Circuit protection devices, systems and methods for explosive environment compliance
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsJoseph Michael Manahan, Adam Ledgerwood, Andrew Butler, Graig DeCarr, Edmund Leubner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Solid state and hybrid circuit protection devices include improved chemical, static discharge and impact resistant housing construction, arc-free switching operation, secure terminal assemblies and thermal management features. 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 a potentially explosive environment.
Claims18
An ignition protected switch device for an explosive environment, the ignition protected switch device comprising:
- a housing defining a first enclosure and a second enclosure positioned on opposite sides of the housing, wherein the first and second enclosures are integrally formed with the housing;
- a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal coupled to the housing and being enclosed to provide ignition protected terminations in the explosive environment, wherein the line-side terminal is enclosed in the first enclosure and the load-side terminal is enclosed in the second enclosure;
- and a bus structure in the housing and including 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;
- wherein the first enclosure and the second enclosure are vacuum sealed.
An ignition protected switch device for an explosive environment, the ignition protected switch device comprising:
- a housing defining a first enclosure and a second enclosure positioned on opposite sides of the housing, wherein the first and second enclosures are integrally formed with the housing;
- a line-side terminal and a load-side terminal coupled to the housing and being enclosed to provide ignition protected terminations in the explosive environment, wherein the line-side terminal is enclosed in the first enclosure and the load-side terminal is enclosed in the second enclosure;
- and a bus structure in the housing and including 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;
- further comprising a controller configured to operate the at least one solid state switching element to maintain a surface temperature at or below a rated temperature, thereby precluding the housing from being an ignition source in the explosive environment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.