High-voltage switches with arc preventing or extinguishing devic – Arc preventing or extinguishing devices – Magnetic blowout
Patent
1996-07-31
1998-03-24
Spyrou, Cassandra C.
High-voltage switches with arc preventing or extinguishing devic
Arc preventing or extinguishing devices
Magnetic blowout
218157, 335201, H01H 944
Patent
active
057315612
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical power switch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A power switch has been disclosed by the French Patent. No. 1 194 613. For the operation of this power switch, it is essential that a movement of the gas volume take place inside the sealed gas chamber. The thermal buoyancy of the switching arc at the switch contact arrangement contributes to this. An influence acting toward the same end can be exerted on the switching arc by a suitable configuration of the power lead-in to the switching contact arrangement, by the fact that an electrodynamic loop force occurs. Overlaid on the two aforesaid influences, however, immediately upon opening of the contact elements of the switch contact arrangement, is a strong pressure surge associated with striking of the switching arc. The effect of this pressure surge in the sealed gas chamber can cause the desired movement of the switching arc to be impeded or even temporarily reversed. This results in reduced switching capacity and increased wear of the switch contact arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates an electrical power switch with a switch contact arrangement having one stationary and one movable contact element, a drive apparatus for closing and opening the switch contact arrangement, an insulating housing receiving the switch contact arrangement as well as connector bars joining it to an external power circuit, an arc quenching device having arc splitters, with an inlet opening facing the contact elements and an outlet opening facing away from the contact elements, and a chamber, adjoining the outlet opening, providing additional cooling of switching gases emerging from the arc quenching device.
It is the object of the present invention, in a power switch with a sealed gas chamber, to achieve reliable forward movement of the switching arc on the contact elements.
The described object is achieved, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by having an electrical power switch with an arc quenching device having arc splitters, gas baffles deflecting the switching gases into the flow channel which are arranged at the outlet opening of the arc quenching device, a valve active in the flow direction of the switching gases being arranged in the flow channel on the side of the contact elements facing away from the inlet opening of the arc quenching device, where the flow channel includes a contour which fits in approximately curved fashion around the switch contact arrangement.
The use of an arc quenching device with arc splitters in power switches is known in the art as disclosed in the German Reference No. DE 1 021 054. In conjunction with this, it is also known to arrange a valve active in the flow direction of the switching gases at the movable contact element. As a result, the switching gases can move only in the desired direction, and a switching arc is quickly moved from the contact elements to the arc splitters.
In the electrical power switch according to the present invention, an increase in switching power level is achieved by means of the gas baffles in conjunction with the curved contour of the flow channel, while retaining the essential advantage that no switching gases are emitted to the outside.
Moreover, with the electrical power switch according to the present invention, it is not necessary to connect the valve to the movable contact element. Instead, the valve can be configured as a valve flap to be opened by the switching gases and the valve may return to its blocking position in response to gravity. An arrangement according to the present invention proves to be robust and reliable with regard to the stresses occurring during operation of a power switch.
The strength of a flow of switching gases in the flow channel depends on the magnitude of the particular current being interrupted. This phenomenon can be utilized, in particular, for rapid tripping of current-limiting power switches. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a mova
REFERENCES:
patent: 2293452 (1942-08-01), Boehne
patent: 3243559 (1966-03-01), Heft
patent: 4571565 (1986-02-01), Belbel et al.
patent: 4650946 (1987-03-01), Maier et al.
patent: 5153545 (1992-10-01), Ferullo et al.
Manthe Karl-Heinz
Seidler-Stahl Gunter
Friedhofer Michael A.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Spyrou Cassandra C.
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