Mga Beneficio sa Paggamit og Elastic Contacts sa Bag-ong Henerasyon sa Vacuum Interrupter
Vacuum Interrupter Based on Elastic Contacts
Ang vacuum interrupter nga gamiton ang mga elastic damping elements gihimo sa refractory metals ug gitipon sa fusible eutectic alloy mahimong gamiton sa mga vacuum switching apparatus, lalo na sa mga sistema nga nanginahanglan og pag-switch sa dako nga kuryente (e.g., electrolyzers para sa hydrogen ug metal production) o high-speed switching (e.g., medium voltage direct current). Kini usab ang katugasan sa pagpadayon sa pag-increase sa switching capacity sa existing systems, sama sa safe boosting sa on-load tap changers (OLTC) para sa wind turbine transformers.
Ang paggamit sa elastic contacts nagtangtang sa mga limitasyon sa nominal current magnitude gikan sa quadratic increase sa compression forces. Isip resulta, ang bag-ong mga sistema mahimo nga idisenyo nga mas compact ug cost-effective. Apan, ang dugang research ug pagbalhin sa mga findings niini sa standards kinahanglan aron mapatuman kini.
Concept of Elastic Contacts in Vacuum Interrupters
Sa ilang core, ang elastic contacts alang sa vacuum interrupters sama sa wire mesh vibration dampers (Fig.1) gihimo sa refractory metals ug gitipon sa low-melting alloys nga naghatag og contact pinaagi sa liquid phase. Ang maong termino nga composite liquid-metal contacts ang ginamit sa maong literatura, apan kini wala definitively applicable sa specific type of contact, tungod kay ang liquid phase may exist lang isip thin layer sa surface sa refractory wire.
Kini, ang significant characteristics—vibration resistance ug contact over the entire visible area—nahitabo tungod sa properties sa knitted damper. Ang disenyo sa elastic contacts dili lamang nahatagan sa limitations sa traditional contact materials sa high-pressure, high-current applications apan nagensure usab sa stability ug reliability sa operasyon sa equipment. Kini nga innovation crucial para sa pag-improve sa efficiency ug safety sa power systems ug naghatag og mas flexible ug efficient design approach alang sa future electrical engineering projects.
Pinaagi sa pag-adopt sa elastic contacts, ang vacuum interrupter technology nag-achieve superior performance ug reliability, making it an essential advancement for modern power systems. Ang dugang investigation ug standardization magpapahibayo sa broader application ug integration sa teknolohiya niini sa iba pang industriya.
Advantages and Challenges of Elastic Contacts in Vacuum Interrupters
Ang mga elastic contacts wala mag-exhibit inertial rebound, dili maka-weld, wala conventional contact resistance, ug, as will be demonstrated later, wala subject sa electromagnetic separation. Tungod sa kini nga remarkable properties, makapoy kung unsaon nga wala pa kini adunay wide adoption sa electrical engineering.
Main Challenges of Elastic Contact Materials in Vacuum Interrupters:
Production Technology: Hangtod kamakura, ang manufacturing ug applying sa elastic contact materials nanginahanglan og expensive equipment, complex thermochemical processes sa hydrogen atmosphere, ug specially trained personnel. Ang significant issue mao ang poor adhesion sa gallium ug iyang alloys sa tungsten ug uban pang refractory metals.
Lack of Consolidated Information: Ang research sa maong elastic contacts wala consolidate sa single source, making it less accessible sa specialists.
Lack of Systematic Research: Despite their exceptional properties, systematic studies enabling engineers to apply these materials effectively have not been conducted.
Manufacturing Process for Elastic Contacts
Ang technological hurdle addressed by the author in April 2024 through the development of a straightforward method for manufacturing and applying elastic contact materials (patent application PCTIB2024/054125). This method is simpler and, in most cases, more economical compared to traditional rigid contacts used in vacuum switching equipment.
Steps Involved:
Damper Fabrication: The damper is made from knitted wire—typically tungsten, which was previously used in incandescent lamp filaments—or stainless steel. In special cases, molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, and their alloys can be used. These dampers are readily available from manufacturers.
Soldering: The dampers are soldered onto conductors similarly to how rigid contacts are attached.
Impregnation with Low-Melting Alloy: The dampers are impregnated with a low-melting alloy that remains liquid under operating conditions. Commonly used are eutectic alloys of gallium, indium, and tin, often with additions like silver to lower the melting point.
Testing Elastic Contacts in Vacuum Interrupters
Ang switching tests for durability gi-conduct sa pre-production vacuum contactor specifically designed for elastic contacts. During these tests, the contacts underwent 200,000 switching cycles at 250A in AC4 mode, with currents reaching 600 amperes and voltages up to 690 volts. Overvoltage testing showed that overvoltages were 2-3 times lower than standard norms.
This breakthrough method promises to revolutionize the field of vacuum interrupters by providing superior performance and reliability while reducing costs. Further research and standardization efforts are necessary to fully integrate this technology into broader applications within the electrical engineering industry. By addressing the challenges of production and dissemination of knowledge, these innovative elastic contacts could soon become a staple in modern power systems.
