Quick Disconnect Switch With Expansion Vessel to Minimize Arcing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick disconnect switches for high current and voltage circuits face challenges such as delayed disconnection due to piston acceleration, inadequate separation, arcing issues, and gas leakage, which are not effectively addressed by prior art solutions.
Innovation Solution
A quick disconnect switch design that utilizes an expansion vessel containing an explosive charge, which expands to mechanically separate the conductor without a piston, ensuring gas-tight construction and minimizing arcing by keeping the explosive charge isolated within the vessel, and employs conductive materials with non-conductive coatings and weakening elements to facilitate rapid and controlled disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a piston mechanism is used to accelerate the separation process, then the disconnection speed is improved, but the disconnection time is delayed due to the acceleration of piston mass
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the piston from the system entirely, replacing it with an expansion vessel that directly generates separating force through explosive expansion. This extraction of the piston eliminates the mass acceleration delay while maintaining rapid disconnection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical piston system is replaced with a chemical-explosive system where an expansion vessel containing explosive material provides the separating force. The explosive expansion directly drives the separating element without requiring mechanical piston acceleration.
2Force
If a piston is used for conductor separation, then the separation force is sufficient, but the device complexity increases due to guiding and sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the piston and its associated guiding and sealing components from the system, replacing them with an expansion vessel that provides separation force without requiring complex mechanical guidance or sealing arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the expansion vessel containing explosive material, the separating element, and the housing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If the propellant charge is placed directly in the separation chamber, then the separation action is direct, but exhaust gases escape into the conductor space causing contamination and potential arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion vessel serves as an intermediary between the explosive charge and the separation chamber. It contains the explosive material and directs its expansion force through a controlled interface, preventing exhaust gases from contaminating the conductor space while maintaining effective separation action.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation chamber is segmented into distinct zones: the expansion vessel containing the explosive charge, and the conductor space. This spatial segmentation prevents contamination of the conductor space by exhaust gases while maintaining the effectiveness of the separation action.
4Strength
If the expansion vessel is made of electrically conductive material, then the structural strength is sufficient, but electrical bridging between contacts may occur after conductor separation
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion vessel is constructed from composite materials or materials with directionally controlled electrical properties. The material provides sufficient structural strength while exhibiting electrical insulation characteristics in the direction relevant to preventing contact bridging, thus eliminating electrical bridging risk while maintaining mechanical integrity.
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
Enables rapid and reliable disconnection of high current and voltage circuits with reduced arcing and gas leakage, suitable for use in low-pressure environments, and eliminates the need for complex piston mechanisms, improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion vessel (18) is provided in the separation chamber (12), wherein the expansion vessel (18) consists of an electrically conductive material and is coated or surrounded on the outside with an electrically non-conductive material, and an explosive charge (36) is provided on or in the expansion vessel (18)
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
The invention relates to a quick-break disconnect switch, i.e., a switch with which an electric circuit can be disconnected in a particularly quick manner. Such switches are sometimes also referred to as pyrotechnic separation devices or electric interrupter switches. In particular, the switch is a quick-break disconnect switch (10) which has a current supply contact and a current discharge contact, which are connected by a conductor (20), and the conductor (20) is guided through a separation chamber (12). The separation chamber (12) is provided with an expansion vessel (18) which can be expanded by an explosive charge. The invention additionally relates to a method for an emergency separation of a current circuit.