ARC baffle, and ARC chute assembly and electrical switching apparatus employing the same

An arc baffle for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and at least one arc chute assembly, said at least one arc chute assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract an arc generated by said separable contacts being opened, the second end being disposed distal from the first end for discharging ionized gases produced as a byproduct of said arc, said arc baffle comprising:

• a number of baffle members comprising a first baffle member and a second baffle member each including a generally planar discharge portion having a periphery and at least one opening for discharging said ionized gas, and an elongated spacer portion protruding outwardly from the periphery;
• and
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said baffle members and including a number of filter elements,
• wherein said at least one opening of said baffle members is structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly,
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow,
• wherein said first baffle member and said second baffle member interlock to form an air gap therebetween, and
• wherein the elongated spacer portion of said first baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said second baffle member, and the elongated spacer portion of said second baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said first baffle member, thereby substantially enclosing said air gap.

An arc baffle for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and at least one arc chute assembly, said at least one arc chute assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract an arc generated by said separable contacts being opened, the second end being disposed distal from the first end for discharging ionized gases produced as a byproduct of said arc, said arc baffle comprising:

• a number of baffle members, each of said baffle members including a discharge portion having at least one opening for discharging said ionized gas;
• and
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said baffle members and including a number of filter elements,
• wherein said at least one opening of said baffle members is structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly,
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow,
• wherein said baffle members comprise at least a first baffle member structured to be disposed at or about the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes, and a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member;
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly, and wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow, and
• wherein said first baffle member is a first molded member comprising at least one first recess and at least one first protrusion;
• wherein said second baffle member is a second molded member comprising at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion;
• and wherein each of said at least one first protrusion of said first molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one second recess of said second molded member, and each of said at least one second protrusion of said second molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one first recess of said first molded member.

An arc baffle for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by said housing, and at least one arc chute assembly, said at least one arc chute assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract an arc generated by said separable contacts being opened, the second end being disposed distal from the first end for discharging ionized gases produced as a byproduct of said arc, said arc baffle comprising:

• a number of baffle members, each of said baffle members including a discharge portion having at least one opening for discharging said ionized gas;
• and
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said baffle members and including a number of filter elements,
• wherein said at least one opening of said baffle members is structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly,
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow,
• wherein said baffle members comprise at least a first baffle member structured to be disposed at or about the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes, and a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member;
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said at least one arc chute assembly, and wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow,
• wherein said mesh members comprise a first wire mesh, a second wire mesh, and a third wire mesh;
• wherein each of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh comprises a plurality of apertures;
• and wherein said apertures of each of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh are offset with respect to said apertures of at least one other of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh, in order to restrict the flow of said ionized gases through said filter assembly, and
• wherein each of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh further comprises a flange portion and a recessed portion;
• wherein said recessed portion of said first wire mesh is disposed within and generally conforms to said recessed portion of said second wire mesh, and said recessed portion of said second wire mesh is disposed within and generally conforms to said recessed portion of said third wire mesh;
• and wherein said flange portion of at least said first wire mesh is disposed at or about said second baffle member in order that said recessed portion of each of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh is spaced from at least one of:
• said recessed portion of another one of said first wire mesh, said second wire mesh, and said third wire mesh, and said second baffle member, thereby providing at least one air gap being structured to further cool and dissipate said ionized gases.

An arc chute assembly for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing and a pair of separable contacts enclosed by said housing, said separable contacts being structured to trip open, an arc and ionized gases being generated in response to said separable contacts tripping open, said arc chute assembly comprising:

• first and second opposing sidewalls;
• a plurality of arc plates disposed between said first and second opposing sidewalls, said arc plates having first ends structured to be disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract said arc, and second ends disposed distal from the first ends for discharging said ionized gases;
• and
• an arc baffle comprising:
• a first baffle member disposed at or about the second ends of said arc plates of said arc chute assembly and including a generally planar discharge portion having a periphery and a plurality of first venting holes, and an elongated spacer portion protruding outwardly from the periphery,
• a second baffle member including a generally planar discharge portion having a periphery and a plurality of second venting holes, and an elongated spacer portion protruding outwardly from the periphery of said second baffle member, said second baffle member being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member to form an air gap therebetween, and
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said second baffle member and including a number of filter elements, and
• a baffle mount securing said arc baffle to said arc chute assembly,
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said arc chute assembly,
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow, and
• wherein the elongated spacer portion of said first baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said second baffle member, and the elongated spacer portion of said second baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said first baffle member, thereby substantially enclosing said air gap.

An arc chute assembly for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing and a pair of separable contacts enclosed by said housing, said separable contacts being structured to trip open, an arc and ionized gases being generated in response to said separable contacts tripping open, said arc chute assembly comprising:

• first and second opposing sidewalls;
• a plurality of arc plates disposed between said first and second opposing sidewalls, said arc plates having first ends structured to be disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract said arc, and second ends disposed distal from the first ends for discharging said ionized gases;
• and
• an arc baffle comprising:
• a first baffle member disposed at or about the second ends of said arc plates of said arc chute assembly and including a plurality of first venting holes,
• a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member, and
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said second baffle member and including a number of filter elements, and
• a baffle mount securing said arc baffle to said arc chute assembly,
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said arc chute assembly,
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow, and
• wherein said first baffle member is a first molded member comprising at least one first recess and at least one first protrusion;
• wherein said second baffle member is a second molded member comprising at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion;
• and wherein said first molded member and said second molded member are substantially the same in order that each of said at least one first protrusion of said first molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one second recess of said second molded member, and each of said at least one second protrusion of said second molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one first recess of said first molded member.

An electrical switching apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• separable contacts enclosed by said housing;
• an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts and to trip open said separable contacts in response to an electrical fault;
• and
• at least one arc chute assembly disposed at or about said separable contacts in order to attract and dissipate an arc which is generated by said separable contacts tripping open in response to said electrical fault and to discharge ionized gases produced as a byproduct of said arc, said at least one arc chute assembly comprising:
• first and second opposing sidewalls,
• a plurality of arc plates disposed between said first and second opposing sidewalls, said arc plates having first ends disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract said arc, and second ends disposed distal from the first ends for discharging said ionized gases, and
• at least one arc baffle comprising:
• a first baffle member disposed at or about the second ends of said arc plates of said arc chute assembly and including a generally planar discharge portion having a periphery and a plurality of first venting holes, and an elongated spacer portion protruding outwardly from the periphery,
• a second baffle member including a generally planar discharge portion having a periphery and a plurality of second venting holes, and an elongated spacer portion protruding outwardly from the periphery of said second baffle member, said second baffle member being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member to form an air gap therebetween,
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said second baffle member and including a number of filter elements, and
• a baffle mount securing said at least one arc baffle to said corresponding one of said at least one arc chute assembly,
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said arc chute assembly, thereby cooling said ionized gases, and
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow, thereby further cooling said ionized gases, and
• wherein the elongated spacer portion of said first baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said second baffle member, and the elongated spacer portion of said second baffle member engages the generally planar discharge portion of said first baffle member, thereby substantially enclosing said air gap.

An electrical switching apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• separable contacts enclosed by said housing;
• an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts and to trip open said separable contacts in response to an electrical fault;
• and
• at least one arc chute assembly disposed at or about said separable contacts in order to attract and dissipate an arc which is generated by said separable contacts tripping open in response to said electrical fault and to discharge ionized gases produced as a byproduct of said arc, said at least one arc chute assembly comprising:
• first and second opposing sidewalls,
• a plurality of arc plates disposed between said first and second opposing sidewalls, said arc plates having first ends disposed proximate said separable contacts in order to attract said arc, and second ends disposed distal from the first ends for discharging said ionized gases, and
• at least one arc baffle comprising:
• a first baffle member disposed at or about the second ends of said arc plates of a corresponding one of said at least one arc chute assembly, and including a plurality of first venting holes,
• a second baffle member including a plurality of second venting holes and being coupled to and disposed opposite from said first baffle member,
• a filter assembly disposed at or about said second baffle member and including a number of filter elements, and
• a baffle mount securing said at least one arc baffle to said corresponding one of said at least one arc chute assembly,
• wherein said first venting holes of said first baffle member are offset with respect to said second venting holes of said second baffle member and are structured to induce turbulent flow of said ionized gases being discharged from the second end of said arc chute assembly, thereby cooling said ionized gases, and
• wherein said filter elements of said filter assembly filter said turbulent flow, thereby further cooling said ionized gases, and
• wherein said first baffle member of said at least one arc baffle of said at least one arc chute assembly is a first molded member comprising at least one first recess and at least one first protrusion;
• wherein said second baffle member of said at least one arc baffle of said at least one arc chute assembly is a second molded member comprising at least one second recess and at least one second protrusion;
• and wherein said first molded member and said second molded member are substantially the same in order that each of said at least one first protrusion of said first molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one second recess of said second molded member, and each of said at least one second protrusion of said second molded member is disposed within a corresponding one of said at least one first recess of said first molded member.