Permanent-Magnet Circuit Interrupter for Power-Free Arc Quenching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit interrupters face challenges in rapidly extinguishing electrical arcs without consuming electrical power, leading to potential safety hazards, contact damage, and reduced operational lifespan due to the formation of arcs during switching or tripping, which also generates heat and reduces energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A circuit interrupter design incorporating a permanent magnet with pole pieces of magnetically permeable material to create a magnetic field that guides arcs into an arc extinguisher, eliminating the need for electrical power and reducing weight and manufacturing costs by using a single permanent magnet and non-moving pole pieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electromagnetic field is used to guide arc toward arc splitter, then arc quenching is improved, but electrical power consumption increases and heat generation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc quenching effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic field system (which requires electrical power) with a permanent magnet system that generates a magnetic field without consuming electrical power. The permanent magnet is positioned to guide the arc toward the arc splitter through magnetic field interaction, eliminating the need for powered electromagnetic coils while achieving the same arc guidance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The permanent magnet system is self-powered, utilizing the inherent magnetic properties of the permanent magnet material to generate the magnetic field without requiring external electrical energy input. The system serves itself by converting stored magnetic energy directly into arc guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If electromagnetic field system is used for arc guidance, then arc control is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc control capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes heavy electromagnetic coils and power supply components with a lightweight permanent magnet assembly. The permanent magnet generates the necessary magnetic field without requiring the bulky infrastructure of powered electromagnetic systems, significantly reducing device weight while maintaining arc control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If electromagnetic field system is used for arc guidance, then arc control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electromagnetic field generation systems (requiring coils, power supplies, and control circuits) with a simple permanent magnet assembly. This substitution dramatically simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces component count, and lowers overall system cost while preserving the essential arc guidance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If arc is not quickly extinguished, then operational simplicity is maintained, but contact damage increases and safety hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidcontact damage and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an arc splitter as an intermediary component that the magnetic field guides the arc toward. The arc splitter provides a dedicated path for arc extinction, efficiently directing the arc away from contacts and other critical components. This intermediary structure enables rapid arc extinguishment while maintaining operational simplicity, as the process occurs automatically through magnetic field guidance without requiring complex control mechanisms.

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

Effectively extinguishes arcs without electrical power consumption, reducing heat generation, weight, and manufacturing costs, while enhancing safety and operational lifespan by directing arcs towards an extinguisher, thus preventing damage and hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent magnet having a first end having a first magnetic polarity and a second end having a second magnetic polarity opposite to the first magnetic polarity, generating a magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a first pole piece comprising a magnetically permeable material and a second pole piece comprising a magnetically permeable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic permeability: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3242306B1Circuit interrupteur with arc suppression

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 CARLING TECHNOLOGIES INC

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AI summary

A circuit interrupter including an arc extinguisher which functions to arrest an arc that develops between electrical contacts. The circuit interrupter includes a permanent magnet coupled at opposite ends to two magnetically permeable pole pieces that are configured to drive or urge an arc into toward an arc extinguisher. The device allows for arc motivation due to the magnetic field without requiring the use of electrical power and allows for a rugged, lightweight design.