Arc Suppression Apparatus with Guide Members and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arc suppression systems fail to rapidly terminate hazardous gas generation and pressure buildup caused by electrical arcing, posing risks to electrical systems and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
An arc suppression apparatus with a moveable contact member and locking mechanism that creates a metal short circuit upon arc detection, utilizing a central guide element and guide members for alignment, and an energy storage device like springs or electromagnetic actuators for rapid deployment, triggered by a pressure or plasma detection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a moveable contact member is used to create a metal short circuit, then the speed of arc suppression is improved, but the alignment precision between contacts deteriorates due to movement and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are pre-installed and positioned to define the correct alignment path for the moveable contact member before any arc suppression action is required. This preliminary setup ensures that when the contact member moves rapidly to suppress an arc, it automatically follows the predetermined alignment path, resolving the contradiction between speed and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide members act as intermediary elements between the moveable contact member and the fixed contacts. These guide members physically constrain and direct the moveable contact member's movement, ensuring proper alignment is maintained throughout the high-speed suppression process, thus mediating between the need for rapid movement and precise alignment.
2Reliability
If the moveable contact member is locked in the first position during normal operation, then the reliability of normal electrical operation is improved, but the response time to detect and suppress arcs worsens due to locking mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured with the arc detection system so that when an arc is detected, the release signal is immediately ready to unlock the moveable contact member. This preliminary arrangement of detection and release mechanisms minimizes the time loss between arc occurrence and suppression while maintaining normal operational reliability through the locked position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and release mechanism is designed to replace complex multi-step mechanical operations with a simpler, more direct system that can be rapidly actuated by the arc detection signal. This substitution reduces the time penalty associated with the locking mechanism while maintaining its reliability function during normal operation.
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
Effectively reduces the risks and consequences of internal arcing by rapidly creating a metal short circuit, minimizing pressure buildup and hazardous gas emission, thus ensuring the safety and integrity of electrical systems.
Implementation Method 1
each drive element comprises a spring element that is compressed when the moveable contact member is in the first position
Implementation Method 2
each drive element may comprise a piston arrangement or an electromagnetic actuator arrangement
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is an arc suppression system (100) for creating a short circuit when an electric arc is detected. The arc suppression system (100) comprises a plurality of fixed electrical connectors (318, 320, 322) to which a supply of electricity can be connected, and a moveable contact (302) that can move from a first position to a second position to contact the plurality of electrical connectors (318, 320, 322) to create the short circuit. A locking mechanism (400) is provided for locking the moveable contact (302) in the first position until it receives a release signal from an arc detection system (200) when an arc is detected, the locking mechanism (400) releasing the moveable contact (302) so that it can move into contact with the plurality of electrical connectors (318, 320, 322) using the energy stored in two compression springs (324, 326).