Multi-Deck Transformer Switch

• US 20100038222A1
• Filed: 06/03/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Lindsey, Kurt Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 8,013,263 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/11.TC
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0016 Contact arrangements for tap changers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0044 Casings; Mountings; Disposition in transformer housing

Abstract

A transformer switch, such as a multi-deck tap changer, includes an assembly with a first housing coupled to a first cover. The first cover holds at least a first stationary electric contact. A second housing is formed integrally with the first cover, and is coupled to a second cover, the second cover holding at least a second stationary electric contact. The first housing and first cover together define a first interior volume within which the first stationary electric contact is disposed. The second cover and the second housing together define a second interior volume within which the second stationary electric contact is disposed. Each housing-cover coupled pair includes an interior rotor rotatable relative to the stationary electric contact in the cover of the pair. At least one movable contact is coupled to each rotor. The covers and housings can be molded from a non-conductive plastic.

Claims

1. A transformer switch, comprising:

an assembly comprising a first cover formed integrally with a second housing;

the first cover holding at least a first stationary electric contact;

a first housing coupled to the first cover, the first housing and the first cover together defining a first internal volume of the transformer switch, the first stationary electric contact being disposed within the first internal volume; and

a second cover coupled to the second housing, the second cover holding at least a second stationary electric contact, the second housing and second cover together defining a second internal volume of the transformer switch, the second stationary electric contact being disposed within the second internal volume.

2. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein the first cover comprises a snap feature that removably couples the first cover to the first housing, and the second cover comprises another snap feature that removably couples the second cover to the second housing.

3. The transformer switch of claim 1, further comprising a first rotor disposed between the first cover and the first housing, the first rotor being rotatable relative to the first stationary electric contact.

4. The transformer switch of claim 3, further comprising a first movable electric contact coupled to the first rotor, wherein rotation of the first rotor causes the first movable electric contact to move relative to the first stationary electric contact.

5. The transformer switch of claim 3, further comprising a second rotor disposed between the second cover and the second housing, the second rotor being coupled to the first rotor such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the second rotor relative to the second stationary electric contact.

6. The transformer switch of claim 5, further comprising a second movable electric contact coupled to the second rotor, wherein rotation of the second rotor causes the second movable electric contact to move relative to the second stationary electric contact.

7. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein the second cover is formed integrally with a third housing, the third housing being coupled to a third cover holding at least a third stationary electric contact, the third housing and the third cover together defining a third interior volume of the transformer switch, the third stationary electric contact being disposed within the third interior volume.

8. The transformer switch of claim 7, wherein the third housing and the second housing are disposed on opposite sides of the second cover.

9. The transformer switch of claim 7, further comprising

a first rotor disposed between the first housing and the first cover;

a second rotor disposed between the second housing and the second cover; and

a third rotor disposed between the third housing and the third cover,

wherein the second rotor is coupled to the first rotor and the third rotor such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the second rotor relative to the second stationary electric contact, and the rotation of the second rotor causes rotation of the third rotor relative to the third stationary electric contact.

10. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein the assembly is molded from a non-conductive plastic.

11. A transformer switch, comprising:

an assembly comprising a first cover formed integrally with a second housing;

the first cover holding at least a first stationary electric contact;

a first housing coupled to the first cover, the first housing and the first cover together defining a first internal volume of the transformer switch, the first stationary electric contact being disposed within the first internal volume;

a second cover coupled to the second housing, the second cover holding at least a second stationary electric contact, the second housing and second cover together defining a second internal volume of the transformer switch, the second stationary electric contact being disposed within the second internal volume;

a first rotor disposed between the first cover and the first housing, the first rotor being rotatable relative to the first stationary electric contact; and

a second rotor disposed between the second cover and the second housing, the second rotor coupled to the first rotor such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the second rotor relative to the second stationary electric contact.

12. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein the first cover comprises a snap feature that removably couples the first cover to the first housing, and the second cover comprises another snap feature that removably couples the second cover to the second housing.

13. The transformer switch of claim 11, further comprising a first movable electric contact coupled to the first rotor, wherein rotation of the first rotor causes the first movable electric contact to move relative to the first stationary electric contact.

14. The transformer switch of claim 13, further comprising a second movable electric contact coupled to the second rotor, wherein rotation of the second rotor causes the second movable electric contact to move relative to the second stationary electric contact.

15. The transformer switch of claim 11, further comprising a third housing formed integrally with the second cover;

and a third cover coupled to the third housing, the third cover holding at least a third stationary electric contact, the third housing and the third cover together defining a third interior volume of the transformer switch, the third stationary electric contact being disposed within the third interior volume.

16. The transformer switch of claim 15, wherein the third housing and the second housing are disposed on opposite sides of the second cover.

17. The transformer switch of claim 15, further comprising a third rotor disposed between the third housing and the third cover, wherein the second rotor is coupled to the third rotor such that rotation of the second rotor causes rotation of the third rotor relative to the third stationary electric contact.

18. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein the assembly is molded from a non-conductive plastic.

19. A transformer switch, comprising:

a first assembly comprising a first cover formed integrally with a second housing, the first cover holding at least a first stationary electric contact;

a first housing coupled to the first cover, the first housing and the first cover together defining a first internal volume of the transformer switch, the first stationary electric contact being disposed within the first internal volume;

a second assembly comprising a second cover formed integrally with a third housing, the second cover of the second assembly being coupled to the second housing of the first assembly;

the second cover holding at least a second stationary electric contact, the second housing and the second cover together defining a second internal volume of the transformer switch, the second stationary electric contact being disposed within the second internal volume; and

a third cover coupled to the third housing, the third cover holding at least a third stationary electric contact, the third cover and the third housing together defining a third interior volume of the transformer switch, the third stationary electric contact being disposed within the third interior volume.

20. The transformer switch of claim 19, wherein the third housing and the second housing are disposed on opposite sides of the second cover.

21. The transformer switch of claim 19, further comprising

a first rotor disposed between the first housing and the first cover;

a second rotor disposed between the second housing and the second cover; and

a third rotor disposed between the third housing and the third cover,

wherein the second rotor is coupled to the first rotor and the third rotor such that rotation of the first rotor causes rotation of the second rotor relative to the second stationary electric contact, and the rotation of the second rotor causes rotation of the third rotor relative to the third stationary electric contact.

22. The transformer switch of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second assemblies is molded from a non-conductive plastic.