Encapsulated Arc-Quenching Fuse for Localized Arc Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-filled fuses face challenges in sealing and cost-effectiveness due to complete filling requirements, which are wasteful and costly, and struggle to provide localized arc quenching without compromising high voltage rating and size.
Innovation Solution
A fuse design with encapsulated arc quenching material, such as dielectric liquid in glass vials, positioned near arcing points to release locally during an arc event, providing localized cooling and arc suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fuse is completely filled with arc quenching liquid, then arc cooling effect is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse is divided into multiple sections: a fuse element holder, a filling compound material, and encapsulated liquid containers. The liquid is segmented into discrete containers rather than filling the entire fuse, allowing localized arc quenching while simplifying sealing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc quenching liquid is extracted from the bulk filling and placed into separate encapsulated containers. This extraction allows the liquid to be positioned only where needed (at arc points) while eliminating the need for complete sealing of the entire fuse body.
2Reliability
If the fuse is completely filled with arc quenching liquid, then arc quenching performance is improved, but cost and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arc quenching liquid is applied locally at specific arc points rather than uniformly throughout the entire fuse. Each encapsulated container is positioned at a specific location where arc quenching is needed, providing localized quality rather than uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely filling the fuse with liquid (excessive action), only sufficient liquid is provided in encapsulated form at the necessary locations (partial action). This partial filling achieves the required arc quenching performance while minimizing material waste.
3Ease of manufacture
If encapsulated liquid containers are used for localized arc quenching, then cost and size are reduced, but voltage rating capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse employs a composite structure combining fuse elements, encapsulated liquid containers, and a filling compound material. This composite design integrates the benefits of localized liquid quenching with the structural integrity and voltage rating capabilities of the filling compound and fuse element holder.
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 cost-effective, localized arc quenching with reduced size and increased voltage rating, suitable for electric vehicles and DC applications.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid compound may be an oil having hydrogen as a component which will provide a good cooling effect during the high temperature decomposition in the arc plasma. Other beneficial arc suppressing effects generated by the liquid vaporization are the local pressurization of the plasma column and the energy transfer from the liquid phase change.
Implementation Method 2
When the fuse element operates and the voltage arc is generated the glass vial ruptures and releases its liquid into the arc plasma.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fuse includes a casing, a fuse element housed inside the casing, and one or more arc-quenching-material containers including arc quenching material. Each arc-quenching-material container may be configured proximately to one or more weak spots of the fuse element such that, in an event of an arc, the arc-quenching-material containers are configured to rupture and release the arc quenching material.