Counter-arcing Component for Fluoroketone Arc Extinction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices using organofluorine compounds as arc-quenching media in high voltage switchgears face challenges in interrupting non-short circuit currents due to poor thermodynamic and transport properties, leading to inefficient arc extinction under free-burning conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a counter-arcing component that actively blows the arc-quenching medium into the arcing region using a flow-generating chamber and piston design, enhancing cooling efficiency and arc extinction, even with organofluorine compounds like fluoroketones in combination with carrier gases like air or CO2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If organofluorine compounds are used as arc-quenching medium, then environmental friendliness and low toxicity are improved, but cooling efficiency and arc extinction capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite arc-quenching media combining organofluorine compounds (C5K, C6K) with conventional gases (SF6, air, CO2) to achieve both environmental friendliness and reliable arc extinction. The composite mixture leverages the low toxicity of organofluorine compounds while using SF6 or other gases to provide sufficient cooling and arc quenching performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of organofluorine compounds in the arc-quenching medium. By controlling the percentage of C5K/C6K (e.g., 1-50% by volume) relative to carrier gases, the system achieves a balance between environmental benefits and arc extinction capability, adjusting parameters to overcome the poor thermodynamic properties of pure organofluorine compounds.
2Strength
If organofluorine compounds are used as arc-quenching medium, then dielectric strength is improved, but thermodynamic and transport properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite gas mixtures that combine the high dielectric strength of organofluorine compounds (C5K, C6K) with the superior thermodynamic and transport properties of conventional arc-quenching gases like SF6, air, or CO2. This composite approach allows the medium to maintain high insulation capabilities while achieving adequate cooling efficiency through the carrier gas component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the composition parameters of the arc-quenching medium by varying the concentration of organofluorine compounds (typically 1-50% by volume) mixed with carrier gases. This parameter optimization ensures that the mixture maintains sufficient dielectric strength from the organofluorine compound while the carrier gas provides the necessary thermodynamic and transport properties for effective arc quenching.
3Device complexity
If conventional design without counter-arcing component is used, then device complexity is reduced, but current interruption reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic gas flow action through the counter-arcing component that activates during arc extinction. The flow-generating chamber creates periodic gas jets that blow across the arc path at critical moments during current interruption, enhancing arc cooling and extinction without requiring continuous complex active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter-arcing component acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the simple conventional design and the need for reliable current interruption. This component introduces enhanced arc quenching capability through controlled gas flow while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, serving as a bridge between simplicity and performance.
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
Ensures reliable current interruption and safe operation by compensating for the cooling inefficiency of organofluorine compounds, preventing arc extinction failures and maintaining environmental friendliness and low toxicity.
Implementation Method 1
The fluoroketone being present in relatively low concentrations in these devices, which goes along with relatively poor thermodynamic and transport properties and thus relatively poor cooling efficiency
Implementation Method 2
the arc-quenching medium is not actively blown towards the arc
Implementation Method 3
Incorporating a counter-arcing component that actively blows the arc-quenching medium into the arcing region using a flow-generating chamber and piston design
Implementation Method 4
it has unexpectedly been found that in a device designed for interrupting non-short circuit currents only, specifically in a disconnector or an earthing switch of a conventional design, interruption of even low currents could fail when using a fluoroketone-containing arc-quenching medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for interrupting non-short circuit currents only, and in particular relates to a disconnector, more particularly high voltage disconnector, or to an earthing switch, more particularly make-proof earthing switch, and further relates to a low voltage circuit breaker. The device comprises at least two contacts movable in relation to each other between a closed state and an open state and defining an arcing region, in which an arc is generated during a current interrupting operation and in which an arc-quenching medium comprising an organofluorine compound is present. According to the application, a counter-arcing component is allocated to the arcing region, the counter-arcing component being designed for counteracting the generation of an arc and/or being designed for supporting the extinction of an arc.