Title of Invention

ELECTRICAL SWITCHGEAR

Abstract The invention describes an electrical switchgear assembly (10). The switchgear assembly (10) has at least two circuit breaker poles (11), which are arranged next to one another on a mounting frame (13). Furthermore, two grounding switches (12) are provided which are driven via a lever system (27), are assigned to the two circuit breaker poles (11) and are provided for electrically grounding said circuit breaker poles. Each of the grounding switches (12) has a pivotable contact r arm (21, 22) whose pivot axis (20) is aligned approximately perpeendicularly with respect to the main direction of extent of the mounting frame (13). The two contact arms (21, 22), which are arranged at the ends of the mounting frame (13) can be pivoted by the lever system (27) in mutually opposite directions in the direction towards the mounting frame (13).
Full Text Electrical Switchgear
Description
The invention pertains to an electrical switchgear according to the introductory part of
claim 1.
We know of switchgears in which, for example, three heavy duty switch bars are fixed on
a single supporting frame. An earthing switch is allocated to each of the heavy duty
switch bars. The respective allocated heavy duty switch bar can be earthed with the help
of the earthing switch. For this purpose the earthing switches have swivel contact arms
that are in electrical contact with a terminal of the respective heavy duty switch bar in a
switch-on position. In a switch-off position the contact arms are swivelled by about 90
degrees around a swivel axis arranged in the region of the supporting frame. In the
switch-off position one or more of the contact arms stand away towards the outside of the
supporting frame.
This has the disadvantage that the structural volume of the electrical switchgear is
relatively large.
It is the task of this invention to create an electrical switchgear with a reduced structural
volume.
The invention solves this task with an electrical switchgear according to claim 1.
In the electrical switchgear as per the invention two heavy duty switch bars are foreseen,
arranged beside one another on a supporting frame. Besides, there are also two earthing
switches driven by a lever, which are allocated to both the heavy duty switch bars and
meant for their electrical earthing. Each of the earthing switches has a swivel contact arm
whose swivel axis is aligned almost vertical to the main stretching direction of the
supporting frame. Both the contact arms fixed to the ends of the supporting frame can be
swivelled by the lever in directions opposite to one another.

On account of the swivel-ability of both the outer contact arms against one another it can
be achieved that at no point of time the contact arms protrude outwards from the
supporting frame. Even in the switch-off position of the contact arms, both the contact
arms fixed at the ends of the supporting frame are swung inwards towards the supporting
frame and hence do not significantly protrude outwards over the supporting frame.
Hence, the required structural volume of the switchgear as per the invention is
significantly lesser as compared to the stat-of-the-art technology.
In an advantageous extension of the invention, the swivel axes of the contact arms are
aligned almost horizontal. Thus the contact arms are arranged vertical in switch-on
position and horizontal in switch-off position.
In another advantageous extension of the invention the contact arms in switch-off
position are arranged mainly in front of the supporting frame. Through this measure the
required structural volume of the switchgear as per the invention gets further reduced.
Each of the heavy duty switch bars has two terminals. In further advantageous extensions
of the invention it can be foreseen that to each of the terminals a separate contact arm is
allocated for earthing, without the same contact arm for earthing being allotted to both
terminals.
Further features, application possibilities and advantages of the invention can be obtained
from the following description of design examples of the invention that are shown in the
figures/diagrams. All described or depicted features by themselves or in any combination
form the object of this invention, independent of their summarization in the patent claims
or their reference, as well as independent of their formulation or depiction in the
description or in the figures/diagrams.
Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a design example of the electrical switchgear as
per the invention from the direction V of figure 2; figure 2 shows a schematic side view

of the switchgear shown in figure 1 from the direction S of figure 1; figure 3 shows a
schematic top view of the switchgear shown in figure 1 from the direction D of figure 1;
and figure 4 shows a schematic perspective depiction of a design example of the lever of
the switchgear shown in figure 1.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a 3-phase electrical switchgear 10 that has a heavy duty switch
bar 11 and an earthing switch 12 for each of the phases. The three heavy duty switch bars
11 and the three earthing switches 12 are supported beside one another against a
supporting frame 13 that can be erected on a floor with the help of two support bases 14.
Each of the three heavy duty switch bars 11 is preferably designed of the same type. It
could either be a known high voltage heavy duty switch or a known high voltage heavy
duty switch with circuit breaker function particularly according to IEC 62271-108 or a
known high voltage circuit breaker. Each of the three heavy duty switch bars 11 is mainly
designed cylindrical and stands away from supporting frame 13 in almost vertical
direction.
Each of the three heavy duty switch bars 11 is provided with a first terminal 16 that is
arranged somewhat at the centre of the heavy duty switch bar 11 and hence has a distance
to the supporting frame 13, as well as with a second terminal 17 that is fixed to the free
end of the heavy duty switch bar 11 and hence has a distance to the first terminal 16. In
the region of the above mentioned distances there are insulators 18, in whose inner spaces
further structural components of the heavy duty switch bar 11 are accommodated.
One of the earthing switches 12 is allocated to each of the three heavy duty switch bars
11. All three earthing switches 12 are electrically connected to the earth through the
supporting frame 13 and the support bases 14. It is thereby possible that movable
structural parts of the earthing switches 12 are electrically connected to the supporting
frame 13 and /or the support bases 14 with the help of flexible earthing ropes or with the
help of slide contacts. The three earthing switches 12 are similarly structured, which is
why only one of the three earthing switches 12 is described in details further below.

The earthing switch 12 has to do with a swivel contact arm 21 or 22 that can be swung to
and fro between a switch-on position and a switch-off position by about 90 degrees. In
the switch-on position, the terminal 16 of the heavy duty switch bar 11 is earthed through
the corresponding earthing switch 12, whereas this is not the case in the switch-off
position of the contact arm 21 or 22.
The swivel axis of the contact arm 21 or 22 is arranged at the lower end of the
corresponding heavy duty switch bar 11 in the region of the supporting frame. The
supporting frame 13 has a longitudinal direction in which it mainly stretches. This
represents the main extension direction of the supporting frame 13. The swivel axis of the
three contact arms 21, 22 is aligned on the one hand vertical to this longitudinal direction
or main extension direction. On the other hand, the swivel axis of the three contact arms
21, 22 is aligned mainly vertical to the cylindrical axis of the respective corresponding
heavy duty switch bar 11. If the heavy duty switch bars 11, as described, are mainly
vertically aligned, then the swivel axes of the contact arms 21, 22 are mainly arranged
horizontally. In figure 3 the swivel axis of one of the three contact arms 21 has been
shown as dashed line and identified with the reference sign 20.
In the switch-on position that is depicted in figure 1 with dashed line, the contact arm 21
or 22 is aligned in vertical direction. The free end of the contact arm 21 or 22 is in
electrical contact with the first terminal 16 of the corresponding heavy duty switch bar
11. In the switch-off position that is depicted as continuous lines in figure 1, the contact
arm 21 or 22 is arranged almost vertical. The free end of the contact arm 21 or 22 is not
in electrical contact with any other structural part.
The contact arm 21 arranged in figure 1 on the left side against the supporting frame 13
swivels in the depiction in figure 1 from the switch-on position towards the right in
clockwise direction to the switch-off position. This is indicated in figure 1 by a dashed
quadrant 24. The same applies for the contact arm 21 arranged at the centre at the centre

The drive 28 has a rotate-able drive shaft 31 that is aligned almost in vertical direction.
At the free end of the shaft 31 there is a connecting lever 32 that can be swivelled on a
horizontal plane. This connecting lever 32 is coupled through a connecting rod 33 to a
lever 34 that is allocated to the central contact arm 21 and that can be swivelled on a
vertical plane. This lever 34 is coupled through two rods 35, 36 with further levers 37, 38
that are allocated to both the outer contact arms 21, 22 and that can similarly be swivelled
on a vertical plane. The three already mentioned levers 34, 37, 38 are joined through
respective corresponding shafts 39 to the contact arms 21, 22. The shafts 39 are supported
within the supporting frame 13 and aligned horizontally.
A rotation movement 41 of the drive shaft 31 in clockwise direction leads to a thrust
movement 42 of the connecting rod 33 in the direction shown in figure 4. The resulting
swivel movement of the connecting lever 32 on the horizontal plane is thereby converted
into a swivel movement 43 of the lever 34 on a vertical plane. Through the rods 35, 36
this swivel movement 43 is transmitted to the lever 37, 38. Both rods 37, 38 then execute
thrust movements 44, 45 that are opposite to one another, as shown in figure 4. This
results in the shafts 39 allocated to both outer contact arms 21, 22 executing swivel
movements opposite to one another. In figure 4, the shaft 39 arranged on the left side
executed the same swivel movement 43 as the central shaft in anticlockwise direction;
however, the shaft 39 on the right side executes an opposite swivel movement 46 in
clockwise direction. Through the shafts 39 the swivel movements 43, 46 are transmitted
to the respective contact arms 21, 22. This results in both the outer contact arms 21, 22
swivelling in directions opposite to one another.
If the drive shaft 31 is rotated in anticlockwise direction, then this results in
corresponding opposite movements of the described structural parts.
The earthing switches 12 in figures 1 to 4 can also be designed as so called swivel-thrust-
earthing switch. This means that the earthing switches are first swivelled as described in a
vertical direction in order to execute a thrust movement in this vertical direction. With

this thrust movement the contact arms 21, 22 of the earthing switch dip into ring-shaped
or similarly designed contact pieces that stand away from the terminals 16. In this way a
safe electrical contact is established between the contact arms 21, 22 and the terminals 16
that stays intact even at forces occurring at higher currents.
It is further possible to even earth the second terminals 17 of the heavy duty switch bars
11. For this, a further lever can be provided on the rear side of the supporting frame 13,
which is coupled with additional contact arms. These contact arms can then be swung
into a switch-on position, in which the second terminals 17 are earthed separately and
independent of the first terminals 16. Similarly, the contact arms 21, 22 explained on the
basis of figures 1 to 4 can be designed longer than depicted, so that they can earth not
only the first terminals 16 but also simultaneously the second terminals 17. In both cases,
by appropriately selecting the horizontal distance and the vertical height of the heavy
duty switch bar, it can be achieved that the central contact arm 21 is arranged
significantly in front of the supporting frame 13 even in switch-off position and hence
largely in the region of the switchgear 10.
It is also possible that a mechanical locking is foreseen between the heavy duty switch
bars 11 and the earthing switches 12. This locking could, for example, be designed in
such a way that the earthing switch 12 can be moved into the switch-on position only
when the heavy duty switch bars 11 are electrically open, and/or that the heavy duty
switch bars 11 can be electrically closed only when the earthing switches 12 are in their
switch-off position.
Alternatively it is possible that the common drive 28 shown in figures 1 to 4 is replaced
for all three earthing switches 12 by three separate drives that are allocated to the
respective earthing switches 12. It is further pointed out that the heavy duty switch bars
11 are coupled with a drive that is allocated to the supporting frame 13. One could either
have a common drive for all three heavy duty switch bars 12 or individual drives for the
respective heavy duty switch bars 12.

Patent Claims
1. Electrical switchgear (10) with at least two heavy duty switch bars (11) arranged
beside on another on a supporting frame (13), and with two earthing switches (12)
driven by a lever (27), which are allocated to both the heavy duty switch bars (11)
and meant for their electrical earthing,
having the distinctive feature that
each of the earthing switches (12) has a swivel-able contact arm (21, 22) whose
swivel axis (20) is aligned vertical to the main extension direction of the
supporting frame (13); and both the contact arms (21, 22) fixed at the ends of the
supporting frame (13) can be swivelled by the lever (27) in directions opposite to
one another towards the supporting frame (13).
2. Switchgear (10) as per claim 1,
having the distinctive feature that
the swivel axes (20) of the contact arms (21, 22) are aligned largely vertical to an
axis formed by the respective corresponding heavy duty switch bar (11).
3. Switchgear (10) as per claim 1 or 2,
having the distinctive feature that
the swivel axes (20) of the contact arms (21, 22) are aligned horizontally.
4. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 3,
having the distinctive feature that
the contact arms (21, 22) are arranged vertically in a switch-on position.
5. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 4,
having the distinctive feature that
the contact arms (21, 22) are arranged horizontally in a switch-off position.

9
6. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 5,
having the distinctive feature that
the contact arms (21, 22) in a switch-off position are arranged largely in front of
the supporting frame (13).
7. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 6,
having the distinctive feature that
the earthing switches (12) are designed as swing-thrust-earthing switches.
8. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 7,
where each of the heavy duty switch bars (11) has two terminals (16, 17),
having the distinctive feature that
a separate contact arm for earthing is allocated to each of the terminals (16, 17).
9. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 7,
where each of the heavy duty switch bars (11) has two terminals (16, 17),
having the distinctive feature that
the same contact arm for earthing is allocated to both the terminals (16, 17).
10. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 9,
having the distinctive feature that
the heavy duty switch bars (11) and the earthing switches (12) are locked against
one another.
11. Switchgear (10) as per one of the claims 1 to 10,
having the distinctive feature that
the earthing switches (12) have flexible earthing ropes and/or slide contacts for
earthing.

The invention describes an electrical switchgear
assembly (10). The switchgear assembly (10) has at least two
circuit breaker poles (11), which are arranged next to one another
on a mounting frame (13). Furthermore, two grounding switches
(12) are provided which are driven via a lever system (27),
are assigned to the two circuit breaker poles (11)
and are provided for electrically grounding said circuit breaker
poles. Each of the grounding switches (12) has a pivotable contact
r arm (21, 22) whose pivot axis (20) is aligned approximately perpeendicularly
with respect to the main direction of extent of the
mounting frame (13). The two contact arms (21, 22), which are arranged at the ends of the mounting frame (13) can be pivoted by the
lever system (27) in mutually opposite directions in the direction
towards the mounting frame (13).

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=OVJbZ2j5uLl8du7iQPLYdg==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 271760
Indian Patent Application Number 1610/KOLNP/2008
PG Journal Number 10/2016
Publication Date 04-Mar-2016
Grant Date 02-Mar-2016
Date of Filing 22-Apr-2008
Name of Patentee AREVA ENERGIETECHNIK GMBH
Applicant Address LYONER STRASSE 44-48, 60528 FRANKFURT
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 ACHIM STELTER SEEBERGSTR. 22 34128 KASSEL
2 FRANK NIENRODT BIRKENWEG 20A, 34320 SOEHREWALD
3 LUTZ DREWS FERDINAND-TAEFLER-STRASSE 7, 37127 DRANSFELD
PCT International Classification Number H01H 31/28
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2006/010944
PCT International Filing date 2006-11-15
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 102005054842.3 2005-11-15 Germany