US3603754A - Contact structure for high-voltage circuit interrupter with liner components - Google Patents

Contact structure for high-voltage circuit interrupter with liner components Download PDF

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Publication number
US3603754A
US3603754A US9373A US3603754DA US3603754A US 3603754 A US3603754 A US 3603754A US 9373 A US9373 A US 9373A US 3603754D A US3603754D A US 3603754DA US 3603754 A US3603754 A US 3603754A
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United States
Prior art keywords
contact
contacts
hollow
arcing
tubular
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Expired - Lifetime
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US9373A
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English (en)
Inventor
Frank L Reese
Hayes O Dakin Jr
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Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Westinghouse Electric Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/04—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H33/12—Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/7015—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid characterised by flow directing elements associated with contacts
    • H01H33/7038—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid characterised by flow directing elements associated with contacts characterised by a conducting tubular gas flow enhancing nozzle
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/70—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
    • H01H33/80—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid flow of arc-extinguishing fluid from a pressure source being controlled by a valve
    • H01H33/82—Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid flow of arc-extinguishing fluid from a pressure source being controlled by a valve the fluid being air or gas

Definitions

  • a separable contact structure is provided for a high-voltage compressed-gas circuit interrupter involving at least one of the contacts being tubular to provide a gas flow therethrough, and having a liner component therein.
  • a relatively thin tubular member is inserted interiorly of the hollow contact, and, by electrically connecting the same to the inner anterior end of the hollow contact, the magnetic field situation is such that the terminal end of the arc is encouraged to move axially along the relatively thin tubular liner member to thereby effect considerable elongation of the established arc, and thereby to effect the extinction of the same by a more effective gas flow condition.
  • a cooperable tubular contact structure may be provided, through which gas also exhausts, and a similar relatively thin tubular liner member may also be associated therewith to act in a similar manner.
  • the present invention is particularly concerned with the separable contact structure applicable to a high-voltage compressed-gas circuit interrupter.
  • Ser. No. 787,658 for a particular type of compressed-gas circuit interrupter, there is involved a pair of separable contacts, each of which is tubular and permits the exhausting of gas flow therethrough to effect arc interruption therein.
  • the movable contact in effect, constitutes a primary blast-valve separating a high-pressure gaseous region, located externally of the contact structure, from the relatively low-pressure region provided interiorly of the separable contact structure.
  • the movable contact structure When it is desired to open the circuit interrupter, the movable contact structure is withdrawn from the stationary contact, thereby performing two functions.
  • the first function is the opening of a so-called primary blast valve at the contacts
  • the second function is the establishment of an are between the movable and the separable stationary contact structures.
  • the radially inwardly directed gas flow rapidly carries the terminal ends of the are within the separated tubular contact structures, and effects a lengthening of the terminal ends of the are within the separable tubular contact structures until interruption is achieved.
  • Cupaloy which is a registered trademark of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and refers to an alloy of copper. Difficulty has, however, been encountered with porosity of the castings which permitted leakage of high-pressure gas exteriorly of the separable contact structure interiorly into the region disposed within the separable contact structure, in addition, the use of this alloy Cupaloy was quite expensive.
  • a more effective gas flow and are movement is provided by the insertion within at least one of the separable tubular contacts of a relatively thin tubular member, preferably being made of a magnetic material, such as stainless steel, or steel.
  • the construction is such that the inner end of the relatively thin tubular member is electrically attached to the inner anterior extremity of the movable tubular contact, so that a magnetic field is set up, which is favorable to are elongation within the separable tubular contact structure.
  • the structure has the advantage that a relatively cheap material, such as aluminum castings, may be employed in the fabrication of the main contact-supporting structure. Due to the relatively high melting temperature of the relatively thin tubular member of stainless steel, or steel, there arises the advantage of a resistance to are erosion of the relatively thin tubular member.
  • a general object of the present invention is the provision of an improved separable contact structure for a compressed-gas circuit interrupter, which is of a relatively inexpensive construction by using a relatively cheap material, such as aluminum, of lightweight, and also favorable to the considerable elongation of the arc terminals within the separable tubular contact structure, while being subjected to effective gas flow conditions.
  • Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved separable contact for a high-voltage compressed gas circuit interrupter in which are elongation is magnetically encouraged by a liner construction where magnetic looping of the arc is encouraged.
  • a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved, relatively cheap, and lightweight contact structure for a high-voltage circuit interrupter, in which arc elongation is encouraged, and are extinction is thereby facilitated.
  • An auxiliary object of the present invention is the provision of a relatively cheap separable tubular contact construction for a compressed-gas circuit interrupter, in which the magnetic fields are controlled in an advantageous manner to encourage axial elongating movement of the arc terminals within the separable tubular contact structure. Obviously, this facilitates arc extinction in a much shorter time than would parent upon reading the following specification, taken conjunction with the drawings.
  • FIG. I is an end elevational view of a three-phase compressed-gas circuit interrupter embodying the principles pf the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partially in side elevation, of the interrupter assemblage associated with the circuit interrupter of FIG. 1, and extending upwardly from the left-hand side thereof;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the three-phase circuit interrupter of FIG. I, as viewed from the side indicated by the arrows A-A of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a considerably enlarged sectional fragmentary view of the separable contact structure, the contact structure being illustrated in the closed-circuit position;
  • FIG. 5 is a view somewhat similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating, in full lines, the separable contact structure in its fully open-circuit position, with the dotted lines illustrating the intervening contact positions, in which are establishment is initiated and elongated;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates, in an enlarged manner, a side elevational view of the relatively thin liner-tube structure, which is utilized in the present invention, and inserted within the cpntact structure;
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the principles of the present invention.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a three-phase circuit breaker. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, it will be apparent that the circuit breaker structure 1 is supported by a metallic framework 2, which may be composed of heavy angle-iron braces 3 and beams 4.
  • the circuit breaker structure I. is, generally, of the dual-pressure type involving the use of a suitable arc-extinguishing gas 5 at two different pressure levels, namely a high pressure, say 230 p.s.i., suitable for use for injecting into the are 6 (FIG.
  • the reference numeral 10 designates the piston rod in FIG. of the drawings, which actuates the movable contact assemblage l 1 in the opening and closing movements.
  • the second pressure level, associated with the arc-extinguishing unit 9, is of a relatively low pressure, say 5 p.s.i., for example, and is present interiorly of the contact structure 13 (FIG. 2) in the closed-circuit position thereof within the region 15, as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.
  • the several pole-units A, B and C are spaced laterally apart upon the grounded supporting framework 2, and are mechanically interconnected to a common mechanism 17 at ground potential.
  • the ground mechanism 17 is described in detail in US. Pat. application filed Nov. 18, I968, Ser. No. 776,510, by William H. Fischer and Wayne S. Aspey and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.
  • the manner of operation of the circuit breaker structure 1 is such as to cause the actuation of a ground potential operator 17 to effect motion of a mechanical linkage 19, which interconnects the several three-way valve control rods 20, extending upwardly, individually, within the three arcextinguishing assemblages 22, more clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.
  • the valve control rod 20 moving only a short distance, extends upwardly within insulating supporting tubes 24, 25 disposed interiorly of an insulating inner tension tube 27 serving to spatially relate the one or more pairs of contact structures 13, which may be employed.
  • the arc-extinguishing assemblage 22 comprises an outer insulating weatherproof casing 29, which may be formed either of porcelain, or of a suitable resinous material serving to enclose the arc-extinguishing structure 9 of the interrupter I.
  • the arc-extinguishing structure, or assemblage 22 is supported upon the grounded housing 31 and is slanted, or canted away from a terminal bushing structure 33, which serves to cause the current path to be conducted in a generally U-shape, as indicated by the dotted line 34 (FIG. I).
  • the terminal bushing structure 28 (FIG.
  • a suitable arc-extinguishing gas which has high qualities, may be enclosed within the terminal bushing structure 33 at a relatively low pressure, say of 25 psi. This gas may be the same gas 5 as described heretofore, such as SF but at a much lower pressure.
  • FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the interrupting structure 9 of a single pole-unit A of the three-phase circuit interrupter I.
  • FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross-sectional view taken through the interrupting structure 9 of a single pole-unit A of the three-phase circuit interrupter I.
  • a suitable highly effective arc-extinguishing gas 5 such as sulfurhexafluoride (SP gas)
  • SP gas sulfurhexafluoride
  • a suitable highly effective arc-extinguishing gas 5 such as sulfurhexafluoride (SP gas)
  • SP gas sulfurhexafluoride
  • US. Pat. 2,757,261 describes the arc-extinguishing characteristics of this particular gas 5.
  • the manner of operation of the circuit interrupter is the simultaneous actuation of the three valve control tripping rods 20, which extend upwardly into the top of the arc-extinguishing assemblages 22.
  • the valve control tripping rods 20 actuate three-way control valves 37 to their operating position to admit a highpressure gas below piston structures (not shown), which effect upward movement of the operating rods (FIG. 5), at 1 consequently upward opening movement of the separable contact structure 13.
  • F IG the manner of operation of the circuit interrupter
  • the piston structure is mechanically tied, by means of a piston rod 10, to a generally ladder-shaped structure 39, which comprises a pair of laterally spaced insulating operating rods 41, which extend axially of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 22 through a pair of hollow supporting tubes 42.
  • the region 44, immediately adjacent the contact structure 13, and externally thereof in the closed-circuit position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is at a relatively high pressure, say 230 psi, as more clearly described in US. Pat. application Ser. No. 759,992, filed Sept. 16, 1968, by Lee E. Berkebile, the arc-extinguishing structure, or unit 9 being of the so-called downstream type, in which high-pressure gas 5 moves radially into and through the separated contact structure 13 during the opening operation, until the flow of gas is halted by the closing operation of a pair of downstream, or secondary blast-valves, indicated by the reference numerals 46 and 47 in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. 5
  • the movable contact assemblage 39 comprises a generally ladder-shaped movable structure secured at its upper end to a yoke-shaped member, not shown, which, in turn, is mechanically adjustably secured, as at 10a, to the movable tubular contact 49.
  • the piston rod 10 is adjustably secured, as at 10a, to the hollow movable contact 49.
  • the side operating rods 41 additionally are secured to a movable blast-valve activator 50 having a configuration more clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, and more fully described hereinafter. 1
  • the moving contact 49 makes separable engagementwith a movable hollow sealing structure 52 (FIG. 5), which is supported by a stationary hollow contact structure 53, which is fixably supported upwardly from a base support 55.
  • a movable hollow sealing structure 52 FIG. 5
  • stationary hollow contact structure 53 which is fixably supported upwardly from a base support 55.
  • an exhausting flow of arcextinguishing fluid 5, at high pressure, occurs across the are 6, and diametrically in opposite directions through the interior of both the movable and stationary hollow contacts 49, 53, as indicated by the arrows 56 in FIG. 5.
  • a primary blast-valve 58 (FIG. 4) constituted by the lower tip portion 49a of the movable contact 49 making abutting engagement with a relatively stationary primary blast-valve seat 52a resiliently supported upon the stationary contact support 55, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • a compression spring 59 provides a desired contact pressure there between, and provides for a limited amount of overtravel of the movable contact 49.
  • a plurality of circumferentially disposed stationary contact fingers 61 which make contacting engagement with the external side 49b of the movable tubular contact 49.
  • the circuit interrupter l of the present invention provides a means for operating the secondary blast-valves 46, 47.
  • a gas-operated piston mechanism 7 is used to open and to close the movable contacts 49 of the interrupter 1.
  • the movable contact 49 of the interrupter forms a seal with a relatively stationary primary blast-valve seat 52a (FIG. 5) constituting a primary blast-valve 58, so that when the breaker contacts 49 are closed, the seal 52a at the primary blast-valve 58 prevents the high-pressure gas from flowing into the center of one or both of the moving separable contacts 49, 53.
  • the secondary blast-valves 46, 47 are open.
  • the moving contact 49 opens, during the opening operation, the secondary blast-valves 46, 47 are going closed to stop the exhausting gas flow into the low-pressure region 15.
  • the tubular moving contact 49 is directly connected to the mechanism 7, and has a certain travel characteristic.
  • the blast-valve activator 50 is also directly connected to the movable contact 49, and has hence, consequently, the same travel.
  • the blast-valve activator 50 starts compressing a compression spring 63.
  • This compression spring 63 becomes loaded, since the opposite spring seat 64 is prevented from moving, since this spring seat 64 is a part of the blast-valve device, and the blast-valve is prevented from moving by two latches 66 (FIG. 5), which are spaced 180 apart.
  • the pneumatic mechanism 7, disposed within the cap structure and concerning the dual action of the piston is set forth and claimed in the US. Pat. application filed Dec. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 782,631, by William H. Fischer and Wayne S. Aspey, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
  • the exhausting gas flow during the opening operation is collected in low-pressure chambers and eventually is conducted by means of the hollow operating rod tube down to the lowpressure tank 72 (FIG. 3) at the base of the supporting framework 2.
  • a suitable compressor not shown, is used to recompress the gas to the high-pressure level of 220 p.s.i., for example.
  • a general method of interrupting the are is to discharge gas 5 through moving or stationary cylindrical contact structures 49, 53, which form the contacts of the interrupter 9.
  • the materials used for the cylindrical contact structures are usually copper, or a copper alloy, such as "Cupaloy,” due to the requirements of good electrical conductivity plus having a high melting temperature, since the are 6 can impinge on the interval walls of the tubular contact structure 49 or 53.
  • the copper alloy Cupaloy is an alloy of copper, the trademark being owned by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and containing as alloy components 0.01 percent5 percent silver (Ag), 0.05 percent-5 percent chromium (Cr), and the balance being copper (Cu).
  • the present invention is particularly concerned with the use of thin-walled cylinders of stainless steel, or steel, or other conducting magnetic material, which can be inserted within the main contact structural members
  • These thin-walled cylinders can be made of a high melting material, such as stainless steel, other than copper, which can be easily fabricated.
  • the relatively thin metallic liners of the present invention may be formed of an easily fabricated material, such as stainless steel; or the liners may be made of steel with a coating of nickel. It has been found that previously, the heavy castings of Cupaloy" had a high porosity, in certain instances, which lead to a leakage of gas flow from the high pressure region 44 through the castings and into the relatively low-pressure re gion l5 interiorly of the separable tubular contacts 4953.
  • a protective liner such as the slotted tubular liner 80, or the two liners and 81-82, such as set forth in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
  • the structural support casting 73-75 are preferably made out of aluminum to provide good conductivity, lightweight, and the possibility of using permanent mold castings for an inexpensive construction, avoiding the problem of porosity.
  • These contact liners 80, 81, 82 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.
  • FIG. 8 shows a modified contact structure using the aforesaid principle.
  • metallic cylinder 90 connected to the movable contact at point B
  • the current must flow through this point B regardless of where the arc 6 impinges upon the metallic cylinder 90.
  • Members 90 and 91 of FIG. 8 can be slotted to provide additional control of the current flow, if desired.
  • a gas-blast circuit interrupter including a pair of separable arcing contacts at least one of which is hollow, means for seperating said separable contacts to establish arcing, means for forcing a radially inwardly flow of gas between the contacts to exhaust through said one hollow arcing contact, and a relatively thin metallic tubular liner member disposed interiorly of said one hollow arcing contact to protect the inner surfaces thereof from the effects of arcing whereby a relatively cheap, low melting temperature material may be used for fabrication of said one hollow arcing contact.
  • both arcing contacts are hollow, and both have relatively thin tubular metallic liner members therein to protect the inner surfaces of the arcmg contacts.
  • a gas-blast circuit interrupter including a relatively tubular movable sleevelike contact cooperable with a stationary contact to establish an arc, a primary blast-valve effect being achieved by the closure of the movable tubular contact, means generating a high-pressure gaseous region exteriorly of the contacts in the closed position and a relatively low-pressure gaseous region interiorly of the contacts at this time, and a relatively thin metallic tubular liner member disposed interiorly of said one hollow arcing contact to protect the inner surfaces thereof from the effects of arcing, whereby a relatively cheap low melting temperature material may be used for fabrication of said one hollow arcing contact.

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  • Circuit Breakers (AREA)
  • Arc-Extinguishing Devices That Are Switches (AREA)
US9373A 1970-02-06 1970-02-06 Contact structure for high-voltage circuit interrupter with liner components Expired - Lifetime US3603754A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US937370A 1970-02-06 1970-02-06

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Country Status (6)

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US (1) US3603754A (de)
JP (1) JPS5115582B1 (de)
BE (1) BE762549A (de)
CH (1) CH522279A (de)
DE (1) DE2105837A1 (de)
ES (1) ES387986A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5055261A (de) * 1973-09-12 1975-05-15
JPS513780A (en) * 1974-06-28 1976-01-13 Sharp Kk Banpuojusuru handotaisochino seizohoho
JPS5224466A (en) * 1975-08-20 1977-02-23 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Semiconductor electrode formation method
JPS5815254A (ja) * 1981-07-20 1983-01-28 Mitsubishi Electric Corp 半導体素子の製造方法
JPS5868950A (ja) * 1981-10-20 1983-04-25 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 半導体装置およびその製造方法
US10352814B2 (en) 2015-11-10 2019-07-16 Phyn Llc Water leak detection using pressure sensing

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2447674A (en) * 1945-01-13 1948-08-24 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US2555898A (en) * 1949-01-28 1951-06-05 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Fluid operating and braking system for circuit interrupters

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2447674A (en) * 1945-01-13 1948-08-24 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US2555898A (en) * 1949-01-28 1951-06-05 Allis Chalmers Mfg Co Fluid operating and braking system for circuit interrupters

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JPS5115582B1 (de) 1976-05-18
JPS461973A (de) 1971-10-07
ES387986A1 (es) 1973-06-01
BE762549A (fr) 1971-08-05
CH522279A (de) 1972-06-15
DE2105837A1 (de) 1972-08-17

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