Vacuum fault current limiter
US4021628A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1975 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2033/66292
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum current limiting circuit interrupter having rapidly separable contacts and magnetic field coils disposed to produce a magnetic field transverse to the arc formed during circuit interruption. The transverse magnetic field creates arc instability and causes rapid arc extinction. The relatively movable contacts are disposed in an evacuated insulating envelope and are movable between a closed position completing an electrical circuit through the vacuum interrupter and an open position wherein the contacts are spaced relatively far apart with respect to the necessary voltage withstand level of the circuit interrupter. Magnetic field coils are supported to produce a magnetic field transverse to the arc plasma when the contacts approach maximum separation creating arc instability. An alternate current limiting path is provided in parallel with the vacuum interrupter through which reduced current flows until complete circuit interruption.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.