US2356039A - Arc limiting device - Google Patents

Arc limiting device Download PDF

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Publication number
US2356039A
US2356039A US453058A US45305842A US2356039A US 2356039 A US2356039 A US 2356039A US 453058 A US453058 A US 453058A US 45305842 A US45305842 A US 45305842A US 2356039 A US2356039 A US 2356039A
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United States
Prior art keywords
arc
contact members
limbs
base portion
members
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US453058A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ellis Delbert
Owen L Taylor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to CA432276A priority Critical patent/CA432276A/fr
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Priority to US453058A priority patent/US2356039A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2356039A publication Critical patent/US2356039A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/46—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using arcing horns

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an are limiting device and, more particularly, to an arc quenching structure fOr separating an arc, drawn between two contact members, into two separate parts and for confining such arc or arcs to a limited area adjacent the contact members.
  • One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an arc quenching structure adjacent a pair of separable contact members which will function up to certain current values to divide an arc drawn between the contact members into two parts and extinguish such divided arcs, and above certain current values will function to confine and limit the length of the arc streams to an area adjacent the contacts.
  • a circuit interrupting mechanism having a pair of separable contact members between which an arc may be drawn is provided with a substantially U-shaped metallic structure so arranged with respect to the contact members that each of its arms or limbs will provide an arc horn to which an arc may strike from one of the contact members.
  • the U-shaped structure of the character referred has ends of its limbs extending inwardly and doubled back to provide substantially U-shaped loops to which an arc may strike, the U-shaped loops operating to produce a magnetic field for moving and confining the arc in a space between the arms of the U- shaped member.
  • Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a structure constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and showing its arrangement with respect to a pair of separable contact members;
  • Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form of the structure
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a circuit interrupting device showing the application of the arc separating device of this invention to a double break contact structure;
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a circuit interrupting device showing the preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view oi" the U-shaped arc separating device shown in Fig. 4.
  • the numeral l designates a U-shaped metal member formed of magnetic material and having parallel arms or limbs 2 and 3 spaced apart and connected together by a base portion 4.
  • the ends 5 of the limbs 2 and 3 are doubled back and project inwardly toward the base portion 4 to provide substantially U-shaped loops 6 at the end of each of the arms 2 and 3.
  • Relatively movable conducting members 1 and 8 are provided with contact members 9 positioned adjacent and substantially in the space between the U-shaped loop 6 at the ends of the limbs 2 and 3.
  • the base portion 4' connecting the limbs 2 and 3 may be made longer, as shown in Fig. 2. where sufficient space is available.
  • this showing the steps of drawing an are between the contact members 9 and striking separate arcs from the conducting members 1 and 8 to the points ID are the same as described in connection with the showing of Fig. 1.
  • this showing when the ends of the arcs are moved to the points II such ends will follow the path of least resistance and strike to the points I2 on the base 4. thereby shunting th limbs 2 and 3 out of the current path.
  • a current loop will be formed by the current arcing from the conducting member 1 to one of the points I2 and flowing through the portion of the base 4 between the points I2 to the return are from the other of the points l2 to the conducting member 8.
  • the field of this loop will tend to lengthen each of the arcs between the contact members 9 and the points l2. If such are portions increase in length the resistance thereof will increase and the current in following the path of least resistance will cause arcs to rcstrike again at the points I0.
  • the structure thus far described may be employed as the sole means of extinguishing an arc as shown in Fig. 3 or may be employed to confine and limit an arc in one portion of a circuit While an arc is drawn and extinguished by other deionizing means in another portion of the circuit as shown in Fig. 4.
  • a double break contact structure comprising stationary contacts l3 carried by conducting members I4 mounted in an insulating support I5.
  • a pair of movable contact members I6 are mounted on a saddle I! connected to an operating member I8 mounted for movement in the support I back and forth between positions engaging and disengaging th contacts 13 and IS in a manner well known in the art.
  • a U-shaped deionizing struc ture I is mounted on the support I5 adjacent each of the pairs of relatively movable and stationary contacts I3 and 18.
  • a pair of stationary contacts I9 are mounted on an insulating support 20 for engagement with movable contacts 2 I carried by a bridging member 22 mounted on a saddle 23 connected to a cross bar 24.
  • the cross bar 24 is preferably mounted for pivotal movement back and forth between positions engaging and disengaging the contacts I9 and 2
  • the mounting and operating mechanism for the cross bar 24 forms no part of this invention and has not been shown in the interest of simplicity.
  • the parts of Fig. 4 thus far referred to are shown in the copending application of Delbert Ellis and J. H. Alspach, Serial No. 458,386. filed September 15, 1942, to which reference is made for a more complete description thereof.
  • a U-shaped member 25 is mounted adjacent the lower pair of contact members I9 and 2
  • the member 25 functions in the same manner as does the member I of Figs. 1 and 2. although differing therefrom in physical appearance. Therefore like numerals have been employed to designate like parts.
  • the member 25 will function to break an are drawn between the lower set of contacts I9 and 2
  • a plurality of spaced parallel deionizing plates 26 are arranged adjacent such upper contacts.
  • the deionizing metal plates 26 may be of any suitable construction, for instance as shown in Patent No.
  • the U-shaped member 25 functions to break an are drawn between the lower set of contact members I9 and 2
  • the member 25 in this showing functions to prevent lengthening of the are between the lower set of contact members I9 and 2
  • the member 25 cooperates with the deionizing plates 26 in interrupting the current since it doubles the number of arcs in series between the lower set of contact members I9 and 2 I, thereby reducing the voltage across the deionizing plates 26.
  • the U-shaped member I functions as an arc quenchingstructure which will break an are drawn between two contact members into two portions.
  • the reversal of current fiow in the member I at the point to which the arc portions strike produces a field for moving the are rapidly and preventing the formation of ionized gases thereby enabling extinguishment of the are as the current passes through a zero point in the same manner as is had in other deionizing structures.
  • the device I also functions to maintain and confine the arc in a limited area while the current is interrupted at another point as in Fig. 4. This latter feature of the device I prevents the arc from short circuiting across other parts of the apparatus in a manner which would otherwise interfere with the circuit interrupting action.
  • Circuit interrupting means comprising a pair of separable contact members, operating means for separating said members and drawing an arc therebetween, an are attracting magnetizable structure arranged in proximity to said members and having a base portion and two spaced limbs at the same side of said base portion, said contact members having a path of separation extending substantially in parallel to said base portion in the spacing direction of said limbs and farther away from said base portion than from the respective ends of said limbs, said path being close to said ends so that the latter attract said arc initially, said limbs being shaped so as to decrease their mutual distance in the direction from said path towards said base portion.
  • Circuit interrupting means comprising a pair of separable contact members, operating means for separating said members and drawing an arc therebetween, a bent continuous metal structure having a base portion and two spaced limbs so as to have approximate U-shape, said limbs being rebent inwardly towards said base portion so as to form a hairpin-curved section at the respective ends remote from said base portion, said sections being at a greater distance Irom each other at said remote ends than near said base portion.
  • said structure being arranged relative to the path of separation of said contact members so that said path extends substantially in parallel to the spacing direction of said limbs and said limbs extend from said base portion towards said path with said remote ends located near said respective members for attracting said one in order to separate it into two are portions each extending between either member and the limb next to it.
  • Circuit interrupting means comprising a pair of separable contact members, operating means for separating said members and drawing an arc therebetween, a structure of magnetic metal having a base portion and two spaced limbs so as to have approximate U-shape, said limbs being bent inwardly towards each other and towards said base portion, said metal structure being arranged relative to the path of separation of said contact members so that said path extends substantially in parallel to the spacing direction of said limbs while said limbs extend from said base portion towards said path with their ends remote from said base portion located near said members respectively in order to attract said are and separate it into two are portions substantially only by the electromagnetic coaction of said members and structure.
  • Circuit interrupting means comprising a pair of separable contact members, operating means for separating said meinbers and drawing an arc therebetween, and an arc separating structure comprising a substantially U-shaped conductive body having a base portion and two spaced limbs at the same side of said base portion, said con tact members being arranged between said limbs so that the path of separation of said members extends substantially in parallel to the spacing direction of said limbs and is closer to said limbs than to said base portion and in suflicient proximity to said limbs that an arc may strike from each of said contacts to one of said limbs respectively in order to divide the are into separate portions.
  • An arc separating structure comprising a substantially u-shaped metallic member having a base portion and two spaced limbs extending substantially at right angles to said base portion and having their respective ends turned inwardly and doubled back toward said base portion to provide a substantially U-shaped loop at the end of each limb, and a pair of separable contacts having a direction of separation extending substantially in parallel to said base portion and in parallel to the spacing direction of said limbs and being more remote from said base portion than from said loops so that each of said loops provides an arc horn along which the terminal of an arc may move towards said base portion.

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  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US453058A 1942-07-31 1942-07-31 Arc limiting device Expired - Lifetime US2356039A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA432276A CA432276A (fr) 1942-07-31 Dispositif a abaisser l'arc
US453058A US2356039A (en) 1942-07-31 1942-07-31 Arc limiting device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US453058A US2356039A (en) 1942-07-31 1942-07-31 Arc limiting device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2356039A true US2356039A (en) 1944-08-15

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ID=23799047

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US453058A Expired - Lifetime US2356039A (en) 1942-07-31 1942-07-31 Arc limiting device

Country Status (2)

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US (1) US2356039A (fr)
CA (1) CA432276A (fr)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2524287A (en) * 1945-01-19 1950-10-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US2550718A (en) * 1946-02-19 1951-05-01 Clark Controller Co Electric contactor and arc extinguisher therefor
US2554278A (en) * 1947-03-26 1951-05-22 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Lightning arrester
US2575060A (en) * 1947-08-07 1951-11-13 Allen Bradley Co Arc interrupter for electric switches
US2583174A (en) * 1946-08-14 1952-01-22 Hi Voltage Equipment Company Electric switch or circuit breaker
US2611059A (en) * 1950-07-07 1952-09-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electric switch with permanentmagnet blowout field
US2629036A (en) * 1950-03-16 1953-02-17 Bendix Aviat Corp Circuit breaker
US2729723A (en) * 1952-02-14 1956-01-03 Siemens Ag Alternating-current circuit interrupters
US2853577A (en) * 1954-05-19 1958-09-23 Ward Electric Company Electromagnetic switch
US2988618A (en) * 1958-09-22 1961-06-13 Statham Instrument Inc Thermostat
US2995638A (en) * 1957-07-03 1961-08-08 Telemecanique Electrique Cut-off switch
DE1765946B1 (de) * 1967-09-01 1971-09-09 Telemecanique Electrique Lichtbogenloescheinrichtung
US4429198A (en) 1981-05-20 1984-01-31 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Power switchgear
US4568805A (en) * 1984-08-24 1986-02-04 Eaton Corporation J-Plate arc interruption chamber for electric switching devices

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2524287A (en) * 1945-01-19 1950-10-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US2550718A (en) * 1946-02-19 1951-05-01 Clark Controller Co Electric contactor and arc extinguisher therefor
US2583174A (en) * 1946-08-14 1952-01-22 Hi Voltage Equipment Company Electric switch or circuit breaker
US2554278A (en) * 1947-03-26 1951-05-22 Forges Ateliers Const Electr Lightning arrester
US2575060A (en) * 1947-08-07 1951-11-13 Allen Bradley Co Arc interrupter for electric switches
US2629036A (en) * 1950-03-16 1953-02-17 Bendix Aviat Corp Circuit breaker
US2611059A (en) * 1950-07-07 1952-09-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electric switch with permanentmagnet blowout field
US2729723A (en) * 1952-02-14 1956-01-03 Siemens Ag Alternating-current circuit interrupters
US2853577A (en) * 1954-05-19 1958-09-23 Ward Electric Company Electromagnetic switch
US2995638A (en) * 1957-07-03 1961-08-08 Telemecanique Electrique Cut-off switch
US2988618A (en) * 1958-09-22 1961-06-13 Statham Instrument Inc Thermostat
DE1765946B1 (de) * 1967-09-01 1971-09-09 Telemecanique Electrique Lichtbogenloescheinrichtung
US4429198A (en) 1981-05-20 1984-01-31 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Power switchgear
US4568805A (en) * 1984-08-24 1986-02-04 Eaton Corporation J-Plate arc interruption chamber for electric switching devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA432276A (fr) 1946-01-01

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