US3176104A - Compressed air switch with auxiliary arc gap - Google Patents

Compressed air switch with auxiliary arc gap Download PDF

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Publication number
US3176104A
US3176104A US368087A US36808764A US3176104A US 3176104 A US3176104 A US 3176104A US 368087 A US368087 A US 368087A US 36808764 A US36808764 A US 36808764A US 3176104 A US3176104 A US 3176104A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
arc
main load
auxiliary
main
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
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US368087A
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English (en)
Inventor
Spinnler Kurt
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.)
BBC Brown Boveri AG Germany
BBC Brown Boveri France SA
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BBC Brown Boveri France SA
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Application filed by BBC Brown Boveri France SA filed Critical BBC Brown Boveri France SA
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Publication of US3176104A publication Critical patent/US3176104A/en
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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
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/12—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • 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
    • H01H33/16—Impedances connected with contacts
    • H01H33/164—Impedances connected with contacts the impedance being inserted in the circuit by blowing the arc onto an auxiliary electrode

Definitions

  • Ionized gases arriving at this auxilary spark gap from the quenching Chamber of the main load contacts in conjuncton with the recovery voltage cause the gap to be bridged over by an arc thus placing the resistance -i'n the Circuit to carry current, in parallel to the main load contacts. Additional, fresh compressed air, then arriving at this auxiliary spark gap causes the arc across it to be extinguished thus disconnecting the resistance from the circuit.
  • the latter has the disadvantage due to a dependency between the characteristic frequency of the alternating current which is to be i'nterrupted by the main contacts of the switch and the recovery voltage during the quenching.
  • the rise of the recovery voltage curve is less steep than at higher frequencies.
  • An improvement can be eifected by making one of the electrodes of the auxiliary arc gap movable so as to vary its distance from the other as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,541,792 but this involves increased costs and also can cause difiiculty should the movable electrode develop a tendency to stick.
  • the invention provides an mproved construction for this gap which comprises not two electrodes but rather three stationary electrodes arranged in such manner that the arc ignites first between a first and a third electrode which have a comparatively small spacing therebetween to i-nsure quick ignition of the arc gap and thus connect the resistance in parallel With the main load contacts.
  • the arc root on the third electrode is then transferred to ICC a second electrode which is spaced a greater distance from the first electrode than is the distance between the first and third electrodes, the arc between the first and second electrodes then being subsequently extinguished to disconnect the resistance.
  • the improved three-electrode auxiliary arc gap structure is comprised of a first stationary electrode which is electrically connected with one of the main load contacts of the switch, a second stationary electrode spaced from the first electrode and which is connected to one end of a resistance element, the other end of the resistance element being connected to the other main load contact of the switch, and a third stationary electrode which is electrically connected with the second electrode and extends in a parallel spaced relation with the first electrode and at a distance therefrom smaller than the distance between the first and second electrodes, a part of this third electrode being fashioned in the form of an arcing horn, and the whole arrangement being such that ignition of the arc first takes place between first and third electrodes to temporarily connect the resistance in parallel with the main load contacts of the switch, the roots of the arc migrating along these electrodes until finally the arc root on the third electrode changes over to the second electrode whereupon the arc then burns between the first and second electrodes and the arc between these two electrodes is finally quen
  • the spacing between the first and third electrodes is smaller than the distance between the first and second electrodes so that easier ignition of the arc is assured.
  • a greater spacing is established for the arc quenching so that the risk of re-ignition is practically eliminated even under circumstances where the recovery Voltage has a very steep slope.
  • the third electrode is arranged in spaced relation to and paraliels the first electrode, and the end of the third electrode faces in the direction of the incorning ionized gases.
  • these gases reach the end of the third electrode before they reach the second electrode.
  • the current of fresh compressed air arrives first at the third electrode when the arc root changes over from the third electrode to the second electrode so that a-ny re-sparlcing at this point is likewise prevented.
  • EEG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section through one embodiment of the invention wherein the so-called third electrode is configured as a finger with one part thereof extendng parallel to and overlapping the first electrode, and wherein the resistance element is located generally i-nside of the Circuit breaker casing; and
  • PIG. 2 is also a view in longitudinal section of a second embodiment Wherein the third electrode has the configuraton of a sleeve surrounding a portion of the first electrode, the resistance element being located outside of the circuit breaker casing.
  • the enclosure and quenching chamber for the auxiliary are gap structure is established within a cylindrical casing 1 preferably made from insulating material.
  • the first electrode of the auxliary arc gap within casing 1 is designated by 53 numeral 2 and is constituted by an elongated stationary pin of conductive material having a rounded nose portion 2a at its outer end, this electrode being located centrally within the casing 1 and parallel with the longitudinal axis thereof.
  • the inner end of electrode 2 is supported by an electrically conductive tubular fitting 3 which is electrically connected with one of the main load contacts of the circuit breaker.
  • the fitting 3 is connected with the movable main load contact which is constituted by a stationary contact sleeve 4 and a movable contact sleeve 5 which is slidable on sleeve 4.
  • Contact sleeve 5 terminates in a nozzle plate 6 having a centrally coated.
  • nozzle mouth 7 the periphery of which is engaged by the rounded end of the other main load contact 8 which has the general configuration of a pin and which is supported by a spider 9 of conductive material.
  • a spring 1th surrounds contact sleeve d and bears against the nozzle plate 6 so as to normally niaintain the plate 6' engaged with the main load contact pin 8.
  • Separation of the main load contact members and 8 is eifected by introducing a pressurized gas into the casing 11 surrounding the main load contacts, the gas pushing upward on plate 6 and passing through nozzle 7 into the casing 1 containing the auxiliary arc gap structure.
  • the second electrode of the auxliary gap structure is constituted by a stationary ring 12 of electricaliy conductive material arranged in a plane perpendicular to the aXis of casing 1 and the center of this ring is located on that axis.
  • the shortest distance between electrodes 2 and 12 is that indicated by line B extending between a point on ring 12 and a point on the nose portion 2a of electrode 2.
  • the second electrode 12 is secured in its proper position by a plurality of ribs 13 which extend to this ring from anchor points on an electrically conductive apertured plate 14 located with the casing 1.
  • the central portion of plate 14 is connected to one end of the resistance element 15 located within an insulating sleeve 16.
  • the other end of this resistance element is connected to the main load contact pin 8 by an insulated conductor 17 which extends outside of the circuit breaker casing structure.
  • the third stationary electrode of the auxiliary arc gap structure and which is designated numeral 18 is seen to be constituted as a finger-like member having the configuration of an arcing horn at one portion thereof.
  • One end 18a of the electrode finger 18 is secured to one of the ribs 13 and the electrode eXtends in the direction of the first electrode 2 outside of electrode ring 12. It includes an intermediate portion 181) which has an arcuate configuration and the other end portion 180 is essentially rectilinear and extends parallel with electrode pin 2 for a considerable distance and at a distance A from the latter which is less than the distance B between the first and second electrodes 2, 12.
  • the auxliary arc gap operates in the following manner.
  • the main load contacts 6, 8 are opened by passing a pressurized gas upwardly through the casing part 1, ionized gases forrned by the arc drawn between these contacts are led upwardly through nozzle '7 into casing part 1 and first reach the end portion 18a of electrode 18 and the adjacent surface of electrode 2 thus to ignite an arc between these two electrodes which serves to connect resistance element 15 in parallel with the main load contacts 6, 8.
  • the third electrode of the electrode group by which the auxiliary arc gap is formed is a sleeve 19 which includes a lower' cylindrical portion 1% surrounding pin electrode 2, an intermediate portion 1% of increasing diameter and an upper portion 19a which is secured to the ribs 13.
  • the electrode portions liga-1% correspond in function to electrode portions 1811-138 and hence, this embodirnent operates in essentially the same manner as that disclosed in PIG. 1.
  • a further minor structural difference is that the resistance element 15' is located eXteriorly of the casing part 1 within an insulating sleeve 20.
  • a principal advantage of the iinproved three electrode constructions for the auxiliary arc gap is a greater safety against any re-ignition after disengagernent, and particularly in cases where there is a very steep rise in the recovery voltage and aiso one is assured of a safe and dependable ignition of the arc in the auxiliary arc gap due to the comparatively small electrode spacing which is provided.
  • said first electrode of said auxiliary arc gap structure is constituted as :a pin and said third electrode includes a finger-shaped portion extending generally parallel with and overlapping a portion of said first electrode, the free end lof said finger-shaped portion facing 'in the direction of the incoming pressurized gas from said main load contact chamber.
  • said first electrode of said auxiliary 'arc gap structure is constituted as a pin
  • said second electrode has the configuration of a ring disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said fi-rs-t electrode
  • said third electrode includes a finger-shaped portion extending ⁇ generally parallel with 'and overlapping a portion of said first electrode
  • said first electrde of said auxiliary are gap structure i's con-
  • said second eleetrode has the configuration of a iing disposed in a piane perpendicular to the axis of said first eiectrode
  • said third electrode inciudes a cylind'ricai portion sur-rounding and lying parallel with la portion of said first electrode and through which 1 the pressurized gas passes iafter leaving said main load contact ich-amber.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US368087A 1960-09-12 1964-05-18 Compressed air switch with auxiliary arc gap Expired - Lifetime US3176104A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1030060A CH383462A (de) 1960-09-12 1960-09-12 Druckluftschalter mit mindestens einer Hilfsfunkenstrecke

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3176104A true US3176104A (en) 1965-03-30

Family

ID=4361695

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US368087A Expired - Lifetime US3176104A (en) 1960-09-12 1964-05-18 Compressed air switch with auxiliary arc gap

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3176104A (US07122603-20061017-C00145.png)
BE (1) BE607990A (US07122603-20061017-C00145.png)
CH (1) CH383462A (US07122603-20061017-C00145.png)
DE (2) DE1118859B (US07122603-20061017-C00145.png)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3385941A (en) * 1964-08-18 1968-05-28 Westinghouse Electric Corp Combined protective gap device and by-pass switch for series capacitor installations
US20050212453A1 (en) * 2004-02-27 2005-09-29 Rostron Joseph E Current pause device for an electric power circuit interrupter

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2365132A (en) * 1941-09-25 1944-12-12 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Electric circuit breaker of the gas-blast type
GB584718A (en) * 1945-01-24 1947-01-21 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to gas-blast electric circuit-breakers
GB607037A (en) * 1945-01-27 1948-08-25 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Improvements in or relating to gas blast electric circuit breakers

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2365132A (en) * 1941-09-25 1944-12-12 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Electric circuit breaker of the gas-blast type
GB584718A (en) * 1945-01-24 1947-01-21 Reyrolle A & Co Ltd Improvements in or relating to gas-blast electric circuit-breakers
GB607037A (en) * 1945-01-27 1948-08-25 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Improvements in or relating to gas blast electric circuit breakers

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3385941A (en) * 1964-08-18 1968-05-28 Westinghouse Electric Corp Combined protective gap device and by-pass switch for series capacitor installations
US20050212453A1 (en) * 2004-02-27 2005-09-29 Rostron Joseph E Current pause device for an electric power circuit interrupter
US7476823B2 (en) * 2004-02-27 2009-01-13 Ssi Power Llc Current pause device for an electric power circuit interrupter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH383462A (de) 1964-10-31
DE1118859B (de) 1961-12-07
DE1118899B (US07122603-20061017-C00145.png)
BE607990A (fr) 1962-01-02

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