Tap changer with an improved monitoring system
AssigneeABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
InventorsWilliam James Teising, Robert Alan Elick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a transformer winding. The tap changer includes a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft. The at least one shaft is connected to the tap change modules and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change modules to each perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change. A multi-turn absolute encoder is connected to the at least one shaft. A monitoring system is connected to the encoder and is operable to determine from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change modules are in the sequence of operations.
Claims20
An on-load tap changer for making tap changes in a transformer winding, the tap changer comprising:
- a tap change module configured to be connected to the transformer winding and comprising a bypass switch assembly, a vacuum interrupter assembly and a selector switch assembly;
- a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft, wherein the at least one shaft is connected to the tap change module and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change module to perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change, the operations comprising actuating the bypass switch assembly, actuating the vacuum interrupter assembly and actuating the selector switch assembly;
- a multi-turn absolute encoder connected to the at least one shaft and operable to determine a position of the at least one shaft;
- and
- a monitoring system connected to the encoder to receive the position of the at least one shaft and operable to monitor a tap change by determining from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change module is in the sequence of operations.
A method for making tap changes in a transformer winding, the method comprising:
- operating a motor to rotate a shaft connected to a tap change module;
- in response to rotation of the shaft, effectuating a sequence of tap change operations by a tap change module connected to the transformer winding, the tap change operations comprising:
- actuating a bypass switch assembly of the tap change module;
- actuating a vacuum interrupter assembly of the tap change module;
- and
- actuating a selector switch assembly of the tap change module;
- determining, by a multi-turn absolute encoder connected to the shaft, a position of the shaft;
- receiving, by a monitoring system connected to the encoder, the position of the shaft;
- and
- determining, by the monitoring system based on the position of the shaft, where the tap change module is in the sequence of tap change operations.
An on-load tap changer system comprising:
- a transformer winding;
- and
- a tap changer subassembly comprising:
- a tap change module connected to the transformer winding and comprising a bypass switch assembly, a vacuum interrupter assembly and a selector switch assembly;
- a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft, wherein the at least one shaft is connected to the tap change module and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change module to perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change, the operations comprising actuating the bypass switch assembly, actuating the vacuum interrupter assembly and actuating the selector switch assembly;
- a multi-turn absolute encoder connected to the at least one shaft and operable to determine a position of the at least one shaft;
- and
- a monitoring system connected to the encoder to receive the position of the at least one shaft and operable to monitor a tap change by determining from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change module is in the sequence of operations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.