Dual-Separation Interrupter Structure for Stronger Arc Quenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers require improvement in their electric circuit interrupting capability, particularly in handling abnormal currents like overcurrents.
Innovation Solution
An interrupter system that includes a gas producer, an actuator pin, and an electrical conductor with a separable portion, where the gas producer burns fuel to produce gas, driving the actuator pin to cut off the separable portion from the terminal portions, with the actuator pin's movement and conductor design enhancing the breaking strength and arc quenching capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single separable portion is used in the electrical conductor, then the structure is simple, but the arc quenching capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor is divided into multiple separable portions (first separable portion and second separable portion) instead of using a single separable portion. This segmentation allows the conductor to be cut at multiple points, creating multiple arc quenching zones that improve the overall arc quenching capability while maintaining a relatively simple conductor structure.
2Speed
If the actuator pin cuts off the separable portion quickly, then the interrupting speed is high, but the breaking strength may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor is pre-configured with multiple separable portions at strategically positioned locations. Before the actuator pin operates, these separable portions are already in place, allowing the actuator to quickly cut through predetermined weak points without requiring excessive force. The boundary portions are designed with reduced breaking strength to facilitate rapid separation while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If the boundary portion has low breaking strength for easy separation, then the interrupter operates smoothly, but the overall conductor strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor is designed with non-uniform properties: the boundary portions have reduced breaking strength to facilitate easy separation, while the terminal portions and separable portions maintain higher strength for structural integrity and current carrying capacity. This local differentiation of material properties allows the conductor to be both strong where needed and easy to separate where required.
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
The system effectively interrupts the electric circuit with improved breaking strength and arc quenching, ensuring reliable operation during abnormal currents.
Implementation Method 1
The gas producer produces a gas by burning a fuel
Implementation Method 2
The actuator pin is driven under pressure of the gas produced by the gas producer
Implementation Method 3
The separable portion is cut off from the terminal portion by the actuator pin driven
Data Source
AI summary
An interrupter includes a gas producer, an actuator pin, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor includes a first terminal portion, a first separable portion, a second terminal portion, and a second separable portion. The second separable portion is electrically connected to the first separable portion in parallel. A first timing when the first separable portion starts to be cut off from the first terminal portion is earlier than a second timing when the second separable portion starts to be cut off from the second terminal portion.