High-voltage switches with arc preventing or extinguishing devic – Arc preventing or extinguishing devices – Housing structure
Patent
1997-03-07
1998-09-22
Scott, J. R.
High-voltage switches with arc preventing or extinguishing devic
Arc preventing or extinguishing devices
Housing structure
218157, H01H 930, H01H 7318
Patent
active
058117482
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a low-voltage power switch with a switching chamber and a switching contact arrangement in the switching chamber and with an arc extinguishing device.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A low-voltage power switch is described in European Patent Application No. 0 437 151, where interaction of the curved lateral surface with the stationary rib limits the passage of switching gases in the direction of the drive parts that are upstream from the switching contact arrangement and that are connected to the contact support with an articulated joint. Furthermore, the space upstream from the switching contact arrangement contains additional sensitive electromechanical and electronic components that must be protected from exposure to switching gases.
However, as a preferred flow path is imparted to the switching gases, the pressure of the switching gases in the remaining directions increases to the same extent. This is desirable inasmuch as it results in a propulsive force acting on the arc traveling between the arc splitters of the arc extinguisher after the arc is ignited between the separating contacts. In this connection, the propagation of the pressure wave emanating from the arc in an unwanted direction is advantageous due to a design of the switching space provided for the contacts below the extinguishing space so that the contacts and the parts connected to them are closely surrounded by the chamber walls at the side and on the end facing away from the extinguishing space in such a way that the only possibility of expansion is in the direction of the arc extinguishing chamber as described in German Patent Application No 1 021 054. Apart from the problem of creating an arrangement with these properties that conforms to practical requirements and is not complicated to manufacture, another problem is that with large power switches the arc extinguishing chamber can be manufactured only as a separate unit, and when connecting it to the main body of the power switch, there is also the problem of sealing the gap and joints from the technical point of view to prevent the passage of ionized switching gases and especially to prevent electric arcing due to gases that escape nevertheless.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a low-power switch with a switching chamber and a switching contact arrangement in the switching chamber and with an arc extinguishing device, where the switching contact arrangement has an insulating contact support that is mounted so it can pivot relative to a stationary counter-contact, and where the contact support has a lateral surface that is approximately concentric with the bearing and is a slight distance opposite a stationary rib.
According to the present invention, a low-voltage power switch with an increased switching capacity and improved electrical safety includes a contact support that has an apron-like projection below the contacts on its side facing the stationary counter-contact and a matching recess in a wall of the switching chamber to A first rib is provided at a distance from the second rib forming an eddy chamber. The power switch also includes a extinguishing device on the switching chamber that is provided between the rear of the switching contact arrangement and the arc extinguishing device.
When used together, these features solve the problem of guiding the switching gases, because the pressure of the switching gases acts predominantly in the direction of the arc extinguishing chamber and therefore the movement of the arc between the arc splitters is accelerated. The amount of switching gases escaping into the other areas of the power switch is thus accordingly low, and therefore the negative effect on the electric properties is also reduced.
With power switches of a compact design, described for example, in U.S. Pat. No. A 2,854,555, an operating handle may be provided with a curved shield mounted facing the ribs on the inside of the housing cover. When a distance that is required for mechanical reas
REFERENCES:
patent: 2854555 (1958-09-01), Ednunds
patent: 4764650 (1988-08-01), Bur et al.
Bottcher Martin
Manthe Karl-Heinz
Turkmen Sezai
Scott J. R.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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