Single barrel puffer circuit interrupter with downstream gas coolers

摘要

A single barrel puffer circuit breaker apparatus is taught in which compressed sulfur hexafluoride gas is forced into the region of an arc. The arc is struck between hollow, cylindrical conductors during a circuit breaker opening operation. The heated gas is exited from the region of the arc by way of the internal portion of the hollow conductors. At the other ends of the hollow conductors the gas is vented into enlarged regions which are partially bounded by the single barrel. The single barrel provides the multiple functions of support, insulations and gas storage. Gas coolers are provided, one of which may cool the hot gase as it radially diffuses therethrough and the other of which may cool hot gas as it transversely diffuses therethrough. The coolers tend to reduce the energy of the gas by reducing its temperature and consequently its pressure, thus assisting in protecting the inner surface of the single barrel from charring and protecting the entire barrel from rupturing.