Method for interrupting electrical power between two conductors
US5587861A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2077/025
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for interrupting electrical power between two conductors is provided, including biasing an electrically conductive element into a conducting position between two contact regions of the conductors. The contact regions are preferably portions of arc runners coupled to the conductors. The conductors surround a magnetic core that generates an electromagnetic field due to current in the conductors. The conductive element is repelled to a non-conducting position by the electromagnetic field in response to an overcurrent condition in the conductors. A secondary response mechanism is moved in response to the overcurrent condition to maintain the conductive element in the non-conducting position. For more gradually occurring overcurrent conditions, the secondary response mechanism is attracted toward the core, displacing the conductive element to the non-conducting position. Arcs generated by movement of the conductive element are rapidly expanded under the influence of a magnetic field, thereby rapidly increasing the voltage opposing the fault current.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.