US3745283A - Electrical compression switch - Google Patents

Electrical compression switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3745283A
US3745283A US00203278A US3745283DA US3745283A US 3745283 A US3745283 A US 3745283A US 00203278 A US00203278 A US 00203278A US 3745283D A US3745283D A US 3745283DA US 3745283 A US3745283 A US 3745283A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact
stud
housing structure
follower
contact stud
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00203278A
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English (en)
Inventor
W Bischofberger
G Mauthe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BBC Brown Boveri AG Switzerland
BBC Brown Boveri France SA
Original Assignee
BBC Brown Boveri France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BBC Brown Boveri France SA filed Critical BBC Brown Boveri France SA
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Publication of US3745283A publication Critical patent/US3745283A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/88—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts
    • H01H33/90—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts this movement being effected by or in conjunction with the contact-operating mechanism
    • H01H33/91—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts this movement being effected by or in conjunction with the contact-operating mechanism the arc-extinguishing fluid being air or gas
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
    • H01H3/52—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts with means to ensure stopping at intermediate operative positions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/12—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H2033/028—Details the cooperating contacts being both actuated simultaneously in opposite directions

Definitions

  • An electrical switch of the compression type wherein gas for are extinction is compressed prior to disengagement of the contacts by movement of the driven contact itself includes a pair of contact studs arranged coaxially in end-to-end relation.
  • One of the contact studs is positively driven, and the other contact stud which performs a follower function so as to remain temporarily in engagement with the driven contact while the gas is being compressed is mounted elastically within a movable housing structure biased to a rest position by a return spring.
  • the housing structure is coupled to the driven contact stud by a latching mechanism such that the housing structure and follower contact stud are taken along with the driven contact stud during the gascompressing phase of contact movement.
  • the latch mechanism releases thus uncoupling the spring biased housing structure and follower contact stud and permitting them to reverse direction and snap back quickly to the rest position thereby expediting disengagement of the follower contact stud from the driven contact stud as the latter continues to move in the contact separating direction, and at which time the compressed gas is released for flow into the gap formed between the ends of the contact studs.
  • This invention relates to an improvement in electrical switches of the so-called compression type wherein, for extinguishing the are drawn between the contacts as they separate, a stream of quenching gas is directed into the contact gap, this gas stream being produced by a compression system consisting of a piston-cylinder unit.
  • Switches of this type are disclosed, for example, in Swiss Patent No. 494,467, the latter providing a construction wherein the movable contact member of the switch is secured to the movable component of the compression system.
  • the problem underlying the present invention is, however, concerned with a power switch of the compression type, and the object is to attain as quickly as possible a contact separation distance most favorable for arc extinction and thus obtain a short total disconnect time for the switch mechanism.
  • the compression switch includes a pair of contact studs arranged coaxially in end-to-end relation and which are adapted to be brought into abutting engagement.
  • One of thecontact studs is positively driven by an actuating mechanism so as to effect its engagement with, or disengagement from, the other contact stud which performs a follower function, and the latter is mounted elastically in a movable housing structure biased to' a rest position by a return spring.
  • the housing structure is coupled to the driven contact stud by means including a latching mechanism such that the housing structure arid fol-' lower contact stud are taken along with the driven contact stud to keep the contact studs engaged during an initial phase of contact movement, and while the gas is being compressed within its cylinder. Thereafter, the latching mechanism releases, thus uncoupling the spring biased housing structure and follower contact stud from the driven contact stud and permitting them to reverse direction and snap back quickly to their initial rest position under the action of the restoring spring thereby expediting disengagement of the follower contact stud from the driven contact stud as the latter continues to move in the contact separating direction, and at which time, the compressed gas is released for flow into the gap formed between the ends of the contact studs.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical central section through the contact structure of the improved compression switch
  • FIG. 2 is a partial vertical section from FIG. 1 illustrating the relative positions of the operating components just before contact separation takes place;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the relative positions of the switch components subsequent to contact separation;
  • FIG. 4 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 1 but showing a slight modification.
  • the chamber for the contact mechanism of the power switch is indicated generally at 1.
  • a support structure 2 of electrically conductive material which is mounted in place by means including a vertically extending bar 10 made of insulating material.
  • the support structure 2 serves as a mount for a follower contact assembly which includes a tubular follower contact stud 3 which is longitudinally slidable and guided in an opening provided in a horizontally extending part 2b of the support structure 2.
  • a cylindrical housing 3b Surrounding the contact stud 3 is a cylindrical housing 3b, the upper and lower end walls of this housing being provided with aligned openings to permit the contact stud 3 to pass through it.
  • a packet of annular plate springs 3a Within housing 3b and surrounding the contact stud 3 is a packet of annular plate springs 3a and these cooperate with a flange provided on the contact stud to provide an elastic mounting of the contact stud with respect to housing 3b.
  • the latter is arranged for follower movement along the contact axis and is biased in the upper position depicted in FIG. 1 into abutment with support part 2b by means of a helical loading spring 6, the lower end of which abuts against the bottom of a circular recess provided in the stationary support 2, and the upper end of which bears against a circular shoulder provided on housing 3b.
  • a stationary contact assembly 4 which surrounds the contact stud 3, and which is composed of a circular array of elastically supported contact fingers 4a and associated springs 4b.
  • the contact fingers 4a are bent at approximately their middle so as to establish in conjunction with a rounded 'area2a of the support structure 2 a slight pivotal movement about the latter so as to develop a pressure contact with the movable contact structure of the switch which will now be described.
  • the driven contact structure includes a tubular contact stud 5, the upper end of which is configured as a nozzle to effect engagement with the nozzled lower end of the follower contact stud 3.
  • a hollow, blast piston 50 Supported at the upper end of contact stud by means of radially extending ribs 5b is a hollow, blast piston 50, made of electrically conductive material, the upper end of which is rounded to establish a pressure contact with the spring finger contact assembly 4.
  • the upper end of piston 50 also supports an annular nozzle 50 of insulating material the inner periphery of which slidably engages the outer surface of the contact stud 3.
  • piston 5c is slidable within a stationary cylinder 9 secured to the support bar 10, and the bottom wall 9a of this cylinder which is recessed and includes a central opening through which the driven contact stud 5 passes in sliding contact, is provided with a non-return valve 11 opening inwardly of the cylinder to receive gas from the interior of the chamber 1 for compression as piston 50 is moved downwardly into its cylinder 9.
  • the valve 11 opens freely against the slight counterforce created by its reclosing spring, during a closing movement of the switch contacts so as to fill the cylinder 9 as well as the interior of follow blast piston 50.
  • FIG. 3 The fully disengaged position of the switch contacts is depicted in FIG. 3.
  • the driven contact stud 5 together with piston 5c is actuated in the upward direction to effect reengagement.
  • the upper end of contact stud 5 is the first to reengage the lower end of the follower contact stud 3 and shift the latter upward to the position depicted in FIG. 1, accompanied by a slight compression of the plate spring assembly 3a, this being followed by engagement between the rounded upper end of piston 50 and the lower end of the spring finger contact assembly 4, thus rotating the fingers 4a slightly inward about their pivots against the counter action of the leaf springs 4b so as to provide the desired pressure engagement therebetween.
  • the housing part 3b and hence contact stud 3 are permitted to carry out a partial stroke again in the original follow-up direction after the rupture movement, in order to ensure that when executing a reclosing movement of the switch contact structure, the contact studs 3,5 will be the first to reengage.
  • the slightly modified arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 can be utilized from which it will be seen that the laterally extending part 2b of the support 2 is relocated to a more upward position than shown in FIG. 1, this being effected by means of a vertical extension 2d.
  • the bar 8 is provided at its upper end, above latch lever 7, with a tappet 12 also adapted to engage arm 30.
  • the housing 3b is also pro vided with a second laterally extending arm 30' opposite arm 30, i.e., on the right side, as viewed in FIG. 4, and the outer end of arm 30' is adapted to be engaged by the upper end of another latching lever 13 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on fulcrum pin 13a, there being a spring associated with the lower end of the lever to bias it in a counterclockwise direction so as to engage the end of arm 30'.
  • the fulcrum pin 13a for lever 13 is carried by an upwardly extending projection on the support structure 2.
  • lever 7 disengages from arm 30, in the same manner as with the embodiment of FIG. 1, and at about the same time as that disengagement takes place, latching lever 13 is likewise disengaged from arm 30', this being effected by downward movement of bar 14 and lever 15 as the forward working end of this lever rides against a sloped surface of lever 13 below the fulcrum point and cams the latter clockwise into the release position.
  • This conjoint action of the two latching levers thus enables the housing 3b and follower contact stud 3 to snap back in the upward direction and engage stop 2b.
  • arm 30 will be brought by the tappet or dog 12 into the position depicted in FIG. 4 and then held there by engagement with latch lever 13 at arm 3c.
  • a gas compression device including a piston-cylinder unit actuated by said driven contact stud, the other of said contact studs which performs a follower function and which remains temporarily in engagement with said driven contact stud while the gas is being compressed being mounted elastically within a housing structure biased to a rest position by means of a return spring, means including a latching mechanism for initially coupling said housing structure to said driven contact stud whereby said housing structure and follower contact stud are taken along with said driven contact stud during the gascompressing phase of contact movement, and means for thereafter releasing said latching mechanism from said housing structure while said driven contact stud continues to move in the contactdisengaging direction thereby permitting said housing structure and follower contact stud to reverse direction and snap back thus
  • said return spring for said housing structure is constituted by a helical compression spring having one end thereof in abutment with said housing structure and the other end in contact with a fixed abutment provided by a support which also includes aligned openings through which said follower contact stud passes and is guided, wherein the piston component of said gas compression device is carried by said driven contact stud and operates in a stationary cylinder, and wherein there is further provided an annular spring contact unit composed of resiliently mounted contact fingers surrounding said follower contact stud and in electrical contact therewith, said contact fingers being engaged by the end of said piston when said contact studs are engaged.
  • An electrical contact switch of the compression type as defined in claim 4 which further includes means for re-actuating said housing structure and follower contact stud from the rest position to an intermediate position in the follow-up direction after the contact studs have been disengaged and the arc extinguished to ensure re-engagement of the ends of said contact studs upon executing a contact closing operation prior to engagement between said piston and said annular spring contact unit, and means for latching said housing structure in said intermediate position.

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  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US00203278A 1970-12-14 1971-11-30 Electrical compression switch Expired - Lifetime US3745283A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1850370A CH524887A (de) 1970-12-14 1970-12-14 Elektrischer Kompressionsschalter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3745283A true US3745283A (en) 1973-07-10

Family

ID=4433434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00203278A Expired - Lifetime US3745283A (en) 1970-12-14 1971-11-30 Electrical compression switch

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3745283A (de)
CH (1) CH524887A (de)
DE (2) DE2100808A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2118523A5 (de)
IT (1) IT943883B (de)
NL (1) NL7117019A (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4229632A (en) * 1977-07-25 1980-10-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Compress gas circuit breaker
US4668848A (en) * 1985-07-24 1987-05-26 S&C Electric Company Alignment and centering arrangement for contacts of an interrupting device
US5298704A (en) * 1992-12-16 1994-03-29 S&C Electric Company Contact operating arrangement with shock-reducing feature for high-voltage apparatus
WO2011110557A1 (fr) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-15 Alstom Grid Sas Interrupteur electrique moyenne et haute tension avec retour sur fermeture et dispositif d'insertion d'une resistance
WO2012011119A1 (en) * 2010-07-20 2012-01-26 Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Pressure propelled contact system for gas circuit breaker interrupter

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH653474A5 (de) * 1980-05-14 1985-12-31 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Nachlaufkontakteinrichtung eines elektrischen schalters.
DE3122442A1 (de) * 1981-06-02 1982-12-23 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Trennschalter fuer hochspannungsanlagen
DE3127678A1 (de) * 1981-07-14 1983-02-10 BBC Aktiengesellschaft Brown, Boveri & Cie., 5401 Baden, Aargau Hochspannungs-leistungsschalter
DE3132305C2 (de) * 1981-08-17 1986-10-16 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Autopneumatischer Druckgasschalter
CH675175A5 (de) * 1987-10-27 1990-08-31 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4229632A (en) * 1977-07-25 1980-10-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Compress gas circuit breaker
US4668848A (en) * 1985-07-24 1987-05-26 S&C Electric Company Alignment and centering arrangement for contacts of an interrupting device
US5298704A (en) * 1992-12-16 1994-03-29 S&C Electric Company Contact operating arrangement with shock-reducing feature for high-voltage apparatus
WO2011110557A1 (fr) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-15 Alstom Grid Sas Interrupteur electrique moyenne et haute tension avec retour sur fermeture et dispositif d'insertion d'une resistance
FR2957451A1 (fr) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-16 Areva T & D Sas Interrupteur electrique haute tension avec retour sur fermeture et dispositif d'insertion d'une resistance
US8952285B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2015-02-10 Alstom Technology Ltd. Medium and high-voltage electric switch with return on closure and an insertion device for inserting a resistance
WO2012011119A1 (en) * 2010-07-20 2012-01-26 Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited Pressure propelled contact system for gas circuit breaker interrupter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE7100590U (de) 1972-11-09
CH524887A (de) 1972-06-30
IT943883B (it) 1973-04-10
NL7117019A (de) 1972-06-16
DE2100808A1 (de) 1972-06-29
FR2118523A5 (de) 1972-07-28

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