Vacuum Switch Patents (Class 218/10)
  • Patent number: 11114262
    Abstract: A switchgear having bus transfer current switching capability by a turn and twist mechanism that includes a contact system for electrical current conduction and bus transfer switching is provided. The contact system has fixed and movable contact assemblies. Each contact assembly includes main contacts and arcing contacts. The arcing contacts are for bus transfer switching. The movable contact assembly includes a current path pipe and an end piece. The current path pipe is a cylindrical pipe, and the end piece is a rectangular block. The movable contact assembly includes a movable main contact provided on the rectangular block, and a movable arcing contact provided at the end of the cylindrical pipe on a portion about the periphery. During engagement, the cylindrical pipe turns about a first axis to bring the contact assemblies proximal to each other, and twists about a second axis for engagement of the main contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Manish Sinjonia, Krunal Kansara, Ajit Kadam, Shashwat Chauhan
  • Patent number: 11017967
    Abstract: A distribution grounding switch for an electricity distribution network has a first electrical terminal adapted connectable to a mains line, a second electrical terminal connectable to a lateral line, a first vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, a second vacuum bottle having a pair of contactors therein, and a magnetic linkage cooperative with one of the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle and one of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle so as to cause the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle the close while generally simultaneously causing the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle to open. The mechanical linkage also causes the pair of contactors of the first vacuum bottle to open generally simultaneously with the closing of the pair of contactors of the second vacuum bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Eduardo Montich
  • Patent number: 10658830
    Abstract: The power system may include a main circuit arrangement having a power source, a load and a circuit breaker. The power system may additionally include an energy harvesting circuit arrangement connected to the main circuit arrangement. The energy harvesting circuit arrangement may include an operating switch and an energy harvester. The power system may also further include a trigger mechanism, which may be configured to, when detecting a current above a predetermined value in the main circuit arrangement, trigger the circuit breaker to switch from a closed mode to an open mode. The trigger mechanism may also be configured to trigger the operating switch to switch from an open mode to a closed mode for a predetermined duration, and back to the open mode after the predetermined duration, thereby storing electrical energy in the energy harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Abhisek Ukil, Hoay Beng Gooi
  • Patent number: 10541528
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit, and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Rhein, Nathan Scot Loucks
  • Patent number: 10242825
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for a high voltage air break switch is disclosed. The interrupter has a plurality of load interrupter contacts enclosed in axially aligned vacuum bottles, each bottle containing a fixed contact and a second contact movable axially away from the fixed contact to open position and toward the fixed contact to closed position. The bottles are positioned in an tubular housing of dielectric material having a top end member and a bottom end member. The vacuum bottles are mechanically coupled to one another in a stack with the top bottle supported by the top end member. At least one air permeable hydrophobic vent member is operatively disposed in the top end member and/or bottom end member and/or tubular housing to prevent condensation in the housing. The stack of vacuum bottles are axially supported at the bottom by a cushion spring assembly keeping the bottles in compression to prevent tension loads on the braze joints of the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: CLEAVELAND/PRICE INC.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kowalik, Daniel J. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10229800
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Patent number: 9997313
    Abstract: This invention involves composite embedded-pole and its operating principles, including an insulating cylinder which has upper and lower cavities, and one of its ends tightly connects a sealed cap. As for the upper cavity, there is an outlet block on the left end, a spacing-set pair of static conductive blocks which bond with each other in the middle, and a grounding block on the right. Parts of the left static conductive block inserts into the left of the lower cavity. The lead screw in the upper cavity is for rotary location with one end stretching out the sealed cap. The lead screw, spirally connects with moving contact set that matches with outlet block, static conductive block, and grounding block forming a 3-bonding-position. There is a vacuum interrupter in the lower cavity, whose static contact bonding with the left static conductive block, and the outer end of the moving contact flexibly couples with the left of the insulating pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG LIMITED CORPORATION OF DAODU INTELLIGENT SWITCH
    Inventor: Guangfu Hu
  • Patent number: 9748053
    Abstract: A visible disconnect switch (VDS) interlock assembly is provided. The VDS interlock assembly is movable between a CBA, first lockout position, wherein a CBA second contact assembly cannot move when a VDS second contact assembly is in a first position, and a VDS, second lockout position, wherein a VDS second contact assembly cannot move when the CBA second contact assembly is in a second position. Further, the VDS interlock assembly is placed in an open position in between where the CBA, first lockout position and the VDS, second lockout position; from the open position the VDS interlock assembly may be moved into one of the CBA, first lockout position or the VDS, second lockout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Koustubh Dnyandeo Ashtekar, James Jeffery Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9697963
    Abstract: The invention relates to an on-load tap-changer (1) having a switching tube (15), an energy accumulator (13) for adjusting a switch position of the switching tube (15), a detector (200) for detecting a switch position of the on-load tap-changer (1), and an on-load tap-changer mechanism (100). The switching tube (15) and the detector (200) are both mechanically coupled to the energy accumulator (13) via the on-load tap-changer mechanism (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Hubert Zwirglmaier, Joerg Atmanspacher, Andreas Freisberg, Gerhard Felixberger, Johann Jobst
  • Patent number: 9666392
    Abstract: An electric switching device contains a first contact piece and a second contact piece. The first contact piece can be driven by a first kinematic chain. The second contact piece can be driven by a second kinematic chain. The electric switching device contains a first switching point and a second switching point, which are electrically connected in series, the first contact piece being associated with the first switching point and the second contact piece with the second switching point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Gruenler, Volker Lehmann, Friedrich Loebner, Andrzej Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 9620316
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a pole part of a circuit-breaker arrangement having an insulation housing for accommodating a vacuum interrupter containing a pair of corresponding electrical switching contacts, wherein a fixed upper electrical contact is connected to an upper electrical terminal molded or assembled in the insulation housing and a movable lower electrical contact is connected to the insulating housing by a support plate of the insulation housing via a flexible conductor that includes a first end for attaching the flexible conductor to the lower electrical terminal and a second end for attaching the flexible conductor to the movable lower electrical contact. The second end of the flexible conductor is provided with an inside thread which is screwed to an outside thread arranged on the distal end of the movable lower electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Gentsch, Manfred Sauer
  • Patent number: 9604881
    Abstract: The present invention includes a wear-resistant material including: a base material formed of pure aluminum or an aluminum alloy having a finely asperity structure on a surface thereof; and a coat including a hydrated oxide coat of aluminum, the coat being formed on the surface of the base material. Further, the present invention including a puffer cylinder including: a finely asperity structure on an inner-wall surface thereof; and a coat including a hydrated oxide coat of aluminum, the coat being formed on the inner-wall surface of the puffer cylinder. The present invention also includes a puffer-type gas circuit breaker includes the above puffer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ono, Makoto Hirose, Daisuke Ebisawa, Hisashi Urasaki
  • Patent number: 9570256
    Abstract: A gas circuit breaker includes a hermetically-sealed container filled with an arc extinguishing gas, a fixed contact arranged within the container, a movable contact arranged to face the fixed contact and configured to move in an axial direction of the container, the movable contact capable of contacting or separating from the fixed contact, an insulating operation rod having one end connected to an end of the movable contact opposite to the fixed contact through a link at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the movable contact, and an actuator arranged in a substantially coaxial relationship with the insulating operation rod, the actuator including an output shaft transferring a driving force for the operation of the movable contact to the other end of the insulating operation rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kosuke Yanagi, Kozo Matsushita, Atsushi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9552947
    Abstract: A three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly for power distribution systems comprises an outer case having at least one window, a plurality of internal disconnect switch assemblies, and a plurality of vacuum interrupter bottle switch assemblies within the case. Each vacuum interrupter bottle switch is coupled in electrical series with a corresponding internal disconnect switch assembly. Because the open/closed state of a bottle switch is not directly observable owing to its sealed interior, a direct visible indication of the state of the three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly is provided by a visually detectable contact rod for each internal disconnect switch that is visible through the case window. To prevent potentially serious damage caused by arcing between the contacts of the internal disconnect switch, the internal disconnect switch is prevented from opening or closing when the bottle switches are closed. The case interior is preferably free of oil and/or SF6 gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: IMPACT POWER, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Heller, Kuang-Chien Hu, Robert Sung, Patrick Lin
  • Patent number: 9490084
    Abstract: A visible disconnect switch (VDS) interlock assembly is provided. The VDS interlock assembly is movable between a CBA, first lockout position, wherein a CBA second contact assembly cannot move when a VDS second contact assembly is in a first position, and a VDS, second lockout position, wherein a VDS second contact assembly cannot move when the CBA second contact assembly is in a second position. Further, the VDS interlock assembly is placed in an open position in between where the CBA, first lockout position and the VDS, second lockout position; from the open position the VDS interlock assembly may be moved into one of the CBA, first lockout position or the VDS, second lockout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koustubh Dnyandeo Ashtekar, James Jeffery Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9099267
    Abstract: A hybrid circuit breaker for use in the field of medium and high-voltage hybrid circuit breakers comprising an arc-control device (110), a vacuum switch (20) and a single mechanical control apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of the vacuum switch (20) with the control apparatus comprising a control rod (31) for controlling the movement of a movable contact (22) relative to a stationary contact with the movable contact secured to a movable control rod (32), via a holding system including a flexible toroidal helical spring (38) placed in a groove of the movable contact and in a groove located in the movable control rod and further comprising an energy accumulation system including a spring (34) for causing the flexible toroidal helical spring (38) to release the movable control rod from the movable contact and cause the movable contact to make contact with the stationary contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Henry Ardyna, Gwenaël Marquezin
  • Publication number: 20150108090
    Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus (32) comprises one module (30) or a plurality of series-connected modules (30), the or each module (30) including: first and second conduction paths (34, 36); and first and second terminals (38, 40) for connection to an electrical network (42), each conduction path (34, 36) extending between the first and second terminals (38, 40); the first conduction path (34) including a first vacuum switching element (52) to selectively close to allow current to flow between the first and second terminals (38, 40) through the first conduction path (34) in a first mode of operation, or open to block current from flowing between the first and second terminals (38, 40) through the first conduction path (34) in a second mode of operation; the second conduction path (36) including a second vacuum switching element (56) to selectively open to block current from flowing between the first and second terminals (38, 40) through the second conduction path (36) in the first mode of operation, or close to a
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Colin Donald Murray Oates, Colin Charnock Davidson, Alistair Burnett
  • Patent number: 8947188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tap changer for the interruption-free switchover between winding taps of a tap-changing transformer. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a novel vacuum interrupter which is particularly suitable for such a tap changer. The tap changer according to the invention is based on the general concept of combining in each case one main contact (V1) and one mechanical switching means (U1), connected in series therewith, of a first load branch and an additional resistive contact (V3) of a second load branch in only a single vacuum interrupter (1) with a common housing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Hammer, Wolfgang Albrecht, Christian Pircher, Sebastian Rehkopf, Andreas Sachsenhauser, Konrad Raedlinger, Andreas Stelzer, Joerg Teichmann, Andreas Lawall, Sylvio Kosse, Werner Hartmann, Norbert Wenzel, Astrid Renz
  • Patent number: 8937262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medium voltage switchgear assembly which comprises at least one disconnector and whose drive unit is disposed inside or outside a gas chamber according to the generic part of claim 1. In order to further develop a switchgear assembly of the generic type so as to render the same more compact and more functional, the disconnector is embodied as a three-position vacuum chamber switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Gentsch, Maik Hyrenbach, Harald Fink
  • Publication number: 20140224769
    Abstract: A power switching apparatus comprising a vacuum interrupter assembly and a switching assembly connected in parallel between a pair of terminals, each of the terminals being connectable in use to an electrical circuit. The vacuum interrupter assembly includes at least one vacuum interrupter having a pair of electrically conductive rods connected at a first end to a respective one of the terminals and extending at a second end into a vacuum tight enclosure. A first electrode is mounted at or near the second end of a first of the electrically conductive rods and a slotted coil including a support base mounted at or near the second end of a second of the electrically conductive rods. A second electrode is mounted on an inner surface of the slotted coil and a third electrode is mounted on the support base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Rama Shankar Parashar
  • Patent number: 8692149
    Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupt chamber and a short-circuiting system arranged in the vacuum interrupt chamber. To enable rapid switching with physically simple means, a vacuum area of the vacuum interrupt chamber in which a fixed contact piece is placed is subdivided via a membrane, which is provided with a breaking line and which can be penetrated by a moving piston system to the contact piece during switching. The switchgear assembly can be utilized in a low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Dietmar Gentsch
  • Patent number: 8658931
    Abstract: A three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly for power distribution systems comprises an outer case having at least one window, a plurality of internal disconnect switch assemblies, and a plurality of vacuum interrupter bottle switch assemblies within the case. Each vacuum interrupter bottle switch is coupled in electrical series with a corresponding internal disconnect switch assembly. Because the open/closed state of a bottle switch is not directly observable owing to its sealed interior, a direct visible indication of the state of the three-phase vacuum interrupter switch assembly is provided by a visually detectable contact rod for each internal disconnect switch that is visible through the case window. To prevent potentially serious damage caused by arcing between the contacts of the internal disconnect switch, the internal disconnect switch is prevented from opening or closing when the bottle switches are closed. The case interior is preferably free of oil and/or SF6 gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Impact Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Heller, Kuang-Chien Hu, Robert Sung, Patrick Lin
  • Patent number: 8379373
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated switchgear is arranged as a panel for a power substation with the other or the others in parallel rows. the vacuum insulated switchgear comprises a housing with a switch section, a bus section, a cable section, and a control section which are partitioned by earthed metal plates respectively. The vacuum insulated switchgear comprises: a connection member provided in each bus connecting part in the bus section of the each panel and enabling each bus to be connected and disconnected; and a bus recovery member which is detachably connected between the connection members of faultless panels adjacent to a faulty panel when the faulty panel occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kikukawa, Kenji Tsuchiya, Masato Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8354607
    Abstract: A multi circuit type vacuum switchgear with improved ground isolation reliability. The multi circuit type vacuum switchgear has plural main circuit switches in a chamber. The respective main circuit switches, each having a fixed electrode and a movable electrode open/close to the fixed electrode, are respectively accommodated in a non-earthed type vacuum chamber. The respective movable electrodes are connected with flexible conductors. Operating rods are introduced into the non-earthed type vacuum chamber and respectively connected to the respective movable electrodes via insulators. The vacuum switchgear has a molded part having a first insulating member to insulate the main circuit switches and a second insulating member, integrally formed with the first insulating member, to insulate the movable electrode side and the movable operating rod side. The molded part is provided on the periphery of the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Kenji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8228665
    Abstract: The object is to provide ring-bus-type gas insulated switchgear that ensures maintenance and inspection performance, reduces the installation space, and further reduces costs. Each of a plurality of breaker units is formed by connecting an instrument current transformer and a disconnector to each of the upper and lower branch ports drawn horizontally from the side surface of a vertical breaker in the same direction, and the breaker units are arranged in parallel. Adjacent disconnectors are connected to each other by a connection bus, so that the bus route runs alternately at upper and lower levels. Furthermore, the breaker units positioned at the two ends are connected linearly to each other by a communication bus. In addition, the line-side devices are arranged to face the corresponding breaker units across the disconnectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujita, Takuya Otsuka, Hitoshi Sadakuni
  • Patent number: 8110769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6). The aim of the invention is to enable an improved embodiment of the switching and contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Switchcraft Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Bodenstein, Detlef Lange
  • Patent number: 8039771
    Abstract: A vacuum envelope is for a fixed contact mounted on a fixed electrode and a moveable contact mounted on a moveable electrode. The vacuum envelope includes a ceramic tube including a first open end and a second open end. A first end member is secured to the first open end. A second end member includes an inside surface and is secured to the second open end. A self-aligning end shield includes a first end having an opening therein, a second open end, an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the end shield second open end, and a flange portion disposed from the end shield second open end. The flange portion extends outwardly from the intermediate portion and generally back toward the first end. The flange portion includes an edge engaging the inside surface of the second end member, and is normally offset from the ceramic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Trondsen
  • Patent number: 7804038
    Abstract: A control system for controlling and synchronizing a plurality of medium-voltage vacuum contactors comprises a two-level network structure. A dedicated network includes a plurality of servant control units operably coupled to the vacuum contactors and configured to ascertain a plurality of different data and conditions thereof. In addition, the dedicated network includes a master control unit in serial communication with the servant control units and configured to send and receive communications therewith. The master control unit is operably coupled to a control network including a plurality of various control devices. The master control unit is configured to send predetermined data received from the servant control units to the control network. The two-level network structure enables relatively jitter free communication on the dedicated network while not overwhelming the control network with unnecessary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Bortolus, Reginald A. Drake, F. Michael Frayne, David S. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 7718913
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention includes a cylindrical cam (40) for optimizing the sequence for opening/closing the switch-over first switch (10), the circuit-breaker second switch (20), and the disconnector third switch (30). The cam (40) has a cylindrical wall in which three slots (42), and preferably three pairs of slots, of different shapes, are defined; an end element of an element driving a respective one of the switch contacts is mounted to slide in each slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Denis Frigiere, Xavier Allaire, Nicolas Chevillot, Jean-Marc Willieme
  • Patent number: 7679023
    Abstract: A switchgear having interrupters wherein at least two moving contacts are capable of being open and close with respect to respective fixed contacts. The switchgear comprises a non-earthed metal vacuum chamber enclosing the interrupters therein, a connection conductor for connecting the moving contacts, an operating rod connected to the connecting conductor by means of an insulator and protruding from the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber, a sealing means for sealing the protrusion of the operating rod at the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber, circuit terminals protruding from the non-earthed vacuum chamber, an earth layer surrounding an outer periphery of the insulating mold, and a potential control means. The control means for controlling the potential of the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber is connected between the circuit terminals and is connected to the non-earthed metal vacuum chamber at the intermediate point of the potential control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Ayumu Morita, Masato Kobayashi, Satoru Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 7675738
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear has: circuit breakers, circuit breaker vessels, first disconnector and maintenance earthning switches connected to first bus bars connected to circuit breaker vessels and also to main bus bars, second disconnector and maintenance earthning switches connected to second bus bars connected to the circuit breaker vessels, circuit breaker operating mechanisms, first and second disconnector and maintenance earthning switch operating mechanisms, and first and second disconnector and maintenance earthning switch operation links for linking the disconnector and maintenance earthning switches and the operating mechanisms for three phases. The second disconnector and maintenance earthning switch operation links are arranged so as to pass through inter-phases of the first bus bars and the operating panels of the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the first and second disconnector and maintenance earthning switch operating mechanisms of each phase are arranged on a common flat plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masayuki Fukunaga, Masayuki Kosakada, Nobuaki Okanari
  • Publication number: 20090095716
    Abstract: A circuit breaker has a nominal current contact arrangement with a nominal current contact and a nominal current mating contact that are movable relative to each other, and with an arc contact arrangement that has an arc contact and an arc mating contact that are movable relative to each other. The circuit breaker also has kinematics driven by an actuating member which is effectively connected with the nominal current contact and the arc contact and configured, as a function of a breaking movement of the actuating member, to effect first a disconnection of the nominal current contact from the nominal current mating contact, before a disconnection of the arc contact from the arc mating contact occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jurgen Einschenk
  • Publication number: 20070295691
    Abstract: A vacuum recloser including a first connection section adapted to connect to a first electrical conductor; a second connection section mechanically connected to the first connection section; and an arm connected between the first and second connection sections. The second connection section is adapted to connect to a second electrical conductor. The arm includes a vacuum bottle section with contacts that are movable into and out of contact with each other for respectively electrically connecting and disconnecting the first and second connection sections with each other. The arm is movable to electrically disconnect the vacuum bottle section from one of the connection sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Bernard C. Crutcher
  • Publication number: 20070175866
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated switchgear comprising a case having a switch section, a bus-bar section and a cable section, each being partitioned by an earthed metal plate, a vacuum double break three point switch disposed in the switch section and having breaking and disconnecting function, an operator, a bus-bar disposed in the bus-bar section of the case, and a cable connection terminal connected to a cable in the cable section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuchiya, Shuichi Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 7223932
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum switchgear comprising an electro-conductive outer vacuum container, a plurality of inner container disposed in the outer vacuum container. The inner containers and the outer container are electrically isolated from each other. The outer container is made of stainless steel plate, for example. One of the inner vacuum containers accommodates a ground switch for keeping the circuit open while the switchgear is opened, having a movable electrode connected to an operating mechanism, and a fixed electrode connected to fixed electrode rod. Another inner vacuum container accommodates a function switch capable of having at least one of functions of a circuit breaker, a disconnector and a load switch. A plurality of electrode shields each surrounds the electrodes of the ground switch and of the function switch. The ground switch and the function switch are disposed in separate vacuum inner containers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Kobayashi, Kenji Tsuchiya, Satoru Kajiwara, Daisuke Sugai, Hironori Tonosaki
  • Patent number: 7135652
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum switchgear comprising an electro-conductive outer vacuum container, a plurality of inner container disposed in the outer vacuum container. The inner containers and the outer container are electrically isolated from each other. The outer container is made of stainless steel plate, for example. One of the inner vacuum containers accommodates a ground switch for keeping the circuit open while the switchgear is opened, having a movable electrode connected to an operating mechanism, and a fixed electrode connected to fixed electrode rod. Another inner vacuum container accommodates a function switch capable of having at least one of functions of a circuit breaker, a disconnector and a load switch. A plurality of electrode shields each surrounds the electrodes of the ground switch and of the function switch. The ground switch and the function switch are disposed in separate vacuum inner containers, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Kobayashi, Kenji Tsuchiya, Satoru Kajiwara, Daisuke Sugai, Hironori Tonosaki
  • Patent number: 6951993
    Abstract: A vacuum switch comprises a vacuum container, a grounding switch and a load switch disposed in the container, and an external connection conductor disposed in the vacuum container and to be connected electrically inside and outside the vacuum container, and it is characterized in that the grounding switch and the external connection conductor are electrically connected to each other in the vacuum container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Shuuichi Kikukawa, Yasuaki Suzuki, Tooru Tanimizu, Koichi Murata, Ryotaro Hanabuchi
  • Patent number: 6740838
    Abstract: A contact and a vacuum interrupter using the contact. The contact includes a hollow cylindrical contact carrier and a contact plate disposed on one of the axial end faces of the contact carrier. First slits and second slits extend from the one of the axial end faces of the contact carrier and the other thereof, respectively. The first slits and the second slits are inclined with respect to the center axis of the contact carrier and have a first height x and a second height y extending in the axial direction of the contact carrier, respectively. Assuming that the axial length of the contact carrier is 1, the first height x and the second height y satisfies a relationship given by the following expressions (1)-(3): (1) 0.9≧x, (2) x≧y≧0.2x, (3) 1.4≧x+y≧0.8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Meidensha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Matsui, Hidemitsu Takebuchi, Akira Nishijima
  • Patent number: 6529009
    Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Kikukawa, Katsunori Kojima, Tooru Tanimizu, Ayumu Morita, Masashige Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6426627
    Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Kikukawa, Katsunori Kojima, Tooru Tanimizu, Ayumu Morita, Masashige Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6335502
    Abstract: In order to provide a vacuum switch suitable for a distribution and transformation system compatible between structural simplicity and reliability and a vacuum switchgear using the vacuum switch, the vacuum switch comprises switching portions installed in a grounded vacuum container; and a breaker, a grounding switch and an isolator as things having the switching portions, wherein the vacuum container is divided into at least two chambers, and the switching portion of the breaker is disposed in one of the chambers and the switching portions of the grounding switch and the isolator are disposed in the other of the chambers through an insulation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kikukawa, Tooru Tanimizu, Minoru Kanoi, Makoto Tazawa, Takuya Miyo
  • Patent number: 5859398
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a vacuum interrupter and an isolator in series combination, the vacuum interrupter providing fast interruption of current and the isolator providing a large gap when in the open condition for additional safety and protection against transients. The circuit breaker may be operated by a single actuator device and is adapted to provide sequential isolation first by the vacuum interrupter, followed by the isolator to a fully open circuit condition, and on closing is adapted to first close the isolator under a no-load condition followed by closure of the vacuum interrupter to resume current flow. The isolator additionally provides for the single actuator device to slowly close the isolator with low force and to quickly close the vacuum interrupter with high force. An actuator mechanism also provides further control of the relative speeds of closure of the isolator and vacuum interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Brian McKean Associates Limited
    Inventor: Brian McKean
  • Patent number: 5663544
    Abstract: A device for switching electric current includes a compressed gas switch, at least one vacuum switch, and two terminals. A first consumable contact of the compressed gas switch is electrically connected to a first of the two terminals and a movable electrode of the vacuum switch is connected to a second of the two terminals to form a quenching circuit. The two electrodes of the vacuum switch can be separated without the use of the drive and a contact pressure is applied to them which prevents the electrodes from breaking below a threshold value of the current to be switched off. On switch-off, the current to be interrupted is switched over from a rated current circuit containing two rated current contacts of the compressed gas switch to the parallel quenching circuit. The vacuum switch now in the quenching circuit breaks only if the current to be switched off exceeds the aforementioned threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Lutz Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 5591948
    Abstract: A vacuum cartridge for a medium voltage electrical switch, as well as a switch incorporating such a cartridge comprising an enclosure closed by two end-plates in which there are housed three contacts extending axially. Two of these contacts are stationary and comprise a disk-shaped contact part and are securely fixed respectively to the two end-plates, whereas the third contact is formed by a rod slidably mounted in the second stationary contact, the rod being brought into contact with the first stationary contact during a period sufficient to generate an electrical arc between the two stationary contacts in order to perform breaking of an electrical circuit. A switch comprises an enclosure filled with sulphur hexafluoride including a cartridge as previously described, two main contacts electrically connected in parallel to the stationary contacts and an operating mechanism connected to selected aformentioned contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Schneider Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Roger Bolongeat-Mobleu, Frederic Burnaz, Hans Schelleken