Parallel Plate Cooling Device for Circuit Breaker Gas Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for hot gases in electrical installation devices, such as low-voltage circuit breakers, experience pressure buildup and clogging due to complex flow deflections, which can damage the device and affect switching behavior.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with parallel flat metallic cooling plates of high thermal conductivity and heat capacity, arranged with narrow slits to minimize pressure increase and prevent flow deflection, ensuring efficient heat dissipation without arc contact or clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If close-meshed metallic net or grid is used for cooling, then cooling effect is improved, but flow channels become clogged by particles and pressure builds up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of switching gasesVSAvoidclogging and damage of cooling device

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is segmented into multiple parallel flat cooling plates with narrow slits between them, creating multiple flow channels. This segmentation allows the gas flow to be distributed across many channels, reducing the likelihood of complete blockage while maintaining effective cooling surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a close-meshed net or grid that creates complex flow deflections, the invention inverts the approach by using parallel flat plates with narrow slits that allow flow to pass through with minimal deflection. This inversion simplifies the flow path and reduces pressure buildup while maintaining cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Temperature

If complex flow guidance with many deflections is used, then cooling effect is improved, but pressure builds up and switching behavior is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of switching gasesVSAvoidpressure build-up in switching chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by eliminating complex flow deflections and using simple parallel plate geometry with narrow slits. This allows gas to flow through with minimal pressure buildup while still achieving effective cooling through the large surface area of the parallel plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling approach transitions from a two-dimensional net or grid structure to a three-dimensional arrangement of parallel plates with narrow slits. This dimensional change increases the cooling surface area while maintaining simple flow paths that minimize pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If cooling device is placed in flow path, then cooling effect is improved, but arc may contact cooling device causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature of switching gasesVSAvoiddamage resistance of cooling device

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The parallel flat cooling plates with narrow slits act as an intermediary structure that cools the gas without providing a solid surface for arc contact. The narrow slits allow gas passage while the plate geometry and positioning prevent arcs from reaching the cooling device surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces the electrical conductivity of escaping gases, minimizing pressure buildup and maintaining switching behavior, while being less prone to damage and blockages, allowing for optional external mounting without impacting device performance.

Implementation Method 1

the window is made of a material with high thermal conductivity and a high heat capacity determined by volume and mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The heat is temporarily stored in the plates themselves, which is achieved through a corresponding heat capacity of the plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat capacity: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

The small distance ensures good convective heat transfer from the gas to the surface of the cooler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2915173B1Cooling device for gases occurring in installation equipment

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 EATON ELECTRICAL IP

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling device 10 for hot gases occurring during and after a switching process in electrical installation equipment, preferably in low-voltage circuit breakers. According to the invention, a window 13 with narrow passage openings 17, 18 is arranged in the flow path 20 of the hot switching gases, and the window 13 is made from a material with high thermal conductivity and high heat capacity. The passage openings 17, 18 in the window are planar in shape and are arranged parallel to the flow direction 20 of the switching gases such that no deflection of the switching gases takes place.