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
  • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
  • H01H9/36—Metal parts
  • H01H9/362—Mounting of plates in arc chamber
• • 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
  • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
  • H01H9/36—Metal parts
  • H01H2009/365—Metal parts using U-shaped plates

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of devices for extinguishing an electric arc for an electrical protection device, preferably of the modular type, as well as to the field of electrical protection devices, preferably of the modular type, incorporating such extinguishing devices. an electric arc.
• an electrical protection device comprises at least one pair of contacts which comprises a fixed contact and a movable contact.
• This pair of contacts can adopt two stable positions, namely, a so-called closed position, in which the fixed contact and the movable contact are in contact, and a contact open position, in which the movable contact is at a distance from the contact. fixed.
• a mechanical lock makes it possible to switch the pair of contacts from their closed position to their open position. Under these conditions an electric arc is created between the fixed contact and the movable contact and, more particularly, at their respective electrodes.
• an extinguishing chamber or breaking chamber is generally provided in the electrical protection device.
• This extinguishing chamber comprises a device for extinguishing an electric arc which has the function of dividing the electric arc formed at the level of the pair of contacts into a plurality of small fractional electric arcs.
• maximum compactness is sought. This is why, in order to increase the voltage of the electric arc and thus limit and rapidly decrease the intensity so that it is equal to zero, so as to isolate the fault, it is known, rather than lengthen the column of the electric arc and thus increase its voltage, to split it into a plurality of small fractional electric arcs to obtain a similar or even improved effect.
• This splitting of the electric arc is usually carried out by means of a plurality of conductive splitting plates which includes the extinguishing device which are mounted parallel to each other. It has however been noted that after splitting the electric arc, this plurality of small fractional electric arcs can become unstable within the plurality of fractionating plates. More particularly, it happens that one of the fractionated electric arcs escapes from the fractionation zone to arrive near the entry zone of the plurality of fractionation plates, which causes a re-ignition of the electric arc and a decrease in the value of voltage, and then impacts the performance of the electrical protection device. This re-ignition phenomenon can lead to the destruction of the electrical protection device, even before the current cannot be cut following the occurrence of the fault, which is not desirable.
• the object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a solution aimed at avoiding the re-ignition of the electric arc, having a limited space requirement and aiming to improve the performance and the robustness of the electrical protection device in which the device extinction is intended to be integrated.
• the invention relates to a device for extinguishing an electric arc for an electrical protection device comprising: - a plurality of electric arc splitting plates arranged substantially parallel to each other and being held together by a distance I between two adjacent splitting plates by two support elements arranged on at least one part of each lateral edge that each of the fractionation plates comprises,
• each fractionation plate further comprising an arc arc input notch, starting at a lower edge which each of the fractionation plates comprises, all of the input notches forming an input zone of the electric arc arranged to guide the electric arc towards a zone of fractionation of the electric arc, situated downstream of said entry zone, according to a first direction of fractionation of the electric arc, so as to fractionate the electric arc in a plurality of fractional electric arcs,
• each entry notch of the electric arc delimiting two branches which each of the fractionation plates comprises, each branch having a width lbl that varies according to the profile of the edge of the entry or constant notch,
• the extinguishing device is characterized in that: the main face comprises an upstream zone and a downstream zone, which are separate one from the other, the upstream zone being situated at the level of the surface of the branches and being delimited by the edge of the notch, and the downstream zone corresponding to the remaining surface of the main face,
• the main face further comprises a positioning zone of said at least one anti-priming element facing which said at least one anti-priming element is disposed, the positioning zone extending between a first median axis of the zone upstream and a second median axis of the downstream area,
• said at least one anti-reboot element has a predetermined length L1 configured to prevent the return of the electric arc, after its splitting into a plurality of split electric arcs, in a direction opposite to the first direction of splitting, said second direction of reboot.
• the invention also relates to an electrical protection device comprising:
• a member for controlling the position of the mobile contact connected to the mobile contact by means of a mechanical lock able to switch between two stable positions corresponding respectively to the opening and closing of the fixed and mobile contacts following a action on the control member, or to switch to an open position of the fixed and mobile contacts following a mechanical action of at least one trip device passing on an electrical fault on said at least first line,
• tripping means comprising at least one magnetic and / or thermal and / or electronic actuator provided for actuating said at least one trigger for the triggering of the mechanical lock
• an electrical protection device characterized in that the extinguishing chamber of the electric arc comprises the device for extinguishing the electric arc according to the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is an elevation view in plan of an electrical modular line circuit protection device, of the circuit breaker type, according to the invention, showing a pair of contacts in the contact open position and comprising an extinguishing chamber fitted with a device for extinguishing an electric arc,
• FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic sectional views from the side and from the front of the extinguishing chamber provided with a device for extinguishing the electric arc known from the prior art
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic sectional views from the side and from the front of the extinguishing chamber provided with a device for extinguishing the electric arc according to the invention
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support member for holding the fractionation plates of the extinguishing device according to the invention of the electric arc, which is provided with a plurality of anti-restriking elements in the form of a plurality of projecting portions,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device for extinguishing the electric arc according to the invention in a first alternative embodiment comprising two support elements as illustrated in FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 A is a front view of the device for extinguishing the electric arc illustrated in FIG. 5,
• FIG. 6B is a side view of the device for extinguishing the electric arc illustrated in FIG. 5, with a portion of the support element partially removed to show an anti-reboot element in the form of a protruding portion,
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of two support elements for holding the fractionation plates of the extinguishing device of the electric arc according to the invention, which are provided with a plurality of anti-re-ignition elements under form of a plurality of projecting portions linked together,
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device for extinguishing the electric arc according to the invention in a second alternative embodiment comprising the two support elements illustrated in FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 is a front view of a device for extinguishing the electric arc according to the invention in a third variant embodiment, showing a fractionation plate which is coated on its main face with a coating layer forming an anti-re-ignition element,
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of a side wall of the modular electrical protection device according to the invention, in an embodiment in which the side wall comprises, at the extinguishing chamber, a plurality of '' anti-priming elements consisting of a plurality of projecting portions,
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the side wall of FIG. 10 on which is mounted a device for extinguishing the electric arc known from the prior art
• FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic views of a fractionation plate showing the main face which includes an upstream area, a downstream area and a positioning area,
• Figure 14 shows curves A and B of the evolution of the voltage as a function of time of an electrical protection device incorporating the extinguishing device according to the invention, curve A, and an electrical protection device known from the prior art, curve B.
• An extinguishing device 1 of an electric arc for an electrical protection device 2 comprises:
• each of the fractionation plates 3 comprises (FIGS. 1, 2A, 3A, 5, 6B, 8 and 11) each fractionation plate 3 further comprising an entry notch 6 of the electric arc, starting at a lower edge 7 which each of the fractionation plates 3 comprises (FIGS.
• each input notch 6 of the electric arc delimiting two branches 10 that each of the fractionation plates 3 comprises (FIGS. 2B, 3B, 5, 6A, 8, 9, 12 and 13), each branch 10 having a variable width lbl as a function of the edge profile 6 ′ of the inlet notch 6 (FIG. 13) or constant (FIG. 12),
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ′, 11 being disposed opposite a main face 12 of at least one fractionation plate 3 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5, 6A, 6B, 8, 9 and 11).
• the extinguishing device 1 is characterized in that:
• the main face 12 comprises an upstream area AM and a downstream area AV, separated from each other, the upstream area AM being located at the surface of the branches 10 and being delimited by the edge 6 'of the notch 6, and the downstream zone AV corresponding to the remaining surface of the main face 12 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13)
• the main face 12 further comprises a positioning zone P of said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 1, 11 ”opposite which said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 1 G, 11” la is arranged positioning zone P extending between a first median axis Ml of the upstream zone AM and a second median axis M2 of the downstream zone AV (FIGS. 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13),
• said at least one anti-re-ignition element 11, 1 G, 11 has a predetermined length L1 configured to prevent the return of the electric arc, after its splitting into a plurality of fractional electric arcs EF, in a direction opposite to the first direction of fractionation D1, called second direction of reboot D2 ( Figures 3 A, 4, 5, 6A, 7, 8 and 9).
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ′, 11 is provided to be disposed only opposite the positioning zone P, which makes it possible to propose an extinguishing device 1 of compact form, since said at at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ', 11 ”remains confined to the level of the positioning zone P, which has the advantage of not increasing its size.
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ′, 11 ” can in no case be placed outside of this positioning zone P. It is therefore particularly suitable for being integrated into an electrical appliance for protection 2 compact and in particular of modular type. In addition, this particular selection makes it possible not to degrade the performance of the electrical protection device 2 in which it is intended to be integrated.
• said at least one anti-re-ignition element 11, 11 ′, 11 forms a barrier to movement in the second direction of re-ignition D2 of a fractional electric arc EF, which is located at either the column of the 'fractional electric arc EF, ie at the level of the feet of the fractional electric arc EF ( Figures 3A and 3B).
• This barrier to movement advantageously opposes a low resistance to the entry of the electric arc, which was created between the movable contact 16 and the fixed contact 15 due to the particular configuration of said at least one anti-priming element 11, 11 ' , 11 ”, when the latter moves in the first direction of fractionation Dl.
• said at least one anti-re-ignition element 11, 11 ′, 11 is made of electrically insulating material, this provides a significant and optimal gain in arc voltage by gasogenic effect and by increase in pressure within of the arc extinguishing chamber electric. Consequently thanks to this advantageous configuration, initially the electric arc, which was created between the movable contact 16 and the fixed contact 15, when the latter open, moves at the level of the zone of input 8, then in a second step the electric arc is split at the bottom of the notch 6. A plurality of split electric arcs EF is then created in the fractionation zone (FIGS. 3A and 3B).
• the configuration of said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ′, 11 ” does not impact the performance of the electrical protection device 2, and on the contrary improves the performance of the electrical protection device 2. Consequently, by placing said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ′, 11 ”only and selectively opposite the positioning zone P and so that it extends according to the predetermined length L1, the compactness, the gas-generating effect and the performance of the extinguishing device according to the invention are improved.
• the first and second median axes M1, M2 each extend in a transverse direction which is in the direction of the width 11 of the fractionation plate 3.
• Each fractionation plate 3 comprises two main faces 12.
• the largest extension dimension of said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 1 G, 11 ” extends in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral edge 5 of said at least one fractionation plate 3, opposite of which the anti-priming element 11, 1 G, 11 ”is disposed (FIGS. 3B, 5, 6A, 8, 9 and 11).
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 1 G, 11 ” is arranged upstream of the fractionation zone 9 of the electric arc (FIGS. 3A and 3B).
• This arrangement forms an obstacle preventing the return of a fractional electric arc EF which would be located in the fractionation zone 9 in the second direction of re-ignition D2 towards the entry zone 8, without hindering or passing the electric arc, nor the splitting of the electric arc and without creating additional bulk.
• the predetermined length L1 is less (FIGS. 3B, 5, 6A, 9 and 11) or equal (FIG. 8) to a width 11 of the fractionation plate 3.
• the predetermined length L1 is, preferably, at least greater than or equal to three quarters of the width lbl of the branch 10.
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 consists of a projecting portion of predetermined length L1 which projects from at least one of the two support elements 4 (FIGS. 3B, 4, 5, 6 A 6B, 7, 8) or at least one separate support piece ( Figures 10 and 11).
• the disjointed support piece may consist of a part of an envelope of the electrical protection device 2, for example, a side wall 23 of the envelope, a portion of which is situated at the level of the extinguishing chamber 22 of the electric arc.
• the projecting portion can consist of an elongated element, preferably rectilinear.
• This particularly advantageous arrangement according to the first possibility makes it possible to take advantage of the existence of the two elements of support 4, which have the primary function of supporting the fractionation plates 3, or of a disjointed support piece, to arrange said at least one anti-reboot element 11, 11 ”therein. It also results in ease of implementation of the present invention at the time of assembly of the electrical protection device 2, since no other additional part must be added or added.
• said at least one of the support elements 4 comprises a plate 13 comprising two large lateral edges 14 and said projecting portion of said at least one anti-reboot element 11 projects from large side edges 14 ( Figures 3B, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7, 8).
• the plate 13 is preferably perforated.
• each support element 4 comprises a plate 13 comprising a plurality of protruding portions forming a plurality of anti-priming elements 11 and the protruding portions of one of the plates 13 being located opposite protruding portions of the other of the plates 13 ( Figures 5, 6 A and 6B).
• the pair of plate 13, optionally perforated, each provided with projecting portions constitutes two parts.
• Each part then has a comb shape having an L-shaped section, the teeth of which correspond to the projecting portions (FIG. 4).
• These parts may have come from molding.
• these plates 13 provided with the protruding portions may be made of a polymer material, for example polyamide.
• each perforated plate 13 has two rows RI, R2 substantially parallel to one another with perforations 13 'aligned.
• One of the rows R2 is located in the immediate vicinity of the lateral edge 14 from which the projecting portions extend.
• the protruding portions of length L1 and thickness e are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other by a regular interval by a perforation 13 '.
• the projecting portions consist of elongated rectilinear elements.
• the protruding portions of a perforated plate 13 are fourteen in number.
• the perforations 13 'of each row R1, R2 are thirteen in number.
• a perforation 13 ' is provided to form a fixing with a tongue 3' projecting from the lateral edge 5 of the fractionation plate 3.
• the tongues 3 ' are arranged to be fitted into the perforations 13'.
• each support element 4 comprises a plate 13 comprising a plurality of projecting portions and the projecting portions of one of the plates 13 are connected to the projecting portions of the other of the plates 13, of so as to form a plurality of anti-restriking elements 11 of predetermined length L1 substantially equal to the width 11 of the fractionation plate 3 ( Figures 7 and 8).
• the plate 13 is preferably perforated.
• each perforated plate 13 has two rows R1, R2 substantially parallel to each other with aligned perforations 13 '.
• One of the rows R2 is located in the immediate vicinity of the lateral edge 14 from which the projecting portions extend which in this example are in the form of elongated rectilinear elements.
• the plurality of elongated rectilinear elements forms a center distance between the two perforated plates 13 which are kept parallel to each other and at a distance.
• Each straight elongate element has a length L1 and a thickness e.
• the plurality of elongate rectilinear elements are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced from each other by a regular interval by a perforation 13 '.
• the perforations 13 'of each row R1, R2 are thirteen in number.
• a 13 'hole is provided to form a fixing with a tongue 3 'projecting from the lateral edge 5 of the fractionation plate 3.
• the tongues 3' are arranged to be fitted into the perforations 13 '.
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11 is arranged opposite and at a distance from the main face 12 of at least one fractionation plate 3 (FIG. 6B).
• said at least one anti-reboot element 11 ′ consists of at least one coating layer extending only over all or part of the positioning zone P (FIG. 9).
• said at least one anti-re-priming element 11, 11 ', 11 ” is arranged opposite and in contact with the main face 12 of at least one fractionation plate 3.
• the device 1 for extinguishing the electric arc comprises a plurality of central anti-re-ignition elements 11, 11 ′, 11 ”which each extend between two adjacent fractionation plates 3 (FIGS. 3A, 6B, 8 and 11).
• the thickness e of the anti-priming element 11, 11 ', 11 is preferably strictly less than the distance interval I between two adjacent fractionation plates 3 and greater than half the distance I between two fractionation plates 3.
• the device 1 for extinguishing the electric arc comprises at least one extremal anti-re-ignition element 11, 11 ′, 11 ”disposed opposite an extremal fractionation plate 3 (FIGS. 3 A, 3B, 5, 6A, 8 and 11).
• the extinguishing device 1 has thirteen fractionation plates 3, including two extremal fractionation plates 3, twelve central anti-priming elements 11 and two extremal anti-priming elements 11 .
• the extinguishing device 1 can be configured so that between each adjacent fractionation plate 3 is disposed a central anti-priming element 11, or for a number n of fractionation plates 3, nl number of anti-priming element 11 central reboots.
• the fire extinguisher the fire extinguisher
• an electrical protection device 2 comprises:
• At least one first line comprising a pair of contacts, respectively a fixed contact 15 and a movable contact 16,
• - trigger means 20 comprising at least one magnetic actuator 21 and / or thermal 21 ’and / or electronic provided for actuating said at least one trigger 19, 19’ for the triggering of the mechanical lock 18, and
• the electrical protection device is configured to:
• the extinguishing chamber 22 of the electric arc comprises the extinguishing device 1 of the electric arc according to the invention.
• the electrical protection device 2 comprises an envelope which comprises two side walls 23, the extinguishing chamber 22 of the electric arc being delimited at least by the two side walls 23 on at least one of which is arranged said at least anti-priming element 11 ”(FIGS. 10 and 11).
• This particularly advantageous arrangement makes it possible to take advantage of the existence of at least one side wall 23, the main function of which is to mechanically hold the various components of the electrical protection device 2, in order to place said at least one element therein. 11 ”anti-reboot. This also results in ease of implementation of the present invention at the time of assembly of the electrical protection device 2, since no other additional part needs to be added.
• the support elements 4 which then appear, preferably in the form of two perforated plates 13 comprising two rows R1, R2 substantially parallel to one another with perforations 13 'aligned.
• said at least anti-priming element 11 is preferably molded or overmolded during the manufacture of the latter.
• the side walls 23 and said at least one anti-priming element 11 can be made of a polymer material, for example polyamide.
• At least one of the side walls 23 comprises a plurality of anti-priming elements 11 "consisting of a plurality of projecting portions of predetermined length L1 (FIGS. 10 and 11).
• the protruding portions of length L1 and of thickness e are substantially parallel to one another and are spaced from each other by a regular interval.
• the projecting portions consist of elongated rectilinear elements.
• either only one of the side walls 23 can comprise the plurality of anti-priming elements 11 ", or each of the side walls 23 can comprise the plurality of anti-priming elements 11".
• the component Ue can be of the order of 18 Volts, while the second component E0 can be of a few Volts per millimeter. It follows from this relationship, that to increase the tension of the Uarc electric arc, it is better to split the electric arc into a multitude of fractional electric arcs EF, in order to maximize the preponderant term Ue, rather than lengthening the electric arc, it is the choice that is made in the present invention which seeks to favor compactness.
• the extinguishing chamber 22 of the electric arc can be cut into three sub-assemblies.
• the fixed contact 15 comprises an electrode or contact pad 24, which can be made of a graphite silver alloy (AgC).
• the movable contact 16 can in turn be silver copper (Cu / Ag). The electric arc is formed in this first sub-assembly when the fixed / mobile contacts 15, 16 are opened.
• the second sub-assembly also called prechamber, are located two conductive horns 25 and 26 which are opposite one another and which delimit the prechamber 27. Their function is to guide the electric arc towards the plurality of fractionation plates 3.
• One of the conductive horns 25 carries the fixed contact 15.
• the conductive horns 25, 26 are preferably made of mild steel coated with copper or nickel.
• the conductive horns 25, 26 are divergent from the first sub-assembly to the third sub-assembly.
• the prechamber 27 can also comprise two insulating cheeks 27 ′ facing one another and which are mounted on the side walls 23.
• these insulating cheeks 27 ′ can be made of polymer, such as polyamide.
• the insulating flanges 27 ’ have the function of forming exhaust channels C for the expulsion of the ionized gases created within the extinguishing chamber 22 of the electric arc.
• the device 1 for extinguishing the electric arc is arranged the device 1 for extinguishing the electric arc according to the invention.
• This third sub-assembly therefore comprises at least a plurality of fractionation plates 3 of the electric arc arranged substantially parallel with respect to each other and being held together by an interval of distance I between two adjacent fractionation plates 3 by two support elements 4 arranged on at least part of each lateral edge 5 that each of the fractionation plates includes 3.
• One of the conductive horns 26 extends into this third sub-assembly.
• the fractionation plates 3 can be of mild steel coated with copper or nickel.
• the two support elements 4 can be made of insulating material, for example, in insulating cardboard.
• the width 11 of the fractionation plates 3 occupies substantially the entire width lm of the electrical protection device 2, this width possibly being of a module, as explained below (FIGS. 2B and 3B).
• the width 11 can be substantially between 13 and 15 millimeters, while the width lm of the electrical protection device 2 can be 18 millimeters.
• the electrical protection device 2 is preferably of the modular type, and thus has a width lm multiple of a module, that is to say that the distance between the two side walls 23 of the envelope of the electrical protection device 2 corresponds to a multiple of a standardized value, called a module.
• the width of a module is approximately 18 millimeters.
• the electrical protection device 2 has a width lm of a single module ( Figures 2B and 3B).
• the electrical protection device 2 may consist of a circuit breaker or a differential circuit breaker, preferably of the modular type.
• the electrical protection device 2 can be provided to protect a single line (electrical protection device 2 monopolar) or several lines (electrical protection device 2 multipolar).
• the first line may include a first connection terminal 28 and a second connection terminal 29 between which the fixed contact 15 and the movable contact are disposed 16.
• the first connection terminal 28 is preferably designed to be electrically connected to the electrical network
• the second connection terminal 29 is preferably designed to be electrically connected to a load, of an electrical installation.
• the fixed contact 15 can be electrically connected to the first connection terminal 28 and the movable contact 16 can be electrically connected to the second connection terminal 29.
• the magnetic actuator 21 is electrically connected, on the one hand, to the first connection terminal 28 and, on the other hand, to the fixed contact 15, between the latter.
• the magnetic actuator 21 comprises a coil 30 surrounding a movable core 31 in translation capable of striking the trigger 19, so as to actuate the mechanical lock 18.
• the movable core 31 is configured to move in the event of a short circuit.
• the thermal actuator 2 G is electrically connected, on the one hand, to the second connection terminal 29 and on the other hand, to the movable contact 16, between the latter.
• the thermal actuator 21 ′ may consist of a bimetallic strip, electrically or not connected to the movable contact 4 by a flexible conductor (not shown) such as a conductive braid, arranged to actuate the trigger 19 'under the effect of a deformation of the bimetallic strip so as to actuate the mechanical lock 18.
• the bimetallic strip is deformed by direct or indirect heating of the flexible conductor, in the event of prolonged overcurrent.

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• 2018
  • 2018-09-25 WO PCT/FR2018/052346 patent/WO2020065141A1/fr unknown
  • 2018-09-25 AU AU2018443896A patent/AU2018443896B2/en active Active
  • 2018-09-25 EP EP18796707.0A patent/EP3857585B1/fr active Active
  • 2018-09-25 CN CN201880098054.2A patent/CN113168983B/zh active Active

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