Combined interrupter-disconnect switch blade for high voltage switch

Abstract: A high voltage open-air switch has a movable disconnect switch blade (120) which contains a circuit interrupter (105) therein having interrupter contacts in series with the open air disconnect switch contacts (145) . The circuit interrupter (105) has a lower BIL rating than the switch. An operating mechanism (117,130) causes the simultaneous independent operation of the interrupter (105) and disconnect switch such that there is a high speed opening of the interrupter contacts, followed by the low speed opening of the disconnect switch contacts (by swinging the blade (120) around the axis of the column 117), and a slow speed closing of the disconnect switch contacts following by the high speed closing of the interrupter contacts. The switch can be adapted to numerous switch configurations and permits substantial savings in space by the reduced mounting requirements for the interrupter assembly.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to high voltage switches, for example, switches capable of use in lines of 69 kV and higher, and more specifically relates to high voltage switches having interrupting capability and which are less expensive and which occupy less space than known combinations of interrupters and disconnect switches. High voltage electrical power distribution systems need a means of interrupting load currents to control and switch the system. Discrete circuit breakers are generally used in such systems to interrupt line and fault currents. A circuit breaker is designed to interrupt a broad range of current from near zero current to large fault currents which could cause severe damage to the power system if not interrupted quickly. A disconnect switch is generally placed on one or both sides of the circuit breaker to provide a large air gap in the power line and to provide visual evidence that a line is disconnected from the power system. The disconnect switch generally has a very limited capability to interrupt current and operates relatively slowly. Thus, interrupter structures are frequently connected in series with disconnect switches to open before and close after the disconnect switch contacts open and close, respectively. Disconnect switch and interrupter assemblies are known, sometimes termed "circuit switchers", in which both are integrated into a single mounted device. The interrupter subassembly is connected in series with the disconnect switch and mounted separately from the disconnect switch, employing its own support insulators. Thus, the assembly occupies considerable land area within a switching station and the equipment cost is relatively high. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION High voltage switches in accordance with the opening part of claim 1 are disclosed in US 4,983,792 and DE-C 1 156 141. A high voltage switch according to the invention is characterised in that the BIL (basic impulse insulation level) rating of the interrupter structure is less than that of the open-air switch. In the preferred embodiment, an interrupter structure is fixed within and forms a part of the movable blade of the disconnect switch. Thus, an interrupter module of any desired structure may be placed inside an elongated insulation tube which is fixed within and rotates with and forms a part of the disconnect switch contact blade. The interrupter module carries the normal load current of the power system between the terminals of the device. An operating mechanism and linkage is provided to operate the interrupter module contacts and the disconnect switch arm contacts separately such that, when the device is operated to open the power circuit, the interrupter quickly opens first, interrupting the flow of any current and providing a small insulating gap that will withstand system recovery voltage. Then, the insulating tube/disconnect switch arm rotates about one of its ends and opens to create a large air gap between the high voltage terminals of the switch assembly. During the closing operation, the insulating tube disconnect switch blade rotates closed and then the interrupter contacts close to re-connect the power system and allow normal current flow through the device. The invention is applicable to a vertical or horizontal disconnect arm motion and can be arranged in common disconnect switch configurations including, but not limited to, a side rotation, a two-arm center break design using side rotation or a lifting arrangement, and a double-arm, center pivot design. The interrupter assembly can have any desired design and, for example, can be a standard type of puffer interrupter employing a high dielectric gas such as SF 6 . Its housing may a simple insulation tube rather than porcelain sheds, and its BIL rating may be lower, for example, by 25% of the BIL of the disconnect switch, thus reducing the mass of the interrupter. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevation drawing of an interrupter/disconnect switch assembly of the prior art. Figure 2 is an elevation view of a three-phase switch assembly made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the switch portion of Figure 2. Figure 4a shows the force-versus-distance characteristic for the operating mechanism during the closing of the interrupter and disconnect switch contacts. Figure 4b shows the operating mechanism characteristic in terms of force versus distance (or movement of the operating linkage) during the opening operation of the interrupter and disconnect switch contacts. Figure 5 is a top view of the interrupter switch and arm portion of Figure 4. Figure 6 is an end view of the jaw contact of Figure 4. Figure 7 is an elevation view of a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 is a side view of Figure 7. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the switch assembly of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a top view of the rotating arm of Figure 9. Figure 11 schematically illustrates the use of the invention in a vertical break switch. Figure 12 schematically illustrates the use of the invention in a side rotation switch. Figure 13 is a top view of Figure 12. Figure 14 schematically illustrates the use of the invention in a two-arm center break, lateral rotation design. Figure 15 is a top view of Figure 14. Figure 16 schematically illustrates the use of the invention in a two-arm center break, vertical rotation design. Figure 17 schematically illustrates the use of the invention with a center pivot, vertical rotation design. Figure 18 schematically illustrates the use of the invention in a center pivot lateral rotation design. Figure 19 is a side view of Figure 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring first to Figure 1, a prior art switch assembly is shown, in which a horizontal support frame 20 receives a first vertical insulator support 21a and a second insulation support 21b. The disconnect switch shown in Figure 1 could be a type TTR-6 sold by the assignee of the present invention. A conventional jaw contact and terminal 22 is fixed atop insulator 21a, and a rotatable contact arm or blade 23 is pivotally mounted atop insulator 21b. An operating mechanism 30 has a rotatable rod operator extending through the center of insulator 21b and connected to an operating crank arm 31 which, through linkage 32, causes blade 23 to first rotate about its axis so that its flattened contact end 33 rotates out of high pressure contact within contact jaw 34, and to thereafter rotate clockwise about pivot 35 to its open gap position. In order to add circuit interruption capability to the disconnect switch of Figure 1, it is known to add an interrupter assembly 40 to the disconnect switch. The interrupter 40 is mounted in cantilever from a support casting 41 atop insulator 21. Interrupter 40 may be a conventional interrupter of the gas puffer type and contains a stationary main contact 45 and a movable contact 46 (shown open above the interrupter center line and closed below the interrupter center line). An operating mechanism (not shown) is connected to the movable contact to move it between its open and closed positions in response to the operation of mechanism 30. The free end of interrupter 40 has a switch terminal 50 connected thereto. The assembly of Figure 1, sometimes termed a "circuit switcher", occupies considerable space in a switching station. Moreover, the interrupter 40 is contained within a porcelain housing which may contain porcelain sheds, and the interrupter is designed to have the same BIL rating as the switch. In accordance with the present invention, the interrupter subassembly of a circuit switcher type device is contained within and forms at least a part of the disconnect switch blade. In this way, the interrupter and switch blade occupy the same space, so that considerable substation space and cost will be saved. The new switch assembly of the invention can replace an existing disconnect switch, but adds the current interruption feature without requiring additional substation space. Greater land use efficiency, lower cost, and increased flexibility in modifying and up-rating existing installations results from the new subassembly. Figures 2 through 6 show a first embodiment of a switch assembly employing the present invention. Referring first to Figures 2 and 3, there is shown a three-phase switch assembly which comprises a horizontal support structure 60 mounted at the top of insulation support posts 61 and 62 (Figures 2 and 3). Three identical switch assemblies are mounted atop support structure 60, each providing a pair of main terminals for a respective phase. Terminals 66 and 67 are shown for the switch assembly 63. Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the structure of switch 63 in more detail. Thus, two stationary support insulators 70 and 71 are supported by support base structure 61 and extend outwardly within a common plane, each at an angle of 30° to the vertical. Terminals 66 and 67 are carried at the ends of insulators 70 and 71, respectively. An interrupter structure 80 is then provided, contained within a rigid insulation tube 81 of weight less than the conventional porcelain tube enclosure. The interior mechanism of the interrupter is the same as that of the interrupter 40 of Figure 1 and may be a standard SF 6 puffer interrupter. The BIL rating, that is, the full wave withstand crest rating of the interrupter 80 can, in accordance with the invention, be safely reduced from about 650 kV to about 488 kV for a 145 kV, 20 KA switch assembly. In a circuit switcher application, the interrupter has always been designed to have a full BIL rating. However, when combined with a disconnect switch, the interrupter need hold off voltage for only about one second and until the disconnect switch opens. The likelihood of a lightning strike or voltage surge on the line during that one-second period is so unlikely that it can be ignored, permitting a safe reduction in the mass of the interrupter. Note that any voltage surge which occurs during that one-second period would be cleared by circuit breakers in the system. The left-hand end of interrupter 80 is pivotally mounted about the pivot 85 within the casting assembly 86 fixed to the upper end of insulator 70. The terminal 66 extends from the casting 86. The opposite end of the interrupter housing carries a spring-biased jaw contact section 90 (shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6) where enlarged-scale Figure 6 shows that the jaw contact contains two spring-type contact members 91 and 92 which are pressed toward one another by appropriate spring biases 93 and 94, respectively. The jaw contact 90 is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 as in engagement with a blade section 100 which is fixed to the terminal end 67 of insulator 63. The contacts 91 and 92 press against the opposite surfaces of the blade 100 when the rotatable interrupter structure 80 is rotated clockwise to the closed position illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. An operating mechanism which may be of any desired type is contained within the housing 60, as schematically illustrated in Figure 4 and, in response to its actuation, will initially move a suitable linkage connected to the movable contact 105 of the interrupter structure 81 to initially open the interrupter contact at high speed to interrupt the current flowing to the circuit between terminals 66 and 67. Once the contacts are open, the operating mechanism continues at slow speed to begin to rotate the entire interrupter assembly 80 counterclockwise about pivot 85, thereby to open a large air gap between the jaw contact 90 and the stationary contact blade 100, with the interrupter assembly 80 rotating to a vertical position. The characteristic of the operating mechanism of Figure 4 is best illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b and could take any desired mechanical format which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. During the opening operation of the device in the position of Figure 4, the characteristic of force versus distance or the movement of the operating link of the operating mechanism which causes initial motion of the interrupter and subsequent motion of the rotating interrupting assembly 80 is shown in Figure 4b. Once a signal is applied to the operating mechanism at the point labeled "opening signal", the mechanism initially applies a high force to the interrupter structure only for moving contact 105 to its open position at relatively high speed, represented by the relatively short distance between the opening signal and the point at which the interrupter is open. At that instant, the force from the operating mechanism decreases substantially to the constant level shown to begin to rotate the interrupter assembly 80 counterclockwise to its fully open position. If desired, and as schematically illustrated in dotted lines, an initial high force can be applied to the interrupter assembly 80 for rotation of the interrupter assembly in order to break the jaw and blade contacts 90 and 100, respectively, away from one another in the event of icing or the like, with the force then dropping off to the low constant force for relatively slow rotation of the interrupter assembly 80 to its fully open position. Figure 4a shows the characteristic of the mechanism for closing, first the disconnect switch and then the interrupter assembly. Thus, in Figure 4a, at the closing signal, a relatively low force is applied to the rotating assembly 80, causing it to rotate toward the closed position over a relatively long period of time, schematically illustrated by the break in the distance direction of Figure 4a. Immediately upon the closing of the disconnect switch contacts 90 and 100, the operating mechanism applies a high force for the high speed operation of the interrupter contacts to their closed position so that all closing duty is taken by the interrupter assembly until the interrupter reaches the interrupter-closed position and the entire circuit switcher is closed. It will be observed that the novel assembly of Figures 2 through 6 will occupy substantially less space within the substation than a structure in which the interrupter structure is mounted separately as in Figure 1, and requires its own space within the interrupter assembly. The concept of the invention can be carried out in many different geometries. Thus, the arrangement, for example, of Figure 4, which can be characterized as a V-type geometry, can also be carried out in a geometry known as an N-type geometry, in which the insulators supporting the disconnect switch blade and, in the case of the invention, the movable interrupter assembly, are vertical and parallel, as shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10. Referring next to Figures 7 and 8, there is shown therein the provision of two support tubes 110 and 111 for supporting the assembly from the ground. A horizontal support beam 112 is mounted across the tops of support tubes 110 and 111. For a three-phase unit, perpendicular support beams, such as the beam 113, project from the horizontal support beam 112, so as to support fixed vertical insulator columns 114, 115 and 116 (Figure 8). The horizontal support beam 112 itself then supports cooperating but rotatable vertical insulator columns 117, 118 and 119, wherein insulator pairs 114 and 117, 115 and 118, and 116 and 119 physically support the disconnect switch and interrupter of a respective phase of the three-phase circuit switcher shown in Figures 7 and 8. Interrupter structures 120, 121 and 122 are then associated with each of the pairs of insulators 114-117, 115-118 and 116-119, respectively, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. Interrupters 120, 121 and 122 may have the same structure as the interrupter assembly 81, previously shown in connection with Figures 2 through 6. An operating mechanism is provided for the assembly of Figures 7 through 10, shown schematically in Figure 9, where the operating mechanism operates a shaft extending along the center of insulators 117, 118 and 119, extending to the crank arm 130. The crank arm 130 is operated at high speed for operating the interrupter contacts, including the movable interrupter contact 105, at high speed to open and close the circuit which is connected between, for example, the terminals 131 and 132 for the phase containing interrupter 120. The interrupter assemblies 120, 121 and 122 are also fixed to the top of their respective rotatable support insulators 117, 118 and 119, whereby rotation of the insulator columns 117, 118 and 119 will tend to rotate the interrupter assemblies about the central axis of the rotating insulators and in a direction shown by the dotted lines in Figure 8. The operating mechanism causes this rotational movement of each of the insulator supports 117, 118 and 119 through a suitable mechanical connection (not shown) following the opening of the interrupter contacts of interrupters 120, 121 and 122, with the rotational motion of the interrupter 120 proceeding at a relatively slow speed, such that the interrupter assembly is rotatably moved to its fully open position in about one second. The disconnect switch portion of the assembly of Figures 7 through 10 consists of a contact blade 140 fixed to the free end of interrupter 120 and similar blades 141 and 142 for interrupters 121 and 122 of Figure 8. These blades engage a jaw contact assembly, typically shown in Figure 9 as the jaw contact assembly 145, which consists of spring-biased contacts pressed toward one another and into engagement with the blade 140 when the interrupter structure 120 is rotated to its closed position. The same operating mechanism characteristic shown in Figures 4a and 4b can be used for the operating mechanism of Figures 7, 8 and 9, and the same advantages of substantial space saving within a switching substation are achieved by using the interrupter structure as a portion of the disconnect switch blade of a conventional disconnect switch structure. A large number of other switch assembly layouts can benefit from the use of the invention, wherein the interrupter structure is employed as at least a portion of the disconnect switch blade of a disconnect switch. For example, Figure 11 schematically illustrates the invention as applied to a vertical break switch in which a vertical support insulator 150 extends upwardly from a stand 151 to pivotally support the end of an interrupter assembly 152 which has a blade 153 engageable with a jaw contact terminal 154. A diagonal support insulator 155 completes the essential assembly. It will be apparent that, when the assembly is operated, the interrupter contacts 156 will first open and thereafter the assembly will rotate as shown in the dotted-line position to its open position. The interrupter will interrupt current before the insulating tube/blade assembly 152 will open to create a large air gap clearance between the terminals. Figures 12 and 13 are elevation and top schematic views of the invention as applied to a conventional side rotation switch assembly. Thus, in Figures 12 and 13, there is a vertical stand 160 which carries a vertical support insulator 161 which is rotatable and which carries an interrupter/disconnect switch blade assembly 162 which rotates between the schematically illustrated open and closed position of Figure 13. A diagonal support insulator 163 provides support for the terminal/disconnect switch jaw contact 164 which engages and disengages with the blade end 165 of the interrupter/blade assembly 162. The operation sequence of the interrupter and of the blade contacts is the same as that previously described. Figures 14 and 15 show the manner in which the invention is applied to a two-arm center break disconnect switch assembly. Thus, in Figure 14, a vertical stand 170 supports a horizontal beam 171 which carries two rotatable insulators 172 and 173 at its outer extremities. Each of these rotatable insulators physically mount respective interrupter structure assemblies 174 and 175, respectively, which rotate, from the engaged position shown in solid lines in Figures 14 and 15, to the disengaged position shown in dotted lines in Figure 15. When in the engaged position, the extending contact blades 174a and 175a extend toward one another and engage one another in the closed position, and disengage one another after the interrupter structures 174 and 175 have opened and the assemblies 174 and 175 are rotated to the opened position of Figure 15. Conventional contacts ordinarily used for two-arm center break designs are used in the positions of contacts 174a and 175a in carrying out the invention in the embodiment shown in Figures 14 and 15. The two-arm center break design of Figures 14 and 15 can also be carried out as illustrated in Figure 16, with the interrupters rotating vertically upwardly as compared to a horizontal rotation in a plane parallel to the plane of the support surface. Numerals identifying the same components of Figures 14 and 15 are also used in Figure 16. Note, however, that the insulators 172 and 173 in Figure 16 need not be rotatable insulators and that the plane of rotation of the interrupters 174 and 175 is vertical. The invention and its advantages can also be carried out in a center pivot design, with the interrupter structures rotating in a vertical plane. Thus, in Figure 17, a vertical support 180 carries a horizontal support structure 181 which supports a central insulator 182 and two outer insulators 183 and 184. Insulators 183 and 184 each carry jaw contacts 185 and 186, respectively, which receive the extending contact blades 187 and 188 of interrupter switch assemblies 189 and 190, respectively. The interrupter switch assemblies 189 and 190 are then rotatably mounted on the rotatable mounting casting 191, supported atop insulator 182. In operation, an operating mechanism, not shown but having linkages extending through insulator 182, will simultaneously operate the two switches 189 and 190 to an upper position, with the insulators swinging in parallel-spaced planes. As in the prior assemblies, the interrupter contacts of interrupters 189 and 190 open before the vertical lifting motion of interrupters 189 and 190, and close after the interrupter assemblies are in their solid-line closed positions. The center pivot design of Figure 17 can also be carried out with the interrupter assemblies rotating in a horizontal plane, as shown in Figures 18 and 19. Thus, in Figures 18 and 19, similar numerals are applied to components which are similar to those of Figure 17. However, in Figures 18 and 19, the interrupters 189 and 190 are so mounted that they rotate from the solid-line positions shown in Figure 19 to the dotted-line position of Figure 19 after the interrupter contacts have opened. To this end, a modified pivotal support is provided for the adjacent ends of interrupters 189 and 190, it being noted that the interrupters may be stacked atop one another so that they rotate in spaced-parallel planes. In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, considerable substation space is saved by virtue of the arrangement of the interrupter switch assembly within the disconnect blade portion of the disconnect switch. Moreover, the disconnect switch assembly is a relatively lightweight assembly which may be mounted in a simple tube, and may have a BIL rating less than that of the disconnect switch portion of the device. Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims: A high voltage switch comprising an open-air disconnect switch having a first switch contact (100), a contact arm (80) pivotally mounted at a first end thereof by means of a pivot (85) on a fixed support (70) and carrying at the other end thereof a second switch contact (90), a first operating means for rotating the arm (80) to carry the second switch contact selectively into and out of engagement with the first switch contact (100) in a closed and a large air-gap open condition respectively of the switch, an interrupter structure (105) having circuit interruption capability fixed within and forming at least part of the arm (80), the interrupter structure having a pair of relatively movable interrupter contacts and having a second operating means for selectively opening and closing the interruptor contacts, the first and second operating means being synchronised so as to open the interrupter contacts before the contacts (90&100) open, characterised in that the BIL (basic impulse insulation level) rating of the interrupter structure is less than that of the open-air switch. A switch according to claim 1, which further includes a support stand (110); a first vertical support insulator (117) extending from said support stand (110) and having a top end connected to and supporting said support pivot means, and further support means comprising a vertical insulator support (114) spaced from said first vertical insulator support (117) and connected between said support stand (110) and said first contact of said disconnect switch to fixedly support said first contact above said support stand (110). A switch according to claim 1 or 2, which is further characterized in that an operating mechanism actuates said first operating means to move said second contact (90) of said disconnect switch at low speed and actuates said second operating mechanism means to move said first and second relatively movable contacts of said interrupter structure (120) at a relatively higher speed. A switch according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the interrupter structure (120) is a gas puffer type interrupter. A switch according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first operating means is arranged to move the arm (80) at a relatively slow speed and the second operating means is arranged to move the relatively movable contacts of the interrupter at a relatively higher speed. A switch according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that said interrupter is contained within a rigid insulation tube of the interruptor structure (120). A switch according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the BIL rating of the interrupter structure is 25% less than that of the open-air switch.

Inventors: OTTERBERG THOMAS, STROUD NICHOLAS J, OTTERBERG, THOMAS, STROUD, NICHOLAS J.
Applicants: ABB POWER T & D CO, ABB POWER T&D COMPANY INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H01H33
IPC codes: H01H33, H01H31