US3686454A - Gas-blast circuit interrupter with primary and secondary blast valves - Google Patents

Gas-blast circuit interrupter with primary and secondary blast valves Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3686454A
US3686454A US759992A US3686454DA US3686454A US 3686454 A US3686454 A US 3686454A US 759992 A US759992 A US 759992A US 3686454D A US3686454D A US 3686454DA US 3686454 A US3686454 A US 3686454A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
blast
tubular
gas
contact
separable contacts
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
US759992A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Lee E Berkebile
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3686454A publication Critical patent/US3686454A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • H01H33/86—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid under pressure from the contact space being controlled by a valve

Definitions

  • a gas-blast type of circuit breaker having separable contacts with a primary blast valve closely adjacent the point of abutment of the separable contacts, and a secondary blast valve controlling the flow of gas through at least one of the separable contacts.
  • a pair of tubular separable contacts through which the gas exhausts, and the region within both tubular separable contacts is controlled by downstream secondary blast valves mechanically connected together, and operated in response to opening motion of the separable contacts.
  • Prior-art gas-blast circuit breakers generally involve a pair of seperable contacts with an arrangement for providing a gas blast to effect extinction of the arc drawn thereat. To create this gas blast, previous gasblast types of circuit breakers have employed blast valves that open just prior to contact part.
  • Opening the blast valves creates a pressure differential, and this differential pressure creates the gas blast.
  • a limitation to this method is the time needed for the gas blast to travel from the blast valves to the are at the moving contacts. This time delay requires that the blast valves must be opened before the moving contacts are separated. In such a system, the maximum pressure difierential (and therefore the greatest gas blast) does not occur at the moving contacts at the time of. contact part. This inherent time delay for maximum pressure differential limits the interrupting capability of such prior-art compressed-gas circuit breakers in their operation.
  • a pair of separable contacts in a high-pressure gaseous atmosphere there is provided a pair of separable contacts in a high-pressure gaseous atmosphere.
  • a primary blast valve is disposed closely adjacent the point of abutment of the separable contacts, so that upon separation of the contacts there occurs an immediate radial inward flow of high-pressure gas into at least one of the separable contacts.
  • Controlling the flow of exhausting gas through said one contact, or in particular arrangements through both separable contacts, is one or more secondary blast valves disposed downstream of the gas flow.
  • the mechanical arrangement is such that the downstream secondary blast valves remain open for a predetermined time to insure an interruption of the are established between the separable contacts. At the point in time, where assurance is had that the arc has been extinguished, the mechanical arrangement is such that the secondary blast valves close, thereby halting any further exhausting of the high-pressure gas through the separable contacts.
  • a general object of the present invention is to provide an improved high-speed compressedgas circuit interrupter having primary and secondary blast valves, the primary blast valve being disposed closely adjacent the point of separation of the separable contacts, and the one or more secondary blast valves being located downstream of the gas flow.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter in which the separated open-circuit condition of the contacts occurs in a high-pressure medium, thereby assuring a minimum separation distance because of the high-dielectric strength of the high-pressure gas.
  • Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved high-speed gas-blast circuit interrupter in which the time occurring between the opening of the blast valve and the separation of the separable contacts is at a minimum.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter in which the consumption of the gas flow during an opening operation is maintained at a minimum.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved simplified-type of compressed-gas circuit interrupter of low cost and highly efficient in operation.
  • Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved compressed-gas circuit interrupter in which the arcing time is maintained at a minimum to prevent voltage surges on the line, and a loss of synchronism of equipment connected to the line.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a circuit interrupter embodying my'invention, the contact structure being illustrated in the closed-circuit position;
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the separable contact structure showing the primary blast valve closed with the secondary blast valves opened, the contact structure being illustrated in the closed-circuit position;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the separable contact structure at an intermediate point during the opening operation, with the primary blast valve opened and the secondary blast valves opened;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the open-circuit position of the contact structure with the primary blast valve opened and with the secondary blast valves closed.
  • the reference numeral 1 designates generally a compressed-gas circuit interrupter.
  • the lower end of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 2 of FIG. 1 is electrically connected by a curved electrical conductor 4 to the other terminal of the interrupter, not shown.
  • the compressed gas circuit interrupter 1 of the present invention is generally of the dual-pressure type in which high-pressure gas 5 is stored in a tank, not shown, and is disposed within container means 6 immediately adjacent the separable contact structure 7 in the region designated by the reference numeral 8 in FIGS. 1, 3-5.
  • the region 9 (FIG. 3) rearwardly of both contact structures 10, 11 is at relatively low pressure.
  • These regions are designated by the reference numeral 9, and are pneumatically interconnected by at least one interconnecting conduit designated by the reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
  • the manner of operation of the circuit interrupter l illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 is the actuation of tripping valves.
  • the actuation of such tripping valves through a linkage causes the entrance of high-pressure gas 5 below piston structures not shown.
  • the upward movement of the piston structure causes a corresponding upward opening motion of the mechanical linkage, or reciprocal operating means 19 (FIG. 2) which, in turn, causes upward movement of a generally ladder-type operating rod linkage 21, (FIG. 2) which interconnects the two secondary blast valves 23a, 23b associated with the arc-extin guishing unit 25 of the assemblage 2.
  • a generally ladder-type operating rod linkage 21 FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings.
  • the secondary blastvalve structures 23a, 23b are mechanically interconnected by the laddershaped operating linkage 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2), and are simultaneously actuated.
  • the tripping valves is opened to cause the entrance of high-pressure gas 5 upwardly through the conduits and against the lower surfaces of the a piston structure, not shown.
  • This causes upward opening movement of the ladder linkage arrangement 21, and, in addition, causes upward movement of an operating rod 30 mechanically connected to the movable contact structure 10.
  • Reference may be directed to the operating rod 30 of FIG. 3, which is connected mechanically to the same operating rod 19 as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
  • both blast valves 23a, 23b are opened, and the highpressure gas in the region 8 flows radially inwardly and through both separable tubular contacts 10, 11 exhausting therethrough into the regions 9 downstream of the separable contacts 10, 11.
  • This exhausting flow is controlled by the secondary blast valves, 23a, 23b which are operated in unison.
  • This closing motion of the secondary blast valves is achieved by a flange portion 10b secured to the movable contact 10, which compresses a compression spring 43 and following the overcoming of friction at the seal 44, the secondary movable blast valve 23a is closed up against its seat 45, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thereby halting the further flow of compressed gas.
  • the right-hand secondary blast valve 23b as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings is mechanically connected to the laddershaped operating linkage 21, and therefore moves simultaneously with the left-hand secondary blast valve 23a.
  • the breaker is now in the open-circuit position with the primary blast valve opened, and both secondary blast valves 23a, 23b closed, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the compression springs 43, 43a constitute a biasing means 13, tending to close the secondary blast-valves 23a, 2312, which is steadily compressed, or stressed, during the opening operation to mechanically cause the closing of the secondary blast-valves.
  • the high-pressure gas is exhausted from the lower surface of the piston structure, not shown, and the high-pressure gas which is constantly present above the piston structures causes the downward closing motion thereof.
  • This is communicated through the ladder-shaped linkage 21, and also through the operating rod 30 (FIG. 3) connected to the movable contact 10.
  • the moving contact 10 moves downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1 of the drawings, and the operating rod 19, being connected to the ladder-shaped linkage 21, also moves downwardly to thereby effect opening of the right-hand secondary blast valve 23b of. FIGS. 3-5.
  • the circuit breaker is now in the closed-circuit position.
  • the two pairs of stationary contact fingers 34, 48 each of which is supported by its contact holder 34a or 48a.
  • the contact holders are, as readily apparent in FIG. 3, bolted to the plate portions 50, 51 constituting the ends of the low-pressureregions rearwardly of the stationary and movable contact structures 10, 11 reference being had to FIG. I in this connection.
  • a compressed-gas circuit interrupter comprising, in combination:
  • container means refining a high-pressure atmosphere about said separable contacts when they are in the closed-circuit position
  • c. means defining a primary blast-valve located closely adjacent the point of separation of the separable contacts and preventing the inward flow of said high-pressure atmosphere through the tubular separable contact when in the closed-circuit position; means defining at least one downstream secondary blast-valve independently movable from the movable tubular contact, and pneumatically connected to the region internally of said one tubular contact to halt the continued flow of compressed gas through the tubular contact when the circuit-interrupter is in the open-circuit position;
  • biasing means provided to tend to close the secondary blast-valve
  • a movable secondary blast-valve actuator responsive to the opening and closing movements of said reciprocal operating means for mechanically effecting the stressing of said biasin means during the opening operation and also e ecting the subsequent closing of the secondary blast-valve at a predetermined time during the opening operation to prevent thereby the further exhausting of compressed gas through the tubular venting contact at such time;
  • said movable secondary blast-valve actuator mechanically effecting the opening of the secondary blast-valve during the closing operation of said operating means to thereby exhaust the region within the tubular venting contact in the closedcontact position.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
  • Pipeline Systems (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US759992A 1968-09-16 1968-09-16 Gas-blast circuit interrupter with primary and secondary blast valves Expired - Lifetime US3686454A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US75999268A 1968-09-16 1968-09-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3686454A true US3686454A (en) 1972-08-22

Family

ID=25057711

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US759992A Expired - Lifetime US3686454A (en) 1968-09-16 1968-09-16 Gas-blast circuit interrupter with primary and secondary blast valves

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US3686454A (de)
AT (1) AT296421B (de)
BE (1) BE738716A (de)
CH (1) CH499868A (de)
DE (1) DE1946216A1 (de)
ES (1) ES371129A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2018188A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1279652A (de)
SE (1) SE365896B (de)
YU (1) YU32408B (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3792218A (en) * 1972-07-07 1974-02-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Gas operated blast valve for double-flow interrupters

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2972666A (en) * 1957-06-29 1961-02-21 Asea Ab Air blast circuit breakers with breaking gaps in compressed air containers carried by insulator pillars
US3040149A (en) * 1960-12-30 1962-06-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Compressed-gas circuit interrupters
US3093717A (en) * 1960-02-25 1963-06-11 Asea Ab Air blast circuit breaker having a series connected breaking gap in a bushing
US3185802A (en) * 1960-07-18 1965-05-25 Merlin Gerin Gas blast circuit breakers having at least one tubular contact
US3278711A (en) * 1962-07-02 1966-10-11 Comp Generale Electricite Pneumatic control means for air blast circuit breaker
US3286066A (en) * 1963-10-17 1966-11-15 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Gas blast circuit breaker with spring mounted hollow contact member and associated exhaust valve controlled thereby

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2972666A (en) * 1957-06-29 1961-02-21 Asea Ab Air blast circuit breakers with breaking gaps in compressed air containers carried by insulator pillars
US3093717A (en) * 1960-02-25 1963-06-11 Asea Ab Air blast circuit breaker having a series connected breaking gap in a bushing
US3185802A (en) * 1960-07-18 1965-05-25 Merlin Gerin Gas blast circuit breakers having at least one tubular contact
US3040149A (en) * 1960-12-30 1962-06-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Compressed-gas circuit interrupters
US3278711A (en) * 1962-07-02 1966-10-11 Comp Generale Electricite Pneumatic control means for air blast circuit breaker
US3286066A (en) * 1963-10-17 1966-11-15 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Gas blast circuit breaker with spring mounted hollow contact member and associated exhaust valve controlled thereby

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3792218A (en) * 1972-07-07 1974-02-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Gas operated blast valve for double-flow interrupters

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE365896B (de) 1974-04-01
YU219669A (en) 1974-04-30
DE1946216A1 (de) 1970-03-19
FR2018188A1 (de) 1970-05-29
AT296421B (de) 1972-02-10
YU32408B (en) 1974-10-31
GB1279652A (en) 1972-06-28
CH499868A (de) 1970-11-30
BE738716A (de) 1970-03-11
ES371129A1 (es) 1972-01-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2748226A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter
US3009042A (en) Circuit interrupters
US2908788A (en) Arrangement in electric air blast circuit breakers
GB593575A (en) Improvements in or relating to electric circuit interrupters having arc-extinguishing arrangements
US3075060A (en) Circuit interrupters
US2965735A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter
US2794886A (en) Electric circuit breakers of the air or gas-blast type
US3045086A (en) Circuit interrupters
US2977446A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter
US3043940A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter
US3290469A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter having cavitation means
US2581571A (en) Circuit interrupter
US2911492A (en) Operating mechanism for a fluid blast circuit breaker
US2470628A (en) Circuit interrupter
US3275778A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter with pressurized arcing chamber and downstream blast valve
US2924690A (en) Circuit interrupters
US3257533A (en) Fluid-blast circuit interrupters with two selectively-operated fluid-blast sources
US3356809A (en) Multi-break compressed-gas circuit interrupters with rotating gasconducting bridging members
US3686454A (en) Gas-blast circuit interrupter with primary and secondary blast valves
US3286066A (en) Gas blast circuit breaker with spring mounted hollow contact member and associated exhaust valve controlled thereby
US3284602A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupters
US3538282A (en) Fluid-blast circuit interrupters with exhaust valves responsive solely to the pressure generated by an arc of excessive magnitude
US3670126A (en) Compressed-gas circuit interrupter having a pair of rapid transfer insulating nozzles
US3271548A (en) Contact constructions for circuit interrupters
US3379849A (en) Dual-pressure gas-blast circuit breaker with piston means and interrupting unit in closed tank