Pyrotechnical Interruption Switch Gas Pressure Contact Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-current electrical interruption switches fail to securely disconnect high currents at high voltages without creating hazardous conditions such as electric arcs, and are either difficult to produce or handle safely due to the use of explosive materials.

Innovation Solution

A pyrotechnical interruption switch with a gas-generating propellant charge that generates sufficient gas pressure to separate the contact unit without detonation, accompanied by an extinguishing agent that prevents electric arcs through controlled injection into the separation region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If explosive charges are used for tripping, then fast disconnection is achieved, but safety and ease of handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetripping speedVSAvoidhandling safety

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces dangerous explosive charges with a disposable pyrotechnical element that generates gas pressure to separate contact elements. This pyrotechnical element is designed to be consumed in a single use, achieving fast disconnection without the safety hazards of conventional explosives, thus resolving the contradiction between tripping speed and handling safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If high currents are interrupted at high voltages, then circuit protection is achieved, but electric arcs and plasma are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit protectionVSAvoidelectric arcs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an extinguishing agent as an intermediary substance that is injected into the separation region between contact elements. This agent suppresses electric arcs and plasma formation during high-voltage interruption, enabling reliable circuit protection without the harmful effects of arcing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses gas pressure generated by the pyrotechnical element to rapidly separate contact elements and inject the extinguishing agent into the separation region. This pneumatic mechanism achieves fast disconnection while simultaneously suppressing electric arcs through the extinguishing agent, resolving the contradiction between circuit protection and arc suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Speed

If detonation-type reactions are used, then fast tripping is achieved, but production permits and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetripping speedVSAvoidproduction permits

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces detonation-type explosive charges with a disposable pyrotechnical element that generates sufficient gas pressure for fast tripping without requiring detonation. This approach eliminates the need for complex production permits and simplifies manufacturing, while still achieving the required tripping speed through the rapid gas pressure generation and contact element separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Ensures secure disconnection of high currents at high voltages without external repercussions, such as plasma or gas escape, and is safer and more economical to produce and handle.

Implementation Method 1

a propellant charge (40), which includes a gas-generating activatable material, for generating, upon an ignition thereof, a gas pressure for moving the sabot (25)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure generation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the extinguishing agent is injected through at least one discharge channel (49) for preventing the occurrence of an electric arc between the ends of the separation region (27)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric arc suppression: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentUS9911560B2Electrical interruption switch, in particular for interrupting high currents at high voltages

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 LELL PETER

AI summary

An electrical interruption switch having a casing which surrounds a contact unit which defines the path of the current through the interruption switch, and having a propellant charge having a gas-generating activatable material. The contact unit has a first and a second connection contacts, an upsetting region, a separation region and a sabot. An extinguishing agent is provided in such a way that the motion of the sabot and/or the upsetting of the upsetting region reduces the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent in such a way that the extinguishing agent is injected through at least one discharge channel that connects the volume for receiving the extinguishing agent to the chamber in which the separation region is located, in order to extinguish or to prevent the formation of an electric arc between the ends of the separation region.