RU2798472C9 - Automatic breaker with an aerosol-forming or gas-forming fire extinguishing system and initiation using a self-igniting thermal igniter (embodiments) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering and energy.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used for prompt emergency shutdown of electrical equipment when exposed to high temperatures, for example, in case of fire, as well as overload or shorting. The circuit breaker contains a housing and a module (AOC (12)) with an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition placed inside, which protrudes beyond the circuit breaker housing and contains a self-igniting thermal igniter (22) on the shoulder, having an initiation temperature lower than the initiation temperature of the AOC module (12), and also contains a disconnecting temperature-sensitive device (8), a group of terminals (18) for initiation by an external signal, a triggering sensor (21) and a button (25) for manual start of the electric igniter, an electric igniter of the AOS module (9), connected through conductors to the group of terminals (18) for initiation by an external signal; the disconnecting temperature-sensitive device (8) is located in the immediate vicinity of the AOC module (12) or in the AOC module (12) and is connected through conductors to the mechanism for automatically disconnecting a phase or phases.

EFFECT: increasing efficiency of primary fire extinguishing with simultaneous opening of the electrical circuit

4 cl, 4 dwg

Description

Technical field

The claimed group of inventions relates to the field of electrical engineering and energy and can be used in the form of an automatic switch (automatic device) or an introductory automatic switch (introductory automatic device) of electrical panels to prevent electric shock to a person, prompt emergency shutdown of electrical equipment using thermal or electromagnetic releases without initiation fire extinguishing systems or when exposed to high temperatures, for example, in case of fire, when initiating an aerosol-forming or gas-forming fire extinguishing system (extinguishing a fire using an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition while simultaneously opening the line with the circuit breaker mechanism). In this case, the device is made with the possibility of installation on a DIN rail.

State of the art

From the prior art, circuit breakers (automatic devices) are known that are installed in an electrical panel on a DIN rail and perform the functions of a fuse in the event of a short circuit or a prolonged overload of the power line. For example, such as molded case circuit breakers for 16-630 A, up to 690 V Schneider Electric Product Catalog 2021 (available online at https://download.schneider-electric.com).

However, such well-known solutions do not provide opening of power circuits in the event of a fire in electrical panels and do not have the ability to extinguish fire in electrical panels.

From the patent prior art, a solution is known, which is a pyrotechnic disconnector of an electrical circuit (RU 139706 U1, 04/20/2014). The known disconnector contains a housing in which a conductor and a pyrotechnic charge are located in close proximity or in contact with each other, with a melting temperature of the conductor lower than the combustion temperature of the pyrotechnic charge, while the pyrotechnic charge is started using a thermal cord or from a fire detector.

The technical result, to which the said solution is aimed, is to reliably open the electrical circuit (turn off the power source) in the event of a fire or its threat, which prevents the development of a fire due to a short circuit.

However, the known solution, as well as the above, does not provide the possibility of eliminating the source of ignition. In addition, the functioning of the disconnector when it is activated by a fire detector depends on the performance of external means, which reduces the reliability of its operation.

It should also be noted that the known solution does not have a response time, since for its operation it is necessary to reach the activation temperature of the thermal cord, and the source of this temperature is external, i.e. provided by the source of ignition. Obviously, before this temperature is reached, the fire will spread unhindered, causing damage to surrounding equipment.

To ensure the possibility of not only opening circuits, but also implementing primary automatic fire extinguishing, the prior art uses a combination of opening means and fire extinguishing means, as presented, for example, in the patent source CN 210040091 U, 02/07/2020.

In this solution, the circuit breaker contains the main body, as well as a container with a fire extinguishing agent and a supercharger attached to it. Control of blower actuation and spraying of fire-extinguishing composition is provided when a certain temperature is reached due to a thermal key located on the switch housing.

The known solution eliminates the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art in terms of providing the primary fire extinguishing function. Despite this, the known solution has a number of disadvantages, which are as follows.

The complexity and bulkiness of the design of the specified switch prevents its placement in a typical housing of electrical devices for installation on a DIN rail in an electrical panel. At the same time, the placement of means capable of extinguishing a fire source in an electrical panel is critically important, since in a closed limited space of a shield with densely packed electrical modules, fire spreads rapidly, which leads to the emergence of secondary fires due to a short circuit of wires with burnt or melted insulation and irreversible damage to modules.

In addition to the above, the known solution, as well as the one discussed above according to patent RU 139706 U1, does not have a response time, since for its operation it is necessary to reach the activation temperature of the thermal switch, and this temperature is determined by an external source, i.e. the seat of the fire itself. As a result, before the fire extinguishing agent is activated, significant damage to the electrical modules located in the electrical panel is possible.

A solution is known from the patent level of technology, which is an autonomous fire extinguishing device with fixation on a DIN rail (utility model patent No. 204767 dated 06/09/21). The known device contains a housing in which the module of the fire extinguishing aerosol generator with a thermochemical initiator is located.

The known solution eliminates the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art in terms of providing the primary fire extinguishing function. Despite this, the known solution has a number of disadvantages, which are as follows.

The stand-alone device is made as a separate module and does not have the ability to open power lines, which significantly increases the likelihood of re-ignition of electrical wiring in electrical cabinets and increases the likelihood of electric shock to people, as well as a stand-alone device cannot be initiated by an external control signal and does not generate an information signal about the operation, which does not allow you to combine autonomous devices into groups or inform about the start of the fire extinguishing process.

The technical problem is to overcome the above disadvantages of analogues.

The technical result consists in increasing the efficiency of primary fire extinguishing with an increase in the efficiency of preventing the spread of fire in a confined space, in particular, such as an electrical panel, with simultaneous opening of the electrical circuit, operating as a typical circuit breaker for single or three-phase connections.

Disclosure of invention

The specified technical result of the implementation is achieved in that the circuit breaker in a single-phase or three-phase version with an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition (AOC module) placed inside, a housing and an AOC module (12), characterized in that it protrudes beyond the circuit breaker housing and contains a self-igniting a thermal igniter (22) having an initiation temperature lower than the initiation temperature of the AOC module; contains power electrical terminals placed in the housing for single-phase or three-phase connection (14-14'), electrical terminals (13-13') for connecting a neutral wire, electric igniter of the AOC module (9).

In an alternative version, the device additionally comprises a tripping temperature-sensitive device (8), a contact group (18) for initiation by an external signal, a trigger sensor (21) and a button (25) for manual start of the electric igniter; moreover, the electric igniter of the AOS module (9) is connected through conductors to the contact group (18) for initiation by an external signal; disconnecting temperature-sensitive device (8) is located in the immediate vicinity of the AOC module or in the AOC module and is connected through conductors to the automatic phase cut-off mechanism and the zero cut-off mechanism; actuation sensor (21) is located in the immediate vicinity of the AOC module or in the AOS module, connected by conductors (20) to the contact group (18); the button (25) for manual start of the electric igniter is connected to the electric igniter of the AOS module (9).

In an alternative embodiment of the device, the aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition is a low-temperature solid propellant composition.

In an alternative version of the device, the case is made in the form of a typical electrical device of a modular type, and the switch is additionally made for mounting on a DIN rail, the DIN rail mounting is a slot for a DIN rail located on the back side of the device case, in which a latch is installed - mount for fixing the housing on a DIN rail.

In the preferred embodiment of the device, holes are additionally made in the housing for the exit of an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition.

Further in the description, information is provided regarding the implementation of the device and confirmation of the achievement of the specified technical result.

Implementation of the invention

In accordance with an embodiment of the device, the following provides information about the preferred embodiment of the device, not intended to limit the scope of the requested protection, certain features of the independent claim.

In order to better understand the essence of the patent, the description makes reference to the explanatory drawing (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4), according to which the external view of the case with a cut in single-phase and three-phase versions (Fig. 1, Fig. 3), a diagram of an automatic switch (machine) with an AOS module containing an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition in a single-phase and three-phase version (Fig. 2, Fig. 4), as well as a set of elements placed in the automatic switch in a single-phase and three-phase version (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4).

In a preferred embodiment, the proposed product is mounted in an electrical cabinet on a DIN rail and is an independent device, where the device housing can be made in the form of a typical electrical device of a modular type. The product can be used in single-phase and three-phase networks.

According to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the product case there are: a pair of phase terminals (14-14') and a pair of neutral terminals (13-13'). A mechanism for automatically disconnecting the phase and zero N (4), power wires of the phase (1), neutral wire N (2) is connected to the device through the phase and zero terminals. On the body according to Fig. 1 and FIG. 2, outlet holes (7) are made for the outlet of an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition formed during operation of the device.

Preferably in the center of the case, the mechanisms for automatically switching off the phase and zero N (4) are fixed, and the AOC module (12) with the electric igniter of the AOC module (9) is fixed in the side case.

Aerosol-forming or gas-forming fire extinguishing systems are widely used in the prior art. As an example, the principle of operation of an aerosol-forming composition can be considered, based on the inhibition of chemical processes occurring in a flame by highly dispersed particles (aerosol) of alkali metal salts released during the combustion of an aerosol-forming charge and capable of being in a suspended state for a long time, which ensures the elimination hotbed of fire. At the same time, it is known that during the operation of an aerosol-forming composition, a zone with a significantly elevated temperature (for example, more than 300 °C) is provided around it. This effect is used in a device to increase the efficiency of primary fire extinguishing with an increase in the efficiency of preventing the spread of fire in a confined space, and initiating a mechanism for automatically shutting down the phase and zero N (4).

In the immediate vicinity of the AOS module (12) or in the AOC module (12) in the device case, a tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) is placed (can be performed with an electrical power and control module - not shown) according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which is responsible for generating the shutdown signal for automatic phase shutdown and zero N (4) in the event of a fire in the electrical panel and the operation of the AOS module (12) using a self-igniting thermal igniter (22). The distance from the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) to the AOC module (12) is selected from the condition that when the AOC module (12) is triggered, the resulting temperature ensures that the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) is triggered by overheating (for example, at 100°C), thereby closing the disconnecting temperature-sensitive device (8) generating a signal for disabling the mechanism of automatic phase shutdown and zero N (4). Thus, the term "close proximity" within the framework of this application should be understood as such an arrangement in which the heat from the operating AOC module (12) could cause the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) to operate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is applied to the AOC module (12) protruding beyond the housing (3).

The proposed device works as follows.

In the normal state of Fig. 1, fig. The 2 phase terminals (14-14') are connected to the automatic phase and zero N disconnection mechanism (4). Thus, the flow of electric current along the circuit is ensured: Terminal (14) - Conductor (1) - Mechanism for automatically disconnecting the phase and zero N (4) - Conductor - Terminal (14’). Also, the zero terminals (13-13 ') are interconnected by the corresponding conductors through the mechanism of automatic shutdown of the phase and zero N (4), ensuring the operability of the power electrical panel.

When the temperature rises in the electrical panel (ignition of the electrical panel) in which the device is installed to a predetermined critical value determined by the properties of the self-igniting thermal igniter (22), the self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is initiated, which in turn starts the operation of the AOC module (12).

When the AOS module (12) starts operating from the housing (3) through the outlet holes (7) according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition begins to exit in the form of a gaseous mixture, filling the protected volume of the electrical panel and suppressing the combustion of the components of the electrical panel. At the same time, a heating zone is formed around the AOC module (12) or in the AOC module (12) up to a temperature, for example, over 300 ° C, acting with its heat flow on the shutdown temperature-sensitive device (8), which, heating up above the temperature of its own overheating operation ( for example, more than 100 ° C), is triggered, thereby generating a signal for opening the mechanism for automatic phase shutdown and zero N (4).

Thus, when the self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is fired, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, during the ignition of the electrical panel, the shield is simultaneously extinguished using the AOC module (12) and the phase wire (1) is opened along the line of phase terminals (14-14 ') and the neutral wire N (2) along the line of zero terminals N (13- 13') according to FIG. 1, fig. 2, which can also be attributed to the advantage of the proposed device in comparison with the solutions known from the prior art.

In turn, the use of the AOC module (12) as a means of ensuring the operation of the automatic switch (machine) also provides an acceleration of the opening of electrical circuits before a short circuit or overvoltage occurs, thereby preventing the occurrence of secondary fires, since the time required to reach the temperature tripping of the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) due to the operation of the AOS module (seconds) is significantly less compared to if the tripping of the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) would be provided by the heat of an external source (i.e., the fire seat).

Thus, only through the joint use of the above means and their operation through these connections, it is possible to achieve the technical result to which the proposed device is directed.

The device can be implemented using means and methods known from the prior art for a specialist, and the analysis of the prior art did not reveal solutions in it that would have all the essential features presented in the formula.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the device, in order to better understand the essence of the patent, the description makes reference to an explanatory drawing (Fig. 3, Fig. 4), according to which the external view of the housing with a cut in a three-phase version (Fig. 3) is shown, an automatic a switch (machine) with a three-phase AOS module containing an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition (Fig. 4).

According to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the product case there are: three pairs of phase terminals of phases A, B, C (14-14 ') and a pair of zero terminals (13-13 '). A mechanism for automatic shutdown of phases and zero N (4), power wires of phases A, B, C (1, 15, 16), wires of the neutral wire N (2) are connected to the device through the phase and zero terminals. On the body according to Fig. 3 and FIG. 4, outlet holes (7) are made for the outlet of an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition formed during operation of the device.

Preferably in the center of the case, the mechanisms for automatic shutdown of phases and zero N (4) are fixed, and the AOC module (12) with the electric igniter of the AOC module (9) is fixed in the side case.

Aerosol-forming or gas-forming fire extinguishing systems are widely used in the prior art. As an example, the principle of operation of an aerosol-forming composition can be considered, based on the inhibition of chemical processes occurring in a flame by highly dispersed particles (aerosol) of alkali metal salts released during the combustion of an aerosol-forming charge and capable of being in a suspended state for a long time, which ensures the elimination hotbed of fire. It is known that during the operation of the aerosol-forming composition, a zone with a significantly elevated temperature (for example, more than 300°C) is provided around it. This effect is used in a device to increase the efficiency of primary fire extinguishing with an increase in the efficiency of preventing the spread of fire in a confined space, and initiating a mechanism for automatically switching off phases and zero N (4).

In the immediate vicinity of the AOC module (12) or in the AOC module (12) in the device case, a tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) is placed (can be performed with an electrical power and control module - not shown) according to Fig.3 and Fig. 4, which is responsible for generating the shutdown signal for automatic phase shutdown and zero N (4) in the event of a fire in the electrical panel and the operation of the AOS module (12) using a self-igniting thermal igniter (22). The distance from the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) to the AOC module (12) is selected from the condition that when the AOC module (12) is triggered, the resulting temperature ensures that the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) is triggered by overheating (for example, at 100°C), thereby closing the disconnecting temperature-sensitive device (8) generating a signal for disabling the mechanism of automatic phase shutdown and zero N (4). Thus, the term "close proximity" within the framework of this application should be understood as such an arrangement in which the heat from the operating AOC module (12) could cause the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) to operate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is applied to the AOC module (12) protruding beyond the housing (3).

The proposed device works as follows.

In the normal state of Fig. 3, fig. The 4 phase terminals (14-14') are connected to the automatic phase and zero N disconnection mechanism (4). Thus, the flow of electric current is ensured through the circuits: Terminal (14) - Conductor (1) - Mechanism for automatic shutdown of phase and zero N (4) - Conductor - Terminal (14'), Terminal (14) - Conductor (15) - Mechanism automatic phase and zero disconnection N (4) - Conductor - Terminal (14'), Terminal (14) - Conductor (16) - Automatic phase and zero disconnection mechanism N (4) - Conductor - Terminal (14'). Also, the zero terminals (13-13 ') are interconnected by the corresponding conductors through the mechanism of automatic shutdown of phases and zero N (4), ensuring the operability of the power electrical panel.

When the temperature rises in the electrical panel (ignition of the electrical panel) in which the device is installed to a predetermined critical value determined by the properties of the self-igniting thermal igniter (22), the self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is initiated, which in turn starts the operation of the AOC module (12).

When the AOS module (12) starts operating from the housing (3) through the outlet holes (7) according to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition begins to exit in the form of a gaseous mixture, filling the protected volume of the electrical panel and suppressing the combustion of the components of the electrical panel. At the same time, a heating zone is formed around the AOC module (12) or in the AOC module (12) up to a temperature, for example, over 300 ° C, acting with its heat flow on the shutdown temperature-sensitive device (8), which, heating up above the temperature of its own overheating operation ( for example, more than 100°C), is triggered, thereby generating a signal for opening the automatic phase shutdown mechanism and zero N (4).

Thus, when the self-igniting thermal igniter (22) is fired, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, during the ignition of the electrical panel, the shield is simultaneously extinguished using the AOS module (12) and the phase wires of the phases A, B, C (1, 15, 16) are opened along the line of the phase terminals (14-14 ') and the neutral wire N ( 2) along the line of zero terminals N (13-13') according to FIG. 3, fig. 4, which can also be attributed to the advantage of the proposed device in comparison with the solutions known from the prior art.

In turn, the use of the AOC module (12) as a means of ensuring the operation of the automatic switch (machine) also provides an acceleration of the opening of electrical circuits before a short circuit or overvoltage occurs, thereby preventing the occurrence of secondary fires, since the time required to reach the temperature tripping of the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) due to the operation of the AOS module (seconds) is significantly less compared to if the tripping of the tripping temperature-sensitive device (8) would be provided by the heat of an external source (i.e., the fire seat).

Thus, only through the joint use of the above means and their operation through these connections, it is possible to achieve the technical result to which the proposed device is directed.

The device can be implemented using means and methods known from the prior art for a specialist, and the analysis of the prior art did not reveal solutions in it that would have all the essential features presented in the formula.

It is also important to note that the device in the preferred embodiment contains an input contact group (18) that allows, when a signal is applied to it, through the conductors (10) to carry out a forced start of the electric igniter of the AOC module (9) using an external signal.

The device alternatively contains a manual start button (25) for the electric igniter of the AOS module (9). When the manual start button (25) is pressed, the electric igniter of the AOC module (9) is directly connected to the phase and zero N (2), which makes it possible to initiate the electric igniter of the AOC module (9) in manual mode.

The device alternatively contains a trigger sensor (21), which, in turn, sends a signal through the conductors (20) to the contact group (18) (additional contacts) about the initiation of an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition for processing the received signal by external control automation.

In the preferred embodiment of the device, a slot is made in the back of the housing (3), in which a latch-mount (23) is installed, designed to fix the housing (3) on a DIN rail.

The housing of the device can alternatively also be fixed on a DIN rail with a screw connection, however, fixing with a DIN rail clamp assembly (23) is advantageous as makes it possible to install the device in a wider range of places in a panel or cabinet, which leads to an increase in the efficiency of extinguishing fires.

A distinctive feature of the device is also the ability to turn off the power part of the electrical panel in case of a short circuit or a long-term exceeding the load of the power line, or overcurrents without initiating the AOC module (12) with the possibility of subsequent cocking of the circuit breaker (automatic device) to its original state using the mechanism for automatically disconnecting the phase (phases ) and zero N (4) and continue the operation of the device.

The device can be implemented using means and methods known from the prior art for a specialist, and the analysis of the prior art did not reveal solutions in it that would have all the essential features presented in the formula.

Claims (4)

1. A circuit breaker containing a housing and a module (AOC (12)) with an aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition placed inside, characterized in that the AOC module (12) protrudes beyond the circuit breaker housing and contains a self-igniting thermal igniter (22) on the ledge, having an initiation temperature lower than the initiation temperature of the AOC module (12), while additionally contains a tripping temperature-sensitive device (8), a contact group (18) for initiation by an external signal, a trigger sensor (21) and a button (25) for manual start of an electric igniter; moreover, the electric igniter of the AOS module (9) is connected through conductors to the contact group (18) for initiation by an external signal; the thermally sensitive disconnecting device (8) is located in the immediate vicinity of the AOC module (12) or in the AOC module (12) and is connected through conductors to the mechanism for automatically disconnecting a phase or phases, and any of the phases A, B, C in a three-phase version or only phases A, with a single-phase connection and a zero shutdown mechanism; actuation sensor (21) is located in the immediate vicinity of the AOS module (12) or in the AOS module (12) and is connected by conductors (20) to the contact group (18); the button (25) for manual start of the electric igniter is connected to the electric igniter of the AOS module (9). 2. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the AOC module (12) protruding beyond the housing is made in the form of a thermal cord. 3. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the aerosol-forming or gas-forming composition is a low-temperature solid fuel composition. 4. The switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing is made in the form of a modular-type electrical device, and the switch is additionally made for mounting on a DIN rail, the DIN rail mounting is a slot for a DIN rail located on the back of the housing a device that has a latch-mount for fixing the case on a DIN rail.