Compliant, hazardous environment circuit protection devices, systems and methods
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsJoseph Michael Manahan, Adam Ledgerwood, Andrew Butler, Graig DeCarr, Edmund Leubner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices include improved arc-less switching capability and overcurrent protection, improved terminal assemblies and improved thermal management features that reduce or eliminate ignition sources for hazardous environments. The solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices are ignition protected and avoid possible explosions and therefore obviate a need for conventional explosion-proof enclosures to ensure safe operation of an electrical power system in hazardous locations.
Claims16
An ignition protected switch device comprising:
- a housing;
- a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal coupled to the housing;
- a bus structure in the housing and including at least one mechanical switch contact and at least one solid state switching element operable in an arc-free manner to connect the load-side terminal to the line-side terminal and disconnect the load-side terminal from the line-side terminal;
- and
- a controller operating the at least one solid state switching element in reference to a first operating temperature limit for the bus structure, thereby precluding the operating bus structure from being an ignition source in a hazardous location;
- wherein the housing is configured and designed to operate at a surface temperature at or below a second temperature limit and wherein the controller is further configured to operate the at least one solid state switching element in reference to the second temperature limit, thereby precluding the housing from being an ignition source in the hazardous location;
- and
- wherein the housing includes a sealed internal enclosure containing the mechanical switch contact, thereby precluding the switch contact from being an ignition source in the hazardous location;
- whereby the ignition protected switch device is compliant for use in the hazardous location without requiring a separately provided explosion-proof enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.