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Title: Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits

Abstract

A high voltage switch contact structure capable of interrupting high voltage, high current AC and DC circuits. The contact structure confines the arc created when contacts open to the thin area between two insulating surfaces in intimate contact. This forces the arc into the shape of a thin sheet which loses heat energy far more rapidly than an arc column having a circular cross-section. These high heat losses require a dramatic increase in the voltage required to maintain the arc, thus extinguishing it when the required voltage exceeds the available voltage. The arc extinguishing process with this invention is not dependent on the occurrence of a current zero crossing and, consequently, is capable of rapidly interrupting both AC and DC circuits. The contact structure achieves its high performance without the use of sulfur hexafluoride.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Utron Inc., Manassas, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1175193
Patent Number(s):
6838632
Application Number:
10/420,717
Assignee:
Utron Inc.
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01H - ELECTRIC SWITCHES
DOE Contract Number:  
FG02-99ER52915
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION

Citation Formats

Via, Lester C., Witherspoon, F. Douglas, and Ryan, John M. Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits. United States: N. p., 2005. Web.
Via, Lester C., Witherspoon, F. Douglas, & Ryan, John M. Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits. United States.
Via, Lester C., Witherspoon, F. Douglas, and Ryan, John M. Tue . "Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175193.
@article{osti_1175193,
title = {Switch contact device for interrupting high current, high voltage, AC and DC circuits},
author = {Via, Lester C. and Witherspoon, F. Douglas and Ryan, John M.},
abstractNote = {A high voltage switch contact structure capable of interrupting high voltage, high current AC and DC circuits. The contact structure confines the arc created when contacts open to the thin area between two insulating surfaces in intimate contact. This forces the arc into the shape of a thin sheet which loses heat energy far more rapidly than an arc column having a circular cross-section. These high heat losses require a dramatic increase in the voltage required to maintain the arc, thus extinguishing it when the required voltage exceeds the available voltage. The arc extinguishing process with this invention is not dependent on the occurrence of a current zero crossing and, consequently, is capable of rapidly interrupting both AC and DC circuits. The contact structure achieves its high performance without the use of sulfur hexafluoride.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2005},
month = {1}
}