# US 10,872,739 B2 · Methods and systems for DC current interrupter based on thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion

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- Number: US 10,872,739 B2
- Document ID: US10872739B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/422,146
- Filed: 2019-05-24
- Published: 2020-11-26
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-24
- Applicants: Frank P Stacom
- Inventors: Frank P Stacom
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10872739B2

## CPC

- H01H 9/38: Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts (using arcing-horns H01H9/46)
- H01H 1/02: characterised by the material thereof {(containing gas-evolving material H01H33/765)}
- H01H 33/12: Auxiliary contacts on to which the arc is transferred from the main contacts (using arcing horns H01H33/20)
- H01H 33/122: {both breaker and sectionaliser being enclosed, e.g. in SF6-filled container}
- H01H 33/70: Switches with separate means for directing, obtaining, or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
- H01H 2201/026: non precious
- H01H 2227/002: Layer thickness
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

A system for thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion. The system includes a fixed terminal end including at least a fixed conductor containing at least a fixed contact. The system includes a moveable terminal end including at least a moveable conductor containing at least a moveable contact. The system includes a body including an inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment includes at least an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts, the at least two arcing contacts including at least an anode contact and at least a cathode contact.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion, the system including:
a fixed terminal end including at least a fixed conductor containing at least a fixed contact;
a moveable terminal end including at least a moveable conductor containing at least a moveable contact; and
a body including an inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment includes:
at least an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts wherein; the at least two arcing contacts include at least an anode contact and at least a cathode contact and wherein the at least two arcing contacts are fabricated with a first conducting material having a first vaporizing point and a second conducting material comprises steel having a vaporizing temperature from about 2700 degrees Celsius to 2900 Celsius.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable contact further comprises an elastically deformed shape.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the moveable contact further comprises a switch.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first conducting material comprises zinc having a vaporizing temperature from about 870 degrees Celsius to 950 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first conducting material is of a varying thickness.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first conducting material contains a first surface area.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second conducting material is of a varying thickness.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second conducting material contains a second surface area.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the at least two arcing contacts are single use arcing contacts.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising at least, a fixed arcing contact.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising, at least a moveable arcing contact.

### Claim 12

A method of thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion the method comprising:
inserting a system for thermionic arc extinction via anode ion depletion into at least a circuit breaker, the system including:
a fixed terminal end including at least a fixed conductor containing at least a fixed contact;
a moveable terminal end including at least a moveable conductor containing at least a moveable contact; and
a body including an inner compartment, wherein the inner compartment includes: at least an arc shield housing at least two arcing contacts; the at least two arcing contacts including at least an anode contact and at, least a cathode contact, wherein the at least two arcing contacts are fabricated with a first conducting material having a first vaporizing point and a second conducting material comprises steel having a vaporizing temperature from about 2700 degrees Celsius to 2900 degrees Celsius;
separating the moveable contact from the fixed contact in parallel to separating, the anode arcing contact from the cathode arcing contact;
restricting a flow of electrons from the anode arcing, contact to the cathode arcing contact; and
extinguishing an arc.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the first conducting material comprises zinc having a vaporizing temperature from about 870 degrees Celsius to 950 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein arcing contacts are for single use.