Arc fault resistant electric equipment

• US 10,141,725 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innomotics GmbH
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Ionescu, Bogdan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Truc
• Application Number:
  US15/538,941
• Publication Number:
  US 20170365987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/343 with variable venting aperture function of arc chute internal pressure, e.g. resilient flap-valve or check-valve
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/53 Cases for switchgear H02B1/26; Reservoirs, tanks, piping or valves, for arc-extinguishing fluid; Accessories therefor, e.g. safety arrangements, pressure relief devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/341 Barrier plates carrying electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/342 Venting arrangements for arc chutes
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/28 dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 13/025 Safety arrangements, e.g. in case of excessive pressure or fire due to electrical defect

Abstract

Conductive elements (104A-C) are positioned within a housing (100) of an electric device. The conductive elements (104A-C) are arranged such that in an event of an electric arc (106) occurring between the conductive elements (104A-C) an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc (106) such that the electric arc (106) is directed towards a wall (108) of the housing (100). Furthermore, a conductor configuration (102) includes conductors (104A, 104B, 104C) and sacrificial electrodes (118A-C) positioned within a housing (100) of an electric device, wherein the conductors (104A-C) are arranged such that in an event of an electric arc (106) occurring between the conductors (104A-C) an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc (105) such that the electric arc (106) is directed towards the sacrificial electrodes (118A-C).

Claims

1. An electric device comprising:

a plurality of conductive elements positioned within a housing of the electric device, wherein in an event of an electric arc occurring between the plurality of conductive elements an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc such that the electric arc is directed towards a wall of the housing,

wherein each conductive element comprises an electrode at a first end, the electric arc ignited between the electrodes of the conductive elements, and

further comprising a plurality of sacrificial electrodes positioned within the housing,

wherein the plurality of sacrificial electrodes are arranged opposite the electrodes of each conductive element and in proximity to the wall of the housing.

2. The electric device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive elements form loops, the loops arranged in proximity to the sacrificial electrodes.

3. The electric device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sacrificial electrodes are connected to a ground conductor, the ground conductor being positioned outside the housing.

4. The electric device as claimed in claim 3, the plurality of sacrificial electrodes penetrating the wall and extending into the housing.

5. The electric device as claimed in claim 1, the plurality of sacrificial electrodes being connected to a ground conductor, the ground conductor being positioned inside the housing.

6. The electric device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of fastening devices for securing the loops of the conductive elements to the housing.

7. The electric device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plurality of fastening devices comprises elastic clamps and safety pins.

8. The electric device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of protective sleeves, each protective sleeve being positioned between a fastening device and a conductive element.

9. The electric device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pressure relief flaps positioned within the wall of the housing to which the electric arc is directed, the pressure relief flaps being configured to be closed in absence of the electric arc in the housing and to open in presence of the electric arc in the housing such that the plasma of the electric arc vents out of the housing via the pressure relief flaps, the pressure relief flaps comprising magnetic steel such that the electromagnetic force is enhanced.

10. A conductor configuration for an electric device comprising:

a plurality of conductors positioned within a housing of the electric device, and

a plurality of sacrificial electrodes positioned within the housing of the electric device,

wherein in an event of an electric arc occurring between the plurality of conductors an electromagnetic force is exerted upon plasma of the electric arc such that the electric arc is directed towards the plurality of sacrificial electrodes, and

wherein the plurality of sacrificial electrodes are arranged in proximity to a wall of the housing.

11. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of conductors each form one or more loops, the loops arranged in proximity to the plurality of sacrificial electrodes.

12. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a plurality of fastening devices for securing the one or more loops to an inner surface of the housing.

13. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of fastening devices comprises elastic clamps.

14. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a plurality of protective sleeves, each protective sleeve being positioned between a fastening device and a conductor.

15. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of sacrificial electrodes are connected to a ground conductor, the ground conductor being positioned outside the housing.

16. The conductor configuration as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of sacrificial electrodes are connected to a ground conductor, the ground conductor being positioned inside the housing.