US 2026/0290726 A1 · SHAPE OF INSULATOR MEMBER OF VACUUM ENVELOPE OF VACUUM INTERRUPTER, AND SWITCHGEAR EMPLOYING SAME

Abstract

A thick wall tubular insulator is provided for vacuum envelope construction of a vacuum interrupter. The opening at one end is larger than at the other, to allow for a shortened vacuum envelope and hence shortened electrodes. An outward radial protrusion on its OD wall is provided as a barrier to external flashover, and to allow coverage of the external triple junction at its end with insulative sealant such as a conformal coating and additional insulative protection such as a heat-shrink sleeve or electrical tape. An inward radial protrusion on its ID wall is provided to reduce dielectric degradation from metal vapor deposition. A longitudinal recess on its ID wall is provided to hide the high electrical-field tip of a metal shield to minimize likelihood of internal breakdown to nearby metal components. A GIS, dead-tank breaker, live-tank breaker, recloser, or fault interrupter employing such a vacuum interrupter is also provided.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An insulator member of the vacuum envelope of a high voltage vacuum interrupter for a high voltage switching apparatus rated for 66 kV or above, said switching apparatus comprising said vacuum interrupter and a tank enclosing a pressurized dielectric gas surrounding said vacuum interrupter, said vacuum interrupter comprising said vacuum envelope and at least one contact inside said vacuum envelope,

wherein said generally tubular vacuum interrupter has a longitudinal central axis,
wherein said vacuum envelope comprises at least one electrically floating metal member and said insulator member coaxial with said axis,
said metal member having a generally uniform outside diameter (OD) and a height (of its extent along said axis) of at least 20 mm,
said insulator member having a generally tubular shape with a through cavity in its extent along said axis and correspondingly an OD wall and an ID wall,
said insulator member having a first end toward said at least one contact along said axis, and a second end away from said at least one contact and opposite said first end along said axis,
wherein said first end of said insulator member is hermetically sealingly joined to said floating metal member of said vacuum envelope, and
wherein the opening of said through cavity at said first end of said insulator member is larger than the opening of said through cavity at said second end of said insulator member.

4 more elements

wherein said generally tubular vacuum interrupter has a longitudinal central axis,
wherein said vacuum envelope comprises at least one electrically floating metal member and said insulator member coaxial with said axis,
said insulator member having a through cavity in its extent along said axis, and correspondingly an OD wall, an ID wall, and a wall thickness in a radial direction perpendicular to said axis,
wherein said insulator member comprises at least one radial barrier protrusion in a radial direction perpendicular to said axis, outwardly protruding away from said axis on said OD wall, and
said at least one outwardly protruding radial barrier protrusion having a barrier height, defined as the maximum of said wall thickness of said protrusion portion of said insulator member, of at least 15 mm.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shape of insulator member of vacuum envelope of vacuum interrupter, and switchgear employing same

Life of this patent

Shape of insulator member of vacuum envelope of vacuum interrupter, and switchgear employing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20