Arc Chamber Assembly with Splitter Plates for Circuit Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circuit interrupting devices face challenges in efficiently quenching the arc pressure generated during circuit interruption, leading to potential damage to contacts and the device itself.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an arc chamber assembly that contains and retains gas generated during circuit interruption, increasing pressure and reducing the time required to extinguish the arc, utilizing a framework that can be either single-piece or two-piece for ease of manufacture and assembly, with splitter plates that attract and split the arc to enhance quenching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the separation of contacts is increased to lengthen the arc column, then the arc is easier to extinguish, but the device complexity and contact separation distance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arc chamber is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, creating multiple smaller arc regions. This segmentation allows the arc to be contained and extinguished more effectively in each compartment without requiring excessive contact separation distance, thus resolving the contradiction between arc extinguishing capability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If ferromagnetic plates are introduced to attract and split the arc, then the arc quenching efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are integrated with ferromagnetic material to form combined structures that serve dual functions: physically separating arc regions and magnetically attracting/splitting the arc. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, improving arc quenching efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Productivity
If arc pressure is contained longer to increase quenching effectiveness, then the arc extinguishes faster, but the pressure on the chamber increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc chamber is segmented into multiple compartments by partition walls, which confine arc pressure to smaller individual chambers. This segmentation allows effective arc quenching within each compartment while distributing and reducing the overall pressure burden on any single chamber wall, enabling faster arc extinguishing without excessive pressure buildup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces the time needed to extinguish the arc by containing and managing the pressure within the arc chamber, minimizing damage and improving the overall efficiency of arc quenching in circuit interrupting devices.
Implementation Method 1
contains and retains gas generated during circuit interruption, increasing pressure and reducing the time required to extinguish the arc
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a framework that can be either single-piece or two-piece for ease of manufacture and assembly, with splitter plates that attract and split the arc to enhance quenching
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for quenching the arc developed during the interruption of a current carrying path by use of an arc quenching apparatus with a contiguous chamber that shapes and directs the gas pressure and other associated arc components through a set of spiitter plates located at the ends of the chamber. The contiguous chamber contains the gas pressure and other associated arc components for the duration of the quenching process.