Arc Chute With Segmented Channels For DC Circuit Breakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC circuit breakers with arc chutes require significant space and are complex, especially at low currents, due to the need for large plastic frames and magnetic fields to force arcs into the chute, leading to inefficiencies in voltage buildup and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A DC circuit breaker design featuring equidistantly arranged metal plates with a specific channel structure that enhances gas flow to aspirate arcs upwards, eliminating the need for external magnetic fields and reducing the overall space requirement by directing gas flow orthogonally to the arc axis, thus forcing arcs into the chute efficiently even at low currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If plastic frames are used to generate gas and exhaust it to all sides, then the arc voltage is increased and heat is exhausted, but the circuit breaker requires a large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The gas exhaust path is segmented into multiple channels formed by equidistantly arranged metal plates, directing gas flow in specific directions rather than allowing omnidirectional expansion. This segmentation enables efficient heat exhaustion while reducing the overall space required for the arc chute.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension for gas exhaust by directing gas flow upward through channels between horizontally arranged metal plates. This dimensional change allows efficient heat removal while minimizing the horizontal space footprint of the arc chute.
2Force
If self blow up coils are activated to generate magnetic field, then arcs are pushed into arc chute, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equidistantly arranged metal plates automatically generate the necessary gas flow and magnetic field effects during arc operation without requiring external control systems. The structure itself provides the arc-guiding function through its geometry and material properties, eliminating the need for separately controlled blow-up coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex control circuit and blow-up coil assembly from the circuit breaker design. The essential arc-guiding function is achieved through the simplified equidistant metal plate structure alone, removing unnecessary components and reducing overall device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If large plastic frames are used, then gas generation is sufficient, but the manufacturing precision and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using large plastic frames throughout, the patent applies gas-generating material locally at specific positions within the arc chute. The equidistant metal plates are strategically positioned to create localized gas generation zones, maintaining sufficient gas production while simplifying the overall structure and improving manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the conventional large plastic frame structure in favor of a more maintainable metal plate configuration. The modular metal plate design allows individual components to be easily replaced or recovered if needed, significantly improving maintenance ease compared to monolithic plastic frames.
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 reduces the arcing time, minimizes space usage, and simplifies maintenance by effectively forcing arcs into the chute, even at low currents, without the need for additional magnetic field generation components, making it suitable for space-constrained applications like railway vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a gas flow from the switch contacts in the direction of the arc chute enhances the forcing of an arc into the arc chute
Implementation Method 2
directing gas flow orthogonally to the arc axis, thus forcing arcs into the chute efficiently
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an arc chute for a DC circuit breaker comprising at least two parallel stacks (102, 106) of a plurality of substantially parallel metal plates (104, 104a, 104b, 104n, 108, 108a, 108b, 108n) defining a first axis (A) in parallel to a stacking direction, wherein the metal plates of the same stack have a reference distance (D1) between adjacent metal plates in the direction of the first axis; an arc space (109) defined between the two parallel stacks and adapted to allow an arc to move along the first axis, wherein a second axis (X) traverses the at least two parallel stacks in parallel to the metal plates and the arc space (109), wherein the second axis is substantially orthogonal to the first axis and an arc chute housing (111) having at least one top wall limiting the interior of the arc chute housing in the direction of the first axis, wherein a channel (113a, 113b) is formed between the top wall and the metal plate (104n, 108n) closest to the top wall of the at least one stack (102, 106), the channel having an extension (D3) in the direction of the first axis at least 2 times the reference distance (D1). Further, the present disclosure relates to a circuit breaker and a method for assembling an arc chute of a circuit breaker.