WO2001009908A1 - Disjoncteurs electriques - Google Patents

Disjoncteurs electriques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001009908A1
WO2001009908A1 PCT/GB2000/002939 GB0002939W WO0109908A1 WO 2001009908 A1 WO2001009908 A1 WO 2001009908A1 GB 0002939 W GB0002939 W GB 0002939W WO 0109908 A1 WO0109908 A1 WO 0109908A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
contacts
circuit breaker
electrical circuit
electrical
breaker according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2000/002939
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Warwick John Stuart Grew
Wallace Douglas Grew
Original Assignee
W.W. Grew & Company Limited
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
Priority claimed from GBGB9917881.6A external-priority patent/GB9917881D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9926664.5A external-priority patent/GB9926664D0/en
Application filed by W.W. Grew & Company Limited filed Critical W.W. Grew & Company Limited
Priority to AU63015/00A priority Critical patent/AU6301500A/en
Publication of WO2001009908A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001009908A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/32—Insulating body insertable between contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H39/00—Switching devices actuated by an explosion produced within the device and initiated by an electric current
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
    • H01H73/02—Details
    • H01H73/18—Means for extinguishing or suppressing arc

Definitions

  • This invention relates to electrical circuit breakers, and particularly to breakers in which the flow of electrical current in an electrical circuit is interrupted by separating electrical contacts in the circuit.
  • an electrical circuit breaker comprising at least one pair of electrical contacts adapted for connection to an electrical circuit through which electrical current flows, at least one insulating element, and an actuator which, on operation, drives the insulating element between the pair of contacts to interrupt the flow of electrical current between the contacts.
  • the insulating element may be provided with a chamfered end. This may facilitate insertion of the insulating element between the pair of contacts.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may be provided in a housing.
  • the housing may be sealed. This helps prevent tampering with the electrical circuit breaker. If the electrical circuit breaker comprises an explosive actuator, this will also help to prevent pieces of the actuator from escaping from the housing, and any sparking caused by the explosion to remain in the housing.
  • a conducting member may be displaceably located between the electrical contacts for flow of electrical current between the contacts.
  • the insulating element may be attached to or co-operate with the conducting member, such that on operation of the actuator the insulating element is driven between the pair of contacts in place of the conducting member.
  • the conducting member is carried by the insulating element, being housed in an aperture or recess in the insulating element.
  • the conducting member and insulating element are not physically connected, the insulating element being positioned to abut against the conducting member to displace the member from between the contacts when the actuator is operated.
  • the insulating element may provide an air space between the electrical contacts when the conducting member has been displaced from between the contacts.
  • the conducting member is normally held between the electrical contacts by frictional engagement with them.
  • the force of the actuator acting on the conducting member when the actuator is operated overcomes the friction to release the conducting member from the contacts.
  • the electrical contacts may be spring urged into the frictional engagement with the conducting member.
  • Spring loading of the contacts may be provided by the housing of the electrical circuit breaker.
  • the housing may have inherently resilient opposed walls to which the electrical contacts are attached and between which the conducting member is located.
  • the housing may conveniently be made of a suitable material, such as a plastics or rubber material, which has some inherent resilience and provides the required spring loading of the contacts.
  • the electrical contacts comprise externally screw-threaded elements which are screwed into complementary threaded holes in opposed walls of the housing and into bearing engagement with opposite parts of the conducting member so as to locate the conducting member in position between the contacts.
  • the opposed walls of the housing flex as the screw-threaded elements are tightened onto the opposite parts of the conducting member, thereby enhancing the frictional engagement between the contacts and the conducting member.
  • the conducting member may re-locate between further electrical contacts when it has been displaced from the said one pair of electrical contacts by operation of the actuator.
  • an electrical current path is established at the further contacts to complete another circuit.
  • the completed circuit may cause a visual or audible alarm to be operated to signal that the electrical circuit breaker has been operated.
  • first and second conducting members may be provided.
  • the first conducting member may be displaceably located between a first pair of contacts and activation of the actuator may cause the first conducting member to be displaced from between the first pair of contacts and the second conducting member to be placed between a second pair of contacts.
  • the conducting member is arranged to be moved linearly by the insulating element on operation of the actuator. It may, however, possibly be moved non-linearly.
  • the conducting member may be arranged to move angularly as it is displaced from between the contacts.
  • the conducting member may be re-settable between the contacts to re-establish the flow of electrical current between the contacts.
  • the conducting member may, for example, have a re-setting device attached, or attachable, to it by which the member can be moved back into its original location between the contacts.
  • the re-setting device may simply be a chord, rod or link which is manually operated, possibly from a position remote from the circuit breaker, to move the conducting member into position between the contacts.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may be arranged to prevent flow of electrical current being re-established in the electrical circuit.
  • the electrical breaker circuit may comprise a non-return device.
  • the nonreturn device may be provided on the insulating element, to prevent the element from being removed from between the electrical contacts.
  • the non-return device may comprise a shoulder or serrations on the insulating element.
  • the non-return device may be provided by the housing of the electrical circuit breaker. The non-return device may prevent the conducting member from being relocated between the pair of electrical contacts once the actuator has operated.
  • the actuator may comprise a member which, on operation of the actuator, is impelled away from the actuator to drive the insulating element.
  • the actuator may comprise a member which acts as the insulating element and which, on operation of the actuator, is impelled away from. the actuator.
  • the member may be a pin or a plunger, which may be impelled from one end of a body of the actuator. The member may be impelled by an explosion in the actuator.
  • the actuator may be activated by an electrical signal.
  • the electrical signal may cause an explosion in the actuator.
  • the electrical signal may be provided by an inertia switch.
  • the switch may operate to provide the electrical signal in the event of impact of, and above, a predetermined force on a vehicle or aircraft to which the electrical circuit breaker is attached for use.
  • the actuator may be an ICI METRON (registered trade mark) actuator.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may be attached to the electrical circuit of a battery of a vehicle.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may be adapted to form part of a terminal of a battery of a vehicle.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may comprise a pair of contacts adapted for connection to an electrical circuit through which electrical current flows, an insulating element, and an actuator which, on operation, drives the insulating element between the pair of contacts to interrupt the flow of electrical current between the contacts.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may comprise two or more pairs of contacts, each pair of contacts being adapted for connection to an electrical circuit through which electrical current flows, two or more insulating elements, and an actuator which, on operation, drives an insulating element between each pair of contacts to interrupt the flow of electrical current between the contacts.
  • the pairs of contacts may be connected to different electrical circuits or to the same electrical circuit.
  • an electrical circuit breaker comprising at least one pair of electrical contacts adapted for connection to an electrical circuit through which electrical current flows, a conducting member displaceably located between the electrical contacts for flow of electrical current between the contacts, at least one insulating element, and an actuator which, on operation, causes the conducting member to be displaced from between the contacts to interrupt flow of current between the contacts and the insulating element to be positioned between the pair of contacts in place of the conducting member.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electrical circuit breaker according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an electrical circuit breaker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an electrical circuit breaker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a simplified plan view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the electrical circuit breaker of Figure 4;
  • Figure 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of another arrangement of a conducting member and insulating element for use with the electrical circuit breaker of Figures 4 and 5, and
  • Figures 7 and 8 are simplified plan views of an electrical circuit breaker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 9 is a simplified plan view of an electrical circuit breaker according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an electrical circuit breaker, shown in a partially operated position.
  • This comprises a housing 1 , a first electrical contact 2, a second electrical contact 3, and an actuator 4.
  • Each contact is connected via a wire 5 to an electrical circuit (not shown) .
  • Each contact comprises a spring 6.
  • the actuator is of the known METRON, or similar, type having a cylindrical body 8 by which it is fixed with respect to the housing 1 , and an axial pin 9 of insulating material projecting co-axially from one end of the body 8.
  • the pin 9 has a chamfered end 10.
  • An electrical signal is received via wire 11 to operate the actuator.
  • a controlled explosion is initiated in the body 8 by the electrical signal, and the pin 9 is caused to be rapidly impelled to project further from the body 8.
  • the electrical signal may come from an inertia switch, not shown.
  • the actuator When the actuator is actuated the resultant movement of the pin 9 forces the chamfered end 10 of the pin between the springs 6 of the contacts 2,3, forcing them apart.
  • the pin acts as an insulating element between the contacts, and interrupts the flow of current through the electrical circuit.
  • the pin further comprises a serrated portion 12 which comes to rest between the springs 6. The serrations prevent the pin from being dislodged from this position, maintaining a break in the electrical circuit.
  • Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an electrical circuit breaker, shown in an unoperated position.
  • This comprises a housing 20, a first electrical contact 21, a second electrical contact 22, and an actuator 23.
  • Each contact is connected via a wire 24 to an electrical circuit (not shown) .
  • Each contact comprises an arm 25 and, in normal conditions, these are in contact at tips 26, and current flows through the electrical circuit.
  • the actuator is of the known METRON, or similar, type having a cylindrical body 27 by which it is fixed with respect to the housing 20, and an axial pin 28 of insulating material projecting co-axially from one end of the body 27.
  • the pin 28 has a chamfered end 29.
  • An electrical signal is received via wire 30 to operate the actuator.
  • a controlled explosion is initiated in the body 27 by the electrical signal, and the pin 28 is caused to be rapidly impelled to project further from the body 27.
  • the electrical signal may come from an inertia switch, not shown.
  • the actuator When the actuator is actuated the resultant movement of the pin 28 forces the chamfered end 29 of the pin between the arms 25 of the contacts 21,22, forcing them apart.
  • the pin acts as an insulating element between the contacts, and interrupts the flow of current through the electrical circuit.
  • Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an electrical circuit breaker, shown in an unoperated position.
  • This comprises a housing 40, a first electrical contact 41 , a second electrical contact 42, and an actuator 43. Each contact is connected via a wire 44 to an electrical circuit (not shown).
  • a conducting member 45 is positioned, in normal conditions, between the contacts, and an electrical current flows through the electrical circuit via the conducting member.
  • the conducting member is attached to an insulating element 46.
  • the actuator is of the known METRON, or similar, type having a cylindrical body 47, and an axial pin housed within the body 47. An electrical signal is received via wire 48 to operate the actuator.
  • a controlled explosion is initiated in the body 47 by the electrical signal, and the pin is caused to be rapidly impelled to project from the body 47 to cooperate with the insulating element 46.
  • the electrical signal may come from an inertia switch, not shown.
  • an electrical circuit breaker which comprises a housing 51 , a pair of electrical contacts 52, a conducting member 53, an insulating element 54 and an actuator 55.
  • the housing 51 is of rectangular box form comprising a body 56, with opposed side walls 57, and a lid, not shown, which is fixed over the body by screws, not shown.
  • the body 56 and lid are made of a suitable insulating plastics material, for example a nylon. At least the material of the body 56 has some inherent resilience whilst, nevertheless, affording the body substantial firmness of its form.
  • Each contact 52 comprises an externally screw-threaded rod of electrically conductive material, for example brass.
  • the contacts 52 are screwed into complimentary co-axial holes 57' in the side walls 57 of the body 56 of the housing 51 and are fitted with pairs of nuts 58, 58' outside the side walls by which wires 59 of an electrical circuit, not shown, are secured to the contacts.
  • the conducting member 53 and insulating element 54 are provided as a unit slidably contained inside the housing, in the body 56.
  • the insulating element 54 is a parallelepiped block of a suitable insulating plastics material, for example a nylon, and is a sliding fit in the body for movement longitudinally of the housing.
  • Conducting member 53 is located firmly in a transverse bore 60 in, and extends the full width of, the insulating element 54. It may be moulded into the insulating element.
  • the conducting member is a rod of an electrically conductive material, for example brass, of similar diameter to the rods of the contacts 52, and is so positioned in the insulating element that by appropriate longitudinal location of the element in the body 56 the conducting member aligns with the two contacts.
  • the insulating member is so aligned and the contacts are screwed into tight frictional engagement with the opposite ends of the member, thereby positively holding the conducting member in position between the contacts.
  • the side walls 57 holding the contacts are flexed outwardly as the contacts are screwed against the ends of the conducting member, thereby affording spring loading on the contacts which enhances the frictional engagement between the contacts and the conductive member.
  • Those nuts 58 on the contacts which are adjacent to the side walls are tightened against the side walls to secure the contacts in their set positions, engaging the conducting member.
  • the actuator is of the known METRON, or similar, type having a cylindrical body 61 which is fixed to an end wall 62 of, the housing body 56, and an axial pin 63 of an insulating material projecting co-axially from one end of the body 61 into the housing body, towards the insulating element. With the contacts set in engagement with the conducting member, as described, the pin 63 of the actuator actually or almost abuts the adjacent end of the conducting member.
  • the actuator 55 When the electrical circuit breaker is installed for use the actuator 55 has a wire 64 connected to it to receive an electrical signal for operating the actuator.
  • a controlled explosion is initiated in the body when the signal is received, for example from an inertia switch, not shown.
  • the explosion causes the pin 63 to be rapidly impelled to project further from the body 61 of the actuator.
  • the impelling force is such that the pin drives the insulating element along the body and the conducting member is moved out of engagement with the contacts, so interrupting the flow of current through the electrical circuit containing the contacts.
  • the side walls 57 of the housing body 56 return to their normal unflexed condition and the inner ends of the contacts project into the return path of the insulating element, so that the conducting member cannot accidentally be re-engaged with the contacts.
  • the conducting member 53 may be positioned at the end of the insulating element remote from the pin of the actuator, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the conducting member may be positively located on the insulating element, for example by bonding, a screw or stake, or it may simply abut against the end of the insulating element.
  • the insulating element is still set in engagement with the contacts in similar manner to that described above.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may include a further set of contacts 65 , as shown in Figures 7 and 8, connected by wires 66 into another electrical circuit.
  • the insulating element 54 is driven to a position in which the conducting member 53 aligns with, and is engaged with, the further set of contacts 65 to complete that other electrical circuit, for example to activate an alarm or other signal to indicate that the circuit breaker has been operated.
  • Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the invention.
  • This also includes a further set of contacts 65, connected by wires 66 into another electrical circuit.
  • Two conducting members 70, 71 are provided, moulded into the insulating element 72. Initially, the conducting member 70 is located between the contacts 52.
  • the actuator 55 When the actuator 55 is operated, the insulating element 72 is driven to a position in which the conducting member 70 is displaced from between the contacts 52, the conducting member 71 aligns with, and is engaged with, the further set of contacts 65 to complete that other electrical circuit, and the portion 74 of the insulating element locates between the contacts 52.
  • the electrical circuit breaker may be used in a variety of applications, including automotive and aeronautical uses. It may be used, for example, in conjunction with an air bag safety system. Another of many examples, is perhaps use in a vehicle to react to an overload current in an electric circuit so as to prevent the possibility of fire occurring.

Landscapes

  • Breakers (AREA)

Abstract

Un disjoncteur électrique comprend au moins une paire de contacts électriques (52) prévus pour être connectés à un circuit électrique dans lequel s'écoule un courant électrique, au moins un élément isolant (54) et un actionneur (55) qui, en fonctionnement, déplace l'élément isolant (54) entre les deux contacts (52) pour interrompre ainsi l'écoulement du courant électrique entrée lesdits contacts. Le disjoncteur électrique peut comporter un élément conducteur (60) qui est placé de manière mobile entre les contacts électriques (52) pour que le courant électrique s'écoule entre les contacts (52). L'élément isolant (54) peut être fixé à l'élément conducteur (53) ou peut coopérer avec ce dernier, pour que lorsque l'actionneur (55) est en fonctionnement, l'élément isolant (54) soit entraîné entre les contacts (42) à la place de l'élément conducteur (53).
PCT/GB2000/002939 1999-07-30 2000-07-31 Disjoncteurs electriques WO2001009908A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU63015/00A AU6301500A (en) 1999-07-30 2000-07-31 Electrical circuit breakers

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9917881.6A GB9917881D0 (en) 1999-07-30 1999-07-30 Electrical circuit breakers
GB9917881.6 1999-07-30
GBGB9926664.5A GB9926664D0 (en) 1999-11-11 1999-11-11 Electrical circuit breakers
GB9926664.5 1999-11-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001009908A1 true WO2001009908A1 (fr) 2001-02-08

Family

ID=26315809

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/002939 WO2001009908A1 (fr) 1999-07-30 2000-07-31 Disjoncteurs electriques

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6301500A (fr)
GB (1) GB2352879A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001009908A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111989852A (zh) * 2018-03-14 2020-11-24 Nela 电气工业和电子开发中心有限公司 可替代地可变电路和用于改变电路内电流路径的电的方法

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2953324B1 (fr) 2009-11-27 2012-06-08 Snpe Materiaux Energetiques Interrupteur electrique a tiroir coulissant formant coupe-circuit ou commutateur
DE102011000763A1 (de) * 2011-02-16 2012-08-16 Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co. Kg Trennvorrichtung
EP2541570B1 (fr) * 2011-06-29 2014-12-24 Raychem International Commutateur électrique pour courants élevés, en particulier avec une performance de résistance élevée aux courts-circuits dans la plage des kA

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2254347A (en) * 1938-04-27 1941-09-02 George R Blakesley Electric switch
US3264438A (en) * 1964-04-29 1966-08-02 Atlas Chem Ind Positive action circuit breaking switch
US3274363A (en) * 1962-10-08 1966-09-20 Atlas Chem Ind Electrical switch having deformable contact members
FR2269181A1 (en) * 1974-04-29 1975-11-21 Fataccy Victor Combustion engine spark-plug cut-out - has plunger to separate tags and to interrupt or earth circuit
EP0450104A1 (fr) * 1990-03-28 1991-10-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Disjoncteur rapide
DE19542690A1 (de) * 1995-11-16 1997-05-22 Aeg Niederspannungstech Gmbh Vorrichtung zum zwangsweisen Trennen von Netzleitungen bei Schaltgeräten

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3346710A (en) * 1965-07-12 1967-10-10 Plastics Inc High voltage visible oil switch

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2254347A (en) * 1938-04-27 1941-09-02 George R Blakesley Electric switch
US3274363A (en) * 1962-10-08 1966-09-20 Atlas Chem Ind Electrical switch having deformable contact members
US3264438A (en) * 1964-04-29 1966-08-02 Atlas Chem Ind Positive action circuit breaking switch
FR2269181A1 (en) * 1974-04-29 1975-11-21 Fataccy Victor Combustion engine spark-plug cut-out - has plunger to separate tags and to interrupt or earth circuit
EP0450104A1 (fr) * 1990-03-28 1991-10-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Disjoncteur rapide
DE19542690A1 (de) * 1995-11-16 1997-05-22 Aeg Niederspannungstech Gmbh Vorrichtung zum zwangsweisen Trennen von Netzleitungen bei Schaltgeräten

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111989852A (zh) * 2018-03-14 2020-11-24 Nela 电气工业和电子开发中心有限公司 可替代地可变电路和用于改变电路内电流路径的电的方法
CN111989852B (zh) * 2018-03-14 2024-05-10 Eti电子有限公司 可替代地可变电路和用于改变电路内电流路径的电的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6301500A (en) 2001-02-19
GB0018621D0 (en) 2000-09-13
GB2352879A (en) 2001-02-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10388477B2 (en) Contactor device integrating pyrotechnic disconnect features
US5535842A (en) Safety arrangement for collision-related disconnection of an electrical energy source from a motor vehicle supply circuit
US11387061B2 (en) Passive triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features
US4567456A (en) Resettable circuit closing device
US8705221B2 (en) Surge arrester having an optical fault indicator
US5453724A (en) Flux shifter assembly for circuit breaker accessories
GB2572236A (en) Contactor device integrating pyrotechnic disconnect features
US20040041682A1 (en) Battery circuit disconnect device
US4808965A (en) Thermal protector
ES2371915T3 (es) Interruptor de circuito en vacío para voltaje medio.
US11443910B2 (en) Contact levitation triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features
CN111587469A (zh) 烟火切换装置
JP2021077630A5 (fr)
US5038006A (en) Electrical switch
WO2001009908A1 (fr) Disjoncteurs electriques
US4524287A (en) Post-collision fire prevention device
US4410775A (en) Snap-action battery cable switch
US2806916A (en) Safety circuit breaker
US5028750A (en) Impact sensor
US11276535B2 (en) Passive triggering mechanisms for use with switching devices incorporating pyrotechnic features
KR102604621B1 (ko) 파이로테크닉 피처를 포함하는 스위칭 디바이스와 함께 사용을 위한 수동형 트리거링 메커니즘
US3243537A (en) Safety circuit breaker for motor vehicles
CA2380146C (fr) Fusible haute tension
SU1744730A1 (ru) Предохранитель
CN220254120U (zh) 一种电气回路保护装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA JP NO NZ US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP