Circuit interruption device with constrictive arc extinguishing feature
AssigneeSensata Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichael Lavado, Eric Morrison, William Bentley, Peter Berg, Keith Kawate, Thomas Gasper, Keith Singer, Keith Washburn, Joseph L. Medeiros, Chistian Pellon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit interruption device includes at least one constriction zone. The constriction zone provides for interference with arcing of an electrical signal. The device may include at least one expansion zone. The device may include at least one movable component to assist in creation of the at least one constriction zone. A method of fabrication is provided.
Claims18
A circuit interruption device comprising:
- at least one line side electrical contact and at least one respective load side electrical contact, the electrical contacts disposed within a case, the case comprising a material having a high dielectric constant, the material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and fiberglass;
- each of the line side contacts configured for engagement with a respective load side contact, the engagement for electrically connecting an electrical supply with an electrical load;
- wherein the engagement comprises at least one of the line side electrical contact and the respective load side electrical contact moving through an arcing zone to make an electrical connection;
- wherein the arcing zone comprises at least one constriction zone adapted for limiting arcing between the respective electrical contacts;
- and
- at least one movable component configured to create the constriction zone in cooperation with the movement of the electrical contact.
A method for fabricating a circuit interruption device, the method comprising:
- selecting at least one line side contact configured for engagement with a respective load side contact, the engagement for electrically connecting an electrical supply with an electrical load;
- disposing the at least one line side electrical contact and at least one respective load side electrical contact within a case, the case comprising a material having a high dielectric constant, the material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and fiberglass;
- wherein the engagement comprises at least one of the line side electrical contact and the respective load side electrical contact moving through an arcing zone to make an electrical connection;
- wherein the arcing zone comprises at least one constriction zone adapted for limiting arcing between the respective electrical contacts;
- and
- disposing within the case at least one component as a gate.
A circuit interruption device configured for at least one of alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), high-voltage, and low voltage, the device comprising:
- at least one line side electrical contact and at least one respective load side electrical contact, the electrical contacts disposed within a case, the case comprising a material having a high dielectric constant, the material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and fiberglass;
- each of the line side contacts configured for engagement with a respective load side contact, the engagement for electrically connecting an electrical supply with an electrical load;
- wherein the engagement comprises at least one of the line side electrical contact and the respective load side electrical contact moving through an arcing zone to make an electrical connection;
- wherein the arcing zone comprises an expansion zone proximate to a constriction zone, the constriction zone adapted for limiting arcing between the respective electrical contacts;
- and
- at least one movable component configured to create the constriction zone in cooperation with the movement of the electrical contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.