EXHAUST CONTROL DEVICE FOR CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES

摘要

EXHAUST CONTROL DEVICE FOR CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICES An exhaust control device to absorb the energy of exhaust gases released during operation of a circuit interrupting device such as a power fuse or an expulsion fuse is disclosed. The exhaust control device includes a housing mounted to the circuit interrupting device having an intake port for receiving the hot exhaust gases produced during and incident to the operation of the circuit interrupting device. A heat sink consisting of a mass of wire mesh is positioned within the housing and initially cools the exhaust gases. A gas flow diverting baffle is positioned within the housing to absorb additional energy by changing the direction of flow of the exhaust gases so that the metallic vapors and particles picked up by the exhaust gas flowing through the heat sink are condensed and deposited. The exhaust gas is then passed through particles of absorbent material such as activated alumina that further cools the gases and absorbs water vapor and metallic vapor from the exhaust gases. A labyrinth plate having labyrinth channels formed thereon is positioned over exhaust ports in the opposite end of the housing so that the exhaust gases flow through the labyrinth channels thereby repeatedly changing the direction of flow of the gases to absorb additional energy before the gases pass out of the exhaust ports into the atmosphere. me exhaust control device may also include a check valve for preventing the exhaust gases from re-entering the circuit interrupting device after they have been received by the exhaust control device.