Moveable Insulator for Arc Exhaust Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panelboards lack an effective, adjustable, and cost-efficient insulative barrier to manage ionized exhaust gases and pressure generated during arc events, which can cause phase-to-phase electrical faults and damage equipment.
Innovation Solution
A moveable insulative barrier with cantilever wall members that deflect to increase the cross-sectional area of plenum regions in response to ionized gas venting from circuit breakers, effectively directing exhaust gases away from energized and grounded conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary barriers are used to prevent ionized gas flow, then phase-to-phase faults are prevented, but the barriers cannot adjust to changing gas venting conditions and require complex multi-piece arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative barrier is made moveable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in response to ionized gas pressure. The barrier can shift to increase the volume of the plenum chamber when gases are vented, providing adaptive protection without requiring complex multi-piece arrangements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed rigid barriers are employed to block ionized gases, then conductor protection is achieved, but the barriers cannot expand plenum volume and increase structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a moveable component that can shift position. When ionized gases are vented from a circuit breaker, the barrier moves to increase the plenum chamber volume, allowing the harmful gases to be contained in a larger space rather than being blocked by a rigid fixed barrier.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple robust insulative barriers are used, then cost is reduced and installation is simplified, but the barriers cannot move to increase plenum volume
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier maintains simplicity in manufacture and installation as a single robust insulative component, but incorporates moveability to dynamically increase plenum chamber volume when needed. This allows the system to achieve both manufacturing simplicity and adaptive volume expansion.
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 solution enhances the quenching and control of exhaust gases, heat, and pressure, protecting the circuit protection system and adjacent equipment from damage by increasing the volume of the plenum to contain discharged gases, thereby preventing phase-to-phase faults.
Implementation Method 1
an arc is created which is accompanied by the generation of ionized gases. The ionized gas temperatures can reach or exceed 20,000° C., which can vaporize the conductors and adjacent equipment. Moreover, an arc flash can release significant energy in the form of heat, intense light, pressure waves
Implementation Method 2
an insulative barrier configured to be operatively disposed in the gap, having a first cantilever wall member to define a first plenum region having a first cross sectional area
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switching apparatus for housing a pair of opposing circuit breakers each circuit breaker of the pair of opposing circuit breakers having an opposing end face including an exhaust vent disposed thereon is disclosed. The electrical switching apparatus includes a panelboard to operatively support the pair of opposing circuit breakers to define a gap therebetween, and an insulative barrier to be operatively disposed in the gap. The insulative barrier includes a first cantilever wall member arrangeable to define a first plenum region having a first cross sectional area, and a second plenum region having a second cross sectional area. The insulative barrier is operative to deflect in a first direction to thereby increase one of the first and second cross sectional areas in response to a venting of ionized gases from one circuit breaker of the pair of circuit breakers.