Arc Chuteless DC Circuit Interrupter with Magnetic Arc Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit interrupters in DC systems are inefficient in extinguishing electric arcs due to the constant nature of DC current, which lacks a zero point, unlike AC systems, leading to contact damage and reduced operational life.
Innovation Solution
A circuit interrupter design that does not include an arc chute, instead utilizing a permanent magnet or electrode to generate magnetic or electric fields, respectively, to stretch and extinguish the electric arc between contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an arc chute is used to extinguish electric arcs in DC circuit interrupters, then arc extinction capability is improved, but contact wear increases and operational life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the arc chute from the circuit interrupter design and replaces it with a magnetic field generation system using permanent magnets or electromagnets. This extraction eliminates the mechanical contact wear associated with traditional arc chute designs while maintaining arc extinction capability through magnetic field manipulation that stretches and cools the arc plasma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical arc chute system with an electromagnetic field-based arc control mechanism. Instead of relying on mechanical structures to physically interrupt and cool the arc, the invention uses magnetic fields to stretch, elongate, and cool the arc plasma, thereby extinguishing it without mechanical contact wear.
2Reliability
If an arc chute structure is employed to stretch and extinguish arcs, then arc extinction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of arc control from mechanical structure to magnetic field intensity and distribution. By adjusting magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, distribution) through permanent magnets or electromagnets, the arc is manipulated and extinguished without requiring complex mechanical arc chute structures, thereby simplifying the overall device design.
3Reliability
If traditional arc chute designs are used in DC circuit interrupters, then arc extinction capability is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the permanent magnets or electromagnets from complex arc chute assemblies and positions them directly in the circuit interrupter structure. This simplification reduces manufacturing steps and assembly complexity while maintaining effective arc extinction through magnetic field generation, making the device easier and more cost-effective to manufacture.
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
The solution effectively extinguishes electric arcs in DC systems, comparable to traditional arc chute circuit interrupters, while reducing contact wear and extending the operational life of the circuit interrupter.
Implementation Method 1
The permanent magnet or electrode is disposed about the circuit interrupter and configured to generate a magnetic field, an electric field, or both, respectively
Implementation Method 2
The permanent magnet or electrode is disposed about the circuit interrupter and configured to generate a magnetic field, an electric field, or both, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a circuit interrupter configured to interrupt flow of current through a circuit during an over current condition, wherein the circuit interrupter comprises two contacts configured to remain in contact when a current flowing through the two contacts is less than a threshold value, a tripping mechanism configured to separate the two contacts when the current equals or exceeds the threshold value, and at least one of either a permanent magnet or an electrode configured to extinguish an electric arc formed between the two contacts of the circuit interrupter when the two contacts are separated, wherein the circuit interrupter does not include an arc chute.