Arc-extinguishing device with anti-restrike insulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical protection devices face issues with electric arc re-ignition after splitting, leading to performance degradation and potential device destruction due to the instability of fractionated arcs and increased pressure.
Innovation Solution
The use of anti-reignition elements made of electrical insulating material, strategically positioned between the upstream and downstream zones of the splitter plates, prevents the return of split electric arcs in the re-ignition direction, maintaining arc voltage and preventing re-ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric arc is split into a plurality of small fractionated electric arcs using splitter plates, then the voltage of the electric arc is increased and the intensity is rapidly reduced to zero, but the fractionated electric arcs become unstable and can escape from the fractionation zone causing re-ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating barrier as an intermediary element positioned between the fractionated arcs and the upstream end of the splitter plates. This barrier acts as a mediator that prevents the harmful interaction between the unstable fractionated arcs and the splitter plates, thereby stopping the arcs from escaping and re-igniting while maintaining the beneficial arc splitting effect
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating barrier is positioned in advance at the upstream end of the splitter plates to prevent the potential harmful effect of arc escape before it can occur. By placing this protective element beforehand, the patent preemptively counteracts the instability of fractionated arcs and prevents re-ignition from happening
2Reliability
If insulating means are added to prevent arc re-ignition, then the harmful effect of re-ignition is reduced, but the device complexity and bulk are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the insulating barrier with the existing splitter plate assembly by positioning it at the upstream end of the splitter plates. This merging approach integrates the protective function into the existing structure rather than adding completely separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating barrier is applied locally only at the upstream end of the splitter plates where it is most needed to prevent arc escape, rather than insulating the entire splitter plate assembly. This localized application maintains the necessary electrical insulation properties while minimizing the amount of insulating material and structural complexity required
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 configuration effectively prevents electric arc re-ignition, enhances the compactness and performance of the electrical protection device by maintaining arc voltage and ensuring quicker arc extinction without increasing the device's size or degrading its performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one anti-reignition element of the electric arc made of electrical insulating material
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of electric arc splitter plates arranged substantially parallel to each other... so as to split the electric arc into a plurality of split electric arcs
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric arc-extinguishing device (1) for an electrical protection apparatus comprising: - splitter plates (3) in parallel with one another and held together by two support elements (4), each splitter plate (3) comprising an electric arc inlet recess (6), each electric arc inlet recess (6) defining two branches (10) that each of the splitter plates (3) comprises, - an electric arc anti-restrike element (11) made from electrically insulating material, the extinguishing device (1) being characterized in that: the main face (12) comprises an upstream area (AM) and a downstream area (AV), separate from one another, the upstream area (AM) being located on the surface of the branches (10) and being defined by the edge (6') of the recess (6), and the downstream area (AV) corresponding to the remaining surface of the main face (12), the main face (12) comprises a positioning area (P) for positioning said at least one anti-restrike element (11), facing which said at least one anti-restrike element (11) is positioned, the positioning area (P) extending between a first median axis (M1) of the upstream area (AM) and a second median axis (M2) of the downstream area (AV), said at least one anti-restrike element (11) has a predetermined length (L1) configured so as to prevent the electric arc from returning after it has split.