Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits
US6838632B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H9/32
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A high voltage switch contact structure capable of interrupting high voltage, high current AC and DC circuits. The contact structure confines the arc created when contacts open to the thin area between two insulating surfaces in intimate contact. This forces the arc into the shape of a thin sheet which loses heat energy far more rapidly than an arc column having a circular cross-section. These high heat losses require a dramatic increase in the voltage required to maintain the arc, thus extinguishing it when the required voltage exceeds the available voltage. The arc extinguishing process with this invention is not dependent on the occurrence of a current zero crossing and, consequently, is capable of rapidly interrupting both AC and DC circuits. The contact structure achieves its high performance without the use of sulfur hexafluoride.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.