US470773A - Circuit interrupting device - Google Patents

Circuit interrupting device Download PDF

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US470773A
US470773A US470773DA US470773A US 470773 A US470773 A US 470773A US 470773D A US470773D A US 470773DA US 470773 A US470773 A US 470773A
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electrodes
circuit
electric
arc
fuse
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05KPRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02Details
    • H05K1/14Structural association of two or more printed circuits
    • H05K1/141One or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g. modules, adapters
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L23/00Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
    • H01L23/552Protection against radiation, e.g. light or electromagnetic waves
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/0001Technical content checked by a classifier
    • H01L2924/0002Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

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  • the invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and organization of apparatus fori nterrupting electric-circuit connections and for preventing the maintenance of electric arcs where it is desirable that these should be extinguished-as, for instance, in lightning-arresters, electric fuses, man ual and automatic switches, (to.
  • the currents which normally traverse the circuit are not of suificient potential to strike an arc across the air-gap between the plates; but in the event of lightning striking the circuit or inducing in it a charge differing in potential from that of the earth the induced electro-motive force becomes sufficient to strike an arc across the air-space, and thus allow the lightning or induced charge to escape to the earth.
  • the generated current usually employed for electric lighting and electric railways is liable by reason of its high electro-motive force to continue to flow across such an air-gap and maintain the are when it has been thus established, and injury may result to the generating apparatus by reason of the comparatively low resistance of the short circuit thus formed.
  • My invention is applicable to these several uses, and in general it is useful wherever it is desirable to prevent the formation or continuance of a destructive electric are.
  • the invention is particularly useful in connection with alternatin g electric current-s of high electro-motive force; but it is also useful with currents continuous in direction.
  • My invention consists in employing as electrodes between which the maintenance of an arc is to be prevented blocks or electrodes of certain metal or metals, as hereinafter particularly set forth, and presenting proper surfaces to each other and acting to introduce such resistance in the intervening air-gap as to prevent the continuance of the flow of current.
  • These electrodes are arranged and connected in circuit in different manners, according to the purpose for which employed.
  • the electrodes In order to use this device with an electric fuse, the electrodes, separated from each other in the manner set forth, may be connected in a shunt-circuit around the terminals of the fuse.
  • the circuit-interrupter in shunt upon the fuse offers a path for the current, and an arc will momentarily form across the space between its electrodes, thus withdrawing the current from the melted ends of the fuse, and this are will then automatically extinguish itself.
  • the invention may be similarly applied to switches, both manual and automatic, and in fact to any electric ap paratus where it is desirable to permit an are to momentarily exist between two electrodes.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram showing the invention applied to a lightningarrester, the electrodes being cylindrical in form.
  • Fig.2 is a plan of the lightning-arrester.
  • Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a semi-cylindrical form of electrodes.
  • Fig. 4: illustrates sphericalelectrodes.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates parabolic surfaces.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates parabolic surfacesin combination with spherical electrodes.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates hollow cylindrical electrodes.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates hexagonal form of electrodes.
  • Fig. 9 is an elevation of a fuse equipped with the arc-arresting device.
  • Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively an end view and plan of the fuse attachment.
  • Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an application of the invention to a switch.
  • A represents a generator of electricity, and L L main-line conductors leading therefrom.
  • the main line is shown as having its terminals connected with a work-circuit-for instance, the primary coil 19 of an alternating-current converter 0.
  • the secondary coils of this converter supplies translating devices d.
  • Spherical blocks-such as shown in Fig. 4 may also be employed with good results and also parabolic surfaces, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the central electrode E is shown as constructed with both ends having parabolic surfaces, while the blocks 6 e have only the ends which confront the electrode 6 constructed with parabolic surfaces.
  • the electrodes E E are spherical, while the central electrode E is similar in shape to that shown in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 7 the same general structure as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is employed, with the exception that the electrodes are hollow instead of solid.
  • Fig. 8 hexagonal forms are employed, angles of the electrodes being presented to each other. It will also be understood that any suitable material coated with the metal may be used.
  • the device is illustrated as employed in connection with an electric fuse F, which may be of any suitable form--as, for instance, a safety strip or fuse of lead or alloy which will melt at any desired temperature.
  • This fuse is in shunt upon the electrodes E E and its ends are secured in slots E formed in the electrodes, or they may be coupled thereto in any other convenient manner.
  • the entire device is shown as connected in a conductor L, leading from the generator A, and if a current of abnormal strength traverses this conductor it will melt the fuse F.
  • Such an interruption of the circuit is liable to create a tendency for an arc to be formed across the air-space between the electrodes, and the formation of such an arc will withdraw the are from the melted ends of the fuse.
  • the are between the electrodes is then itself immediately interrupted by the automatic action of the arc-rupturing device.
  • Figs. 12 and 13 the invention is illustrated in connection with a circuit closing and opening switch S. hen such a switch is opened, there is a tendency for an arc to form at the separating switch-plates.
  • Such an arc may be drawn away from the switch-plates by the are-rupturing device, as in the case of the fuse; but it may be desirable in some instances to have the electrodes E E rest in contact with each other while the switch is closed and to provide means for separating them immediately after the switch is opened.
  • IVhile I have spoken particularly of zinc and antimony and their compounds, it may be added that bismuth, cadmium, mercury, and amalgams also appear to possess the qualities of extinguishing the arc, and it may be possible that other substances may be found which will have the required characteristics; but it may be added that I have tried copper, carbon, aluminium, steel, iron, and various other substances without obtaining the same satisfactory results as from the metals and compounds above mentioned.
  • An arc-rupturing device consisting of two or more electrodes of zinc, antimony, or compounds thereof or other materials having a non-conducting vaporous oxide, substantially as described.
  • An arc-rupturing device consisting of blocks of brass or its substantial equivalent of large radiating surface relative to their confronting surfaces, substantially as described.
  • a device for preventing the maintenance of an electric arc consisting of electrodes adjacent to each other, composed of masses of metal having curved confronting surfaces, and an electric fuse having its terminals in electrical connection with the respective masses of metal.
  • a lightning-arrester for electric circuits consisting of electrodes of brass or its equivalent of large mass and diverging surfaces, substantially as described.
  • a lightning-arrester for electric circuits consisting of parallel bars of brass or equivalent material placed in close proximity to each other and having their confronting surfaces diverging, substantially as described.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Fuses (AREA)

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.
A. WURTS. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVIGE.
No. 470,773. Patented Mar. 15, 1892.
' nvenfor *W W 5B5; giforrteg (MM- M w.
(No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2.
A. WURTS.
- GIRGUIT INTERRUPTING DBVIGE.
No. 470,773. Patented Mar. 15,1892.
Zihzcsses 7 MW dziwlgyinfor UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.
ALEXANDER XVURTS, CF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE \VESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.
ClRCUlT-iNTERRUPTiNG DEVICE.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,773, dated March 15, 1892.
Application filed December 1, 1891. $erial No. 413,749. (No'modeh) To all whom it may concern.-
Be it known that I, ALEXANDER WURTs. a citizen of the United States, residing in Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circuit-Interrupting Devices, (Case No. 472,) of which the following is a specification.
The invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and organization of apparatus fori nterrupting electric-circuit connections and for preventing the maintenance of electric arcs where it is desirable that these should be extinguished-as, for instance, in lightning-arresters, electric fuses, man ual and automatic switches, (to.
i }It is frequently desirable in operating electric apparatus that the current be allowed to momentarily traverse a given circuit and that this circuit or the flow of current therethrough should be then automatically interrupted. \Vhen the flow of currents of high electro-motive force is thus interrupted, it is very difficult to prevent the formation of a destructive electric arc, and various different forms of arc-rupturin g devices have therefore been employed for protecting such circuits. It has been customary to protect electric circuits from injury by lightning by providing an interrupted circuit to the earth, the break in the continuity of the circuit being formed by slightly-separated confronting plates. The currents which normally traverse the circuit are not of suificient potential to strike an arc across the air-gap between the plates; but in the event of lightning striking the circuit or inducing in it a charge differing in potential from that of the earth the induced electro-motive force becomes sufficient to strike an arc across the air-space, and thus allow the lightning or induced charge to escape to the earth. The generated current usually employed for electric lighting and electric railways is liable by reason of its high electro-motive force to continue to flow across such an air-gap and maintain the are when it has been thus established, and injury may result to the generating apparatus by reason of the comparatively low resistance of the short circuit thus formed. For this reason various devices have been employed for automatically extinguishing the are immediately after the lightning discharge has taken place. In other instances closed circuits are allowed under certain conditions to receive an abnormalcurrent, which current then opens some portion of the circuit, and means have to be provided for extinguishing the are which tends to form at the point of interruption. For example, in the case of an electric fuse employed for antomatically interrupting a circuit when it is traversed by an abnormal current it is desirable that some means be provided for preventing an are from being maintained between the melted ends of the fuse. Again, it is frequently desirable to employ a switch for interrupting the connections of a circuit normally carrying currents of high electro-motive force, and in such case special means should be provided for preventing a destructive arc from being formed or maintained between the electrodes of the switch.
My invention is applicable to these several uses, and in general it is useful wherever it is desirable to prevent the formation or continuance of a destructive electric are.
It should be stated that the invention is particularly useful in connection with alternatin g electric current-s of high electro-motive force; but it is also useful with currents continuous in direction.
My invention consists in employing as electrodes between which the maintenance of an arc is to be prevented blocks or electrodes of certain metal or metals, as hereinafter particularly set forth, and presenting proper surfaces to each other and acting to introduce such resistance in the intervening air-gap as to prevent the continuance of the flow of current. These electrodes are arranged and connected in circuit in different manners, according to the purpose for which employed.
I have found that if two cylinders of zinc placed side by side and separated by a very narrow space are made to form the terminals of an electric circuit, and if an electric are be started between the two, the arc will antomatically extinguish itself. Other forms of electrodes than cylindrical will also serve the purpose; but usually I have found it desir- ISO ways. maybe placed side by side and the central able to have the electrodes present narrow lines of confronting surfaces, and it also seems desirable to have such an amount or surface area of metal as will prevent the body of metal from becoming heated to an intense degree. I have found, also, that compounds of zincsuch, for instance, as brass-may be used instead of zinc and other compounds of zinc, and also pure antimony and various compounds of antimony.
The precise manner in which this device operates to extinguish the arc is not clearly ascertained; but it is probable that a slight amount of the zinc or antimony is volatilized by the current, producing an oxide of the metal inthe form of a vapor, and such a vapor is a non-conductor of electricity, and this non-conducting vapor then becomes a barrier to the passage of the current, and thus interrupts its flow. This theory, however, is not advanced as being necessarily the correct theory, but one which affords a probable explanation of the operation.
The specification will set forth clearly the manner of constructing the apparatus, whatever be the true explanation of its mode of operation. I
I make use of the invention in various For instance, three of these electrodes one connected with the earth, while thetwo outer on-es'are connected with the respective sides of an electric circuit. Lightning dis charges may then take place across the intervening air-gaps to the earth; but the moment the line has been relieved of the hightension current caused by the lightning the arcs between the two outer electrodes and the central one, which might otherwise tend to'cause a short circuit of the machine, are automatically interrupted.
In order to use this device with an electric fuse, the electrodes, separated from each other in the manner set forth, may be connected in a shunt-circuit around the terminals of the fuse. When the fuse is melted by the passage of an abnormal current,there is usually a tendency for the current from the generator to continue the are once established between the melted onds of the fuse, the vapors of the metal or alloy forming the fuse serving as a conductor. The circuit-interrupter in shunt upon the fuse offers a path for the current, and an arc will momentarily form across the space between its electrodes, thus withdrawing the current from the melted ends of the fuse, and this are will then automatically extinguish itself. The invention may be similarly applied to switches, both manual and automatic, and in fact to any electric ap paratus where it is desirable to permit an are to momentarily exist between two electrodes.
I have found that two electrodes such as have been described when separated one thirty-second of an inch and connected directly to the terminals of a one-thousand-volt alternator will not maintain an are under any Different numbers of electrodes may be er'nployed in different instances to suit the circumstances and electrodes of other form than cylindrical-for instance, hexagonal, beveled, spherical, &c.may be employed.
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated several diiferent forms and applications of the circuit-interrupter.
,In the-drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram showing the invention applied to a lightningarrester, the electrodes being cylindrical in form. Fig.2 is a plan of the lightning-arrester. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a semi-cylindrical form of electrodes. Fig. 4: illustrates sphericalelectrodes. Fig. 5 illustrates parabolic surfaces. Fig. 6 illustrates parabolic surfacesin combination with spherical electrodes. Fig. 7 illustrates hollow cylindrical electrodes. Fig. 8 illustrates hexagonal form of electrodes. Fig. 9 is an elevation of a fuse equipped with the arc-arresting device. Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively an end view and plan of the fuse attachment. Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate an application of the invention to a switch.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents a generator of electricity, and L L main-line conductors leading therefrom. The main line is shown as having its terminals connected with a work-circuit-for instance, the primary coil 19 of an alternating-current converter 0. The secondary coils of this converter supplies translating devices d. Short cylinders E E of hard brass or zinc or antimony or compounds thereofsuch as brass, &c.are connected with the respective conductors L L and an interposed cylinder E of similar material is connected with the earth at G. It is evident that if an are be established be- IIO tween the electrodes E E and likewise beprovided the mass of metal is suflicient toprevent the electrodes becoming melted, yet it may be desirable to give data regarding some of the forms which I have found in practice to operate successfully. I have used cylinders of brass of about one and a quarter inches in length and one inch in diameter separated by a space varying from one sixtyfourth to one-sixteenth of an inch, likewise brass rods one-half inch long and one-half inch in diameter, and have obtained very excellent resultssuch, for instance, as interrupting circuits of one-thousand-volt alternating-current generators. It should also be noticed that with an alternating current better results seem to be obtained by placing the electrodes in very close proximity, and it would seem that ordinarily the distance which they should be separated should be but slightlyin excess of that required to prevent the normal current upon the circuit to which the apparatus is applied from jumping across the air-gaps.
I11 Fig. 3 I have indicated semi-cylindrical electrodes in place of the cylindrical ones shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such form operates very satisfactorily and gives nearly, if not quite, as good results as the cylindrical form.
Spherical blocks-such as shown in Fig. 4 may also be employed with good results and also parabolic surfaces, as shown in Fig. 5. In this instance the central electrode E is shown as constructed with both ends having parabolic surfaces, while the blocks 6 e have only the ends which confront the electrode 6 constructed with parabolic surfaces.
In Fig. 6 the electrodes E E are spherical, while the central electrode E is similar in shape to that shown in Fig. 5.
In Fig. 7 the same general structure as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is employed, with the exception that the electrodes are hollow instead of solid.
In Fig. 8 hexagonal forms are employed, angles of the electrodes being presented to each other. It will also be understood that any suitable material coated with the metal may be used.
111 Figs. 9, 10, and 11 the device is illustrated as employed in connection with an electric fuse F, which may be of any suitable form--as, for instance, a safety strip or fuse of lead or alloy which will melt at any desired temperature. This fuse is in shunt upon the electrodes E E and its ends are secured in slots E formed in the electrodes, or they may be coupled thereto in any other convenient manner. The entire device is shown as connected in a conductor L, leading from the generator A, and if a current of abnormal strength traverses this conductor it will melt the fuse F. Such an interruption of the circuit is liable to create a tendency for an arc to be formed across the air-space between the electrodes, and the formation of such an arc will withdraw the are from the melted ends of the fuse. The are between the electrodes is then itself immediately interrupted by the automatic action of the arc-rupturing device.
In Figs. 12 and 13 the invention is illustrated in connection with a circuit closing and opening switch S. hen such a switch is opened, there is a tendency for an arc to form at the separating switch-plates. Such an arc may be drawn away from the switch-plates by the are-rupturing device, as in the case of the fuse; but it may be desirable in some instances to have the electrodes E E rest in contact with each other while the switch is closed and to provide means for separating them immediately after the switch is opened. This may be done in different waysas, for instance, by means of a iioirconducting wedge K upon the switch-lever, one of the electrodes E being movable with reference to the other E It may be observed that the number of electrodes employed in connection with the fuse and the switch may be varied, as it is not necessary that there should always be three. There may be two or four or a greater num ber, according to the circumstances.
IVhile I have spoken particularly of zinc and antimony and their compounds, it may be added that bismuth, cadmium, mercury, and amalgams also appear to possess the qualities of extinguishing the arc, and it may be possible that other substances may be found which will have the required characteristics; but it may be added that I have tried copper, carbon, aluminium, steel, iron, and various other substances without obtaining the same satisfactory results as from the metals and compounds above mentioned.
I claim as my invention- 1. An arc-rupturing device consisting of two or more electrodes of zinc, antimony, or compounds thereof or other materials having a non-conducting vaporous oxide, substantially as described.
2. An arc-rupturing device consisting of blocks of brass or its substantial equivalent of large radiating surface relative to their confronting surfaces, substantially as described.
3. The combination of two or more electrodes containing zinc or antimony or equivalent metal placed adjacent to each other and having confronting diverging surfaces, said electrodes having a large radiating surface relative to their confronting surfaces, snbstantially as described.
4. A device for preventing the maintenance of an electric arc, consisting of electrodes adjacent to each other, composed of masses of metal having curved confronting surfaces, and an electric fuse having its terminals in electrical connection with the respective masses of metal.
5. A lightning-arrester for electric circuits, consisting of electrodes of brass or its equivalent of large mass and diverging surfaces, substantially as described.
6. A lightning-arrester for electric circuits, consisting of parallel bars of brass or equivalent material placed in close proximity to each other and having their confronting surfaces diverging, substantially as described.
7. The combination, with an electric circuit, of two electrodes constituting terminals of the circuit and composed of a metal whose oxide is a non-conductor of electricity.
8. The combination, with an electric circuit, of two electrodes constituting terminals are, which consists in generating by means of the are a non-conducting vapor Within the path of the are and by such vapor increasing the resistance offered to the passage of the current until the arc is extinguished, substantially as described.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23d day of November, A. D. 1891.
ALEXANDER WURTS.
Witnesses: v
R. D. MERSHON, J. W. SMITH.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2852714A (en) * 1954-02-11 1958-09-16 Reliable Electric Co Power contact protector
US2871310A (en) * 1956-10-24 1959-01-27 Porcheddu John Inertia-operated switch for conveyances and the like

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2852714A (en) * 1954-02-11 1958-09-16 Reliable Electric Co Power contact protector
US2871310A (en) * 1956-10-24 1959-01-27 Porcheddu John Inertia-operated switch for conveyances and the like

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