Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to an electrical switchgear comprising at least one power switch
and a grounding switch associated with said power switch for electrically grounding
said power switch.
[0002] The invention further relates to a method of operating such electrical switchgear.
Background
[0003] An electrical switchgear of the aforementioned type is known from
EP 1 786 010 B1.
[0004] DE 199 00219 A1 discloses a locking unit comprising a plurality of elements which are movably attached
to each other.
[0005] Document
US 4 644 113 A discloses an electric safety device for sequentially controlling a power switch and
a grounding switch of a high voltage electric device, comprising a motor for driving
a threaded shaft, which drives a movable threaded sleeve to rotate sequentially a
pair of rotary members each including a wheel having a recess on its periphery, said
periphery actuating the power respectively the grounding switch, a rod axially extending
from a center of the wheel and disposed perpendicularly to said threaded shaft, and
a radial guide piece clamped to said rod to be engaged by said sleeve.
Summary
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved switchgear and method
of operating such switchgear which offer an increased operational flexibility and
reliability.
[0007] According to the present invention, regarding the electrical switchgear, said object
is achieved by the feature combination of claim 1. This offers an increased degree
of operational flexibility and reliability and helps to avoid undesired combinations
of operational states of the power switch(es) and the associated grounding switch(es),
which may even lead to destruction of the switchgear.
[0008] According to an embodiment, said interlocking unit is configured to selectively lock
either said first drive mechanism or said second drive mechanism.
[0009] Advantageously, at least one locking element, which is a locking bolt, is provided
for locking said first drive mechanism and/or said second drive mechanism. In a preferred
variant, one or more locking bolts may be employed that have a basically circular
cylindrical shape.
[0010] Further advantageously, a drive unit is provided to move said at least one locking
bolt, wherein said drive unit comprises at least one electromechanical actuator, particularly
at least one of a stepper motor, a series-characteristic motor, wherein optionally
a reduction gear may be provided. This enables remote control of the interlocking
unit and thus increased security for the staff, because manual interaction with components
of the drive mechanism is not required any more.
[0011] According to a further embodiment, said drive unit is configured to axially move
said locking bolt between a first axial end position and a second axial end position,
wherein preferably a maximum stroke between said first and second axial end positions
ranges from about 20 millimeters to about 200 millimeters.
[0012] Further advantageously, a control unit is provided for controlling an operation of
said interlocking unit, wherein preferably said control unit is arranged at and/or
within a housing of said interlocking unit, and wherein preferably said control unit
comprises an interface configured to exchange control information and/or data with
a further device. This advantageously further supports remote operation of the interlocking
unit but also offers the possibility of executing monitoring and/or control functions
directly locally in the interlocking unit.
[0013] According to a further embodiment, a thermal control unit is provided within a housing
of said interlocking unit, wherein said thermal control unit is configured to influence
an internal temperature and/or an internal humidity within said housing.
[0014] According to a further embodiment, one or more sensors (and/or switches) are provided
for detecting an operational state of the switchgear and/or of the interlocking unit.
[0015] According to the invention, said second drive mechanism comprises a shaft, preferably
a hollow shaft, and a locking disc which is arranged on said shaft in a torque proof
manner, wherein said locking disc comprises at least one opening configured to receive
an axial end section of said locking bolt.
[0016] According to a further embodiment, a manual drive mechanism (e.g., a crank handle
that may be used to drive a shaft of a motor of the drive unit) is provided, which
enables to manually influence an operational state of the interlocking unit, especially
in emergency situations or faults of a control unit.
[0017] A further solution to the object of the present invention is provided by a method
according to claim 13. Further advantageous embodiments are subject of the dependent
claims.
Brief description of the figures
[0018] Further features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are given in the
following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which:
- Fig. 1a
- schematically depicts a front view of an electrical switchgear according to an embodiment,
- Fig. 1b
- schematically depicts a side view of said switchgear according to Fig. 1a,
- Fig. 2
- schematically depicts a block diagram of a switchgear according to an embodiment,
- Fig. 3
- schematically depicts a perspective view of an interlocking unit according to an embodiment,
- Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c
- schematically depict a perspective view of an interlocking unit according to a further
embodiment in different operational states,
- Fig. 5
- schematically depicts a perspective view of a drive unit according to an embodiment,
- Fig. 6
- schematically depicts a perspective view of an interlocking unit according to a further
embodiment,
- Fig. 7
- schematically depicts a perspective view of a drive unit of the interlocking unit
according to Fig. 6,
- Fig. 8
- schematically depicts a coordinate axis according to an embodiment, and
- Fig. 9
- schematically depicts a simplified flow-chart of a method according to the embodiments.
[0019] Figure 1a schematically depicts a front view of an electrical switchgear 10 according
to an embodiment.
[0020] According to the present example, the switchgear 10 is configured as three-phase
switchgear having three power switches 11 only one of which is denoted with a reference
sign. The switchgear 10 also comprises three grounding switches 12 each of which is
associated with a respective power switch 11 for electrically grounding said power
switch 11. The embodiments are not limited to switchgear having three electrical phases.
Rather, the inventive principle may also be applied to single-phase switchgear, i.e.
having a single power switch 11 and an associated grounding switch 12, or to systems
having two phases or more than three phases. Nevertheless, for the further explanations,
reference will be made to the three-phase switchgear 10 exemplarily depicted by Fig.
1a.
[0021] As can be seen from Fig. 1a, the switchgear 10 comprises a supporting frame 13 on
which said power switches 11 and their associated grounding switches 12 are arranged,
said supporting frame 13 having two racks 14 for attachment to a supporting surface
(not shown), i.e. a ground surface or a foundation.
[0022] In case of more than one switch 11, i.e. as exemplarily depicted by Fig. 1a, all
power switch poles represented by the respective power switches 11 may have the same
configuration and may e.g. be configured as per se known high-voltage power switches
or high-voltage power switches with disconnecting functionality (particularly according
to IEC 62271-108), which may also be referred to as "disconnecting circuit breaker"
(DCB). According to a further embodiment, the power switches 11 may also be configured
as high-voltage load break switches. According to a further embodiment, each of said
power switch poles comprises a basically cylindrical shape and is arranged on a top
surface of supporting frame 13.
[0023] According to an embodiment, each of the three power switches 11 comprises a first
terminal 16, which may be displaced relative to the top surface of supporting frame
13 by means of an insulator 18 (insulator 18 may also be denoted as support insulator),
and a second terminal 17 arranged at a vertical top section of the power switch pole
represented by power switch 11. Between terminals 16, 17, a further insulator 18 may
be provided, which may e.g. comprise a switching chamber. Generally, one or more components
of the power switch 11 may be arranged in said insulator(s) 18 in a per se known manner.
[0024] Each of the power switches 11 is equipped with a respective grounding switch 12.
The grounding switches 12 may be connected to electrical ground e.g. by means of the
supporting frame 13 and the racks 14. It is also possible that at least some components,
particularly movable components, of said grounding switches 12 are electrically connected
to the frame 13 and/or the racks 14 by means of flexible grounding cables or sliding
contacts. According to one embodiment, all three grounding switches 12 may comprise
a basically identical configuration with pivotable contact arms 21, also cf. the dashed
quadrant lines 22 indicating a path of movement from the surface of the supporting
frame 13 to the first terminal 16 of the first power switch 11.
[0025] In a first operational state of the grounding switch 12, the "switched-on" state,
the contact arm 21 is in a vertically upright position, in electrical contact with
the first terminal 16 of the switch 11 thus grounding said switch 11. In a second
operational state, the "switched-off" state, the contact arm 21 is in a horizontal
position, i.e. basically in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the supporting frame
13, thus not grounding said switch 11. Further details of the grounding switches are
provided in
EP 1 786 010 B1, cf. e.g. paragraphs [0019] to [0031].
[0026] As can also be seen from Fig. 1a, a first drive mechanism 110 is provided at the
supporting frame 13, said first drive mechanism 110 being configured to drive said
power switch 11 in a per se known manner. For example, the first drive mechanism 110
may comprise a spring drive mechanism enabling storage of mechanical energy for driving
or moving, respectively, one or more components of the switch 11 to effect a change
of said switch 11 from a first operational state to a second operational state and
vice versa. According to one embodiment, the drive mechanism 110 may comprise a spring
drive mechanism, for example of the "FK3" type series of Alstom Grid.
[0027] Further, a second drive mechanism 120 is provided for driving said grounding switch
12, particularly the movement of the pivotable contact arm(s) 21 as already explained
above.
[0028] Generally, both drive mechanisms 110, 120 may comprise one or more movable shafts
and/or hollow shafts and/or levers and/or rod linkages and the like to establish a
functional chain for transferring movement energy or "switching energy" from an energy
source such as a spring energy store and/or a motor drive and/or a manual drive or
the like to at least one movable component of the power switch 11 and the grounding
switch 12.
[0029] According to the present invention, an interlocking unit 200 is provided, which is
configured to lock said first drive mechanism 110 and/or said second drive mechanism
120 thus advantageously enabling to control or even prevent changes in the operational
states of the power switch(es) 11 and the grounding switch(es) 12.
[0030] According to an example, as can be seen from Fig. 1a, the interlocking unit 200 is
arranged at or within the supporting frame 13, preferably close to the drive mechanisms
110, 120.
[0031] Fig. 1b schematically depicts a side view of said switchgear 10 according to Fig.
1a. As can be seen from Fig. 1b, the interlocking unit 200 is arranged between the
drive mechanisms 110, 120.
[0032] Fig. 2 schematically depicts a block diagram of the interlocking unit 200 according
to an embodiment.
In this embodiment, at least one locking bolt is provided for locking said first drive
mechanism 110 and/or said second drive mechanism 120. Presently, without limitation
to the generality of the foregoing, two locking bolts 202', 202" are provided, which,
according to a further embodiment, may e.g. be individually moved by a drive unit
210 of said interlocking unit 200.
[0033] A control unit 220 is provided for control of said drive unit 210 and thus for controlling
the operational states of the locking bolts 202', 202''. The control unit 220 may
comprise a calculating unit (not shown) such as e.g. a microcontroller and/or microprocessor
and/or digital signal processor (DSP) and/or an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC) and/or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or the like.
[0034] According to an embodiment, said control unit 220 is arranged at and/or within a
housing (not shown in Fig. 2) of said interlocking unit 200, wherein preferably said
control unit 220 comprises an interface 222 configured to exchange control information
222a and/or data 222a with a further device, e.g. an external control device (not
shown) for controlling operation of said switchgear (Fig. 1a).
[0035] According to an embodiment, particularly, the first locking bolt 202' may be moved
by said interlocking unit 200 or its drive unit 210, respectively, at least between
two different operational states, wherein in a first operational state, the first
locking bolt 202' does not lock the drive mechanism 110 for the switch 11 (Fig. 1a)
thus not preventing the switch 11 from altering its operational state, and wherein
in a second operational state, the first locking bolt 202' does lock the drive mechanism
110 for the switch 11 thus preventing the switch 11 from altering its operational
state.
[0036] In analogy, according to an embodiment, the second locking bolt 202" (Fig. 2) may
also be moved by said interlocking unit 200 or its drive unit 210, respectively, at
least between two different operational states, wherein in a first operational state,
the second locking bolt 202" does not lock the drive mechanism 120 for the grounding
switch 12 (Fig. 1a) thus not preventing the grounding switch 12 from altering its
operational state, and wherein in a second operational state, the second locking bolt
202" does lock the drive mechanism 120 for the grounding switch 12 thus preventing
the grounding switch 12 from altering its operational state.
[0037] Locking a drive mechanism 110, 120 may e.g. be affected by moving a locking bolt
into a position where movement of at least one movable component of the drive mechanism
110, 120 to be locked may be prevented, e.g. by means of form closure of the locking
bolt with said at least one movable component, also cf. the embodiments explained
below with reference to Fig. 3, 4, for example.
[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, as already mentioned above, the drive unit 210
of the interlocking unit 200 may be configured such that individually driving either
said first locking bolt 202' and/or said second locking bolt 202" is possible. I.e.,
in this case, the first and second locking bolts 202', 202" may be driven by the interlocking
unit 200 independently from each other.
[0039] According to the invention, a drive unit 210 is provided to move said at least one
locking bolt 202', 202", wherein said drive unit 210 comprises at least one electromechanical
actuator, particularly at least one of a stepper motor, a series-characteristic motor,
wherein optionally a reduction gear may be provided.
[0040] According to a further embodiment, two motor drives may be provided which may be
controlled by control unit to selectively move the locking bolts 202', 202" thus individually
locking the switches 11 and/or 12.
[0041] In case of switchgear 10 (Fig. 1a) having more than one electrical phase, as is well
known, all power switches 11 may be controlled by the first drive unit 110 collectively.
Likewise, all grounding switches 12 may be controlled by the second drive unit 120
collectively. In this configuration, for the inventive locking unit 200 to work properly,
it may be sufficient to configure the locking bolts 201', 202" such that each locking
bolt 202', 202" may lock a component of the respective drive unit 110, 120 which collectively
drives further components of the drive units 110, 120 that may be provided for distributing
the driving force of the respective unit 110, 120 to individual ones of said switches
11 and grounding switches 12. In other words, according to an embodiment, said locking
unit 200 may be arranged and configured to centrally exert its locking effect to the
respective driving mechanism.
[0042] According to an embodiment, the interlocking unit 200 is configured to selectively
lock either said first drive mechanism 110 or said second drive mechanism 120, preferably
independently of each other.
[0043] According to an embodiment, the interlocking unit 200 is configured to selectively
lock either said first drive mechanism 110 or said second drive mechanism 120 in a
mutually exclusive fashion. I.e., while locking the first drive unit 110, the interlocking
unit 200 may not simultaneously lock the second drive unit 120, and vice versa.
[0044] According to a further embodiment, the interlocking unit 200 is configured such that
exactly one of said drive units 110, 120 is locked at a time, and the other one is
not locked. With this variant, e.g., in a first state, the first drive unit 110 may
be locked, and the second drive unit 120 cannot be locked simultaneously by the interlocking
unit 200. In a second state, inversely, the second drive unit 120 is locked, and the
first drive unit 110 cannot be locked simultaneously by the interlocking unit 200.
[0045] Figure 3 schematically depicts a perspective view of an interlocking unit 200 according
to an embodiment. The interlocking unit 200 is arranged between components 112, 112a
of the first drive mechanism 110 (Fig. 1b), which is for driving the power switch
11 as explained above, and components 122, 124 of the second drive mechanism 120 which
is for driving the grounding switch 12 as explained above.
[0046] According to the invention, element 112 is a rotatable (cf. double arrow 112a) hollow
shaft 112 to which a lever 113 is attached for driving a rod linkage (not shown in
Fig. 3, also cf. 113a of Fig. 6) that effects movement of movable components of the
power switches 11 of Fig. 1a. The hollow shaft 112 may e.g. be connected to a driving
shaft (not shown) of a spring force drive (not shown) or any other type of drive,
which may e.g. be included in the first drive mechanism 110 (Fig. 1b). The present
rotational position of the hollow shaft 112 and the lever 113 which is arranged on
said hollow shaft 112 in a torque proof manner exemplarily corresponds to an "open
state" of the switches 11. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the lever
113 and the hollow shaft 112 form part of the same monolithic component, which may
e.g. be obtained by forging.
[0047] Element 122 is a rotatable (cf. double arrow 122a) shaft 122, preferably a hollow
shaft, to which a locking disc 124 is attached in a torque proof manner. Said locking
disc 124 comprises at least one opening 126 configured to receive an axial end section
202b of a locking bolt 202 the main body of which is covered by the housing 204 of
the interlocking unit 202 in Fig. 3.
[0048] In contrast to the Figure 2 embodiment explained above, one single locking bolt is
provided for the embodiment according to Figure 3.
[0049] The housing 204 is arranged on a ground plate 206 which also carries two bearings
208a, 208b having respective openings for opposing axial end sections 202a (cf. Fig.
4a), 202b for the locking bolt 202 which is movable therein in an axially slideable
fashion as indicated by the double block arrow of Fig. 3. A portion of the bearing
208a which comprises an opening for guiding the first axial end section 202a of the
locking bolt 202 is denoted with reference sign 208a'.
[0050] According to a further embodiment, at least one of said bearings 208a, 208b may be
arranged at a further component of said switchgear 10, preferably arranged at the
supporting frame 13 (Fig. 1a). For example, the embodiment explained below with reference
to Fig. 6 depicts a bearing 208a being arranged at the supporting frame 13.
[0051] Reference sign 222a' denotes a communication cable which serves to exchange control
information 222a (Fig. 2) and/or data 222a between control unit 220 and a further
device, e.g. an external control device (not shown), for controlling operation of
said switchgear 10 (Fig. 1a) and/or said interlocking unit 200.
[0052] Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c schematically depict a perspective view of an interlocking unit 200,
preferably the unit 200 as explained above with reference to Fig. 3, in different
operational states.
[0053] As can be seen from Fig. 4a, the housing 204 (Fig. 3) of the interlocking unit 200
is not depicted by Fig. 4a, so that the main body of the locking bolt 202 is visible.
[0054] As can also be seen from Fig. 4a, the first axial end portion 202a of the - presently
single - locking bolt 202 is in a position where it does not lock or prevent the movement
of the lever 113 and thus of hollow shaft 112. Hence, in this state, the lever 113
may e.g. rotate in the direction of arrow a1 when driven by the hollow shaft 112,
e.g. for moving the switch 11 from its "open state" to a "closed state", cf. Fig.
4c.
[0055] However, presently, the second axial end portion 202b of said locking bolt 202 is
arranged within opening 126 of the locking disc 124 establishing a form closure between
bolt 202 and the locking disc 124 thus preventing rotational movement of hollow shaft
122. This is indicated by a dashed double arrow 122a within Fig. 3. As a consequence,
in the present state depicted by Fig. 4a (and also by Fig. 3), the grounding switch
12 (Fig. 1a) or its drive unit 120, respectively, is locked by the interlocking unit
200, because locking bolt 202 prevents movement of the hollow shaft 122, which may
be provided to drive the pivotable contact arms 21 (Fig. 1a) of the grounding switches
12.
[0056] As a result, in the operational state of the interlocking unit 200 according to Fig.
4a, the power switch 11 is not locked, but the grounding switch 12 is locked. More
specifically, the power switch 11 is not locked, and currently is in the "open state",
and the grounding switch 12 is locked in its "open state".
[0057] According to a further embodiment, the locking bolt 202 may comprise a double bolt
portion 202a' the purpose of which will be explained below with reference to Fig.
4c.
[0058] Figure 4b depicts the interlocking unit 200 of Fig. 4a in a further operational state.
In contrast to Fig. 4a, the locking bolt 202 is placed such that its first axial end
section 202a locks movement of the lever 113 in direction of the dashed arrow a1',
however, since its second axial end portion 202b is not arranged within the opening
126 of the locking disc 124 anymore, the locking bolt 202 does not effect locking
of the hollow shaft 122 of the grounding switch drive unit 120 anymore. For example,
starting from the Fig. 4a scenario, the interlocking unit 200 may have moved the locking
bolt 202 in Fig. 4a to the left thus obtaining the scenario according to Fig. 4b.
Also, the second drive mechanism 120 may have turned the hollow shaft 122 to its rotational
state depicted by Fig. 4b after the locking state of the second drive mechanism 120
has been left.
[0059] As a result, in the operational state of the interlocking unit 200 according to Fig.
4b, the power switch 11 is locked, but the grounding switch 12 is not locked any more.
More specifically, the power switch 11 is locked in its "open state", and the grounding
switch 12 is not locked and currently has assumed its "closed state". To close the
power switch 11, first the grounding switch 12 must be opened so that the locking
bolt 202 may be shifted to the right into the opening 126. Only then the currently
depicted locking of the power switch 11 in its open state may be released.
[0060] Figure 4c depicts the interlocking unit 200 of Fig. 4a, 4b in a further operational
state, which is similar to the state depicted by Fig. 4a in that the locking bolt
202 is positioned within its right axial end position. Consequently, as with Fig.
4a, the hollow shaft 122 of the second drive mechanism 120 is locked again, and the
hollow shaft of the first drive mechanism 110 is not locked.
[0061] As a result, in the operational state of the interlocking unit 200 according to Fig.
4c, the power switch 11 is not locked, but the grounding switch 12 is locked. More
specifically, the power switch 11 is not locked and has assumed its "closed state",
and the grounding switch 12 is locked and currently has assumed its "open state".
Additionally, due to the double bolt portion 202a', the locking bolt 202 is prevented
from being moved to its left axial end portion due to form closure with lever 113,
whereby it is prevented that the currently applied locking of the grounding switch
12 in its open state is released, while the power switch 11 is in its closed state.
[0062] As already mentioned above, a drive unit 210 (Fig. 2) is provided to move said at
least one locking bolt 202, 202', 202'', wherein said drive unit 210 comprises at
least one electromechanical actuator, particularly at least one of a stepper motor,
a series-characteristic motor, wherein optionally a reduction gear may be provided.
[0063] Fig. 5 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drive unit 210 according to
an embodiment, wherein the locking bolt 202 is similar to the one explained above
with reference to Fig. 4a to 4c. A stepper motor 212 is provided for moving said locking
bolt 202, which is effected by a toothed wheel 213 being applied to a shaft of the
stepper motor 212, said toothed wheel 213 working together with a toothed rack section
202c applied to the locking bolt 202.
[0064] According to an embodiment, one or more sensors are provided for detecting an operational
state of the switchgear 10 and/or of the interlocking unit 200 or its drive unit 210,
respectively. Presently, Fig. 5 depicts micro switch 215, which is configured to detect
a proximity of the double bolt portion 202a' (Fig. 4c) in relation to the micro switch
215. Thus, a signal of the micro switch 215 may e.g. be employed to indicate whether
the locking bolt 202 has assumed its right axial position. According to further embodiments,
more than one micro switch 215 may be provided, e.g. for indicating a "left" axial
end position of the locking bolt 202 or the like. Also, according to further embodiments,
a linear position transducer (not shown) may be provided to determine an exact position
of the locking bolt 202.
[0065] According to an embodiment, the data provided by the sensor(s) 215 may be evaluated
by the control unit 220 and/or may be forwarded to an external unit. Advantageously,
an operation of the interlocking unit 200 and/or the switchgear and/or the drive unit
210 may be performed depending on said sensor data.
[0066] According to a further embodiment, a thermal control unit 214 may be provided within
a housing 204 (Fig. 3) of said interlocking unit 200, wherein said thermal control
unit 214 is configured to influence an internal temperature and/or an internal humidity
within said housing 204. In one embodiment, the thermal control unit 214 may comprise
a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) element to control an internal temperature
of the interlocking unit 200 in a per se known manner to avoid humidity and thus increase
an operational flexibility (extended operating temperature/humidity ranges) and reliability.
[0067] Fig. 6 schematically depicts a perspective view of an interlocking unit 200a according
to a further embodiment. Depicted is the hollow shaft 112 of the first drive mechanism
110 , the lever 113 and a rod linkage 113a which effects movement of movable components
of the power switches 11 by conveying kinetic energy from the first drive mechanism
110 or its energy source (e.g., spring energy store) to the switches 11.
[0068] In difference to the embodiments according to Fig. 4a to 4c, 5, the locking bolt
202 of Fig. 6 does not comprise a double bolt portion 202a'.
[0069] Generally, the locking bolt 202 may comprise different axial sections with different
outer diameters, as shown by Fig. 6.
[0070] Fig. 7 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drive unit of the interlocking
unit 200a according to Fig. 6. An electric motor 212, preferably of the series-characteristic
type, is provided together with a reduction gear 2120 attached to a first shaft portion
(not shown) of the motor 212. A second shaft portion 2122 of the motor, which is part
of the same shaft driving the reduction gear 2120, extends through a housing of the
motor and is accessible for applying a driving torque, e.g. manually, e.g. by means
of a crank handle (not shown), whereby the motor 212 and thus the drive unit may also
be manually driven, for example in emergency situations.
[0071] A control electronic for driving the motor 212 is arranged in the housing 2140 which
is directly attached to the motor housing. The control electronic for driving the
motor 212 may e.g. be controlled by the control unit 220 (Fig. 2), preferably depending
under control of an external device or a local control panel arranged close to the
unit 200 or the switchgear 10.
[0072] An output shaft of the reduction gear is coupled to gear lever 2124 at its radially
inner section 2124a to effect rotational movement a2 of the gear lever 2124. At its
radially outer section 2124b, the gear lever 2124 may be connected to the locking
bolt 202. For this purpose, the gear lever 2124 may comprise an oblong hole which
may be engaged by a driving bolt (not shown) fixedly arranged at the locking bolt
202.
[0073] Fig. 8 schematically depicts a coordinate axis x according to an embodiment, which
illustrates the axial movement of the locking bolt 202 according to the embodiments
of Fig. 3 to Fig. 7 as explained above.
[0074] A first or "left" axial end position of the locking bolt 202 is denoted with a first
coordinate position x0. This first axial end position x0 e.g. corresponds with the
scenario of Fig. 4b, also cf. the block arrow of Fig. 8.
[0075] A second or "right" axial end position of the locking bolt 202 is denoted with a
coordinate position x3 > x0. This second axial end position x3 e.g. corresponds with
the scenario of Fig. 4a, also cf. the dashed block arrow of Fig. 8.
[0076] According to an embodiment, a range (x0, x1) with x1 > x0 indicates a first region
along the axis x in which - if an end portion 202a of the locking bolt 202 is present
within said first range - already a locking of the first drive mechanism 110 will
be effected. I.e., if the first axial end section 202a of the locking bolt enters
the first range (x0, x1), a locking effect will occur.
[0077] According to a further embodiment, a range (x2, x3) with x2 > x0, x2 < x3 indicates
a second region along the axis x in which - if an end portion 202b of the locking
bolt 202 is present within said second range - already a locking of the second drive
mechanism 120 will be effected. I.e., if the second axial end section 202a of the
locking bolt 202 enters the second range (x2, x3), a locking effect will occur.
[0078] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a total length L1 of said locking
bolt 202 is chosen such that L1 > (x2-x1), i.e. the length L1 exceeds a "free" moving
range L2 = x2-x1, wherein moving completely within said "free" moving range L2 does
not effect any locking of either drive mechanism 110, 120. In this case, L1 > L2,
the locking bolt 202 in any case locks at least one drive mechanism 110, 120. Presently,
for the example of Fig. 8, L1 is chosen to be larger than L2.
[0079] However, according to a further embodiment, L1 may also be chosen to be smaller than
L2, whereby an "intermediate" position of said locking bolt 202 may be assumed in
which the locking bolt 202 is not placed within any of the first and second ranges.
In this state, neither the power switch 11 nor the grounding switch is locked (mechanically).
[0080] However, if "mutually exclusive" open and closed states are desired to be attained
with a high degree of inherent security (e.g., in the case of a fault of the control
unit 220), the locking bolt length L1 may be chosen such that it exceeds L2. Thereby
it is guaranteed that for many possible positions of the locking bolt 202 both switches
11, 12 are locked, and that in no case, both switches 11, 12 are simultaneously not
locked. This e.g. ensures that the grounding switch 12 can never be closed when the
power switch 11 is currently closed. Likewise, it will be impossible to close the
power switch 11 if the grounding switch 12 is closed.
[0081] According to a further embodiment, additional manual locking means such as a padlock
(not shown) may be provided to secure the locking bolt 202 or any component of the
drive mechanisms 110, 120 in a predetermined position.
[0082] Fig. 9 schematically depicts a simplified flow-chart of a method according to the
embodiments. In a first step 300, the control unit 220 (Fig. 2) receives a command
from an external device, e.g. a computer of a remote operator, to control an operation
of the interlocking unit 200. Such command may e.g. comprise an instruction to ensure
that the grounding switch 12 is locked in its open state, cf. e.g. Fig. 4a. Subsequently,
in step 310 (Fig. 9), the control unit 220 may check sensor data (e.g., from micro
switch 215, cf. Fig. 5) or other information (e.g., a log file of preceding commands
that have been executed and the like) to determine whether the locking of the grounding
switch 12 is already established. If so, the procedure terminates and the control
unit 220 may e.g. wait for further commands. If not, the control unit 220 may control
drive unit 210 to drive the motor 212 for moving the locking bolt 202 in a position
which ensures locking of the grounding switch 12 in its open state.
[0083] According to a further embodiment, the locking bolt 202 may comprise a plurality
of axial sections having different outer diameters, cf. Fig. 6, wherein a first axial
end section 202a comprises an outer diameter ranging between 20 millimeters and 40
millimeters, wherein said outer diameter more preferably equals about 35 millimeters.
In contrast, a second axial end section 202b comprises an outer diameter ranging between
15 millimeters and 30 millimeters, wherein said outer diameter more preferably equals
about 25 millimeters.
[0084] According to a further embodiment, the locking bolt 202 may be made of steel or stainless
steel.
[0085] According to a further embodiment, the locking bolt 202 may comprise a plurality
of axial sections 202a, 202b which are tiltably and/or rotatably connected to each
other, for example by means of a hinge 2020, cf. Fig. 6. Presently, the two axial
sections 202a, 202b are connected by a hinge 2020 having a hinge bolt 2022 that enables
a tilt movement of said two axial sections 202a, 202b around a tilt axis defined by
said hinge bolt 2022 thus enabling to compensate mechanical tolerances of the compontents
200, 110, 112, 113, 120, 122, 124 and their arrangement relative to each other (e.g.,
deviations in (angular) alignment, and the like).
[0086] According to a further embodiment, the locking bolt 202 may comprise an annular groove
2024 which may e.g. serve to receive mechanical locking means such as a shackle of
a padlock (not shown), whereby the locking bolt 202 may be locked in place, e.g. to
ensure that no movement of said locking bolt 202 is possible thus also preventing
a change of an operational state of the interlocking unit 200. For example, a padlock
may be placed with its shackle around the annular groove 202, whereby upon axial movement
of said locking bolt 202 the padlock may be driven against a side surface of the bearing
208b (Fig. 3) and/or a housing of the second drive mechanism 120 (Fig. 1a) thus effecting
a form closure-type of locking the locking bolt 202 against further axial movement.
[0087] According to a further embodiment, a further locking element 2026 may be provided,
which is arranged at a component of the first drive mechanism 110 (Fig. 1a). As exemplarily
depicted by Fig. 6, said further locking element 2026 may be attached to a rod linkage
113a which is driven by the lever 113, and may comprise a bent sheet material element.
Said further locking element 2026 may be arranged at the rod linkage 113a such that
- preferably depending on an axial position of the rod linkage 113a - it prevents
an axial movement of the locking bolt 202 in the direction of its first axial end
section 202a (i.e., to the left in Fig. 6). Thus, by appropriately arranging said
further locking element 2026 at the rod linkage 113a (and or by chosing a width of
the locking surface 2026a), the locking bolt 202 can be locked by said further locking
element 2026 thus preventing a movement of the locking bolt 202 to its first axial
end position x0 (cf. Fig. 8), if the rod linkage 113a and thus also the first drive
mechanism 110 as a whole comprises a first operational state, which is depicted by
Fig. 6, and which e.g. corresponds to a "closed state" of the switch 11, also cf.
Fig. 4c. If, however, the rod linkage 113a and thus also the first drive mechanism
110 as a whole comprises a secpmd operational state, which corresponds to an "open
state" of the switch 11, also cf. Fig. 4b, the further locking element 2026 does not
prevent an axial movement of the locking bolt 202 in the direction of its first axial
end section 202a anymore. Insofar, the further blocking element 2026 comprises a functionality
similar to the one of the embodiment with the double bolt portion 202a', cf. Fig.
4c.
[0088] The explanations above primarily refer to embodiments with one or more locking bolts
(that may, but not necessarily do, comprise a basically circular cylindrical shape)
as locking elements.
[0089] The principle according to the embodiments advantageously enables to efficiently,
and particularly also to remotely, control an operational state of the interlocking
unit 200, whereby an increased operational flexibility and reliability is attained
while at the same time offering more safety for technicians and staff operating said
switchgear. Also, the use of sensor elements and/or switches to determined information
on an operational state of the interlocking unit further increases operational flexibility
and reliability and security for the staff. Alternatively or in addition to (micro)
switches, an analysis of the motor driving current for the motor 212 (Fig. 5, 7) of
the drive unit 210 may be employed to derive information on a position of the locking
element.
[0090] According to a further embodiment, visually recognizable position indicating means
may also be provided at the interlocking unit 200 or a remote unit being in data connection
with said interlocking unit 200, said position indicating means indicating a current
operational state of the interlocking unit and/or of a locking element.
1. Electrical switchgear (10) comprising at least one power switch (11) and a grounding
switch (12) associated with said power switch (11) for electrically grounding said
power switch (11), wherein a first drive mechanism (110) is provided for driving said
power switch (11), and wherein a second drive mechanism (120) is provided for driving
said grounding switch (12), and wherein an interlocking unit (200) is provided which
is configured to lock said first drive mechanism (110) and/or said second drive mechanism
(120), wherein at least one locking element, which is a locking bolt (202; 202', 202''),
is provided for locking said first drive mechanism (110) and/or said second drive
mechanism (120), and wherein a drive unit (210) is provided to move said at least
one locking bolt (202; 202', 202"),
characterised in that
said drive unit (210) comprises at least one electromechanical actuator, wherein a
control unit (220) is provided for controlling an operation of said interlocking unit
(200), wherein said first drive mechanism (110) comprises a rotatable shaft to which
a lever (113) is attached for driving a rod linkage to effect movement of movable
components of said at least one power switch (11), and wherein said second drive mechanism
(120) comprises a shaft (122) and a locking disc (124) which is arranged on said shaft
(122) in a torque proof manner, wherein said locking disc (124) comprises at least
one opening (126) configured to receive an axial end section (202b) of said locking
bolt (202).
2. Switchgear (10) according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking unit (200) is configured
to selectively lock either said first drive mechanism (110) or said second drive mechanism
(120).
3. Switchgear (10) according to claim 1, wherein said drive unit (210) is configured
to axially move said locking bolt (202) between a first axial end position and a second
axial end position, wherein preferably a maximum stroke between said first and second
axial end positions ranges from about 20 millimeter to about 200 millimeters.
4. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a thermal control
unit (214) is provided within a housing (204) of said interlocking unit (200), wherein
said thermal control unit (214) is configured to influence an internal temperature
and/or an internal humidity within said housing (204).
5. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more sensors
(215) are provided for detecting an operational state of the switchgear (10) and/or
of the interlocking unit (200).
6. Switchgear (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said shaft (122) of
said second drive mechanism (120) is a hollow shaft, and/or wherein said shaft (112)
of said first drive mechanism (110) is a hollow shaft.
7. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a motor (212) is
provided which is connected to a reduction gear (2120), and wherein a gear lever (2124)
is coupled to an output shaft of the reduction gear.
8. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a manual drive mechanism
is provided, which enables to manually influence an operational state of the interlocking
unit (200).
9. Switchgear (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking bolt (202)
comprises a plurality of axial end sections (202a, 202b) having different outer diameters,
wherein preferably a first axial end section (202a) comprises a first outer diameter
ranging between about 20 millimeters and about 40 millimeters, wherein said first
outer diameter more preferably equals about 35 millimeters, wherein preferably a second
axial end section (202b) comprises a second outer diameter ranging between about 15
millimeters and about 30 millimeters, wherein said second outer diameter more preferably
equals about 25 millimeters.
10. Switchgear (10) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking bolt (202)
comprises a plurality of axial sections (202a, 202b) which are tiltably and/or rotatably
connected to each other.
11. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said electromechanical
actuator is at least one of a stepper motor (212), a series-characteristic motor (212),
wherein optionally a reduction gear (2120) may be provided.
12. Switchgear (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit
(220) is arranged at and/or within a housing (204) of said interlocking unit (200),
and wherein preferably said control unit (220) comprises an interface (222) configured
to exchange control information (222a) and/or data (222a) with a further device.
13. Method of operating an electrical switchgear (10) comprising at least one power switch
(11) and a grounding switch (12) associated with said power switch (11) for electrically
grounding said power switch (11), wherein a first drive mechanism (110) is provided
for driving said power switch (11), and wherein a second drive mechanism (120) is
provided for driving said grounding switch (12), and wherein an interlocking unit
(200) is provided which locks said first drive mechanism (110) and/or said second
drive mechanism (120), wherein at least one locking element, which is a locking bolt
(202; 202', 202"), is provided for locking said first drive mechanism (110) and/or
said second drive mechanism (120), and wherein a drive unit (210) is provided which
moves said at least one locking bolt (202; 202', 202''),
characterised in that
said drive unit (210) comprises at least one electromechanical actuator, wherein a
control unit (220) is provided for controlling an operation of said interlocking unit
(200), wherein said first drive mechanism (110) comprises a rotatable shaft to which
a lever (113) is attached for driving a rod linkage to effect movement of movable
components of said at least one power switch (11), and wherein said second drive mechanism
(120) comprises a shaft (122) and a locking disc (124) which is arranged on said shaft
(122) in a torque proof manner, wherein said locking disc (124) comprises at least
one opening (126) configured to receive an axial end section (202b) of said locking
bolt (202).
1. Elektrisches Schaltwerk (10), umfassend mindestens einen Leistungsschalter (11) und
einen Erdungsschalter (12), der mit dem Leistungsschalter (11) zum elektrischen Erden
des Leistungsschalters (11) verbunden ist, wobei ein erster Antriebsmechanismus (110)
zum Antreiben des Leistungsschalters (11) bereitgestellt ist und wobei ein zweiter
Antriebsmechanismus (120) zum Antreiben des Erdungsschalters (12) bereitgestellt ist,
und wobei eine Verriegelungseinheit (200) bereitgestellt ist, die ausgebildet ist,
den ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) und/oder den zweiten Antriebsmechanismus (120)
zu verriegeln, wobei mindestens ein Verriegelungselement, das ein Verriegelungsbolzen
(202; 202', 202") ist, zum Verriegeln des ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) und/oder
des zweiten Antriebsmechanismus (120) bereitgestellt ist und wobei eine Antriebseinheit
(210) bereitgestellt ist, um den mindestens einen Verriegelungsbolzen (202; 202',
202") zu bewegen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Antriebseinheit (210) mindestens ein elektromechanisches Stellglied umfasst, wobei
eine Steuereinheit (220) zum Steuern eines Betriebs der Verriegelungseinheit (200)
bereitgestellt ist, wobei der erste Antriebsmechanismus (110) eine drehbare Welle
umfasst, an der ein Hebel (113) befestigt ist, um eine Lenkstange anzutreiben, um
eine Bewegung beweglicher Komponenten des mindestens einen Leistungsschalters (11)
zu bewirken, und wobei der zweite Antriebsmechanismus (120) eine Welle (122) und eine
Verriegelungsscheibe (124), die an der Welle (122) drehfest angeordnet ist, umfasst,
wobei die Verriegelungsscheibe (124) mindestens eine Öffnung (126) umfasst, die ausgebildet
ist, eine axiale Endsektion (202b) des Verriegelungsbolzens (202) aufzunehmen.
2. Schaltwerk (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Verriegelungseinheit (200) ausgebildet
ist, selektiv entweder den ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) oder den zweiten Antriebsmechanismus
(120) zu verriegeln.
3. Schaltwerk (10) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Antriebseinheit (210) ausgebildet ist,
den Verriegelungsbolzen (202) axial zwischen einer ersten axialen Endposition und
einer zweiten axialen Endposition zu bewegen, wobei vorzugsweise ein maximaler Hub
zwischen der ersten und zweiten axialen Endposition von etwa 20 Millimeter bis etwa
200 Millimeter reicht.
4. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei eine thermische Steuereinheit
(214) in einem Gehäuse (204) der Verriegelungseinheit (200) bereitgestellt ist, wobei
die thermische Steuereinheit (214) ausgebildet ist, eine Innentemperatur und/oder
eine Innenfeuchtigkeit in dem Gehäuse (204) zu beeinflussen.
5. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein oder mehrere Sensoren
(215) zum Erfassen eines Betriebszustands des Schaltwerks (10) und/oder der Verriegelungseinheit
(200) bereitgestellt sind.
6. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Welle (122) des zweiten
Antriebsmechanismus (120) eine hohle Welle ist und/oder wobei die Welle (112) des
ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) eine hohle Welle ist.
7. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein Motor (212) bereitgestellt
ist, der mit einem Untersetzungsgetriebe (2120) verbunden ist, und wobei ein Schalthebel
(2124) an eine Ausgangswelle des Untersetzungsgetriebes gekoppelt ist.
8. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein manueller Antriebsmechanismus
bereitgestellt ist, der eine manuelle Beeinflussung eines Betriebszustands der Verriegelungseinheit
(200) ermöglicht.
9. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei der Verriegelungsbolzen (202)
eine Vielzahl von axialen Endsektionen (202a, 202b) mit unterschiedlichen Außendurchmessern
umfasst, wobei vorzugsweise eine erste axiale Endsektion (202a) einen ersten Außendurchmesser
im Bereich von etwa 20 Millimeter bis etwa 40 Millimeter umfasst, wobei der erste
Außendurchmesser bevorzugter gleich etwa 35 Millimeter ist, wobei vorzugsweise eine
zweite axiale Endsektion (202b) einen zweiten Außendurchmesser umfasst, der im Bereich
von etwa 15 Millimeter bis etwa 30 Millimeter liegt, wobei der zweite Außendurchmesser
bevorzugter gleich etwa 25 Millimeter ist.
10. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei der Verriegelungsbolzen (202)
eine Vielzahl axialer Sektionen (202a, 202b) umfasst, die kippbar und/oder drehbar
miteinander verbunden sind.
11. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei das elektromechanische
Stellglied mindestens eines von einem Schrittmotor (212), einem reihencharakteristischen
Motor (212), ist, wobei optional ein Untersetzungsgetriebe (2120) bereitgestellt sein
kann.
12. Schaltwerk (10) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuereinheit (220)
bei und/oder in einem Gehäuse (204) der Verriegelungseinheit (200) angeordnet ist
und wobei die Steuereinheit (220) vorzugsweise eine Schnittstelle (222) umfasst, die
ausgebildet ist, Steuerinformationen (222a) und/oder Daten (222a) mit einer weiteren
Vorrichtung auszutauschen.
13. Verfahren zum Betreiben eines elektrischen Schaltwerks (10), umfassend mindestens
einen Leistungsschalter (11) und einen Erdungsschalter (12), der mit dem Leistungsschalter
(11) zum elektrischen Erden des Leistungsschalters (11) verbunden ist, wobei ein erster
Antriebsmechanismus (110) zum Antreiben des Leistungsschalters (11) bereitgestellt
ist und wobei ein zweiter Antriebsmechanismus (120) zum Antreiben des Erdungsschalters
(12) bereitgestellt ist, und wobei eine Verriegelungseinheit (200) bereitgestellt
ist, die den ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) und/oder den zweiten Antriebsmechanismus
(120) verriegelt, wobei mindestens ein Verriegelungselement, das ein Verriegelungsbolzen
(202; 202', 202") ist, zum Verriegeln des ersten Antriebsmechanismus (110) und/oder
des zweiten Antriebsmechanismus (120) bereitgestellt ist und wobei eine Antriebseinheit
(210) bereitgestellt ist, die den mindestens einen Verriegelungsbolzen (202; 202',
202") bewegt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Antriebseinheit (210) mindestens ein elektromechanisches Stellglied umfasst, wobei
eine Steuereinheit (220) zum Steuern eines Betriebs der Verriegelungseinheit (200)
bereitgestellt ist, wobei der erste Antriebsmechanismus (110) eine drehbare Welle
umfasst, an der ein Hebel (113) befestigt ist, um eine Lenkstange anzutreiben, um
eine Bewegung beweglicher Komponenten des mindestens einen Leistungsschalters (11)
zu bewirken, und wobei der zweite Antriebsmechanismus (120) eine Welle (122) und eine
Verriegelungsscheibe (124), die an der Welle (122) drehfest angeordnet ist, umfasst,
wobei die Verriegelungsscheibe (124) mindestens eine Öffnung (126) umfasst, die ausgebildet
ist, eine axiale Endsektion (202b) des Verriegelungsbolzens (202) aufzunehmen.
1. Appareil de commutation électrique (10) comprenant au moins un commutateur de puissance
(11) et un commutateur de mise à la terre (12) associé audit commutateur de puissance
(11) pour mettre à la terre électriquement ledit commutateur de puissance (11), dans
lequel un premier mécanisme d'entraînement (110) est prévu pour entraîner ledit commutateur
de puissance (11) et dans lequel un second mécanisme d'entraînement (120) est prévu
pour entraîner ledit commutateur de mise à la terre (12), et dans lequel une unité
de verrouillage mutuel (200) est prévue configurée pour verrouiller ledit premier
mécanisme d'entraînement (110) et/ou ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement (120),
dans lequel au moins un élément de verrouillage, qui est un boulon de verrouillage
(202 ; 202', 202"), est prévu pour verrouiller ledit premier mécanisme d'entraînement
(110) et/ou ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement (120) et dans lequel une unité d'entraînement
(210) est prévue pour déplacer ledit au moins un boulon de verrouillage (202 ; 202',
202")
caractérisé en ce que ladite unité d'entraînement (210) comprend au moins un actionneur électromécanique,
dans lequel une unité de commande (220) est prévue pour commander un fonctionnement
de ladite unité de verrouillage mutuel (200), dans lequel ledit premier mécanisme
d'entraînement (110) comprend un arbre rotatif auquel est fixé un levier (113) pour
entraîner une tringlerie afin d'effectuer un mouvement de composants mobiles dudit
au moins un commutateur de puissance (11) et dans lequel ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement
(120) comprend un arbre (122) et un disque de verrouillage (124) qui est agencé sur
ledit arbre (122) de manière anti-couple, dans lequel le disque de verrouillage (124)
comprend au moins une ouverture (126) configurée pour recevoir une section d'extrémité
axiale (202b) dudit boulon de verrouillage (202).
2. Appareil de commutation (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite unité de
verrouillage mutuel (200) est configurée pour verrouiller sélectivement ledit premier
mécanisme d'entraînement (110) ou ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement (120).
3. Appareil de commutation (10) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite unité d'entraînement
(210) est configurée pour déplacer axialement ledit boulon de verrouillage (202) entre
une première position d'extrémité axiale et une seconde position d'extrémité axiale,
dans lequel, de préférence, une course maximale entre ladite première et ladite seconde
position d'extrémité axiale se situe dans une plage d'environ 20 millimètres à environ
200 millimètres.
4. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel une unité de commande thermique (214) est prévue dans un logement (204)
de ladite unité de verrouillage mutuel (200), dans lequel ladite unité de commande
thermique (214) est configurée pour influencer une température interne et/ou une humidité
interne au sein dudit ledit logement (204).
5. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel il est prévu un ou plusieurs capteurs (215) pour détecter un état opérationnel
de l'appareil de commutation (10) et/ou de l'unité de verrouillage mutuel (200).
6. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans
lequel ledit arbre (122) dudit second mécanisme d'entraînement (120) est un arbre
creux et/ou dans lequel ledit arbre (112) dudit premier mécanisme d'entraînement (110)
est un arbre creux.
7. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel il est prévu un moteur (212) qui est connecté à un engrenage de réduction
(2120) et dans lequel un levier d'engrenage (2124) est couplé à un arbre de sortie
de l'engrenage de réduction.
8. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel il est prévu un mécanisme d'entraînement manuel qui permet d'influence
manuellement un état opérationnel de l'unité de verrouillage mutuel (200).
9. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans
lequel le boulon de verrouillage (202) comprend une pluralité de sections d'extrémité
axiales (202a, 202b) ayant différents diamètres externes, dans lequel, de préférence,
une première section d'extrémité axiale (202a) comprend un premier diamètres externe
se situant entre environ 20 millimètres et environ 40 millimètres, dans lequel ledit
premier diamètre externe est plus préférentiellement égal à environ 35 millimètres,
dans lequel, de préférence, une seconde section d'extrémité axiale (202b) comprend
un second diamètre externe se situant dans une plage entre environ 15 millimètres
et environ 30 millimètres, dans lequel ledit second diamètre externe est plus préférentiellement
égal à environ 25 millimètres.
10. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans
lequel le boulon de verrouillage (202) comprend une pluralité de sections axiales
(202a, 202b) qui sont raccordées l'une à l'autre en mode inclinable et/ou rotatif.
11. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel ledit actionneur électromécanique est au moins l'un d'un moteur pas-à-pas
(212) et d'un moteur caractéristique en série (212), dans lequel il peut être prévu
éventuellement un engrenage de réduction (2120).
12. Appareil de commutation (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel ladite unité de commande (220) est agencée sur et/ou dans un logement
(204) de ladite unité de verrouillage (200) et dans lequel, de préférence, ladite
unité de commande (220) comprend une interface (222) configurée pour échanger des
informations de commande (222a) et/ou des données (222a) avec un autre dispositif.
13. Procédé de fonctionnement d'un appareil de commutation électrique (10) comprenant
au moins un commutateur de puissance (11) et un commutateur de mise à la terre (12)
associé audit commutateur de puissance (11) pour mettre à la terre électriquement
ledit commutateur de puissance (11), dans lequel un premier mécanisme d'entraînement
(110) est prévu pour entraîner ledit commutateur de puissance (11) et dans lequel
un second mécanisme d'entraînement (120) est prévu pour entraîner ledit commutateur
de mise à la terre (12), et dans lequel une unité de verrouillage mutuel (200) est
prévue pour verrouiller ledit premier mécanisme d'entraînement (110) et/ou ledit second
mécanisme d'entraînement (120), dans lequel au moins un élément de verrouillage, qui
est un boulon de verrouillage (202 ; 202', 202"), est prévu pour verrouiller ledit
premier mécanisme d'entraînement (110) et/ou ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement
(120) et dans lequel une unité d'entraînement (210) est prévue pour déplacer ledit
au moins un boulon de verrouillage (202 ; 202', 202"),
caractérisé en ce que
ladite unité d'entraînement (210) comprend au moins un actionneur électromécanique,
dans lequel une unité de commande (220) est prévue pour commander un fonctionnement
de ladite unité de verrouillage mutuel (200), dans lequel ledit premier mécanisme
d'entraînement (110) comprend un arbre rotatif auquel est fixé un levier (113) pour
entraîner une tringlerie afin d'effectuer un mouvement de composants mobiles dudit
au moins un commutateur de puissance (11) et dans lequel ledit second mécanisme d'entraînement
(120) comprend un arbre (122) et un disque de verrouillage (124) qui est agencé sur
ledit arbre (122) de manière anti-couple, dans lequel le disque de verrouillage (124)
comprend au moins une ouverture (126) configurée pour recevoir une section d'extrémité
axiale (202b) dudit boulon de verrouillage (202).