in the closed position, a piezoelectric actuator 13 deforming to move the locking means 11 to unlock the movable contact 5 and allow its movement in the position d opening, and an electronic control unit 15 deforming control the piezoelectric actuator 13 in response to an electrical intensity detected in the fixed contacts 1.3.

L'ensemble des éléments décrits précédemment est disposé dans un boîtier en matière isolante de petite dimension, schématiquement représenté sur la figure 1 par la référence 17. Le boîtier a par exemple les dimensions suivantes : longueur, 65 mm ; profondeur, 30mm ; hauteur, 50 mm. En particulier, les contacts 1 et 3 sont fixes par rapport au boîtier 17.All the elements described above are arranged in a housing of insulating material of small dimension, schematically represented on the figure 1 by reference 17. The housing has for example the following dimensions: length, 65 mm; depth, 30mm; height, 50 mm. In particular, the contacts 1 and 3 are fixed with respect to the housing 17.

Le contact mobile 5 est porté par un bras porteur 19 monté en rotation autour d'un axe 21. Un ressort 9 est disposé de chaque côté du bras porteur 19 autour de l'axe 21. Il s'appuie sur une butée 23 du bras porteur 19 pour être déformé en torsion autour de l'axe 21 lorsque le bras porteur 19 est déplacé en rotation par la manette 7 servant de moyen manuel de déplacement.The movable contact 5 is carried by a carrier arm 19 mounted to rotate about an axis 21. A spring 9 is disposed on each side of the support arm 19 about the axis 21. It rests on a stop 23 of the arm carrier 19 to be deformed in torsion about the axis 21 when the support arm 19 is rotated by the lever 7 serving as a means of manual movement.

Le moyen de blocage 11 a la forme d'un bras de levier et agit par un cliquet 27 sur un bec de verrouillage 25 fixé au bras porteur 19 pour bloquer le contact mobile 5 dans la position de fermeture. Dans la position de prise avec le bec de verrouillage 25, le cliquet 27 reprend la force exercée par les ressorts 9 déformés en torsion autour de l'axe 21.The locking means 11 is in the form of a lever arm and acts by a pawl 27 on a locking spike 25 fixed to the support arm 19 to lock the movable contact 5 in the closed position. In the engagement position with the locking nose 25, the pawl 27 takes up the force exerted by the springs 9 deformed in torsion about the axis 21.

Dans le mode de réalisation illustré par la figure 1, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 comprend un cadre en forme d'ellipse 29 à l'intérieur duquel des éléments piézoélectriques 31 sont disposés. Par effet piézoélectrique, le grand axe 33 de l'ellipse est allongé tandis que le petit axe 35 est raccourci par rapport à une positon de repos. Dans cette position de travail, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 soulève le bras de levier 11, solidaire du cadre 29 de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 par un point d'attache 39 disposé suivant le petit axe 35. Un lest 37 est prévu à l'opposé du point d'attache 39 suivant le petit axe 35 pour créer une condition de résonance libre - libre à une fréquence de résonance de l'ordre de 1000 Hz.In the embodiment illustrated by the figure 1 the piezoelectric actuator 13 comprises an elliptical frame 29 within which piezoelectric elements 31 are arranged. By piezoelectric effect, the major axis 33 of the ellipse is elongated while the minor axis 35 is shortened relative to a rest position. In this working position, the piezoelectric actuator 13 raises the lever arm 11, secured to the frame 29 of the piezoelectric actuator 13 by an attachment point 39 disposed along the minor axis 35. A ballast 37 is provided at the opposite the point of attachment 39 along the minor axis 35 to create a free-free resonance condition at a resonance frequency of the order of 1000 Hz.

Pour ouvrir le disjoncteur-contacteur, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 est déformé pendant un temps très court pour déplacer le bras de levier 11 monté pivotant par rapport au boîtier 17 autour d'une liaison 24 fixe par rapport au boîtier 17. Le bras de levier permet d'amplifier la déformation de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13. L'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 soulève ainsi le cliquet 27 au dessus du bec de verrouillage 25 jusqu'à débloquer la rotation du bras porteur 19 sous l'action de la force emmagasinée par les ressorts de torsion 9. Le contact mobile 5 est entraîné en rotation par le bras porteur 19 pour ouvrir le disjoncteur-contacteur.To open the circuit-breaker, the piezoelectric actuator 13 is deformed for a very short time to move the lever arm 11 pivotally mounted relative to the housing 17 about a fixed link 24 relative to the housing 17. The lever arm allows to amplify the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator 13. The piezoelectric actuator 13 thus raises the pawl 27 above the locking spout 25 to unlock the rotation of the support arm 19 under the action of the force stored by the torsion springs 9. The movable contact 5 is rotated by the carrier arm 19 to open the circuit breaker-contactor.

Dans ce premier mode d'exécution, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 n'agit que pour libérer le verrouillage, c'est à dire pour déplacer le moyen de blocage 11 jusqu'à débloquer le contact mobile 5 de la position de fermeture sous l'action de la force emmagasinée par le moyen élastique 9. La fermeture du disjoncteur-contacteur est effectuée par la manette 7 pour déplacer le bras porteur 19 et provoquer en même temps le verrouillage du contact mobile 5 dans la position de fermeture. Autrement dit, pour réarmer le disjoncteur-contacteur, le cliquet 27 est entraîné en déplacement par le bec de verrouillage 25 jusqu'à venir en prise avec ce dernier. Au cours de ce déplacement, on joue sur la flexion du bras de levier entre le cliquet 27 et le point d'attache 39, tandis que l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 est dans la position de repos.In this first embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 13 acts only to release the lock, that is to say to move the locking means 11 to unlock the movable contact 5 of the closed position under the action of the force stored by the resilient means 9. The closure of the circuit breaker-contactor is performed by the handle 7 to move the carrier arm 19 and at the same time cause the locking of the movable contact 5 in the position of closing. In other words, to reset the circuit breaker-switch, the pawl 27 is driven in displacement by the locking nose 25 to engage with the latter. During this movement, it plays on the bending of the lever arm between the pawl 27 and the attachment point 39, while the piezoelectric actuator 13 is in the rest position.

On a pu constater expérimentalement qu'un tel disjoncteur-contacteur est, du point de vue de la coupure, à un niveau élevé de performance, puisqu'il permet la coupure à point zéro, ce qui est illustré par l'oscillogramme illustré par la figure 2, obtenu au cours d'essais. On voit en effet sur cette photographie que l'intensité 16 et le tension 18 s'annulent au point zéro, sous l'effet d'une anomalie 22 déclenchée au point zéro juste précédent.It has been found experimentally that such a circuit breaker-switch is, from the point of view of the cutoff, at a high level of performance, since it allows zero-point cutoff, which is illustrated by the oscillogram illustrated by the figure 2 , obtained during tests. It can be seen in this photograph that the intensity 16 and the voltage 18 vanish at the zero point, under the effect of an anomaly 22 triggered at the zero point just above.

Ce qu'il faut retenir, c'est que l'éloignement du contact mobile 5 par rapport aux contacts fixes 1,3 à 3 mm, après 2,5 millisecondes est largement suffisant pour interrompre un arc ou une étincelle pour des tensions de 220 à 230 Volts. Les délais de libération du cliquet 27 sont de 0,5 millisecondes et le délai de perte de contact de 0,8 millisecondes. Au total, entre l'impulsion donnée dix millisecondes avant le point zéro, un retard de l'ordre de 6 à 8 millisecondes suffit après l'ordre pour aboutir à une ouverture du circuit principal à un moment correct.What must be remembered is that the distance of the movable contact 5 relative to the fixed contacts 1.3 to 3 mm, after 2.5 milliseconds is largely sufficient to interrupt an arc or a spark for voltages of 220 at 230 volts. The release time of the pawl 27 is 0.5 milliseconds and the loss of contact time of 0.8 milliseconds. In total, between the pulse given ten milliseconds before the zero point, a delay of the order of 6 to 8 milliseconds is sufficient after the order to lead to an opening of the main circuit at a correct time.

La rapidité d'intervention de la coupure est un élément considérable de sécurité dans le fonctionnement du disjoncteur-contacteur et dans le rôle qu'il joue pour la protection des circuits alimentés à travers lui.The speed of intervention of the cutoff is a considerable element of safety in the operation of the circuit-breaker and in the role it plays for the protection of the circuits fed through it.

Les figures 3 et 4 illustrent un exemple, qui ne fait partie de l'invention. Les éléments communs aux deux modes d'exécution conservent la même référence.The figures 3 and 4 illustrate an example, which does not form part of the invention. The elements common to both execution modes retain the same reference.

Le disjoncteur-contacteur est connecté au circuit du courant principal par une ligne 2 reliée au contact fixe 1 et par un câble souple 4 relié au contact mobile 5.The circuit breaker-contactor is connected to the main current circuit by a line 2 connected to the fixed contact 1 and by a flexible cable 4 connected to the moving contact 5.

Par différence avec le premier mode d'exécution, le moyen de déplacement 7 se déplace avec un premier bras de levier intermédiaire 6 entre le bras porteur 19 et le moyen de blocage 11. Le cliquet 25 n'est plus fixé au bras porteur 19 mais à ce bras de levier intermédiaire 6 mobile autour d'un axe de rotation 22 fixe par rapport au boîtier 17. Le moyen de blocage 11 est un bras de levier monté en pivot autour d'un axe de rotation 24 fixe par rapport au boîtier 17. Le ressort 9 est solidaire du contact mobile 5 en étant fixé au bras porteur 19 par une extrémité et au boîtier 17 par une extrémité opposée pour se déformer en élongation. L'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 est relié au moyen de blocage 11 par un deuxième bras de levier intermédiaire 10, monté en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation 26 et solidaire de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 par un point d'appui 38. Un bras de transmission 12 relie, le moyen de blocage 11 au deuxième bras intermédiaire 10.By difference with the first embodiment, the displacement means 7 moves with a first intermediate lever arm 6 between the support arm 19 and the locking means 11. The pawl 25 is no longer attached to the support arm 19 but to this intermediate lever arm 6 movable about an axis of rotation 22 fixed relative to the housing 17. The locking means 11 is an arm of lever mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation 24 fixed relative to the housing 17. The spring 9 is integral with the movable contact 5 being attached to the carrier arm 19 at one end and the housing 17 at an opposite end to deform into elongation. The piezoelectric actuator 13 is connected to the locking means 11 by a second intermediate lever arm 10, rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 26 and integral with the piezoelectric actuator 13 by a fulcrum 38. An arm transmission 12 connects the locking means 11 to the second intermediate arm 10.

Figure 3, le disjoncteur-contacteur est dans la position de fermeture. Par la prise entre le bec de verrouillage 27 porté par le moyen de blocage 11 et le cliquet 25 porté par le bras de levier intermédiaire 6, le moyen de blocage 11 bloque la rotation du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5 autour de l'axe de rotation 21. Un ressort 8 est fixé au deuxième bras intermédiaire 10 par une extrémité et au boîtier 17 par une extrémité opposée pour maintenir le moyen de blocage en position de blocage. L'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 est dans la position de repos. Figure 3 , the circuit breaker is in the closed position. By the catch between the locking nose 27 carried by the locking means 11 and the pawl 25 carried by the intermediate lever arm 6, the locking means 11 blocks the rotation of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 around the axis. A spring 8 is attached to the second intermediate arm 10 at one end and to the housing 17 at an opposite end to hold the locking means in the locking position. The piezoelectric actuator 13 is in the rest position.

Figure 4, le disjoncteur-contacteur est en position d'ouverture. Pour l'ouverture, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 s'est déformé pendant un temps très court dans la position de travail, allongeant le petit axe 35 du cadre elliptique 29 et contractant le grand axe 33. Il en est résulté un déplacement du deuxième bras de levier intermédiaire 10 en pivotement autour de l'axe de rotation 26, lequel a déplacé le moyen de blocage 11 en pivotement autour de l'axe de rotation 24 pour soulever le cliquet 27 au dessus du bec de verrouillage 25. Au cours de ces déplacements, le deuxième ressort 8, solidaire du bras de levier intermédiaire 10, s'est comprimé. Le déverrouillage du cliquet 27 a libéré le premier bras de levier intermédiaire 6 en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation 22 et libéré le bras porteur 19 en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation 21, sous l'action de la détente du ressort 9 solidaire du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5. Figure 4 , the circuit breaker is in the open position. For opening, the piezoelectric actuator 13 has deformed for a very short time in the working position, extending the minor axis 35 of the elliptical frame 29 and contracting the major axis 33. This has resulted in a displacement of the second arm intermediate lever 10 pivoting about the axis of rotation 26, which has moved the locking means 11 pivotally about the axis of rotation 24 to raise the pawl 27 above the locking nose 25. During these displacements, the second spring 8, integral with the intermediate lever arm 10, has compressed. The unlocking of the pawl 27 has released the first intermediate lever arm 6 in rotation around the axis of rotation 22 and released the support arm 19 in rotation about the axis of rotation 21, under the action of the spring detent 9 integral with the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5.

Pour réarmer le disjoncteur-contacteur dans la position de fermeture, on agit manuellement sur le moyen de déplacement 7 pour déplacer le premier bras intermédiaire 6 autour de l'axe de rotation 22. Au cours de ce déplacement, le ressort 9, solidaire du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5, est comprimé. L'actuateur piézoélectrique 13, qui était retourné dans la position de repos, est à nouveau déformé pendant un temps très court dans la position de travail. Il en résulte un déplacement du deuxième bras intermédiaire 10 en rotation autour de l'axe de rotation 26, lequel déplace le moyen de blocage 11 en pivotement autour de l'axe de rotation 24 pour à nouveau soulever le cliquet 27 au dessus du bec de verrouillage 25. Au cours de ces déplacements, le deuxième ressort 8, solidaire du bras de levier intermédiaire 10, est comprimé. Lorsque l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 retourne dans la position de repos, le ressort 8 se détend en provoquant la rotation en sens opposé, à la fois du bras intermédiaire 10 autour de l'axe de rotation 26 et du bras de levier 11 autour de l'axe de rotation 24, jusqu'à ce que le cliquet 27 vienne à nouveau en prise avec le bec de verrouillage 25 pour bloquer le contact mobile 5 dans la position de fermeture.To reset the circuit breaker-switch in the closed position, it acts manually on the displacement means 7 to move the first intermediate arm 6 about the axis of rotation 22. During this movement, the spring 9, secured to the arm 19 carrier of the movable contact 5, is compressed. The piezoelectric actuator 13, which was returned to the rest position, is again deformed for a very short time in the working position. This results in a displacement of the second intermediate arm 10 in rotation around the axis of rotation 26, which displaces the locking means 11 pivotally about the axis of rotation 24 to again raise the pawl 27 above the locking nose 25. During these displacements, the second spring 8, secured to the intermediate lever arm 10, is compressed. When the piezoelectric actuator 13 returns to the rest position, the spring 8 expands causing rotation in the opposite direction, both of the intermediate arm 10 about the axis of rotation 26 and the lever arm 11 around the rotation axis 24, until the pawl 27 again engages the locking nose 25 to lock the movable contact 5 in the closed position.

Dans le premier mode d'exécution, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 n'est utilisé que pour soulever le moyen de blocage 11 lors de l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur. Dans l'état ouvert, l'actuateur piézoélectrique, n'étant plus alimenté, retourne dans sa position de repos. Pour réarmer le disjoncteur-contacteur, on joue sur la flexion du bras de levier entre le cliquet 27 et le point d'attache 39, comme indiqué précédemment.In the first embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 13 is used only to lift the locking means 11 when opening the circuit breaker-contactor. In the open state, the piezoelectric actuator, no longer powered, returns to its rest position. To reset the circuit breaker-switch, it plays on the bending of the lever arm between the pawl 27 and the attachment point 39, as indicated above.

Dans le deuxième mode d'exécution, l'actuacteur piézoélectrique 13 est également utilisé pour soulever le moyen de blocage 11 lors de l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur. Et là encore, dans l'état ouvert, l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 retourne dans sa position de repos. Mais pour réarmer le disjoncteur-contacteur, il est nécessaire de le déformer à nouveau dans sa position de travail pour soulever à nouveau le moyen de blocage 11 pendant un temps nécessaire pour permettre de laisser passer le deuxième bras intermédiaire 6 en dessous du cliquet 27.In the second embodiment, the piezoelectric actuator 13 is also used to lift the locking means 11 when opening the circuit breaker-contactor. And again, in the open state, the piezoelectric actuator 13 returns to its rest position. But to reset the circuit breaker-switch, it is necessary to deform it again in its working position to raise again the locking means 11 for a time necessary to allow the second intermediate arm 6 to pass below the pawl 27.

Il importe maintenant d'examiner les conditions dans lesquelles intervient l'ordre de déverrouillage.It is now important to consider the conditions under which the unlock order occurs.

La commande de coupure à point zéro est mise en oeuvre par un circuit électronique dont la logique est illustrée par la figure 5. Cette commande est décrite dans le brevet européen cité en introduction. Elle comprend :

  • un moyen 41, par exemple constitué par une boucle inductive, de mesure de l'intensité ou de la tension du courant dans le circuit sur lequel est installé le disjoncteur-contacteur.
  • deux chaînes électroniques alimentées par ce moyen de mesure :
    • La première chaîne comprend séquence suivante :
      • un redresseur de courant 43,
      • comparateur 45 permettant de comparer l'intensité instantanée avec un niveau de seuil réglable, par exemple, par un potentiomètre 47. Ce comparateur peut être complété pour prendre en compte une baisse de tension, un défaut de masse ou un défaut d'équilibre du courant en amont et en aval des contacts,
      • en 49, un pas logique de fonction OU permettant d'introduire soit un ordre immédiat soit un ordre provenant d'un moyen retardateur 51, par exemple, un bilame ou un circuit analogique fonctionnant comme un bilame,
      • une mémoire 53 alimentée par le défaut constaté lors des étapes antérieures.
    • La deuxième chaîne parallèle comprend la séquence suivante :
      • un moyen de filtrage 55 pour éliminer les anomalies, tels les bruits électriques,
      • un détecteur de passage à zéro 57,
      • un moyen retardateur 59 permettant de retarder le déclenchement du disjoncteur jusqu'à un point retard. Le retard est ajusté pour tenir compte du temps d'activation de l'actuateur piézoélectrique et de déplacement du contact mobile au delà d'une certaine distance du ou des contacts fixes. Autrement dit, si l'on tient compte du fait que le temps d'activation de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 est de deux millisecondes et que le temps de déplacement du contact mobile 5 au-delà d'une distance d'ouverture de 1 millimètre par rapport au contact fixe 1, est de trois millisecondes, il faut retarder la commande d'ouverture de cinq millisecondes pour déclencher l'ouverture dix millisecondes après le point zéro juste précédent. Ces dix millisecondes correspondent à une demi-période d'un courant alternatif de fréquence égal à 50 Hertz. Par conséquent, l'unité de contrôle-commande 15 déclenche l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur exactement au point zéro.
The zero point cut control is implemented by an electronic circuit whose logic is illustrated by the figure 5 . This command is described in the European patent cited in the introduction. She understands :
  • means 41, for example constituted by an inductive loop, for measuring the intensity or the voltage of the current in the circuit on which the circuit-breaker is installed.
  • two electronic channels fed by this measuring means:
    • The first string includes the following sequence:
      • a current rectifier 43,
      • comparator 45 for comparing the instantaneous intensity with an adjustable threshold level, for example, by a potentiometer 47. This comparator can be completed to take into account a voltage drop, a ground fault or a lack of current balance upstream and downstream of the contacts,
      • at 49, a logical step OR function for introducing either an immediate order or an order from a delay means 51, for example, a bimetallic strip or an analog circuit operating as a bimetallic strip,
      • a memory 53 fed by the defect found in the previous steps.
    • The second parallel chain comprises the following sequence:
      • filtering means 55 for eliminating anomalies, such as electrical noise,
      • a crossing detector 57,
      • a delay means 59 for delaying the tripping of the circuit breaker to a delay point. The delay is adjusted to take into account the activation time of the piezoelectric actuator and displacement of the movable contact beyond a certain distance from the fixed contact (s). In other words, if one takes into account that the activation time of the piezoelectric actuator 13 is two milliseconds and the travel time of the movable contact 5 beyond an opening distance of 1 millimeter relative to the fixed contact 1, is three milliseconds, it is necessary to delay the opening command by five milliseconds to trigger the opening ten milliseconds after the just preceding zero point. These ten milliseconds correspond to half a period of an alternating current of frequency equal to 50 Hertz. Therefore, the control unit 15 triggers the opening of the circuit breaker exactly at the zero point.

Les deux chaînes électroniques sont reliées en 61 à un circuit logique ET. Le signal passant est alors ajusté et amplifié en 63. Ce signal commande alors l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 pour l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur.The two electronic chains are connected at 61 to an AND logic circuit. The passing signal is then adjusted and amplified at 63. This signal then controls the piezoelectric actuator 13 for opening the circuit breaker-contactor.

Cette commande peut être complétée par des signaux ou commandes suivants:

  • un signal fonctionnel annonçant que le circuit est fermé et ou que le courant passe dans les contacts.
  • un signal de défaut en cas de surintensité ou tout autre défaut susceptible d'activer le disjoncteur.
  • un signal indiquant que les contacts sont ouverts.
This command can be supplemented by the following signals or commands:
  • a functional signal announcing that the circuit is closed and that the current flows through the contacts.
  • a fault signal in case of overcurrent or any other fault that could activate the circuit breaker.
  • a signal indicating that the contacts are open.

Le déverrouillage est ainsi contrôlé électroniquement pour provoquer le déclenchement de l'actuateur piézoélectrique et l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur. Ainsi, l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur s'effectue sous les deux conditions suivantes :

  • existence d'une anomalie constatée et mémorisée par la première chaîne électronique, et
  • commande en ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur à l'aide de la deuxième chaîne électronique pour que l'ouverture s'effectue lorsque l'intensité ou la tension en courant alternatif est nulle, c'est-à-dire passe par le point zéro.
Unlocking is thus electronically controlled to trigger the piezoelectric actuator and open the circuit breaker. Thus, the opening of the circuit-breaker is carried out under the following two conditions:
  • existence of an anomaly detected and memorized by the first electronic chain, and
  • opening control of the circuit breaker with the second electronic chain so that the opening takes place when the intensity or AC voltage is zero, that is to say through the zero point.

Dans les modes d'exécution décrits précédemment, la fermeture du disjoncteur-contacteur est effectuée manuellement grâce à la manette 7. Mais la fermeture peut aussi être commandée de manière électrique par un deuxième actuateur piézoélectrique ou par un actuateur électromagnétique, constitué par exemple d'un électro-aimant fonctionnant uniquement pendant la phase de fermeture, de sorte à ce que, le disjoncteur-contacteur étant fermé, la consommation d'énergie soit nulle.In the embodiments described above, the closing of the circuit breaker-contactor is carried out manually by means of the handle 7. But the closure can also be electrically controlled by a second piezoelectric actuator or by an electromagnetic actuator, consisting for example of an electromagnet operating only during the closing phase, so that, with the circuit-breaker closed, the power consumption is zero.

Pour des intensités élevées, on peut aussi agir par pression pneumatique, hydraulique ou par pression de vapeur enfermée dans une enceinte, de même que le ressort 9 agissant lors de l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur circuit peut être remplacé par de tels autres systèmes analogues.For high intensities, it is also possible to act by pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure or vapor pressure enclosed in an enclosure, just as the spring 9 acting during the opening of the circuit breaker-contactor can be replaced by such other analogous systems. .

Figure 4, un solénoïde 65 agit sur le moyen de déplacement 7 du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5 pour permettre la fermeture du disjoncteur-contacteur, grâce à la translation d'une tige mobile 67. Figure 3, le solénoïde 65 est retourné dans une position de repos. Figure 4 a solenoid 65 acts on the displacement means 7 of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 to allow the closing of the circuit breaker-contactor, thanks to the translation of a movable rod 67. Figure 3 the solenoid 65 is returned to a rest position.

On comprend que selon l'invention, on peut mettre en oeuvre simultanément ou non, des moyens de déplacement, du contact mobile en ouverture, à action hydraulique, pneumatique ou à pression de vapeur pouvant se substituer au ressort 9. Ces moyens de déplacement sont commandés par l'unité électronique de contrôle-commande 15 et le leur commande est coordonnée avec la commande de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 déplaçant le moyen de blocage 11 jusqu'au déblocage du contact mobile 5.It is understood that according to the invention, it is possible to implement, simultaneously or not, displacement means, of the movable opening contact, with hydraulic, pneumatic or vapor pressure action which can be substituted for the spring 9. These displacement means are controlled by the electronic control unit 15 and their control is coordinated with the control of the piezoelectric actuator 13 moving the locking means 11 until the release of the movable contact 5.

Un moyen de déplacement à pression de vapeur est décrit schématiquement en figures 6 et 7. Le moyen de commande comprend une enceinte fermée 69 contenant deux électrodes 71 et un liquide conducteur 73 vaporisable lorsque les électrodes 71 sont alimentées électriquement 75. Son fonctionnement est le suivant :

  • à gauche, figure 6, en l'absence de vapeur, un soufflet extensible 77 est en position basse.
  • à droite, figure 7, lorsque de la vapeur est produite par un échauffement dû au passage d'un courant, le soufflet 77 est en position haute et son mouvement a provoqué le déplacement d'une tige 67 agissant sur le moyen de déplacement 7 du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5.
A means of displacement at vapor pressure is schematically described in Figures 6 and 7 . The control means comprises a closed chamber 69 containing two electrodes 71 and a conductive liquid 73 which can be vaporized when the electrodes 71 are electrically powered 75. Its operation is as follows:
  • to the left, figure 6 in the absence of steam, an expandable bellows 77 is in the down position.
  • to the right, figure 7 when the steam is produced by a heating due to the passage of a current, the bellows 77 is in the up position and its movement has caused the displacement of a rod 67 acting on the displacement means 7 of the arm 19 carrying the contact mobile 5.

Dans une telle enceinte, figures 8 et 9, l'eau peut être remplacée par un gaz 74 qui, sous l'effet d'un échauffement, produit par exemple par une résistance électrique 79 provoque le déplacement du soufflet 77, lequel à son tour agit pour provoquer la fermeture des contacts en lieu et place du solénoïde comme décrit en référence aux figures précédentes 6 et 7.In such an enclosure, Figures 8 and 9 , the water can be replaced by a gas 74 which, under the effect of heating, produced for example by an electrical resistor 79 causes the movement of the bellows 77, which in turn acts to cause the closing of the contacts in place and placing the solenoid as described with reference to the preceding figures 6 and 7.

De tels moyens de commande sont bistables et dans ces conditions, si l'alimentation du solénoïde ou des moyens de commande qui peuvent lui être substitués, est coupée lorsque son action est terminée, la consommation d'énergie est nulle en dehors des périodes de fonctionnement.Such control means are bistable and under these conditions, if the supply of the solenoid or control means which may be substituted for it, is cut when its action is completed, the power consumption is zero outside the operating periods .

L'enclenchement peut être effectué à un moment quelconque du temps si la pression des contacts est telle que des rebonds au moment du contact sont très limités. On prévoit une coordination dans le temps de l'action du solénoïde 65 agissant sur le moyen de déplacement du bras 19 porteur du contact mobile 5 lors de la fermeture, et de l'action de l'actuateur piézoélectrique 13 pour permettre le passage du bec de verrouillage 25 en dessous du cliquet 27. Avantageusement, la fermeture ou l'ouverture du disjoncteur-contacteur peut être commandée à distance par tout moyen manuel ou automatique.The engagement can be carried out at any time if the pressure of the contacts is such that rebounds at the moment of contact are very limited. Time coordination is provided for the action of the solenoid 65 acting on the means of movement of the arm 19 carrying the movable contact 5 during the closing, and the action of the piezoelectric actuator 13 to enable the passage of the locking nose 25 below the pawl 27. Advantageously, the closing or opening of the circuit breaker-contactor can be controlled remotely by any manual or automatic means.

Il convient d'observer que tous les modes de fonctionnement du disjoncteur-contacteur ont été conçus pour permettre aux actuateurs piézoélectriques ou autres de ne fonctionner que de manière très brève pendant l'ouverture ou la fermeture du disjoncteur-contacteur.It should be noted that all operating modes of the circuit breaker-switch have been designed to allow piezoelectric or other actuators to operate only very briefly during the opening or closing of the circuit-breaker.

Un disjoncteur-contacteur selon l'invention peut être miniaturisé, ce qui lui permet d'utiliser par exemple un actuateur piézoélectrique pour la fermeture et un autre pour l'ouverture et l'autorise à fonctionner très rapidement et donc à des fréquences plus élevées. Le disjoncteur-contacteur est ainsi susceptible de commander les séquences de fonctionnement de faisceaux à rayons X ou laser utilisés en particulier dans des scanners médicaux, tels ceux décrit dans les demandes de brevets FR 04.06497 et FR 04.52677 .A circuit breaker according to the invention can be miniaturized, which allows it to use for example a piezoelectric actuator for closing and another for opening and allows it to operate very quickly and therefore at higher frequencies. The circuit breaker-contactor is thus capable of controlling the operating sequences of X-ray or laser beams used in particular in medical scanners, such as those described in the patent applications. FR 04.06497 and FR 04.52677 .

Claims (5)

  1. Circuit breaker-contactor including:
    - one (1) or two (1, 3) fixed contacts;
    - a contact (5) movable (19,21) relative to the fixed contacts (1,3) between an open position and a closed position;
    - a means (7) for displacing the movable contact (5) into the closed position;
    - a means (9) for displacing the movable contact (5) into the open position;
    - a means (11) for locking the movable contact (5) into the closed position;
    - a piezoelectric actuator (13) deforming from a rest position to an operating position in order to displace the locking means (11) so that the movable contact (5) can be displaced into the open position by the means (9) for displacement into the open position;
    - and an electronic power supply and control unit (15) supplying power to and controlling the deformation of the piezoelectric actuator (13) into the operating position in response to an electrical amperage detected in the fixed contact or contacts (1, 3),
    characterised in that the locking means is a lever (11) pivoting around a fixed link (24), provided with a catch (27) to lock the movable contact (5) by absorbing a potential energy stored by the means (9) for displacement into the open position and joined to the piezoelectric actuator (13) by an attachment point (39) so as to be pivotally controlled by the piezoelectric actuator (13) in order to displace the catch (27) until the movable contact (5) is unlocked by releasing the potential energy stored by the means (9) for displacement into the open position.
  2. Circuit breaker-contactor according to claim 1, in which the lever arm (11) deforms by deflecting so that it locks the movable contact (5) in the closed position.
  3. Circuit breaker-contactor according to claim 1, in which the means (9) for displacing the movable contact (5) for opening is a spring, a piezoelectric actuator or a means having an electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, liquid vapour pressure or gas vapour pressure action controlled by the electronic control unit.
  4. Circuit breaker-contactor according to claim 4, in which the spring (9) deforms by torsion or by elongation.
  5. Circuit breaker-contactor according to claim 1, in which the means (7) for closing the movable contact (5) includes a piezoelectric actuator, or a means whose action is electromechanical (65), hydraulic, pneumatic or uses liquid vapour pressure or gas vapour pressure (69) controlled by the electronic control unit (15).
EP06742642A 2005-04-22 2006-04-21 Circuit breaker-contactor with a piezo-electric controlled locking Not-in-force EP1878036B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0504141A FR2884962A1 (en) 2005-04-22 2005-04-22 CONTACTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENED BY TRIGGERING USING A PIEZO ELECTRIC ACTUATOR.
PCT/EP2006/003704 WO2006111407A1 (en) 2005-04-22 2006-04-21 Circuit breaker-contactor with a piezo-electric controlled locking

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1878036A1 EP1878036A1 (en) 2008-01-16
EP1878036B1 true EP1878036B1 (en) 2008-10-08

Family

ID=36729328

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06742642A Not-in-force EP1878036B1 (en) 2005-04-22 2006-04-21 Circuit breaker-contactor with a piezo-electric controlled locking

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US7528334B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1878036B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2008537301A (en)
AT (1) ATE410781T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602006003088D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2884962A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006111407A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2434851A (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-08 Pbt A vibration resistant release mechanism
US8179018B2 (en) * 2009-08-25 2012-05-15 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Active material actuator regulation utilizing piezoelectric and piezoresistive effect
DE202011110339U1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-08-29 Ceramtec Gmbh Electromagnetic relay

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO148061C (en) 1981-02-05 1986-05-13 Norsk Hydro As PROCEDURE FOR THE PREPARATION OF SALT COATED METAL PARTICLES.
US4473859A (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-09-25 Piezo Electric Products, Inc. Piezoelectric circuit breaker
US5430597A (en) * 1993-01-04 1995-07-04 General Electric Company Current interrupting device using micromechanical components
DE4425330A1 (en) * 1993-07-26 1996-01-25 Siemens Ag Current limiting switch
GB9704769D0 (en) * 1997-03-07 1997-04-23 Powerbreaker Plc Low component count release mechanism
DE10112563A1 (en) * 2001-03-15 2002-09-19 Kopp Heinrich Ag Device for actuating a trigger mechanism
DE10118098A1 (en) * 2001-04-11 2002-10-17 Abb Patent Gmbh Service switching device
DE10340003B4 (en) * 2003-08-29 2006-02-16 Siemens Ag Short-circuit and overload release for a switching device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080179170A1 (en) 2008-07-31
WO2006111407A1 (en) 2006-10-26
DE602006003088D1 (en) 2008-11-20
US7528334B2 (en) 2009-05-05
EP1878036A1 (en) 2008-01-16
JP2008537301A (en) 2008-09-11
FR2884962A1 (en) 2006-10-27
ATE410781T1 (en) 2008-10-15

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