High speed actuating device and circuit breaker
US7528332B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 5, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H39/004
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for rapidly moving mechanically actuated devices, such as switches and valves with the capability of sub-millisecond response times being achievable with moving masses exceeding one kilogram. Response times approaching that of explosively actuated devices are obtained while retaining the repetitive cycling capability of non-explosively operated devices. Electrical energy stored in a capacitor pulses through electrodes and closed and open ends of a capillary tube to rapidly heat a gas and raise its pressure to a thousand atmospheres or more. The high pressure gas acts on a piston, accelerating it for a short distance before the pressure is vented around the piston to quickly reduce the drive force. The moving piston is brought to a stop by a hydraulic damping device. A reset device resets the piston, the capillary is refilled with working gas, and the capacitor is charged fro the next operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.