Exhaust control device for circuit interrupter

An exhaust-control device for a circuit interrupter that expels exhaust gases during operation, the exhaust-control device comprising:

• a housing defining inlet means for receiving exhaust gases from the circuit interrupter;
• first means supported by said housing adjacent said inlet means for receiving the exhaust gases which pass therethrough and for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases so that on exiting said first means, the exhaust gases are below a predetermined temperature, said first means comprising a first heat-absorbing medium, said first heat-absorbing medium comprising a plurality of members arranged in a plurality of layers;
• and
• second means supported by said housing and arranged with respect to said first means to receive the exhaust gases exiting from said first means and further reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases that pass through said second means, said second means comprising a second heat-absorbing medium, said predetermined temperature being determined as a function of the properties of said second heat-absorbing medium, said first and second heat-absorbing media having predetermined melting points, the predetermined melting point of said first heat-absorbing medium being higher than said predetermined melting point of said second heat-absorbing medium.

An exhaust-control device for a circuit interrupter that exhausts gases during operation comprising:

• a housing defining inlet means for receiving exhaust gases from the circuit interrupter;
• first means supported within said housing adjacent said inlet means for receiving the exhaust gases and for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases, said first means comprising a plurality of members of a first heat-absorbing material arranged in a plurality of layers;
• and
• second means supported within said housing and arranged with respect to said first means to receive the exhaust gases exiting said first means and for further reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases, said second means comprising second heat-absorbing material, said first and second heat-absorbing materials having predetermined melting points, the predetermined melting point of said first heat-absorbing material being higher than the predetermined melting point of said second heat-absorbing material.