Patent ID: 12243696

The accompanying figures are included to provide a further understanding. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the figures are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numbers designate elements or components with identical functions. In so far as elements or components correspond to one another in terms of their function in different figures, the description thereof is not repeated for each of the following figures. For the sake of clarity elements might not appear with corresponding reference symbols in all figures possibly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates an embodiment of a high voltage circuit breaker1in a cross section side view. The circuit breaker1realizes a security switch or switchgear configured to act in the high voltage range of 10 kV or more, for example.

The circuit breaker1comprises a system10which realizes an intermediate adjustment module between a lever mechanism and an insulating rod5of the circuit breaker1that is configured to separate electrical contacts of the circuit breaker1to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit, for example. The insulating rod5is connected to moving contact parts inside the circuit breaker1and is supported by supporting parts2,3and4which realize elements of a support insulator of the circuit breaker1. The supporting part2,3and4are configured to insulate the current carrying components of the interrupter or the circuit breaker1towards the ground.

TheFIGS.2-3show an embodiment of the system10for adjusting a length of the insulating rod5of the circuit breaker1in a cross section side view. TheFIGS.4-5illustrate the system10in perspective views.FIG.6shows a clutch11of the system10in a perspective view, andFIG.7shows a fitting12of the system10in a perspective view.FIG.8illustrates a flowchart for a method for adjusting the length of the insulating rod5of the circuit breaker1.

The clutch11is formed in one piece comprising a coupling section24, a shoulder section23and an adjustment section22(seeFIG.3). The shoulder section23is formed between the coupling section24and the adjustment section22adjacent, respectively with respect to a longitudinal axis A of the clutch11. The longitudinal axis A also represents a symmetrical axis of the clutch11, the fitting12and the insulating rod5.

The clutch11is configured to be coupled with the lever mechanism of the circuit breaker1to transmit an acting movement causing separation of electrical contacts of the circuit breaker1. Therefore, the clutch11comprises a clutch opening15in the coupling section24which provides a coupling interface for a lever of the lever mechanism. The clutch11tapers in direction to the shoulder section23. In the adjustment section22the clutch11comprises a thread18with a given thread pitch. The thread18is formed as an external thread on an outside of the adjustment section22facing the fitting12(seeFIGS.3and6).

The fitting12also comprises a thread19with a given thread pitch formed in coordination with the thread18of the clutch11. The fitting12is sleeve-shaped and the thread19is formed as an internal thread on an inside of the fitting12facing the clutch11(seeFIGS.3and7). The fitting12is adjustably coupled with the clutch11by means of the threads18,19(seeFIGS.2and3). The fitting12is fixedly coupled with the insulating rod5, for example by means of an adhesive connection.

The fitting12is formed in one piece comprising a coupling section25and a support section27(seeFIG.3). The support section27is formed in coordination with the shoulder section23of the clutch11and enables a guided insertion of the clutch11and a stable hold in interaction with the shoulder section23.

The fitting12is formed as a tube or a sleeve. The insulating rod5is configured as a tube or sleeve as well. The fitting12extends partially into the insulating rod5such that it is connected to the insulating rod5at an inside by means of press-fit and/or adhesive connection. In addition, the clutch11partially extends into the fitting12by means of supported fit in the support section27and the shoulder section23and by means of a non-positive fit and/or form-fitting due to the threads18,19.

The fitting12is arranged between the clutch11and the insulating rod5along the longitudinal axis A. The longitudinal axis A also represents an axis of rotation of the clutch11relative to the fitting12. Thus, a precise adjustment of the length of the insulating rod5is enabled due to rotation of the clutch11relative to the fitting12by means of the interacting fine threads18,19.

An engaged thread length L can be adjusted by a given length of the adjustment section22which defines an adjustable distance D and an adjustment of the length of the insulating rod5(seeFIGS.3and6). The adjustable distance D is given by the distance between the clutch opening15of the clutch11and an outer side if the ring4. The engaged thread length L is configured to be as long as possible, for example. A formation of the engaged thread length L depends on material characteristics of the fitting12and the clutch11and/or on a tension strength of the fitting12fixedly connected to the insulating rod5. For example, the threads18,19of the clutch11and the fitting12belong to a M26-screw size and thus comprise a diameter of 26 mm, the engaged thread length L should have a value of 2, 3 times the diameter of the threads18,19, hence 59.8 mm. Using such an engaged thread length L enables full force absorption or force distribution. However, shorter or larger length is possible as well to set a predetermined engaged thread length and the length of the insulating rod5depending on the intended application. A length of the threads18and19can be equal or different. Thus, the length of the external thread18of the clutch11can be shorter than the length of the internal thread19of the fitting12.

The clutch11is shaped as a sleeve in a region of its thread18or the adjustment section22limiting an inner relief recess21. Such a consciously formed opening can contribute to an improved force and tension distribution. The relief recess21penetrates the clutch11along the longitudinal axis A with a given depth and comprises a cylindrical shape or is cylindrically limited by a surrounding wall of the clutch11supporting the thread18at its outside surface.

The clutch11and the fitting12each comprises a securing opening16,17formed to receive a securing member formed as a locking pin14(seeFIGS.3-6). With respect to an assembled and adjusted state of the system10and the insulating rod5the locking pin14extends into the securing openings16,17to counteract an unwanted rotation of the clutch11relative to the fitting12. The securing opening16of the fitting is formed as a long hole to provide an adjustable length and still enabling the locking pin14to extend through the fitting12and the clutch11at different length positions of the adjustable insulating rod5.

The securing opening16of the fitting12can be formed as a long hole that is opened at one side as illustrated in theFIGS.4and5. The securing opening17of the clutch11can be formed as a cylindrical hole matching the size of the locking pin14as illustrated in theFIGS.2-3and5-6. Moreover, the clutch11can comprise a further clutch opening26formed as a long hole penetrating the clutch in the region of its coupling section24across its opening15. The clutch opening26further enables stable connection with the lever mechanism of the circuit breaker1.

In addition, the system10comprises a fixation element formed as a spring clip20which is configured to fix the position of the locking pin14with respect to an assembled state of the system10with insulating rod5and an adjusted length of the insulating rod5.

According toFIG.8and the illustrated a flowchart the method for assembling and adjusting the length of the insulating rod5of the circuit breaker1can be processed as follows:

In a step S1 the clutch11and the fitting12are provided with their threads18,19and associated thread pitches and with their respective openings15,16,17,26and/or recesses13,21.

In a step S2 the fitting12fixedly with the insulating rod5by means of a press-fit and/or an adhesive connection, for example.

In a step S3 the clutch11is coupled with the fitting12by screwing in the clutch11into the fitting12until the shoulder section23of the clutch11is arranged in the supporting section27of the fitting12. Thus, the fitting12and the clutch11are adjustably coupled with each other by means of the threads18,19.

In a step S4 the adjustment of the length of the insulating rod5can be performed. Thereby, the clutch11is rotated relative to the fitting12with respect to the longitudinal axis A until a desired effective length of the insulating rod5, the fitting12and the clutch11is set.

In a further step S5 the locking pin14is provided and inserted into the securing openings16,17of the fitting12and the clutch11in order to fix the rotatory adjusted position of the clutch11relative to the fitting12.

Thus, the clutch11is secured in its position by the locking pin14which engages in the fitting12. The locking pin14can be secured by the spring clip20.

The length of the insulating rod5can be adjusted by turning the clutch11by 180°-steps. An adjustment increment is hereby defined by the thread pitch. In order to enhance a mechanical stability, the clutch11comprises the shoulder section23which is guided by the support recess13and the support section27of the fitting12to reduce a notch effect in case of bending moments or lateral forces. In addition, the relief recess21ensures continuous application of force from the threads18,19to the clutch11.

The embodiments shown in theFIGS.1to8as stated represent exemplary embodiments of the system10for adjusting the length of the insulating rod5of the high voltage circuit breaker1. Therefore, they do not constitute a complete list of all embodiments. Actual arrangements may vary from the embodiments shown in the figures.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1high voltage circuit breaker2flange3tube4ring5insulating rod10system11clutch12fitting13support recess14securing member/locking pin15clutch opening16securing opening of the fitting17securing opening of the clutch18external thread of the clutch19internal thread of the fitting20spring clip21relief recess22adjustment section of the clutch23shoulder section of the clutch24coupling section of the clutch25coupling section of the fitting26clutch opening27support section of the fittingA longitudinal axis of the high voltage circuit breaker/of the clutchD adjustable distanceL engaged thread length