DC High-Speed Circuit Breaker Arc Chute Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC high-speed circuit breakers face challenges in maintaining constant arc voltage and preventing reignition and bridging phenomena across a wide current range, especially in large current regions, due to limitations in arc gas flow and electromagnetic force distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an arc chute with progressively larger arc gas flow passages and strategically arranged grids and insulation plates to enhance arc gas flow and air discharge, along with magnetic pole plates to improve electromagnetic force, ensuring efficient arc management across varying currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the arc gas flow passage area is increased to improve arc gas discharge efficiency, then the interruption performance is improved, but the arc chute structure becomes more complex and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc chute is divided into multiple sections with insulation side plates forming separate flow passages. Each section handles arc gas flow independently, allowing the system to manage large current arcs effectively without requiring a single large complex structure. The segmentation enables progressive arc gas discharge through multiple controlled pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The grids are arranged within the arc chute structure in a nested configuration, with multiple grids positioned at different levels. The insulation side plates and grids are integrated within the same structural envelope, creating a compact nested arrangement that maximizes arc gas flow management within limited space while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the number of grids is increased to maintain constant arc voltage, then the arc voltage stability is improved, but the arc chute becomes more complex and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The grid system is segmented into multiple individual grids arranged in series within the arc chute. Each grid contributes to the overall arc voltage through its electrode drop, and the segmented arrangement allows for standardized manufacturing of individual grid components that can be assembled into the complete arc chute structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid spacing and dimensions are optimized to achieve the required arc voltage stability. By carefully controlling the physical parameters of the grids (spacing, size, material properties), the system maintains constant arc voltage across varying current conditions while keeping the grid design manufacturable using standard fabrication processes.
3Reliability
If magnetic pole plates are added to enhance electromagnetic force for small current interruption, then the small current interruption capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic pole plates are merged with the existing insulation side plates of the arc chute. By integrating the magnetic pole function into the structural side plates, the system enhances electromagnetic force for arc elongation during small current interruption without adding separate independent components. This merging reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired performance enhancement.
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 enables reliable arc extinguishing and high interruption performance from small to large currents by ensuring smooth arc gas flow and maintaining constant arc voltage, preventing reignition and bridging, and enhancing electromagnetic force for effective current interruption.
Implementation Method 1
a first arc gas flow passage through which arc gas generated at the fixed main contact and the movable main contact is led to the outside of the arc chute
Implementation Method 2
since electromagnetic force that is for driving and elongating the arc is weak in a small current region
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6(b)
AI summary
The present invention is to provide a DC high-speed circuit breaker in which a high interruption performance can be obtained even from a large current to a small current. The arc chute includes: first insulation side plates which are arranged so as to sandwich the fixed main contact and the movable main contact from both sides, and form a first arc gas flow passage through which arc gas generated at the fixed main contact and the movable main contact is led to the outside of the arc chute; a plurality of grids which are arranged on the upper side of the fixed main contact and the movable main contact , and form a second arc gas flow passage, the second arc gas flow passage being configured to be a larger width than the space between the first insulation side plates, being communicated to the first arc gas flow passage, and having a larger sectional area than the sectional area of the first arc gas flow passage; and second insulation side plates which are arranged so as to sandwich the grids from both sides, and forms a third arc gas flow passage on the upper side of the grids, the third arc gas flow passage being communicated to the second arc gas flow passage and having a larger sectional area than the sectional area of the second arc gas flow passage.