Rotational Disc Circuit Breaker for Arc Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excess voltage circuit breakers fail to provide reliable disconnection during long-term increased voltages, which can lead to destruction and potential fires, especially when varistors experience electric arc and thermal overload, as previous solutions either rely on transition to a conductive state or have inefficiencies in disconnection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotational disc and electronic assembly with para gas disconnectors and positive thermal resistors that electronically trigger disconnection upon increased voltage, using a spring to move a rotational disk and interrupt arcs, while a latching plate indicates disconnection from the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier moves in translation to separate the overheated varistor body from the connecting electrode, then electric arc is prevented, but the disconnection reliability is insufficient when varistor moves to short-circuit state prior to thermal disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the translational mechanical barrier system with a rotational disc mechanism driven by a spiral spring. The rotational disc rotates 90 degrees to bring separation electrodes into contact with the varistor body, creating an electrically insulating barrier. This mechanical substitution provides more reliable disconnection by ensuring physical contact between the rotational disc and varistor surface, preventing both electric arc and thermal runaway even when varistor transitions to short-circuit state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic rotational mechanism with spiral spring drive that automatically activates upon detecting varistor overload. The rotational disc rotates from an initial position to a final position, dynamically positioning separation electrodes to block electric arc paths. This dynamic system responds faster and more reliably than static or translational barriers, ensuring disconnection reliability under varying overload conditions.
2Reliability
If external disconnection devices are added to detect increased current, then protection against long-term increased voltage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection and disconnection functions into a single integrated housing. The electronic assembly with current detection circuitry is combined with the rotational disc mechanism and separation electrodes within the same housing, eliminating the need for external disconnection devices. This integration maintains protection reliability against long-term increased voltage while reducing device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the varistor, electronic detection assembly, rotational disc mechanism, and separation electrodes. The system simultaneously performs voltage detection, current monitoring, mechanical rotation, and electric arc prevention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the rotational disc extends the distance between electrodes, then electric arc interruption is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameter configuration by using a rotational disc that moves separation electrodes through a 90-degree rotation. This rotational movement creates an extended effective distance between electrodes compared to linear separation, improving electric arc interruption capability. The parameter change from linear to rotational motion allows achieving greater electrode separation with more relaxed manufacturing tolerances, as the rotational path naturally accommodates positioning variations.
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
This solution ensures quick and reliable disconnection of varistors from the network, preventing electric arcs and thermal overloads, thereby reducing the risk of circuit breaker destruction and fires, even during prolonged increased voltage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the force of the spring 5 is exerted on the rotational disc 4 and the latter turns around the holder 3b to an end position
Implementation Method 2
the temperature sensitive flux that connects the disconnection electrode 2f to the varistor 2a body gets melted
Implementation Method 3
They all have in common that they switch to a conductive status at an increased voltage and discharge the increased voltage in direction towards the ground via protected conductor
Implementation Method 4
The rotational disc is designed in a way to extend this distance up to distances prescribed by standards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2
AI summary
The excess voltage circuit breaker with a rotational disc and an electronic assembly to improve operation liability solves a problem of construction of electronic and mechanical disconnection of a connection terminal of an excess voltage protective element based on e. g. spark gaps, varistors, semi-conductors like diodes, thyristors and similar elements in case of occurrence of electric arc and electric thermal overloads. The essence of the excess voltage circuit breaker of the invention lies in an electronic assembly of a component (2) which comprises a resistor (PTC) with positive thermal coefficient which is connected in parallel to a gas circuit breaker (GDT). The resistor (PTC) is a resistor (2d) in the embodiment. The circuit breaker (GDT) comprises two gas circuit breakers (2b and 2c), wherein the common exit point of the resistor (2d) and the circuit breaker (GDV) is via thermal member (V), which is simultaneously a connection electrode (2f) arranged on a varistor (2a) body. The electronic assembly of the component (2) functions in a way that in case of rapid transition events a branch with the gas circuit breaker (GDT) is operable and in case of sporadically increased voltages the branch via the resistor (2d) is operable. The resistor (2d) with positive thermal coefficient limits the current through the varistor (2a). The varistor (2a) in low ohmic state allows high current to run through the varistor (2a) thus enabling the operation of external over-current protection. The movement of the connection electrode (2f) triggers the movement of the rotational disc (4), the spring (5), the latching plate (6) which changes the state of the indicator (8).