Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The power transfer system comprises a field-focusing element comprising a dielectric material. The dielectric material comprises a composition that is selected from the family of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 or CaCu3Ti4O12. The compositions of the (Ba,Sr)TiO3 include the materials such as Ca1-x-yBaxSryTi1-zCrzO3-?Np, wherein 0<x<1; 0<y<1; 0?z?0.01; 0???1; and 0?p?1. The compositions of the CaCu3Ti4O12 include the materials such as Ca1-x-yBaxSry (Ca1-zCuz)Cu2Ti4-?Al?O12-0.5?, wherein 0?x<0.5; 0?y<0.5; 0?z?1; and 0???0.1.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The power transfer system comprises a field-focusing element comprising a dielectric material. The dielectric material comprises a composition that is selected from the family of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 or CaCu3Ti4O12. The compositions of the (Ba, Sr)TiO3 include the materials such as Ca1-x-yBaxSryTi1-zCrzO3-?Np, wherein 0<x<1; 0<y<1; 0?z?0.01; 0???1; and 0?p?1. The compositions of the CaCu3Ti4O12 include the materials such as Ca1-x-yBaxSry(Ca1-zCuz)Cu2Ti4-?Al?O12-0.5?, wherein 0?x<0.5; 0?y<0.5; 0?z<1; and 0???0.1.

Abstract: An ablative plasma gun having a dual power source pulse generator is configured to generate a high voltage low current pulse and a low voltage high current pulse. A pair of electrodes are disposed and configured to receive the high voltage low current pulse, and to receive the low voltage high current pulse in response to the high voltage low current pulse.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, such as an arc mitigating device, that includes an annular body that defines a lumen and a longitudinal axis, the annular body having a body length along the longitudinal axis. An electrode can be disposed coaxially within the lumen. The electrode may extend into the body by an electrode length that is at least about 50% of the body length, and may have diameter less than or equal to about 50% of an inner diameter of the annular body. An ablative material portion can be disposed between the annular body and the electrode. The annular body and the electrode may be configured such that when an arc exists between the annular body and the electrode, the ablative material portion undergoes ablation and thereby generates a plasma.

Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The system includes a first coil coupled to a power source and configured to produce a magnetic field. A second coil is configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. A field focusing element is disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution. The field focusing element is further configured to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, such as an arc mitigating device, which can include a first plasma generation device and a second plasma generation device. The second plasma generation device can include a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes and a low voltage, high current energy source connected therebetween. A conduit can be configured to direct plasma between the first and second plasma generation devices, such that the second plasma generation device receives plasma generated by the first plasma generation. The plasma from the first plasma generation device can act to reduce the impedance of an area between the pair of opposing electrodes sufficiently to allow an arc to be established therebetween due to the low voltage, high current energy source.

Abstract: A dual power source pulse generator in power connection with a pair of electrodes having a first electrode, a second electrode and an air gap therebetween. The dual power source pulse generator includes a first pulse source producing a high voltage low current pulse across the pair of electrodes to allow dielectric breakdown, and a second pulse source electrically connected in parallel with an output of the first pulse source, and producing a low voltage high current pulse to thereby produce a current flow of high-density plasma between the same electrodes of the pair of electrodes in response to the high voltage low current pulse.

Abstract: A system includes a first coil mechanically coupled to a first component and electrically coupled to a power source. The system further includes a second coil mechanically coupled to a second component and configured to receive power from the first coil via a magnetic field. At least one of the first and second components includes a rotatable component. The system also includes a field focusing element disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.

Abstract: A method of eliminating arc flash in a motor control center is disclosed. The method includes sensing an arc flash corresponding to the motor control center. In response to sensing the arc flash, and subsequent to a delay, determining whether the arc flash continues, and in response to determining that the arc flash continues, triggering an arc crowbar.

Abstract: A cooling mechanism for a current carrying conductor is proposed. The mechanism includes a first layer having plurality of micro fluidic channels. The first layer is thermally coupled to the current carrying conductor and configured to exchange thermal energy. A micro-pump is configured to circulate a heat exchange fluid through the micro fluidic channels to exchange thermal energy with the first layer and remove heat from the current carrying conductor. The heat exchange fluid and the current carrying conductor are electrically isolated.

Abstract: Provided are compositions that include a dielectric matrix material defining multiple voids of substantially uniform respective dimension and configured as a substantially uniform array. The voids may be configured such that charges that accumulate at surfaces of at least some of the voids when the composition is immersed in a uniform external electric field interact with charges that accumulate at surfaces of at least others of the voids to cause movement of the respective charges in a direction having a component transverse to the electric field. Hollow particles may be disposed within respective voids of the array of voids defined by the matrix material, and particles, such as, for example, ceramic, varistor, and/or inorganic dielectric particles, may be incorporated within the matrix material. Associated devices are also provided.

Abstract: A multiphase current interrupter is provided for interrupting a phase current between two contacts in an electrical phase. The current interrupter includes a first ablative chamber disposed around contacts for a first electrical phase. The first chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the first electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. The current interrupter further includes at least a second ablative chamber disposed around contacts for at least a second electrical phase. The second chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the second electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. An interconnecting structure provides fluid communication between the first ablative chamber and the second ablative chamber. The interconnecting structure is adapted to dissipate a shock wave generated in any of the ablative chambers.

Abstract: An ablative plasma gun is presented. The ablative plasma gun includes a first gun electrode and a second gun electrode arranged between a dielectric layer to form a longitudinal slot. An opening at a distal end of the longitudinal slot is provided to spread generated plasma.

Abstract: An arc crowbar with electrodes separated by a gap in a protective case. Each electrode is connected to an electrically different conductor of a circuit. A sensor detects an arc flash condition on the circuit and signals a trigger circuit to send an electrical pulse to an arc-triggering device in the arc crowbar gap. The triggering device ionizes a portion of the gas between the electrodes, initiating a protective arc between the electrodes that absorbs energy from the power circuit and trips a breaker, eliminating the arc flash condition. The triggering device may be a plasma gun, especially one that injects plasma of an ablated material into the gap. The sensor may signal a circuit breaker to open in the power circuit. Arc flash sensor types may include a differential current sensor and/or an optical sensor.

Abstract: A dual power source pulse generator in power connection with a pair of electrodes having a first electrode, a second electrode and an air gap therebetween. The dual power source pulse generator includes a first pulse source producing a high voltage low current pulse across the pair of electrodes to allow dielectric breakdown, and a second pulse source electrically connected in parallel with an output of the first pulse source, and producing a low voltage high current pulse to thereby produce a current flow of high-density plasma between the same electrodes of the pair of electrodes in response to the high voltage low current pulse.

Abstract: An arc containment device is presented. The arc containment device includes a shock shield further having a multiple apertures for escape of gas, the shock shield configured to surround an arc source. The device further comprises an inner enclosure having a multiple openings generally aligned with the multiple apertures, the inner enclosure configured to provide an electrical insulation base for the arc source. An outer enclosure disposed is provided around the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure configured to direct the gas to the environment outside the device.

Abstract: A multiphase current interrupter is provided for interrupting a phase current between two contacts in an electrical phase. The current interrupter includes a first ablative chamber disposed around contacts for a first electrical phase. The first chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the first electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. The current interrupter further includes at least a second ablative chamber disposed around contacts for at least a second electrical phase. The second chamber has an ablative material thereon that causes a shock wave when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone for the second electrical phase during a separation of the contacts therein. An interconnecting structure provides fluid communication between the first ablative chamber and the second ablative chamber. The interconnecting structure is adapted to dissipate a shock wave generated in any of the ablative chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus for interrupting an electrical current between two contacts, such as a first contact and a second contact, is provided. The first and second contacts are separable away from one another to interrupt electrical current flowing between the contacts. An ablative chamber is disposed around the contacts. The chamber includes an ablative material that discharges a vapor when an electrical arc is generated in an arc zone during a separation of the contacts. A venting arrangement is provided in the ablative chamber. The venting arrangement is distributed along the arc zone to influence at least one parameter in the ablative chamber during an arc quenching event. The parameter is selected to affect at least one arcing characteristic.

Abstract: A plasma gun with two gap electrodes on opposite ends of a chamber of ablative material such as an ablative polymer. The gun ejects an ablative plasma at supersonic speed. A divergent nozzle spreads the plasma jet to fill a gap between electrodes of a main arc device, such as an arc crowbar or a high voltage power switch. The plasma triggers the main arc device by lowering the impedance of the main arc gap via the ablative plasma to provide a conductive path between the main electrodes. This provides faster triggering and requires less trigger energy than previous arc triggers. It also provides a more conductive initial main arc than previously possible. The initial properties of the main arc are controllable by the plasma properties, which are in turn controllable by design parameters of the ablative plasma gun.

Abstract: A method of eliminating arc flash in a motor control center is disclosed. The method includes sensing an arc flash corresponding to the motor control center. In response to sensing the arc flash, and subsequent to a delay, determining whether the arc flash continues, and in response to determining that the arc flash continues, triggering an arc crowbar.