Patents by Inventor Lukas Zehnder

Lukas Zehnder has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9865417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker that can be switched between an ON position and an OFF position, such that in the OFF position an interruption path comprising an arcing space is formed. The circuit breaker comprises a storage volume for a quenching gas, which is in gaseous communication with the arcing space and has an inlet port for the quenching gas. The inlet port also has a valve comprising an obturator, and the obturator has a heat-insulating coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Erwin Manz
  • Patent number: 9601281
    Abstract: The circuit breaker system contains a plurality of phase conductors, a circuit breaker having a plurality of breaker poles, and a short-circuit link having a star point and a plurality of link conductors combined at the star point. Each of the phase conductors is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the breaker poles and each link conductor is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the phase conductors in each case one of several first disconnectors to which short-circuit current can be applied. In order to avoid expenditure on assembly and downtimes of the circuit breaker system when carrying out simulation experiments with the aid of the short-circuit link, the circuit breaker system contains a second disconnector which, when closed, electrically conductively connects the star point to ground and which is opened when a short-circuit current is applied to the short-circuit current link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Andreas Nohl
  • Publication number: 20160172133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit breaker that can be switched between an ON position and an OFF position, such that in the OFF position an interruption path comprising an arcing space is formed. The circuit breaker comprises a storage volume for a quenching gas, which is in gaseous communication with the arcing space and has an inlet port for the quenching gas. The inlet port also has a valve comprising an obturator, and the obturator has a heat-insulating coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Erwin Manz
  • Patent number: 9263200
    Abstract: An exemplary high-current switching arrangement in a generator duct arranged between a generator and a transformer is disclosed. This arrangement includes a pole frame which can be positioned on a base surface, a breaker pole of a generator circuit-breaker which is secured to the pole frame, and a drive which is secured to the pole frame. The breaker pole includes an active component arranged along an axis designed for the conduction and interruption of high currents and which incorporates a power switching point, with two axially spaced current terminals. The drive is arranged on a first of two end faces of the pole frame, and includes a linkage mechanism that transmits power from the drive to the power switching point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Andreas Nohl, Hans Wyder, Erwin Manz, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Werner Sigrist, Guenter Steding, Alexander Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150116886
    Abstract: The circuit breaker system contains a plurality of phase conductors, a circuit breaker having a plurality of breaker poles, and a short-circuit link having a star point and a plurality of link conductors combined at the star point. Each of the phase conductors is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the breaker poles and each link conductor is electrically conductively connected to in each case one of the phase conductors in each case one of several first disconnectors to which short-circuit current can be applied. In order to avoid expenditure on assembly and downtimes of the circuit breaker system when carrying out simulation experiments with the aid of the short-circuit link, the circuit breaker system contains a second disconnector which, when closed, electrically conductively connects the star point to ground and which is opened when a short-circuit current is applied to the short-circuit current link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lukas ZEHNDER, Andreas NOHL
  • Patent number: 7881033
    Abstract: The high-voltage system has at least one feed line and at least one high-power circuit breaker, the at least one feed line having a longitudinally extended feed line inner conductor and a feed line outer conductor surrounding the feed line inner conductor, and the high-power circuit breaker having a longitudinally extended circuit breaker inner conductor and a circuit breaker outer conductor surrounding the circuit breaker inner conductor in the form of a housing, and the inner conductors and the outer conductors being electrically conductively connected to one another. At least one heat pipe is provided for the purpose of dissipating thermal energy from the circuit breaker inner conductor. The heat pipe interacts with a cooling gas flow extending along the circuit breaker inner conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Chartouni, Martin Lakner, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Thomas Shoenemann, Jochen Kiefer, Lukas Zehnder, Marc Mollenkopf
  • Patent number: 7557295
    Abstract: An exemplary isolating tube, and production method thereof, includes a mechanically load-bearing plastic tube composed of a fiber-reinforced polymer for use in a cooling element which can be loaded with high voltage, during whose operation the isolating tube forms an electrical isolation gap and in the tube interior carries an agent which flows as a liquid and/or vapor. The isolating tube can have a diffusion barrier which is held coaxially by the plastic tube. Such an isolating tube can be produced using an exemplary novel method for production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Jochen Kiefer, Martin Lakner, Daniel Chartouni, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Leopold Ritzer, Peter Unternaehrer, Thomas Schoenemann, Marc Mollenkopf, Lukas Zehnder
  • Publication number: 20070209790
    Abstract: An isolating tube is disclosed having a mechanically load-bearing plastic tube composed of a fiber-reinforced polymer for use in a cooling element which can be loaded with high voltage, during whose operation the isolating tube forms an electrical isolation gap and in the tube interior carries an agent which flows as a liquid and/or vapor. The isolating tube has a diffusion barrier which is held coaxially by the plastic tube. Methods for production of the isolating tube are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Jochen Kiefer, Martin Lakner, Daniel Chartouni, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Leopold Ritzer, Peter Unternaehrer, Thomas Schoenemann, Marc Mollenkopf, Lukas Zehnder
  • Patent number: 7253379
    Abstract: In order to dissipate heat losses from the inner conductor (21), the circuit breaker (20) having an elongated inner conductor (21) and an outer conductor (22) which surrounds the inner conductor (21) like a housing has at least one heat pipe (1) which extends from the inner conductor (21) to the outer conductor (22) and has an insulating hollow body (5) in order to form an electrical insulating gap (7). The heat pipe (1) advantageously has a flexibly deformable section (9). The heat pipe (1) can run in a supporting insulator (24) which supports the inner conductor (21). In addition to a working medium, the heat pipe (1) advantageously also contains an auxiliary gas which results in an enhanced dielectric strength at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Lakner, Daniel Chartouni, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Thomas Schoenemann, Jochen Kiefer, Lukas Zehnder, Marc Mollenkopf
  • Publication number: 20060102618
    Abstract: In order to dissipate heat losses from the inner conductor (21), the circuit breaker (20) having an elongated inner conductor (21) and an outer conductor (22) which surrounds the inner conductor (21) like a housing has at least one heat pipe (1) which extends from the inner conductor (21) to the outer conductor (22) and has an insulating hollow body (5) in order to form an electrical insulating gap (7). The heat pipe (1) advantageously has a flexibly deformable section (9). The heat pipe (1) can run in a supporting insulator (24) which supports the inner conductor (21). In addition to a working medium, the heat pipe (1) advantageously also contains an auxiliary gas which results in an enhanced dielectric strength at low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Lakner, Daniel Chartouni, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Thomas Schoenemann, Jochen Kiefer, Lukas Zehnder, Marc Mollenkopf
  • Patent number: 6740837
    Abstract: A contact zone (1) of a quenching chamber which is arranged rotationally symmetrical about a central axis (2) and is filled with an insulating medium, having at least two stationary consumable contacts which are in the form of contact rings (4, 15) and which, when the quenching chamber is closed, are electrically conductively connected by means of a bridging contact which is arranged centrally and can move axially. The mutually facing end surfaces of the consumable contacts are partially covered by electrically insulating covers (11, 22). The aim is to provide insulating covers which are designed to have good dielectric characteristics and are easy to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Michael Mendik
  • Patent number: 6429394
    Abstract: The power breaker is provided with at least one arcing chamber (2) which is filled with SF6 gas, is rotationally symmetrical, and extends along a longitudinal axis (3). The arcing chamber (2) has a power current path with a central contact pin (14), and has a separate rated current path provided with rated current contacts (11). The arcing chamber (2) is operated by a drive linkage (4) which moves the contact pin (14) and the rated current contacts (11). The drive linkage (4) is designed such that, at the start of the disconnection process, the contact pin (14) remains in a first dead point position until the rated current path is interrupted. The contact pin (14) can then be moved in the disconnection direction at a considerably higher speed than the rated current contacts (11). Toward the end of their disconnection travel, the rated current contacts (11) run into a second dead point position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Olaf Hunger, Lukas Zehnder, Luc Rieffel
  • Publication number: 20020060203
    Abstract: A contact zone (1) of a quenching chamber which is arranged rotationally symmetrical about a central axis (2) and is filled with an insulating medium, having at least two stationary consumable contacts which are in the form of contact rings (4, 15) and which, when the quenching chamber is closed, are electrically conductively connected by means of a bridging contact which is arranged centrally and can move axially. The mutually facing end surfaces of the consumable contacts are partially covered by electrically insulating covers (11, 22). The aim is to provide insulating covers which are designed to have good dielectric characteristics and are easy to install.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Michael Mendik
  • Publication number: 20010025827
    Abstract: The power breaker is provided with at least one arcing chamber (2) which is filled with SF6 gas, is rotationally symmetrical, and extends along a longitudinal axis (3). The arcing chamber (2) has a power current path with a central contact pin (14), and has a separate rated current path provided with rated current contacts (11). The arcing chamber (2) is operated by a drive linkage (4) which moves the contact pin (14) and the rated current contacts (11). The drive linkage (4) is designed such that, at the start of the disconnection process, the contact pin (14) remains in a first dead point position until the rated current path is interrupted. The contact pin (14) can then be moved in the disconnection direction at a considerably higher speed than the rated current contacts (11). Toward the end of their disconnection travel, the rated current contacts (11) run into a second dead point position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Olaf Hunger, Lukas Zehnder, Luc Rieffel
  • Patent number: 6259050
    Abstract: A switching arrangement having a large burn-up reserve, contact fingers (2) are connected to a first electrical terminal via flexible bands (6) consisting of strips of, for example, copper which lie one above the other. The connecting portion (7) of the band (6), the said connecting portion adjoining the contact fingers (2) and being rigidly connected to them, is reinforced in each case by pressure welding of the strips. In the switch-off state, the bands (6) and, in part, the contact fingers (2) bear on an outwardly pointing supporting face (10), whilst, in the switch-on state, at least the contact fingers (2) and connecting portions (7) are lifted off from the supporting face (10), with the bands (6) being bent at the same time, as a result of contact with the outside of a switching pin (3) displaceable along a switching axis (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Ion Gavrilita, Markus Keller, Jörg Peter, Thomas Schoenemann
  • Patent number: 6227239
    Abstract: An automatically resetting safety valve for a generator circuit breaker is to open rapidly and wide, even if the pressure applied to a valve-closing body (1) does not increase substantially over a valve stroke (a) or even falls. In order to ensure this, a valve-closing-body joint (10) of the valve-closing body (1) via a first closing-body lever (H1) and via a first sliding joint (3), is connected in an articulated manner to a first support lever (H2), which is rotatably mounted in a first support lever joint (4) fastened to a lever wall (5). The first sliding joint (3), via a first compression spring (8), is in compressive connection with a spring wall joint (7) fastened to a spring wall (6). The valve-closing body (1) is movable along a plain-bearing axis (A). First and second closing-body levers (H1, H1′) and first and second support levers (H2, H2′), which are arranged in mirror image relative to the plain-bearing axis (A) of the valve-closing body (1), may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Monika Abrell, Olaf Hunger, Jörg Peter, Lukas Zehnder, Christian Dähler
  • Patent number: 6211478
    Abstract: In a power switch, power-switch fingers of a rated-current switching arrangement, as well as contact fingers (25) of a tulip contact and a switching pin (14) of an arcing switch arrangement, or other parts, each comprise a base body (26, 28) which, at sections which are subjected to high thermal loads by the arc formation, bears a protective layer (27, 29) which is resistant to contact erosion and has been applied to the base body (27, 28) by plasma spraying in vacuum. This enables even complex and flexible parts to be made resistant to contact erosion. The protective layer (27, 29) which is preferably used is a mixture of at least 10% (by weight), in particular at least 50% (by weight) of high-melting metal, such as W, Mo, Ir, and lower-melting metal, such as Cu, Ag, Ti, Fe, e.g. 80% (by weight) W and 20% (by weight) Cu, while the base body used is preferably made from Cu, Ag. Fe, steel, Al or a flexible copper alloy, such as CuBe, CuCr or CuCrZr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schoenemann, Lukas Zehnder
  • Patent number: 6163001
    Abstract: Arranged in the continuation of an arcing chamber (16) bounded by consumable rings (32a, 32b) are pressure chambers (25a, 25b) which are connected in each case to a heating volume (18), which concentrically surrounds the arcing chamber (16), via a return channel (28; 28b), which is rotationally symmetrical with reference to the switching axis and is at least initially of increasing cross section, and a non-return valve (29a; 29b). A circumferential blowout slot (19) opening into the arcing chamber (16) between the consumable rings (32a, 32b) issues from the heating volume (18). The pressure chambers (25a, 25b) are, moreover, connected via in each case a plurality of exhaust tubes (34a, 34b) to exhaust volumes (30a, 30b) and to one of them also via a pressure relief valve (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Kurt Kaltenegger, Lutz Niemeyer, Thomas Schoenemann, Gunter Speckhofer
  • Patent number: 6107590
    Abstract: Extending between a fixed tulip contact (1) and a slide tulip (4) is an arcing chamber (5) which is occupied in the closed position by a movable contact pin (3) which fills up both an exhaust (9) surrounded by the slide tulip (4) and a blowout opening (7) which is surrounded by the tulip contact (1) and connects the arcing chamber (5) to a pressure chamber (6). The arcing chamber (5) is surrounded by an annular heating volume (13) open toward the same. Arranged in the pressure chamber (6) is a charge (10) of explosive which is for the most part converted within approximately 10-30 ms after ignition to extinguishing gas, preferably predominantly nitrogen, the gas pressure moving the contact pin (3) toward the open position. After clearance of the blowout opening (7) and the exhaust (9), the arc drawn between the contact pin (3) and tulip contact (1) is blown out, something which is supported by the pressure buildup, to which the arc contributes, in the heating volume (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Jorgen Skindhoj, Bodo Bruhl, Kurt Kaltenegger, Lorenz Muller, Lutz Niemeyer, Thomas Schoenemann, Lukas Zehnder
  • Patent number: 6100489
    Abstract: In the switched-on position, under the influence of contact forces generated by elastic deflection or else by mechanical spreading, or spreading caused by the attraction of parallel currents or repulsion of antiparallel currents, of a switching pin (5) , the switching pins presses against the inner side of a first switching ring (4), which is rigid for the purpose of avoiding mechanical overloading and securing sufficient consumable reserves. By way of example, a support (30) of the switching pin (5) is adjoined by two parallel, elastic extensions (52a, 52b), which are separated by a slot (53) and respectively support a contact member (54a; 54b) by means of a connecting element (55a; 55b) forming half a screw thread, with the result that said contact member is in each case offset by 180.degree. relative to the extension (52a; 52b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Lukas Zehnder, Robert Anderes, Christian Dahler, Kurt Kaltenegger, Thomas Schoenemann, Klaus-Dieter Weltmann