Multi-deck transformer switch

• US 8,013,263 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2009
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): LEON MUNOZ, EDWIN A
• Application Number:
  US12/477,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20100038222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: 200/11.TC, 200/336, 200/275, 200/61.54, 200/504, 200/11.G, 218/147, 333/107, 333/262
• US Class Current: 200/11.0TC
• 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:

a first housing;

a plurality of second housings;

a plurality of first covers, each of the plurality of first covers formed integrally with respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

a second cover;

the first housing, the plurality of second housings, the plurality of first covers and the second cover are formed from at least one non-conductive material;

the first housing is removably coupled to a one of the plurality of first covers;

remaining ones of the plurality of first covers are removably coupled to respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

the second cover is removably coupled to one of the plurality of second, housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers;

each of the plurality of first covers and the second cover comprise;

a base member;

a wall member extending from the surface of the base member and defining an interior space of the cover; and

a plurality of pockets extending from the wall member, within the interior space of the cover, a plurality of stationary electric contacts each being disposed within one of the pockets of the cover;

a plurality of rotors, each of the plurality of rotors having at least one movable contact coupled to the rotor and configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least two of the plurality of stationary electric contacts in respective ones of the plurality of first covers and the second cover.

2. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein a snap feature removably couples the first housing to the one of the plurality of first covers.

3. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein snap features removably couple the remaining ones of the plurality of first covers to the respective ones of the plurality of second housings.

4. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein a snap feature removably couples the second cover to the one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers.

5. The transformer switch of claim 1, wherein the first housing and the plurality of second housings have openings for dielectric fluid to flow therein, thereby allowing an increase in dielectric capabilities and improved cooling of the transformer switch.

6. A transformer switch, comprising:

a first housing;

at least one second housing;

at least one first cover, the at least one first cover is formed integrally with a respective one of the at least one second housing;

a second cover;

the first housing, the at least one second housing, the at least one first cover and the second cover are formed from at least one non-conductive material;

the first housing is removably coupled to a respective one of the at least one first cover;

any remaining one of the at least one first cover is removably coupled to a respective one of the at least one second housing;

the second cover is removably coupled to a one of the at least one second housing not coupled to one of the at least one first cover;

each one of the at least one first cover and the second cover comprise;

a base member;

a wall member extending from the surface of the base member and defining an interior space of the cover; and

a plurality of pockets extending from the wall member, within the interior space of the cover, a plurality of stationary electric contacts each being disposed within one of the pockets of the cover;

a plurality of rotors, each of the plurality of rotors having at least one movable contact coupled to the rotor and configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least two of the plurality of stationary electric contacts in respective ones of the at least one first cover and the second cover.

7. The transformer switch of claim 6, wherein a snap feature removably couples the first housing to the one of the plurality of first covers.

8. The transformer switch of claim 6, wherein snap features removably couple the remaining ones of the plurality of first covers to the respective ones of the plurality of second housings.

9. The transformer switch of claim 6, wherein a snap feature removably couples the second cover to the one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers.

10. The transformer switch of claim 6, wherein the first housing and the plurality of second housings have openings for dielectric fluid to flow therein, thereby allowing an increase in dielectric capabilities and improved cooling of the transformer switch.

11. A dual voltage transformer switch, comprising:

a first housing;

a plurality of second housings;

a plurality of first covers, each of the plurality of first covers formed integrally with respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

a second cover;

the first housing, the plurality of second housings, the plurality of first covers and the second cover are formed from at least one non-conductive material;

the first housing is removably coupled to a one of the plurality of first covers;

remaining ones of the plurality of first covers are removably coupled to respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

the second cover is removably coupled to one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers;

each of the plurality of first covers and the second cover comprise;

a base member;

a wall member extending from the surface of the base member and defining an interior space of the cover; and

a plurality of pockets extending from the wall member, within the interior space of the cover, a plurality of stationary electric contacts each being disposed within one of the pockets of the cover;

a plurality of rotors, each of the plurality of rotors having at least one movable contact coupled to the rotor and configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least two of the plurality of stationary electric contacts in respective ones of the plurality of first covers and the second cover, wherein the plurality of rotors are movable between either one of two positions.

12. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein a snap feature removably couples the first housing to the one of the plurality of first covers.

13. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein snap features removably couple the remaining ones of the plurality of first covers to the respective ones of the plurality of second housings.

14. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein a snap feature removably couples the second cover to the one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers.

15. The transformer switch of claim 11, wherein the first housing and the plurality of second housings have openings for dielectric fluid to flow therein, thereby allowing an increase in dielectric capabilities and improved cooling of the transformer switch.

16. A multi-tap voltage transformer switch, comprising:

a first housing;

a plurality of second housings;

a plurality of first covers, each of the plurality of first covers formed, integrally with respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

a second cover;

the first housing, the plurality of second housings, the plurality of first covers and the second cover are formed from at least one non-conductive material;

the first housing is removably coupled to a one of the plurality of first covers;

remaining ones of the plurality of first covers are removably coupled to respective ones of the plurality of second housings;

the second cover is removably coupled to one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers;

each of the plurality of first covers and the second cover comprise;

a base member;

a wall member extending from the surface of the base member and defining an interior space of the cover; and

a plurality of pockets extending from the wall member, within the interior space of the cover, a plurality of stationary electric contacts each being disposed within one of the pockets of the cover;

a plurality of rotors, each of the plurality of rotors having at least one movable contact coupled to the rotor and configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least two of the plurality of stationary electric contacts in respective ones of the plurality of first covers and the second cover, wherein the plurality of rotors are movable between each one of a plurality of positions.

17. The transformer switch of claim. 16, wherein a snap feature removably couples the first housing to the one of the plurality of first covers.

18. The transformer switch of claim 16, wherein snap features removably couple the remaining ones of the plurality of first covers to the respective ones of the plurality of second housings.

19. The transformer switch of claim 16, wherein a snap feature removably couples the second cover to the one of the plurality of second housings not coupled to one of the plurality of first covers.

20. The transformer switch of claim 16, wherein the first housing and the plurality of second housings have openings for dielectric fluid to flow therein, thereby allowing an increase in dielectric capabilities and improved cooling of the transformer switch.