Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ROSS-~EF~R~r,C~S TO A RELATED APPLICATION L ~ PATENTS
Reference ma~J be made to Canadian Patent Application
Serial Mo. 265,793 filed Mo-vember 16, 1976 by T. _. Alverson
et al, entitled "Circuit Breaker"; United States Patent No.
4,110,578 issued August 29, 1978 to Russell M. Yeckley et al,
entitled "Circuit Breaker"; United States Patent No. 4,075,447
issued February 21, 1978 to Joseph R. Rostron, entitled
"Double-Puffer-Type Compressed-Gas Circuit-Interrupter
Constructions", ard United States Patent No. 3,987,262
issued October 19, 1976 to Joseph R. RostronO
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SUMMARY OF THE T NVENTION
In accordance w~th the present invention, there is
provided an improved grounded-tank-type Or compressed-gas
circult-interrupter lnvolving lmproved assembly features.
The aforesaid assembly reatures include the inltial sub-
assembly operation Or a pair Or modular purfer-type gas-
units, together with their actuat~ng linkage, supported and
arfixed to a relatively-heavy metallic support plate.
As a subsequent final assembly operation, the
outer grounded tank is dropped over the aforesaid initially-
constructed subassembly apparatus, and bolted to the afore-
said relatively-heavy support ring. Preferably, the outer
tank itself constitutes a supporting means for a laterally-
adjacently-provided mechanism housing carrying therewithin
the breaker operating mechanism itself
The proper divergence angle between the two ter-
minal-bushings, when the latter are used, is provided by the
center-line Or the terminal-bushing being normal to the
radius of cur~ature of the upper dome portion o~ the outer
- 20 metallic grounded tank. Thus, assembly ~s readily achleved
without attention being paid to the alignment of the ter-
minal-bushings, for regardless of the orlentatlon, the
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proper divergence angle between the two terminal-bushings
is, in any event, properly achieved.
To minimize eddy-current heating losses, there is
preferably provided a non-magnetic insert-strip extending
between the two supporting flange-rings disposed at the
upper end of the outer tank. When the current rating of the
circuit-interrllpter i.s additionally uprated, if desired,
substantially the entire upper dome portion of the outer
tank itself may be fabricated of a suitable non-magnetlc
material, such as non-magnetic stainless steel, for example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken
through an improved tarlk-type compressed-gas circuit-inter-
rupter embodying the principles of the present invention,
and the circuit-breaker being shown in the closed-circuit
position;
Figure 2 is a top plan view, considerably-enlarged,
of the outer metallic grounded ta.nk with the terminal-
bushings removed for clarity, and indicating the use of a
non-magnetic insert strip interconnectlng the bushing-flange
ring~;
Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view
taken through the subassembly, involving two modular gas-
units, together with their connecting operating linkage
attached to a relatively-heavy mounting support-plate;
Figure 4 is a considerably-enlarged, side-eleva-
tional view of the two modular units arranged in electrical
series, the left-hand modular unit being shown in slde eleva-
tion, whereas the right-hand modular, puffer-type, interrupt-
ing unit is shown in vertical section, the contact structure
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being illustrated in the fully-open-circult posltion;
~ igure 5 ls a considerably-enlarged vlew of the
upper statlonary contact structure of each of the modular,
puffer-type, arc-extingulshlng unlts, indicating the adapt-
abillty for varlous line-termlnal connections;
Flgure 6 lllustrates an alternate form of llne-
termlnal connectlon, ln wlllch the statlonary contact struc-
ture of the left-hand modular unlt ls electrlcally connected
to the li.ne-conductor of the gas-insulated transmlsslon
system,
Figure 7 lllustrates a fragmentary top plan vlew
looking downwardly between the two terminal-bushings, and
illustrating the non-magnetic insert-strip extending between
the two terminal-bushlng flange-rlngs;
Figure 8 iæ a fragmentary vertical sectional view
taken through a modified-type of tank construction, in which
the upper dome portlon ls fabricated of a suitable non-
m~gneti.c material, such as stainless steel, for example;
Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view,
indicating the radius of curvature of the upper dome portion
of the tank structure of Figs. 1, 2 and 7, indicating that
the flange-rings, for accommodating the terminal-bushings,
are disposed such tha.t their center-line is normal, or per-
pendi.cular to the curvature of the upper dome portion of the
tank; and
Figure 9A is a considerably-enlarged, fragmentary
view of a portion of the welding surface for the flange-ring
of Fig. 9, indicating a ccmparison between the older flange-
ring construction and the new flange-r~ng construction.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
._ .
Referrlng to the drawings, and more particularly
to F~gures 1 and 2 thereof, it will be observed that Figure
3 illustrates a subassembly 1 comprising a pair of con-
~ointly-acting gas-modules 2 of the type set forth in the
U.S. patent ~123,636 issued October 31, 197
and ~ssigned to the assignee of
the instant p.~tent applicatlon. As shown, the two gas
modules 2 are electrically and mechanically tied together by
a horizontally-extendin~ brldging-bar construction 4 havlng
pivotally connected thereto, as at ~, an upstandlng maln
insulating operating rod 6.
The operating rod 6 is, as shown, pivotally con-
nected at 7 to a. bell-crank lever 8, which is affixed to a
rotatable main operating shaft 9. A lever box 10 is affixed,
as by weldlng 3, for example, to the lower surface 11 Or the
main metallic support-plate 12.
Each of the gas-modular units 2 comprises an upper
relatively-stationary contact str~cture 13 including a
cluster Or a.nnularly-arranged main stationary contact
fingers 14, which, in the closed-circuit position of the
interrupter, as indicated in Figure 1, make good contacting
engagement with an annular movable main contact 15 affixed
to an operating-cylinder assembly 17, the latter moving
downwardly during the opening operation over a relatively-
fixed piston structure 18.
Centrally disposed within the cluster of rela-
tively-stationary main contact fingers 14.is a tubular
stationary arcing contact 20, which makes engagement with a
plurality of secondary movable arcing contact fingers 22,
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77~7S~S
the movable arcin~ rod-shaped contact 23 extending there-
within.
Constituting a part of the movable operating-
cylinder a.ssembly 17 is an insulating hollow orif1ce 25,
which directs the gas flow emanating from the compression
space 30, interposed between the stationary plston structure
18 and the outer-disposed movable operating cylinder 17.
This gas ~low strikes the established arc 35, as lndicated
ln Figure 3, and effects the rapid extinction thereof.
As will be obvious, the two modular gas-units 2
operate simultaneously by their downward cooperative move-
ment, and, in electrical series, constitute an electrical
piece of interrupting equipment having a voltage rating of
242 Kv with an interrupting capacity of 50 to 63,000 amperes,
for example. The full-load continuous current rating of the
circuit-interrupter~ for example, would be 2,000 to 4,000
amperes.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the two modular units
2 are collectively supported by an upstanding insulating
support cylinder 40, which, in turn, is ~ixedly bolted to
the relatively-heavy metallic support-plate 12, referred to
hereinbefore
Fol.lowing subassembly of the interrupting equip-
ment 1, ~llustrated in Figure 3, the grounded metallic tank
struc'cure 41 is lifced up and dropped over the subassembly,
designated by the reference numeral 1. The heavy metallic
support-plate 12 is secured by a plurality of clrcumfer-
entially-disposed bolts 45 to the underside of a heavy
mounting ring 46, which, in turn3 is welded, for example, to
the inner side walls 48 of the outer metallic tank structure
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41. The upper dome portion 50 of the tank structure 41,
extending down to the line "X-X", has a substantlally con-
stant radlus of curvature "R" (Fig. 9~, and the terminal-
bushing flange-rings 55 and 56 are welded thereto, so that
the center-line "L" of the terminal-bushings 58, 59 is
normal, or perpendicular to the curved upper surface of the
dome 50. Thus, there is no necessity for accurate alignment
of the termina.l-bushin~s 58, 59, inasmuch as regardless of
their orientation, they nevertheless will be in the proper
position, and the divergence angle " ~" between the two
terminal-bushi.ngs 58, 59 will always be at the desired
value.
The flexible connectors 60, 61, connected respec-
tively to the upper sta.tionary contact structures 13, may be
manually secured to the lower terminal-studs 66, 67 of the
two terrninal-bushings 58, 59 by means of the manhole service
opening 70 provided in the side wall of the tank structure
41. Thus, the major portion of the assembly operations may
be conducted externally of the tank 41 with plenty of work-
ing space. Following the subassembly, as mentioned, thetank 41 is dropped over the subassembly 1 to secure the two
assemblies together. It will be noted that attached to the
side of the metallic tank is the mechanism housing 75,
together with its internally-located pneumatic mechanism 77.
Generally, this is of the type which, when operated, will
ef~ect opening of the circuit-breaker 53. Thus, suitable
~alve structure 80 will adm~t high-pressure gas to a piston
81, which will effect downward movement of a piston-rod 82,
consequent clockwise rotation of a bell-crank lever 83
having an arm 84, which is pivotally connected, as at 85, by
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an operating link 86 tc a second bell-crank lever 87.
A second arm 89 of the second bell-crank lever 90
has pivotally connected thereto, as at 91, a connecting rod
92 having secured thereto a spring seat 93, which is biased
toward the right, as viewed in Figure 1, in a direction to
close the circuit-brealier 53.
The conllecting rod 92 is pivotally connected to
the bell-cranlc l.ever assembly 95, which operates the main
operating shaft 9. The construction is such that the com-
pression spring ]00 effects closing of the circuit-inter-
rupter 53, a closing shock-absorber 101 being provided to
limit the closing travel. of the circuit-breaker 53.
During the opening operation, the valve mechanism
80 is actuated to effect, through the piston 81 and the
a~oresaid interconnecting linkage, the downward opening
movement of both movable contact structures 15 to the posi-
tion illustrated in Figure 3.
Where the terminal-bushings 58 and 59 are not
utilized for certain applications, the construction, as
illustrated in Figure 6, may be employed, wherein the ter-
minal rings 110, 111, affixed tc the flexible connectors 60,
61, may be fixedly secured to hollow conductors 115, which
constitute a part of a gas-i.nsulated transmission system
116. A fragmentary portion of such a gas-insulated system
116 is illustrated in Figure 6.
To minimize the effect of eddy-current heating
losses, and the consequent heating resulting therefrom, a
non-magnetic insert-strip 120 (~ig. 9) may be utilized
between the terminal~bushing mounting flange-rings 55, 56,
as shown more clearly ln Figu.re 7 of the drawings. Fcr
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~t~`77~
uprating the continuous current-carrying capability of the
clrcuit-breaker 53, the entire top upper dome portion 50 may
be fabricated of a suitable non-magnetic material, such as
stainless steel for example, as shown in Fig. 8. This, as
mentioned, would include the dome portion extending down to
the line "X-X" in Fig. 8.
By way of retrospect, the vertical tank cyllnder
41 provides the maximum gas volume, while minimizing the
floor space required. The metallic tank 41 is, of course,
at ground potential, and is pressurized, say at a pressure
of 75 p.s.i.g. The structural support for the terminal-
bushings 58, 59, current transformers 130, 131, mechanism
and control housings 75 is all afforded by the said metallic
grounded tank 41.
From the foregoing description, it will be appa-
rent that there has been provided an improved circuit-
breaker construction 53 capable of rapid assembly in dif-
ferent assembly stages, enabling the outer tank structure 41
to be dropped over the interrupter assembly 1 and bolted
onto the lower support plate 12.
The flush-mounted bushing entrance flanges 55, 56
greatly simplif~ the tank fabrication 41 as well as elimi-
nate the need for stainless steel nozzles and special
welding fixtures. The top dome, or head 50 on the tank 41
is made such that the entrance flange center-line "L" is
normal to the tank dome surface, this takes advantage of the
radius "R" (Fig. 9) of this head 50 to provide the required
bushing angle "oC " of separation. Also, this design is
readily uprated in continuous current by adding a very small
3o non-magnetic insert 120 (Fig. 7) between the two entrance
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:l~rii~77":;;S
flanges 55~ 56. If necessary the entire top dome 50 may be
fabricated from non-magnetic stainless steel as shown in
Fig. 8 to substantially and economically increase the con-
tinuous current rating.
A most important feature of the tank design 41 is
its adaptability to gas-insulated breaker arrangements 116.
This is because of the compact geometry and versatile ent-
rance flanges 55, 56.
Although there have been illustrated and described
specific structures, it is to be clearly understood that the
same were merely for the purpose of illustration, and that
changes and modifications may readily be made therein by
those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
