US2088489A - Circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Circuit interrupter Download PDF

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Publication number
US2088489A
US2088489A US715817A US71581734A US2088489A US 2088489 A US2088489 A US 2088489A US 715817 A US715817 A US 715817A US 71581734 A US71581734 A US 71581734A US 2088489 A US2088489 A US 2088489A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
arc
members
gas
passage
slot
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 - Lifetime
Application number
US715817A
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English (en)
Inventor
Slepian Joseph
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
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to NL41750D priority Critical patent/NL41750C/xx
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority to US715817A priority patent/US2088489A/en
Priority to GB5237/35A priority patent/GB436122A/en
Priority to FR787177D priority patent/FR787177A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2088489A publication Critical patent/US2088489A/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
    • H01H33/76—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid wherein arc-extinguishing gas is evolved from stationary parts; Selection of material therefor
    • 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
    • H01H33/08—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H2033/085—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate using a flat arc chute, the width of arc chamber being only slightly greater then thickness of switch blade
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/342—Venting arrangements for arc chutes

Definitions

  • I provide a device wherein a substantial portion of at least one of the opposed inner surfaces of the passageway is lined with a solid material which is capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric arc.
  • this gas evolving lining greatly increases the voltage which can be interrupted by a given length of arc. Moreover, the effective range of current values which may be successfully interrupted is greatly increased, due to the fact that the amount of arc extinguishing gas produced is a function of the arc current itself. Thus, when the current magnitude of the arc to be extinguished increases the device automatically provides more gas for extinguishing the arc.
  • I provide means for dispensing with an external magnetic field and effect the movement of the are along the horns through the proper directing of the blast of arc extinguishing gas which is evolved from the lining of the arc passage.
  • a further object of my invention is to provide an improved slot-type arc extinguishing device, the inner surfaces of which are lined with a. gas evolving material with means for so directing the flow of arc extinguishing gas through the arc passage that the arc is moved along the horns and lengthened to a degree sufflcient to interrupt the circuit.
  • This object is accomplished in the preferred form of my invention by the complete enclosing of the are extinguisher, except on the side toward which the arc is to be moved along the arc horns.
  • This object of my invention is accomplished through the provision of a flame suppressor wherein the out-flowing gas is caused to vent through circuitous passages formed within suitable metallic baflie members. These members abstract heat from the arc and prevent the temperature of the venting gas from reaching a dangerously high value.
  • a still further object of my invention is to pro vide an improved contact and are horn struc-- ture that is particularly suitable for use with slottype arc extinguishing devices generally.
  • An ancillary object of my invention is to provide an improved lining for the inner surfaces of the arc passage of a narrow-slot arc extinguishing device, my improved lining to increase the arc extinguishing efliciency of the device and to minimize the danger from fire or the like.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view, with portions broken away, of a narrow slot circuit interrupter embodying the principal features of my invention.
  • the circuit interrupter is provided with a flame suppressing device.
  • Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one of the two wall members which, together, make up the narrow-slot arc extinguisher of the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 1.
  • the contacts of the breaker are also illustrated in this view and are shown in the fully closed position;
  • Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the other wall defining member, which, in conjunction with the member shown in Fig. 2, makes up the are extinguisher of the circuit interrupter shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in section, of the flame suppressing device and the circuit interrupter illustrated in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 8 is a curve which shows the relationship between the slot width and the voltage per centimeter of arc length which can be successfully interrupted within narrow slot circuit interrupters utilizing refractory walls;
  • Fig. 9 shows the relationship between the arc current in amperes and the arc voltage per centimeter of arc length for a narrow slot circuit interrupter utilizing a gas evolving lining for the arc passage.
  • the curve illustrates data obtained from a device utilizing a slot passage formed by a pair of flber walls V apart.
  • the preferred embodiment of my invention 11- lustrated in the drawings comprises generally a pair of wall defining members I of insulating material which are adapted to be spaced apart by three rectangular members 3, 5 and i, likewise of insulating material, to form a narrow passageway 9.
  • This passageway 9 is open at the top, which is the direction toward which the arc is moved during the normal operation of the device, and is substantially closed on the other three sides by the spacing members 3, 5 and 1.
  • a flame suppressor Ii which is shown partly in Figs. 5 and 6, is supported upon the upper portion of the device so as to form a continuation OI the arc passage 9 and serves to prevent an undue discharge of highly heated gas during the operation of the interrupter.
  • a similar set of bolts [5 is provided for bolting the flame suppressor onto the top portion of the arc extinguishing device so as to form a substantially gastight seal.
  • each of the two wall members l is lined with a plurality of tile-like members 23 of compressed boric acid which are cemented or otherwise securely amxed to the opposed inner surfaces of those members.
  • the contact structure is comparatively simple and comprises a pair of separable contacts 25 and 21, one of which (21) is-normally stationary, and the other of which (25) is adapted to move to open and to close the electrical circuit through the interrupter.
  • Each of the contacts is provided with an arcing horn 29 and a body portion 3! adapted to extend through a suitable opening 33 within the adjacent spacing members.
  • the right-hand contact 21 is rigidly afiixed to the spacing and wall members by means of a suitable bolt 35 and insulating tube 31.
  • the other contact 25 is moved by a suitable actuating mechanism, not shown, from one position to the other, and the opening 33 within the spacing member aids in guiding this movement.
  • a pair of flat iron members 39 of somewhat larger surface area than the arcing horns 29 are embedded in the lining of the arc passage adjacent the positionoccupied by each of the arc horns 29 when the circuit interrupter is in the normal open circuit position. These iron members 39 serve to augment the magnetic effect of the curved arcing horns 29 so as to facilitate the movement of the arc in the direction of the upper end of the narrow passageway 3 during the arc extinction operation.
  • the space between the arc horns 29 and the spacing members 3 and I is normally occupied by a pair of members 4
  • Both of the contacts are formed from sheet conducting material preferably copper, having a width only slightly less than the width or the narrow passageway 9, wherein one .of them moves. Despite this narrowness of the contacts, they have a considerable cross-sectional area and are capable of handling rather large magnitude currents over a considerable period of time without undue heating. Also, the arrangement is one which imparts considerable rigidity to those members.
  • the flame suppressor I i consists essentially of a closed metallic box structure 43, which is adapted to form a continuation of the arc passageway 9, and wherein are contained a plurality of metallic bafile members 45 which abstract heat from the outfiowing gases during the arc extinguishing operation and cause them to condense to liquid if they are condensable.
  • the lower portion of the main closure 43 for the flame suppressor is of substantially the same dimensions as the upper portion of the narrow-slot arc extinguisher and is adapted to be supported thereon by the bolts l5 as mentioned above.
  • the baflle members 45 are arranged between suitable side members 41 in a unit construction which is somewhat ladder-like in form. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, there are three of these units illustrated.
  • Each of the baille members 45 is riveted or otherwise securely aiiixed to the side members 41, and the three complete assemblages are disposed in the upper portion of the closure 43 for the flame suppressor, five through bolts 49 being provided for holding thebafile units in place.
  • the upper portion of the closure 43 is provided with a plurality of vent openings 5
  • the individual baflle plates 45 may be formed of copper, that metal having a high thermal capacity and excellent heat conductivity, and they are preferably arranged so that the outflowing gas follows a circuitous passage in venting through the vent openings 5
  • the circuit breaker contacts are shown in the closed-circuit position in Fig. 2.
  • the moving contact 25 is moved by the operating mechanism from the position shown in Fig. 2 toward the position shown in Fig. 4.
  • the initial portion of this movement causes the current-carrying contact surfaces to be separated whereupon an arc is established therebetween.
  • the magnetic effect of the arcing horns 29, augmented by strips of iron 39 disposed on either side of the stationary arcing horn, immediately moves the arc in the direction of the upper portion of the narrow slot 9.
  • the heat of the arc decomposes the adjacent surfaces of the tile-like members 23 which make up the boric acid lining of the arc passageway and effects the liberation of a considerable quantity of steam, which, in venting, flows outwardly substantially transversely of the arc and carries the arc upwardly along the horns.
  • the lining of the passageway 9 is preferably of boric acid, as stated above, because that material when placed in proximity to an electric arc evolves a large quantity of water vapor, an arc extinguishing gas which is substantially inorgani'c in composition. This reduces the fire hazard and adds much to reliability of the device.
  • Another desirable characteristic of boric acid arises from the fact that boric acid does not lose its normal high insulating properties when heated to its melting point. 'Ihis preventsflashover across the lining of the arc passage even though the boric acid surface is heated to a .very high temperature. It is, of course, within the province of my invention that other solid materials for securing this gas blast may be used.
  • my improved circuit interrupter is capable of efficient operation of a very much wider range of arc current values and in circuits of much higher voltage than the previously known devices, and at the same time, it is relatively simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.
  • means defining a pair of wall members means for supporting said wall members in proximity to each other so as to define a narrow passageway open at one 'end and closed at the other, a substantial portion of the inner surface of at least one of said wall defining members being lined with a material capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric arc, and
  • a circuit interrupter meansincluding a pair of oppositely disposed wall members for defining a narrow slot-like passage, a substantial portion of the inner surface of at least one 01' said wall members being lined with a material which gives off a gas when acted upon by an arc to aid in extinguishing the arc, separable contact members disposed between said wall members for drawing an are within said narrow passage, said contact members being substantially of the same width as said passage, said passage having a width such that arcs of low as well as of high current magnitude are compelled to contact the walls defining the passage, a pair of opposing arc terminal members disposed between said wall members of substantially the same width as said passage and providing arc paths over which the respective ends of the arc are adapted to be moved, and means for venting said passage in such manner that the gas evolving from said lining moves the arc laterally with the ends thereof over the paths provided by said are terminal members.
  • a circuit interrupter means including a pair of oppositely disposed plate members for defining a narrow passageway, said passageway being substantially completely enclosed except for venting means located adjacent one end thereof, a substantial portion of the inner surface of at least one of said plate members being lined with a material which is capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric arc, and separable contact members for establishing an are within said passageway, said contact members having a thickness substantially equal to the width of said passageway, said venting means being disposed to cause the gas evolved by the action of the are upon said lining to fiow through the arc and move it laterally within the passageway toward said venting means.
  • means including a pair of oppositely disposed plate members for defining a narrow passageway, said passageway being substantially completely enclosed except for venting means located adjacent one end thereof, a substantial portion of the inner surface of at least one of said plate members being lined with a material which is capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric arc, and means including a pair of separable contacts for establishing an are within said passageway, each of said separable contacts including an arc horn normally disposed within said passageway, and means of magnetic material partially surrounding said are horns for aiding the gas formed by the action of the are upon said lining to move said arc laterally on said are horns.
  • means including a pair of wall members spaced apart a distance not substantially greater than one-fourth of an inch defining an arc chute, at least a substantial portion of said wall defining means being lined with a solid material that is capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when exposed to an electric arc, contact means movable within said chute for drawing an arc therein, and means of magnetic material for lining other portions of said wall members for causing said are to be moved laterally within said chute to effect its extinguishment.
  • means including a pairfol oppositely disposed wall members for definingan' arc chute, at least a substantial portion oi the inner surface of said wall defining means bem lined with a solid material that is capable of evolving an 'arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric are, means for establishing an are within said chute, diverging arc horns disposed within said chute i for providing terminals for the ends or said are,
  • a circuit interrupter means including a pair of oppositely disposed wall members for defining an arc chute having the substantial form of a narrow rectangular parallelopiped, at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of said wall defining means being lined with a solid material which is capable of evolving an arc extinguishing gas when placed in proximity to an electric arc, means for establishing an arc with- .in said chute, diverging arc horns disposed within said chute for providing terminals for the ends of said arc, and means of magnetic materialpartially surrounding said are horns for causing said arc to be moved laterally on said are horns thereby lengthening it to efiect its extinguishment during each operation of said interrupter.
  • a circuit interrupter means for defining a narrow slot-like arc passage, said are passage being closed at one end and vented'at the other end, a pair of opposed arc terminal members within said passage, means for establishing an are between said are terminal members, portions of the inner walls of said are passage adjacent said arc terminal members being lined with a magnetic material for strengthening the magnetic reaction for moving the arc laterally between said arc terminal members and substantially the remaining portions of the inner walls of said passage including a material which gives off a gas when acted upon by an arc to aid in moving and in extinguishing the arc.
  • a circuit interrupter means for defining a narrow slot-like arc passage, said are passage being closed at one end and vented at the other end, a pair of contact members relatively movable from a closed to an open position for establishing an are within said passage, each of said contact members having an arc horn movable therewith and between which said arc is adapted to be moved, portions of the inner walls of said passage adjacent said are horns when in the open position being lined with a magnetic material for strengthening the magnetic reaction to move the are laterally between said are horns and substantially the remaining portions of the inner walls of said passage being lined with a material which gives off a gas when acted upon by an arc to aid in moving and in extinguishing the arc.
  • a circuit interrupter means including a pair of opposed wall members for defining a narrow slot-like arc passage, said passage being closed at one end and vented at the other end, a fixed contact within said passage adjacent the closed end, a cooperating contact movable to open and closed positions, an arc horn mounted on each contact, said are horns being disposed in diverging relation with respect to each other, and a plate of magnetic material having the same general shape as said arc horns secured to the inner surface of each of said wall members adjacent said arc horns when the latter are in the open circuit position for causing the arc drawn between said contacts to be moved laterally between said diverging arc horns, at least the portion of the wall members between said plates of magnetic material being lined with a material which gives ofi a gas when acted upon by an arc to aid in moving and in extinguishing the arc.
  • meansv including a pair of opposed wall members for defining a confined arc passage of slot-like crosss'ection, said passage being closed at one end and open at the other end, means adjacent the closed end of said passage for drawing an arc therein,
  • At least one of said wall members having a substantial portion thereof lined with a material which gives off a gas when acted upon by an arc to move said are laterally toward the open end of said passage, said wall members being spaced apart a distance to cause the deionization of arcs I of at least 300 volts per centimeter of arc length.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US715817A 1934-03-16 1934-03-16 Circuit interrupter Expired - Lifetime US2088489A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL41750D NL41750C (en(2012)) 1934-03-16
US715817A US2088489A (en) 1934-03-16 1934-03-16 Circuit interrupter
GB5237/35A GB436122A (en) 1934-03-16 1935-02-18 Improvements in or relating to electrical circuit interrupters
FR787177D FR787177A (fr) 1934-03-16 1935-03-13 Perfectionnements aux interrupteurs électriques

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US715817A US2088489A (en) 1934-03-16 1934-03-16 Circuit interrupter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2088489A true US2088489A (en) 1937-07-27

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US715817A Expired - Lifetime US2088489A (en) 1934-03-16 1934-03-16 Circuit interrupter

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US (1) US2088489A (en(2012))
FR (1) FR787177A (en(2012))
GB (1) GB436122A (en(2012))
NL (1) NL41750C (en(2012))

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2429846A (en) * 1944-03-24 1947-10-28 Gen Electric Electric circuit interrupter
EP0828272A3 (de) * 1996-09-06 1998-09-23 GEC Alsthom T&D GmbH Concordia Sprecher Mittelspannungstechnik Flachlöschkammer
EP1251533A1 (fr) * 2001-04-19 2002-10-23 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Diffuseur monobloc pour un appareillage électrique de coupure

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2429846A (en) * 1944-03-24 1947-10-28 Gen Electric Electric circuit interrupter
EP0828272A3 (de) * 1996-09-06 1998-09-23 GEC Alsthom T&D GmbH Concordia Sprecher Mittelspannungstechnik Flachlöschkammer
EP1251533A1 (fr) * 2001-04-19 2002-10-23 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Diffuseur monobloc pour un appareillage électrique de coupure
FR2823904A1 (fr) * 2001-04-19 2002-10-25 Schneider Electric Ind Sa Diffuseur monobloc pour un appareillage electrique de coupure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB436122A (en) 1935-10-04
FR787177A (fr) 1935-09-18
NL41750C (en(2012))

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