Arc Horn Spring Catch for Stable High-Voltage Switch Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage air disconnect switches experience bouncing issues between the moving arc horn and the actuating arm during switch opening, leading to arc damage and reduced component life due to loss of contact.
Innovation Solution
A spring catch is attached to the moving arc horn, forming a catch and trap zone with resilient spring guide fingers that maintain continuous physical and electrical contact between the actuating arm and the arc horn by applying a holding force, preventing bouncing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the moving arc horn strikes the actuating arm with high force and velocity during switch opening, then the interrupter unit is actuated quickly, but the contact between the moving arc horn and actuating arm is lost due to bouncing, causing arc damage and reduced component life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a spring mechanism that absorbs the impact energy between the moving arc horn and actuating arm. The spring is pre-positioned to engage during the striking event, cushioning the impact and preventing bounce-off while maintaining continuous contact. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed operation without sacrificing contact stability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the moving arc horn contacts the actuating arm continuously during switch opening, then component life is extended, but the spring catch mechanism adds complexity to the device structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a spring catch mechanism that automatically engages and disengages based on the operational state. The spring mechanism self-regulates the contact pressure and maintains continuous contact without requiring external control systems. This achieves extended component life through automated contact maintenance while minimizing added complexity through self-regulating design.
3Reliability
If a spring catch mechanism is added to prevent bouncing, then contact stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a spring mechanism as a mediator between the moving arc horn and actuating arm. The spring serves as an intermediate element that absorbs shock, maintains contact pressure, and prevents direct metal-to-metal bouncing. This resolves the contradiction by using a simple spring intermediary to achieve contact stability without complex control systems.
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 prevents arc burning damage by ensuring constant contact between the actuating arm and the moving arc horn, enhancing the longevity of these components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring catch that together with a contact point or surface of the moving arc horn engages the actuating arm about its outer circumference with a physical holding force applied to the contact point
Implementation Method 2
a parallel electrical current path is established through the arcing components, i.e., the actuating arm and the moving arc horn
Data Source
AI summary
A high voltage air disconnect switch having an electrical load interrupter unit responsive to the opening of the high voltage air break disconnect switch. The electrical load interrupter unit including an actuating arm is contacted, during the opening of the switch, by a moving arc horn attached to and in electrical circuit with a switch blade of the high voltage air disconnect switch. The moving arc horn has operatively attached a spring catch which engages the actuating arm with a physical holding force applied to an electric contact point between the actuating arm and the moving arc horn to firmly capture the interrupter actuating arm against the moving arc horn during opening of the switch to prevent any arc burning damage due to arcing between the actuating arm and the moving arc horn as the switch opens.