EP0037765B1 - Circuit interrupter with an arc rotated by a permanent magnet - Google Patents

Circuit interrupter with an arc rotated by a permanent magnet Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0037765B1
EP0037765B1 EP81400459A EP81400459A EP0037765B1 EP 0037765 B1 EP0037765 B1 EP 0037765B1 EP 81400459 A EP81400459 A EP 81400459A EP 81400459 A EP81400459 A EP 81400459A EP 0037765 B1 EP0037765 B1 EP 0037765B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
permanent magnet
contact
arc
magnet
shaped
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP81400459A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0037765A1 (en
Inventor
Georges Bernard
Serge Olive
Francesco Scarponi
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Merlin Gerin SA
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Merlin Gerin SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Merlin Gerin SA filed Critical Merlin Gerin SA
Publication of EP0037765A1 publication Critical patent/EP0037765A1/en
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Publication of EP0037765B1 publication Critical patent/EP0037765B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/18—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet
    • H01H33/182—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using blow-out magnet using permanent magnets

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a rotary arc switch as defined in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Document US-A-3082307 describes a vacuum interrupter having a permanent magnet for blowing the rotating arc.
  • the magnet is housed in a separate chamber provided inside the cylinder-shaped contact.
  • the magnet is attached to the bottom of the cylinder, which constitutes the contact surface, and is separated from the arc zone by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the bottom.
  • the arc track is materialized by an annular bead in low projection.
  • the object of the present invention is to allow the production of another type of permanent magnet switch with vigorous arc blowing and maintaining the arc in the maximum blowing zone.
  • the object of the invention is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.
  • the magnet By placing the magnet inside the enclosure and in the immediate vicinity of the annular electrode, the magnet is only separated from the arc zone by the thickness of the electrode which may be small.
  • the magnetic blowing field is therefore intense, which promotes rapid extinction of the arc.
  • the arrangement of the magnet inside the contact and the insertion of an insulating layer protects the magnet from any demagnetizing field.
  • the central cavity of the annular electrode and of the permanent magnet prevents any hooking of the arc on the central part of the contact in the zone of zero field. In the cut-off interval defined by the contacts, there remains no metal part capable of attracting the arc, and the latter is maintained on the annular tracks in the maximum blowing zone without making use of insulating coatings subjected to the action of the arc.
  • the permanent magnet can be shaped as a solid cylinder with axial magnetization having a blind central cavity, or according to another embodiment as a hollow cylinder with radial magnetization.
  • a permanent magnet in the form of a hollow cylinder with radial magnetization is described in document DE-B-1236628.
  • the magnet externally surrounds a bell-shaped contact, the external annular edge of which covers the front face of the magnet and constitutes the contact surface.
  • the arc anchored on the annular border can move towards the center and the interior of the bell where the magnetic field is null.
  • the insulating layer separating the permanent magnet from the contact electrically and thermally insulates the magnet.
  • the central cavity of the magnet is covered with a metal screen protecting the magnet, while the opposite rear face of the magnet is in thermal contact with a metal piece of heat dissipation to prevent excessive heating of the magnet.
  • This metal part can be arranged in a magnetic bolt for strengthening and optimal orientation of the lines of force of the magnetic blowing field.
  • the envelope is filled with an electronegative gas such as sulfur hexafluoride and according to an important development of the invention, the magnetic blowing of the arc is combined with a pneumatic blowing obtained by a subdivision of the volume of the envelope in two chambers, one of which contains the separable contacts and the other of which constitutes an exhaust volume of the gases compressed by the action of the arc, the communication between the two chambers being arranged in the pneumatic blowing nozzle of the 'bow.
  • This communication can be constituted by the tubular movable contact passing through the partition separating the two chambers.
  • the internal space of the tubular contact communicates with the two chambers respectively by radial orifices and by the open end forming the contact surface.
  • an insulating casing 10 of cylindrical shape is closed at its ends by bottoms 12, 14, the casing being filled with an electronegative gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride, advantageously under pressure.
  • an electronegative gas such as sulfur hexafluoride
  • Inside the casing 10 are axially disposed a fixed contact, designated by the general reference 16, and a movable contact 18, mounted with axial sliding action and secured to a control rod 20, which passes in a sealed manner through the bottom 14.
  • An internal partition 22 subdivides the internal volume of the casing 10 in two chambers 24 and 26, the movable contact 18 passing through the partition 22.
  • the chamber 24 constitutes the switching chamber of the switch in which the contacts 16, 18 are arranged, while the chamber 26 constitutes a volume exhaust of compressed gases by the action of the arc drawn in the chamber 24.
  • the movable tubular contact 18 constitutes a communication between the chambers 24, 26, the internal volume 28 of the tubular contact communicating on the one hand by orifices radial 30 with the chamber 26, and through the open end 32 with the chamber 24.
  • the annular edge 34 of the movable contact 18 constitutes the annular contact surface cooperating by abutment in the closed position of the switch with the fixed contact 16.
  • the edge 34 constitutes an annular station for migration of the arc root drawn between the separate contacts 16, 18.
  • the fixed contact 16 in the form of a hollow cylinder with a diameter equivalent to that of the movable contact 18 has on its flat face opposite the movable contact 18 an annular electrode or contact surface 36 cooperating in the closed position with the conjugate annular surface 34
  • a permanent magnet 38 in the form of a cylinder the bottom of which is attached to the rear face of the annular electrode 36.
  • the permanent magnet 38 with axial magnetization present in its part central opposite the orifice of the annular electrode 36 a cavity or blind hole 40.
  • a metal screen 42 covers the wall of the recess 40 and is connected to the circular edges of the electrode 36.
  • the face of the magnet 38 opposite the movable contact 18 is covered on its outer periphery by the annular electrode 36 and on its central part by the metal screen 42.
  • the fixed contact 16 is attached and fixed to the bottom 12 of the 'envel oppe 10, which is crossed by a terminal 44 for supplying current.
  • the permanent magnet 38 is electrically and thermally isolated from the fixed contact 16 by an insulating layer 46 covering on the one hand the cylindrical surface of the magnet 38 and on the other hand the planar face attached to the electrode 36. It is clear that the current flowing through the fixed contact 16 remains confined in the external cylindrical part of the contact 16 and does not generate any magnetic field inside the contact capable of demagnetizing the permanent magnet 18.
  • the rear face of the permanent magnet 38 is attached to a magnetic carcass 48 which facilitates cooling by thermal conduction of the magnet 38.
  • the presence of the carcass 48 increases the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 38 and this carcass 48 is advantageously extended by an external crown 50 of the contact 16.
  • FIG. 1 on which the lines of force 51 of the magnet 38 are shown, it can be seen that the part 50 of the carcass 48 modifies the orientation of the li force genes, so as to orient the latter substantially horizontally in the figure in the separation zone of the contacts 16, 18.
  • the contacts 16, 18 are made of a non-magnetic material.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the same reference numbers are used to designate identical or similar parts to those of Figure 1.
  • the permanent magnet 52 housed inside of the fixed contact 16 is in the form of a hollow cylinder whose diameter of the central opening 54 corresponds substantially to the diameter of the central hole of the annular electrode 36.
  • the hollow cylinder is magnetized radially and it is easy to see that the lines of force 51, schematically represented in FIG. 2, have a configuration close to that obtained by the solid cylindrical magnet 38 in the variant according to FIG. 1.
  • the carcass 48 is eliminated and the screen 42 is transformed into a screen in the form of a ferrule 56 internally sheathing the hollow cylinder 52.
  • the cylindrical part of the contact 16 can be made of a ferromagnetic material reducing the reluctance of the magnetic circuit.
  • the tubular shape of the permanent magnet 52 allows an escape of gases through the fixed contact 16 and a double blowing of the arc. It is unnecessary to describe the operation of this alternative embodiment, operation absolutely identical to that described above.
  • the permanent magnet 38, 52 can be a ferrite magnet or a metal magnet or any other suitable type and the insulating layer 46, interposed between the magnet and the contact, can be based on polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • the assembly is particularly simple and does not require a large operating force. None of the parts are subjected to electrodynamic forces of repulsion which pose serious problems in the rotary arc switches using the blow coils.

Landscapes

  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)

Description

L'invention est relative à un interrupteur à arc tournant tel que défini dans le préambule de la revendication 1.The invention relates to a rotary arc switch as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

On connaît les avantages des interrupteurs à arc tournant, notamment la force réduite de commande et l'érosion limitée des contacts et des interrupteurs à bobine de soufflage de l'arc ont déjà été décrits (FR-A-2389219). Ces interrupteurs connus comprennent des dispositifs de mise en circuit de la bobine lors de l'apparition de l'arc généralement à électrode de commutation ce qui complique l'agencement des contacts de l'appareil. La commutation s'effectue avec un certain retard et il subsiste toujours le risque d'une migration de l'arc mettant hors circuit la bobine et handicapant la coupure.The advantages of rotary arc switches are known, in particular the reduced control force and the limited erosion of the contacts and of arc blow coil switches have already been described (FR-A-2389219). These known switches include devices for circuiting the coil when the arc appears, generally with a switching electrode, which complicates the arrangement of the contacts of the device. Switching takes place with a certain delay and there is always the risk of a migration of the arc putting the coil out of circuit and handicapping the breaking.

Le document US-A-3082307 décrit un interrupteur sous vide ayant un aimant permanent de soufflage de l'arc en rotation. Pour permettre la mise en place ou le remplacement de l'aimant permanent après mise sous vide de l'enceinte, l'aimant est logé dans une chambre séparée ménagée à l'intérieur du contact en forme de cylindre. L'aimant est accolé au fond du cylindre, qui constitue la surface de contact, et est séparée de la zone d'arc d'une distance correspondant à l'épaisseur du fond. La piste d'arc est matérialisée par un bourrelet annulaire en faible saillie.Document US-A-3082307 describes a vacuum interrupter having a permanent magnet for blowing the rotating arc. To allow the permanent magnet to be installed or replaced after the enclosure has been evacuated, the magnet is housed in a separate chamber provided inside the cylinder-shaped contact. The magnet is attached to the bottom of the cylinder, which constitutes the contact surface, and is separated from the arc zone by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the bottom. The arc track is materialized by an annular bead in low projection.

La présente invention a pour but de permettre la réalisation d'un autre type d'interrupteur à aimant permanent à soufflage énergique de l'arc et à maintien de l'arc dans la zone de soufflage maximal. Le but de l'invention est réalisé par les caractéristiques mentionnées dans la revendication 1.The object of the present invention is to allow the production of another type of permanent magnet switch with vigorous arc blowing and maintaining the arc in the maximum blowing zone. The object of the invention is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

En disposant l'aimant à l'intérieur de l'enceinte et à proximité immédiate de l'électrode annulaire, l'aimant n'est séparé de la zone d'arc que par l'épaisseur de l'électrode qui peut être faible. Le champ magnétique de soufflage est de ce fait intense ce qui favorise une extinction rapide de l'arc. La disposition de l'aimant à l'intérieur du contact et l'insertion d'une couche isolante met l'aimant à l'abri de tout champ démagnétisant. La cavité centrale de l'électrode annulaire et de l'aimant permanent évite tout accrochage de l'arc sur la partie centrale du contact dans la zone de champ nul. Dans l'intervalle de coupure délimité par les contacts il ne subsiste aucune pièce métallique susceptible d'attirer l'arc, et ce dernier est maintenu sur les pistes annulaires dans la zone de soufflage maximal sans faire usage de revêtements isolants soumis à l'action de l'arc.By placing the magnet inside the enclosure and in the immediate vicinity of the annular electrode, the magnet is only separated from the arc zone by the thickness of the electrode which may be small. The magnetic blowing field is therefore intense, which promotes rapid extinction of the arc. The arrangement of the magnet inside the contact and the insertion of an insulating layer protects the magnet from any demagnetizing field. The central cavity of the annular electrode and of the permanent magnet prevents any hooking of the arc on the central part of the contact in the zone of zero field. In the cut-off interval defined by the contacts, there remains no metal part capable of attracting the arc, and the latter is maintained on the annular tracks in the maximum blowing zone without making use of insulating coatings subjected to the action of the arc.

Il est connu (FR-A-1171319, FR-A-1042344, DE-A-2752765) de pratiquer dans un contact d'un interrupteur à soufflage magnétique par aimant permanent un évidement central pour localiser les zones de contact sur la périphérie, mais la profondeur de cet évidement est forcément limitée par l'épaisseur du contact qui détermine à son tour l'écartement de l'aimant de la zone d'arc et l'intensité du champ magnétique de soufflage.It is known (FR-A-1171319, FR-A-1042344, DE-A-2752765) to make a central recess in a contact of a magnetic blow switch by permanent magnet to locate the contact zones on the periphery, but the depth of this recess is necessarily limited by the thickness of the contact which in turn determines the spacing of the magnet from the arc zone and the intensity of the magnetic blowing field.

L'aimant permanent peut être conformé, selon l'un des modes de réalisation de l'invention, en cylindre plein à aimantation axiale présentant une cavité centrale borgne, ou selon un autre mode de réalisation en cylindre creux à aimantation radiale.According to one of the embodiments of the invention, the permanent magnet can be shaped as a solid cylinder with axial magnetization having a blind central cavity, or according to another embodiment as a hollow cylinder with radial magnetization.

Un aimant permanent en forme de cylindre creux à aimantation radiale est décrit dans le document DE-B-1236628. L'aimant entoure extérieurement un contact en forme de cloche dont la bordure annulaire externe coiffe la face frontale de l'aimant et constitue la surface de contact. L'arc ancré sur la bordure annulaire peut se déplacer vers le centre et l'intérieur de la cloche où le champ magnétique est nul.A permanent magnet in the form of a hollow cylinder with radial magnetization is described in document DE-B-1236628. The magnet externally surrounds a bell-shaped contact, the external annular edge of which covers the front face of the magnet and constitutes the contact surface. The arc anchored on the annular border can move towards the center and the interior of the bell where the magnetic field is null.

La couche isolante séparant l'aimant permanent du contact isole électriquement et thermiquement l'aimant. La cavité centrale de l'aimant est recouverte d'un écran métallique de protection de l'aimant, tandis que la face opposée arrière de l'aimant est en contact thermique avec une pièce métallique d'évacuation des calories pour éviter tout échauffement excessif de l'aimant. Cette pièce métallique peut être agencée en culasse magnétique de renforcement et d'orientation optimale des lignes de force du champ magnétique de soufflage.The insulating layer separating the permanent magnet from the contact electrically and thermally insulates the magnet. The central cavity of the magnet is covered with a metal screen protecting the magnet, while the opposite rear face of the magnet is in thermal contact with a metal piece of heat dissipation to prevent excessive heating of the magnet. This metal part can be arranged in a magnetic bolt for strengthening and optimal orientation of the lines of force of the magnetic blowing field.

L'enveloppe est remplie d'un gaz électronégatif tel que l'hexafluorure de soufre et selon un développement important de l'invention, le soufflage magnétique de l'arc est combiné à un soufflage pneumatique obtenu par une subdivision du volume de l'enveloppe en deux chambres, dont l'une contient les contacts séparables et dont l'autre constitue un volume d'échappement des gaz comprimés par l'action de l'arc, la communication entre les deux chambres étant agencée en buse de soufflage pneumatique de l'arc. Cette communication peut être constituée par le contact mobile tubulaire traversant la cloison de séparation des deux chambres. L'espace interne du contact tubulaire communique avec les deux chambres respectivement par des orifices radiaux et par l'extrémité ouverte formant la surface de contact.The envelope is filled with an electronegative gas such as sulfur hexafluoride and according to an important development of the invention, the magnetic blowing of the arc is combined with a pneumatic blowing obtained by a subdivision of the volume of the envelope in two chambers, one of which contains the separable contacts and the other of which constitutes an exhaust volume of the gases compressed by the action of the arc, the communication between the two chambers being arranged in the pneumatic blowing nozzle of the 'bow. This communication can be constituted by the tubular movable contact passing through the partition separating the two chambers. The internal space of the tubular contact communicates with the two chambers respectively by radial orifices and by the open end forming the contact surface.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui va suivre de deux modes de mise en ceuvre, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et représentés au dessin annexé, dans lequel:

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un interrupteur selon l'invention, représenté en position «ouvert»;
  • la figure 2 est une vue partielle, analogue à celle de la figure 1, d'une variante de réalisation.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of two modes of implementation, given by way of nonlimiting examples and represented in the appended drawing, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view in axial section of a switch according to the invention, shown in the "open"position;
  • Figure 2 is a partial view, similar to that of Figure 1, of an alternative embodiment.

Sur les figures, une enveloppe isolante 10 de forme cylindrique est obturée à ses extrémités par des fonds 12, 14, l'enveloppe étant remplie d'un gaz électronégatif, tel que l'hexafluorure de soufre, avantageusement sous pression. A l'intérieur de l'enveloppe 10 sont disposés axialement un contact fixe, désigné par le repère général 16, et un contact mobile 18, monté à coulissement axial et solidarisé à une tige de commande 20, qui traverse d'une manière étanche le fond 14. Une cloison interne 22 subdivise le volume interne de l'enveloppe 10 en deux chambres 24 et 26, le contact mobile 18 traversant la cloison 22. La chambre 24 constitue la chambre de coupure de l'interrupteur dans laquelle sont disposés les contacts 16, 18, tandis que la chambre 26 constitue un volume d'échappement des gaz comprimés par l'action de l'arc tiré dans la chambre 24. Le contact mobile tubulaire 18 constitue une communication entre les chambres 24, 26, le volume interne 28 du contact tubulaire communiquant d'une part par des orifices radiaux 30 avec la chambre 26, et par l'extrémité ouverte 32 avec la chambre 24. Le bord annulaire 34 du contact mobile 18 constitue la surface annulaire de contact coopérant par aboutement en position de fermeture de l'interrupteur avec le contact fixe 16. Le bord 34 constitue une poste annulaire de migration de la racine d'arc tiré entre les contacts séparés 16, 18.In the figures, an insulating casing 10 of cylindrical shape is closed at its ends by bottoms 12, 14, the casing being filled with an electronegative gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride, advantageously under pressure. Inside the casing 10 are axially disposed a fixed contact, designated by the general reference 16, and a movable contact 18, mounted with axial sliding action and secured to a control rod 20, which passes in a sealed manner through the bottom 14. An internal partition 22 subdivides the internal volume of the casing 10 in two chambers 24 and 26, the movable contact 18 passing through the partition 22. The chamber 24 constitutes the switching chamber of the switch in which the contacts 16, 18 are arranged, while the chamber 26 constitutes a volume exhaust of compressed gases by the action of the arc drawn in the chamber 24. The movable tubular contact 18 constitutes a communication between the chambers 24, 26, the internal volume 28 of the tubular contact communicating on the one hand by orifices radial 30 with the chamber 26, and through the open end 32 with the chamber 24. The annular edge 34 of the movable contact 18 constitutes the annular contact surface cooperating by abutment in the closed position of the switch with the fixed contact 16. The edge 34 constitutes an annular station for migration of the arc root drawn between the separate contacts 16, 18.

Le contact fixe 16 en forme de cylindre creux d'un diamètre équivalent à celui du contact mobile 18 présente sur sa face plane en regard du contact mobile 18 une électrode ou surface annulaire 36 de contact coopérant en position de fermeture avec la surface annulaire conjuguée 34. A l'intérieur du cylindre creux formant le contact 16 est disposé un aimant permanent 38 en forme de cylindre dont le fond est accolé à la face postérieure de l'électrode annulaire 36. L'aimant permanent 38 à aimantation axiale présente dans sa partie centrale en regard de l'orifice de l'électrode annulaire 36 une cavité ou trou borgne 40. Un écran métallique 42 recouvre la paroi de l'évidement 40 et se raccorde aux bords circulaires de l'électrode 36. Il est facile de voir que la face de l'aimant 38 en regard du contact mobile 18 est recouverte sur son pourtour externe par l'électrode annulaire 36 et sur sa partie centrale par l'écran métallique 42. Le contact fixe 16 est accolé et fixé au fond 12 de l'enveloppe 10, lequel est traversé par une borne 44 d'amenée du courant. L'aimant permanent 38 est isolé électriquement et thermiquement du contact fixe 16 par une couche isolante 46 recouvrant d'une part la surface cylindrique de l'aimant 38 et d'autre part la face plane accolée à l'électrode 36. Il est clair que le courant parcourant le contact fixe 16 reste confiné dans la partie cylindrique externe du contact 16 et n'engendre aucun champ magnétique à l'intérieur du contact susceptible de démagnétiser l'aimant permanent 18. La face postérieure de l'aimant permanent 38 est accolée à une carcasse magnétique 48 qui facilite le refroidissement par conduction thermique de l'aimant 38. La présence de la carcasse 48 accroît l'intensité du champ magnétique engendrée par l'aimant 38 et cette carcasse 48 se prolonge avantageusement par une couronne 50 externe du contact 16. En se référant plus particulièrement à la figure 1, sur laquelle sont représentées les lignes de force 51 de l'aimant 38, on voit que la partie 50 de la carcasse 48 modifie l'orientation des lignes de force, de manière à orienter ces dernières sensiblement horizontalement sur la figure dans la zone de séparation des contacts 16, 18. Les contacts 16, 18 sont en un matériau amagnétique.The fixed contact 16 in the form of a hollow cylinder with a diameter equivalent to that of the movable contact 18 has on its flat face opposite the movable contact 18 an annular electrode or contact surface 36 cooperating in the closed position with the conjugate annular surface 34 Inside the hollow cylinder forming the contact 16 is disposed a permanent magnet 38 in the form of a cylinder, the bottom of which is attached to the rear face of the annular electrode 36. The permanent magnet 38 with axial magnetization present in its part central opposite the orifice of the annular electrode 36 a cavity or blind hole 40. A metal screen 42 covers the wall of the recess 40 and is connected to the circular edges of the electrode 36. It is easy to see that the face of the magnet 38 opposite the movable contact 18 is covered on its outer periphery by the annular electrode 36 and on its central part by the metal screen 42. The fixed contact 16 is attached and fixed to the bottom 12 of the 'envel oppe 10, which is crossed by a terminal 44 for supplying current. The permanent magnet 38 is electrically and thermally isolated from the fixed contact 16 by an insulating layer 46 covering on the one hand the cylindrical surface of the magnet 38 and on the other hand the planar face attached to the electrode 36. It is clear that the current flowing through the fixed contact 16 remains confined in the external cylindrical part of the contact 16 and does not generate any magnetic field inside the contact capable of demagnetizing the permanent magnet 18. The rear face of the permanent magnet 38 is attached to a magnetic carcass 48 which facilitates cooling by thermal conduction of the magnet 38. The presence of the carcass 48 increases the intensity of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 38 and this carcass 48 is advantageously extended by an external crown 50 of the contact 16. Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, on which the lines of force 51 of the magnet 38 are shown, it can be seen that the part 50 of the carcass 48 modifies the orientation of the li force genes, so as to orient the latter substantially horizontally in the figure in the separation zone of the contacts 16, 18. The contacts 16, 18 are made of a non-magnetic material.

L'interrupteur selon l'invention fonctionne de la manière suivante:

  • En position fermée de l'interrupteur, le courant passe du contact fixe 16 vers le contact mobile 18 par les surfaces annulaires de contact aboutées 34, 36 d'une manière bien connue des spécialistes. Le courant parcourant les contacts 16, 18 ne traverse pas l'aimant permanent 38 et n'engendre aucun champ magnétique susceptible de démagnétiser l'aimant logé à l'intérieur du contact fixe 16. L'aimant 38 engendre un champ magnétique présent en permanence. L'ouverture des contacts par coulissement vers le bas sur la figure du contact mobile 18 provoque une séparation des surfaces annulaires de contact 34, 36 et l'arc tiré entre les surfaces annulaires 34, 36 s'étend sensiblement dans la direction axiale de l'interrupteur. Le champ magnétique de l'aimant 38, qui est présent dès l'apparition de l'arc, provoque la rotation de l'arc sur les pistes annulaires formées par les surfaces de contact 34, 36 et l'extinction rapide de l'arc d'une manière bien connue. Il convient de noter que l'arc est maintenu sur les pistes annulaires 34, 36 du fait de l'absence de toute autre pièce métallique dans cette zone. L'écran 42 protège l'aimant 38 de l'action de l'arc, favorisée par l'écoulement gazeux s'échappant par le contact tubulaire 18 vers la chambre 26. Il est à noter que la présence de la cavité 40 permet une disposition de l'aimant permanent 38 à proximité immédiate de la zone de coupure, l'intensité du champ magnétique de soufflage étant de plus accrue par la carcasse 48, 50. Malgré cette disposition de l'aimant permanent à proximité de la zone de coupure cet aimant est parfaitement protégé d'une part par l'écran métallique 42 et d'autre part par la couche isolante 46 de séparation du contact fixe 16. La carcasse 48 constitue un radiateur d'évacuation de calories évitant tout échauffement excessif de l'aimant 38 et ce dernier, logé à l'intérieur du contact 16, est à l'abri de tout champ de démagnétisation. La combinaison des particularités selon l'invention permet la réalisation d'un interrupteur fiable susceptible d'être utilisé pour la coupure de courants importants de moyenne tension.
The switch according to the invention operates as follows:
  • In the closed position of the switch, the current flows from the fixed contact 16 to the movable contact 18 through the annular abutting contact surfaces 34, 36 in a manner well known to specialists. The current flowing through the contacts 16, 18 does not pass through the permanent magnet 38 and does not generate any magnetic field capable of demagnetizing the magnet housed inside the fixed contact 16. The magnet 38 generates a magnetic field which is permanently present . The opening of the contacts by sliding downwards in the figure of the movable contact 18 causes separation of the annular contact surfaces 34, 36 and the arc drawn between the annular surfaces 34, 36 extends substantially in the axial direction of the 'light switch. The magnetic field of the magnet 38, which is present from the appearance of the arc, causes the rotation of the arc on the annular tracks formed by the contact surfaces 34, 36 and the rapid extinction of the arc. in a well-known manner. It should be noted that the arc is maintained on the annular tracks 34, 36 due to the absence of any other metal part in this area. The screen 42 protects the magnet 38 from the action of the arc, favored by the gas flow escaping through the tubular contact 18 towards the chamber 26. It should be noted that the presence of the cavity 40 allows a arrangement of the permanent magnet 38 in the immediate vicinity of the cut-off zone, the intensity of the magnetic blowing field being further increased by the casing 48, 50. Despite this arrangement of the permanent magnet close to the cut-off zone this magnet is perfectly protected on the one hand by the metal screen 42 and on the other hand by the insulating layer 46 for separating the fixed contact 16. The carcass 48 constitutes a heat dissipation radiator preventing any excessive heating of the magnet 38 and the latter, housed inside the contact 16, is sheltered from any demagnetization field. The combination of the features according to the invention allows the production of a reliable switch capable of being used for breaking large currents of medium voltage.

La figure 2 illustre une variante de réalisation dans laquelle les mêmes numéros de repère sont utilisés pour désigner des pièces identiques ou analogues à celles de la figure 1. Dans la variante selon la figure 2, l'aimant permanent 52, logé à l'intérieur du contact fixe 16, est en forme de cylindre creux dont le diamètre de l'ouverture centrale 54 correspond sensiblement au diamètre du trou central de l'électrode annulaire 36. Le cylindre creux est aimanté radialement et il est facile de voir que les lignes de force 51, schématiquement représentées sur la figure 2, présentent une configuration voisine de celle obtenue par l'aimant cylindrique plein 38 dans la variante selon la figure 1. Le carcasse 48 est supprimée et l'écran 42 esttransformé en un écran en forme de virole 56 gainant intérieurement le cylindre creux 52. La partie cylindrique du contact 16 peut être en un matériau ferromagnétique diminuant la réluctance du circuit magnétique. La forme tubulaire de l'aimant permanent 52 autorise un échappement des gaz à travers le contact fixe 16 et un double soufflage de l'arc. Il est inutile de décrire le fonctionnement de cette variante de réalisation, fonctionnement absolument identique à celui décrit ci-dessus.Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the same reference numbers are used to designate identical or similar parts to those of Figure 1. In the variant according to Figure 2, the permanent magnet 52, housed inside of the fixed contact 16, is in the form of a hollow cylinder whose diameter of the central opening 54 corresponds substantially to the diameter of the central hole of the annular electrode 36. The hollow cylinder is magnetized radially and it is easy to see that the lines of force 51, schematically represented in FIG. 2, have a configuration close to that obtained by the solid cylindrical magnet 38 in the variant according to FIG. 1. The carcass 48 is eliminated and the screen 42 is transformed into a screen in the form of a ferrule 56 internally sheathing the hollow cylinder 52. The cylindrical part of the contact 16 can be made of a ferromagnetic material reducing the reluctance of the magnetic circuit. The tubular shape of the permanent magnet 52 allows an escape of gases through the fixed contact 16 and a double blowing of the arc. It is unnecessary to describe the operation of this alternative embodiment, operation absolutely identical to that described above.

L'aimant permanent 38, 52 peut être un aimant en ferrite ou un aimant métallique ou tout autre type approprié et la couche isolante 46, intercalée entre l'aimant et le contact, peut être à base de polytétrafluoréthylène. L'ensemble est particulièrement simple et ne nécessite pas une force de commande importante. Aucune des pièces n'est soumise à des forces électrodynamiques de répulsion qui posent des problèmes serieux dans les interrupteurs à arc tournant utilisant les bobines de soufflage.The permanent magnet 38, 52 can be a ferrite magnet or a metal magnet or any other suitable type and the insulating layer 46, interposed between the magnet and the contact, can be based on polytetrafluoroethylene. The assembly is particularly simple and does not require a large operating force. None of the parts are subjected to electrodynamic forces of repulsion which pose serious problems in the rotary arc switches using the blow coils.

L'invention n'est bien entendu nullement limité aux modes de mise en oeuvre plus particulièrement décrits.The invention is of course in no way limited to the modes of implementation more particularly described.

Claims (7)

1. Electric switch with rotating arc having a tight enclosure (10) forming a breaking chamber of an arc drawn between a pair of contact (16, 18) having ring-shaped and parallel contact areas (34, 36), one (16) of said contacts having an inner housing of which the wall facing the other contact (18) is made up by an electrode carrying the contact ring-shaped area (36), a permanent magnet (38, 52) disposed inside said inner housing, said magnet (38, 52) being coupled to said electrode to the side opposite the one carrying the contcat ring-shaped area (36) in order to generate a radial magnetic field in the separation zone of said ring-shaped areas (34, 36) and to blow out in rotation the arc extending between said ring-shaped areas, an insulating coating (46) insulating the permanent magnet (38, 52) from the associated contact (16), characterized in that said housing belongs to said enclosure (10), filled with a high dielectric strength gas, said electrode having a central aperture and said permanent magnet (38, 52) having a central cavity (40, 54) adjacent to said central aperture, so as to prevent any arc latching on the central part made up by said aperture and said cavity and to keep the arc in the ring-shaped zone of maximum intensity of the blow-out magnetic field.
2. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that said permanent magnet being shaped as an axially magnetized solid cylinder, the flat polar side coupled to said electrode has a blind central cavity (40).
3. Switch according to claim 2, characterized in that said blind cavity (40) is coated by a conducting screen (42) to protect the permanent magnet (38) from the arc effect.
4. Switch according to claim 1, characterized in that said permanent magnet (52) being shaped as a radially magnetized hollow cylinder, one of the flat terminal sides of the magnet is coupled to said electrode, the central aperture of which fits together with the hollow part (54) of said cylinder forming said central cavity.
5. Switch according to claim 4, characterized in that the contact (16) and the associated permanent magnet (52) are in the form of hollow cylinder to make an exhaust pipe of gases compressed by the arc effect.
6. Switch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by a frame (48) disposed at the back of the permanent magnet (38) to strengthen the blow-out magnetic field, said frame (48) extending outside the contact (16) to give a field optimum tracing in the separation zone of the contacts.
7. Switch according to claim 6, characterized in that said frame (48) is coupled to the back side of the permanent magnet (38) and forms a radiator to remove the calories.
EP81400459A 1980-04-04 1981-03-24 Circuit interrupter with an arc rotated by a permanent magnet Expired EP0037765B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8007904 1980-04-04
FR8007904A FR2480028A1 (en) 1980-04-04 1980-04-04 SWITCH WITH A ROTATING ARC BY ACTION OF A PERMANENT MAGNET

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0037765A1 EP0037765A1 (en) 1981-10-14
EP0037765B1 true EP0037765B1 (en) 1984-08-01

Family

ID=9240661

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81400459A Expired EP0037765B1 (en) 1980-04-04 1981-03-24 Circuit interrupter with an arc rotated by a permanent magnet

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4424428A (en)
EP (1) EP0037765B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS5761223A (en)
CA (1) CA1154481A (en)
DE (1) DE3165171D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2480028A1 (en)
IN (1) IN154156B (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2515418A1 (en) * 1981-10-26 1983-04-29 Merlin Gerin SELF-EXPANSION AND PERMANENT MAGNET SWITCH
FR2526998A1 (en) * 1982-05-13 1983-11-18 Merlin Gerin ROTATING ARC SWITCH AND PERMANENT MAGNET
JP2679499B2 (en) * 1991-12-27 1997-11-19 三菱電機株式会社 Circuit breaker and switch operating mechanism
US6064024A (en) * 1999-06-25 2000-05-16 Eaton Corporation Magnetic enhanced arc extinguisher for switching assemblies having rotatable permanent magnets in housings mounted to fixed contacts
FR2824182A1 (en) * 2001-04-26 2002-10-31 Alstom Off axis diverted flux permanent magnet circuit breaker having permanent magnet thermal expansion chamber held and magnetic diversion circuit formed with additional annular poles side fixed/moving contacts formed.
JP2012038684A (en) * 2010-08-11 2012-02-23 Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co Ltd Contact device and electromagnetic switch using the same
JP6044378B2 (en) * 2013-02-13 2016-12-14 オムロン株式会社 Switching device
KR20230104683A (en) * 2021-02-26 2023-07-10 샤먼 홍파 일렉트릭 파워 컨트롤즈 컴퍼니 리미티드 high-voltage direct-current relay with a magnetic steel arc extinguishing function

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT500438A (en) * 1950-11-10
DE967984C (en) * 1951-02-27 1958-01-02 Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Ag Switching contact with magnetic blowing
FR1171319A (en) * 1956-07-10 1959-01-23 C K D Modrany Electric switch with extinguishing chamber
US3082307A (en) * 1959-04-30 1963-03-19 Gen Electric Vacuum type circuit interrupter
FR1257305A (en) * 1959-04-30 1961-03-31 Thomson Houston Comp Francaise Vacuum switch
DE1236628B (en) * 1961-05-17 1967-03-16 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Electrical switch, especially contactor
CH612293A5 (en) * 1977-04-29 1979-07-13 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie
DE2752765A1 (en) * 1977-11-25 1979-05-31 Hermann Sturm Circuit breaker contact with increased capacity - is made from combination of contact conductor and permanent magnetic material to extinguish arc

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IN154156B (en) 1984-09-29
EP0037765A1 (en) 1981-10-14
DE3165171D1 (en) 1984-09-06
JPS5761223A (en) 1982-04-13
US4424428A (en) 1984-01-03
FR2480028B1 (en) 1982-10-29
FR2480028A1 (en) 1981-10-09
CA1154481A (en) 1983-09-27

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