US3801760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit breaker or the magnetic blowout type
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-08-23
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-08-23
Abstract
Abstract An electric circuit breaker of the magnetic blowout type comprises an arc chute having spaced-apart arc runners positioned between the pole pieces of the magnetic blowout means. Each of the arc runners comprises elongated structure of ferromagnetic material and a coating of arc-plasma sprayed tungsten bonded to a surface of said ferromagnetic structure for defining at the exposed side of the coating an arc-running surface along which one arc terminal moves.
Inventors
- 👤 R Korte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/30; H01H9/46; H01H9/44; H01H9/446
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising an arc chute into which an arc is adapted to be driven for the purpose of extinguishing the arc, said arc chute having an exhaust end and comprising: a. a pair of spaced sidewalls of insulating material extending along the length of said arc as the arc moves within said chute, b. a pair of conductive arc runners spaced apart within said chute for defining paths along which the terminals of said arc travel as the arc moves within the arc chute, c. magnetic blow-out means for developing in the region between said runners a magnetic field that extends transversely of said paths for providing a force on said arc that moves said arc terminaLs along said runners towards said exhaust end, said magnetic blowout means comprising pole pieces located on the outer sides of said sidewalls in positions where at least one of said arc runners is located between said pole pieces, and coil means coupled to said pole pieces for developing said magnetic field when energized, d. each of said arc runners comprising elongated structure of ferromagnetic material and a coating of thermally-sprayed refractory metal bonded to a surface of said ferromagnetic structure for defining at the exposed side of the coating an arc-running surface along which one of said arc terminals moves, e. said thermally-sprayed coating comprising superimposed flattened and interlocking particles of refractory metal bonded together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising an arc chute into which an arc is adapted to be driven for the purpose of extinguishing the arc, said arc chute having an exhaust end and comprising: a. a pair of spaced sidewalls of insulating material extending along the length of said arc as the arc moves within said chute, b. a pair of conductive arc runners spaced apart within said chute for defining paths along which the terminals of said arc travel as the arc moves within the arc chute, c. magnetic blow-out means for developing in the region between said runners a magnetic field that extends transversely of said paths for providing a force on said arc that moves said arc terminaLs along said runners towards said exhaust end, said magnetic blowout means comprising pole pieces located on the outer sides of said sidewalls in positions where at least one of said arc runners is located between said pole pieces, and coil means coupled to said pole pieces for developing said magnetic field when energized, d. each of said arc runners comprising elongated structure of ferromagnetic material and a coating of thermally-sprayed refractory metal bonded to a surface of said ferromagnetic structure for defining at the exposed side of the coating an arc-running surface along which one of said arc terminals moves, e. said thermally-sprayed coating comprising superimposed flattened and interlocking particles of refractory metal bonded together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said refractory metal is arc-plasma sprayed tungsten.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said thermally-sprayed refractory metal coating covers substantially the entire surface of each of said arc runners that is exposed to an arc terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which said thermally-sprayed refractory metal coating covers substantially the entire surface of each of said arc runners that is exposed to an arc terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A circuit breaker as defined in claim 1 and further comprising: a. an arc-initiation region in which said arc is initiated, b. a probe projecting from one of said runners towards said arc-initiation region for accelerating arc transfer to said one runner, c. said probe having a body portion of ferromagnetic material joined to said one runner, d. and a coating of thermally-sprayed refractory metal covering the region of said body portion that is exposed to said arc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which: each of said arc runners has inactive surfaces that are free from said thermally-sprayed refractory metal coating, said inactive surfaces being constituted by a non-ferrous rust-resistant coating on said ferromagnetic material, and sealing means is provided between said refractory metal coating and said inactive surfaces for preventing said arc terminals from contacting said inactive surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electric circuit breaker as defined in claim 1 in which: a. said arc chute has an exhaust passage at said exhaust end through which arcing products leave said arc chute, b. a housing is provided about said arc chute having wall portions spaced from said arc chute to provide at said exhaust end of the arc chute and within said wall portions a chamber into which said arcing products can flow upon passing through said exhaust passage, c. all of said chamber wall portions that are exposed to said arcing products while still ionized are electrically isolated from ground potential, d. and said housing is sufficiently sealed to prevent the escape of still-ionized arcing products therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electric circuit breaker as defined in claim 1 in which: a. said arc chute has an exhaust passage at said exhaust end through which arcing products leave said arc chute, b. a housing is provided about said arc chute having wall portions spaced from said arc chute to provide at said exhaust end of the arc chute and within said wall portions a chamber into which said arcing products can flow upon passing through said exhaust passage, c. all of said chamber wall portions that are exposed to said arcing products while still ionized are electrically isolated from ground potential, d. the walls of said housing are substantially imperforate in the region of said exhaust passage to prevent arcing products from escaping from said housing through said walls in the region of said exhaust passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A circuit breaker as defined in claim 8 and further comprising structure at ground potential essentially contacting the outer surface of at least one of said chamber wall portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electric circuit breaker as defined in claim 1 in combination with puffer means for developing A flow of gas into the region of said arc for driving said arc along said runners during low current interruptions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said arc chute comprises spaced-apart plates of insulating material extending transversely of said arc across the arc''s path of travel for impeding motion of said arc toward said exhaust end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which the interface between said ferromagnetic material and said refractory metal coating is free of brazing material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said refractory metal coating has a thickness less than 25 mils throughout most of the arc-exposed length of each runner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which said refractory metal coating has a thickness less than 25 mils throughout most of the arc-exposed length of each runner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3588405A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |