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US 2026/0128244 A1Published application
Dual actuation fast mechanical switch
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsAlfonso J. CRUZ, Ning GUO, Lukas GRABER, Zhiyang JIN, Yang LIU, Maryam TOUSI
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Abstract
The exemplary systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure include a dual actuation mechanical switch for a circuit breaker that includes a piezoelectric actuator that operates in conjunction with a second mechanical actuator, e.g., for a fast, compact, lightweight, and efficient DC hybrid circuit breaker. In some implementations, the exemplary dual mechanical switch can serve as the only current carrying path of the circuit breaker to minimize on-state power loss during normal operation. The exemplary system, method, and devices can facilitate needs of the emerging DC grid.
Claims21
A system comprising:
- a first conductive structure electrically connected to a first electrical terminal to receive high current and high voltage;
- a first movable contact structure moveably connected to the first conductive structure and configured to move between a first position and a second position each in relation to the first conductive structure while in electrical contact with the first conductive structure;
- a second contact structure electrically connected to a second electrical terminal configured to handle high current and high voltage, wherein the first movable contact structure is in contact with the second contact structure when in the first position, and wherein the first movable contact structure is disconnected from the second contact structure when in the second position;
- a first actuation assembly disposed within the first conductive structure and mechanically coupled to the first movable contact structure to move the first movable contact structure, along a first direction, between the first position and the second position when energized or deenergized, respectively, to connect or disconnect the first movable contact structure to the second contact structure;
- and
- a second actuation assembly either (i) mechanically coupled to the first actuation assembly within the first conductive structure to concurrently move the first movable contact structure from the first position to the second position, or (ii) mechanically coupled to the second contact structure within a second conductive structure to concurrently move the second contact structure to a third position further away from the first movable contact structure.
3 more elements
(canceled)
A method of operating a disconnect switch, the method comprising:
- providing a disconnect system comprising:
- a first conductive structure electrically connected to a first electrical terminal to receive high current and high voltage;
- a first movable contact structure movably connected to the first conductive structure and configured to move between a first position and a second position each in relation to the first conductive structure while in electrical contact with the first conductive structure;
- a second contact structure electrically connected to a second electrical terminal configured to handle high current and high voltage, wherein the first movable contact structure is in contact with the second contact structure in the first position and wherein the first movable contact structure is disconnected from the second contact structure when in the second position;
- a first actuation assembly disposed within the first conductive structure and mechanically coupled to the first movable contact structure to move the first movable contact structure, along a first direction, between the first position and the second position when energized or deenergized, respectively, to connect or disconnect the first movable contact structure to the second contact structure;
- and
- a second actuation assembly either (i) mechanically coupled to the first actuation assembly within the first conductive structure, or (ii) mechanically coupled to the second contact structure within a second conductive structure;
- initiating a zero or near-zero voltage potential difference across the first and second contact structures;
- de-energizing the first actuation assembly to move the first movable contact structure from the first position to the second position to break contact with the second contact structure;
- and
- energizing the second actuation assembly to concurrently move either (i) the first movable contact structure from the first position to the second position to further extend a separation distance between the first movable contact structure and the second contact structure, or (ii) the second contact structure to a third position further away from the first movable contact structure.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.