Ultrafast electromechanical disconnect switch
US10186392B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H33/666
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An ultrafast electrical (e.g., transfer, disconnect, etc.) switch that is simple, compact, does not require high energy to operate, ultralow loss, clean, and capable of being automatically reset. The invention includes a fast electromechanical switch having a drive mechanism integrated into the switching chamber. The integration of the drive mechanism into the switching chamber provides faster contact travel and therefore a faster switching operation. Additionally, the switching chamber is a self-contained environment that may consist of a high-pressure gas or a vacuum. The invention further includes an ultrafast disconnect switch. The invention generally is an integrated piezoelectric-actuator-based mechanical switching mechanism. The mechanism has a central piezoelectric actuator that extends to pull contacts inwards in order to obtain two disconnects within a millisecond or less. Surrounding the piezoelectric actuator is a polymer insulating shell and beyond the shell is the metallic conductor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.