Thin arc runner for arc spinner interrupter

摘要

An arc runner structure is described for an arc spinner type of interrupter wherein the arc runner is in series with an electrical coil which is closely coupled to the arc runner. The coil current and a circulating current induced in the arc runner produce a magnetic field in an arcing space where the magnetic field interacts with the arc current to produce a Lorentz force which rotates the arc around the arc runner and relative to a cool static dielectric gas, in order to extinguish the arc. A high Lorentz force is desired since this produces a higher arc spinning speed and thus improved interruption operation. The magnetic field strength produced, and its relative phase shift with respect to the arc current, is controlled by the inductance of the arc runner, its mutual coupling to the coil and the resistance of the arc runner. These parameters determine the induced current in the arc runner for a given configuration. The arc runner thickness is intentionally made less than that which would give the maximum induced current at arc current zero, thereby to obtain the maximum rotating force on the arc in the interval near the arc current zero.