Electric current switching apparatus with arc spinning extinguisher
US5866864A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2009/367
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electric arc extinguishing mechanism is provided for an electric current switching apparatus of the type having a pair of contacts which selectively engage to complete an electric circuit. The mechanism includes a plurality of splitter plates located adjacent to the contacts and formed of electrically conductive material. Each splitter plate has a body of electrically conductive material, and a casing with a pair of planar portions on opposite sides of the body and connected by the curved edge portion. The edge portion is adjacent the contacts with the planar portions extending from the edge portion in an open loop having a gap. Any arc introduced between adjacent splitter plates moves around the open loop before being extinguished thereby not residing in one spot long enough to cause gross melting and associated erosion of the splitter plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.