US3104295A - Fast opening switch - Google Patents

Fast opening switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3104295A
US3104295A US157607A US15760761A US3104295A US 3104295 A US3104295 A US 3104295A US 157607 A US157607 A US 157607A US 15760761 A US15760761 A US 15760761A US 3104295 A US3104295 A US 3104295A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
foil
coil
switch
magnetic
circuit
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
US157607A
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English (en)
Inventor
Bender Max
Frank K Bennett
Arthur F Kuckes
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 NL285408D priority Critical patent/NL285408A/xx
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US157607A priority patent/US3104295A/en
Priority to GB35258/62A priority patent/GB950044A/en
Priority to DEU9303A priority patent/DE1212188B/de
Priority to FR916368A priority patent/FR1347253A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3104295A publication Critical patent/US3104295A/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
    • H01H33/002—Very heavy-current switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition

Definitions

  • an electrical circuit is opened by a simple system in which a conventional electromagnetic coil breaks a conducting member in the circuit in a safe, quick-acting, trouble-free manner that prevents any acing, burning or melting of contacts or other switch components.
  • this invention contemplates a fast-acting electrical switch, comprising a thin metallic foil adapted to conduct large amounts of electrical energy in a circuit, a magnetic coil having a power source, and means for energizing said magnetic coil from said source so as to produce a first magnetic field and resultant eddy currents having second magnetic fields in said foil which are operable with said first held to rupture said foil suddenly and thereby rapidly to open said circuit.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial top view of an embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of FIG. 1 through II-II.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial top view of apparatus of FIG. 1 after the foil thereof has been ruptured;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a test circuit incorporating the switch of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of an actual oscilloscope which is graduated to indicate the opening operation time of the apparatus of this invention in the circuit of FIG. 4.
  • the switch 11 of this invention is shown in one advantageous embodiment as it is useful for opening a high energy circuit for the ohmic heating of plasma in plasma research reactors or stellarators.
  • plasma research reactors or stellarators.
  • Such reactors are described in US. Patents 2,910,- 414 and 3,002,912 and co-pending US. application Serial Number 688,089, now Patent No. 3,016,341, which is assigned to the assignee of this invention, and which relates particularly to ohmic heating coils for heating a plasma to high temperatures.
  • the switch of this invention is useful in any other application where a fast-a-cting switch is required and is particularly advantageous where it is necessary suddenly to switch off high voltages without any arcing, melting or burning of contacts in a simple, inexpensive, safe and troublefree manner.
  • leads 13 and 15 connect the input and output terminals (not shown) of a standard energy source 17, such as a high voltage source for ohmic heating coils (not shown) in a stellarator which requires up to 1000 amperes or more.
  • a standard energy source 17 such as a high voltage source for ohmic heating coils (not shown) in a stellarator which requires up to 1000 amperes or more.
  • Suitable means such as soldered joints connect the leads to terminals 23 and 25 at one end of the terminals.
  • the other ends of the terminals accommodate holes 26 and 2.7 in the ends of metallic foil 31 which friction fits against the terminals 23 and 25 and against an insulating block 33' through which the terminals 23 and 25 pass. This friction fit with the terminals completes a circuit from source 17 to lead 13, to foil 31, to lead 15 and back to source 17 through which a high energy circuit passes from source 17.
  • the foil 31 is held evenly adjacent coil 34 and to this end the foil 31 has a uniform thickness and width, is evenly held under at least a hand tight tension between terminals 23 and 25 and is closely adjacent one side of coil 34.
  • the foil 31 fits over terminals 23 and 25 which extend a short distance above the flat surface 35 of block 33, so as to provide the necessary tension.
  • the terminals are separated slightly relative to the holes 26 and 27 in the foil. This also centers the narrow portions 43 and 45 of foil 31 adjacent an end winding of coil 34 by centering hole 47 in the foil over the core 50 of coil 34.
  • Suitable dimensions for a foil 31 adapted to carry 1000 amperes include a foil 31 with a .004 inch thickness, one inch width, one and one-quarter inch lengths and one-half inch hole 47.
  • Commercially available, aluminum foil has been found to be eifective, for Other suitable materials, however, include other high melting materials such as silver, copper and other metals that have sufiicient current carrying capacity as described above and a good capacity for magnetically induced eddy currents therein and magnetic tieldsassociated therewith as will be understood in more detail hereinafter.
  • Coil 34 advantageously is commercially available and has windings adapted to carry high voltages.
  • a suitable coil would be a 10-30 turn single layer coil with an CD. of 1%" adapted to carry up to about 10,000 volts.
  • the coil 34 is advantageously encapsulated in a regular moldable plastic block 33 of insulation with the coil core 50 coaxially corresponding with the foil hole 47.
  • the block 33 thus insulates the foil 31 from the coil and evenly holds the coil 34 at a predetermined small distance from i the narrow portions 43 and 45 of foil 31.
  • the insulation scope trace shown in FIG. 5. trace, a'D.-C. battery level was produced by battery 71 success ing material and the like which the coil 34 may be inserted.
  • Power source 61 comprises a suitable high energy capacitorbank which energizes coil 34 at predetermined intervals through a suitable low voltagejswitch 63 which increases the voltage on coil 34 rapidly.
  • a suitable low voltagejswitch 63 which increases the voltage on coil 34 rapidly.
  • Such a switch. is provided by a gas-filled thyratron tube 63.
  • leads 65 and 65" connect the power source 61 with 'coil 34 through thyratron 63 and a suitable mechanical switch 65 connected to low voltage source 67 biases the thyratron grid above cut-off until it is desired to energize coil 34.
  • foil 31 which foil 31 is immersed, and strong increasing eddy currents having second magnetic fields in narrow portions 43 and 35 of foil 31 at an angle to the first field.
  • the described novel switch has the advantages of providing safe, dependable, inexperb' I ducting means bridging a gap in a circuit adapted to carry large amounts of electrical power, means for inducing eddy currents in said conducting means comprising magnetic means adjacent said conducting means, a source of power and means for connecting said source to said magnetic means to establish a magnetic field and induce eddy' currents in said'conducting means which suddenly l ruptures said conducting means and thereby rapidly breaks the connection across said gap in said circuit.
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising a high energy circuit in which there is a gap, a thin foil bridging said gap so as to complete said circuit, means for induc ing eddy currents in said foil comprising a magnetic. coil adjacent said foil, a source of power and means for connecting said source to said coil to establisha magnetic field and induce eddy currents in said foil thatinteract suddenly to rupture said foil and thereby rapidly to break said circuit inthe connection across said gap.
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising high energy leads between which there is a gap, thin foil of uniform thickness bridging said gap so as to conduct current between said leads, means for inducing eddy currents in said foil, comprising a magnetic coil adjacent said foil, an insulation disposed between said coil and said foil, and means for energizing said coil with sufficient current to produce magnetic fields andeddy currents in said foil that interact suddenly to rupturesaid'foil and thereby rapidly to break the conduction of current across said gap.
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising high energy leads between which there is a gap, a thin aluminum,
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising high energy leads between which there is a gap, a thin metallic foil of substantially uniform thickness which connects "said leads so as to conduct high energy across said gap,
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising high energy leads, a thin metallic foil of substantially uniform narrow portion of said foil, and means for energizing said coil with a sudden sufficiently increasing electrical current suddenly torupture .said foil.
  • a fast-acting switch comprising two high energy leads, having a first high energy source connected thereto,
  • .means inducing eddy currents in said foil comprising a-magnetic coil having a core that is coaxial ,Withthe hole in saidfoil, and windings that are adjacent said narrow portions of said foil, having a second high energy source and a quick-acting switch for connecting said second source to said coil.
  • a fast-acting electric switch comprising two high energy leads having a first high energy source connected quick-acting switch for connecting said second source to thereto, a thin metallic foil having a hole and narrow said coil.

Landscapes

  • Plasma Technology (AREA)
  • General Induction Heating (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US157607A 1961-12-06 1961-12-06 Fast opening switch Expired - Lifetime US3104295A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL285408D NL285408A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1961-12-06
US157607A US3104295A (en) 1961-12-06 1961-12-06 Fast opening switch
GB35258/62A GB950044A (en) 1961-12-06 1962-09-17 Fast opening switch
DEU9303A DE1212188B (de) 1961-12-06 1962-10-01 Elektrodynamischer Hochleistungsschnellschalter
FR916368A FR1347253A (fr) 1961-12-06 1962-11-23 Procédé de commutation rapide et commutateur pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US157607A US3104295A (en) 1961-12-06 1961-12-06 Fast opening switch

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3104295A true US3104295A (en) 1963-09-17

Family

ID=22564480

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US157607A Expired - Lifetime US3104295A (en) 1961-12-06 1961-12-06 Fast opening switch

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3104295A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1212188B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB950044A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL285408A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3249800A (en) * 1963-08-02 1966-05-03 Henry J Huber Fast acting switch utilizing a vaporizable wire
US3260817A (en) * 1963-10-23 1966-07-12 Comar Electric Company Electromagnetic relay
US20060028321A1 (en) * 2004-08-06 2006-02-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Integrated magnetic ranging tool
US20060124360A1 (en) * 2004-11-19 2006-06-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US10376186B2 (en) 2016-10-18 2019-08-13 International Business Machines Corporation Thermal tags for real-time activity monitoring and methods for fabricating the same

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB270969A (en) * 1925-11-12 1927-05-12 Benjamin Hesketh Improvements in and relating to electric fuses
US2780695A (en) * 1953-05-18 1957-02-05 Sundt Engineering Company Electric fuse
US2838634A (en) * 1954-03-09 1958-06-10 Fkg Fritz Kesselring Geratebau Method for limiting excess currents in direct or alternating currents mains

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1071208B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1958-05-07

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB270969A (en) * 1925-11-12 1927-05-12 Benjamin Hesketh Improvements in and relating to electric fuses
US2780695A (en) * 1953-05-18 1957-02-05 Sundt Engineering Company Electric fuse
US2838634A (en) * 1954-03-09 1958-06-10 Fkg Fritz Kesselring Geratebau Method for limiting excess currents in direct or alternating currents mains

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3249800A (en) * 1963-08-02 1966-05-03 Henry J Huber Fast acting switch utilizing a vaporizable wire
US3260817A (en) * 1963-10-23 1966-07-12 Comar Electric Company Electromagnetic relay
US20060028321A1 (en) * 2004-08-06 2006-02-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Integrated magnetic ranging tool
US7321293B2 (en) 2004-08-06 2008-01-22 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Integrated magnetic ranging tool
US20060124360A1 (en) * 2004-11-19 2006-06-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US20100224415A1 (en) * 2004-11-19 2010-09-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US7878270B2 (en) 2004-11-19 2011-02-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US8146685B2 (en) 2004-11-19 2012-04-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US8272447B2 (en) 2004-11-19 2012-09-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and apparatus for drilling, completing and configuring U-tube boreholes
US10376186B2 (en) 2016-10-18 2019-08-13 International Business Machines Corporation Thermal tags for real-time activity monitoring and methods for fabricating the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL285408A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB950044A (en) 1964-02-19
DE1212188B (de) 1966-03-10

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