Method and apparatus for soft-fault tolerant circuit interruption
US7138892B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2077/025
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a circuit interrupter. The exemplary circuit interrupter includes conductive spanner that completes an electrical pathway between first and second electrical conductors. To facilitate a good electrical connection between the conductive spanner and the first and second conductors, the exemplary interrupter includes a biasing mechanism that biases the conductive spanner toward the first and second conductors. However, in the event of a fault condition, for instance, the conductive spanner is displaced away from the first and second conductors by magnetic forces, and the electrical path is interrupted. To facilitate this displacement, the biasing mechanism presents an opposing force to displacement relationship with a negative slope. That is to say, the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism decreases as the distance between the conductive spanner and the first and second electrical conductors increases. Additionally, pistons driven by arc heated gases engage the biasing mechanism to assist the magnetic forces during the interruption of soft faults.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.