Abstract:
A circuit interrupter including a dielectric particle trapping structure interposed between two conductors of a generally concentric arrangement which forms part of the circuit interrupter and to which a high voltage may be applied. The particle trap is particularly adapted for use with a fluid insulating system, more specifically a gaseous insulating medium such as sulfur hexafluoride. The particle trap may be disposed in the vicinity of a critical section of a high voltage conductor, where the presence of extraneous particles of dielectric or metallic material, which are suspended within the fluid may trigger high voltage breakdown if not removed. The particle trap may also be disposed proximate to an inner electrode barrier. Since the particle trap may be a dielectric material which has either corrugations or holes in it, zero or near zero electric fields are created near the holes or depressions. The particle trap allows gravity or the attraction between oppositely charged bodies to actuate charged particles to move into the zero electric field regions and onto the low voltage conductor in the circuit interrupter where the particles discharge any charge thereon. Subsequently, the electric fields in these regions are too low to allow migration of particles to the oppositely charged high voltage electrode.
Abstract:
A compressed-gas circuit interrupter has a generally U-shape with interrupting elements, or terminal-bushing structures, disposed in the upstanding legs of the ''''U,'''' depending upon the rating requirements; and a grounded high-pressure chamber constitutes the lower bend of the U-shaped circuit interrupter. The compressed-gas circuit interrupter is of the dual-pressure type in which the one or more pairs of contacts are separated in a high-pressure gaseous environment, and the high-pressure gas exhausts through one or both of the separable contacts themselves. Downstream blast valves control the continued exhaust of gas through the separable contact structure, and in the fully open-circuit position of the interrupter, the contact space contains high-pressure gas, resulting in reduced separation distance between the separated contacts. For the lower ratings, a terminal bushing, preferably of the gaseous type, constitutes one of the legs of the ''''U'''' and the interrupting elements are disposed along the other leg of the U. For the higher ratings, both legs of the U may comprise one or more serially related interrupting elements to provide, where desired, a number of serially related arc-extinguishing units. The movable contact structure is preferably actuated pneumatically by a piston structure disposed at the upper end of the arc-extinguishing side of the interrupter, which is controlled by a three-way tripping control valve initiated by an insulating operating rod extending down to ground potential, and mechanically connected to the other phase units of the circuit interrupter, a common valve actuator employed. The legs of the U comprise an outer weatherproof insulating shell and an inner insulating tube, which may be under tension, surrounding the serially related arc-extinguishing units. As stated, the inner insulating tube contains high-pressure gas immediately surrounding the separable contact structure, so that high-pressure gas is immediately available at the contacts for the interrupting operation upon their separation.
Abstract:
A separable contact structure is provided for a compressed gas circuit interrupter involving a differential blast valve cooperating with an orifice chamber, or an interrupter chamber, to direct the gas flow during the opening operation. The construction is such that a contact follower initially follows the opening movement of the movable contact, until it is picked up and retracted by the opening movement of a differentially acting blast valve. Subsequently, upon a pressure equalization, the spring-biased blast valve recloses, carrying with it the contact follower, so that in the fully open circuit position of the interrupter the blast valve is closed, and the arc horn follower is extended. Contact is initially made between the movable contact and the extended contact follower contact during the closing stroke. Such structure eliminates erosion on the main stationary contact fingers, and, additionally, simplifies the actuation of the blast valve structure.