US2829221A - Circuit breaker employing opposed fluid blasts - Google Patents

Circuit breaker employing opposed fluid blasts Download PDF

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Publication number
US2829221A
US2829221A US559674A US55967456A US2829221A US 2829221 A US2829221 A US 2829221A US 559674 A US559674 A US 559674A US 55967456 A US55967456 A US 55967456A US 2829221 A US2829221 A US 2829221A
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United States
Prior art keywords
arc
blast
fluid
contacts
conduit
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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
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US559674A
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English (en)
Inventor
Joseph M Ramrath
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Allis Chalmers Corp
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Allis Chalmers Corp
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Priority to DENDAT1069738D priority Critical patent/DE1069738B/de
Application filed by Allis Chalmers Corp filed Critical Allis Chalmers Corp
Priority to US559674A priority patent/US2829221A/en
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Publication of US2829221A publication Critical patent/US2829221A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/7015—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid characterised by flow directing elements associated with contacts

Definitions

  • This invention relates to circuit interrupting devices and more particularly to arc extinguishing means for use in connection therewith.
  • the interrupting capacity of a circuit breaker interrupter in a high voltage circuit depends to a great extent on the circuit characteristics relating to the rate of increase of recovery voltage when the current is interrupted.
  • the breaker may be successful in interrupting the current momentarily, the recovery voltage across the interrupting gap may rapidly rise to such a value that arcing is reestablished before the breaker has sufliciently increased the dielectric strength of the gap.
  • the size of the blast passage or the type of gas passage or passages may be varied to provide for greater gas volume or greater interrupting ability. Such changes, however, usually result in either a more expensive or larger breaker.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising a source of fluid under pressure, separable arcing contacts for e.”- tablishing an arc, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from the source adjacent the arcing contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of the arcing contacts and an arc chute mounted adjacent the arcing contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end thereof.
  • a blast divider is mounted within the conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved arc extinguishing device in which an arc extinguishing blast of fluid under pressure is divided into two opposing streams.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved arc extinguishing device in which an arc extinguishing blast of fluid is divided into two streams of fluid downstream of the arcing zone and are then directed through the arc in opposing streams in the arcing zone.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic showing partly in cross section Patented Apr. 1, 1958 of a fluid blast circuit breaker employing the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a view in cross section of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 taken along the line IIII;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 taken along the line III-III.
  • the cross blast type air blast circuit breaker shown by way of example in Fig. 1 comprises relatively movable arcing contacts, such as fixed contact structure 7 of the finger type and a pivoted blade-like contact 8.
  • the fixed contact structure may comprise a plurality of current carrying contacts and an arcing contact as is well known, and is electrically connected to one line terminal 9 of the breaker.
  • the bladelike movable contact is connec'ted to the other line terminal 10.
  • circuit breakers of the type considered in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are provided with a plurality of similar pole structures, one for each phase of a polyphase electric circuit, only one such pole structure is shown in the drawings and the circuit breaker will be described in detail as if it were of the single pole unittype.
  • the movable contact 8 is suitably connected to an actuating mechanism (not shown) through a connecting rod 11 for operating the movable contact between closed and open circuit positions.
  • an insulating arc extinguishing structure 12 is arranged with respect to the contacts so that the arc is drawn at the entrance of the structure directly opposite a gas blast supply conduit 13.
  • the conduit 13 is suitably connected through a blast valve (not shown) to a source of compressed fluid, such as air, comprising for example a storage tank and compressor equipment (not shown).
  • the are extinguishing structure may, for example, define a double barrel arc chute 14 comprising a first blast passage 15 for interrupting relatively high currents and a second blast passage 16 spaced apart from passage 15 for interrupting relatively low currents.
  • an insulating blast divider 19 is arranged within the fluid supply conduit 13 for distributing the blast from the point where it arrives in highly concentrated form in the supply conduit 13 to an arc chamber provided for enclosing the are upon inception thereof.
  • the are chamber comprises a plurality of arc splitter plates 20 set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the arc downstream from the arcing contacts. As the arc lengthens, it is bent around the arc splitter or cutter plates 20 and pushed by the force of the fluid blast into the narrow passages between plates 20 where it loses thermal energy by the cooling effect of the side walls and the decomposition of the plates themselves which produces arc quenching gases.
  • the blast divider 19 comprises a U-shaped streamlined structure having leg members 22 and 23 interconnected by a bight 24.
  • the leg members 22 and 23 are so arranged that they substantially surround or envelop the movable arcing contact 8 as it passes through conduit 13 during a circuit opening operation.
  • the legs 22 and 23 of the blast divider are arranged to extend longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of conduit 13 with their loose leg ends arranged adjacent the arcing zone.
  • the bight 24 of blast divider 19 is provided with a fluid passageway 25 which extends longitudinally of conduit 13. Passageway 25 conducts a part of the blast of fluid flowing through conduit 13 through the blast divider 19 between leg members 22 and 23 and around the movable arcing contact 8.
  • Blast divider 19 may be positioned immediately below a nozzle 26 formed in conduit 13 within the arcing zone. As shown in Fig. 2 blast. divider 19 is coaxially arranged within conduit 13 and so positioned therein that it divides the blast of fluid flowing through conduit 13 downstream from the arcing zone in at least least two streams of fluid and directs the streams through the arc and arcing zone in opposing or opposite directions.
  • the leg members of the blast divider 19, as illustrated in Fig. 2 define a passageway 27 therebetween which accommodates the movable sickle-shaped blade contact 8 and controls the escape of compressed air and are products through passage 27 into blast passages 15 and 16.
  • a probe electrode 28 consisting of, for example, a tungsten alloy may be mounted at right angles to the arc path on the downstream side of nozzle 26.
  • Electrode 28 which may be of a round form for aerodynamic reasons is connected to a damping resistor 29 of low ohmic value arranged on the outside of the interrupting chamber.
  • One end of resistor 29 is connected to the fixed arcing contact structure 7 and the other end thereof is connected to the electrode 28.
  • the blast air is conducted on its way to the arc zone with the least amount of turbulence but with a maximum of turbulence in the arc zone itself.
  • Blast divider 19 envelops the moving blade 3 and seals the blast air from the stationary finger contact structure.
  • the turbulence in the arcing zone is achieved by directing the blast air into the arc zone in two opposing streams. The are is drawn in the clashing zone of these two streams thus causing a maximum of turbulence at the zone of arc initiation.
  • the blast air before entering the arc zone should contain a minimum amount of free ions and electrons.
  • the air blast should attack the are suddenly and with great vehemence at an early stage after its inception to reduce buildup of arc energy. This is accomplished by having the blade 8 bottle up the entire escape area of the nozzle 26 until the arc is formed. At this moment a small area of nozzle 26 is opened up by blade 8 and the compressed air pounces suddenly and with great force onto the incipient arc. The are is acted upon by the air blast progressively as the blade uncovers more and more of the nozzle area.
  • arc splitter plates 20 are set at right angles to the arc in the downstream side of nozzle 26.
  • the arc being transferred from the arcing fingers to a tungsten alloy arc runner 21, is made to climb up into the expansion side of nozzle 26.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable arcing contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a passageway therethrough for said movable arcing contact, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, and a blast divider mounted within said conduit and surrounding at least a part of said passageway for dividing and directing the blast of fluid flowing through said conduit into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable arcing contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the arc drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a passageway therethrough for said movable arcing contact, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, and a blast divider mounted within said conduit and extending from a point upstream of said movable contact substantially around said passageway, said divider dividing the blast of fluid under pressure upstream of said passageway into at least two streams of fluid and directing said streams of fluid through the arc in opposing directions.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable arcing contacts for establishing an arc comprising a relatively movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the arc drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a passageway therethrough for said movable arcing contact, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the arc at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, and a U-shaped insulating blast divider mounted within said conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure, said divider comprising a pair of legs and a bight, said legs substantially surround said movable arcing contact as it moves through said conduit and said bight defining a passage for a stream of fluid through said divider and around said movable arcing contact.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a passageway therethrough for said movable arcing contact, said movable contact when in contact engaging position completely blocking said conduit and when moved to contact open position opening said conduit, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the arc at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, and a blast divider mounted within said conduit tor'dividing the blast of fluid under pressure into at least two streams and directing said streams through the arc in opposing directions.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the arc drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a passageway therethrough for said movable arcing contact, said movable contact when in contact engaging position completely blocking said conduit and when moved to contact open position opening said conduit, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, and a U-shaped insulating blast divider mounted Within said conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure, said divider comprising a pair of legs interconnected by a bight, said legs substantially surrounding said movable contact as it moves through said conduit.
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, a movable arcing contact, a relatively stationary arcing contact for cooperating with said movable contact for establishing an arc, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of said contacts, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, a U-shaped insulating blast divider mounted within said conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure, said divider comprising a pair of legs and a bight, said legs substantially surrounding said movable arcing contact as it moves through said conduit and said bight defining a passage for a stream of fluid through said divider and around said movable arcing contact, a probe electrode mounted adjacent said arcing contacts, and a resistor connected at one end thereof to said probe electrode and at the other end thereof to one of said contacts
  • a fluid blast circuit interrupter comprising: a source of fluid under pressure, separable arcing contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact, a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of said contacts, said conduit defining a nozzle adjacent said arcing contacts for directing high intensity streams of fluid under pressure into assaaai 6 the are, an arc chute mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end, a U-shaped insulating blast divider mounted Within said conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure, said divider comprising a pair of legs and a bight, said legs substantially surrounding said movable arcing contact as it moves through said conduitand said bight defining a passage for a stream of fluid through said divider and around said movable arcing contact, a
  • a source of fluid under pressure separable arcing contacts for establishing an arc comprising a movable arcing contact and a relatively stationary arcing contact
  • a conduit for conveying a blast of fluid from said source adjacent said contacts for extinguishing the are drawn upon separation of said contacts said conduit defining a nozzle adjacent said arcing contacts for directing high intensity streams of fluid under pressure into the arc
  • a plurality of spaced splitter plates mounted adjacent said contacts for receiving the are at one end thereof and exhausting the are products at the other end
  • a U-shaped insulating blast divider mounted within said conduit for directing the blast of fluid into the arc in two opposing streams of fluid under pressure, said divider comprising a pair of legs and a bight, said legs substantially surrounding said movable arcing contact as it moves through said conduit and said bight defining a passage for a stream of fluid through said divider and around said movable arcing contact, a

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
US559674A 1956-01-17 1956-01-17 Circuit breaker employing opposed fluid blasts Expired - Lifetime US2829221A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DENDAT1069738D DE1069738B (ja) 1956-01-17
US559674A US2829221A (en) 1956-01-17 1956-01-17 Circuit breaker employing opposed fluid blasts

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1198438B (de) * 1963-07-31 1965-08-12 Siemens Ag Druckgasschalter
DE1266851B (de) * 1957-11-05 1968-04-25 Merlin Gerin Leitsungsschalter
US3662133A (en) * 1969-02-18 1972-05-09 Westinghouse Electric Corp Space-plate arc-chute for an air-break circuit breaker
US3859487A (en) * 1970-06-13 1975-01-07 Siemens Ag Electric switch for aerodynamic acceleration of a plasma

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2284857A (en) * 1941-08-22 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Gas blast electric circuit breaker
US2284684A (en) * 1940-12-19 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker
US2284658A (en) * 1941-06-17 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Gas blast electric circuit breaker
US2297818A (en) * 1941-05-21 1942-10-06 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupter
US2604564A (en) * 1949-10-03 1952-07-22 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Circuit breaker employing high and low intensity gas blast
US2614193A (en) * 1949-08-02 1952-10-14 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Air blast circuit breaker with switching resistance
US2678984A (en) * 1951-12-19 1954-05-18 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Air blast breaker interrupting head with interrupted line contact

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE621518C (de) * 1929-12-22 1935-11-08 Const Electr De Delle Soc Anon Elektrischer Druckgasschalter
DE629420C (de) * 1932-02-22 1936-05-12 Const Electr De Delle Sa Atel Elektrischer Schalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch einen Druckmittelstrom
DE909216C (de) * 1942-04-18 1954-04-15 Aeg Elektrischer Hochspannungsschalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch ein stroemendes Druckmittel
DE901192C (de) * 1942-08-27 1954-01-07 Aeg Druckgasschalter mit freier Lufttrennstrecke, insbesondere Freistrahlschalter
DE901201C (de) * 1944-04-15 1954-01-07 Aeg Elektrischer Stromunterbrecher, insbesondere Schalter
US2526387A (en) * 1946-01-24 1950-10-17 Milliken Humphreys Air blast circuit breaker
US2653204A (en) * 1949-01-27 1953-09-22 Asea Ab Equalizing device for air current in air blast circuit breakers
DE919655C (de) * 1951-10-09 1954-11-02 Licentia Gmbh Elektrischer Hochspannungsschalter
US2708699A (en) * 1952-01-02 1955-05-17 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Finger contact structure for circuit interrupting device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2284684A (en) * 1940-12-19 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker
US2297818A (en) * 1941-05-21 1942-10-06 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit interrupter
US2284658A (en) * 1941-06-17 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Gas blast electric circuit breaker
US2284857A (en) * 1941-08-22 1942-06-02 Gen Electric Gas blast electric circuit breaker
US2614193A (en) * 1949-08-02 1952-10-14 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Air blast circuit breaker with switching resistance
US2604564A (en) * 1949-10-03 1952-07-22 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Circuit breaker employing high and low intensity gas blast
US2678984A (en) * 1951-12-19 1954-05-18 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Air blast breaker interrupting head with interrupted line contact

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1266851B (de) * 1957-11-05 1968-04-25 Merlin Gerin Leitsungsschalter
DE1198438B (de) * 1963-07-31 1965-08-12 Siemens Ag Druckgasschalter
US3662133A (en) * 1969-02-18 1972-05-09 Westinghouse Electric Corp Space-plate arc-chute for an air-break circuit breaker
US3859487A (en) * 1970-06-13 1975-01-07 Siemens Ag Electric switch for aerodynamic acceleration of a plasma

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1069738B (ja) 1959-11-26

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