Rotating arc interrupter for loadbreak switch
AssigneeS&C Electric Company
InventorsEdward A. Steele, James K. Niemira
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A loadbreak switch is provided that utilizes a pivotally mounted movable jaw contact and a main stationary contact that is positioned in the middle of an arc runner. For operation at voltages 15 kV and above, the switch utilizes a shunt contact that bridges the arc runner and that is above and coplanar with the main stationary contact. A magnetic field is developed by the current that flows through a coil of wire disposed around the arc runner. This configuration when utilized in an environment of insulating gas, provides efficient extinguishing of arcs upon opening of the contacts. Further, the open jaw contact is easily visible to establish an open gap.
Claims16
A rotating arc interrupter comprising:
- movable contact means movable between open and closed positions;
- a generally planar stationary contact being engaged by said movable contact means in said closed position;
- and
- means for commutating current flow away from said stationary contact and for generating a magnetic field arranged to extinguish arcing current in response to said movable contact means moving out of said closed position toward said open position, said commutating means comprising first contact means arranged coplanar with said stationary contact and second contact means being defined about a generally open volume, said stationary contact being disposed within said second contact means, said first contact means being arranged so as to be contacted by said movable contact means as said movable contact means moves out of said closed position and before said movable contact means disengages said stationary contact.
An interrupter for use in an insulating-gas environment comprising:
- movable contact means movable between open and closed positions;
- a stationary contact being engaged by said movable contact means in said closed position;
- a shunt contact being spaced from said stationary contact and being engaged by said movable contact means during separation of said movable contact means from said stationary contact;
- and
- first means responsive to current through said shunt contact for generating a magnetic field to extinguish arcing currents, said first means comprising a cylindrical conductive member disposed about said stationary contact and a winding disposed about said cylindrical conductive member, said shunt contact being positioned to bridge said cylindrical conductive member, said winding having one end connected to said cylindrical conductive member and a second end electrically connected in common with said stationary contact, said cylindrical conductive member including an upper surface having an outwardly flared rim across which said shunt contact is positioned.
A rotating arc interrupter for a loadbreak switch comprising:
- a generally cylindrical arc runner;
- a shunt contact positioned to bridge the center of said arc runner;
- a stationary main contact positioned below said shunt contact and being arranged generally coplanar therewith;
- and
- a conductive winding carried about and electrically insulated from said arc runner, a first end of said winding being electrically connected to said arc runner, said second end of said winding being electrically connected to said main contact.
An interrupter comprising:
- movable contact means movable between open and closed positions;
- a stationary contact being engaged by said movable contact means in said closed position;
- a shunt contact being spaced from said stationary contact and being engaged by said movable contact means during separation of said movable contact means from said stationary contact;
- and
- first means responsive to current through said shunt contact for generating a magnetic field to extinguish arcing currents, said first means comprising a generally cylindrical conductive member disposed about said stationary contact and a conductive winding disposed about and electrically insulated from said generally cylindrical conductive member, said winding having one end connected to said generally cylindrical conductive member and a second end electrically connected in common with said stationary contact, said shunt contact being positioned substantially across the center of said generally cylindrical conductive member.
A rotating arc interrupter for a loadbreak switch comprising:
- a generally cylindrical arc runner;
- a shunt contact spanning said arc runner;
- a stationary main contact positioned within said arc runner;
- and
- a conductive winding carried about and electrically insulated from said arc runner, a first end of said winding being electrically connected to said arc runner, said second end of said winding being electrically connected to said main contact.
A rotating arc interrupter for a loadbreak switch comprising:
- a stationary main contact;
- a generally cylindrical arc runner disposed about said stationary main contact;
- a shunt contact positioned substantially across the central portions of said arc runner;
- and
- a conductive winding carried about and electrically insulated from said arc runner, a first end of said winding being electrically connected to said arc runner, said second end of said winding being electrically connected to said main contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.