Inline disconnect for multiphase electric utility line applications
AssigneeSouthern Electrical Equipment Company
InventorsAndrew S. Panto, Barry Craig Thomas, Doug Lanter, Dillon Surface
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A group-operated switching system for multi-phase electrical transmission lines including a number of inline axial switches for opening and closing circuits to control electrical flow through the transmission lines. The switches include axially mounted load break vacuum interrupters and are mechanically and electrically isolated from each other and from a control box. The control box communicates with the inline switches via RF communications. Power for the switch electronics and operations can be provided from line power, a battery, or a capacitive source.
Claims20
A switching system for controlling current through a transmission line, comprising:
- an inline switch disposed within the transmission line, the inline switch comprising a disconnect blade and an interrupter having a non-rotating blade driven axially by a motorized cabinet and mounted axially inline with the disconnect blade;
- and
- a control box connected to the motorized cabinet for remotely controlling operation of the inline switch, the inline switch mechanically and electrically isolated from the control box;
- wherein the inline switch has an open configuration and a closed configuration;
- wherein current does not flow to the interrupter when the inline switch is in the closed configuration;
- and
- wherein the disconnect blade provides an open air gap and operates as a visual indicator when the inline switch is in the open configuration.
A method of actuating a switching system for controlling current through a transmission line, the method comprising:
- providing an inline switch disposed within the transmission line and a control box, the inline switch comprising a disconnect blade, an interrupter having a non-rotating blade and mounted axially inline with the disconnect blade, and a motorized cabinet, wherein the control box is connect to the motorized cabinet, and wherein the inline switch is mechanically and electrically isolated from the control box;
- and
- remotely controlling, via the control box, operation of the inline switch by operating the motorized cabinet to axially drive the non-rotating blade of the interrupter to open or close the inline switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.