Arc control for contactor assembly
US9373468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2009/305
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A contactor or switch assembly adapted for switching power to a circuit. The housing has internal walls that laterally extend within the interior compartment to define a protection chamber. Current carrying contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The current carrying contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. Arc dissipation areas are provided in the protection chamber and are located proximate to the current carrying contacts. Magnets are provided proximate ends of the dissipation areas. The magnets create magnetic flux or a magnetic field that extends across the current carrying contacts. The magnetic flux directs electric arcs radiating from one or more of the current carrying contacts into the arc dissipation areas, thereby increasing the effective distance that the electric arcs travel wherein the electric arcs are dissipated in the dissipation areas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.