US3818164A - Vacuum type electric circuit breaker - Google Patents

Vacuum type electric circuit breaker Download PDF

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Publication number
US3818164A
US3818164A US00289965A US28996572A US3818164A US 3818164 A US3818164 A US 3818164A US 00289965 A US00289965 A US 00289965A US 28996572 A US28996572 A US 28996572A US 3818164 A US3818164 A US 3818164A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
discs
electric
contact assembly
center
peripheral portion
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
US00289965A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
H Mizutani
O Morimiya
S Soma
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.)
Toshiba Corp
Original Assignee
Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd
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
Application filed by Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3818164A publication Critical patent/US3818164A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • H01H33/60—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
    • 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
    • H01H33/6643—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having disc-shaped contacts subdivided in petal-like segments, e.g. by helical grooves
    • 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
    • H01H33/6644—Contacts; Arc-extinguishing means, e.g. arcing rings having coil-like electrical connections between contact rod and the proper contact
    • 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

Definitions

  • a vacuum type electric circuit breaker includes a highly evacuated envelope of electric insulating material and a pair of relatively movable electrodes located in the envelope. At least one of the electrodes has a contact assembly at one end thereof, the contact assembly comprising first and second disc members in parallel. The first disc member being secured mechanically and electrically to the one end of the electrode at its center portion, and the second disc member having a peripheral portion secured to a corresponding peripheral portion of the first disc member. An electric contact is provided at the center area of the second disc member so as to make and break an electric circuit with an electric conductor of the other electrode.
  • an electric-current path in the contact assembly for containing a magnetic field surrounding an electric are which is established between the contact assembly and the contact of the other electrode and for preventing the electric arc from the Y dispersion thereof when the electric circuit may be opened by the separation of the contacts.
  • the present invention relates to a vacuum type circuit breaker and more particularly to a vacuum type circuit breaker having a new and improved contact assembly for reducing the roughness of contact surface resulting from a high temperature electric are being elongated between electric contacts when in a separated condition.
  • Another type of vacuum circuit breaker includes a solenoid coil formed at the portion between a contact and one end of an electrode as well as inside of the enclosure.
  • a vacuum circuit breaker of such construction is that as a coil of large size is enclosed in a highly evacuated envelope, there may unpreferably occur exhaust of gas from the inside of the whole conductor material into the vacuum atmosphere to decrease the vacuum in the envelope-Additionally,
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum circuit breaker having a new improved contact structure wherein at least one of the contact assemblies is composed of a pair of stacked disc members made of electrically conductive material and each having an electric connection at the outer peripheral portions thereof to make a reversed current flow pass directed radially from a center region to an outer peripheral portion on the disc members such that a magnetic field surrounding an electric are initiated between separated contacts is established by a loop coil for making the reversive current passes.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum circuit breaker having a new improved contact structure wherein each of the stacked disc members holding the contact assembly includes slots directed radially and spirally from a center region to an outer peripheral portion thereof to make loop shaped segments for establishment ofv loop coils through which an electric current to be interrupted can flow.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum circuit breaker wherein a loop coil conductor is disposed between a pair of stacked disc members such that one end of the coil conductor is connected to a point on the outer peripheral portion of one of the disc members and the other end thereof is connected similarly to a point on the outer peripheral portion of the other disc member, such that an electric current to be interrupted can flow through the coil conductor to establish a magnetic field surrounding an are initiated between separated contacts.
  • a vacuum circuit breaker in which at least one contact assembly thereof is composed of a pair of disc members made of an electrically conductive material, one of thedisc members being attached to one end of an electrode at the center portion thereof and the other having a contact region at the center portion thereof electrically engaged above with a contact region on another electrode, such that reversed electric current passes are defined to make a loop pass for an electric current to be interrupted and an axis of the loop pass being positioned in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the electrode thereof to establish a magnetic field surrounding an electric are initiated between separated contacts.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational sectional view of a vacuum circuit breaker embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a contact assembly, shown in an enlarged scale, of the vacuum circuit breaker in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a contact assembly of FIG. 2 for illustration of electric current flow paths
  • FIG. 4' is a photograph of a surface of a contact assembly of FIG. 2 after electric power interruption tests;
  • FIG. 5 is a similar photograph of a prior art contact assembly after electric power interruption tests
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a contact assembly, partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of a contact assembly of a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
  • contact assembly 20 is composed of two parts, namely a lower disc member 22 welded on an upper end of movable electrode or rod 17, and an.
  • trode 17 is also welded to the centerpo'rtion on a rear' surface of the disc member 22.
  • each of disc members 22 and 23 includes four spiral segments 27 and 28.
  • spiral segments 27 of upper disc 23 take a clockwise direction
  • spiral segments 28 of lower disc 22 take a counter-clockwise direction.
  • the disc members 22 and 23 are stacked on each other such that outer peripheral edges 29 and 30 of segments 27 and 28 overlap through their entir length.
  • FIG. 4 is a photograph showing a contact surface of a contact assembly of the invention after 30 times of electric power interruption tests of 20,000 amperes,
  • FIG. 5 is a similar photograph showing a contact spacer 235 positioned between the edge portions thereof.
  • a downwardly extending portion 236 positioned at the outer end of segment 226 of upper disc 223 is employed for electric connection between the outer end of segment 226 of upper disc 223 and the outer end of the corresponding segment of lower disc 222.
  • the area to be surrounded by the loop coils can be derived by the variation of configuration of the throats.
  • FIG. 7 shows a contact assembly of a further embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
  • the contact assembly is generally shown by numeral 300 and includes an upper flat disc 323 having a flat contact 324 welded at a center portion thereof, and a tongue member 337 extending downwardly from the outer periphery of the lower surface thereof.
  • a ring insulator 338 includes a notch 339 to receive the tongue 337 therein.
  • a ring conductor 340 includes a notch 34] in the circular direction and a tongue 342 extending downwardly from one rear end thereof.
  • a ring-like insulator 343 includes a notch for receiving-the tongue 342 therein.
  • a flat lower disc 322 is secured to a movable bolt or electrode 317 at the center of a rear surface thereof.
  • the conductive ring 340 allows magnetic fluxes to occur in an axial direction of the electrode 317, and accordingly, the magnetic fluxes electrically separate the rapid'dispersion of metallic vapors in an electric are by surrounding and maintaining the arc steady.
  • the contact assembly itself functions as a magnetic field coil having a relatively small size and a magnetic center located near the arc region for generating the magnetic fluxes surrounding an electric arc initiated between separated contacts, and thus it is possible to make the vacuum circuit breaker having the less roughness of contacts for prolonging the duty life.
  • a vacuum circuit breaker comprising:
  • a pair of co-acting electrodes located in the envelope to be relatively movable from a position of engagement to a position of disengagement to make a cur- 6 cuit interruption;
  • a contact assembly secured to at least one of said electrodes at one end thereof, said contact assembly including a pair of flat discs one of which has a center portion secured to one end of said electrode and the other of which has a contact region at its center area; said flat discs being electrically connected at the peripheral portion so as to make at least one current loop perpendicular to the axis of said electrode and directed from the center of one of said discs through the outer peripheral portion thereof and theouter peripheral portion of said other disc to the center thereof;
  • said one of said flat discs of said contact assembly is spirally cut to make a clockwise current pass, and said other flat disc is spirally cut to make a counter-clockwise current pass.
  • a vacuum circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein said flat discs include spiral cuts which are overlapped by insertion of a ring insulator located between the outer peripheral edges of said discs.
  • a vacuum circuit breaker comprising:
  • a pair of co-acting electrodes located in the envelope to be relatively movable from a position of engagement to a position of disengagement to make a circuit interruption
  • a contact assembly secured to at least one of said electrodes at one end thereof, said contact assembly including a pair'of flat discs one of which has a center portion secured to one end of said electrode and the other of which has a contact region at its center area; said flat discs being electrically connected at the peripheral portion so as to make at least one current loop perpendicular to the axis of said electrode and directed from the center of one of said discs through the outer peripheral portion thereof and the outer peripheral portion of said other disc to the center thereof;
  • said flat discs are constructed by a pair of circular discs whichinclude a conductive ring having a notch in the circular direction thereof and located between said discs and a pair of ring insulators respectively positioned between said discs and the conductive ring, and an electric current path is made from one of flat discs through .one of said conductive ring and the other end of said conductive ring to said other flat disc.

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  • High-Tension Arc-Extinguishing Switches Without Spraying Means (AREA)
US00289965A 1971-09-16 1972-09-18 Vacuum type electric circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime US3818164A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP46071224A JPS5139355B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-09-16 1971-09-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3818164A true US3818164A (en) 1974-06-18

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ID=13454479

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00289965A Expired - Lifetime US3818164A (en) 1971-09-16 1972-09-18 Vacuum type electric circuit breaker

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3818164A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5139355B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA977808A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3935406A (en) * 1973-06-30 1976-01-27 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Vacuum interrupter
US3941961A (en) * 1973-10-18 1976-03-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Contact arrangement for a vacuum switch
US3946179A (en) * 1973-09-10 1976-03-23 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Vacuum interrupter
DE2557197A1 (de) * 1974-12-19 1976-07-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp Vakuumschalter
US4109123A (en) * 1976-02-03 1978-08-22 Hazemeijer B.V. Vacuum switch
US4243859A (en) * 1977-09-12 1981-01-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum switch
US4260864A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-04-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with an improved contact with axial magnetic field coil
EP0082801A1 (de) * 1981-12-23 1983-06-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vakuumschaltröhre mit einem Ring zur Erzeugung eines axialen Magnetfeldes
US4451813A (en) * 1981-06-10 1984-05-29 Japan Radio Company, Ltd. Vacuum fuse having magnetic flux generating means for moving arc
US4629839A (en) * 1983-08-09 1986-12-16 Falkingham Leslie T High current switch contacts
EP0199594A3 (en) * 1985-04-24 1988-01-13 Vacuum Interrupters Limited High current switch contacts
DE19503661A1 (de) * 1995-01-24 1996-07-25 Slamecka Ernst Vakuumschalter-Kontaktanordnung
DE19509714A1 (de) * 1995-03-10 1996-09-12 Slamecka Ernst Vakuumschalter-Kontaktanordnung
EP4170692A4 (en) * 2020-06-17 2023-08-09 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation VACUUM VALVE

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS583333B2 (ja) * 1974-04-05 1983-01-20 株式会社東芝 シンクウシヤダンキ
DE2613567C3 (de) * 1976-03-30 1980-02-14 Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen Kontaktanordnung fur Vakuum schalter

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280286A (en) * 1964-07-03 1966-10-18 Mc Graw Edison Co Vacuum-type circuit interrupter
US3480821A (en) * 1967-12-18 1969-11-25 Gen Electric Stabilized vacuum gap device with elementary electrode structure

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3244843A (en) * 1963-10-16 1966-04-05 Jennings Radio Mfg Corp Arc-controlling auxiliary contact assembly for electric switches

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3280286A (en) * 1964-07-03 1966-10-18 Mc Graw Edison Co Vacuum-type circuit interrupter
US3480821A (en) * 1967-12-18 1969-11-25 Gen Electric Stabilized vacuum gap device with elementary electrode structure

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3935406A (en) * 1973-06-30 1976-01-27 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Vacuum interrupter
US3946179A (en) * 1973-09-10 1976-03-23 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Vacuum interrupter
US3941961A (en) * 1973-10-18 1976-03-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Contact arrangement for a vacuum switch
DE2557197A1 (de) * 1974-12-19 1976-07-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp Vakuumschalter
US4109123A (en) * 1976-02-03 1978-08-22 Hazemeijer B.V. Vacuum switch
US4243859A (en) * 1977-09-12 1981-01-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum switch
US4260864A (en) * 1978-11-30 1981-04-07 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with an improved contact with axial magnetic field coil
US4451813A (en) * 1981-06-10 1984-05-29 Japan Radio Company, Ltd. Vacuum fuse having magnetic flux generating means for moving arc
EP0082801A1 (de) * 1981-12-23 1983-06-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vakuumschaltröhre mit einem Ring zur Erzeugung eines axialen Magnetfeldes
US4445015A (en) * 1981-12-23 1984-04-24 Siemens Ag Vacuum switching tube with a ring to generate an axial magnetic field
US4629839A (en) * 1983-08-09 1986-12-16 Falkingham Leslie T High current switch contacts
EP0199594A3 (en) * 1985-04-24 1988-01-13 Vacuum Interrupters Limited High current switch contacts
DE19503661A1 (de) * 1995-01-24 1996-07-25 Slamecka Ernst Vakuumschalter-Kontaktanordnung
DE19509714A1 (de) * 1995-03-10 1996-09-12 Slamecka Ernst Vakuumschalter-Kontaktanordnung
EP4170692A4 (en) * 2020-06-17 2023-08-09 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation VACUUM VALVE

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5139355B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-10-27
CA977808A (en) 1975-11-11
JPS4837663A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-06-02

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