US1948761A - Expansion switch - Google Patents

Expansion switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US1948761A
US1948761A US461325A US46132530A US1948761A US 1948761 A US1948761 A US 1948761A US 461325 A US461325 A US 461325A US 46132530 A US46132530 A US 46132530A US 1948761 A US1948761 A US 1948761A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
chamber
arc
liquid
expansion
gas
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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 - Lifetime
Application number
US461325A
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English (en)
Inventor
Kesselring Fritz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US1948761A publication Critical patent/US1948761A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/72—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid having stationary parts for directing the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid, e.g. arc-extinguishing chamber
    • H01H33/75—Liquid-break switches, e.g. oil-break

Definitions

  • My invention relates to circuit interrupters and particularly to interrupters for high voltage circuits.
  • One object of -my invention is to provide a circuit interrupter with a chamber wherein a liquid is vaporized in the presence of an arc, initially confined until a predetermined pressure has been effected, and subsequently rapidly expanded in the region of the are path to prevent arc reinitiation.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit interrupter of the above mentioned type with a vapor-confining and a vapor-expanding chamber wherein the vapor expansion occurs at the time the arc is extinguished.
  • a further object of my invention is to provide a circuit-interrupting structure of the above mentioned type with a condenser chamber that shall convert the expanded vapor into its original liquid form and return it to the region wherein the arc was initially established.
  • a still further object of my invention is to employ a liquid in a circuit interrupting structure of the above described type that shall be vaporized without effecting a decomposition thereof, in order that the liquid may be changed from one state to another without having its physical or chemical structure permanently affected.
  • Figure 1 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a circuit interrupter embodying my invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a modified embodiment of my invention.
  • Fig. 3- is a sectional view in elevation showing a further modified form of a gas enclosing chamber embodying my invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional View, in elevation, of another modified form of my invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a sectional view, in elevation, of a complete circuit interrupter embodying another form of my invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a view, partly in section, and partly in elevation, of a circuit interrupting and condensing structure embodying my invention.
  • My invention comprises in general a chamber 1 having a cover 2 thereon that supports the in-' sulated conducting members or bushings 3.
  • a lift rod 4 is suspended by suitable operating means (not shown) between the bushings 3 and is provided with a conducting bridging bar 5 that carries conducting contact rods 6 on its outer ends.
  • a pot or chamber 7 is supported on each of the inner ends of the bushings 3 and enclose the stationary contact members 8 that are provided on the ends of the bushings.
  • an arc extinguishing liquid 9 which may be semi-conducting and which is readily vaporized in the presence of an are, without any substantial decomposition.
  • arc extinguishing liquid 9 may be mentioned water and bromene. The vapors from such liquids are noninflammable and the liquids are not decomposed when vaporized.
  • the pots '7 are inverted and entirely enclosed except for a single small opening 11 through which the conducting rods 6 pass when moved to open-circuit or to close-circuit position.
  • the conducting rods 6 fit snugly within the opening 11 and prevent the passage of the vapor therefrom during the initial movement of contact separation, causing the vapor to build up a considerable pressure within the pots 7.
  • the contact rod 6 passes out of the openings 11, the vapor passes through the opening and rapidly expands across the arc 1m path.
  • the opening is made small to prevent instantaneous expansion and the expansion endures over a period of one-half cycle of alternating current or more for a reason fully explained hereinafter.
  • FIG. 2 A similar circuit interrupter is disclosed in Fig. 2 wherein the bottom portion of the pots 7, containing the orifice 11, is removed and a piston 12, that snugly fits within the pot '7, is mounted on each of the contact rods 6 by bolts 13.
  • the gas is liberated ahead of the arc, permitting a rapid expansion of the gas in the vicinity of the are without disturbing the arc path by the turbulent passage of the gas.
  • Fig. 3 discloses a pot '7 having side ports 14 for the escape of the confined gases, which ports are closed by the wall of a chamber 15 that is in slidable engagement with the pot 7 and is mounted on and moved with the contact rod 6.
  • the expansion of the vapor and the extinguishment of the arc is effected in this structure in a manner similar to that effected by the structures disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • the expansion of the vapor takes place over a period of time at least equal to one-half of an alternating cycle, and the resulting change in state of the fluid within the expansion chamber is thus caused to persist during the time the current passes through at least one zero value of the are current.
  • the rapid expansion of the vapors effects a considerable reduction of temperature which causes them to condense.
  • This condensation takes place upon the electrons present in the arc path, which act as nuclei about which the excess moisture condenses, and which, heretofore, maintained the arc path in a conductive condition because of the ionization efiected by the collision of the highly mobile electrons.
  • the loading of the electrons and ions with the condensed vapor particles increases their mass (as much as thirty thousand times for some fluids) and renders them relatively immobile and incapable of producing ions by collision.
  • the arc path is rendered non-conductive, and the reinitiation of the arc is prevented.
  • I eliminate the enclosing chamber and the large body of liquid illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 by employing the pot '7 about each of the contact members that are surrounded by air.
  • the pot '7 is enclosed by a chamber 16 in which the gas liberated from the opening 11, after the passage of the rod 6 therefrom, is expanded. After the expansion takes place and the arc is extinguished, the vapor in the chamber 16 and also that in the chamber 7 is condensed and collected at the bottom of the chambers.
  • a check Valve 17 is provided in the lower por tion of the wall of the pot 7 (Fig. 4). This valve permits the passage of the liquid 9 from the chamber 16 into the pot 7 but prevents the passage of the liquid therefrom, and thereby assures that sufficient liquid is always present in the pot 7 to effectively obtain arc extinguishment and to prevent arc reinitiation.
  • a second valve 18 is mounted on the wall of the chamber 7 which is provided with a spring 19 that effectively retains the valve 18 in its closed or sealed position.
  • the tension of the spring 19 is such that the valve 18 will open before the pressure in the pot '7 accumulates sufficient force to rupture the pot.
  • I disclose a complete circuit interrupter wherein the current normally flows through the terminal 21, the main stationary contact member 22, a flexible bridging member 23, a stationary contact member 24, and a terminal member 25.
  • Paralleling the bridging member 23, a secondary or arcing circuit is provided that includes the bridging bar 5, the conducting rods 6 and the stationary contact members 8.
  • the contact member 8 is enclosed within the chamber 7 and is immersed in the liquid 9 therein.
  • the contact member 6110 extends into the chamber '7 and engages the contact member 8. Upon the separation of the contact members 6 and 8, an arc is established and is extinguished in the manner heretofore described.
  • the conducting rod 6 extends through a chamber 26 into which the vapor expands since it communicates with the chamber 7 after the conducting rod 6 has passed from the opening 11.
  • Suitable packing 27 is provided on the top 120 of the chamber 26 to prevent the vapor from escaping through the opening for the conducting rod 6.
  • Condensers 28 are provided adjacent to the chambers and directly communicate therewith 125 through the conduits 29 and 31.
  • Check valves 17 are provided adjacent to the conduit 31 in the wall of the chambers 7 to permit the ingress of the liquid 9 thereto and to prevent its escape therefrom.
  • Fig. 6 I have disclosed a circuit interrupting structure wherein the chamber 16 has oppositely disposed conduits 32 that are connected to opposite sides of the chamber in order to equalize the forces eiiected during the expansion of the vapors.
  • the conduits 32 are in communication with the condenser 26 and are provided with regulating means 33 that effect a prolonged expansion of the vapor.
  • the regulating means 33 When the regulating means 33 are properly adjusted, the expansion will endure for at least a half cycle and continue at the time the arc is extinguished.
  • the liquid 9 trapped within the condensing chamber 26 may be returned to the chamber 7 by the conduit 34. and valve 35.
  • the vapor effects arc-extinguishment by its turbulent motion, while confined, and prevents arc-reinitiation by its rapid expansion after arc-extinguishment which deionizes the arc path.
  • the vapor and the liquid are entirely enclosed and are changed from the liquid state to the vapor state without decomposition and without reducing the dielectric quality of the liquid.
  • the expansion of the liquid is so arranged that a current zero and arcextinguishment occurs during the time of expansion.
  • an alternating current circuit interrupter means defining a chamber that is substantially closed when said interrupi er is in the closed circuit position, means for drawing an arc in said chamber, said chamber containing a quantity of a liquid, a portion of which is adapted to be gasified by the are, said gasified portion being at least partially condensable when cooled, and means operable during each circuit interrupting operation to cool the entrapped gaseous fluid adjacent the are thereby effecting a change of state from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition, said means and said chamber being so proportioned that said cooling and the resulting change oi state in the fluid surrounding the arc is made to persist for a suflicient period of time to include at least one zero point in the are current.
  • an alternating current circuit interrupter means defining an expansion chamber that is substantially closed when said interrupter is in the closed circuit position, means for drawing an arc in said chamber, said chamber containing a quantity of liquid, a portion of which is adapted to be gasified by the arc to produce a gas substantially all of which is inorganic in nature, said gasified portion being at least partially condensable when cooled, and means operable during each circuit interrupting operation for effecting a substantially adiabatic expansion of said gasified portion in order to cool the entrapped gaseous fluid adjacent the arc, said cooling causing said gas to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition, said chamber and said expansion means being so proportioned that the fluid surrounding the arc is made to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a period of time at least equal to one alternation of the are current.
  • means defining a chambr that is substantially closed when said interrupter is in t e closed circuit position means for drawing an in chamber, said chamber containing a quantity of liquid, a portion or which is adapted to be gasified by the are, said gasified portion being at least partially condensable when cooled, means operable during each circuit interrupt ng operation to vent said chamber and to th y cool the entrapped gaseous fluid adacent the arc to eiiect a change of state in said nuid from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition, said venting means and said chamber being so proportioned that said cooling and the change of state produced thereby is caused to persist for a sufficient period of time to include at least one zero point in the arc current.
  • means defining a chamber that is s ubstantially closed when said interrupter is in the ciosed circuit position, means including a stationary contact member and a movable contact member for drawing an arc in said chamber, said chamber containing a quantity of a liquid, a portion oi which is adapted to be gasified by the arc to produce a gas that is readily condensable when cooled, and means operable in response to the movement of said movable contact member to vent said chamber and to thereby cool the en trapped gaseous fluid within said chamber so as to cause the fluid surrounding the arc stream to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition, said venting means and said chamber being so proportioned that the venting operation and the resulting cooling is prolonged for a sufiicient period of time to insure that the arc stream shall. be surrounded with saturated vapor during at least one zero point in the arc current.
  • a stationary and a moving contact for opening and closing the circuit, a chamber for surrounding the junction of said contacts, a quantity of liquid within said chamber which gasifies when exposed to the are formed incident to the interruption of the controlled circuit to produce a readily condensable gas, and means for venting said chamber into a second chamber wherein said gas is condensed, said first chamber and said venting means being so proportioned that the venting of said first chamber causes the entrapped gasified fluid therein to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition and to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a period of time at least equal to one alternation of the arc current.
  • a pair of separable contact members an expansion chamber surrounding the junction of said contact members, a liquid in said chamber which gasifies when exposed to an electric arc to produce a readily condensable an opening in said expansion chamber through which one of the contact members is movable, said opening in the expansion chamber being above the level of the liquid therein, a condensation chamber leading from said expansion chamber, means for venting said chamber, and means for returning the condensed liquid from said condensation chamber to said expansion chamber, said chamber and said venting means being so proportioned that the venting of said chamber and the resulting expansion of the gas entrapped therein causes said entrapped gas to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition and to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a period of time 1 at least equal to one alternation of the are current.
  • a pair or" separable contact members an outer chamber enclosing the junction of said contact members, said outer chamber including a base having side walls secured thereto and having an opening in the top thereof, an inner chamber, the base of which is formed by the base of said outer chamber, the side walls of said inner chamher being secured to said base, an opening in the adapted to be gasified by the arc to produce a gas that is readily condensable when cooled, and means operable in response to the movement of said movable contact member for venting said inner chamber into said outer chamber and to .0 thereby cool the entrapped gaseous fluid within said inner chamber so as to cause the fluid surrounding the arc stream to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition, said venting means and said chamber being so proportioned that the venting operation and the resulting cooling is prolonged for a sufficient period of time to insure that the arc stream shall be surrounded with saturated vapor during at least one zero point in the arc current.
  • the method of extinguishing an alternating current are which includes the steps of drawing an arc, gasifying a quantity of a substance which liberates a condensable gas by the heat of the arc, confining the gas and the arc to efiect a superheating of the gas, and then cooling the superheated gas in such a manner that a suflicient removal of heat is secured to cause the gas confined adjacent the are to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition and to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a, period of time at least equal to one alternation of the arc current.
  • the method of extinguishing an alternating current are which includes the steps of drawing an arc, gasifying a quantity of a substance which liberates a condensable gas by the heat of the arc, confining the gas and the arc to efiect a superheating of the gas, and then substantially adiabatically expanding a portion of the no superheated gas in such a manner that the rate of heat removal shall cause the gas confined adjacent the arc to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition and to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a period of a time at least equal to one alternation of the arc current.
  • a quantity of arc quenching liquid from which 1 condensable gas is liberated in the presence of an are means including a chamber wherein said liquid is contained and wherein said are is established for confining said gas, for a period of time, in proximity to the are being extinguished in order to superheat said gas and to increase its pressure, and venting means for causing said superheated gas to expand adiabatically, said confining means and said venting means being so proportioned that the venting operation causes the confined gas to change from the superheated to the saturated vapor condition and to persist in the saturated vapor condition for a period of time at least equal to one alternation of the arc current.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
US461325A 1929-06-18 1930-06-16 Expansion switch Expired - Lifetime US1948761A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE354890X 1929-06-18
DES92327D DE618679C (de) 1929-06-18 1929-06-19 Elektrischer Wechselstromschalter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US1948761A true US1948761A (en) 1934-02-27

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ID=25839480

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US461325A Expired - Lifetime US1948761A (en) 1929-06-18 1930-06-16 Expansion switch

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US1948761A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE370689A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE618679C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR698522A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB354890A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE763038C (de) * 1933-02-24 1953-07-27 Neumann Hochspannungs App G M Elektrischer Schalter mit verdampfbarer Fluessigkeit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR698522A (fr) 1931-01-31
DE618679C (de) 1935-09-16
GB354890A (en) 1931-08-20
BE370689A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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