PFI:AIR - TT: Fault-Tolerant Fast Mechanical Disconnect Switch

这个PFI：AIR技术翻译项目专注于翻译新的开关设备技术，以满足故障限流断路器的需求。容错机械隔离开关很重要，因为它将允许人口稠密城市的变电站互联，以提高配电网的可靠性和弹性。根据公用事业系统的需求，该项目将产生容错机械隔离开关的最低可行产品(例如原型)。这款15千伏级别的隔离开关具有以下独特功能：额定持续电流约600 kA，故障额定电流30-40 kA，切换时间1毫秒。与市场上同类的传统、非故障限流断路器相比，这些功能集成在混合式断路器中具有以下优势。混合式断路器限制了故障电流；降低了变电站组件的应力，并实现了变电站之间的额外互联。该项目在从研究发现转化为商业应用的过程中解决了以下技术差距：a)开发即使在故障电流的压力下也不会焊接的电触点，这可能需要新的触点材料和几何形状。这在具有压电致动器的特殊设计中尤其苛刻，因为它将可实现的闭合接触力限制在远低于其传统的弹簧加载致动器的水平。B)开发有效地将热从真空室中的触点传导到隔离开关端子的导电体，以便可以安全地散热，而不会使真空室中的触点或执行器过热。此外，参与该项目的人员，本科生和研究生，将通过开发最低可行的产品和客户发现过程获得技术转换经验。该项目涉及开关设备制造商伊顿和G&Amp；W Electric以及电力公用事业联合爱迪生致力于在从研究发现到商业现实的技术转化工作中提供关于商业化方面的指导，以及与潜在客户的联系。该项目由工业创新和合作伙伴关系司和工程教育司联合资助；反映了该项目与这两个部门及其计划的各自目标的一致性。

This PFI: AIR Technology Translation project focuses on translating new switchgear technology to fill the need for fault current limiting circuit breakers. The fault tolerant mechanical disconnect switch is important because it will allow the interconnection of substations in densely populated cities to increase reliability and resiliency of the power distribution grid. Based on utility system needs, the project will result in a minimum viable product (e.g. prototype) of a fault tolerant mechanical disconnect switch. This 15 kV-class disconnect switch has the following unique features: 600 A continuous current rating, 30-40 kA fault current rating, and 1 ms switching time. These features provide the following advantages when integrated in a hybrid circuit breaker when compared to competing conventional, non-fault current limiting circuit breakers in this market space. The hybrid circuit breaker limits the fault current; reduces in the stress of substation components, and enables additional interconnections between substations.  This project addresses the following technology gaps as it translates from research discovery toward commercial application: a) The development of electrical contacts that do not weld even under the stress of fault currents, which will likely require new contact materials and geometries. This is especially demanding in the particular design with a piezoelectric actuator since it limits the achievable closed contact force to levels much lower than its conventional, spring-loaded actuators. b) The development of electrical conductors that conduct heat efficiently from the contacts in the vacuum chamber to the terminals of the disconnect switch so that it can be safely dissipated without overheating the contacts or the actuator inside the vacuum chamber. In addition, personnel involved in this project, undergraduate and graduate students, will receive technology translation experiences through the development of a minimum viable product and the customer discovery process.The project engages the switchgear manufacturers Eaton and G&W Electric as well as the electric utility Consolidated Edison to provide guidance with respect to commercialization aspects, and connections to potential customers in this technology translation effort from research discovery toward commercial reality.This project is jointly funded by the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships and the Division of Engineering Education; reflecting the alignment of this project with the respective goals of the two divisions and their programs.