US3417216A - Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps - Google Patents
Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3417216A US3417216A US673426A US67342667A US3417216A US 3417216 A US3417216 A US 3417216A US 673426 A US673426 A US 673426A US 67342667 A US67342667 A US 67342667A US 3417216 A US3417216 A US 3417216A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- arc
- electrode
- electrodes
- mouth
- cup
- 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
Links
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010891 electric arc Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
- H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
- H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
- H01H33/6646—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having non flat disc-like contact surface
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01T—SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
- H01T4/00—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps
- H01T4/10—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps having a single gap or a plurality of gaps in parallel
- H01T4/12—Overvoltage arresters using spark gaps having a single gap or a plurality of gaps in parallel hermetically sealed
-
- 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
- H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
- H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
- H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
- H01H33/6641—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings making use of a separate coil
-
- 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
- H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
- H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
- H01H33/664—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings
- H01H33/6642—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having cup-shaped contacts, the cylindrical wall of which being provided with inclined slits to form a coil
Definitions
- the electrodes are cup shaped with spirally slotted inturned or reentrant lip portions in mouth to mouth relation for electromagnetically driving an arc between them toward their common axis and rotating it about that axis.
- This invention relates to electric arcs and more particularly to their auto-confinement and control.
- arc control is important in vacuum switches, but the invention is not limited to such switches and can be used in ordinary switches or in gap devices such as are found in lightning arresters or in other electrical devices where confinement and control of an electric arc is desirable.
- a reason why arc control is particularly important in vacuum switches is that because of the comparatively high vacuum that must be maintained their volume, and hence size, should be as small as possible.
- high energy arcs tend to spread and get out of -control and vaporize the electrodes carrying metal vapor onto the insulating walls of the housing, inviting failure to interrupt. These factors, therefore, limit the interrupting capacity of a given size vacuum switch of ordinary construction. By preventing the arc from spreading, the size of a vacuum switch of given interrupting ability can be substantially reduced.
- An object of the invention is to provide Aa new and improved means for confining and controlli'g a electric arc.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a novel electromagnetic means for self-controlling and confining an electric arc.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a novel arcing electrode configuration.
- An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved electric switch contact configuration.
- An added object of the invention is to provide a new and improved vacuum switch of increased interrupting ability per unit size.
- At least one cup shaped electrode with a re-entrant lip portion cooperates with another electrode for automatically confining by inherent electromagnetic action an arc between the electrodes to the space between the electrodes.
- FIG. 1 is Ia perspective View of a vacuum switch employing the invention
- FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch shown in FIG. 1 taken on line 2 2 of FIG. 1, and
- FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively Orthographie and isometric half sectional views of another modification employing a pair of cup shaped electrodes or contacts.
- a vacuum switch 1 comprising by way of example a cylindrical housing 2 of suitable insulating material such as glass or ceramic material provided with metallic end caps 3 which lare sealed to the ends of the housing 2 in any suitable manner so as to form a vacuum tight envelope or enclosure.
- Extending from the lower end of the enclosure is an electri- .caal terminal connection 4 and extending from the upper end of the enclosure is an electrical terminal connection 5.
- the terminal 4 is fixed and the terminal 5 is movable by means of a bellows 6, the lower end of which is sealed to the upper end cap or plate 3 and the upper end of which is sealed to a flange 7 on the terminal connector 5.
- the interior construction of the switch is shown in FIG. 2 and will be seen to consist of a cup shaped metallic or conducting electrode or contact 8 from the center of whose bottom extends outwardly the terminal connection 4.
- the portion of the terminal connection 5 which extends into the switch is aa rod like conductive member 9 which extends into the cup electrode 8 and on the lower end of which adjacent the bottom of the cup shaped electrode 8 is an arcing electrode or contact portion 10 shown as being dumbbell shaped in cross section but, of course, being actually circular with indented central portions on both sides.
- Attached to the rim of the cup 8 is a metallic or conductive re-entrant inwardly extending lip portion 11 surrounding the rod 9 and extending inwardly toward the bottom of the cup member 8.
- the switch can be closed by moving the parts 5, 9 and 10 downwardly until part 10 contacts the bottom of the cup 8 or moving the parts 5, 9 and 10 upward until the upper edge of the part 10 engages the lower end of the inwardly extending reentrant lip portion 11.
- FIG. 2 shows the switch in its open position where there is no contact between the parts V1t) and the parts 8 or 11.
- FIG. 2 The operation of FIG. 2 as thus far described is as follows. Assume that the switch attained its illustrated open position by raising the arcing contact member 10 from the bottom of the cup ⁇ 8. This will initially draw an arc 12 which will be fed by current having a curved or kinked path in that the lcurrent will flow generally horizontally through portions of the member 10 and the bottom of the cup 8 between the rod ⁇ 9 and the arc 12 and between the arc 12 and the terminal connection 4. As a result of this so-called current loop, the magnetic flux density on the inner side of the loop corresponding to the right-'hand side of the Iarc 12 as viewed in FIG.
- the arc is confined within the cup shaped electrode or contact 8 so that little or no contact metal vaporized by heat of the arc can escape from the cup but all such vaporized metal will simply condense on the metallic surfaces within the cup. Consequently the conventional metal shield which is normally interposed between the contacts of a vacuum switch and its insulating envelope such ⁇ as the insulating cylinder 2 can be eliminated.
- the function of such a shield is, of course, to condense vaporized metal and prevent it from condensing on and coating the surfaces of the insulating cylinder or envelope so as to cause ultimate short circuiting or failure of the switch. It also tends to avoid weakening of the ceramic by heat shock.
- means may be provided for rotating the arc about the common axis of the cup 8 and rod 9.
- One such means can be a conductive coil 18 for immersing the arc in a magnetic field which extends generally paraln lel to the common axis of the cup 8 and rod 9, this coil being connected serially in the circuit.
- the interaction of the horizontal component of the a-rc current and the Vertical magnetic field will cause a tangential force to be applied to the arc, thus rotating it or spinning it about the axis of the switch.
- This, ofcourse has the desirable effect of keeping the electrodes from melting or burning away at a particular point because it does not continuously play between fixed spots on the electrodes.
- the rod 9 can be provided with a shield 19 for condensing what small amount of vaporized metal may escape from between the rod 9 and the lip 11.
- the radial distance between the rod 9 and the lip portion 11 is smaller than the radial distance between the lip portion 11 and the wall of the cup member 8, and preferably the axial length of the lip portion 11 is a sizable fraction of the arc chamber height.
- FIG. 3 there are two cup shaped electrodes and 26 with re-entrant inwardly extending lip portions 27 and 28 respectively. They are arranged in mouth facing mouth relation and when spaced as illustrated constitute a gap so that current owing between a terminal 29 for electrode 25 and a terminal 30 for an electrode 26 will jump the gap between them.
- they obviously may be the contacts of a switch in which case they will be -relatively movable in their coaxial direction so that when they are in contact the switch will be closed 'and when they are separated the switch will be open.
- They can, of course, be located in an evacuated envelope as in the preceding figures so as to constitute a vacuum switch. It will be understood, of course, that FIG.
- FIG. 3 is an Orthographie sectional view through the central axis and that actually the cups have re-entrant surfaces extending all around a common axis as shown by the isometric sectional view in FIG. 4. Consequently when they are separated as shown in FIG. 3 they constitute a special type of horn gap having a lateral dimension which is actually a closed re-entrant surface, this being a surface of revolution if the cups are circular in horizontal cross section.
- the re-entrant portions 27 and 28 are preferably provided with complementary sloping angular or spiral cuts or slots 31 and 32 respectively for the purpose of spinning an arc around the common longitudinal axis which, of course, is a central vertical axis as viewed in the drawing. The direction of rotation is as indicated by the arrowed circle at the bottom of FIG. 4.
- FIG. 3 The operaton of FIG. 3 is as follows. Assume -an arc 33 is drawn or struck between the electrodes 25 and 26. rl ⁇ his is at a point of minimum spacing and it will be seen that current flowing into and out of that arc between the terminals 29 and 30 along the sides of the cups 25 .and 26 will have a loop or kink thus forcing the varc inward toward the center or common axis so that the arc will rapidly progressively assum'e the dashed line positions 34, 35, 36 and 37. This same action would take place regardless of where on the perimeters of the mouths of the -cups 25 and ⁇ 26 the arc 33 initially forms.
- the arc is caused to move along this perimeter or, in other words, rotate :about the common axis because the skewed teeth or cuts 31 and 32 produce tangential components in the direction of current flowing into and out of the arc.
- These tangential components have the same direction because the angles of skewing of the cuts or teeth are such as to take account of the directions of the current when it enters and when it leaves the arc.
- the higher the arc current the greater the electromagnetic force tending to force the arc inward toward the center and also the greater the force tending to spin it about the axis.
- the arc is automatically and practically instantaneously driven inward, elongated, and cooler by the horn gap action supplemented by the spinning action so that the arc can go completely around the electrode axis many times in a half cycle of cycle current.
- the vacuum switches can, of course, be evacuated in any suitable manner such as by pumps of either the mechanical or the diffusion type or both in series or in a pumpless manner according to the method disclosed and claimed in De Santis et al. U.S. Patent 2,934,392 which is assigned to the present assignee.
- each electrode mouth having a re-entrant lip portion extending from the rim thereof inwardly and toward the bottom and central axis of the electrode, each electrode having a wall portion with a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of its mouth, the shortest arc-over path between said electrodes being between the respective electrode mouths whereby an arc initiated between said electrodes first occurs between said electrode mouths or inwardly therefrom, and the current path through such an arc follows an inwardly curved path which causes a magnetic eld to be developed that immediately drives the feet of the arc onto said lip portions.
- each electrode mouth having a re-entrant lip portion extending from the rim thereof inwardly and toward the bottom and central axis of the electrode, each electrode having a wall portion with a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of its mouth, the shortest arc-over path between said electrodes being between the respective electrode mouths whereby an arc initiated between said electrodes first occurs between said electrode mouths or inwardly therefrom, and the current path through such an arc follows an inwardly curved path which causes a magnetic field to be developed that immediately drives the feet of the arc onto said lip portions.
- a pair of coaxially aligned and coaxally relatively movable cup shaped arcing duty make yand break switch contacts in mouth to mouth relation, each contact cup mouth having a re-entrant lip portion extending inwardly toward the bottom and central axis thereof whereby when said contacts are separated the space between their mouths constitutes a horn gap having a re-entrant lateral surface, each of said contacts having a wall ⁇ portion with a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the contact mouth, the shortest arc-over path between said contacts being between the respective contact mouths whereby an arc initiated between said contacts first occurs between the contact mouths or inwardly therefrom, and the current path through such an arc follows an inwardly curved path which causes a magnetic field to be developed that immediately drives the feet of the arc onto said lip portions.
- a pair of coaxially aligned and coaxially relatively movable circular cross section cup shaped arcing duty make and break switch contacts in mouth to mouth relation, each contact cup mouth having a re-entrant lip portion extending inwardly toward the bottom and central axis thereof whereby when said contacts are separated the space between their mouths constitutes a horn gap having a re-entrant lateral surface of revolution, each of said contacts having a wall portion with a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of its respective contact mouth, the shortest arc-over path between said contacts being between the respective contact mouths whereby an arc initiated between said contacts first occurs between the contact mouths or inwardly therefrom, and the current path through such an arc follows an inwardly curved path which causes a magnetic field to be developed that immediately drives the feet of the arc onto said lip portions.
- the combination as in claim 4 provides with means for causing an arc between said contacts to rotate about the common axis thereof, said means comprising a plurality of skewed teeth (31 and 32) formed in each of said lip portions and adapted to produce tangential components in the direction of current flow respectively toward and away from said arc.
Landscapes
- High-Tension Arc-Extinguishing Switches Without Spraying Means (AREA)
- Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7180/66A GB1107653A (en) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-02-18 | Improvements in electric arc control |
SE3659/66A SE324826B (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-03-18 | |
CH60368A CH486761A (de) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-04-14 | Kontaktanordnung für eine Bogenentladungsstrecke |
CH540966A CH456724A (de) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-04-14 | Vorrichtung mit einer Bogenentladungsstrecke |
NL6605097A NL6605097A (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-04-15 | |
FR57845A FR1476234A (fr) | 1965-04-16 | 1966-04-15 | Commande d'arc électrique |
US673426A US3417216A (en) | 1965-04-16 | 1967-10-06 | Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US448787A US3366762A (en) | 1965-04-16 | 1965-04-16 | Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps |
US673426A US3417216A (en) | 1965-04-16 | 1967-10-06 | Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3417216A true US3417216A (en) | 1968-12-17 |
Family
ID=27035484
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US673426A Expired - Lifetime US3417216A (en) | 1965-04-16 | 1967-10-06 | Arc controlling electrodes for switches and gaps |
Country Status (5)
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3509405A (en) * | 1968-07-01 | 1970-04-28 | Gen Electric | Coaxial vacuum gap devices including doubly reentrant electrode assemblies |
US3509406A (en) * | 1968-07-01 | 1970-04-28 | Gen Electric | Vacuum arc devices utilizing symmetrical coaxial electrode structures |
DE2215929A1 (de) * | 1972-03-29 | 1973-10-11 | Siemens Ag | Kontaktsystem fuer druckgasschalter |
JPS4899661A (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) * | 1972-02-28 | 1973-12-17 | ||
US5597992A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1997-01-28 | Cooper Industries, Inc. | Current interchange for vacuum capacitor switch |
EP2887367A1 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-24 | ABB Technology AB | Gas-insulated high-voltage circuit breaker |
CN115172093A (zh) * | 2022-09-08 | 2022-10-11 | 宁波天安智能电网科技股份有限公司 | 一种电磁弹射快速开关装置 |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2308497A (en) * | 1995-12-21 | 1997-06-25 | Gec Alsthom Ltd | Vacuum switching device |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3185798A (en) * | 1962-10-08 | 1965-05-25 | Gen Electric | Electric circuit interrupter of the vacuum type with series-related arcing gaps |
-
1966
- 1966-02-18 GB GB7180/66A patent/GB1107653A/en not_active Expired
- 1966-03-18 SE SE3659/66A patent/SE324826B/xx unknown
- 1966-04-14 CH CH540966A patent/CH456724A/de unknown
- 1966-04-15 NL NL6605097A patent/NL6605097A/xx unknown
-
1967
- 1967-10-06 US US673426A patent/US3417216A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3185798A (en) * | 1962-10-08 | 1965-05-25 | Gen Electric | Electric circuit interrupter of the vacuum type with series-related arcing gaps |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3509405A (en) * | 1968-07-01 | 1970-04-28 | Gen Electric | Coaxial vacuum gap devices including doubly reentrant electrode assemblies |
US3509406A (en) * | 1968-07-01 | 1970-04-28 | Gen Electric | Vacuum arc devices utilizing symmetrical coaxial electrode structures |
JPS4899661A (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) * | 1972-02-28 | 1973-12-17 | ||
US3891814A (en) * | 1972-02-28 | 1975-06-24 | Siemens Ag | Apparatus for arc quenching |
DE2215929A1 (de) * | 1972-03-29 | 1973-10-11 | Siemens Ag | Kontaktsystem fuer druckgasschalter |
FR2177805A1 (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) * | 1972-03-29 | 1973-11-09 | Siemens Ag | |
US3873792A (en) * | 1972-03-29 | 1975-03-25 | Siemens Ag | Contact arrangement for a compressed-gas circuit breaker |
US5597992A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1997-01-28 | Cooper Industries, Inc. | Current interchange for vacuum capacitor switch |
EP2887367A1 (en) * | 2013-12-19 | 2015-06-24 | ABB Technology AB | Gas-insulated high-voltage circuit breaker |
CN115172093A (zh) * | 2022-09-08 | 2022-10-11 | 宁波天安智能电网科技股份有限公司 | 一种电磁弹射快速开关装置 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CH456724A (de) | 1968-07-31 |
GB1107653A (en) | 1968-03-27 |
NL6605097A (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) | 1966-10-17 |
SE324826B (US07922777-20110412-C00004.png) | 1970-06-15 |
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