CONTACTOR DEVICE INTEGRATING PYROTECHNIC DISCONNECT CHARACTERISTICS

专利摘要:
The present invention relates to contactor devices, for example devices which can be used as switching elements, comprising fixed contacts which are electrically isolated from one another and one or more movable contacts which are configured to make electrical contact with the contacts. fixed in order to make an electrical connection between them. Motion of the fixed contacts in and out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts controls the flow of electricity through the devices. The contactors also include pyrotechnic disconnect elements, which function as a circuit breaker or fuse element for overcurrent protection. When the electric current flowing through the contactor device reaches a threshold level, a pyrotechnic charge is activated, forcing the mobile contacts to no longer be in electrical contact with the fixed contacts.
公开号:FR3076946A1
申请号:FR1874401
申请日:2018-12-31
公开日:2019-07-19
发明作者:Daniel Sullivan；Stephan Murray McTigue；Michael Molyneux
申请人:Gigavac LLC；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

Description
Title of the invention: CONTACTOR DEVICE INCLUDING PYROTECHNIC DISCONNECTION CHARACTERISTICS Field of the invention The present invention relates to devices relating to electrical contactors intended for use with electrical devices and systems. The devices described here also relate to electrical circuit breakers configured to operate as sacrificial devices of the fuse type for protection against an overcurrent.
Description of the Prior Art The connection and disconnection of electrical circuits are as old as the electrical circuits themselves, and are often used as a method of switching the supply of power to an electrical device connected between "passing" and "blocked" states. An example of a device commonly used to connect and disconnect circuits is a contactor, which is electrically connected to one or more devices or one or more power sources. A contactor is configured so that it can interrupt or complete a circuit to control the power supply to and from a device. One type of conventional contactor is a hermetically sealed contactor.
In addition to the contactors, which are used to connect and disconnect electrical circuits during the normal operation of a device, various additional devices can be used to provide protection against overcurrent. These devices can prevent short circuits, overload, and permanent damage to an electrical system or connected electrical device. These devices include disconnect devices that can quickly shutdown the circuit permanently, so that the circuit will remain until the disconnect device is repaired, replaced, or reset. One such type of disconnect device is a fuse. A conventional fuse is a type of low resistance resistor that acts like a sacrificial device. Typical fuses include a wire or strip of metal that melts when too much current flows through it, interrupting the circuit it connects.
[0005] As society evolves, various innovations in electrical systems and electronic devices are becoming more and more common. An example of such innovations includes recent advances in the field of electric automobiles, which may one day become the standard for energy efficiency and replace traditional gasoline vehicles. In such expensive and routinely used electrical devices, overcurrent protection is particularly applicable to avoid device malfunction and prevent permanent damage to devices. In addition, overcurrent protection can prevent security risks, such as electric fires.
A problem related to the use of contactors and conventional disconnection devices is that if a circuit design requires both a contactor and a disconnection device, for example, to provide both a switch for operation normal and an overcurrent protection element, at least two separate devices must be used. Particularly in expensive modern electrical devices, such as electric cars, this requires valuable additional space to house the plurality of devices, and also requires additional design considerations for connecting a plurality of devices in circuit to the electrical device.
SUMMARY The present invention relates to contactors configured to interrupt or terminate a connected circuit, which also include at least one disconnection element configured to provide protection against overcurrent by permanently breaking a connected circuit, so that the circuit remains broken until the disconnect device is repaired, replaced or reset. In certain embodiments, the disconnection element includes pyrotechnic characteristics. When these pyrotechnic characteristics are activated, the resulting explosion generates enough force to cause movement or a change in orientation between the internal characteristics of the contactor, resulting in permanent circuit break.
In one embodiment, a contactor device comprises a housing and internal components inside the housing configured to change the state of said contactor device to and from a closed state and an open state in response to an input. The closed state allows current flow through the device and the open state interrupts current flow through the device. The device further comprises contact structures electrically connected to said internal components for connection to external circuits and to pyrotechnic elements. The contactor device is configured so that when a threshold current level passes through said internal components, said pyrotechnic characteristics are activated, which causes said internal components to pass said contactor device into said open state.
In another embodiment, a contactor device comprises a housing and internal components comprising fixed contacts electrically isolated from each other and at least partially surrounded by the housing, one or more movable contacts allowing current to flow between fixed contacts when the movable contacts are brought into contact with the fixed contacts, a rod structure connected to the movable contacts and contact structures electrically connected to the internal components for connection to external circuits. The contactor device further comprises pyrotechnic characteristics configured such that when a threshold current level passes through the internal components, the pyrotechnic characteristics activate and interact with the rod structure, so that the rod structure changes configuration, so that the movable contacts separate from the fixed contacts.
In yet another embodiment, a contactor device comprises a housing and internal components comprising fixed contacts electrically isolated from each other and at least partially surrounded by the housing, one or more movable contacts allowing current flow between the fixed contacts when the movable contacts are brought into contact with the fixed contacts, a rod structure connected to the movable contacts, a plunger structure connected to the rod structure, contact structures electrically connected to internal components for connection to external circuits and a solenoid configured to control movement of the plunger structure. The contactor device further comprises pyrotechnic characteristics configured so that when a threshold current level passes through the internal components, the pyrotechnic characteristics activate and interact with the rod structure, so that the rod structure changes configuration, so that the movable contacts separate from said fixed contacts.
These features and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals indicate corresponding parts on the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [fig.l]
Figure 1 is a front sectional view of an embodiment of a contactor incorporating features of the present invention, shown in the "closed" orientation which allows flow of electricity through the device;
[Fig.2] Figure 2 is a front sectional view of the embodiment of the contactor device of Figure 1, shown in an "open" or "disconnected" orientation which prevents a flow of electricity through the device;
[Fig.3] Figure 3 is a front sectional view of the embodiment of the contactor device of Figure 1, shown in a different orientation, in which the disconnection elements have been "triggered";
[Fig.4] Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of the embodiment of the contactor device of Figure 1.
Description of the embodiments The present description will now set out detailed descriptions of various embodiments. These embodiments describe contactor devices comprising a housing containing internal components configured to change the state of the device between a state which allows electricity to flow through the device and a state which does not allow electricity to flow through. circulate through the device, and vice versa.
The change between these two states can be in response to various forms of input that can be received, for example, manual input such as a user pressing a button to perform a "switching" function using the contactor device. Other forms of entry may include automated entry, for example sensors or a set of computer commands stored on a non-transient medium executed by a processor, which will cause a transition of internal components between states in response to information from synchronization or system information detected by sensors in communication with the disconnect device, for example, current, voltage or temperature sensors. In response to this input, the internal components can activate as described here, for example, by activating a solenoid or manual mechanism, and change configuration to change between the two states.
In some embodiments, the internal components of contactor devices incorporating features of the present invention include fixed contacts electrically isolated from each other and one or more movable contacts which are configured to come into electrical contact with the fixed contacts in order to allow a circulation of electricity between them. In some embodiments, the movable contact is connected to a rod structure and movement of the rod, and therefore of the movable contact, is controlled by a user input, so that the movable contact can be separated selective fixed contacts to prevent the flow of electricity through the device. Likewise, the movable contact can be selectively placed in contact with the fixed contacts to allow electricity to flow through the device.
In addition to the above ordinary operation, devices incorporating characteristics of the present invention may include pyrotechnic disconnection characteristics which function as protection against an overcurrent, for example similar to a fuse or a circuit breaker, by causing the device to be permanently inoperative, for example functioning as a sacrificial characteristic. When a sufficient level of current flows through the device, representing a dangerous current level that can permanently damage an expensive connected electrical device or representing a risk such as the start of an electric fire, a pyrotechnic charge in the device is triggered . The resulting pyrotechnic explosion generates sufficient force for the internal components to interact with each other, resulting in the movable contact permanently separated from the fixed contacts. In some embodiments, devices incorporating features of the present invention may incorporate a piston structure which can be positioned near or around the pyrotechnic charge. When the pyrotechnic charge is activated, the resulting force pushes the piston structure away from the pyrotechnic charge and drives the piston structure as far as the assembly of movable contacts, pushing the movable contact away from the fixed contacts.
Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and the examples illustrated should be considered as examples rather than as limitations of the present invention. As used herein, the terms "invention", "device", "present invention" or "present device" refer to any of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalent. Furthermore, a reference to one or more various characteristics of the "invention", the "device", the "present invention" or the "present device" throughout this document does not mean that all the claimed embodiments or methods must include the characteristic or characteristics referenced.
It is also understood that when an element or characteristic is indicated as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or another characteristic, it can be directly on or adjacent to the the other element or characteristic, or intermediate elements or characteristics may also be present. It is also understood that when an element is indicated as being “attached”, “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected or coupled to the other element, or intermediate elements can be present. On the other hand, when an element is designated as being “directly attached”, “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, no intermediate element is present.
Relative terms, such as "outside", "above", "lower", "below", "horizontal", "vertical" and similar terms can be used here to describe a relationship from one characteristic to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation shown in the figures.
Although the terms first, second, etc., can be used here to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish an element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component described below could be called a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
The terminology used in this document is only intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. As used here, the singular forms "one", "one" and "the" are meant to also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also understood that the terms “includes”, “comprising”, when used here, specify the presence of characteristics, whole numbers, steps, operations, elements and / or established components, without however excluding the presence or addition of one / one or more other characteristics, whole numbers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.
Embodiments of the invention are described here with reference to different views and illustrations which are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the invention. Variations in the form of illustrations resulting, for example, from manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances are expected. The embodiments of the invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated here, but should include gaps between the shapes which result, for example, from manufacturing.
It is understood that when a first element is designated as "between", "enclosed" or "enclosed between" two or more other elements, the first element may be directly between the two or more other elements, or intermediate elements may also be present between the two or more other elements. For example, if a first element is "between" or "enclosed between" a second and a third element, the first element can be directly between the second and third elements without an intermediate element, or the first element can be adjacent to one or more additional elements with the first element, and these additional elements all between the second and third elements.
Figure 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a contactor device 100, which comprises an integrated pyrotechnic disconnection component which can function as a sacrificial disconnection element in the event of overcurrent. FIG. 1 shows the contactor device 100 in a “closed” circuit position, in which a circulation of electricity through the contactor device is activated. FIG. 1 also shows the pyrotechnic disconnection part of the contactor device 100 in its non-triggered or "adjusted" mechanical orientation, allowing the contactor device to operate normally to operate between its "closed" and "open" positions. The disconnection part of the contactor device 100 also has a "tripped" orientation, in which the circuit is cut and the flow of electricity through the contactor device is permanently deactivated until the device is replaced or repaired and reset. The contactor modes "closed" and "open" and the disconnection modes "set" and "tripped" are described in more detail below.
The contactor device 100 of Figure 1 comprises a body 102 (also called housing 102) and two fixed contact structures 104, 106 (two shown) which are configured to electrically connect the internal components of the contactor device to external circuits, for example to an electrical system or device. The body 102 may include any suitable material which can support the structure and function of the contactor device 100 as described herein, a preferred material being a robust material which can provide structural support to the contactor device 100 without interfering with the electrical flow through the fixed contacts 104, 106 and the internal components of the device. In some embodiments, the body 102 includes a durable plastic or polymer. The body 102 at least partially surrounds the various internal components of the contactor device 100, which are described in more detail below.
The body 102 may include any suitable form for housing the various internal components, including any regular or irregular polygon. Body 102 may be a continuous structure or may include multiple component parts assembled together, including, for example, a base body "cup" and an upper "header" portion sealed with epoxy material.
The fixed contacts 104, 106 are configured so that the various internal components of the contactor device 100 which are housed in the body 102 can communicate electrically with an external electrical system or device, so that the contactor device 100 can operate as a switch to cut or complete an electrical circuit as described here. The fixed contacts 104, 106 may comprise any conductive material suitable for providing electrical contact to the internal components of the contactor device, for example various metals and metallic materials or any electrical contact material or structure known in the art. Fixed contacts 104, 106 may include single continuous contact structures (as shown) or may include multiple electrically connected structures. For example, in some embodiments, the fixed contacts 104, 106 may include two parts, a first part extending from the body 102, which is electrically connected to a second part internal to the body 102 which is configured to interact with d other components internal to the body, as described here.
The body 102 can be configured so that the internal space of the body 102, which receives the various internal components of the contactor device 100, is hermetically sealed. When coupled with the use of electronegative gas, this hermetically sealed configuration can help attenuate or prevent the formation of electric arcs between adjacent conductive elements and, in some embodiments, helps provide electrical insulation between separate contacts in space. In some embodiments, the body 102 may be under vacuum conditions. Body 102 can be hermetically sealed using any known means to generate hermetically sealed electrical devices.
In some embodiments, the body 102 can be at least partially filled with an electronegative gas, for example, sulfur hexafluoride or a mixture of nitrogen and sulfur hexafluoride. In certain embodiments, the body 102 comprises a material having a low or practically zero permeability to a gas injected into the housing. In some embodiments, the body may include various gases, liquids, or solids configured to increase the performance of the device.
Before describing the pyrotechnic disconnection components of the contactor device 100 used for overcurrent protection, the contactor components used during ordinary switching use of the contactor device 100 will first be described. When they are not interacting with one of the other components internal to the body 102, the fixed contacts 104, 106 are otherwise electrically isolated from each other, so that electricity cannot circulate freely between them. The fixed contacts 104, 106 can be electrically isolated from each other by any structure or any known method of electrical insulation.
When the contactor device 100 is in its “closed” position, as shown in FIG. 1, the two otherwise electrically isolated fixed contacts 104, 106 are brought into contact with a movable contact 108, so that the movable contact 108 functions as a bridge allowing an electrical signal to flow through the device, for example from the first fixed contact 104, to the movable contact 108, to the second contact structure 106, or vice versa. Consequently, the contactor device 100 can be connected to an electrical circuit, system or device and complete a circuit while the movable contact is in electrical contact with the fixed contacts.
The movable contact 108 may include any suitable conductive material, including any of the materials described here with respect to the fixed contacts 104, 106. As with the fixed contacts 104, 106, the movable contact 108 may include a single continuous structure (as shown), or may include multiple component parts electrically connected to each other so as to serve as a contact bridge between the otherwise electrically isolated fixed contacts 104, 106, so that electricity can flow through the contactor device 100.
The movable contact 108 can be configured so that it can enter and exit the electrical contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106, causing the circuit to be "closed" or "complete" when the movable contact is in electrical contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106, and to be "open" or cut when the movable contact 108 is not in electrical contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106, like the fixed contacts 104, 106 are also electrically isolated from each other when they are not in contact with the movable contact 108. In certain embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the movable contact 108 is physically connected to a rod structure 110, which is configured to move a predetermined distance inside the contactor device 100. The rod 110 may comprise any material or any form suitable for its function as a movable component internal which is physically connected to the movable contact 108, so that the movable contact 108 can move with the rod 110.
The movement of the rod 110 controls the movement of the movable contact 108, which in turn controls the position of the movable contact 108 relative to the fixed contacts 104, 106, which in turn controls the flow of electricity through the contactor device 100, as described here. The movement of the rod can be controlled through various configurations including, but not limited to, electrical and electronic, magnetic and solenoid, and manual.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the movement of the rod 110 is controlled by the use of a solenoid configuration. A plunger structure 111 is connected to, or at least partially surrounds, part of the rod 110. The body 102 also receives a solenoid 112. Many different solenoids can be used, an example of a suitable solenoid being a functioning solenoid under low voltage and with relatively high force. An example of a suitable solenoid is a commercially available solenoid, Model No. SD 1564 N1200, from Bicron Inc., although many other solenoids can be used. In the embodiment shown, the plunger structure 111 may include a metallic material which can be moved and controlled by the solenoid 112. The movement of the plunger structure 111 controls the movement of the connected rod 110, which in turn controls the movement of the connected mobile contact 108.
The stroke distance of the rod 110 can be controlled using various characteristics, for example springs to control the stroke / overtravel distance or various parts of the body 102 which can block or restrict the stroke distance the rod 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stroke distance of the rod 110 is partially controlled by a hard stop 113 which is configured to abut against a winged part 114 of the rod 110 in order to limit the distance from the rod 110 when the rod 110 has traveled a sufficient distance from the fixed contacts 104, 106. The hard stop 113 may comprise any material or any form suitable for providing a surface for interacting with the rod 110 in order to limit the movement or the stroke distance of the rod 110. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the hard stop 113 comprises a plastic material. In certain embodiments, the hard stop 113 is configured to break or shear when the pyrotechnic disconnection elements are triggered, as will be described in more detail below.
Now that the basic switching characteristics of the contactor device 110 have been exposed, the pyrotechnic disconnection elements will now be described. The contactor device 100 may include several elements that can function as overcurrent protection, including a pyrotechnic charge 202 and a piston structure 204. The piston structure 204 can be positioned near or at least partially around one or more several of the internal components, for example the rod 110 as shown, so that a movement of the piston from a rest position can modify the configuration of the internal components to interrupt the flow of electricity through the device, for example by pushing against or otherwise moving the rod 100, as described herein. The pyrotechnic charge 202 can be configured so that it can be activated when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold level, in order to prevent permanent damage to a connected electrical device or a safety risk such as an electric fire.
The contactor device 100 may include various sensor characteristics which can detect when the current flowing through the device has reached a dangerous level and can trigger the pyrotechnic charge when this threshold level has been detected. In some embodiments, the contactor device 100 may include a dedicated current sensor configured to detect the level of current flowing through the device. The current sensor can be configured to directly or indirectly activate the pyrotechnic charge when the current has reached a threshold level. In certain embodiments, the current sensors can emit a signal proportional to the detected current to activate the pyrotechnic charge when a threshold current level is detected. In certain embodiments, the current sensors may include a Hall effect sensor, a transformer or an ammeter with clamp-on ammeter, a resistor, a fiber optic current sensor or an interferometer.
In some embodiments, the pyrotechnic charge is configured to be activated by electrical impulse and is driven by an airbag system configured to detect multiple factors, similar to those used in modern vehicles. In some embodiments, the contactor device 100 may include one or more pyrotechnic pins 203 which can be configured to trigger the pyrotechnic charge 202 when the pins 203 receive an activation signal. In some embodiments, the pyrotechnic charge can be connected to another feature that already monitors the current flowing. This other characteristic, for example a battery management component, can then be configured to send a signal in order to activate the pyrotechnic charge when a threshold current level is detected.
The pyrotechnic charge 202 may be a single charge structure or a structure with several charges. In some embodiments, the pyrotechnic charge 202 comprises a double charge structure comprising first an ignition charge, then a secondary gas generating charge. Many different types of pyrotechnic charges can be used provided that the pyrotechnic charge used is sufficient to provide sufficient force to move the piston structure 204 to permanently cut the circuit of the contactor device 100, as described herein. In certain embodiments, the pyrotechnic charge 202 comprises potassium and zirconium perchlorate, which has the advantage of being able to be used both as an ignition charge and as a gas-generating charge. In some embodiments, the ignition charge includes a fast burning material such as potassium zirconium perchlorate, potassium tungsten and zirconium perchlorate, potassium titanium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate and zirconium hydride, or potassium perchlorate and titanium hydride. In some embodiments, the gas generating charge comprises a slow burning material, such as boron and potassium nitrate, or a black powder.
When the pyrotechnic charge 202 is activated, the resulting force causes the piston structure 204 to be moved away from its rest position near or around the pyrotechnic charge 202, which in turn brings the piston structure 204 push against the rod 110 and cause the rod to be moved away from the fixed contacts 104, 106. The resulting force is also sufficient to break or shear the hard stop 113, causing the rod 110 to be force-pressed even further from the fixed contacts 104, 106, for example being pushed into an internal compartment separated 206 from the body 102. The piston structure 204 may have sufficient dimensions (for example shape, size, spatial orientation or other configuration) so that the piston structure 204 can support internal components in a position or configuration where electricity cannot flow through the contactor, for example while maintaining t the rod 110 in place further from the fixed contacts 104, 106, as by holding the rod 110 so that it is located substantially inside the internal compartment separated 206 from the body 102. This in turn brings about the movable contact 108, which is connected to the rod 110, to be separated by an even greater spatial interval from the fixed contacts 104, 106, causing the device to be in the "triggered" or "open" configuration permanently in which of the electricity cannot flow through the device. In some embodiments, the piston structure 204 includes sufficient dimensions so that once moved by the activation of the pyrotechnic characteristics 202, the piston structure 204 is forcibly pushed into a position in which it interacts with part of the body 102, so that it cannot easily be moved.
In addition to the large space quickly created between the fixed contacts 104, 106 and the movable contact 108, additional structures can be used. For example, in some embodiments, one or more arc blowing magnets 208 (two shown) can be used to further control an electric arc formation. Although the main method for interrupting a current flow is to quickly open the contacts to a much larger air space, as described here, additional performance can also be achieved by a jet of secondary gas directed towards the arc, for example, through the use of a gas-generating charge.
In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in Figure 1, other optional design features may be included, which can help prevent risks caused by the rapid buildup of gas resulting from the activation of the pyrotechnic charge 202. In these embodiments, the body 102 can be configured so that when the pyrotechnic charge 202 is activated, the piston structure 204 drives the rod 110 with a force sufficient to perforate part of the body 102. This will allow the rapid buildup of gas to escape. This is obtained, in certain embodiments, by a part of the body 102 comprising a membrane which can be perforated during the pyrotechnic disconnection cycle, for example by a sharp part 210 of the rod 110, by allowing the gas to escape from a connected ventilation part 212 of the body 102, which can be a high temperature filter membrane. The high temperature gas can then exit the body 102. The release of pressure can cool the electric arc and improve performance while preventing the contactor housing from breaking.
The differences between a cut in the electric circulation circuit through the contactor device 100 during a normal switching operation and a permanent cut in the electric circulation circuit through the contactor device 100 when the device is in its "tripped" state is better illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Figures 2 and 3 show the contactor device 100 of Figure 1, but in different orientations. As in Figure 1, Figures 2 and 3 show the body 102, the fixed contacts 104, 106, the movable contact 108, the rod 110, the plunger structure 111, the solenoid 112, the hard stop 113, the winged part 114 of the rod 110, the pyrotechnic charge 202, the pyrotechnic pins 203, the piston structure 204, the separate compartment 206 of the body 102, the arc blowing magnets 208, the sharpened part 210 of the rod 110, and the ventilation part 212 of the body 102.
The contactor device 100 is shown in its "open" state in Figure 2, which shows the rod 110 moved so that the connected movable contact 108 is separated from the fixed contacts 104, 106 by a spatial disconnection interval 302 The contactor device 100, as shown in FIG. 2, is always in the "adjusted" position without the pyrotechnic characteristics being activated. The disconnection space 302 causes the movable contact 108 to be spaced a sufficient distance from the fixed contacts 104, 106, which are also electrically isolated from each other, to interrupt a flow of electricity through the device. On the contrary, FIG. 3 represents the contactor device 100 in its tripped state when the pyrotechnic charge 202 has been activated, causing the piston structure 204 to force the rod 110 and the movable contact 108 in a direction farther from the fixed contacts 104, 106. This quickly creates a larger circuit break space interval 350 between the fixed contacts 104, 106 and the movable contact 108.
The force resulting from the activation of the pyrotechnic charge 202 and the sudden movement resulting from the piston structure 204 and the rod 110 are sufficient to break or shear the hard stop 113, which is shown in Figure 3 to be moved from its original position connected to the body 113. The hard stop 113 may comprise a solid material which is connected or integrated to the body 102, so that it functions as a stop for the rod 110 during the normal operation of the device between the "closed" and "open" circuit states. However, during the operation of the pyrotechnic disconnection characteristics, the hard stop 113 can be intentionally designed to "fail" as a stop structure and break or shear to allow the rod 110 to enter the compartment. separate body 206.
In certain embodiments, the piston structure 204 can be configured so that it can interact with a piston stop part 352 of the body 102 after the pyrotechnic charge 202 has been activated, for example, by interacting with a position of the piston structure 204, for example, a part of the piston stop part 352 configured to interact or pair with another part of the piston structure 204. In certain embodiments, the piston structure 204 will not be in a position to come into contact with the piston stop part 352 until the piston structure 204 has been moved by the activation of the pyrotechnic charge 202. This brings about the piston structure 204 to be supported between the piston stop part 352 and the movable contact 108, when the pyrotechnic charge 202 has been activated and that the piston structure 204 has been forcibly pushed from its rest position. As shown in FIG. 3, this configuration places the piston structure 204 in a position which supports or locks the piston structure 204 against the movable contact 108. The piston structure 204 supports the movable contact 108 in place and helps to maintain the space circuit break 350 so that the fixed contacts 104, 106 and the movable contact 108 can not get back into contact with each other, making the contactor device 100 inoperative.
In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to the piston stop portion 352 of the body 102, the separate compartment 206 of the body 102 may have sufficient dimensions including, for example, a size and a shape , so that the separate compartment 206 can interact with a part of the rod 110 which has moved into the separate compartment 206 due to the activation of the pyrotechnic charge 202. In certain embodiments, the separate compartment can be configured to interact with a sheared hard stop 113 or another structure connected to the rod 110 which has moved into the separate compartment 206 due to the activation of the pyrotechnic charge 202. These parts of the rod 110, or connected structures, were not previously in the separate compartment 206 during normal operation of the device, but are forcibly pushed into the separate compartment 206 for the pyrotechnic cycle during an overcurrent protection operation. Separate compartment 206 includes sufficient size, shape, or additional features, for example, features configured to interact or pair with corresponding features of the stem 110 or connected structure, to support the stem 110 in place so that the movable contact 108 connected to the rod 110 cannot come back into contact with the fixed contacts 104, 106.
The external characteristics of the device are better represented in FIG. 4, which shows the contactor device 100 comprising the body 102 and the fixed contacts 104, 106 extending from the body 102 to allow external connection of the internal components of the body. to an external electrical device or system. FIG. 4 also shows conductive wires 400, configured to supply electrical power to the internal solenoid (solenoid 112 in FIGS. 1 to 3) and an optional pyrotechnic characteristics compartment 402, which can be configured to house sensitive or sensitive characteristics. activation in order to interact with the internal pyrotechnic charge, for example pyrotechnic pins.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to some of the preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention may include any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and described. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
The above is intended to cover all the modifications and alternative constructions which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, where no part of the disclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to public domain if not established in any claims.

权利要求:
Claims (1)
[1" id="c-fr-0001]
Contactor device, comprising:
a housing ;
internal components inside said housing, said internal components being configured to change the state of said contactor device to and from a closed state and an open state in response to an input, wherein said closed state allows current flow to through said device and said open state interrupts the flow of current through said device;
contact structures electrically connected to said internal components for connection to external circuits; and pyrotechnic elements, wherein said contactor device is configured so that when a threshold current level passes through said internal components, said pyrotechnic characteristics activate, which causes said internal components to pass said contactor device through said open state.
The contactor device of claim 1, wherein said housing is hermetically sealed.
A contactor device according to claim 1, wherein said pyrotechnic elements comprise a pyrotechnic charge and said contactor device further comprises a piston structure near said pyrotechnic charge.
The contactor device of claim 3, wherein said piston structure is close to said internal components and activation of said pyrotechnic charge causes said piston structure to move and change the configuration of said internal components. The contactor device of claim 4, wherein said piston structure at least partially surrounds a portion of one of the internal components.
A contactor device according to claim 4, wherein said piston structure includes dimensions sufficient to support said internal components in said open state and to prevent said internal components from going into said closed state when said piston structure has moved after the pyrotechnic elements have been activated.
Contactor device according to claim 4, wherein said pyrotechnic charge is configured to activate in response to a pulse [Claim 8] [Claim 9] [Claim 10] [Claim 11] [Claim 12] [Claim 13] [Claim 14 ] electric.
The contactor device according to claim 4, wherein said pyrotechnic charge comprises potassium zirconium perchlorate. Contactor device, comprising: a housing;
internal components, said internal components comprising: fixed contacts electrically isolated from each other, said fixed contacts being at least partially surrounded by said housing; one or more movable contacts, said one or more movable contacts permitting current flow between said fixed contacts when said one or more movable contacts are brought into contact with said fixed contacts;
a rod structure connected to said one or more movable contacts; and contact structures electrically connected to said internal components for connection to external circuits; and pyrotechnic characteristics configured such that when a threshold current level passes through said internal components, said pyrotechnic characteristics activate and interact with said rod structure, so that said rod structure changes configuration, such so that said movable contacts separate from said fixed contacts.
The contactor device of claim 9, wherein said housing includes a separate internal compartment within said housing.
The contactor device of claim 10, wherein said pyrotechnic elements comprise a pyrotechnic charge and said contactor device further comprises a piston structure near said pyrotechnic charge.
The contactor device of claim 11, wherein said piston structure is close to said rod structure and activation of said pyrotechnic charge causes said piston structure to push said rod structure substantially into said separate internal compartment.
The contactor device of claim 12, wherein said piston structure includes dimensions sufficient to support said rod structure in place, so that said rod structure is located substantially within said separate internal compartment.
The contactor device of claim 13, wherein said housing further comprises a piston stopper configured for [Claim 15] [Claim 16] [Claim 17] [Claim 18] [Claim 19] [Claim 20] supporting said structure piston in place so that said piston structure cannot substantially move when said piston structure has been pushed from a rest position by the activation of said pyrotechnic characteristics.
The contactor device of claim 13, wherein said housing is hermetically sealed.
The contactor device of claim 15, wherein said rod includes a sharpened portion configured to puncture a portion of said housing and release internal device pressure in response to activation of said pyrotechnic features.
The contactor device of claim 16, further comprising a ventilation portion comprising a high temperature filter membrane.
The contactor device of claim 12, wherein said rod structure includes winged portions and said housing comprises a hard stop structure configured to abut against said winged portions to prevent overtravel of said rod structure into said internal compartment separate.
The contactor device of claim 15, wherein said hard stop structure is configured to shear when said pyrotechnic features activate to allow said rod structure to move further in said separate internal compartment. Contactor device comprising: a housing;
internal components, said internal components comprising: fixed contacts electrically isolated from each other, said fixed contacts being at least partially surrounded by said housing; one or more movable contacts, said one or more movable contacts permitting current flow between said fixed contacts when said one or more movable contacts are brought into contact with said fixed contacts;
a rod structure connected to said one or more movable contacts;
a piston structure connected to said rod structure;
contact structures electrically connected to said internal components for connection to external circuits; and a solenoid configured to control movement of said plunger structure; and [Claim 21] [Claim 22] [Claim 23] [Claim 24] [Claim 25] [Claim 26] pyrotechnic characteristics configured so that when a threshold current level passes through said internal components, said pyrotechnic characteristics activate and interact with said rod structure, so that said rod structure changes configuration, so that said movable contacts separate from said fixed contacts.
The contactor device of claim 20, further comprising arc blow magnets.
The contactor device of claim 20, wherein said contactor device further comprises pyrotechnic pins in communication with said pyrotechnic characteristics, and said pyrotechnic characteristics are configured to activate in response to an electrical activation signal received by said pins.
Contactor device according to claim 20, wherein said pyrotechnic characteristics comprise a single pyrotechnic charge.
Contactor device according to claim 20, wherein said pyrotechnic characteristics comprise a double charge structure comprising a first ignition charge and a secondary gas-generating charge.
The contactor device of claim 24, wherein said imitator charge comprises a fast burning material and said gas generating charge comprises a slow burning material. The contactor device of claim 25, wherein said ignition charge comprises potassium zirconium perchlorate, and said gas generating charge comprises boron and potassium nitrate.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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GB201900045D0|2019-02-13|

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DE102018133636A1|2019-07-04|

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KR102173390B1|2020-11-04|

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CN110752117A|2020-02-04|

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KR20190082671A|2019-07-10|

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GB2572236A|2019-09-25|

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JP2019194971A|2019-11-07|

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法律状态:
2020-01-15| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |

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2020-12-15| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |

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2021-12-27| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US201862612988P| true| 2018-01-02|2018-01-02|

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US62/612,988|2018-01-02|

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