Virtual Prototyping Design Method to Optimize Mechanical Spring Devices for MV Switch Disconnector

摘要

This paper proposes a replicable methodology based on virtual prototyping design in multibody environment to optimize the functionality of Mechanical Spring Devices (MSD). These devises are assembled to control the shaft angular velocity in medium-voltage (MV) switch disconnector. The angular velocity of switch disconnector, moving the contact fingers, is directly linked to arcing time, which is the parameter that mainly influences accuracy, safety drives and a longer service life of device. Design of experiment (DoE) techniques, integrated with tridimensional geometric parametrization, were used in multibody environment to optimize the displacement of switch disconnector shaft. The best values of shape, stiffness and preload of the main cylindrical helical spring of MSD were obtained in every functional condition. Optimization results were compared with the limits values measured in homologation and with the acceptance limits values released by ENEL technical specifications for the MSD studied proving the effective methodology and the improvement obtained in terms of the safety of the system.