Switching device incorporating a rupture plate

Abstract

To provide an electrical switching device capable of minimizing or preventing high pressure breach or rapture of a switching device housing.SOLUTION: An electrical switching device includes: a hermetically sealed housing 102; internal components which are within the hermetically sealed housing, and configured to change the state of the switching device from a closed state and an open state in response to input, the closed state allowing current flow through the device, the open state interrupting current flow through the device; and contact structures electrically connected to the internal components for connection to an external circuit. The housing includes a pressure relief mechanism to allow pressure inside the housing to escape from the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 937,692, filed on November 19, 2019. [Background] [Field of the Invention] Described herein are devices related to electrical switching devices such as contactor devices and fuse devices using rupture plates. [Description of Related Art] Connecting and disconnecting electrical circuits has a history as long as electrical circuits, and is often used as a method of switching the power to connected electrical devices between the "on" state and the "off" state. An example of one device commonly used to connect and disconnect circuits is a contactor, which is electrically connected to one or more devices or power sources. The contactor is configured to be able to cut off or conduct the circuit to control the power to and from the device. One type of conventional contactor is a sealed contactor.

[0002] In addition to contactors that serve the purpose of connecting and disconnecting electrical circuits during the normal operation of a device, various additional devices can be used for overcurrent protection. These devices can prevent short circuits, overloads, and permanent damage to the electrical system or connected electrical devices. These devices include circuit-breaking devices that can quickly cut off the circuit in a permanent manner, so that the circuit remains cut off until the circuit-breaking device is repaired, replaced, or reset. One type of such a circuit-breaking device is a fuse. Conventional fuses are a type of low-resistance conductor that functions as a sacrificial device. A common fuse includes a metal wire or piece that melts when an excessive current flows, cutting off the connected circuit.

[0003] As society develops, various innovations for electrical systems and electronic devices are becoming increasingly widespread. Examples of such innovations include recent advancements in electric vehicles, which are becoming the standard for energy efficiency and may eventually replace most conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. In such expensive and commonly used electrical devices, overcurrent protection is particularly applicable for preventing device malfunctions and permanent damage to the device. Furthermore, overcurrent protection can prevent safety issues such as electric shock and electrical fires to people in the vicinity. Such up-to-date improvements to electrical systems and electrical devices require the latest solutions for enhancing safety, convenience, and efficiency.

[0004] One problem associated with conventional contactors and fuse devices is dealing with the internal pressure that can occur during operation. One cause of this internal pressure may be arc discharge between the internal components of the device during operation. For sealed devices, this problem of increasing internal pressure can be even more significant. If the internal pressure becomes excessively high, the housing can be destructively ruptured uncontrollably. This not only renders the device inoperable but also exposes parts outside the housing of the electrical system and anyone working on or near the system to danger due to the release of pressure upon destruction. [Summary] The present invention is directed to an electrical switching device having a pressure relief mechanism to enable the release of internal pressure within the housing of the switching device. The pressure within the housing can be generated by various events. One such event is internal arc discharge within the housing that occurs during the operation of the internal components of the housing. This arc discharge may occur when the contacts of the switching device separate from each other. The pressure relief mechanism according to the present invention enables high pressure to pass through the housing in a more controlled manner to minimize or prevent the housing of the switching device from being destructively ruptured or broken by high pressure.

[0005] The present invention can be used with various switching devices, and in particular, it is applicable to a switching device having a sealed housing. A wide variety of pressure relief mechanisms can be used, including rupture disks and weak points designed in the housing of the switching device.

[0006] One embodiment of an electrical switching device according to the present invention comprises a sealed housing and internal components within the sealed housing. The internal components may be configured to change the state of the switching device between a closed state and an open state in response to an input. In the closed state, current can flow through the device, and in the open state, the current flowing through the device is interrupted. A contact structure that is electrically connected to the internal components and is also capable of connection to an external circuit may also be included. The housing comprises a pressure relief mechanism to allow the pressure inside the housing to escape from the housing.

[0007] These features of the present invention, as well as other further features and advantages, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, like numerals refer to corresponding parts in the figures.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Detailed Description] This disclosure describes in detail various embodiments of a switching device according to the present invention. The present invention can be used in a wide variety of switching devices such as contactors or fuse devices. Those switching devices can be electrically connected to an electrical device or electrical system to turn the power to the connected device or system "on" or "off".

[0010] The switching device can include a sealed housing. And when the contacts separate when switching from the "on" state to the "off" state, arc discharge can occur between the contacts. At higher current levels, due to the arc discharge, the pressure can increase within the housing of the switching device. In the pressure-boost state, the housing of the switching device may be damaged or broken. In order to minimize or eliminate the risk of the housing being damaged, the switching device according to the present invention can include a pressure relief mechanism to release the arc discharge voltage before the housing is damaged. Various embodiments can include a wide variety of pressure relief mechanisms, and some embodiments include a rupture disk or a designed weak part within the housing of the switching device. Those pressure relief mechanisms can open during a high-pressure event and allow air or gas to pass through the housing.

[0011] Throughout this specification, the illustrated preferred embodiments and examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive of the invention. As used herein, the terms "invention", "device", "the invention", or "the device" refer to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents thereof. Further, throughout this specification, references to various features of "the invention", "the device", "the invention", or "the device" do not mean that all embodiments or methods recited in the claims must include the recited features.

[0012] When an element or mechanism is referred to as being "in contact with" or "adjacent to" another element or mechanism, it is understood that the element or mechanism can be in direct contact with or directly adjacent to the other element or mechanism, or intervening elements or mechanisms may be present. When an element is referred to as being "attached to", "connected to", or "coupled to" another element, it is understood that the element can be directly attached to, connected to, or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly attached to", "directly connected to", or "directly coupled to" another element, no intervening elements are present.

[0013] As used herein, relative terms such as "outer", "upper", "lower", "below", "horizontal", "vertical", and the like can be used to describe the relationship of one feature to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass various positions in addition to the positions depicted in the drawings.

[0014] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "The" is intended to include also plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises" and "comprising", as used herein, specify the presence of stated mechanisms, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but are further understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other mechanisms, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to various figures and diagrams that are schematic illustrations of ideal embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, for example, due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, deviations from the shapes as illustrated are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as being limited to the specific shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but should include, for example, shape deviations resulting from manufacturing.

[0016] Before describing specific pressure relief functions or mechanisms according to the present invention, examples of switching devices into which those mechanisms can be incorporated will be described. These are merely exemplary switching devices, and the present invention may be in many other switching devices or in devices other than switching devices. Some of the diverse switching devices in which the present invention can be utilized include a contactor and a fuse configured to be able to switch the device between an "on" state and an "off" state.

[0017] Regarding an exemplary contactor device that can utilize one or more pressure relief mechanisms according to the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a contactor device 100 in a "closed" circuit position, allowing an electric current to flow through the contactor device. The contactor device 100 can include a body 102 (also referred to as a housing 102) and two or more fixed contact structures 104, 106 (two are shown), and the fixed contact structures 104, 106 are configured to electrically connect the internal components of the contactor device to an external circuit such as, for example, an electrical system or an electrical device.

[0018] The body 102 can comprise any suitable material capable of supporting the structure and function of the contactor device 100 as disclosed herein. Preferred materials are robust materials capable of providing structural support to the contactor device 100 without impeding the flow of electricity through the fixed contacts 104, 106 and internal components of the device. In some embodiments, the body 102 comprises a durable plastic or a durable polymer. The body 102 at least partially surrounds the various internal components of the contactor device 100. The contactor device 100 will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

[0019] The body 102 can have any shape suitable for housing the various internal components, including any regular polygon or irregular polygon. The body 102 can be a continuous structure or can comprise a plurality of components joined to each other, for example, a "cup" for the base and a "header" for the top sealed with an epoxy material. Some exemplary body structures include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,321,281, 7,944,333, 8,446,240, and 9,013,254. These patents are all assigned to Gigavac, Inc., the assignee of the present application, and the entire contents of all of them are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0020] The fixed contacts 104, 106 are configured such that various internal components of the contactor device 100 housed within the body 102 can communicate electrically with an external electrical system or electrical device, whereby the contactor device 100 can function as a switch to open or conduct the electrical circuits described herein. The fixed contacts 104, 106 can comprise any conductive material suitable for providing electrical contact to the internal components of the contactor device, for example, various metals and metallic materials, or any electrical contact material or structure known in the art. The fixed contacts 104, 106 can comprise a single continuous contact structure (as shown), or can comprise a plurality of electrically connected structures. For example, in some embodiments, the fixed contacts 104, 106 can comprise two parts, a first part extending from the body 102, the first part being electrically connected to a second part within the body 102 configured to interact with other components within the body described herein.

[0021] The body 102 can be configured such that the internal space of the body 102 that houses the various internal components of the contactor device 100 is sealed. When combined with the use of an electro-negative gas, this sealed configuration can help reduce or prevent electrical arc discharge between adjacent conductive elements and, in some embodiments, can help provide electrical insulation between spatially separated contacts. In some embodiments, the body 102 can be under vacuum conditions. The body 102 can be sealed using any known means for creating a sealed electrical device. Examples of sealed devices include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,321,281, 7,944,333, 8,446,240, and 9,013,254. These patents are all assigned to Gigavac, Inc., the assignee of the present application, and the entire contents of all of them are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

[0022] In some embodiments, the body 102 can be at least partially filled with an electrically negative gas, such as sulfur hexafluoride, or a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur hexafluoride. In some embodiments, the body 102 comprises a material that is of low permeability or substantially impermeable to the gas injected into the housing. In some embodiments, the body can comprise various gases, liquids, or solids configured to improve the performance of the device.

[0023] When not interacting with any of the other components inside the body 102, the fixed contacts 104, 106 are electrically insulated from each other in a manner such that electricity does not freely flow between them. The fixed contacts 104, 106 can be electrically insulated from each other by any known structure or method of electrical insulation.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, when the contactor device 100 is in the "closed" position, the otherwise electrically insulated fixed contacts 104, 106 are each contacted by the movable contact 108. The movable contact 108 functions as a bridge that allows an electrical signal to pass through the device, for example, from the first fixed contact 104 to the movable contact 108 and then to the second contact 106, or vice versa. Therefore, the contactor device 100 can be connected to an electrical circuit, electrical system, or electrical device to conduct the circuit while the movable contact is in electrical contact with the fixed contacts.

[0025] The movable contact 108 can comprise any suitable conductive material, including any of the materials discussed herein with respect to the fixed contacts 104, 106. Similar to the fixed contacts 104, 106, the movable contact 108 can comprise a single continuous structure (as shown), or alternatively can comprise a plurality of components electrically connected to each other that function as a contact bridge between the otherwise electrically insulated fixed contacts 104, 106, thereby allowing electricity to flow through the contactor device 100.

[0026] The movable contact 108 can be configured to be movable so as to be in electrical contact or non-contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106. Thereby, when the movable contact is in electrical contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106, the circuit is "closed", that is, conductive, and when the movable contact 108 is not in electrical contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106, it is "open", that is, interrupted. The fixed contacts 104, 106 are electrically insulated from each other otherwise when not in contact with the movable contact 108. In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the movable contact 108 is physically connected to a shaft structure 110 configured to move along a predetermined path within the contactor device 100. The shaft 110 can be physically connected to the movable contact 108 and can comprise any material or shape suitable for functioning as an internal movable element such that the movable contact 108 can move together with the shaft 110.

[0027] The movement of the shaft 110 controls the movement of the movable contact 108, which in turn controls the position of the movable contact 108 relative to the fixed contacts 104, 106, which in turn controls the flow of electricity through the contactor device 100 as described herein. The movement of the shaft can be controlled by various configurations including, but not limited to, electrical / electronic, magnetic / solenoid, and manual. An example of a manual configuration for controlling a shaft connected to a movable contact is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,013,254. This patent is owned by Gigavac, Inc., the assignee of the present application, and the entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference. Some of these exemplary configurations of the manual control mechanism include magnetic, diaphragm, and bellows configurations.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the movement of the shaft 110 is controlled using a solenoid configuration. The plunger structure 111 is connected to a part of the shaft 110 or at least partially surrounds a part of the shaft 110. The body 102 also houses the solenoid 112. A variety of solenoids can be used, and an example of a suitable solenoid is a solenoid that operates with a relatively high force under low voltage. An example of a suitable solenoid is the solenoid of model number SD1564 N1200 manufactured by commercially available Bicron Inc., but many other solenoids can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger structure 111 can comprise a metallic material that can be moved and controlled by the solenoid 112. The movement of the plunger structure 111 controls the movement of the connected shaft 110, which in turn controls the movement of the further connected movable contact 108.

[0029] The movement distance of the shaft 110 can be controlled using various mechanisms, such as springs that control the movement distance / overtravel distance, or various parts of the body 102 that can block or limit the movement distance of the shaft 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the movement distance of the shaft 110 is partially controlled by a hard stop 113. This hard stop 113 is configured to abut against the wing portion 114 of the shaft 110 when the shaft 110 has moved a sufficient distance from the fixed contacts 104, 106 to limit the distance of the shaft 110. The hard stop 113 can comprise any material or shape suitable for providing a surface that interacts with the shaft 110 to limit the movement or movement distance of the shaft 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hard stop 113 comprises a plastic material.

[0030] In different embodiments, other mechanisms can be provided, such as the arc control magnets and the pyrotechnic opening elements 202, 203, 204 described in U.S. Patent No. 10,388,477, for example. This patent is owned by Gigavac, the assignee of the present application, and its content is incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] In Figure 2, the contactor device 100 is shown in the "open" state. This Figure 2 shows that the shaft 110 has moved such that the connected movable contact 108 is separated from the fixed contacts 104, 106 by the break space gap 302. By the break space gap 302, the movable contact 108 is separated from the fixed contacts 104, 106 by a sufficient distance, and the fixed contacts 104, 106 are otherwise electrically insulated from each other to interrupt the flow of electricity through the device.

[0032] Separate from the contactor device operable to limit or enable the flow of electricity through the device during normal operation, another type of switching device that can function as an exemplary environment for the pressure release mechanism according to the present invention is a fuse device. The fuse device merely enables the flow of electricity through the device during normal operation, but functions as a sacrificial circuit interruption when the threshold current level passes through the device. Figures 3 and 4 show such an exemplary fuse device 430, which comprises a mechanism similar to that of the contactor device 100 of Figures 1 and 2 and operates similarly. However, the fuse device 430 does not include some of the features of the contactor device 100, for example, a solenoid, or other mechanisms for opening and closing the fixed and movable contacts.

[0033] During normal operation, the fuse device 430 is always in the "closed" state, allowing current to flow through the device until the release mechanism is activated, and then, when the device becomes "open", preventing current from flowing through the device. FIGS. 3 and 4 show the main body 432 (similar to the main body 102 in FIGS. 1 to 3 above), and the fixed contacts 434, 436 (similar to the fixed contacts 104, 106 in FIGS. 1 and 2 above). However, in this embodiment, the fixed contacts 434, 436 are formed separately from the power terminals 438, 440. These power terminals 438, 440 are electrically connected to the fixed contacts 434, 436 for connection to an external circuit, and such power terminals and fixed contacts are integrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 3 and 4 further show the movable contact 442 (similar to the movable contact 108 in FIGS. 1 and 2 above), and the shaft structure 444 (similar to the shaft structure 110 in FIGS. 1 to 3 above except for the different shape).

[0034] The shaft structure 444 is connected to the movable contact 442 and the piston structure 446 (similar to the piston structure 204 in FIGS. 1 to 3 above). The contacts can be separated in many ways, and in the illustrated embodiment, the piston structure 446 can at least partially surround the pyrotechnic charge 448. When the pyrotechnic charge 448 is activated, the movable contact 442 and the piston structure 446 are biased away from the fixed contacts 434, 436, thus interrupting the circuit. In some embodiments, the fuse device 430 can include a support structure 450 configured to assist in holding the fixed contacts 434, 436 and the movable contact 442 in place. In some embodiments, by activating the pyrotechnic charge 448, the piston structure 446 is driven away from the pyrotechnic charge with a force such that the support structure 450 is broken or displaced. In some embodiments, the fuse device 430 can be activated by an active signal. In some embodiments, the fuse device 430 can be activated by a passive trigger configuration as discussed herein. FIG. 4 shows the fuse device 430 in the "closed" state, in which the fixed contacts 434, 436 and the movable contact 442 are integral and electricity can flow through the device 430. On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows the fuse device 430 in the "open" state after the pyrotechnic charge 448 is activated, in which the fixed contacts 434, 436 and the movable contact 444 are separated and electricity is prevented from flowing through the device 430.

[0035] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the pressure relief mechanism can be provided to safely relieve the increased pressure on the contactor or fuse during operation. Although the contactor will be described below, it is understood that the embodiments of the present invention can also be used in other switching devices such as fuses.

[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1, during operation of a switching device such as contactor 100, an arc discharge can occur while the movable contact 108 is separated from the fixed contacts 104, 106. If this separation occurs when an increased current level passes through the fixed movable contact 108 and the fixed contacts 104, 106, as a result, an increase in pressure within the contactor can occur, and an increase in arc discharge can occur. When this increase in pressure becomes high enough, the housing 102 fails, and as a result, the housing 102 can be destroyed or ruptured.

[0037] FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate an embodiment of a contactor 500 having a housing 502 similar to the housing 102 described above. This housing may be manufactured from the same or a similar material as the housing 102 and may be configured by the same mechanism. The housing 502 can include a pressure relief mechanism provided to prevent the collapse or rupture of the housing 502 during an arc discharge. In some embodiments, this pressure relief mechanism can include a rupture disk 504 that can be disposed at various locations on the contactor 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the rupture disk is inside the housing 502, for example, on the floor of the housing 502.

[0038] The floor of the housing 502 can include a hole 506 for the rupture disk sized to hold the rupture disk 504. The hole 506 can include an offset or countersink 508 around its edge, and the rupture disk 504 can include a flange 510 sized to seat in the offset 508. In other embodiments, the hole 506 may not have an offset or countersink, and in those embodiments, it is understood that the flange can seat directly against the surface of the housing 502 surrounding the hole 506.

[0039] The rupture plate 504 is dimensioned to fit closely within the hole 506 and is connected to the hole such that the space between the rupture plate 504 and the hole 506 is sealed, thereby maintaining the housing 502 sealed during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, a strong epoxy 512 is provided around the offset 508 such that it is disposed between the flange 510 and the offset 508. Sufficient epoxy is used with sufficient adhesion so that the flange 510 and the offset 508 are firmly hermetically sealed. The offset 508 provides the further advantage of moving the flange 510 downward such that the height of the upper portion of the flange 510 is the same as, or substantially the same as, the inner bottom surface of the housing. Thereby, the rupture plate can seat lower so as not to be located in the cavity provided by the housing, whereby the internal components of the contactor 500 can seat close to the floor of the housing 502.

[0040] The contactor 500 can include fixed and movable contacts (not shown) that can be arranged like the fixed contacts 104, 106 and the movable contact 108 described above. These elements are generally located at the upper portion of the housing 502, and the rupture plate 504 is located at the bottom of the housing 502. During an arc discharge event, pressure is generated at the contacts at the upper portion of the housing. And for the rupture plate to operate, this pressure at the upper portion of the housing must move to the bottom of the housing. In some embodiments, this pressure can simply pass through the internal components of the contactor 500 and reach the rupture plate 504. In other embodiments, a dedicated passage can be provided in the contactor 500 to allow the pressure to pass through. This dedicated passage can include a plurality of holes, slots, or passages formed at different locations of the internal components of the contactor or the housing to allow the pressure to pass more freely from the top to the rupture plate 504.

[0041] The rupture disc can have a wide variety of dimensions, shapes, and materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the rupture disc is manufactured from a metallic material such as, for example, aluminum, steel, or nickel. However, it is understood that other materials or combinations of materials, such as the materials used for the body 502 as described above, can be used. The rupture disc can also comprise non-metallic materials such as various plastics.

[0042] The rupture disc 504 can include various types such as a “reverse buckling” type or a “forward-acting” type rupture disc, etc., and the illustrated preferred rupture disc is of the inversion type. The rupture disc can be of various thicknesses, and the illustrated embodiment has a thickness in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.0015 inches. In one embodiment, the rupture disc can have a thickness of about 0.007 inches.

[0043] As described above, the hole 506 for the rupture disc can be sized to hold the rupture disc 504 and can have many different shapes and dimensions. In some embodiments, the hole 506 for the rupture disc can be 2 inches or more in diameter, depending on the dimensions of the contactor and its housing. Some holes can have a diameter of about 0.530 inches and can also have an offset or counterbore hole with a diameter of 0.675 inches. Due to the rupture disc being of various dimensions and thicknesses, it can cause rupture at various rupture pressures such as 80, 100, 200, or 300 PSI or more.

[0044] During the pressure increase of the arc discharge event, the pressure passes from the upper part of the housing 502 to the lower part where the rupture disc 504 is located. In some embodiments, the rupture disc 504 can rupture to create a hole in the rupture disc 504 to allow air to pass through. In other embodiments, the rupture disc 504 can be displaced from the hole for the rupture disc to allow air to pass through.

[0045] Figures 9 and 10 show an embodiment of a contactor 600 including a housing 602, a rupture disk 604, and a hole 606 for the rupture disk. In Figure 9, for normal operation, the rupture disk 604 is seated in the hole 606 for the rupture disk in a hermetically sealed state. Thereby, the housing 602 of the contactor can maintain a seal around the internal components of the contactor. Figure 10 shows the contactor 600 after a high-voltage arc discharge event, in which the rupture disk 604 has been pushed out of the hole 606 for the rupture disk by the pressure from the arc discharge. Thereby, before the housing 602 is destroyed by the pressure of the arc discharge event, high pressure can pass from the housing 602 through the hole 606 for the rupture disk.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the rupture disk 604 is removed from the hole 606 for the rupture disk, the seal of the housing 602 will be lost. In some embodiments, the contactor 600 may still function, but with the loss of the seal, the internal gas in the housing 602 is released, or the vacuum in the housing 602 is relieved, and its performance may be limited or degraded. For example, since the contact resistance in the housing may increase, the contactor may not be able to conduct the rated current, and the insulation performance of the contactor may decrease. In another embodiment, the performance of the contactor may still be acceptable even after a high-voltage arc discharge event.

[0047] It is understood that the rupture plate according to the present invention can be configured in various ways according to the present invention. FIGS. 11 to 14 show another embodiment of the contactor 700 having a housing 702 and a rupture plate 704 disposed in a hole 706 for the rupture plate. These components can be arranged in the same or similar manner as the components described above with respect to the contactor 500 and can be manufactured from the same or similar materials. However, in the contactor 700, the rupture plate 704 is welded to the hole 706 for the rupture plate. The hole 706 for the rupture plate can include a countersink or offset 708, and the rupture plate 704 can include a flange 710 as described above. In this embodiment, the surface of the offset 708 can include a welding protrusion 712. In other embodiments, the welding protrusion 712 can be on the flange 710. The welding protrusion 712 is used to weld the flange to the offset to hermetically seal both. A variety of welding methods such as resistance welding and laser welding can be used, and the resulting rupture plate 504 can function as described above by rupturing or coming off from the hole 506 for the rupture plate so that pressure can pass through.

[0048] In addition to the above-described configuration of the rupture plate, it is understood that other pressure relief mechanisms can be used. FIGS. 15 to 17 show another embodiment of the contactor 800 according to the present invention having a housing 802 that is the same as or similar to the housing of the above-described contactor. However, in this embodiment, instead of having a rupture plate, the housing includes a weakened portion 804 machined, scored, or cut into the surface of the housing. The weakened portion 804 can be in various locations and, in the illustrated embodiment, is on the bottom surface of the housing 802. The weakened portion includes surface scoring 806 on the upper surface of the bottom of the housing 812 and reverse scoring 808 on the back surface of the bottom of the housing 802. The weakened portion 804 can be designed to open or break at a desired internal pressure within the housing 802. During a high-voltage arc discharge event within the housing 802, the weakened portion 804 opens to allow high pressure to be released from the opening of the weakened portion.

[0049] The rupture plate according to the present invention can have various shapes and dimensions and can be attached to the housing in various ways. FIGS. 18 to 23 show another embodiment of the contactor 900 and the housing 902 of the contactor, and the housing 902 has a rupture plate 904 similar to the rupture plates shown in FIGS. 5 to 14 and described above. The housing has a hole 906 for the rupture plate, and the rupture plate 904 includes a flange 910 that surrounds the hole 906 and is positioned in contact with the housing 902. However, unlike the above-described embodiment, the flange 910 is positioned in contact with the outer surface of the housing 902 rather than the inner surface of the housing 902.

[0050] The rupture plate 904 can be attached to the housing 902 using various methods and materials. With respect to the contactor 900, the rupture plate can be welded to the housing using various methods and materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a welding ring 908 can be included, and the welding ring 908 is positioned in contact with the flange 910 that is sandwiched between the welding ring 908 and the outer surface of the housing 902 surrounding the hole 906. The welding ring 908 welds the flange 910 to the outer surface of the housing 902 surrounding the hole 902, and the illustrated embodiment seals the rupture plate 904 and the housing 902.

[0051] In other embodiments, it is understood that welding disks can be arranged in various ways and positions to attach the rupture plate to the housing. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the welding disks can be arranged between the flange and the outer surface of the housing. In another embodiment, the flange can surround the hole for the rupture plate and be positioned in contact with the inner surface of the housing, and the welding ring can be in contact with the flange or can be between the flange and the housing. In another embodiment, a plurality of welding rings can be used with different positions arranged.

[0052] Next, referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, the bottom surface of the housing 902 is shown together with the rupture plate 904 and the welding ring 908. The rupture plate 904 is shown in a state where, after a high-pressure rupture event in the housing, the central portion of the rupture plate 904 is forced to open, allowing pressure to pass from the housing 902 through the opened rupture plate 904.

[0053] In the above, the pressure relief mechanism has been described as being on the bottom surface of the contactor housing. However, it is understood that the pressure relief mechanism can be located at various locations of the contactor or fuse and can be in contact with various mechanisms of the contactor or fuse. In some embodiments, the contactor can include a ceramic header, and the pressure relief mechanism can be disposed within this ceramic header. Among those embodiments, in some embodiments, the pressure relief mechanism can include a brazed rupture plate within the ceramic header, for example, adjacent to the power terminals. In other embodiments where the contactor or fuse has an upper epoxy portion, the pressure relief mechanism may be integrated with this upper epoxy portion. These are only a few examples of the various positions of the pressure relief mechanism according to the present invention.

[0054] It is understood that in different embodiments, other types of pressure relief mechanisms can be included, such as valves, vents, openings, etc. Some pressure relief mechanisms can be replaced or reset after a high-pressure event.

[0055] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to its specific preferred configurations, but other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can include any combination of compatible mechanisms shown in the various drawings, and these embodiments should not be limited to those explicitly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the versions described above.

Claims

1. An electrical switching device, A sealed housing in which a hole for a rupture plate is formed in the floor, Internal components within the sealed housing, comprising a movable contact connected to a shaft structure, and a solenoid configured to move the shaft structure and the movable contact and change the state of the electrical switching device between a closed state and an open state in response to an input, wherein the closed state enables current to flow through the electrical switching device and the open state cuts off the flow of current to the electrical switching device, and internal components, A fixed contact structure that extends at least partially outside the sealed housing for connection to an external circuit and is selectively electrically connected to the movable contact of the internal components, The sealed housing includes a pressure relief mechanism to enable the pressure inside the sealed housing to be released from the sealed housing, The pressure relief mechanism is fixed to the sealed housing and includes a rupture plate that seals the hole for the rupture plate, An electrical switching device that acts on the rupture plate in response to an increased air pressure inside the sealed housing, causing the rupture plate to separate at least partially from the sealed housing and enabling the increased air pressure to be released from the sealed housing through the hole for the rupture plate.

2. The hole for the rupture plate includes an offset that at least partially surrounds the hole for the rupture plate, The rupture plate includes a flange dimensioned to be disposed in the offset, according to the electrical switching device of Claim 1.

3. The sealed housing includes an upper portion and a bottom portion, The internal components are disposed in the upper portion, and the floor is disposed in the bottom portion, The electrical switching device further includes a passage that fluidly connects the upper portion and the bottom portion, The elevated air pressure is generated at the top, passes through the passage to the bottom, and is released through the hole for the rupture plate. The electric switching device according to claim 2.

4. The rupture plate is attached to the inner surface of the sealed housing. The electric switching device according to claim 3.

5. The rupture plate is attached to the outer surface of the sealed housing. The electric switching device according to claim 3.

6. The electric switching device according to claim 3, further comprising a welding ring for attaching the rupture plate to the hole for the rupture plate.

7. The electric switching device according to claim 3, further comprising epoxy for attaching the rupture plate to the hole for the rupture plate.

8. The rupture plate is made of a metallic material. The electric switching device according to claim 1.

9. The rupture plate is a reverse back ring rupture plate. The electric switching device according to claim 1.

10. The pressure inside the sealed housing is generated by arc discharge during the state change of the electric switching device. The electric switching device according to claim 1.

11. The electric switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a passage through the internal components to allow the pressure inside the sealed housing to pass to the pressure relief mechanism.

12. A contactor device A sealed housing, Internal components within the sealed housing, comprising a movable contact connected to a shaft structure, and a solenoid configured to move the shaft structure and the movable contact and change the state of the contactor device between a closed state and an open state in response to an input, the internal components generating an arc discharge voltage when changing from the closed state to the open state, A pressure relief mechanism within the sealed housing for enabling the arc discharge voltage to be released from the sealed housing, the pressure relief mechanism having a weak portion at the bottom of the sealed housing, the bottom of the sealed housing having a first thickness, and the weak portion having a portion of the bottom with a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness at least in part thereof,

13. The contactor device according to claim 12, wherein the portion of the bottom having the second thickness has a scored portion of the bottom at least in part thereof.

14. The contactor device according to claim 13, wherein the scored portion has a first score on a first surface of the bottom and a second score on a second surface of the bottom located on the opposite side of the first score.

15. The contactor device according to claim 13, wherein the scored portion is at least partially arc-shaped.

16. The contactor device according to claim 13, wherein the scored portion has a first scoring line and a second scoring line intersecting the first scoring line.

17. The contactor device according to claim 12, wherein the scored portion is circular.

18. The contactor device according to claim 17, wherein the weak portion comprises one or more scores in the sealed housing.

19. The contactor device according to claim 12, further comprising a passage through the internal components to enable the arc discharge voltage to pass to the pressure relief mechanism.

20. An electrical switching device, A sealed housing having a hole for a rupture plate formed in the bed, Internal components within the sealed housing, comprising a movable contact connected to a shaft structure, and a solenoid configured to move the shaft structure and the movable contact to change the state of the electrical switching device from a closed state to an open state in response to an input, A contact structure electrically connected to the internal components for connection to an external circuit, A rupture plate for sealing the hole for the rupture plate, The hole for the rupture plate has an offset that at least partially surrounds the hole for the rupture plate, The rupture plate has a flange dimensioned to be disposed in the offset, an electrical switching device.

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