Vacuum arc interrupter actuated by a gas generated driving force

Abstract

A vacuum arc interrupter that includes a vacuum chamber assembly and a pressure chamber assembly. The vacuum chamber assembly includes a first, fixed contact disposed within the vacuum chamber and a second, movable contact disposed within the vacuum chamber. A rod is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the second contact. The rod is structured to move between a first position wherein the second contact is spaced from the first contact and a second position where the first and second contacts are in electrical communication with each other. The pressure chamber assembly has a gas generation device and a cylindrical barrel defining a pressure chamber with a first end and a second end. The barrel second end has an opening. A piston assembly is disposed in the pressure chamber and coupled to the rod, which passes through the second, open end. The gas generation device is coupled to the pressure chamber assembly and in fluid communication with the barrel and the piston assembly. Upon generation of a gas by the gas generation device, the piston moves within the barrel causing the rod to move from the first position to the second position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a vacuum arc interrupter and, more specifically, to a vacuum arc interrupter having a gas generating source that creates a high pressure gas as the operational device that closes a pair of contacts within the vacuum arc interrupter.

2. Background Information

There is the potential for an arcing fault to occur across the power bus of a motor control center (MCC), another low voltage (LV) enclosure (e.g., an LV circuit breaker panel), other industrial enclosures containing LV power distribution components, as well as medium voltage (MV) enclosures. This is especially true when maintenance is performed on or about live power circuits. Frequently, a worker inadvertently shorts out the power bus, thereby creating an arcing fault inside the enclosure. The resulting arc blast creates an extreme hazard and could cause injury or even death. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that the enclosure doors are typically open for maintenance.

It is known to employ a spring device and piston to rapidly couple a live conductor to a grounded conductor in a vacuum arc interrupter in order to short the circuit upstream of the LV components. A vacuum arc interrupter utilizes two contacts in a vacuum chamber. One contact is fixed and the other contact is movable. The movable contact includes a stem, which is coupled to a bellows, that extends outside of the vacuum chamber. The spring is coupled to the stem and to a release device. The release device is coupled to an arc sensor in the LV or MV enclosure. The stem, and therefore the movable contact, moves from a first position at one end of the chamber to a second position at the opposite end of the chamber. One contact is coupled to the LV or MV circuit and the other contact is grounded. In operation the first position of the piston corresponds to the open position of the contacts. When an arc occurs in the LV or MV equipment, the arc sensor actuates the spring release device, thereby allowing the contacts to move into the second position and short the circuit.

Another device, that is, a device which is not a vacuum arc interrupter, for shorting a circuit included a tapered slug which is propelled by high pressure gas into a tapered set of openings extending through two bus bars and a layer of insulation. The slug is maintained in a pressure chamber coupled to a gas-generating device. When gas is rapidly introduced to the pressure chamber, the slug is propelled into the tapered opening, contacting both bus bars. Typically, one bus is coupled to a live circuit and the other bus is grounded. Thus, when the slug contacts both buses, the circuit is shorted.

These interrupters suffer from several disadvantages. For example, the prior art vacuum arc interrupters require multiple components to be maintained in the vacuum chamber. Certain components, such as the bellows, are difficult and expensive to construct. Construction of the vacuum arc interrupter could be simplified if more components could be maintained outside of the vacuum chamber. Prior art vacuum arc interrupters utilizing springs, because of their nature, do not have a means for stopping the upward motion of the movable contact. That is, the spring mechanism is structured to absorb the reactive forces caused by the contacts colliding. Thus, the prior art vacuum arc interrupters do not have a mechanism for stopping the advance of the moving component.

Furthermore, with regard to the prior art utilizing a slug, the slug relied on the application of gas pressure on the piston to ensure that the piston remained in the second position. Or, if the slug moved in a downward direction and the slug was heavy, gravity provided a sufficient force to hold the slug in place. That is, this system did not include a mechanical lock to maintain the slug in the second position. Additionally, the prior art slugs have a generally flat pressure surface. Because the gas is typically introduced through a small opening, the pressure distribution on the slug pressure surface is uneven. The uneven pressure distribution prevents the slug from moving as fast as a slug where the pressure distribution is even. Another disadvantage of this device is that, where the slug is received in a conductor having a small cross-sectional area, the electromagnetic field created by the contact may by very strong.

There is, therefore, a need for a for a vacuum arc interrupter that has a closing speed that is equivalent or greater than the speed of a tapered slug device.

There is a further need for a vacuum arc interrupter that utilizes a piston assembly having a piston with a non-planar pressure surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are satisfied by the present invention which provides a vacuum arc interrupter having a first, fixed contact and a second, movable contact disposed in a vacuum chamber, where the second contact is coupled to a rod that is further coupled to a gas actuated piston. The piston is disposed within a pressure chamber coupled to a gas generating source. When the gas generating source is activated, a gas rapidly fills the pressure chamber causing the piston to move. The piston moves the rod which in turn moves the movable contact from an open, first position, where the second contact is spaced from the first contact, to a closed, second position, where the first and second contact are in electrical communication. The closing time for the contacts is less than 2.0 msec.

Additionally, the piston includes a shaped pressure surface. That is, the surface of the piston exposed to the generated gas is not planar. Preferably, the pressure surface is convex. The convex shape of the pressure surface allows gas generated by the gas source to disperse evenly over the pressure surface. As such, there resulting pressure is more evenly distributed over the pressure surface. Because the pressure is more evenly distributed, the piston will more rapidly overcome any friction or momentum maintaining the piston in the first position. Accordingly, the piston with a shaped pressure surface moves faster than a piston with a planar pressure surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with the piston in the first position.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with the piston in the second position.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the bullet assembly wherein the lance has a circular medial portion and a conical tip. FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the bullet assembly wherein the lance has a circular medial portion and a knife edge tip. FIG. 4C is an isometric view of the bullet assembly wherein the lance has a square medial portion and a pyramidal tip. FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of a piston body having a concave first side. FIG. 4E is an isometric view of the bullet assembly wherein the lance has a circular medial portion and a blade tip.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a vacuum arc interrupter utilizing the piston of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a vacuum arc interrupter 10 includes a vacuum chamber assembly 12 and a pressure chamber assembly 14. The vacuum chamber assembly 12 includes a first conductor 16, a non-conductive housing 18, and a seal cup 20. The first conductor 16 is made from a conductive material and, preferably, is shaped as a circular disk. The first conductor 16 may include a radial extension 22 having an attachment opening 24 therethrough. The attachment opening 24 is structured to allow a power line to be coupled to the first conductor 16. The first conductor 16 also includes an electrode 23 having a stem 25 and a receiving cup 26. The cup 26 is disposed at the distal end of the stem 25 and extends into the vacuum chamber 36 described hereinafter. The cup 26 is made from a conductive material and includes a continuous sidewall 28 having an open end 29, thereby defining a cavity 30. The cup 26 is supported by the stem 25 so that the cup 26 is spaced from the first conductor 16. The open end 29 has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the widest portion of the lance tip 118, described hereinafter. The stem 25 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the cup 26, thus, the strength of the electromagnetic field around the cup 26 will be reduced compared to a cup 26 with a smaller cross-sectional area.

The non-conductive housing 18 is made from a non-conductive material, preferably a ceramic. The non-conductive housing 18 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the first conductor 16. Thus, when the first conductor 16 has a disk shape, the non-conductive housing 18 is a hollow cylinder. One axial end of the non-conductive housing 18 is sealingly coupled to the first conductor 16.

The seal cup 20 includes a generally planar base member 32 and a sidewall 34 generally perpendicular thereto. The seal cup 20 is made from a rigid, non-brittle material such as a cupro-nickel alloy. The alloy material preferably has between about 50 to 95% copper, and more preferably about 70% copper, and between about 5 to 50% nickel, and more preferably about 30% nickel. The alloy may also have lesser amounts of other elements or impurities. Generally, the seal cup 20 material may be torn without a substantial amount of fragmentation. The seal cup sidewall 34 is sealingly coupled to the axial end of the non-conductive housing 18 opposite the first conductor 16. Thus, the combination of the first conductor 16, the non-conductive housing 18, and the seal cup 20 define a vacuum chamber 36. As will described hereinafter, the seal cup 20 contacts the second conductor 70. To prevent an arc from forming within the vacuum chamber 36, the first conductor 16, or the electrode 23 if present, and the seal cup 20 are separated by a distance sufficient to lower the magnitude of the electric field to below that which would lead to an electrical breakdown within the vacuum. This distance is, generally, about 0.4 inch to 2.0 inches and varies depending upon the voltage in the system. For example, for a voltage of about 125 kilovolts, the distance is preferably about 0.6 inch.

The pressure chamber assembly 14 includes a gas generation device 40, a pressure chamber body 42, a second conductor 70, and a bullet assembly 46. The gas generation device 40 may be any gas generation device such as those manufactured by TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG, Wernher-Von-Braun-STR. 1, D-84544 Asehan am Inn, Germany.

The pressure chamber body 42 is preferably cylindrical and includes a barrel and a mounting flange 51. The barrel 50 has a first end 52 and a second end 54. The barrel 50 has an inlet port opening 56 on the first end 52 and a bullet assembly opening 58 at the second end 54. The inlet port opening 56 is smaller than the bullet assembly opening 58. The inlet port opening 56 is in fluid communication with the bullet assembly opening 58. Thus, the barrel 50 defines a pressure chamber 60. The pressure chamber 60 includes a first sized portion 62, a transition portion 64, and a second sized portion 66. The first size portion 62 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second sized portion 66. The first sized portion 62 is in fluid communication with the inlet port opening 56. The second sized on 66 is in fluid communication with the bullet assembly opening 58. The transition portion 64 is disposed between, and in fluid communication with, the first sized portion 62 an the second sized portion 66. The transition portion 64 has a cross-sectional area that tapers from the cross-sectional area of the first sized portion 62 to the cross-sectional area of the second sized portion 66. The pressure chamber 60 preferably has a generally circular cross-sectional area. The flange 51 extends radially from the barrel second end 54 and includes a plurality of fastener openings 53.

The second conductor 70 is made from a conductive material and, preferably, is shaped as a circular disk. The second conductor 70 may include a radial extension 72 having an attachment opening 74 therethrough. The attachment opening 74 is structured to allow a ground line to be coupled to the second conductor 70. The second conductor 70 has a first side 76 and a second side 78. The second conductor 70 also includes a tapered passage 80, preferably medially disposed on the disk. The tapered passage 80 has a first sized opening 82 on the second conductor first side 76 and a second sized opening 84 on the second conductor second side 78. The first sized opening 82 is larger than the second sized opening 84. Thus, the tapered passage 80 has a tapered sidewall 86 extending between the openings 82, 84. The tapered passage 80 is tapered at an angle corresponding to the angle of the flare of the lance base portion 120, described below. As described hereinafter, typically a power line is coupled to the first conductor 16 and a ground line is connected to the second conductor 70.

The bullet assembly 46 includes a piston assembly 90 and a lance 110. The piston assembly 90 includes a piston body 92, and may include a piston ring 94. The piston body 92 is a solid body which is generally planar having a first side 96, a second side 98, and a sidewall 100. The piston body 92 has the same general cross-sectional shape and size as the pressure chamber second portion 66 and is structured to be slidably disposed therein. The sidewall 100 includes a groove 101 wherein the piston ring 94 may be seated. The piston first side 96 is not flat having either a concave surface, see FIG. 4D, or, preferably, a convex surface, See FIGS. 1-3. Where the piston body 92 is a disk, i.e., when the pressure chamber 60 is circular, the first side 96 is conical having an angle, Ø, between about 30 to 90 degrees, and preferably about 80 degrees as measured from a line passing through the axis of the piston body 92. The first side 96, preferably, has a more obtuse angle than the angle of the taper of the pressure chamber transition portion 64. As is described hereinafter, the piston body first side 96 is exposed to the pressure created by the gas-generating device 40 and may be referred to as the “pressure surface.” The piston body second side 98 is generally flat and includes an attachment device 102, for example, a threaded opening 103.

The lance 110 includes an elongated body 112 having a first end 114 and a second end 116. The lance body 112 includes a tip 118 disposed at the first end 114 and a base 120 disposed at the second end 116. Between the tip 118 and the base 120 is a medial portion 122. The tip 118 tapers to an edge or a point. The end of the tip 118 acts as a blade portion 124 to assist in cutting the seal cup 20 as described below. The angle of the tip taper, α, is between about 90 and 150 degrees and preferably about 120 degrees as measured from a line parallel to the outer surface of the surface of the medial portion 122. The medial portion 122 preferably has a constant cross-sectional area. The medial portion 122 preferably has a circular or square cross-section. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the medial portion 122 is circular, the tip 118 and the blade portion 124A are, preferably, conical. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, the medial portion 122 may be circular and the tip 118 and blade portion 124 may be a knife edge 124B. As shown in FIG. 4C, when the medial portion 122 is square, the tip 118 and blade portion 124C are pyramidal. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4E, the medial portion 122 may be circular and have a tapered blade 124D. The base portion 120 flare is at an angle, θ, between about 90 and 150 degrees, or, preferably about 94 degrees as measured from a plane passing radially through the lance medial portion 122. The lance second end 116 includes an attachment device 125, for example, a threaded rod 126 structured to engage the piston attachment device 102.

The bullet assembly 46 is formed when the lance 110 is coupled to the piston assembly 90 by coupling the lance attachment device 125 to the piston attachment device 102. Thus, the lance 110 extends from the piston second side 98. The lance 110 has a length sufficient to span the gap between the second conductor 70 and the cup 26. The lance 110 is, however, sized so that the flared base 120 contacts the second contact tapered opening as the tip 118 contacts the cup 26.

The pressure chamber assembly 14 is formed by inserting the bullet assembly 46 into the chamber second size portion 66 with the lance 110 extending toward the bullet assembly opening 58. The bullet assembly 46 is disposed in a first position where the piston body 92 is in the pressure chamber second sized portion 66 and adjacent to the chamber transition portion 64, with the lance 110 extending into the second sized portion 66. The lance 110 does not, however, extend beyond the bullet assembly opening 58. Because the piston body first side 96 has a taper angle that is more obtuse that the taper angle of the pressure chamber transition portion 64, a gap exists between the piston body first side 96 and the pressure chamber transition portion 64. The piston ring 94 engages the sidewall of the chamber second sized portion 66. The second conductor 70 is coupled to the pressure chamber mounting flange 51 by fastener 53 with the second conductor first side 76 disposed toward the pressure chamber 60. Thus, the larger, first sized opening 82 of the tapered passage 80 is adjacent to the bullet assembly 46. The gas generation device is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the inlet port opening 56.

In this configuration, the bullet assembly 46 is structured to move from the first position, described hereinbefore, to a second position, shown in FIG. 3, where the piston body 92 is moved adjacent to the second conductor 70. In the second position, the flared base 120 of the lance 110 engages the second conductor tapered passage 80, and the lance 110 extends beyond the second conductor 70.

Accordingly, to assemble the vacuum arc interrupter 10, the vacuum assembly 12 is coupled to the pressure chamber assembly 14 with the seal cup 20 contacting, or immediately adjacent to, the second conductor 70. In this configuration, translation of the bullet assembly 46 from the first position to the second position will result in the lance blade portion 124 piercing the seal cup 20 and the lance 110 contacting the first conductor cup 26. As stated hereinbefore, the lance 110 is sized such that the tip 118 engages the cup 26 at the same time the flared base 120 engages the second contact tapered passage 80. Thus, when the bullet assembly 46 is in the second position, the first and second conductors 16, 70 are in electrical communication.

In operation, the bullet assembly 46 is moved from the first position to the second position by the gas-generating device 40. That is, the gas generating device 40 delivers gas at a pressure between about 180 and 375 psi, and preferably about 180 psi, through the inlet port opening 56 in to the chamber first size portion 62. This increase of pressure occurs in about 0.50 msec and causes the bullet 46 assembly to move from the first position to the second position in less than 2.0 msec. Because the inlet port opening 56 is on the piston first side 96, gas from the gas generating device will flow into the chamber first sized portion 62 and transition portion 64 and contact the angled piston first side 96. The angle Ø the piston first side 96 assists the gas in dispersing through the chamber transition portion 64 and thus creates a more even pressure distribution on the piston first side 96. As the bullet assembly 46 moves from the first position to the second position, the lance tip 118 and medial portion 122 pass through the tapered passage 80 causing the blade portion 124 to puncture the seal cup planar member 32. Because the seal cup 20 is made of a cupro-nickel material, the seal cup 20 is torn as opposed to fragmenting.

As stated hereinbefore, the lance tip 118 engages the cup 26. If the lance tip 118 is conical, the taper of the tip 118 and the taper of the cup 26 sidewall is, preferably, similar. Thus, the lance 110 and the cup 26 cooperatively engage each other. If, however, the lance tip 118 is pyramidal, the lance 110 and cup 26 will engage in a mechanical connection as the square lance 110 collides with the circular cup 26. This collision will form a mechanical connection that may be enhanced if an arc forms between the lance 110 and the cup 26 thereby partially melting either the lance 110 or the cup 26. Additionally, after the downstream arc is interrupted and electricity is flowing through the vacuum arc interrupter 10, heat generated in the flared base 120 and the second contact tapered passage 80 will partially melt the metal components and form a weld. As such, the bullet assembly 46 is mechanically locked by a weld to the second conductor 70.

As shown in FIG. 1, to prevent arcing in a LV or MV device 1, the vacuum arc interrupter 10 must be electrically coupled to the circuit, between the power source 2 and the LV or MV device 1 by a power line 3. Typically, the power line 3 connected to the circuit is coupled to the first conductor 16 and a ground line 4 is connected to the second conductor 70. An arc detection device 5, which may be any common arc detector or a device such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,009, incorporated by reference, is used to detect an arc within the LV or MV device 1 and to activate the gas generation device 40. Thus, when an arc in the LV or MV device 1 is detected, the vacuum arc interrupter 10 is activated thereby grounding the circuit upstream of the LV or MV 1 device and interrupting the arc. The circuit with the bolted fault created by the vacuum arc interrupter 10 is broken by a circuit breaker (not shown) upstream of the vacuum arc interrupter 10.

Aspects of this invention may also be used in conjunction with an alternate embodiment of the vacuum arc interrupter 210 having two contacts in a vacuum chamber assembly 200. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the vacuum arc interrupter 210 includes the vacuum chamber assembly 200 having two contacts 212, 214 disposed in a vacuum chamber 216, as well as a first bus 213 and a first bus 213 and a second bus 215. The vacuum chamber 216 includes a non-conductive housing 218. A first contact 212 is fixed, and the other, second contact 214 is movable. The fixed contact 212 is sealingly coupled to the non-conductive housing 218 and is in electrical communication with a first bus 213 that is external to the vacuum chamber 216. The movable contact 214 is coupled to a rod 220 having a first end 222, a medial portion 224 and a second end 226. The movable contact 214 is disposed at the rod first end 222. A bellows 228 is coupled to the rod medial portion 224 and to the non-conductive housing 218. The rod 220 is structured to move between a first position wherein the contacts are spaced from each other, to a second position wherein the contacts contact each other. A second bus 215 is coupled to the rod 220 and is in electrical communication with the second contact 214. The vacuum arc interrupter 210 further includes a pressure chamber assembly 14. The pressure chamber assembly 14. The pressure chamber assembly is substantially similar to the pressure chamber assembly 14 described hereinabove. The second end of the rod 220 is coupled to a piston assembly 90 disposed in a pressure chamber assembly 14. The piston assembly 90 is substantially similar to the piston assembly 90 described hereinabove. That is, a piston assembly 90 has a concave or convex first, pressure surface 96, that is exposed to the gas created by a gas generation device 40. In this embodiment of the vacuum arc interrupter 210, however, the piston assembly 90 is coupled to the rod 220. As such, when the gas generation device 40 is activated, the piston assembly 90 moves the rod 220 between the first position and the second position, thereby moving the contacts 212, 214 from the open position to the closed position. The closing of the contacts 212, 214 occurs in less than 2.0 msec. Typically the first bus 213 is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the circuit having the MV or LV device and the second bus 215 is in electrical communication with a ground. Additionally, the rod 220 may include one or more impact absorbing devices 221, such as springs, disposed between the piston assembly 90 and the second movable contact 214.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A vacuum arc interrupter comprising: a vacuum chamber assembly having a vacuum chamber; a first, fixed contact disposed within said vacuum chamber; a second, movable contact disposed within said vacuum chamber; a rod coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said second contact, said rod structured to move between a first position wherein said second contact is spaced from said first contact and a second position where said contacts are in electrical communication with each other; a pressure chamber assembly having a gas generation device and a cylindrical barrel defining a pressure chamber with a first end and a second end; said barrel second end having an opening; a piston assembly having a first side and a second side and disposed in said pressure chamber; said piston assembly second side coupled to said rod, said rod passing through said barrel second end; said gas generation device coupled to said pressure chamber assembly and in fluid communication with said barrel and said piston assembly; and wherein, upon generation of a gas by said gas generation device, said piston assembly moves within said barrel causing said rod to move from said first position to said second position.

2. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 1, wherein said piston assembly first side has a concave surface.

3. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 1, wherein said piston assembly first side has a convex surface.

4. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 3, wherein said piston assembly first side is conical.

5. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 4, wherein said conical first side has an angle between about 30 and 90 degrees.

6. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 4, wherein said conical first side has an angle of about 80 degrees.

7. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 2, wherein: said vacuum chamber assembly further includes a first bus and a second bus; said first bus coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first contact and coupled to, and in electrical communication with, an electrical circuit; and said second bus coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said second contact and coupled to, and in electrical communication with, a ground.

8. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 1, wherein: said vacuum chamber assembly includes a nonconductive housing and a bellows; and said bellows disposed between said rod and said vacuum chamber.

9. The vacuum arc interrupter of claim 1, wherein said gas generation device is structured to move said rod between said first position and said second position in less than 2.0 msec.