Claims:1. A dual arc runner assembly for arc quenching in circuit breaker, the Dual arc runner assembly comprising:
at least one primary arc runner B and at least one secondary arc runner A12, the primary arc runner B having at least one moving conductor slot B1, at least one repelling arm B2 and at least an arc pusher B3 adapted to fit on both side of at least one moving conductor A2 of the circuit breaker, and at least one a splitter plate profile B4; and the secondary arc runner A12 is adapted to guide an electric arc C into the splitter plates A42; wherein
the primary arc runner B and the secondary arc runner A12 electrically connected to at least one fixed conductor A11 limits the current and achieves faster arc quenching through increased upward repulsion force acting on the moving conductor A2 and arc lengthening to increase arc resistance and arc quenching.

2. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving conductor A2 is adapted to move in between the primary arc runner moving conductor slot B1, thereby restricting the contact of the moving conductor A2 with the primary arc runner B.

3. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the repelling arm B2 is adapted to provide an upward repulsion force on the moving conductor A2 during a high current short circuit condition.

4. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arc pusher B3 is adapted to provide a blow force on the electric arc C during short circuit interruption.

5. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein splitter plate profile B4 is adapted to act as a splitter plate to provide additional resistance to the arc subsequently increasing the arc voltage for faster and smoother arc quenching.

6. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein secondary arc runner A12 is adapted to provide an additional blow force on electric arc C for faster quenching.

7. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary arc runner B is routed around the fixed conductor A11 to develop the repulsion force on the moving conductor A2.

8. The dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said repelling arm is adapted to fit at both side of the moving conductor and the moving conductor moves exactly in between a bend.

9. An arc splitter plate assembly A4, comprising a stack of splitter plates A42, an arc chamber A41, and a fixed conductor assembly A11 adapted to be mounted in at least one housing A3 of the circuit breaker, wherein the arc splitter plate assembly A4, comprising a dual arc runner assembly as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to protection devices, and more particularly relates to arc quenching system using arc electrode runner and splitter.

BACKGROUND

[002] Circuit Breaker is an electro-mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking currents also known as over current protective device. Under normal circuit conditions it will make the circuit closed, carry current for a specified time and breaks the circuit under specified abnormal circuit conditions.

[003] Circuit Breaker is employed for current interruption. More particularly MCCBs are utilized to protect instruments from damage during adverse conditions prevailing during the operation of the circuit in which molded case circuit breaker is employed. During adverse conditions like short circuit, the current rises to an alarmingly high level. This high current may cause damage to the parts in the electrical system. Hence during these conditions the circuit has to be opened to protect the parts after the breaker.

[004] A standard circuit breaker has a line and a load. Generally, the line is the incoming electricity, most often from a power distributor company. This can sometimes be referred to as the input into the circuit breaker. The load, sometimes referred to as the output, feeds out of the circuit breaker and connects to the electrical components being fed from the circuit breaker. There may be an individual component connected directly to a circuit breaker, for example only an air conditioner, or a circuit breaker may be connected to multiple components through a power wire which terminates at electrical outlets.

[005] A circuit breaker can be used as a replacement for a fuse. Unlike fuses, which operates once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation. Fuses performs the same duty as circuit breakers, however, CBs are safer to use than fuses and easier to fix. When the power to an area shuts down, the operator can look in the electrical panel and see which breaker has tripped to the “off” position. The breaker can then be made to “on” position and power will resume again.

[006] In general, a Circuit Breaker has two electrical conductors located inside a molded case housing. The first electrical conductor is stationary, and may be connected to either the line or the load. The second electrical conductor is movable with respect to the first electrical conductor, such that when the circuit breaker is in the “OFF”, or Tripped position, a gap exists between the first and second electrical conductor, but the most dangerous thing happens during circuit interruption is ‘arc’ which can damage the breaker and contact system.

[007] There have been many devices which can quench an arc. For example a device with a sealed arc chamber. Inside of the sealed arc chamber is a gas designed to quench the arc that is formed when the circuit breaker trips. Another example is arc chute which consists of stack of deionizing plates made up of ferromagnetic material to attract, split-up and cool the arcs. The deionizing splitter plates are stacked in between two electrically insulating material plates known as lining or stacked inside a chamber. The function of deionizing plates is to split the arc in several series arcs of approximately equal length which will result in higher arc voltage and distinctly greater dielectric strength after current zero.

[008] However, the conventional circuit breakers, specifically arc quenching mechanism, have various limitation and drawbacks such as but not limited to low electrical life after lower order short circuit, high erosion level of contact button and conductor, high let through energy during arcing which may damage the other system equipment, slow contact opening during arcing which may increase let through energy, more material required for arc quenching, and low short circuit breaking capacity

[009] The above-described deficiencies of today's arc quenching mechanism are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to Increases circuit breaker electrical life even after short circuit.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to allow low let through energy hence lower erosion of contact buttons and conductor.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to enable high breaking capacity.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a faster contact opening during fault condition.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to reduces the material usage due to less contact erosion

[0016] Accordingly, the present invention provides dual runner assembly electrically connected to fixed conductor which limits the current and achieves faster arc quenching through increased upward repulsion force acting on the moving conductor, arc lengthening which increase in arc resistance and quenching. The arc runner is routes around the fixed contact rather than below it which enhances the repulsion force on moving contact. It also pushes the arc in to arc chute by means a magnetic force for faster quenching.

[0017] In one implementation, a circuit breaker is disclosed. The circuit breaker comprises a molded housing having a fixed conductor, a moving conductor assembly movable with respect to said fixed conductor assembly, an arc extinguishing housing assembly formed by a stack of splitter plates, a primary arc runner connected to said fixed conductor assembly acts as bottom most splitter plate and electrically connected to said fixed conductor. The primary arc runner configured such that it adds magnetic forces and resistance on arc during arc quenching. The secondary arc runner joint to the said fixed conductor which will guide the arc into the said primary arc runner and splitter plate. The primary arc runner comprises arc pusher arm because of this when arc current flows through it during arcing a magnetic field generated which will push the arc into the splitter plates. The primary arc runner comprises repelling arm wherein said repelling arm at both side of the moving conductor and the moving conductor moves exactly in between the bend. The primary arc runner comprises a strip with a cut in the middle and the moving conductor moves exactly in between the cut.

[0018] By using the primary arc runner of the present invention, during arcing, the current may equally or unequally divide in the strip limbs and creates a balanced field across the said moving conductor.

[0019] The plates are rectangular in shape with a U- shaped cut in the middle.

[0020] The secondary arc runner has a specific arc guided path made by two rectangular slots.

[0021] The fixed conductor assembly is made of an primary arc runner welded to the fixed conductor and secondary arc runner riveted to the fixed conductor, wherein the primary arc runner and secondary arc runner.

[0022] The arc runners of the present invention is characterized thereby, that the additional blow-out loop is formed in rectangular shape by angled portions of the backward prolongation of the arc guide runner, wherein the hypotenuse forms the side parallel to the arc guide runner, while both the component are arranged in the edge regions of the free space behind the arc guide runner.

[0023] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1 shows open view of a full circuit breaker assembly with dual runner fixed conductor assembly.

[0025] Figure 2 shows full view of fixed conductor assembly and arc splitter plate assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 shows full view of fixed conductor assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4(a) is a primary arc runner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4(b) is a secondary arc runner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5(a) is a side view of the circuit breaker in before arcing condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 5(b) is a side view of the circuit breaker in initial arcing condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5(c) is a side view of the circuit breaker in next arcing condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5(d) is a side view of the circuit breaker in arc splitting condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0034] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

[0035] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0036] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0037] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0038] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0039] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0040] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

[0041] The invention is addressed to a circuit breaker for rapidly cooling and extinguishing an arc. The circuit breaker smoothly guides the arc through specially designed arc runner that uses the magnetic force from flow of electricity to quickly force the arc from the fixed electrical conductor to the arc splitter and also provides additional upward force on the moving conductor during arcing. The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related affixed drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0042] The embodiments are described with reference to a circuit breaker, but the present invention may be implemented on any electrical device that has electrical contact system that can be opened and closed.

[0043] Referring now to figure 1, a top and side view of a circuit breaker assembly A, in a closed condition. Circuit breaker is designed to quickly cool and quench an arc. Circuit breaker, having a fixed conductor assembly A1 which can be mounted directly to a housing A3 or may be mounted inside the housing along with arc splitter assembly, generally connected to the line, or the incoming supply, however, this electrical conductor can also be connected to the load. Circuit breaker has a moving conductor A2 movable with respect to the fixed conductor Assembly A1 generally is connected to the load, or the equipment drawing power, however, this electrical conductor may be connected to the line or the load. Circuit breaker has an arc splitter plate assembly A4 with a stack of splitter plates A42 each having a U-shaped cut at center and mounted on fixed conductor assembly A1 which consist of secondary arc runner A12 and a fixed conductor A11. Primary arc runner B connected to the fixed conductor assembly A1 by means of welding or riveting or any other electrical joint.

[0044] Referring now to figure 2, a view of arc splitter plate assembly A4 comprising of a stack of splitter plates A42 and an arc chamber A41 and a fixed conductor assembly A1 as shown in figure 3, which can be directly mounted to the housing A3. The Primary arc runner B having a moving conductor slot B1 in the middle, a repelling arm B2, an arc pusher B3 and a splitter plate profile B4. Moving conductor A2 moves in between the primary arc runner moving conductor slot B1, which is electrically and thermally insulated. Hence, Moving conductor A2 does not come in contact with the primary arc runner B. This special arrangement will concentrate the arc around the moving conductor and will not allow the arc to spread during arc running.

[0045] As best seen in figure 4(a) and 4(b) shows the Primary arc runner B and secondary arc runner A12. Primary arc runner A12 has Repelling arm B2 and an arc pusher B3 constructed on both side of the moving conductor A2. The Repelling arm B2 helps in giving an additional upward repulsion force on the conductor during high current short circuit condition and the arc pusher B3 helps in providing additional blow force on the electric arc C during short circuit interruption. Primary arc runner B with a splitter plate profile B4 act as splitter plate and it provides additional resistance to the arc which subsequently increases the arc voltage for faster and smoother arc quenching. Secondary arc runner A12 guide the electric arc C in to the splitter plates A42, helps in saving the contact material and also provides additional blow force on electric arc C for faster quenching.

[0046] As shown in figure 5 (a), a side view of a partial circuit breaker before arcing. Figure 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d), a side view of a partial circuit breaker, in short circuited condition at different time. Figure 5(b) shows the direction of flow of conventional current during first phase of arcing during high current breaking. Figure 5(c) and 5(d) shows next phases. Here moving conductor A2 has separated from fixed conductor A11, but electricity still remains, in the form of an arc and the high current still flow from fixed conductor A1 to moving conductor A2. Electric arc C is capable of jumping between electrical conductors, through air which follows a low reluctance path. It causes damage to both electrical conductors.

[0047] In a worst case scenario a single arc can damage the conductors so severely that normal operation the breaker may be affected. Electrical arc C can reduces the lifespan of the electrical conductors, which in turn shorten the lifespan of circuit breaker. This would leads to frequent replacement of circuit breaker, which can be both costly and difficult depending on the location of the circuit breaker.

[0048] The electric arc C must be quenched as quickly as possible to protect the current conducting path and the circuit breaker. This can be done by speed up the process of electric arc C entering into the splitter plates A42. Arc Splitter plate assembly A4 may be a stack of spaced apart deionizing plates place inside an arc chamber A41 which cools and quenches the arc. Quicker cooling and quenching of arc, mainly depends upon the total magnetic forces acting on the arc in forward direction towards splitter plates, arc lengthening and increase in arc resistance. So it is beneficial to provide additional magnetic forces for pushing or pulling arc into arc splitter plate assembly A4. Here in this case to provide additional magnetic forces, dual arc runner used which commutes the electric arc C into arc splitter plates A42 and increases the arc length with increased arc voltage, helps in quick arc quenching.

[0049] During the high current breaking condition as the moving conductor A2 tries to separate resulting electric arc C between the conductors. During arcing, the moving conductor A2 opens because of repulsion forces acting on it. Initial Arc C1 is initiated between moving conductor A2 and fixed conductor A1. After a while when the arc is stretched because of contact opening, the arc C1 starts to move towards arc chute. The initial arc root C11 moves from fixed conductor A11 to secondary arc runner A12 and arc starts splitting in to primary arc C2 and secondary arc C3 by the primary arc runner Splitter profile B4 which is acting as a splitter plate.

[0050] Now, the current flowing through the fixed conductor A11 commutates to the primary arc runner B. At the same time, the moving conductor has moved just above the primary arc runner repelling arm which induces magnetic force on to the moving conductor A2 to make it open at a faster rate. Faster opening makes the arc to move quickly towards arc chute for quenching.

[0051] As the primary arc C2 moves and crosses the arc pusher B3 of the primary arc runner B, the magnetic force produced by the arc pusher arm B3, due to opposite directional currents in Primary arc C2 and arc pusher arm B3, will push the primary arc C2 in to the arc splitter plate assembly A4 at a faster rate. Thus the splitting of arc happens in the splitter plates very quickly.

[0052] Moving conductor A2 moves in between the primary arc runner slot called as moving conductor slot B1, which is electrically and thermally insulated. Hence, Moving conductor A2 does not come in contact with the primary arc runner B. This special arrangement will concentrate the arc around the moving conductor and will not allow the arc to spread during arc running.

[0053] Apart from what is disclosed above, the present invention also includes some additional technical advantages/benefits, some of them are mentioned below:
i. The features of the invention are rapidly cooling and quenching of arc
ii. It rapidly moves the arc roots from fixed conductor
iii. It guides the arc and restricts arc root formation near the electrical conductor
iv. It helps in boosting the arc voltage during arcing

[0054] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that for the purpose of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing system, devices, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the foregoing device/apparatus embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0055] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and device may be implemented in other manners. For example, a plurality of units or components or mechanisms may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0056] The various mechanisms described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts displayed as mechanisms may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position, or may be distributed at various location of the device. Some or all of the units may be selected to achieve the objective of the solution of the embodiment according to actual needs.

[0057] In addition, the mechanisms in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the mechanisms may exist alone physically, or two or more mechanisms may be integrated into one mechanism.

[0058] Although a dual arc runner to enhance faster arc quenching in circuit breaker is disclosed, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the dual arc runner to enhance faster arc quenching in circuit breaker.