# US 12,763,567 B2 · Electromagnetic coil-based rapid fault neutralization apparatus and method for arc fault management systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,567 B2 - Document ID: US12763567B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/476,770 - Filed: 2023-09-28 - Published: 2025-04-03 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-28 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Inventors: Robert Judson Burns; Daniel Edward Hrncir; David Aaron Metcalf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763567B2 ## CPC - H02H 1/0015: {Using arc detectors} - H01H 9/50: Means for detecting the presence of an arc or discharge - H02H 3/023: {by short-circuiting} - H01H 2083/201: {the other abnormal electrical condition being an arc fault} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - 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 The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for rapid fault neutralization. An apparatus for managing an electrical fault in an electrical system can include a bridging member configured to establish a conductive pathway between contact points that are at differing electrical phase potentials within the electrical system. The apparatus can include a propulsion system configured to cause movement of the bridging member towards the contact points in response to the electrical fault in the electrical system, thereby initiating the conductive pathway. In this way, the apparatus responds to the electrical fault by initiating a controlled electrical arc through the conductive pathway. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for managing an electrical fault in an electrical system, comprising: a bridging member configured to establish a conductive pathway between contact points, wherein the contact points are at differing electrical phase potentials within the electrical system; and a propulsion system configured to cause movement of the bridging member towards the contact points in response to the electrical fault in the electrical system, thereby initiating the conductive pathway; wherein the apparatus responds to the electrical fault by initiating a controlled electrical arc through the conductive pathway, wherein the bridging member is dimensioned and composed such that, upon establishment of the conductive pathway, electrical current passing through the bridging member causes the bridging member to transition through at least melting and vaporizing states, thereby generating ionized material between the contact points, and wherein the controlled electrical arc is sustained by the ionized material generated from the bridging member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an arc containment vessel configured to house the contact points, wherein the bridging member establishes the conductive pathway within the containment vessel; and a sealing apparatus configured to engage with the arc containment vessel to prevent pressurized gas, developed as a result of the controlled electrical arc, from leaking out of the containment vessel, wherein the arc containment vessel and the sealing apparatus cooperate to contain and seal the ionized gases formed by melting, vaporizing, and ionizing of the bridging member during the initiation of the controlled electrical arc. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the arc containment vessel is configured to withstand a pressure of at least 0 psi, the pressure resulting from the pressurized gas developed as a result of the controlled electrical arc, thereby ensuring containment and sealing of the ionized gases formed by the melting, vaporizing, and ionizing of the bridging member during the controlled electrical arc. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bridging member is configured to transition through states of melting, vaporizing, and ionizing to form the controlled electrical arc between the contact points, thereby effectuating dissipation of a current discharge associated with the electrical fault. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system of the apparatus operates without the utilization of pyrotechnic elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured as a single-use mechanism for managing arcing faults. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bridging member includes a conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, silver, and gold, and is configured to create a short circuit between the contact points. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an arc ignition device, said device comprising the bridging member, the propulsion system; and a threaded fastener configured to mechanically join the arc ignition device to one of the contact points. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an end cap and fastener, wherein the end cap is configured to be installed on an end of the arc ignition device, and wherein the fastener secures the end cap in place, thereby retaining internal components of the arc ignition device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initiation of the controlled electrical arc occurs in less than 3 milliseconds from the start of the electrical fault. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initiation of the controlled electrical arc occurs in less than 1.5 milliseconds from a start of the electrical fault. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical fault corresponds to a phase-to-phase short within the electrical system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrical fault managed by the apparatus is an arcing fault, the arcing fault characterized by an unintended current discharge that occurs within the electrical system. ### Claim 14 A method for managing an electrical fault in an electrical system, the method comprising: detecting an electrical fault between contact points at differing electrical phase potentials within the electrical system; activating a propulsion system to cause movement of a bridging member towards the contact points, thereby initiating a conductive pathway between the contact points; initiating a controlled electrical arc through the conductive pathway after establishment of the conductive pathway, wherein fault current passing through the bridging member causes the bridging member to undergo a material phase transition including melting and vaporization, thereby generating ionized material from the bridging member between the contact points, and wherein the controlled electrical arc is sustained by the ionized material generated from the bridging member; containing and sealing ionized gases formed by the melting, vaporizing, and ionizing of the bridging member within an arc containment vessel; and effectuating dissipation of a current discharge associated with the electrical fault through the controlled electrical arc.