WO2025067779A1 - Arrangement of vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) of at least two vacuum interrupters (2) for switching high voltages, wherein each vacuum interrupter (2) has: at least one enclosure (3); at least one fixed contact piece (4) which comprises a contact plate (6) and a contact bolt (7); and at least one movable contact piece (5) which comprises a contact plate (6) and a contact bolt (7). The at least one enclosure (3) comprises at least one ceramic segment (8) and a metallic switching chamber (9). The contact bolt (7) of each of the movable contact pieces (5) is guided into the relevant enclosure (3) via at least one bellows (10). The at least two vacuum interrupters (2) are connected in series and are each designed to switch voltages greater than or equal to 52 kV.

Description

Description

Arrangement of vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages

The invention relates to an arrangement of at least two vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages, wherein each vacuum interrupter has at least one casing and at least one fixed contact piece, which comprises a contact plate and a contact pin, and at least one movable contact piece, which comprises a contact plate and a contact pin. The at least one casing comprises at least one ceramic segment and a metallic switching chamber. The contact pin of the movable contact pieces is guided into the respective casing via at least one bellows.

Arrangements of vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages are used, for example, in circuit breakers or are circuit breakers in which switching contacts that can move relative to one another are arranged in vacuum interrupter chambers. In high-voltage technology, classic switches with a rated current and an arcing contact using, for example, _SF6 as the switching gas are used to switch voltages in the high-voltage range, in particular greater than or equal to 52 kV, and/or to switch large currents in the range of up to several tens of kiloamperes. However, such switches are problematic with regard to environmental regulations and climate neutrality due to the use of _SF6 . Vacuum interrupters, in particular those included in arrangements for switching with clean air or synthetic air, i.e. purified, dry air, are climate-neutral and environmentally friendly and are not dangerous for maintenance personnel because clean air is not toxic. Vacuum interrupters are low-maintenance, durable, and are driven easily and reliably, particularly via spring-loaded actuators and/or motors. For increased voltage requirements, arrangements with multiple vacuum interrupters are used, with their switching paths electrically connected in series, such as: from DE 10 2013 208 419 A1. This allows voltages of up to 17 kV to be switched. Alternatively, vacuum interrupters with multiple switching paths, particularly in one vacuum interrupter, are used.

To switch vacuum interrupters, switching contacts or contact pieces that can be moved relative to one another are in mechanical and electrical contact when switched on and are moved away from one another to switch off. When switched off, a gap is formed between the contact pieces, which can be a distance of between millimeters and centimeters, for example. The vacuum that is formed between the contact pieces in the vacuum interrupter maintains a voltage in the switched off state without electrical flashovers, for example in the form of arcs. To switch on, the contact pieces that can be moved relative to one another are moved towards one another until there is electrical and mechanical contact between the contact pieces.

In order to insulate the contact pieces from one another when the device is switched off, a vacuum is created in the vacuum interrupter and a shell of the vacuum interrupter comprises insulating areas, e.g. in the form of one or more ceramic segments. To ensure good electrical conduction when the device is switched on, the contact pieces are made of one metal, several metals and/or a metal alloy. In the area of mechanical contact between the contact pieces, metal vapor is created when arcs are burned during switching on and/or off. The metal vapor precipitates or condenses on the shell of the vacuum interrupter and is electrically conductive. For this reason, a metallic switching chamber is arranged in the area of the gap or mechanical contact between the contact pieces. The metallic switching chamber can condense on the inside of the chamber without affecting the insulating properties of the shell of the vacuum interrupter. In order to achieve an even voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupter, vacuum interrupters in the prior art are designed symmetrically, cf. in particular DE 10 2010 005 466 B3. The casing is designed symmetrically, in particular with regard to the ceramic segments, with a plane of symmetry arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter in the region of the mechanical contact of the contact pieces in the switched-on state. A fixed and a movable contact piece are often used for the sake of simplicity, since this means that only one drive is required to drive one contact piece during switching. The fixed contact piece is guided into the vacuum interrupter at one end in a vacuum-tight and mechanically fixed manner, for example via a metallic cover. The movable contact piece is guided into the vacuum interrupter at the opposite second end of the vacuum interrupter, for example via a metallic cover with a bellows, in a vacuum-tight and mechanically movably mounted.

The metallic switching chamber or main shield of the vacuum interrupter is arranged in the middle between the opposite covers, with identical ceramic segments to the right and left of the switching chamber, which are arranged in equal numbers on the right and left. The metallic switching chamber with the ceramic segments, vacuum-tight at the ends via the covers and the bellows, form a hollow cylindrical envelope with, for example, a circular base. The envelope is symmetrical along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter, with the exception of the covers and the bellows. In vacuum interrupters for high voltages, long insulation distances are necessary for electrical insulation. For this purpose, several ceramic segments can be used on each side of the vacuum interrupter, which are joined together, for example, via metallic shields which are designed internally, for example, as vapor shields. The parts of the vacuum interrupter, in particular the envelope with, for example, ceramic segments, main shield or The switching chamber, vapor shields, covers and bellows as well as the contact pieces are joined together vacuum-tight, for example by soldering in a soldering furnace. Physical limits are determined by the materials used. The available materials and design are given, in particular the maximum possible extension of the vacuum interrupter and the voltage to be switched. Furthermore, the complexity of the design and the manufacturing costs increase with the increasing length of a vacuum interrupter.

The symmetrical design of the vacuum interrupter enables even voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupter when voltage is applied, with half the total voltage in the open state in the spatial area of the mechanical contact of the contact pieces in the closed state. The vacuum interrupter is essentially symmetrical with regard to voltage distribution. This makes the vacuum interrupter long-term stable, with no electrical arcing across the vacuum interrupter when open with voltage applied, which could damage and/or destroy the vacuum interrupter. To enable a symmetrical design with several vacuum interrupters, similar vacuum interrupters, i.e. vacuum interrupters with the same design and dimensions, are used. The symmetrical design leads to even voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupters, with the advantages described above. However, this is only possible at low voltages.

In vacuum interrupters, such as those described in DE 10 2013 208 419 A1, voltage levels of 17 kV can only be achieved by external wiring with an ohmic resistor and a measuring device. Switching high voltage levels, such as greater than or equal to 52 kV, is not possible with the vacuum interrupters described and such wiring. Therefore, the vacuum interrupters described above and arrangements using these vacuum interrupters are not suitable for replacing classic switches with rated current and arcing contact, in particular those spatially enclosed by _SF6 as the switching gas, at high voltage levels.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an arrangement for switching high voltages, which vacuum switching tubes are used and designed to replace classic switches with rated current and arcing contact, in particular spatially enclosed by SF ₆ as the switching gas. In particular, the object is to specify an arrangement with vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages, which solves the problems described above and is cost-effective, with e.g. short switching times, little material consumption, small dimensions and an environmentally friendly structure compared to arrangements for switching high voltages known from the prior art.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an arrangement of at least two vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the inventive arrangement of at least two vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages are specified in the subclaims. Subject matter of the main claim can be combined with features of subclaims, and features of the subclaims can be combined with one another.

An arrangement according to the invention comprises at least two vacuum interrupters for switching high voltages. Each vacuum interrupter has at least one shell and at least one fixed contact piece, which comprises a contact plate and a contact pin, and at least one movable contact piece, which comprises a contact plate and a contact pin. At least one shell comprises at least one ceramic segment and a metallic switching chamber. The contact pin of the movable contact pieces is guided into the respective shell via at least one bellows. According to the invention, the at least two vacuum interrupters are each designed to switch voltages greater than or equal to 52 kV. For this purpose, the at least two vacuum interrupters are connected in series.

By forming an arrangement of vacuum interrupters connected in series for switching voltages above 52 kV, classic switches with rated current and arc contact, in particular spatially surrounded by SF ₆ as the switching gas, can be replaced. Vacuum interrupters, in particular spatially surrounded by clean air, i.e. dried, purified air, are very environmentally friendly, safe to use, reliable, durable and cost-effective. By designing the vacuum interrupters for switching voltages greater than 52 kV and by connecting such vacuum interrupters in series, voltages greater than 104 kV can be switched, i.e. in the switched-off state, voltages greater than 104 kV can be safely maintained across the gaps between the contact pieces, without electrical arcing across the gaps or the casings of the vacuum interrupters. In the state of the art, such high voltages can only be switched using conventional switches, in particular with rated and arcing contacts, filled with SF ₆ , with the problems described above.

The vacuum interrupters of the series-connected arrangement can be designed to collectively switch voltages greater than or equal to 200 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 245 kV. This enables high-voltage switches operating at high voltage levels, which were previously only possible with conventional switches, as described above, and with their associated disadvantages.

The vacuum interrupters can be interconnected with components, in particular capacitors, resistors, varistors, coils, and/or arresters, to reduce the voltage across the series-connected vacuum interrupters. This enables a uniform voltage drop along the vacuum interrupters and along the series circuit, thus avoiding or preventing voltage flashovers when high voltages greater than 104 kV, in particular 200 kV or greater, e.g., greater than 245 kV, are applied. By reducing the voltage via the circuit with components, such high voltages can be switched with vacuum interrupters, in particular without flashovers, which can lead to damage or even destruction of the arrangement with vacuum interrupters. Thus, the previously described Advantages can be achieved by connecting the vacuum interrupters with components.

Differently designed vacuum interrupters can be included in the arrangement according to the invention. Control can enable a uniform distribution of the voltage drop across the different vacuum interrupters. The different vacuum interrupters can comprise cost-effective vacuum interrupters, e.g., for low voltages, in particular less than or equal to 52 kV, in particular in addition to vacuum interrupters for high voltage levels, thus saving costs and enabling arrangements with different switching voltages to be implemented cost-effectively.

At least one asymmetrical vacuum interrupter can be included in the arrangement according to the invention, in particular with at least one bellows, which can be at least partially spatially enclosed by the metallic switching chamber, and/or with ceramic segments of different lengths and/or with a different number of ceramic segments on the side of the fixed contact piece and the side of the movable contact piece. Asymmetrical vacuum interrupters enable a shortened movable contact piece, in particular with less mass than with symmetrical vacuum interrupters, lower material expenditure and costs, and enable faster switching with less expenditure of force, whereby smaller and more cost-effective drives, e.g. with a motor or spring-loaded drive, can be used.

At least two vacuum interrupters can be included in the arrangement according to the invention, which are designed for different voltage levels, in particular with different lengths and/or designs. This allows the use of more cost-effective vacuum interrupters, e.g., for switches that require fewer than two high-voltage vacuum interrupters. Different switching times can also be achieved, e.g., one vacuum interrupter switches earlier and/or faster than a second vacuum interrupter. This makes switching cascades possible, and cost-effective and/or specially designed vacuum interrupters, e.g. with particularly erosion-resistant contact pieces, can switch ahead of more expensive, high-voltage-resistant vacuum interrupters, which should be replaced less frequently, and/or more simply or cheaply designed vacuum interrupters without highly erosion-resistant contact pieces. Vacuum interrupters with different voltage levels for switching can be combined more flexibly, e.g. with different designs in classic, predefined housing sizes.

The vacuum interrupters can be electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via a gear and/or a drive via the respective movable contact pieces. This allows a cost-effective use of a drive, particularly one arranged centrally between the vacuum interrupters.

Alternatively, the vacuum interrupters can be electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via their respective fixed contact pieces or via a common fixed contact piece. This results in greater stability, although the effort required to drive two movable contact pieces, particularly those mirrored along a longitudinal direction, entails increased effort and higher costs, e.g., for two separate drives for each vacuum interrupter and/or a complex gear system. Different switching times or movement curves of the movable contact pieces can be easily implemented using separate drives, with the advantages described above.

Vacuum interrupters can be electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via a gear and/or a drive via the respective movable contact pieces. In particular, the drive and/or the gear can be arranged along a common longitudinal axis between the vacuum interrupters. Further vacuum interrupters can be connected via the respective fixed contact pieces and/or via a common fixed contact piece can be electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another, in particular to a number of unequal vacuum interrupters on different sides of the previously described connection of the movable contact pieces, in particular via a gear and/or a drive. In this way, for example, two vacuum interrupters are connected via their movable contact pieces, in particular via a gear and/or a drive, and for example a further vacuum interrupter is connected on one side of the connection via a fixed contact piece. The third vacuum interrupter can have a further drive, or can be driven via the drive of the first two vacuum interrupters and a gear. Further vacuum interrupters can also be included, optionally connected to one another via movable or fixed contact pieces. In this way, a plurality of vacuum interrupters can be connected, in particular in series, and/or further vacuum interrupters can be connected in parallel, whereby different switching arrangements can be implemented, in particular depending on the switching requirements. Very high voltages and/or very high currents can thus be switched with the same or different vacuum interrupters, in particular with the additional use of cost-effective vacuum interrupters, especially at lower voltage levels.

The vacuum interrupters can be electrically connected in series and in parallel, in particular with a different number of vacuum interrupters connected in parallel or connected in series one behind the other. For example, two vacuum interrupters can be connected in parallel and in series with, for example, three vacuum interrupters connected in parallel. This enables the arrangement according to the invention to be highly flexible and to feature a wide range of functions, e.g. upstream and downstream connections, different movement profiles of the switching operations, and different current branches to be switched with connected power generators, power consumers and/or power transmission lines. Different vacuum interrupters can also be used, depending on price, voltage level, current carrying capacity and/or availability. At least one metal tank and/or at least one insulator housing can be included in the arrangement according to the invention, in which the vacuum interrupters can be arranged, in particular filled with clean air as the insulating gas, solid and/or liquid insulation. This makes it possible to realize environmentally friendly, in particular climate-neutral, switches for high voltages and/or currents, in outdoor and/or GIS designs.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the figures and described in more detail below.

The

Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention with two identical, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 for switching high voltages in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2, wherein movable contact pieces 5 of the series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another via a gear 14 with drive 15 and only fixed contact pieces are spatially enclosed by ceramic segments 8, and

Figure 2 schematically shows a further exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention with two identical, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 for switching high voltages in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2, wherein likewise only fixed contact pieces of ceramic segments 8 are spatially enclosed, but in contrast to the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the fixed contact pieces 4 of the series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another, and Figure 3 schematically shows a further embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention with unequal, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 for switching high voltages in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2, wherein fixed contact pieces 4 and movable contact pieces 5 are spatially enclosed by ceramic segments 8, with a different number of ceramic segments 8 on each side of a vacuum interrupter 1 and a different number of ceramic segments 8 enclosed by each vacuum interrupter 2, and

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of an arrangement 1 of Figure 2 which is spatially enclosed by a housing 16, the housing 16 being filled with clean air.

Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention with two identical, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 for switching high voltages in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2. The vacuum interrupters 2 each comprise a fixed contact piece 4 and a movable contact piece 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the movable contact pieces 5 of the series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another via a gear 14 with a drive 15, in particular a motor and/or spring-loaded drive. The arrangement 1 with series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 is designed to switch voltages in the high-voltage range, i.e. in the range greater than or equal to 52 kV, with a switching voltage of the series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 together, in particular in the range greater than or equal to 200 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 245 kV.

The vacuum interrupters 1 each have a shell 3 which has a metallic switching chamber 9, ceramic segments 8, which are connected to one another via outwardly drawn vapor shields 11, and comprise a metallic cover 12. The ceramic segments 8 are hollow cylindrical or tubular and are sealed fluid-tight at one end of the respective vacuum interrupter 2 via the respective cover 12. The respective metallic switching chamber 9 is hollow cylindrical, with, for example, different cross-sections in different regions along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 2, and is sealed fluid-tight at one end of the vacuum interrupter 2, which is opposite the end with the cover 12. Inside, the vacuum interrupters 2 are evacuated or a vacuum prevails in each case.

Contact pieces 4 and 5 protrude from the ends of the vacuum interrupters 2 into the respective casing 3 of the respective vacuum interrupter 2, e.g., a fixed contact piece 4 from one side of the respective vacuum interrupter 2 and a movable contact piece 5 from the other side of the vacuum interrupter 2. The fixed contact piece 4 is guided in a fluid-tight manner through the respective cover 12 from the interior of the vacuum interrupter 2 to the outside, e.g., by gluing, pressing, soldering, and/or welding. The respective movable contact piece 5 is guided in a movable manner from the interior of the vacuum interrupter 2 to the outside via a bellows 10, which is fluid-tightly connected to the contact piece 5 and the main shield or the switching chamber 9, e.g., by gluing, pressing, soldering, and/or welding. The contact pieces 4 and 5 each comprise a contact plate 6 and a contact pin 7. The contact plate 6 is arranged inside the respective vacuum interrupter 2 at one end of the contact pin 7, with the plate plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the contact pin 7. At the other end of the contact pin 7, which is arranged outside the respective vacuum interrupter 2, the vacuum interrupter 2 is electrically contacted.

When switching the vacuum interrupters 2, a vacuum gap exists between the contact plates 6 of the contact pieces 4 and 5 in the switched-off state, whereby a current flow via the contact pieces 4, 5 is prevented when voltage is applied. When switched on, the movable contact pieces 5 are moved towards the respectively assigned fixed contact piece 4 until the contact plates 6 of the contact pieces 4 and 5 are in electrical and/or mechanical contact and a current flow is possible. When switched off, the movable contact pieces 5 are moved away from the respectively assigned fixed contact piece 4 until the contact plates 6 of the contact pieces 4 and 5 are at a sufficient distance to electrically insulate the respectively assigned contact pieces 4 and 5 from one another across the respective gap when voltage is applied. Gaps in the range from millimeters to centimeters in evacuated vacuum interrupters 2 are, for example, sufficient for switching off high voltages, in particular in the range greater than or equal to 52 kV, in particular per vacuum interrupter 2, with switching voltages of, for example, vacuum interrupters 2 connected in series together, in particular in the range greater than or equal to 52 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 200 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 245 kV. The vacuum interrupters 2 each have, for example, a length in the range of in particular 30 to 100 centimeters, and a circumference in the range of in particular 10 to 100 centimeters.

In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the respective metallic switching chambers 9 spatially encompass or enclose the associated contact plates 6 of the associated contact pieces 4 and 5. The switching chambers 9 are made of a metal such as copper and/or steel and, for example, comprise vapor deposition shields on the inside, which are not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. The hollow, cylindrical ceramic segments 8 are made of sintered ceramic, for example, and in particular are surface-treated. The ceramic segments 8 are connected to one another, for example, via vapor shields 11. A connection is made, for example, during a soldering process in a furnace at several hundred degrees Celsius during the manufacture of the vacuum interrupters 2. The vapor shields 11 are, for example, made of metal, in particular copper and/or steel, and are ring-shaped. Inside the vacuum interrupters 2, the Vapor shields 11 are designed, for example, in the form of vapor deposition shields, which, for the sake of simplicity, are not shown in detail in the figures. The vapor shields 11 protrude outwardly, for example, in the form of flat rings, from the respective vacuum interrupter 1 or beyond the ceramic segment circumference. This enables electrical connection and interconnection of electrical components 13, e.g., varistors, capacitors, resistors, diodes, and/or arresters, as explained in more detail in connection with Figure 4, via the vapor shields 11, thus enabling the vacuum interrupters 2 to be deactivated.

The contact pieces 4 and 5, i.e. contact plates 6 and contact pins 7, are made of copper, aluminum, and/or steel, for example. In this case, contact pins 7, in particular, can be made of one or more different materials, e.g. copper inside the vacuum interrupter 2 and then aluminum on the outside, or e.g. entirely of copper. Contact plates 6 are made of one or more materials, e.g. steel coated with copper or entirely of copper, for example, whereby the respective contact surface can be slotted, for example. Covers 12 are made of a metal, in particular copper and/or steel, for example. Bellows 10 are made of steel, in particular spring steel, for example. A solder for vacuum-tight joining of the parts of the vacuum interrupters 2 during soldering is, for example, tin and/or lead solder.

Figure 2 schematically shows a further embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention in a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2. The vacuum interrupters 2 of the embodiment of Figure 2 are two identical, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 for switching high voltages. As in the embodiment of Figure 1, only fixed contact pieces 4 are spatially, in particular partially, enclosed by ceramic segments 9. In contrast to the embodiment of Figure 1, the fixed contact pieces 4 of the series-connected vacuum interrupters 2 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another. Movable contact pieces 5 are driven by one or more drives 15 from the right and left side of the arrangement 1 during switching, in particular via one or more gears 14, which is not shown in Figure 2 for the sake of simplicity. Two fixed contact pieces 4 can be used, e.g. screwed, soldered, welded, and/or glued together. Or one contact pin 7 serves as the contact pin 7 for both vacuum interrupters 2, with e.g. screwed, soldered, welded, and/or glued contact plates 6 on both sides of the contact pin 7, or with a monolithic body which comprises the contact pin 7 and the two contact plates 6. A connection of the two vacuum interrupters 2 via the fixed contact piece or pieces 4 results in a very stable arrangement 1, in particular stable against vibrations, e.g. during switching. Buffers can be arranged between the fixed contact pieces 4 in order to compensate for contact bounce or its forces, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2 of another embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the identical, asymmetrical vacuum interrupters 2 of Figures 1 and 2, in the embodiment of Figure 3 different vacuum interrupters 2 are included in the arrangement 1 according to the invention. The vacuum interrupters 2 in Figure 3 are connected in a manner analogous to the embodiment of Figure 2 via the fixed contact pieces 4, whereby a connection analogous to the embodiment of Figure 1 via the movable contact pieces 5, in particular with a gear and/or drive arranged therebetween, is also possible, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity. In the embodiment of Figure 3, different vacuum interrupters 2 are used, in particular two vacuum interrupters 2 with ceramic segments 8 on both sides of the switching chamber 9, whereby ceramic segments 8 spatially and ceramic segments 8 spatially enclose the fixed contact piece 4 or its contact pin 7.

In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 3, the left-hand vacuum interrupter 2 has two ceramic segments 8 on the side of the movable contact piece 5 and three ceramic segments 8 on the side of the fixed contact piece 4. The right-hand vacuum interrupter 2 has, for example, one ceramic segment 8 on the side of the movable contact piece 5 and three ceramic segments 8 on the side of the fixed contact piece 4. Further numbers and combinations of ceramic segments 8 on the side of the fixed contact piece 4 and on the side of the movable contact piece 5 are possible, with the same lengths, thicknesses and/or circumferences of the ceramic segments 8 or with different ones. Vacuum interrupters 2 can also be symmetrical, in particular with the same number and shape of ceramic segments 8 on both sides of a vacuum interrupter 2, or at least one vacuum interrupter 2 can be symmetrical, which is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.

Figure 4 shows, by way of example, a schematic sectional view of an arrangement 1 from Figure 2 which is spatially enclosed or encompassed by a housing 16, the housing 16 being filled, for example, with clean air. The arrangement 1 with housing 16 represents, for example, a high-voltage circuit breaker or is encompassed by a high-voltage circuit breaker. Instead of an arrangement 1 according to Figure 2, the housing 16 can also comprise an arrangement according to a different exemplary embodiment, for example as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

The housing 16 is, for example, a live or dead tank, in particular made of metal, for example, steel and/or aluminum, in particular in the manner of a GIS housing. Alternatively, the housing 16 is a housing of an outdoor switch, for example, made of an insulator, in particular of ceramic, silicone and/or a composite material. The outer surface of the housing 16 is, for example, ribbed, which for the sake of simplicity is not shown in Figure 4. shown, in order to extend electrical creepage paths. The housing 16 is filled, for example, with an insulating gas, in particular SF ₆ , CO ₂ , and/or a gas mixture, e.g. clean air, ie purified, dried air.

As shown by way of example in the exemplary embodiment in Figure 4, and as previously mentioned for further exemplary embodiments, the vacuum interrupters 2, which are connected in particular in series, are de-energized via an electrical circuit comprising components 13 such as capacitors, resistors, coils, varistors, and/or arresters. The vacuum interrupters 2 are de-energized via the electrical circuit with components 13, in particular a predefined voltage distribution along the vacuum interrupters 2, e.g. a uniform voltage distribution with essentially half the voltage drop per vacuum interrupter 2 in the series circuit when voltage is applied. The components 13 are connected, for example, via the vapor shields 11, metallic switching chambers 9, covers 12, and/or contact pieces 4, 5, in particular in series and/or parallel. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 4, for example, capacitors and resistors are connected in series and in parallel, and a varistor is connected in parallel with capacitors and resistors. This is only an example; different circuits are possible depending on the requirements of voltage distribution across the vacuum interrupters and current discharge.

The previously described embodiments can be combined with one another and/or with the prior art. For example, two or more vacuum interrupters 2 can be comprised by an arrangement 1 according to the invention. At least two vacuum interrupters 2 are connected in series; others can also be connected in series or in parallel. The vacuum interrupters 2 can be asymmetrical and/or symmetrical, with the same or different number, length, and circumference of ceramic segments 8 on each side of the vacuum interrupters 2. The vacuum Switching tubes can be connected to each other, particularly mechanically and/or electrically, via the fixed or movable contact pieces 4, 5. One or more drives, particularly in conjunction with a gear, can be provided to drive the movable contact pieces 5 during switching.

Ceramic segments 7 and/or metallic switching chambers 8 can be used with a hollow cylindrical shape, the base, cover, and/or cross-sectional area of which can be circular, elliptical, or oval, or can have a different shape. More than one fixed and/or movable contact piece 3, 4 can be used per vacuum interrupter 2, e.g., a central fixed contact piece 4 with a contact plate 6 on each side of the contact pin 7, in particular arranged entirely inside the vacuum interrupter 2, and with two movable contact pieces 4 on each side of the vacuum interrupter 2, each led outward via the respective contact pin 7 via a respective bellows 10. The ceramic segment(s) 8 can spatially at least partially enclose the contact pin 7 of the fixed contact piece 4 and/or the movable contact piece 5. Contact pieces 4, 5 can be monolithic, in particular with contact plate 6 and contact pin 7, or made of at least two parts, e.g. a contact plate 6 and a contact pin 7, which are in particular welded, soldered, glued, clamped and/or screwed together.

A bellows 10 is, for example, attached to the contact pin 7 of the movable contact piece 5, and/or to the contact plate 6 of the movable contact piece 5, in particular substantially vertically in a flat area of the contact plate 6. Alternatively, the bellows 10 can be attached, for example, to the outer circumference of the contact plate 6, in particular in a vacuum-tight manner. The bellows 10 can alternatively also be attached between a contact pin 7 and contact plate 6, in particular in a vacuum-tight manner, e.g. clamped, glued, soldered and/or welded, e.g. when the contact plate 6 and the Contact bolts 7 are not made from one piece, but are connected to one another, for example by screwing, gluing, clamping, welding and/or soldering.

Ceramic segments 8 can be connected to one another via vapor shields 11 or directly, or only one ceramic segment 8 can be provided, wherein the vapor shields 11, the cover 12 and/or the metallic switching chambers or the metallic main shields 9 can have vapor deposition shields inside the vacuum interrupter 2. Instead of using a metallic cover 12, a ceramic segment 8 can be cover-shaped at least on one side, and the in particular fixed contact pin 7 or the contact pin 7 of the in particular fixed contact piece 4 can be guided into the vacuum interrupter 2 via the cover-shaped ceramic segment 8 in a vacuum-tight manner, e.g. by soldering, sintering, gluing, and/or clamping. The cover 12 can also be made of a material such as plastic, PTFE, PCTFE and/or a semiconductor or can comprise such a material. A housing 16, in which the vacuum interrupters 2 can be arranged, can be filled with an insulating gas, e.g. B. Clean Air, a solid as an insulator, e.g. a polyurethane foam or plastic, or a liquid as an insulating medium, e.g. an insulating oil, in particular partially or completely.

The vacuum interrupters 2 can be electrically connected, in particular by components such as capacitors, resistors, coils, varistors, and/or arresters, e.g. along the outer circumference and the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupters 2, directly on the casing 3 or at a distance from the casing 3 or in a separate housing, for controlling the vacuum interrupters 2. This allows a predetermined, in particular uniform, voltage drop along the longitudinal axis of the vacuum interrupter 2 in the switched-off state when voltage is applied. A combination of vacuum interrupters 2 of the same or different design, connected in series, which are each designed to greater than or equal to 52 kV, enable switching of high voltages, in particular greater than and/or equal to 200 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 245 kV, thus making conventional arrangements for switching high voltages, in particular high-voltage circuit breakers, e .g . with arc and

Rated current contact piece, and switching gases such as SF ₆ , can be replaced in an environmentally friendly manner.

Reference symbol list

1 arrangement

2 vacuum interrupter tubes

3 Cover

4 fixed contact piece

5 movable contact piece

6 contact plates

7 contact bolts

8 ceramic segments

9 Switching chamber, in particular metallic

10 bellows

11 Steam shield

12 Lids, especially metallic

13 Component, in particular capacitor, resistor, varistor, coil, or arrester

14 gearboxes

15 Drive

16 Metal tank and/or insulator housings

17 Insulating gas

Claims

Patent claims 1. Arrangement (1) of at least two vacuum interrupters (2) for switching high voltages, wherein each vacuum interrupter (2) has at least one casing (3) and at least one fixed contact piece (4) comprising a contact plate (6) and a contact pin (7), and at least one movable contact piece (5) comprising a contact plate (6) and a contact pin (7), and wherein at least one casing (3) comprises at least one ceramic segment (8) and a metallic switching chamber (9), and wherein the contact pin (7) of the movable contact pieces (5) is guided into the respective casing (3) via at least one bellows (10), characterized in that the at least two vacuum interrupters (2) are each designed to switch voltages greater than or equal to 52 kV and are connected in series. 2. Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum interrupters (2) are connected in series to switch together voltages greater than or equal to 200 kV, in particular greater than or equal to 245 kV. 3. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connection of the vacuum interrupters (2) with components (13), in particular capacitors, resistors, varistors, coils, and/or arresters, for controlling the voltage across the series-connected vacuum interrupters (2) is included. 4. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that differently designed vacuum interrupters (2) are included. 5. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one asymmetrical vacuum interrupter (2) is included, in particular with at least one bellows (10) which is at least partially the metallic switching chamber (9) is spatially enclosed, and/or with different lengths and/or with a different number of ceramic segments (8) on the side of the fixed contact piece (4) and the side of the movable contact piece (5). 6. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two vacuum interrupters (2) are included, which are designed for different voltage levels, in particular with different lengths and/or designs. 7. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum interrupters (2) are electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via a gear (14) and/or a drive (15) via the respective movable contact pieces (5). 8. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the vacuum interrupters (2) are electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via the respective fixed contact pieces (4) or via a common fixed contact piece (4). 9. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that vacuum interrupters (2) are electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via a gear (14) and/or a drive (15) via the respective movable contact pieces (5) and in that vacuum interrupters (2) are electrically and/or mechanically connected to one another via the respective fixed contact pieces (4) or via a common fixed contact piece (4), in particular with a number of vacuum interrupters (2) unequal on different sides of the connection via a gear (14) and/or a drive (15). 10. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that vacuum interrupters (2) are arranged in series and are electrically connected in parallel, in particular with a different number of vacuum interrupters connected in parallel or connected in series with one another. 11. Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one metal tank and/or at least one insulator housing (16) is included, in which the vacuum interrupters (2) are arranged, in particular filled with clean air as insulating gas (17), solid and/or liquid insulation.