US3854068A - Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices - Google Patents

Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices Download PDF

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Publication number
US3854068A
US3854068A US00428024A US42802473A US3854068A US 3854068 A US3854068 A US 3854068A US 00428024 A US00428024 A US 00428024A US 42802473 A US42802473 A US 42802473A US 3854068 A US3854068 A US 3854068A
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United States
Prior art keywords
members
vacuum
electrode
contacts
envelope
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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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US00428024A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Rich
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US00428024A priority Critical patent/US3854068A/en
Priority to DE2440189A priority patent/DE2440189A1/de
Priority to JP49100002A priority patent/JPS5096880A/ja
Priority to CA211,965A priority patent/CA980403A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3854068A publication Critical patent/US3854068A/en
Priority to FR7442928A priority patent/FR2256522B3/fr
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
    • H01H33/60—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

  • Such improved devices comprise a vacuum sealed envelope comprising a cylindrical metallic member which functions not only as a part of the vacuum envelope, but as a shield for collecting molten metallic particles produced during high current arcing.
  • Various embodiments of interleaved arcing electrodes which provide high current and high voltage capabilities in a fixed diameter envelope are also disclosed.
  • the present invention relates to improved vacuum are devices utilized to protect electrical apparatus by the interruption of current with a high current electric are. More particularly, the invention relates to such improved devices as vacuum gaps, triggerable vacuum gaps, vacuum switches, and the like, wherein a rod array structure of interleaved individual arc electrode members presents a large arcing surface for the attainment of high current and low current density power arcing characteristics.
  • an improved vacuum arc discharge device adapted to carry high currents at increased voltage levels is made possible through the use of series-connected arc-electrode assemblies each comprising interleaved electrodes for 7 providing uniform current conduction during the arcing time.
  • two pairs of coaxially aligned switch contacts are provided for interrupting the current flow in a high voltage electrical circuit. The two pairs of electrical contacts provide the increased spacing between electrodes to provide the necessary voltage breakdown protection.
  • an improved vacuum arc discharge device is adapted to carry high currents at increased voltage levels without increasing the envelope diameter of such devices.
  • That improved vacuum arc discharge device comprises a hermetically sealed, evacuated envelope having a pair of base plates disposed at opposite ends of the envelope.
  • a pair of primary arc-electrode assemblies each comprising a spaced circular array of cylindrical primary electrode members having smooth cylindrical arcing surfaces. Each assembly is supported at one of its ends by a sup port plate.
  • the primary arc-electrode assemblies extending from each support plate are interleaved with one another to form a plurality of electrically parallel arcing paths, each of which is substantially free from magnetic fields transverse to the path of current conduction between the individual electrode members.
  • the major portion of the envelope enclosing the interleaved primary arc-electrode assemblies comprises a cylindrical metallic member which functions not only as a part of the vacuum envelope, but as a shield for collecting molten metallic particles produced during the high current arcing times and as a heat sink for the device.
  • selected primary arc-electrode configurations and selected location of the butt electrical contacts for vacuum switch configurations provide substantial improvements in performance at low cost.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, of a vacuum switch constructed in accord with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, with parts broken away, of a triggerable vacuum gap device constructed in accord with another embodiment of my invention
  • FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a vacuum switch device in accord with still another embodiment of my invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a vacuum switch device constructed in accord with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a switch 10 comprises an evacuable envelope 11 including a metallic sidewall member 12 which is hermetically sealed to upper and lower flange members 13 and 14, respectively. Spaced apart from the upper and lower flange members 13 and 14, respectively, are upper and lower endwall members 15 and 16. The endwall members 15 and 16 are connected to flanges l3 and 14 respectively, with insulating sidewall members 17 and 18.
  • the insulating sidewall members 17 and 18 are hermetically sealed to the respective upper and lower flanges 13 and 14 at one end and to the upper and lower endwall members 15 and 16 at the other end with metallic flanges 19 which are suitably welded, brazed, or otherwise affixed to flange members 13 and 14 and endwall members 15 and 16.
  • ber 24 is fixed and is electrically and mechanically affixed to a metallic support plate 26 which in turn is supported from the upper endwall member 15 by a cylindrical support member 27.
  • Electrode support member is reciprocally movable through an aperture 28 in a metallic support plate 29. Vacuum integrity within the envelope 11 is maintained while permitting reciprocal mobility to arc-electrode support member 25 by means of a bellows assembly 30 affixed at flange 31 to electrode support member 25 and to cylindrical support member 32.
  • Support member 32 provides the main current conduction path during arcing, i.e., after arc initiation at the contacts and subsequent transfer to the secondary electrode assemblies 34 and 35.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 22 of FIG. 1.
  • the materials for contacts'2l and 22 are prepared from a high purity, high vapor pressure material,.such as, for example, copper or any of the materials set forth in US. Pat. No. 2,975,256 to Lee et al. US. Pat. Nos. 2,975,255 and 3,0l6,436 to Lafferty, and US. Pat. No. 3,140,373 to Horn, and similar materials, alloys and intermetallic compounds which are operative to. provide a copious quantity of metallic particles during arcing for supplying conduction carriers during operation of the device.
  • the electrode materials for electrodes 34 and 35 are preferably hardened ferrous materials such as those described in US. Pat. No. 3,769,538 to LP. Harris. Additionally, useful materials for the metallic sidewall member may be such materials as stainless steel, copper, nickel, or other weldable or bondable metals.
  • the plurality of high current arcs sustained by the overload current passing through the array of electrode members is sustained by a conductive plasma, comprising metallic particles from the electrode members 34 and 35.
  • This plasma permits the arcs to be transferred across the gaps 36 in each parallel conductive path until the value of arcing current passes througha zero value and conduction ceases, giving the specie of the plasma an opportunity to cool and condense upon the relatively cool surface of the sidewall member 12.
  • the next cycle of alternating voltage is applied across the open contact electrodes, the high dielectric strength of the vacuum within the device prevents reestablishment of the current.
  • the sidewall member 12 functions as part of the enclosure for the vacuum switch device and as a shield for collecting vaporized metallic particles produced during arcing.
  • the sidewall member is of an insulating material with a metallic shield placed between the insulating sidewall member and the electrode members 34 and 35.
  • the use of a metallic sidewall member eliminates the need for a costly insulating sidewall member.
  • the metallic sidewall member provides much better cooling than the insulating sidewall member which has comparatively poorer thermal conductivity characteristics.
  • Still another feature of my invention is the dual function provided by the metallic support plates 26 and 29. These plates, in addition to providing support for the electrode members 34 and 35, also provide shielding between the arcing region and the insulating sidewall members 17 and 18. These support members prevent molten metal particles and/or metal vapor emitted in the arcing region from adhering to the insulating sidewall members and producing electrical short-circuits. Additional shield members 37, 38and 39 with large radii of curvature provide additional shielding for the insulating members without undesirably reducing the voltage breakdown capabilities of the vacuum switch device. Further, the metallic sidewall (which eliminates an insulating vapor shield) permits the metal vapor shields 37, 38 and 39 to be constructed with large radii of curvature. This results in an appreciable increase in the voltage breakdown characteristics without increasing the diameter of the vacuum device.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a triggerable vacuum gap device 110 which incorporates the basic concept of the invention by employing a metallic sidewall and utilizing metallic support plates for the electrode members which provide shielding for the insulating sidewall members near the extremities of the device.
  • the structure of the triggerable vacuum gap device 110 is similar to that of the vacuum switch except thatthere are no butt-type starter electrode contacts to operate during steady-state conditions, since this device is purely an overload responsive mechanism.
  • the electrode structure comprises a pair of primary arcelectrode assemblies having primary electrode members 134 and 135 arranged to form a circular array sim ilar to those ,of the vacuum'switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the electrode structure defines a plurality of parallel conductive paths through the envelope 111 of this device and a plurality of gaps 136 (see FIG. 4) disposed in each of the parallel conductive paths.
  • triggering electrode assembly means shown as 141, well known in the prior art and shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,465,192 and 3,465,206.
  • the triggering means electrode assembly injects a cloud of an electron-ion plasma into the interelectrode gaps between the electrode members.
  • An aperture 142 is disposed in the metal support plate 129 so that the trigger electrode assembly can inject plasma into the interelectrode region.
  • Trigger electrode assembly 141 is energized directly or indirectly by overload voltages applied to the lines which device.ll0 is connected with or designed to protect.
  • Electrodes 135 and 134 in this embodiment of my invention are inclined or canted outwardly toward the metallic sidewall member. This slight inclination, which is generally of the order of approximately 5, produces a more compact device having voltage breakdown capabilities similar to those of the embodiments of my invention illustrated in FIG. 1, but with a reduced length of the vacuum device, than devices having electrode assemblies parallel with the sidewall member.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of a vacuum switch device in accord with my invention wherein electrode members 234 and 235 have a dogleg configuration such that the portions of the electrodes surrounded by the sidewall member are substantially parallel to the sidewall member but then curve toward the arc electrode support members 224 and 225, respectively.
  • the primary reason for contouring the electrode members in this way is to accommodate larger diameter butt contacts.
  • Another desirable characteristic of this embodiment of my invention is the reduced length of the support members for the butt contacts. This reduced length permits a larger steadystate current flow without an undue rise in ambient temperature of the device.
  • the butt-electrode contacts may be removed if desired, and replaced with a trigger-electrode assembly, thus converting the vac uum switch device to a triggerable vacuum gap device.
  • An improved vacuum arc discharge device for carrying high currents at increased voltage levels comprising:
  • a hermetically sealed evacuatedenvelope including a metallic cylindrical sidewall member, a pair of insulating sidewall members and a pair of oppositely disposed endwall members, each endwall member connected to one of said insulating sidewall members and said insulating sidewall members connected 'to the ends of said metallic sidewall member in a vacuum-tight seal;
  • first and second plurality of spaced electrode members extending from the other of said support plates, said first and second plurality of spaced electrode members being substantially normal to said support plates and interleaved in alternating sequence to form a spaced circular array of electrodes;
  • said device is a triggerable vacuum gap device and said means for causing an electric arc breakdown comprises a trigger electrode assembly for supplying electron-ion plasma.
  • said spaced electrode members comprise smooth cylindrical members which are inclined outwardly toward said metallic cylindrical sidewall for providing increased voltage breakdown capability in a fixed diameter envelope with reduced length.
  • said spaced electrode members are contoured in the shape of a dogleg which extends outwardly from said support plates toward said sidewall member and then substantially parallel to said sidewall member for accommodating a pair of butt electrical contacts within said array of electrodes;
  • said metallic cylindrical sidewall member comprises stainless steel.
  • said metallic cylindrical sidewall member is selected from the group consisting-of stainless steel, copper and nickel.

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  • High-Tension Arc-Extinguishing Switches Without Spraying Means (AREA)
US00428024A 1973-12-26 1973-12-26 Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices Expired - Lifetime US3854068A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00428024A US3854068A (en) 1973-12-26 1973-12-26 Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices
DE2440189A DE2440189A1 (de) 1973-12-26 1974-08-22 Abschirmung fuer vakuum-lichtbogenentladungsvorrichtungen
JP49100002A JPS5096880A (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1973-12-26 1974-09-02
CA211,965A CA980403A (en) 1973-12-26 1974-10-22 Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices
FR7442928A FR2256522B3 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1973-12-26 1974-12-26

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00428024A US3854068A (en) 1973-12-26 1973-12-26 Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices

Publications (1)

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US3854068A true US3854068A (en) 1974-12-10

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US00428024A Expired - Lifetime US3854068A (en) 1973-12-26 1973-12-26 Shield structure for vacuum arc discharge devices

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US (1) US3854068A (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
JP (1) JPS5096880A (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
CA (1) CA980403A (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
DE (1) DE2440189A1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
FR (1) FR2256522B3 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312099A1 (fr) * 1975-05-19 1976-12-17 Gen Electric Interrupteur a coupure dans le vide comportant deux jeux de contacts electriquement en parallele
US4061894A (en) * 1976-04-28 1977-12-06 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with improved protection for bellows
US4063126A (en) * 1977-02-16 1977-12-13 General Electric Company Vacuum arc discharge device with tapered rod electrodes
US5075592A (en) * 1988-04-11 1991-12-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Gas discharge switch
US6037715A (en) * 1997-11-19 2000-03-14 Maxwell Technologies Systems Division, Inc. Spark switch having coaxial electrodes with increased electrode surface area exposure
RU2224339C2 (ru) * 2001-02-19 2004-02-20 Российский Федеральный Ядерный Центр - Всероссийский Научно-Исследовательский Институт Экспериментальной Физики Газонаполненный разрядник
US20110221381A1 (en) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-15 Emerson Electric Co. Electric motor and switch for electric motor having arc barrier

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1314152A (en) * 1919-08-26 Spark-gap apparatus
US3087092A (en) * 1961-05-10 1963-04-23 Gen Electric Gas generating switching tube
US3271619A (en) * 1963-07-26 1966-09-06 Gen Electric Triggered vacuum discharge device
US3366825A (en) * 1966-07-11 1968-01-30 Gen Electric Vacuum gap discharge device having grooved electrodes for thermal insulation
US3588576A (en) * 1968-11-25 1971-06-28 Joslyn Mfg & Supply Co Spark-gap device having a thin conductive layer for stabilizing operation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1314152A (en) * 1919-08-26 Spark-gap apparatus
US3087092A (en) * 1961-05-10 1963-04-23 Gen Electric Gas generating switching tube
US3271619A (en) * 1963-07-26 1966-09-06 Gen Electric Triggered vacuum discharge device
US3366825A (en) * 1966-07-11 1968-01-30 Gen Electric Vacuum gap discharge device having grooved electrodes for thermal insulation
US3588576A (en) * 1968-11-25 1971-06-28 Joslyn Mfg & Supply Co Spark-gap device having a thin conductive layer for stabilizing operation

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2312099A1 (fr) * 1975-05-19 1976-12-17 Gen Electric Interrupteur a coupure dans le vide comportant deux jeux de contacts electriquement en parallele
US4061894A (en) * 1976-04-28 1977-12-06 General Electric Company Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with improved protection for bellows
US4063126A (en) * 1977-02-16 1977-12-13 General Electric Company Vacuum arc discharge device with tapered rod electrodes
US5075592A (en) * 1988-04-11 1991-12-24 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Gas discharge switch
US6037715A (en) * 1997-11-19 2000-03-14 Maxwell Technologies Systems Division, Inc. Spark switch having coaxial electrodes with increased electrode surface area exposure
RU2224339C2 (ru) * 2001-02-19 2004-02-20 Российский Федеральный Ядерный Центр - Всероссийский Научно-Исследовательский Институт Экспериментальной Физики Газонаполненный разрядник
US20110221381A1 (en) * 2010-03-09 2011-09-15 Emerson Electric Co. Electric motor and switch for electric motor having arc barrier
US8305028B2 (en) 2010-03-09 2012-11-06 Nidec Motor Corporation Electric motor and switch for electric motor having arc barrier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA980403A (en) 1975-12-23
FR2256522A1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1975-07-25
FR2256522B3 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1977-09-23
JPS5096880A (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1975-08-01
DE2440189A1 (de) 1975-07-10

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