25_SquareD_spring_damper_contacts.pdfVIP

Modeling of a Spring/Damper System for Electrical Contacts using Dynamic Designer in Autodesk Mechanical Desktop Mary B. Groff Advanced Technology Analytics Square D Company/Schneider Electric Nashville, TN ABSTRACT Extreme space limitations and the desire to reduce the bounce between contacts prompted an investigation of the use of Belleville washers and Sorbothane as part of a spring/damper system in a medium voltage high-speed shorting device. Experimental tests in conjunction with mechanism simulation have been used to optimize a spring and damping system for the minimization of bounce that occurs during the closing of electrical contacts. Through the use of Dynamic Designer, the amount of stiffness and damping required, the identification of the optimum location of the damping system, and the mechanism components that were contributing to the bouncing phenomena were determined. The stiffness of the Belleville washers was tuned to the moving masses but the overtravel of the shaft was damped using a Sorbothane stack. This paper discusses the basic mechanism of a medium voltage switch and the modeling approach in Dynamic Designer. The experiments used for validation of the model are outlined. Correlation between the model and the test results conclude the paper. INTRODUCTION The use of mechansim simulation early in the design cycle is being implemented within Square D Company/Schneider Electric. In an effort to assess the value of using mechanism simulation within Autodesk Mechanical Desktop , an evaluation program was initiated during the concept and development of a medium voltage switchgear protection system. Dynamic Designer was used in the evaluation because of its seamless integration with Mechanical Desktop , thus reducing the learning curve required for its use in this pilot environment. Although this electrical protection system has multiple subsystems, only those components directly interfacing with the electrical contac