摘要:
A semiconducting fluid stream controls arcing between the contacts of a high-voltage circuit interrupter. The fluid stream initially establishes a low-resistance conducting path between the interrupter contacts as they separate when the interrupter is activated. As the spacing between the contacts increases the resistance of the fluid stream also increases. The increased resistance reduces the load current to a low level at which circuit interruption is accomplished without significant arcing. The semiconducting fluid also extinguishes any arc which forms as the interrupter contacts separate.
摘要:
Novel conductive liquid compositions which have low resistivity when carrying an applied steady-state current (I.sub.Steady-State) but exhibit sharp increases in resistivity when subject to an applied fault current (I.sub.Fault). When used in circuit protection devices, the novel conductive liquid compositions having low resistivity are contained within an elongated flexible tube sealed by electrodes electrically connected to a load of an electrical circuit. The conductive liquid compositions carry an applied normal current under steady-state conditions. The flexible tube is deformed by radial contraction transverse to the direction of current flow and axial expansion, when an excessive current of fault magnitude is sensed by an actuator electrically connected to the electrodes and mechanically connected to the flexible tube to apply a deformation force on the tube, thereby causing the current path of the conductive liquid compositions to have high resistivity in order to limit the let through current to a safe value (I.sub.Limited). When the excessive current is removed, the deformation is correspondingly removed and the conductive liquid composition automatically reverts back to its original low resistivity state. The invention has specific applications as automatically resettable fuses or current limiters.
摘要:
A process and a device are disclosed for current limiting and/or circuit breaking and a switchgear assembly with such a device. As claimed in the invention a liquid metal is moved by a dielectric fluid drive with a control between a first current path for the rated current (I1), a second current path for current limiting (I2) and optionally a third current path for current interruption (i=0), the working fluid acting mechanically with a definable drive pressure (p1, p2) directly on one surface of the liquid metal. Embodiments are, among others, the following: insulating gas or insulating liquid as the drive fluid; pressure drive with pressure vessels and valves or a piezodrive for the working fluid; and design criteria for the liquid metal arrangement, drive pressure (p1, p2) and piezodrive. Advantages are, among others, the following: reversible current limiting and current interruption, also suited for high voltages and current, fast reaction times, low wear and maintenance-friendly.