Staged Conductor Interrupter for Faster Arc Quenching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers require improvement in their electric circuit interrupting capability.
Innovation Solution
An interrupter system that includes a gas producer to generate gas for driving an actuator pin, which cuts off a separable portion of the electrical conductor from its terminal portions, with the separable portion being designed to have a lower breaking strength than the terminal portions, and incorporates grooves and a housing space for improved arc quenching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single separable portion is used in the electrical conductor, then the structure is simple, but the circuit breaking time is prolonged and arcing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor is divided into multiple separable portions (first separable portion and second separable portion) instead of using a single separable portion. This segmentation allows different parts of the circuit to be disconnected at different times, reducing the overall arc duration and improving circuit breaking speed while maintaining structural simplicity
2Device complexity
If all separable portions are cut off simultaneously, then the structure is simple, but the arcing time increases and circuit breaking speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a staged disconnection mechanism where the first separable portion is cut off before the second separable portion. This preliminary action of disconnecting parts in sequence rather than simultaneously reduces arc duration and improves circuit breaking speed without requiring complex control mechanisms
3Power
If the electrical conductor has high current carrying capacity, then power transmission is efficient, but the contact portion area increases leading to longer arc duration
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductor is segmented into multiple separable portions, allowing the current carrying capacity to be maintained through parallel paths while the arc duration is reduced by creating multiple disconnection points. This segmentation enables efficient power transmission without proportionally increasing arc duration
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
Enhances the interrupting capability and arc quenching ability of the circuit, facilitating efficient and effective interruption of electrical circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a gas producer configured to produce a gas by burning a fuel
Implementation Method 2
an actuator pin configured to be driven under pressure of the gas produced by the gas producer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an interrupter comprising a gas producer configured to produce a gas by burning a fuel; an actuator pin configured to be driven under pressure of the gas produced by the gas producer; and an electrical conductor configured to electrically connect two terminals of an external electric circuit. The electrical conductor includes a first terminal portion; a first separable portion connected to the first terminal portion; a second terminal portion electrically connected to the first terminal portion; and a second separable portion connected to the second terminal portion and electrically connected to the first separable portion in parallel. The first separable portion is configured to be cut off from the first terminal portion by the actuator pin driven. The second separable portion is configured to be cut off from the second terminal portion by the actuator pin driven. A first timing when the first separable portion starts to be cut off from the first terminal portion is earlier than a second timing when the second separable portion starts to be cut off from the second terminal portion.