Changyuan Electric Obtains Patent for Circuit Breaker Fasten

The latest publicly available information from the China National Intellectual Property Administration shows that Changyuan Electric Technology Co., Ltd. has officially published a patent titled "Method and System for Assembly and Disassembly of Circuit Breaker Fasteners Based on Thermally Induced Phase Locking," with publication number CN120985254A and an application date of October 2025. As a long-standing player in the power technology sector, Changyuan Electric has innovatively applied the principle of thermally induced phase locking to the assembly and disassembly of circuit breaker fasteners, offering a breakthrough solution for power equipment operation and maintenance, and opening new pathways for the application of fasteners in high-end power equipment.

As the core control device in power systems, the operational stability of circuit breakers directly affects grid safety. Fasteners, as critical connecting components within circuit breaker assemblies, have long presented industry challenges in terms of assembly precision and disassembly convenience. Traditional circuit breaker fastener assembly relies heavily on mechanical pre-tightening, which is susceptible to factors such as operator technique and ambient temperature, making it difficult to ensure stable preload. Over long-term operation, loosening may occur due to vibration, leading to equipment failure. During disassembly, interference fits often cause component damage, increasing maintenance costs. Changyuan Electric's patented technology precisely addresses these industry pain points.

According to the technical details disclosed in the patent abstract, the core advantage of this system lies in achieving precise and controllable assembly and disassembly of fasteners through the principle of "thermally induced phase locking." The overall process is divided into two core phases—assembly and disassembly—each with rigorous and interlocking technical logic.

The assembly phase adopts an innovative "stepwise tightening + thermally induced setting" approach to ensure assembly precision and stability. First, after completing the circuit breaker component assembly, workers apply pre-tightening to the threaded fasteners and precisely adjust the opening distance and overtravel to industry standard values, laying the foundation for subsequent fastening. Next, a first preset torque T1 is applied for initial tightening, securing component positions to prevent displacement during subsequent heating. The critical step is the third operation—heating—where electromagnetic induction heating equipment raises the threaded fasteners to a target temperature T_target at a controlled heating rate. This process creates precise expansion gaps in the fasteners, providing adjustment space for secondary tightening. During the thermoplastic window period of the fasteners, a second preset torque T2 is applied for secondary tightening, at which point the fasteners exhibit good plasticity and can perfectly conform to the mating surfaces. Finally, through natural cooling, the fasteners contract to form a permanent thermally induced interference fit—a connection stability far superior to traditional mechanical fastening, effectively resisting loosening risks from long-term vibration.

The disassembly phase achieves non-destructive removal through "low-temperature conversion" technology, solving a major challenge in traditional disassembly. This phase uses pre-cooled low-temperature media to cool the threaded fasteners to a target temperature T_remove at a rapid cooling rate. The low-temperature environment causes the fasteners to contract, transforming the interference fit into a clearance fit, allowing workers to complete disassembly with ease—avoiding damage to both fasteners and equipment components commonly seen in traditional methods, and significantly reducing spare part consumption and maintenance costs.

As a specialized technology in the power equipment field, this patent demonstrates strong industry applicability. The temperature control methods—electromagnetic induction heating and low-temperature cooling—can be precisely adjusted based on the material characteristics of different fastener specifications, accommodating the requirements of circuit breakers at various voltage levels including high and extra-high voltage. Meanwhile, the standardized operation of the entire assembly and disassembly process reduces reliance on operator experience, helping to elevate the standardization level of fastener assembly and disassembly in the power industry and minimize human error.

A relevant R&D leader at Changyuan Electric stated that this patented technology represents a significant achievement in the company's deep commitment to power equipment operation and maintenance. The team will continue to optimize technical parameters through pilot applications and promote the industrialization of this technological achievement. Industry experts note that amid the transition of power systems toward intelligence and higher efficiency, there is an urgent need for upgraded circuit breaker maintenance technologies. By innovatively combining thermal technology with fastener assembly and disassembly, this patent provides a fresh approach for power equipment maintenance and is expected to drive the upgrade and iteration of fastener application technologies in the power sector.

For the fastener industry, the value of this patent lies not only in expanding application scenarios but also in providing a reference for fastener technology innovation in high-end equipment sectors. The high-end equipment field has long demanded exceptional precision and reliability in fastener assembly and disassembly. Changyuan Electric's technology, through the precise integration of material thermal properties and mechanical connections, breaks through the limitations of traditional fastener assembly and disassembly techniques, offering a model for cross-industry collaboration between fastener enterprises and high-end equipment manufacturers.

With the advancement of intelligent maintenance in the power industry, the deployment and application of this patented technology are worthy of attention. In the future, if large-scale promotion is achieved, it will not only enhance the efficiency and safety of circuit breaker maintenance but also drive technological upgrades for fasteners in high-end equipment sectors such as power and new energy, providing strong support for the high-quality development of related industries.