US2619524A - Arc extinguishing system - Google Patents

Arc extinguishing system Download PDF

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Publication number
US2619524A
US2619524A US665307A US66530746A US2619524A US 2619524 A US2619524 A US 2619524A US 665307 A US665307 A US 665307A US 66530746 A US66530746 A US 66530746A US 2619524 A US2619524 A US 2619524A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contacts
tube
period
switch
voltage
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Expired - Lifetime
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US665307A
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English (en)
Inventor
Adrianus Cornelis Van Dorsten
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
    • B01D53/48—Sulfur compounds
    • B01D53/50—Sulfur oxides
    • B01D53/507—Sulfur oxides by treating the gases with other liquids
    • 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
    • H01H9/54—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for switching off direct or alternating current, which consists of a mechanical switch which has connected in parallel with it a mercury cathode gasor vapourdischarge tube which, after the switch has been opened, is automatically ignited and is then forcedly extinguished.
  • the invention is based on the recognition that this 'is really possible if a series of exactly determined requirements is satisfied.
  • the device has the following features:
  • a determined critical value should he meant hereinafter a value or" the product pd which is located in the region in which the breakdown voltage increases with the decrease of the value of pd (Paschens curve) and the magnitude of which depends upon the value of the returning voltage.
  • the time period is plays a certain part, for according to (b) the total of the time periods t1 and t2 should be so chosen that there exists the possibility of (is-ionizing the space between the contacts to a suificient extent. In this case there exist different possibilities with respect to the determination of ti and 152.
  • the desired high re-ignition voltage may be obtained in any known manner, for ex ample byopening the contacts to a sufiicient extent, by utilizing an air current, by providing the contacts in another medium such as oil, etc. and by any combination of these steps.
  • the time period 152 may, however, be reduced still further, to wit by reducing the period tr At a comparatively low voltage and with a high current intensity a decrease of ti affords, comparatively to the case of a high voltage with a high current intensity, less ionization in the are between the contacts due to this reduction of time.
  • the space between the contacts can be de-ionized more easily and the period 752 can be taken accordingly shorter than the abovementioned minimum value, which is also desirablein view of the high current intensity taken over by the tube.
  • the returning voltage is comparatively low so that even a comparatively small distance between the contacts may prevent the production of a new are after the time t1+t2. In this case it is indeed advisable already in itself, in connection with the high current intensity, to take the period t1 not at its maximum.
  • t1 may be taken slightly longer than in the preceding case since due to the high voltage a larger distance between the contacts is desirable and the low current intensity brings about less ionization, which is, however, increased again due to the longer duration of h.
  • the period t2 may be larger in this case since firstly also the current taken over by the tube is of low intensity so that unadmissible heating and, attended therewith, an unadmissible vapour pressure occur less rapidly and. secondly the ionization brought about due to the longer duration of 21 requires a longer de-ionization period.
  • the mechanical switch is constituted in the manner known per se by two or more than two mechanical switches which are located in series and which are to be opened simultaneously and which, for example, may be coupled with one another, owing to which, more particularly in switching high current intensities at a high voltage, the certainty that upon the return of the switching voltage arcing between the switch contacts is avoided is obtained even in the case of comparatively small distances between the contacts.
  • this is particularly important in carrying out the invention, when very short time periods have to be combined in the correct manner to a predetermined program.
  • the tube is ignited with the aid of means controlled by the position of the switch which has already been opened.
  • the tube there enters into account more particularly a circuit-arrangement wherein the tube has connected in parallel with it the seriesconnection of an extinguishing condenser, an
  • auxiliary condenser and a switch preferably an auxiliary discharge tube, whilst the ratio between the capacities is so chosen that the returning switching Voltage is substantially taken up by the auxiliary condenser.
  • a source of direct-current voltage I is connected through the intermediary of a mechanical switch 2 to a load 3.
  • a gasor vapourdischarge tube A which comprises a mercury cathode. 5 and a controlling member 6 in the form of an immersed ignition electrode of high resistance or a capacitative ignition electrode.
  • a switch i and a condenser 8 which, for example, has been charged beforehand by a source of charging potential It with the polarity indicated.
  • the switch 2 is opened with the result that between the contacts the beginning of an arc is struck. Then the tube 3 is ignited with the aid of the ignition electrode 5 so that the are at the switch 2 is taken over by the tube. This is accomplished by means of a charged condenser l5, the charge being obtained from a source of charging potential 22. Subsequently the tube is extinguished by closing the switch I, owing to which the anode voltage of the tube is suiiiciently reduced by the charged condenser 8 and, if required, the anode even acquires for a short time a sufiiciently negative potential to extinguish the tube.
  • the tube is ignited within a limited period of time 161 so that sparking or arcing to a degree detrimental to the contacts does not occur.
  • the largest length of the are between the contacts which is allowable in this connection is denoted by a.
  • the maximum time 151 is determined therefore by the quotient between the distance a and the rapidity of opening of the contacts, which rapidity should have, as the case may be, a certain minimum value on account of the requirements to be satisfied but, on the other hand, is tied down from the point of view of construction to a certain maximum.
  • the ignition of the tube 4 within the period in set therefore may occur, for example, dependently upon the position of the movable switch arm 2 by means of an additional contact switch 24 or in the case of electromagnetic switching off with the aid of a properly chosen time in any known manner as will be explained more fully with reference to Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 3 shows qualitatively the course of Paschens breakdown curve for a rarefied gas, and wherein the breakdown voltage VD has been plotted as a function of the product pd of gas pressure and electrode spacing.
  • Detailed information relative Paschens curve may be found in Applied Electronics, a publication of The Technology Press, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  • the tube is in a state which is characterized by that portion of the curve which is located to the left of the minimum.
  • the tube At the end of the period 151 the tube is in a state indicated by a point A.
  • the valve (pd z is reached. This point corresponds to the voltage VB. Re-ignition does not occur as long as care is taken to ensure that VB exceeds the returning voltage V.
  • the tube is extinguished by closing the switch 1, which may also be effected dependently upon the switch 2 or, as the case may be, dependently upon the ignition impulse at the electrode 6.
  • the periods t1 and 152 must be so chosen that, in connection with the opening rapidity of the switch 2 and with the additional de-ionization means which, as the case may be, may be employed, within the total of the period t1+t2 the space between the contacts denoted in Fig. 1 by b is, as has been set out in detail hereinbefore, in a state so as to prevent the renewed production of an are between the contacts after the tube has been extinguished.
  • the distance b-a constitutes therefore a measure for the time period t2, if only the opening rapidity of the switch is taken into account.
  • Fig. 1 refers to the switching off of direct-current voltage, which has hitherto still been considered in practice as most diflicultly realizable alternating voltage may also be switched off in a forced manner in accordance with the invention at any point within the cycle, for example within one tenth of a half-cycle.
  • Fig. 2 represents a device according to the invention wherein the switch 2 of Fig. 1 consists of two mechanical switches 9 and I located in series and coupled with one another.
  • the switch I0 comprises an additional auxiliary switch I i, owing to which the correct moment of ignition of the tube 4 is fixed by means of a battery l2, a relay !3, contacts l4 and a charged condenser l5, condenser I5 being charged by a source of charging potential 22.
  • the construction of the contacts [4 and I6 is such that a short and, as the case may be, regulable moment (t2) after the closure of the first-mentioned contacts the last-mentioned contacts are closed, owing to which the tube 17 is ignited with the aid of a charged condenser l8, charged by a source 23, with the result that the condenser 8 charged by the device I9 (see also Fig. 1) is discharged via an auxiliary condenser through the tube 4, the tube being extinguished by this impulse.
  • the auxiliary condenser 20 is so dimensioned that it substantially takes up the switching voltage which returns after the tube 4 has been extinguished.
  • Apparatus for disconnecting a load from a power source comprising a mechanically operated switch interposed between said load and said source and having a pair of contacts separable after opening at a prescribed rate, a gaseous discharge device having a cathode connected to one of said contacts, an anode connected to the other contact and an ignition electrode, a first normally open switching element, a first charged capacitor for providing a firing pulse and connected between said electrode and said cathode through said first element, means responsive to the operation of said switch to close said first element subsequent to the moment at which said switch is opened thereby igniting said device for a first predetermined period, a second normally open switching element.
  • a second charged capacitor for providing an extinguishing pulse and connected between said cathode and said anode through said second element, and means responsive to the operation of said switch to close said second element at the termination of said first period thereby to extinguish said device for a second predetermined period immediately succeeding said first period, said contacts during said first period being so spaced whereby an arc thereacross is not detrimental to said contacts, said contacts during said second period having a sufficiently wide spacing and the space between the contacts being sufficiently de-ionized to prevent arcing between the contacts, said device having a Paschens curve characteristic wherein the product of electrode spacing and gas pressure existing at the end of said second period has a value effecting a magnitude of breakdown voltage for said device greater than is supplied by said power source whereby re-ignition of said device subsequent to said second period is prevented.
  • Apparatus for disconnecting a load from a power source comprising a mechanically operated switch interposed between said load and said source and having a pair of contacts separable at a predetermined rate after opening, a gaseous discharge device having a cathode connected to one of said contacts, an anode connected to the other of said contacts and an ignition electrode, a first normally open switching element, a first charged capacitor for providing a firing pulse and connected between said cathode and said electrode through said first element, a second normally open switching lement, a second charged capacitor for providing an extinguishing pulse and.
  • an electromagnetic relay for actuating said first and second elements, means responsive to the operation of said switch for actuating said relay, said relay being arranged to close said first element subsequent to the moment at which said switch is opened thereby igniting said device for a first predetermined period, said relay being further arranged to close said second switch at the termination of said first period thereby extinguishing said device for a second predetermined period immediately succeeding said first period, said contacts during said first period being so spaced whereby an are thereacross is not detrimental to said contacts, said contacts during said second period having a spacing sufficiently wide and the space between the contacts being sufliciently de-ionized to prevent arcing between the contacts, said device having a Paschens curve characteristic wherein the product of electrode spacing and gas pressure existing at the end of said second period has a value effecting a magnitude of breakdown voltage greater than is supplied by said power source, whereby re-ignition of said device subsequent to said second period is obviated.
  • Apparatus for disconnecting a load from a power source comprising a mechanically operated switch interposed between said load and said source and having a pair of contacts separable at a predetermined rate after opening, first and second gaseous discharge devices each having a cathode, an anode and an ignition electrode, the cathode and anode of said first device being connected to said pair of contacts, first and second normally open switching elements, first and second charged capacitors for producing firing pulses, said first capacitor being connected between the cathode and ignition electrode of said first device through said first element, said second capacitor being connected between the cathode and ignition electrode of said second device through said second element, a third charged capacitor for providing an extinguishing pulse and connected between the cathodes of said first and second devices, means intercoupling the anodes of said first and second devices, an electromagnetic relay for actuating said first and second elements, means responsive to the operation of said switch for actuating said relay, said relay being arranged to close said first element subsequent to the moment at which
  • said means for intercoupling the anodes of said first and second devices comprises a condenser connected in parallel with a resistor.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Discharge Lamps And Accessories Thereof (AREA)
  • Generation Of Surge Voltage And Current (AREA)
US665307A 1942-04-25 1946-04-26 Arc extinguishing system Expired - Lifetime US2619524A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL105779 1942-04-25

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US2619524A true US2619524A (en) 1952-11-25

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US665307A Expired - Lifetime US2619524A (en) 1942-04-25 1946-04-26 Arc extinguishing system

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US (1) US2619524A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE450313A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH250185A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR894223A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB639394A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL63114C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK86068C (da) * 1954-06-29 1958-08-18 Philips Nv Afbryderkobling til anvendelse i ignitronkoblinger.
US3278801A (en) * 1962-03-28 1966-10-11 Karl Rath System of arc suppression for electrical switches and circuit breakers
US3651374A (en) * 1970-02-20 1972-03-21 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Switching arrangement for disconnecting high-voltage direct-current lines
US3708687A (en) * 1971-02-24 1973-01-02 Continental Can Co Control circuitry for direct current
US11177099B2 (en) * 2018-01-31 2021-11-16 General Electric Technology Gmbh Switching apparatus

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE450313A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1942-04-25
US2789253A (en) * 1951-12-28 1957-04-16 Vang Alfred Protection of circuit breakers and metallic switches for carrying large currents

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US490178A (en) * 1893-01-17 Electric-circuit breaker
US500629A (en) * 1893-07-04 Electric switch
US1681196A (en) * 1925-06-30 1928-08-21 Siemens Schuckertwerke Gmbh Device for breaking the connections of electric circuits
US1691395A (en) * 1926-08-16 1928-11-13 Gen Electric Circuit-control apparatus
US1691423A (en) * 1926-05-20 1928-11-13 Gen Electric Circuit-control apparatus
CH129999A (de) * 1927-12-22 1929-01-02 Oerlikon Maschf Einrichtung zum Abschalten elektrischer Ströme, bestehend aus einem Schalter und parallel zu diesem angeschlossenen elektrischen Gasentladungsröhren.
US1750581A (en) * 1927-02-25 1930-03-11 Firm Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon Vacuum switch for alternating currents
US1902958A (en) * 1929-08-14 1933-03-28 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US1975164A (en) * 1933-05-27 1934-10-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Grid-controlled mercury arc tube
GB419274A (en) * 1933-07-07 1934-11-08 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to means for quenching arcs in electric circuit breakers
US2071447A (en) * 1934-03-24 1937-02-23 Hugh E Young Circuit breaker
US2157925A (en) * 1937-03-13 1939-05-09 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electric discharge apparatus
US2215804A (en) * 1938-06-30 1940-09-24 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupting apparatus
US2221569A (en) * 1938-07-20 1940-11-12 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Direct current welding with tube control
US2223523A (en) * 1938-11-16 1940-12-03 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electric discharge apparatus
FR894223A (fr) * 1942-04-25 1944-12-18 Philips Nv Dispositif de coupure de courant continu ou alternatif
US2537383A (en) * 1942-03-31 1951-01-09 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Device for extinguishing a discharge tube having a mercury cathode

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US490178A (en) * 1893-01-17 Electric-circuit breaker
US500629A (en) * 1893-07-04 Electric switch
US1681196A (en) * 1925-06-30 1928-08-21 Siemens Schuckertwerke Gmbh Device for breaking the connections of electric circuits
US1691423A (en) * 1926-05-20 1928-11-13 Gen Electric Circuit-control apparatus
US1691395A (en) * 1926-08-16 1928-11-13 Gen Electric Circuit-control apparatus
US1750581A (en) * 1927-02-25 1930-03-11 Firm Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon Vacuum switch for alternating currents
CH129999A (de) * 1927-12-22 1929-01-02 Oerlikon Maschf Einrichtung zum Abschalten elektrischer Ströme, bestehend aus einem Schalter und parallel zu diesem angeschlossenen elektrischen Gasentladungsröhren.
US1902958A (en) * 1929-08-14 1933-03-28 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US1975164A (en) * 1933-05-27 1934-10-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Grid-controlled mercury arc tube
GB419274A (en) * 1933-07-07 1934-11-08 British Thomson Houston Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to means for quenching arcs in electric circuit breakers
US2071447A (en) * 1934-03-24 1937-02-23 Hugh E Young Circuit breaker
US2157925A (en) * 1937-03-13 1939-05-09 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electric discharge apparatus
US2215804A (en) * 1938-06-30 1940-09-24 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupting apparatus
US2221569A (en) * 1938-07-20 1940-11-12 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Direct current welding with tube control
US2223523A (en) * 1938-11-16 1940-12-03 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Electric discharge apparatus
US2537383A (en) * 1942-03-31 1951-01-09 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Device for extinguishing a discharge tube having a mercury cathode
FR894223A (fr) * 1942-04-25 1944-12-18 Philips Nv Dispositif de coupure de courant continu ou alternatif

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK86068C (da) * 1954-06-29 1958-08-18 Philips Nv Afbryderkobling til anvendelse i ignitronkoblinger.
US3278801A (en) * 1962-03-28 1966-10-11 Karl Rath System of arc suppression for electrical switches and circuit breakers
US3651374A (en) * 1970-02-20 1972-03-21 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Switching arrangement for disconnecting high-voltage direct-current lines
US3708687A (en) * 1971-02-24 1973-01-02 Continental Can Co Control circuitry for direct current
US11177099B2 (en) * 2018-01-31 2021-11-16 General Electric Technology Gmbh Switching apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB639394A (en) 1950-06-28
BE450313A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH250185A (de) 1947-08-15
FR894223A (fr) 1944-12-18
NL63114C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

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