[go: up one dir, main page]

US2284840A - Fluid blast circuit breaker - Google Patents

Fluid blast circuit breaker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2284840A
US2284840A US238632A US23863238A US2284840A US 2284840 A US2284840 A US 2284840A US 238632 A US238632 A US 238632A US 23863238 A US23863238 A US 23863238A US 2284840 A US2284840 A US 2284840A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
blast
arc
contacts
gas
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US238632A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
William E Paul
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
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 to GB3822/33A priority Critical patent/GB434501A/en
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to US238632A priority patent/US2284840A/en
Priority to DEL99381D priority patent/DE764001C/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2284840A publication Critical patent/US2284840A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/88—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts
    • H01H33/90—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts this movement being effected by or in conjunction with the contact-operating mechanism
    • H01H33/91—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid the flow of arc-extinguishing fluid being produced or increased by movement of pistons or other pressure-producing parts this movement being effected by or in conjunction with the contact-operating mechanism the arc-extinguishing fluid being air or gas
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G13/00—Weighing apparatus with automatic feed or discharge for weighing-out batches of material

Definitions

  • My invention relates to fluid blast circuit breakers, and more particularly to gas blast circuit breakers wherein a source of pressure, independent of the magnitude of the current to be interrupted, is utilized to effect arc interruption.
  • the principal object of my invention is the DIO- vision of an improved fluid blast circuit breaker that has high interrupting capacity and that is efficient and positive in operation throughout the entire rating of the circuit breaker.
  • a further object of my invention is the provision of means in a iiuid blast circuit breaker for segregating or isolating metallic vapor formed by the arc at the coacting contact surfaces so that the portion of the arc path subject to the fluid blast, is substantially free of said metallic vapor.
  • a further object of my invention is the provision in a fluid blast circuit breaker of improved blast producing meansl including a supplemental source of stored energy for supplementing and sustaining the fluid blast at the arc.
  • a further object of my invention is the provision of an improved operating means in a fluid blast circuit breaker of the character above defined for relating the contact structure'to pneumatic operating means.
  • Fig. 1 is an elevational'view, partly in section and partly diagrammatlcally shown, of a fluid blast circuit breaker in the open circuit position vthereof embodying the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lcircuit breaker in the closed circuit position
  • Fig. 3 is a modiedform oi' my invention illustrating a double-break type gas blast breaker.
  • Figs. l and 2 comprises a pair of relaf tively movable contacts I and 2 'operable within an insulating casing 3 which forms a blast passage 4 for directing flow of gas through and transversely of the arc path upon separation of the contacts.
  • the insulating casing I also' includes an karc chute l having so-called insulating arc splitters 6 into which the arcl is blown by the diminish the effectiveness of the gas blast. That fpassage l to engage the fixed contact I.
  • contact 2 is normally biased by ay spring I0 towards open circuit position, and in the closed be apparent that the metallic vapor in the arc path can be limited to a Very small amount.
  • the contact I is substantially fixed and has a limited movement or wipe at the resilient mounting 9.
  • the movable rod contact 2 is guided for reciprocal movement in the casing 3 and is operable across the blast
  • the circuit position referring to Fig. 2, engages the contact I within thepocket 1. Accordingly, when the breaker is opened, the arc is initially formed in the'pocket 1 and is drawn entirely across the blast passage l to the opposite pocket 8.
  • the blast passage Jextending transversely of the intermediate portion of the arc path is of divergingshape so that the blast has high" velocity at the intermediate portion of the arc opposite the aro splitters.
  • the effectiveness of the gas blast is further increased by designing the blastpassage so that the maximum gas velocity is at the entrance to the arc splitters, as contrasted rwith the usual method wherein the maximum velocity is at the point where the arc is formed.
  • the operating means for the switch contacts comprises inthe present instance an operating rod I I that is related through tripping means, generally indicated at I2, to a piston
  • the contact biasing spring I moves the contact 2 toward the open circuit position indicated in Fig. l.
  • the circuit closing operation can be effected when the tripping device I2 is reset, as illustrated, by admitting gas under pressure to the piston cylinder I4, as by means of a manually controlled valve I5.
  • the piston I3 in moving toward the opposite end of the cylinder'also compresses a spring I6 in addition to the circuit closing operation on the contact 2. l
  • crank I1 having a xed pivot at I8 is connected at I9 to the piston rod extension 20.
  • the crank I1 also has connected thereto a tripping magnet 2
  • the magnet and its armature are copivotally mounted on the crank 'Ihe magnet 2
  • The' magnet and crank are normally biased in opposite directions as shown.
  • a latch V25 copivotally mounted with respect to the armature 22 at 23, is provided with a roller 26 adapted to engage the end of the switch A operating rod II.
  • the latch 25 is also mounted at 2 1 for limited movement with respect to the magnet 2
  • the armature 22 has a lost-motion connection, such as a pin and slot connection indicated at 28, with latch 25 so as to deliver a ha'- ner blow to the latch in response to a tripping impulse.
  • the apparatus When the piston stroke is completed, the apparatus is in the position shown by Fig. 2 wherein it is held against the bias of springs I0 and IS'by the gas pressure from the line 29. Accordingly, in the closed position of the switch, the valve I5 remains open and is closed by any suitable means after a circuit interruption. Gas leakage from the cylinder Il is prevented by the piston seating as a valve at I3'.
  • the cylinder I 4 therefore functions both as an expansible reservoir for storing gas under pressure and as contact operating means.
  • the usual current transformer 3l! can be related to suitable tripping relays for initiating both the gas blast and the circuit opening 'operation
  • the current transformer 30 can actuate both a valve operating relay 3
  • the purpose of relay 32 is to synchronize the contact opening with the gas blast.
  • is operated instantaneously ⁇ in response to a tripping impulse at 3D to open the exhaust valve 33 for releasing the pressure at the lower side of the blast valve V.
  • the pressure is equalized on both sides of the valve by reason'of a bleed vent 3l and the valve is seated at 35 under bias of the valve spring 3I. Therefore, when the pressure is unbalanced by opening of the exhaust valve 33, the pressure in the cylinder Il causes instant opening of the valve V and a high velocity gas blast through the switch passage I.
  • the stored blast energy'in the cylinder or reservoir Il therefore, insures an imating rod II, the contact spring I0 operates the "through the iat-chas, It ⁇ will be noted'l that the mediate supply of a large volume of gas for blast purposes so that the supply line 29 need not be of large size. This is important where the gas supply must be conserved.
  • relay 32 For the purpose of insuring a gas blast at the instant of contact separation, there is introduced a slight delay by means of relay 32 in actuating the tripping device I2.
  • the relay 32 closes the ⁇ energizing circuit of the coil 2
  • the piston spring I6 starts to deliver its stored energy to supplement and sustain the main arc interrupting blast.
  • the pressure within the cylinder Il immediately drops so that the high initial' blast velocity would not be maintained except for the sustaining blast by the piston as.
  • the piston I3 is effective to maintain the blast at high velocity for a suillcient interruption period.
  • the contact opening movement is independent of the speed of the return stroke of the piston.
  • the stored energy imparted to the piston serves to maintain a high velocity blast across the arc path an appreciable time after full contact separation.
  • 'Ihe arrangement also permits high speed opening of the switch since the opening spring III need accelerate only the movable contact and its operating rod.
  • the mechanism is reset when the piston I3 reaches the end of its stroke, as shown in Fig. l.
  • the tripping device I2 is rotated clockwise during the return stroke of the piston and the resilient connection'at 21 serves to bias the latch roller 26 behind the contact operating rod li at the end of the stroke. It will be noted that the mechanism is "trip-free near -the end of the closing ystroke since the latch can be actuated by the magnet 2l to release the contact 2 at .this part of the stroke.
  • the control means for the valve l5 can be of any suitable type and is shown as manually operated for purposes of clearness. It will be ,obvious, however. that a remote control system can be employed for opening the valve to initiate the closing operation and for automatically closing i the valve when the circuit is interrupted.
  • the gas blast circuit breaker comprises essentially a pair of xed terminal contacts 40 and 4l arranged to be engaged and bridged by a movable contact 42 having rod contact portions 43 and 44.
  • the rod contacts 43 and 44 make butt contact engagement with the iixed contacts and are resiliently mounted at 43' and 44', respectively, on the bridging member for limited overtravel or Wipef
  • the bridging member is operated by a pair of insulating rods 45that are operatively connected to a piston 4i through a resilient connection 4l.
  • the piston 46 in turn is connected to an operating rod 4l guided with -respect to the piston cylinder 49.
  • operating rod can be connected to suitable actuating mechanism (not shown). It will, therefore, be noted that the arrangement is such that opening movement of the contacts through the operating rod 48 also is accompanied by move ment of the piston 46' in a direction to direct a gas blast in thedirection of the contacts.
  • the piston cylinder 49 is adapted to communicate with an arcing chamber and chute structure generally indicated at 50.
  • I'he arc chute includes a pair of insulating arc chambers 5I and 52 separated in the present instance by an insulating partition 53. Each chamber is arranged to be in communication with the cylinder 49 through passages 5I' and 52 respectively.
  • the contacts 43 and 44 in opening pass through the chambers 5I and 52, respectively, and a plurality of arc splitters 54 are disposed in the chute transversely of the arc path atthe opposite open sides of the arc chambers. I'hc arc gases are therefore directed in opposite directions from the two breaks so that the danger of flash-over, where high voltages are in volved, is minimized.
  • the arcing chambers 5I arc at high voltages.
  • the loop inthe circuit at the arc chambers causes the magnetic forces to be utilized so as to assist the gas blast in driving the arcs into the arc splitters. That is, the magnetic forces set up by the current to be interrupted tend to drive the arcs into the arc splitters independently of the gas blast so that the latter thereby can be even more effective.
  • the lost motion resilient connections at"41 between the piston 46 and the bridging contact 42 permits an initially high acceleration independently of the bridging contact so that there is present an effective gas blast at the instant of contact separation.
  • the contact rods 45 are directly engaged to insurefpositive separation oi the contacts. This contact opening speed is very high since the movable contact structure is automatically picked up and accelerated by the ⁇ inertia of the piston and operating mechanism which are at this point moving at high speed.
  • An electric air circuit breaker of the cross .blast type comprising relatively movable contacts, independent pressure means for directing and 52 are arranged so that both terminals of the arc can be exteriorly lof the arc chambers, and vhence removed from the main gas blast, when the contacts are in the separated position shown. vertical spaced relation. the ilxed contacts so as to form pockets 55 and 56 for segregating the metallic vapor at the points of initial arc formation. As illustrated, the metallic vapor is vented at opposite sides of the arc chute and does not enter the arc path. In the same manner the metallic vapor at the contacts 43 and 44 can be vented through the upper open end'of the chute.
  • An advantage of the present arrangement is arc splitters. provides a comparatively long 'creepage path for preventing restriking of the To this end the chambers overhang, in
  • An electric air circuit breaker of the cross blast type comprising a pair of relatively movable contacts, an independent source of fluid pressure, insulating means forming a iluid passage from -said source. extending transversely of the arc path formed upon separation of said contacts, said insulating means forming pockets at opposite sides of said fluid passage and separate therefrom, and means for eiecting separation oi said contacts so that the extremities of the arc path are located substantially within said pockets, said pockets being vented independently of said iluid passages.
  • An electric air circuit breaker of the cross blast type comprising a pair of relatively movable contacts', means forming a uid passage for directing under pressure a uid blast substantially transversely of and through an intermediate section of the arc path formed upon separation of said contacts, and insulting barrier means disposed adjacent each side of the said passage and oiiset with respect to said iluid blast beyond which each end of the arc is drawn for segregating metallic vapor formed at the corresponding contact surfaces, said insulating barrier means defining es for venting said metallic vapor to atmosphere independently of the arc path.
  • An electric circuit breaker of the gas blast type comprising relatively movable contacts, means for separating said contacts. passage means for directing a gas blast through the arc path ,formed upon contact separation, a main source of pressure for said gas blast, and a second supplementary source of blast energy including a spring arranged normally to be held under tension by the pressure from said first source, said main and supplementary sources both communicating with said passage means for interrupting the arc.
  • An electric circuit breaker of the gas blast type comprising relatively movable contacts, means for separating said contacts, means for directing a gas blast through the arc path formed upon contact separation, a source of pressure for said gas blast, a blast valve for controlling admission of gas from said source directly to said contacts, and a second supple' mentary source of blast energy including an expansibie reservoir arranged normally to be un- -der pressure from said rst source, said valve also controlling admission of gas from said reservoir to said contacts so that opening of said valve releases said reservoir energy for sustaining the blast from said first source.
  • An electric circuit breaker of the gas blas type comprising relatively movable contacts, a iluid passage for directing a gas blastpthrough the arc path formed by contact separation, a source of pressure for said gas blast, a blast controlling 'valve directly interposed with respect' to said source and passage, a cylinder having a spring biased piston arranged .to be in communication with said source in the closed position of said contacts independently of said blast valve whereby said piston is biased to a spring charging position, said valve also interposed with respect ⁇ to said piston and passage, and means for opening said blast valve whereby the gas blast from said source isV supplemented by said spring charged piston and directed through said passage for interrupting the arc upon separation of said contacts.
  • a gas blast circuit breaker comprising separable contacts arranged form'v two breaks in series, insulating arc chamber Vmeans within which said breaks are formed, said chamber means having apertures through whichthe arcs at said breaks ,are drawn so that the extremities of said arcs are exteriorly of said chamber, said chamber also opening to' exhaust the arc gases at each break in opposite directions, the aforesaid exterior extremities of said yarc being vented directly to atmosphere independently of said chamber exhaust opening, arc splitters at said exhaust openings, means for directing gas under pressure into said chamber means upon separation of said contacts to interrupt arcing at said splitters, and means for operating said contacts.
  • a gas blast circuit breaker comprising a pairof iixed contacts, a coacting bridging contact arranged to form two breaks in thecircuit, insulating means including barriers extending transversely of the arcs at said'breaks for partially confining the arcs formed at said breaks, said barriers having apertures through which said arcs are drawn so that but theintermediate portions of each arc are coniined by said insulating means, said coniining means opening in opposite ⁇ directionscorresponding to the directions in which said arcs are biased by the magnetic forces thereof, the extremities of said arcs being vented directly to atmosphere independently of theopposite openings in said conning means, a plurality of arc splitters at said exhaust openings, and means for directing gas under pressure into said confining means to drive said arcs into said arc splitters in accordance with the contact opening operation.
  • a gas blastcircuit breaker comprising an insulating arc chute having a comparatively narrow entrance portion and a liiared exhaust portion, relatively movable contacts separable at said entrance portion, means deilning a uid passage for directing a-gas blast into said chute at said entrance portion and transversely of the arc path formed upon separation of said con.
  • v tacts and a plurality of insulating are splitters contacts, and electroresponsive control means disposed in ⁇ said' chute and" extending edgewise in spaced flaring relation from points adjacent to said arc path toward the 'chute exhaust so as to define a plurality of blast 'passages through said chute, one oi' Asaid arc splitters forming with lsaid chute a passage off-set with respect .to said blast passages so'that'it is not traversed by the main gas blast, saidoflset passage being in rcornmunication with one of said contacts for'venting arcgases and vapors at said" contact independently4 of the main arc interrupting blast.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
  • Weight Measurement For Supplying Or Discharging Of Specified Amounts Of Material (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US238632A 1934-03-08 1938-11-03 Fluid blast circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime US2284840A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB3822/33A GB434501A (en) 1934-03-08 1934-03-08 Improvements in or relating to means for delivering material in quantities of predetermined weight
US238632A US2284840A (en) 1934-03-08 1938-11-03 Fluid blast circuit breaker
DEL99381D DE764001C (de) 1934-03-08 1939-11-03 Schalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch ein stroemendes Druckmittel

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB3822/33A GB434501A (en) 1934-03-08 1934-03-08 Improvements in or relating to means for delivering material in quantities of predetermined weight
US238632A US2284840A (en) 1934-03-08 1938-11-03 Fluid blast circuit breaker

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2284840A true US2284840A (en) 1942-06-02

Family

ID=26238617

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US238632A Expired - Lifetime US2284840A (en) 1934-03-08 1938-11-03 Fluid blast circuit breaker

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US2284840A (de)
DE (1) DE764001C (de)
GB (1) GB434501A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3674956A (en) * 1970-11-19 1972-07-04 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Puffer type circuit interrupter
EP3273463A1 (de) * 2016-07-18 2018-01-24 General Electric Technology GmbH Elektrischer schalter mit einer lichtbogen-löscheinheit
US10984973B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2021-04-20 General Electric Technology Gmbh Electric switch provided with an arc-blasting unit

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2451534A (en) * 1945-10-31 1948-10-19 Graham Company Inc Machine for weighing and packing mixed nuts or the like
US2595908A (en) * 1946-04-03 1952-05-06 Wright Machinery Co Automatic weighing machine
US2638305A (en) * 1949-04-04 1953-05-12 Robert L Miller Weight proportioning means and method

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE521637C (de) * 1931-03-25 Voigt & Haeffner Akt Ges Anordnung zum Loeschen des Lichtbogens an durch Druckluft gesteuerten Schaltern
DE561717C (de) * 1932-10-17 Voigt & Haeffner Akt Ges Schalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch einen Druckluftstrom
DE649239C (de) * 1927-03-11 1937-08-18 Frida Strauss Geb Ruppel Lichtbogenloeschvorrichtung
DE525631C (de) * 1927-11-07 1931-05-27 Siemens Schuckertwerke Akt Ges Hochspannungsschalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch gegen die Schalterkontakte geblasene Druckluft
DE529002C (de) * 1928-11-02 1931-07-08 Siemens Schuckertwerke Akt Ges Druckluftschalter
US1861128A (en) * 1928-12-28 1932-05-31 Milliken Humphreys High-power circuit-breaker
DE624161C (de) * 1933-12-23 1936-01-14 Siemens Schuckertwerke Akt Ges Einrichtung zum Loeschen von Wechselstromlichtboegen in Schaltern und aehnlichen Unterbrechungsvorrichtungen
DE643224C (de) * 1933-12-23 1937-04-05 Siemens Schuckertwerke Akt Ges Einrichtung zum Loeschen von Wechselstromunterbrechungslichtboegen

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3674956A (en) * 1970-11-19 1972-07-04 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Puffer type circuit interrupter
EP3273463A1 (de) * 2016-07-18 2018-01-24 General Electric Technology GmbH Elektrischer schalter mit einer lichtbogen-löscheinheit
US10984973B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2021-04-20 General Electric Technology Gmbh Electric switch provided with an arc-blasting unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE764001C (de) 1954-05-03
GB434501A (en) 1935-09-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2108560A (en) Circuit breaker
US2574334A (en) Air-blast circuit breaker
US3238340A (en) Gas-blast circuit breaker
US2292096A (en) Circuit-breaker operating system
US3009042A (en) Circuit interrupters
US2284840A (en) Fluid blast circuit breaker
US2144372A (en) Electric circuit breaker
US2258226A (en) Electric circuit breaker
US2147497A (en) Electric circuit interrupter
US2552427A (en) Remote control circuit breaker
US3045086A (en) Circuit interrupters
US2969446A (en) Air blast circuit breakers
US2920170A (en) Pneumatically operated circuit breaker having pneumatically assisted arc interrupting means
GB578422A (en) Improvements in or relating to fluid blast electric circuit interrupters
US1398982A (en) Circuit-interrupter
US2477788A (en) Circuit breaker with isolating switch
US2643314A (en) Arc chute
US2360687A (en) Circuit interrupter
US3379849A (en) Dual-pressure gas-blast circuit breaker with piston means and interrupting unit in closed tank
USRE22430E (en) Fluid blast circuit breaker
US3137779A (en) Circuit-breakers having magnetic blow-out means
US2571933A (en) Air circuit breaker
US2290726A (en) Electric circuit breaker
US3538282A (en) Fluid-blast circuit interrupters with exhaust valves responsive solely to the pressure generated by an arc of excessive magnitude
US2992308A (en) High speed switch with impact armature