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Title:
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR WITH DIGITAL CONTROL FUNCTIONALITIES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/238597
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear which comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms having corresponding operating devices, at least a first of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms being a circuit breaker and at least a first of said operating devices being a motor-actuated operating device associated to said circuit breaker; the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear of the present invention is characterized in that said motor-actuated operating device is operatively connected to an electrical drive control system which is adapted for controlling said motor-actuated operating device and at least a second of said operating devices.

Inventors:
ERRICO ENNIO (IT)
SCARPACI SEBASTIANO (IT)
SCOTTI LORENZO (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2019/065065
Publication Date:
December 19, 2019
Filing Date:
June 10, 2019
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ABB SCHWEIZ AG (CH)
International Classes:
H02B11/10; H01H33/36; H01H33/52; H02B15/00; H02H11/00; H02J13/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2009053309A12009-04-30
WO2008046743A22008-04-24
WO2018083309A22018-05-11
WO2002023572A12002-03-21
Foreign References:
EP3089186A12016-11-02
DE102014103230B32015-06-11
Other References:
"Protection & Control Catalogue, MiCOM C434 Bay Unit for Control and Monitoring", 20010101, 1 January 2001 (2001-01-01), pages 2 - 19, XP002505596
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GIAVARINI, Francesco et al. (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100) comprising a plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504) having corresponding operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) operatively connected (210, 310, 410) to an operating member (5, 6, 7), at least a first of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms being a circuit breaker (2; 502) and at least a first of said operating devices being a motor- actuated operating device (21; 521) associated to said circuit breaker (2; 502), characterized in that said motor- actuated operating device (21; 521) is operatively connected to an electrical drive control system (20; 520) which is adapted for controlling said mo tor- actuated operating device (21; 521) and at least a second of said operating devices (31, 41; 531, 541).

2. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to claim 1, characterized in that said electrical drive control system (20; 520) is adapted to send control signals (202, 203, 204; 53, 56, 59) to said motor-actuated operating device (21; 521) and to at least said second operating device (31, 41; 531, 541), and to receive from them signals (202, 203, 204; 53, 56, 59) indicative of an operative condition of said motor- actuated operating device (21; 521) and second operating device (31, 41; 531, 541).

3. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one or more of said plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504) comprises one or more auxiliary equipment adapted to send a signal (202, 203, 204; 53, 56, 59) indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504) to said electrical drive control system (20; 520).

4. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that one or more of said operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) comprises a digital interface (51, 54, 57) adapted to send a digital signal (53, 56, 59) indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) to said electrical drive control system (20; 520).

5. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (3, 4; 503, 504) are selected among one or more of the following: circuit breakers, disconnectors, disconnecting circuit breakers, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches, blocking mechanisms.

6. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to one or more of claims 3-5, characterized in that said auxiliary equipment is selected among one or more of the following: auxiliary contacts, positions switches, operating device protection relays, interlocking relays.

7. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that said electrical drive control system (20; 520) is adapted to provide power supply (82, 83, 84) to one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504) and/or to program a control logic for one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504).

8. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to one or more of previous claims, characterized in that a first of said electrical apparatuses is a circuit breaker (2, 502) having a corresponding first motor-actuated operating device (21; 521), and in that one or more further electrical apparatuses (3, 4; 503, 504) are selected among one or more of the following: disconnectors, earthing switches, fast acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches, having corresponding motor- actuated operating devices (31, 41; 531, 541) in digital communication (53, 56, 59) with said electrical drive control system (20; 520).

9. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to claim 8, characterized in that one or more of said motor- actuated operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) comprises a digital interface (51, 54, 57) adapted to send a digital signal (53, 56, 59) indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said motor- actuated operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) to said electrical drive control system (20; 520) .

10. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that one or more of said motor-actuated operating devices (21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541) comprises an electronic unit including a transducer adapted to detect an operative condition of a corresponding electrical apparatus (2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504) and to output a signal (52, 55, 58) indicative of said operative condition.

11. A multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear (1, 100), according to claim 10, characterized in that said digital interface (51, 54, 57) comprises an electronic board for transducer signal processing and position control (52, 55, 58).

Description:
MULTI-FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATED HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCHGEAR WITH

DIGITAL CONTROL FUNCTIONALITIES DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a multifunctional high voltage switchgear, in particular to a multifunctional integrated high voltage switchgear having integrated digital control and communication functionalities. For the purposes of the present invention, the term“high voltage” is used to designate operating voltages above 1000 volts AC.

It is known from the state of the art that high voltage apparatuses can be associated in integrated switchgears that combine a number of functionalities, e.g. circuit breaker functionalities, disconnecting functionalities earthing/fast-earthing functionalities and similar functionalities. Examples of multi-functional switchgears are the Gas Insulated Switchgears, the hybrid modules (e.g. the ABB PASS modules), the Air Insulated Switchgears, the Disconnecting Circuit Breakers combined with earthing switches, and similar switchgears.

In general, multi-functional High Voltage Switchgears are nowadays starting to adopt electronic Local Control Cubicles based on PLC (Programmable Logic Control), to replace conventional Local Control Cubicles based on analogic components such as relays and contactors. Multi-functional High Voltage Switchgears, such as those previously described, require the Local Control Cubicles to manage in addition to the circuit breaker, also one or more disconnectors and/or earthing switches and/or fast-acting earthing switches.

It is known that circuit breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches can be conveniently operated by dedicated electro-mechanical drives based on the use of a gear-motor with single or multi-stage mechanical reduction, and provided with physical auxiliary contacts, that are used by the Local Control Cubicles, to whom they are linked through analogic connectors and cables.

Auxiliary contacts are linked to the drive shaft by means of different mechanical solutions, generally including gear reductions, endless screws, cam disc actuators and similar equipment, which require a certain space in the drive enclosure, thereby having a significant impact on manufacturing costs.

To be connected to an electronic Local Control Cubicles, each drive needs a dedicated I/O board with A/D converter, which means having a significant variability of cost and space occupancy in the Local Control Cubicles, depending on the number of apparatuses (circuit breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches) to be managed. Moreover, auxiliary contacts have to be manually adjusted during production, in order to compensate tolerances. Having much smaller strokes than the main contacts of the high voltage active parts, this adjustment is usually a relatively long and complex process, requiring skilled operators. This process has be repeated every time the drive is re-mounted on the high voltage apparatus, e.g. for shipping or maintenance purposes.

As a further drawback, the use of the conventional solution is sometimes a limit for the control capability, due to a maximum number of auxiliary contacts that can be fitted in the drive enclosure. The issue is usually overcome by the use of relays in the Local Control Cubicles, but such solution leads to an increase of the cost and space occupation.

On the basis of the above considerations, there is a need to have available technical solutions for multi-functional high voltage switchgears that will enable the limits and the problems set forth above to be overcome.

Hence, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear with digital control functionalities, which allows overcoming at least some of the above-mentioned shortcomings.

In particular, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgears, in which the circuitry and wiring is reduced and simplified with respect to the conventional high voltage switchgears.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear, in which the operating mechanisms to achieve a desired functionality are simplified.

Moreover, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear, in which the number of analogic components is reduced, and at the same time the functionalities are increased - or at least maintained - with respect to the conventional high voltage switchgears.

In addition, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear, in which the adjustment operations during manufacturing or maintenance are simplified.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear, which have a more simple and compact structure, in terms of both the number of cubicles needed and the volume occupied by the components inside the cubicle(s). Also, the present disclosure is aimed at providing a multi-functional integrated high voltage switchgear, which has a compact structure with a reduced number of components, is reliable and relatively easy to produce at competitive costs.

Thus, the present disclosure relates to a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear which comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms having corresponding operating devices, at least a first of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms being a circuit breaker and at least a first of said operating devices being a motor- actuated operating device associated to said circuit breaker; the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear of the present invention is characterized in that said motor- actuated operating device is operatively connected to an electrical drive control system which is adapted for controlling said motor- actuated operating device and at least a second of said operating devices.

As better explained in the following description, thanks to the innovative structure of the control system of the multifunctional high voltage switchgear of the present invention - in which a number of functionalities are integrated in an electrical/digital operating mechanism - the above-mentioned problems can be avoided, or at least greatly reduced.

In practice, in the multifunctional integrated high voltage switchgear of the present disclosure, a number of functionalities related to a number of different electrical apparatuses and mechanisms, can be integrated in one and the same electrical drive control system, i.e. the electrical drive control system of the motor- actuated operating device of the circuit breaker, thereby making unnecessary the complex wiring and circuitry for functionally connecting the various operating devices to a central control cubicle.

In other words, the functionalities managed by the conventional central control cubicles based on analogic components of the prior art switchgears, in the presently disclosed multifunctional integrated high voltage switchgear are managed by an electrical drive control system present in the switchgear. In this way, some of the electromechanical components currently used in prior art systems can be replaced by more simple and cheap sensors.

Thus, as better explained in the following description, in a typical embodiment of a multifunctional integrated high voltage switchgear according to the present disclosure, said electrical drive control system is adapted to send control signals to said motor- actuated operating device of said circuit breaker and to at least said second operating device, and to receive from them signals indicative of an operative condition of said motor- actuated operating device of the circuit breaker as well as of said second operating device, thereby carrying out the position sensing and control functionalities on a number of operating devices. In particular, in an embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, according to the present disclosure, one or more of said plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms comprises one or more auxiliary equipment adapted to send a signal indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms to said electrical drive control system. For instance, said signal indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said plurality of electrical apparatuses can be a signal indicative of an open or closed status of an earthing switch, or a signal indicative of the position of a blocking mechanism in an interlocking system, or similar signals.

In a particular embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, one or more of said operating devices comprises a digital interface adapted to send a digital signal indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said operating devices to said electrical drive control system.

In practice, according to this embodiment, one or more analogic auxiliary equipment in an operating device, e.g. an electro-mechanical drive of a disconnector, can be replaced by an electronic unit adapted to generate a digital signal. The operating device is then digitally connected to the electrical drive control system (Local Control Cubicle), e.g. by means of a serial port.

In this way, the electrical drive control system can manage a certain number of operating device (e.g., electro-mechanical drives) with a single board, without A/D conversion, saving space, costs and strongly reducing the variability.

In typical embodiments of the presently disclosed multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms can be conveniently selected, for example, among one or more of the following: circuit breakers, disconnectors, disconnecting circuit breakers, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches, blocking and interlocking mechanisms.

Typical examples of auxiliary equipment that can be used in the presently disclosed multi functional integrated High Voltage switchgears can be one or more of the following: auxiliary contacts, positions switches, position indicators, operating device protection relays, interlocking relays.

In a preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear said electrical drive control system is also adapted to provide power supply to one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms.

In a greatly preferred embodiment of the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, the electrical drive control system is also adapted to programming a control logic for one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms. In practice, according to this embodiment, if modifications of functionalities for one or more operating devices are required, e.g. modification of interlocking functionalities for earthing switches and blocking mechanisms, such modifications can be easily carried out without any physical change by reprogramming of logical functions of the electrical drive control system.

In an exemplary embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, according to the present disclosure, a first of said electrical apparatuses is a circuit breaker having a corresponding first motor-actuated operating device, and one or more further electrical apparatuses are selected among one or more of the following: disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches. Said one or more further electrical apparatuses are conveniently provided with corresponding motor- actuated operating devices (Drives) which are in digital communication with said electrical drive control system.

To this purpose, one or more of said motor-actuated operating devices conveniently comprises a digital interface which is adapted to send a digital signal indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of said motor-actuated operating devices to said electrical drive control system.

In practice, according to this further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed multi functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, the electrical apparatuses (e.g., disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches) are conveniently provided with a corresponding motor- actuated operating device in which the auxiliary contacts and the related mechanical systems are replaced by an electronic unit including a transducer. Said transducer is adapted to detect an operative condition of a corresponding electrical apparatus and to output a signal indicative of said operative condition.

The digital interface between the motor- actuated operating device and the electrical drive control system can conveniently comprise an electronic board for transducer signal processing and position control. Such electronic board can be fitted either in the motor- actuated operating device or located in the electrical drive control system.

In this way, the electrical drive control system (Local Control Cubicle) can conveniently manage a certain number of motor- actuated operating device with a single board, without A/D conversion, saving space and costs and strongly reducing the variability.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more clear from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear of the present invention, shown by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic block representation of a general embodiment of a multi functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic block representation of a further general embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, according to the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic block representation of an exemplary embodiment of a multi functional integrated High Voltage switchgear, according to the invention.

With reference to the attached figures, the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear of the present disclosure, designated by the reference numerals 1, 100 in its more general definition, comprises a plurality of electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4; 502, 503, 504 having corresponding operating devices 21, 31, 41; 521, 531, 541.

At least a first 2, 502 of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms is a circuit breaker and, in general, said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 3, 4; 503, 504 can be for example one or more of the following: circuit breakers, disconnectors, disconnecting circuit breakers, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches, blocking mechanisms.

The operating devices 21, 31, 41; 121, 131, 141; 521, 531, 541 are operatively connected 210, 310, 410 to an operating member 5, 6, 7, which - depending on the kind of apparatus - can be, for instance, the movable contact assembly of a circuit breaker, the movable contact assembly of a disconnector, the earthing blade of an earthing switch, a block mechanism of a disconnecting circuit breaker, and similar operating members.

One of the distinguishing features of the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 1, 100 of the present disclosure is given by the fact that at least a first of said operating devices is a motor- actuated operating device 21; 521 which is associated to said circuit breaker 2, 502 and operatively connected to an electrical drive control system 20; 520.

A further distinguishing features of the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 1, 100 of the present disclosure is given by the fact that the electrical drive control system 20; 520 is adapted for controlling not only said motor- actuated operating device 21; 521 of said circuit breaker 2, 502, but also and at least a second of said operating devices 31, 41; 531, 541.

The electrical drive control system 20; 520 is also conveniently provided with digital communication means 200, and/or analogue communication means 85 for customer interface, as well as with power supply means 8.

In this way, with reference to figure 1, a number of functionalities related to a number of different electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4, can be integrated in the electrical drive control system 20 of the circuit breaker 2, thereby reducing the number of components needed and simplifying circuitry and wiring of the system.

The electrical drive control system 20 is conveniently adapted to send control signals 202, 203, 204 to said motor- actuated operating device 21 of the circuit breaker 2, as well as to the operating device 31, 41 of the other apparatuses and mechanisms 3 and 4. Moreover, the electrical drive control system 20 is also conveniently adapted to receive from the apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4 signals 202, 203, 204 which are indicative of an operative condition of the corresponding operating devices 21, 31, 41, thereby carrying out full control and monitoring of the various apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4.

To this purpose, one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4 conveniently comprise one or more auxiliary equipment which are adapted to send to the electrical drive control system 20 a signal 202, 203, 204 which is indicative of an operative condition of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4.

For example, said auxiliary equipment can be one or more of the following: auxiliary contacts, positions switches, position indicators, contactors, operating device protection relays, interlocking relays.

With reference to figure 3, in an embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 100, according to the present disclosure, one or more of the operating devices 521, 531, 541 can conveniently comprise a digital interface 51, 54, 57 which is adapted to send a digital signal 53, 56, 59 indicative of an operative condition of the corresponding operating devices 521, 531, 541 to the electrical drive control system 520.

Preferably, as shown in figure 2, the electrical drive control system 20 is also conveniently adapted to provide power supply 82, 83, 84 to one or more of said electrical apparatuses and mechanisms 2, 3, 4.

With reference to figure 3, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 100 comprises a circuit breaker 502 having a corresponding first motor- actuated operating device 521 operatively connected to the contact assembly 505 of the circuit breaker 502,

Furthermore, the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 100 comprises one or more further electrical apparatuses 503, 504 which are selected among one or more of the following: disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches. The electrical apparatuses 503, 504 are provided with corresponding motor- actuated operating devices 531, 541 (Electrical Drives), which are operatively connected to the contact assemblies 506, 507 of the corresponding apparatuses 503, 504.

The motor-actuated operating devices 531, 541 are in digital communication 53, 56, 59 with an electrical drive control system 520 (Local Control Cubicle). To this purpose, the motor- actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 are conveniently provided with a digital interface 51, 54, 57 which is adapted to send a digital signal 53, 56, 59 indicative of an operative condition of said one or more of a corresponding motor- actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 to said electrical drive control system 520.

One of the distinguishing features of this embodiment of a multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear 100 is given by the fact that the auxiliary contacts and the related mechanical systems normally present the motor- actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 are replaced by an electronic unit including a transducer which is adapted to detect an operative condition of a corresponding electrical apparatus 502, 503, 504 and to output a signal 52, 55, 58 which is indicative of said operative condition.

The above-mentioned digital interface 51, 54, 57 then advantageously comprises an electronic board for transducer signal processing and position control 52, 55, 58, that can be located in the motor-actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 or in the electrical drive control system 520 (Local Control Cubicle).

The electrical drive control system 520 can manage a certain number of motor-actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 with a single board, without A/D conversion, thereby saving space, cost and strongly reducing the variability.

Moreover, no complex mechanical adjustments are required, since the programmable electronics of the electrical drive control system 520 allow automatic offset of the transducer, to compensate tolerances in a fail-proof manner.

Moreover, the electronic unit with a transducer is generally more compact and has a lower cost with respect to the mechanical auxiliary contacts system, thereby leading to smaller and more economical motor- actuated operating devices 521, 531, 541 (Electrical Drives) for the various apparatuses (disconnectors, earthing switches, fast-acting earthing switches, combined disconnectors and earthing switches).

Finally, as previously said, the use of the conventional solution is sometimes a limit for the control capability, due to a maximum N° of auxiliary contacts that can be fitted in the drive enclosure. The issue is usually overcome by the use of relays in the LCC, which increases the cost and space occupation. The use of an electrical drive control system 520 and related features as disclosed herein, intrinsically solves this problem, as the inputs for the control are virtually infinite.

Several variations can be made to the multi-functional integrated High Voltage switchgear thus conceived, all falling within the scope of the attached claims. In practice, the materials used and the contingent dimensions and shapes can be any, according to requirements and to the state of the art.