US3575635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic arc blowout device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-09-09
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Granted: 1971-04-20
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Expires: 1988-09-09
Abstract
Abstract Device for blowing out the arc struck between the contacts of electric switching devices, utilizing magnetic fields for the removal of the arc from the contact gap, and comprising, in combination with the magnetic means, at least one electric resistor, located outside of the extinction chamber proper and in such a manner as to be progressively inserted into the electric circuit that is connected with the contacts, due to the shifting of the related end of the arc length along the resistor(s), while the arc is being removed from the contact gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernesto Maggi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/30; H01H9/42; H01H9/44; H01H9/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts of an electric circuit breaker when the contacts are separated under load, of the type including a quenching chamber, delimiting the path and extension of the arc, and of the type utilizing magnetic field means to draw the arc from the contact gap and to extend and quench the arc: the improvement comprising, in combination, at least one relatively elongated resistor positioned outside said quenching chamber with one end immediately adjacent the arcing and contact gap defining end of one of said contacts for current flow from said one contact to said one end of said resistor; said resistor extending from said one contact in the direction in which the arc is drawn from the contact gap by said magnetic field means; whereby, when said contacts are separated under load, one end of the resulting arc will travel from said one contact outwardly along and in contact with said resistor, as the arc is drawn from the contact gap by said magnetic field means, to insert a progressively increasing length of said resistor in the circuit including said contacts to decrease the current flow in the circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts of an electric circuit breaker when the contacts are separated under load, of the type including a quenching chamber, delimiting the path and extension of the arc, and of the type utilizing magnetic field means to draw the arc from the contact gap and to extend and quench the arc: the improvement comprising, in combination, at least one relatively elongated resistor positioned outside said quenching chamber with one end immediately adjacent the arcing and contact gap defining end of one of said contacts for current flow from said one contact to said one end of said resistor; said resistor extending from said one contact in the direction in which the arc is drawn from the contact gap by said magnetic field means; whereby, when said contacts are separated under load, one end of the resulting arc will travel from said one contact outwardly along and in contact with said resistor, as the arc is drawn from the contact gap by said magnetic field means, to insert a progressively increasing length of said resistor in the circuit including said contacts to decrease the current flow in the circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said one end of said resistor is electrically connected to said one contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 2, in which there is a single ohmic resistor adjacent one end of said quenching chamber; said one contact comprising a fixed contact and being cooperable with a movable contact to define the contact gap; and a rear horn of electrically conducted material at the opposite end of said quenching chamber; and flexible and sliding connections electrically connecting said rear horn to said movable contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 2, in which said one contact is cooperable with a second contact to define the contact gap, one of said first and second contacts being movable relative to the other thereof to establish the contact gap; there being two said relatively elongated resistors, which are ohmic resistors, positioned outside and adjacent respective opposite ends of said quenching chamber and each having one end in electrically conductive connection with a respective one of said contacts; each resistor extending from its associated contact in the direction in which the arc is drawn from the contact gap by said magnetic field means; whereby, when said first and second contacts are separated under load, opposite ends of the resulting arc will travel from the respective contacts upwardly along and in contact with the associated resistors, to insert progressively increasing lengths of said resistors in the circuit including said contacts to decrease the current flow in the circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said magnetic field means comprises pairs of permanent magnets with the permanent magnets of each pair being interconnected by paramagnetic return circuits; said pairs of permanent magnets being positioned both outside of and inside said quenching chamber and being disposed all along the arc path and extension of the arc as delimited by said quenching chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said magnetic field means includes an electromagnet having an excitation winding energized by the same current that flows through the circuit including said contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a device for quenchiNg the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said quenching chamber consists of two identical sections located symmetrically opposite each other with respect to a plane passing through the centerline of movement of a movable contact included in said current carrying contacts; each section acting on the electric arc produced by a respective relative polarity of the current flow between said contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which said current carrying contacts include a fixed contact, a first movable contact, and a second movable contact intermediate said fixed contact and said first movable contact; said quenching chamber being subdivided into first and second consecutively positioned secondary chambers operated in sequence by the progressive opening movement of said intermediate movable contact; whereby a first arc length is struck in the first chamber following which a second arc length is struck in the second chamber so that the most intensive ionizing action, as caused by the arc, is restricted to said first chamber wherein intensive arc flow current will flow at the initiation of contact separation; the current intensity of such second arc length in said second chamber being decreased by virtue of insertion of a progressively increasing length of said resistor into the circuit including said contacts by said first arc length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which each resistor comprises ceramic bodies and electrically conductive plates interposed between adjacent ceramic bodies; and clamping means pressing said ceramic bodies into firm contact with said electrically conductive plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a device for quenching the arc struck between current carrying contacts, the improvement claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of said resistors is a nonlinear resistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-19 | 1974-10-19 | 1975-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-19 | 1978-10-19 | 1979-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-19 | 1982-10-19 | 1983-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |