Pyroactuated Circuit Interrupter for Faster Arc Extinction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit interrupters, particularly those using pyrotechnic actuators, face limitations in improving current interruption performance due to slow operation and inadequate separation of high and low voltage side circuits, leading to suboptimal arc extinction and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A circuit interrupter design incorporating a pyroactuator that generates gas through combustion to rapidly move a movable contactor away from fixed contacts, utilizing the energy for high-speed separation and arc stretching, thereby enhancing current interruption performance and arc extinction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pyrotechnic actuator is used to break the conductor, then the circuit can be interrupted, but the interruption time is long and the gap between high and low voltage side circuits cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The movable contactor is separated into distinct components (movable contact and contactor body) that can move independently, allowing for faster separation and improved interruption performance without being constrained by a single rigid breaking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical breaking mechanism that physically fractures the conductor is replaced with a pyroactuator system that uses rapid thermal expansion of gas to drive movable contacts apart, achieving faster interruption through gas pressure rather than mechanical force alone
2Reliability
If a pyrotechnic actuator is used to break the conductor, then the circuit can be interrupted, but the gap between high and low voltage side circuits is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The separation mechanism utilizes the expansion of gas in the third dimension to drive movable contacts apart more effectively, creating larger gaps between high and low voltage circuits compared to traditional linear mechanical breaking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Gas pressure generated by the pyroactuator is used to rapidly separate the movable contactor from the fixed contacts, achieving greater separation distance and improved arc extinction through pneumatic force rather than purely mechanical action
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 design achieves improved current interruption performance by rapidly stretching and extinguishing arcs, increasing the distance between contacts and reducing energy consumption compared to traditional breakers, while effectively isolating high and low voltage sides.
Implementation Method 1
a squib (51) configured to generate gas by combustion
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present disclosure would be to improve current interruption performance. A circuit interrupter (100) includes: a first fixed terminal (1) including a first fixed contact (11); a movable contactor (3) which is formed as a separate part from the first fixed terminal (1) and includes a first movable contact (31); a holding unit (4) configured to hold the movable contactor (3) so that the first movable contact (31) is connected to the first fixed contact (11); and a squib (51) configured to generate gas by combustion. In the circuit interrupter (100), pressure of the gas generated by the squib (51) causes movement of the movable contactor (3) in a direction away from the first fixed terminal (1) so that the first movable contact (31) is separated from the first fixed contact (11).