Arc Chute Assembly With Divider Wall For Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arc chutes in circuit breakers face challenges in evenly distributing gas pressure during current interruption, leading to potential damage to the housing and reduced current-interruption capability due to component variations causing uneven pressure distribution.
Innovation Solution
The arc chute assembly features a housing with a divider wall and arc plates that form sub-arc areas in flow communication with an arc plate area, allowing for pressure equalization and enhanced arc quenching by directing gas flow and increasing the surface area for arc attachment and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If component variations cause one sub-pole to experience higher pressure during current interruption, then gas volume and current flow increase aiding arc extinguishing, but the increased pressure damages the housing walls and arc chute
Solution Approach 1:
The arc chute is divided into multiple chambers with partition walls, creating separate flow paths for gas from different sub-poles. This segmentation prevents pressure from one sub-pole from directly impacting the housing walls, while still allowing effective arc extinguishing in each chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition walls act as intermediary structures between sub-poles and the housing walls. These partitions absorb and redirect the high-pressure gas flow, preventing direct impact on the housing while maintaining the pressure differential needed for arc extinguishing.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional arc chutes use a simple housing structure, then manufacturing is easier, but gas pressure is not evenly distributed leading to housing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple chambers by partition walls, creating a more complex but manufacturable structure. This segmentation enables even pressure distribution while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity through standardized partition components.
3Device complexity
If arc chutes use a single chamber design, then device complexity is reduced, but one sub-pole experiences higher pressure causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The single chamber is divided into multiple smaller chambers using partition walls. This increases structural complexity but prevents the harmful concentration of pressure from one sub-pole, distributing the mechanical load across multiple surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls are positioned asymmetrically within the chambers, creating unequal flow paths that adapt to the asymmetric pressure distribution caused by component variations. This asymmetric design allows each sub-pole's pressure to be managed independently.
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 design effectively distributes gas pressure and enhances arc quenching, reducing the risk of housing damage and improving current interruption by equalizing pressure and providing increased surface area for arc dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
The first sub-arc area and the second sub-arc area are in flow communication with the arc plate area
Implementation Method 2
the arc is then extinguished by the plates. The metallic plates increase the arc voltage in the circuit breaker to produce a current-limiting effect
Data Source
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AI summary
An arc chute assembly (20) includes a housing (28) having a first wall (38), a second wall (44), and a pair of side walls (40,42) coupled to the first wall, the walls configured to form an arc area (34), the housing further having a divider wall (50) coupled to the first wall between the side walls, the divider wall configured to form a first sub-arc area (72), a second sub-arc area (74), and an arc plate area, the first sub-arc area and the second sub-arc area configured to be in flow communication with the arc plate area, a support (32) coupled to the first wall and the side walls, and an arc plate (30) coupled to the support, the arc plate having a body (82) extending between the side walls and over the divider wall.