Circuit Breaker Baffle Device for Particle Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medium and high voltage switching devices, such as circuit breakers, face challenges in capturing and storing particles generated during operation, which can reduce dielectric withstand capability and cause unwanted effects at highly stressed locations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a baffle device within the electrical switching device that generates a vortex or turbulent flow of the dielectric insulating medium, using baffle plates or fins to trap particles by gravitational force, thereby preventing them from reaching sensitive areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If baffle walls are arranged to create meandering flow paths for cooling exhaust gases, then cooling efficiency is improved, but particles are transported through the system and accumulate at sensitive locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas temperatureVSAvoidparticle accumulation at sensitive locations

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of particle transport through exhaust flows into a beneficial separation process. By strategically positioning baffle walls to create specific flow patterns, particles are forced to deposit on baffle surfaces where they can be collected and removed, transforming the problem of particle transport into a particle separation and collection mechanism that protects sensitive areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle walls serve as intermediary surfaces that mediate between the hot exhaust gases and the sensitive areas of the circuit breaker. Particles are transferred from the gas flow to the baffle surfaces, which act as intermediate collection points, preventing direct transport to sensitive locations while maintaining the cooling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If turbulent flow conditions are created to cool exhaust gases, then heat dissipation is improved, but particles are entrained and transported to dielectrically stressed locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas temperatureVSAvoiddielectric withstand capability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful entrainment and transport of particles by turbulent flows into a beneficial separation mechanism. The turbulent flow causes particles to collide with and deposit on baffle surfaces, where they are collected and removed from the dielectric medium, protecting critical areas while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust system is segmented into multiple zones with strategically positioned baffle walls that create distinct flow regions. This segmentation allows different portions of the exhaust flow to be directed along different paths, with particles being separated and collected in specific zones while cooled gas continues to circulate effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively captures and retains particles, reducing the sensitivity of circuit breakers to particle-generated issues and improving the operational reliability by preventing particle accumulation in critical areas.

Implementation Method 1

a vortex flow or turbulent flow of the insulating medium is generated while the insulating medium passes the baffle device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a vortex flow or turbulent flow of the insulating medium is generated while the insulating medium passes the baffle device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

turbulent flow conditions are chosen such that gravitational force allows to trap or contributes to trap particles in the baffle device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3433870B1Electrical circuit breaker device with particle trap

Publication Date: 2020.06.24 ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

An electric switching device (1) filled with a dielectric insulating medium comprises first and second arcing contact (3, 4), first exhaust volume (7) downstream of first arcing contact (3) and second exhaust volume (8) downstream of second arcing contact (4). The exhaust volumes (7, 8) comprise several first openings (14) in their walls (17), through which the insulating medium exits into third volume (9). The third volume (9) is arranged around the first or second exhaust volume (7, 8) and is radially delimited by the wall (17) of the exhaust volumes (7, 8) and by an exterior wall (11) having second openings (10) through which the insulating medium exits the third volume (9). One baffle device (2) is provided inside third volume (9) such that vortex flow of the insulating medium is generated when it passes the baffle device (2) on its way towards the second openings (10).