Self-recovering current limiting device having liquid metal

US6621401B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Moeller GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Kremers · Bonn, DE
• Frank Berger · Leutenbach, DE
• Thomas Freyermuth · Kalenborn, DE
• Andreas Kraetzschmar · Bonn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 24, 2002
• Grant date: Sep 16, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H87/00
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A self-recovering current-limiting device with a liquid metal includes two T-shaped electrodes for connection to an electric circuit to be protected. Each of the electrodes are made of a solid metal. Several compressor cavities which are partially filled with the liquid metal are situated one behind the other between the electrodes. The compressor cavities are formed by pressure-proof insulating bodies and by insulating intermediate walls which are provided with connecting channels and which are held by the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies and the intermediate walls form a uniform upper and lower half shell with opposite-lying joining surfaces. The half shells are connected in a sealed manner along joining surfaces in the area of a common middle plane of the connecting channels. Up to half of each of the electrodes is accommodated in corresponding recesses of the half shells, the electrodes extending with their respective middle limb out of the half shells.