Patents by Inventor Denis Dufournet

Denis Dufournet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8816237
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interrupting chamber for a high-voltage circuit breaker of preferably greater than at least 52 kV adapted to break all currents of value less than or equal to the short-circuit interrupting capacity of the circuit breaker, including asymmetric currents comprising an arc contact, an insulating arc blow-out nozzle having a through hole adapted to be blanked off by a valve, an insulating component which forms two channels, one of which is located between the insulating component and the arc contact, and wherein the hole is in communication with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Grid SAS
    Inventor: Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 8044318
    Abstract: A current interrupting chamber comprising a moving assembly movable axially between a start position and an end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker. The current interrupting chamber includes a first compression chamber; a hollow drive tube having ports for bringing the interior of the drive tube into communication with the outside of the current interrupting chamber; a second compression chamber; and a structure for obstructing the ports of the drive tube from the start position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker and up to an intermediate position which is reached between the position of separation of two arcing contacts from each other and the end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Dan Penache, Michel Tresy, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20110192821
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interrupting chamber for a high-voltage circuit breaker of preferably greater than at least 52 kV adapted to break all currents of value less than or equal to the short-circuit interrupting capacity of the circuit breaker, including asymmetric currents comprising an arc contact, an insulating arc blow-out nozzle having a through hole adapted to be blanked off by a valve, an insulating component which forms two channels, one of which is located between the insulating component and the arc contact, and wherein the hole is in communication with the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 7964816
    Abstract: A current-interrupting chamber is filled with a dielectric fluid and includes a moving assembly. The moving assembly is mounted to move axially between a position at the start of a circuit-breaker opening operation and a position at the end of a circuit-breaker opening operation. The moving assembly has a first compression chamber whose volume decreases between the start position and a position in which the first chamber is open; a first arcing contact designed to co-operate with a second arcing contact; and a second compression chamber communicating with the first compression chamber. The volume of the second compression chamber decreases between the start position and the end position. The second compression chamber is designed to inject fluid into the first compression chamber, between the open position and the end position, when the pressure in the first chamber is lower than the pressure in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Areva T&T SA
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20090090697
    Abstract: A current interrupting chamber comprising a moving assembly movable axially between a start position and an end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker, and comprising: a first compression chamber; a hollow drive tube having ports for bringing the interior of the drive tube into communication with the outside of the current interrupting chamber; a second compression chamber; and means for obstructing the ports of the drive tube as from the start position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker and up to an intermediate position which is reached between the position of separation of two arcing contacts from each other and the end position of an operation of opening the circuit-breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Denis DUFOURNET, Dan PENACHE, Michel TRESY, Michel PERRET
  • Publication number: 20080290069
    Abstract: A current-interrupting chamber (1) filled with a dielectric fluid (3) and including: a moving assembly (10) mounted to move axially between a position at the start of a circuit-breaker opening operation and a position at the end of a circuit-breaker opening operation, said moving assembly comprising: at least one first compression chamber (5) whose volume decreases between the start position and a position in which the first chamber (5) is open; at least one first arcing contact (8) designed to co-operate with a second arcing contact (7); and at least one second compression chamber (13), communicating with the first compression chamber (5), the volume of said second compression chamber decreasing between the start position and the end position, said second compression chamber being designed to inject fluid (3) into the first compression chamber (5), between the open position and the end position, when the pressure in the first chamber (5) is lower than the pressure in the second chamber (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: AREVA T&D SA
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Michel Perret
  • Patent number: 6849819
    Abstract: A hybrid high-voltage or medium-voltage breaker device includes an enclosure filled with a dielectric gas, a vacuum switch, a gas switch and an operating rod. The vacuum switch includes a fixed first arc contact and a second arc contact which can move in translation in an axial direction of the enclosure. The gas switch includes a fixed or quasi-fixed third arc contact and a fourth arc contact which can move in translation. The operating rod is connected to the fourth contact. The device also includes a connection arrangement for electrically connecting the second and third contacts and a displacement arrangement connected to the connection arrangement and to the rod which separates the second and fourth contacts from the first and third contacts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Michel Tresy, Michel Perret, Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 6744001
    Abstract: A high-voltage circuit-breaker including a valve for decompressing a thermal blast chamber includes two contacts disposed in a breaking space which is delimited by a blast nozzle and contains a dielectric gas. It further includes a thermal blast chamber which communicates with the breaking space via a throat of the nozzle and with an expansion space via an evacuation passage which can be shut off by a valve. The valve opens when the pressure in the thermal blast chamber is greater than a particular threshold to evacuate the pressurized gas from the chamber. The evacuation passage is formed in the nozzle and defines a circular volume within the thickness of the nozzle, following its general shape, and opening into the expansion space downstream of the breaking space relative to the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20040004796
    Abstract: A hybrid high-voltage or medium-voltage breaker device comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: ALSTOM
    Inventors: Michel Tresy, Michel Perret, Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 6624371
    Abstract: A circuit-breaker includes two contacts which are disposed in an interrupting space filled with a dielectric gas under pressure and between which an electric arc strikes during circuit-breaker opening, a thermal blast chamber communicating directly with the interrupting space, and a piston-driven compression chamber communicating with the thermal blast chamber. The piston-driven compression chamber communicates with the interrupting space via a discharge channel that is separate from the thermal blast chamber and that is closed by a discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20030173335
    Abstract: A high-voltage circuit-breaker including a valve for decompressing a thermal blast chamber includes two contacts disposed in a breaking space which is delimited by a blast nozzle and contains a dielectric gas. It further includes a thermal blast chamber which communicates with the breaking space via a throat of the nozzle and with an expansion space via an evacuation passage which can be shut off by a valve. The valve opens when the pressure in the thermal blast chamber is greater than a particular threshold to evacuate the pressurized gas from the chamber. The evacuation passage is formed in the nozzle and defines a circular volume within the thickness of the nozzle, following its general shape, and opening into the expansion space downstream of the breaking space relative to the throat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: ALSTOM
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Michel Perret
  • Patent number: 6593538
    Abstract: A hybrid interrupter device includes a casing filled with a dielectric gas; a vacuum interrupter having a first arcing contact which is fixed and a second arcing contact which moves in translation in the axial direction of the casing; a force exertion device for exerting a force on the second contact while the vacuum interrupter is allowing current to pass; a gas interrupter having a third arcing contact which is fixed and a fourth arcing contact which moves in translation; and a drive rod connected to the fourth contact. The device further includes a connection device electrically interconnecting the second and third contacts, and capable of being moved in translation together with the second contact; and a displacement mechanism connected to the connection device and to the rod for displacing them so as to separate the second and fourth contacts from the first and third contacts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Michel Perret, Denis Dufournet
  • Publication number: 20020195425
    Abstract: The hybrid-type interrupter device for high or medium voltage comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: ALSTOM
    Inventors: Michel Perret, Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 6483064
    Abstract: An insulating blast nozzle for a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker having a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact that separate from each other when the circuit breaker is opened subsequent to prior separation of permanent contacts, said insulating blast nozzle being secured to one of the permanent contacts and being generally horn-shaped, having a throat and defining a volume of revolution having an upstream portion and a downstream portion joined by the throat, in which the inside volume is cylindrical and closed by the second arcing contact when the circuit breaker is closed and for a few milliseconds after the arcing contacts have separated, the wall of the nozzle in its portion defining the upstream portion of said volume of revolution surrounding said first arcing contact, the downstream portion of said volume comprising a first conical portion, wherein said first conical portion is followed by a second conical portion having a flare angle that is more open than that of said first conical
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Perret
  • Patent number: 6472629
    Abstract: An electric switch includes a first arcing contact surrounded by a puffer break chamber in which the gas is pressurized by the thermal effect, and a second arcing contact movable along an axial direction relative to the first arcing contact. The break chamber includes an inner partition separating a first compartment of fixed volume from a second compartment of smaller volume, both compartments being filled with the gas under pressure and each possessing an orifice to blast the arc, the orifices being separate and placed in series along the axial direction. Each compartment is connected to its own orifice via a respective blast channel. The compartments communicate with each other via a channel that is closed by an excess pressure vent device allowing gas at excess pressure to pass in one direction only from the smaller volume compartment to the larger volume compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Denis Dufournet
  • Publication number: 20020117475
    Abstract: The circuit-breaker includes two contacts which are disposed in an interrupting space filled with a dielectric gas under pressure and between which an electric arc strikes during circuit-breaker opening, a thermal blast chamber communicating directly with the interrupting space, and a piston-driven compression chamber communicating with the thermal blast chamber. The piston-driven compression chamber communicates with the interrupting space via a discharge channel that is separate from the thermal blast chamber and that is closed by a discharge valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: ALSTOM
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20010045410
    Abstract: An insulating blast nozzle for a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker having a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact that separate from each other when the circuit breaker is opened subsequent to prior separation of permanent contacts, said insulating blast nozzle being secured to one of the permanent contacts and being generally horn-shaped, having a throat and defining a volume of revolution having an upstream portion and a downstream portion joined by the throat, in which the inside volume is cylindrical and closed by the second arcing contact when the circuit breaker is closed and for a few milliseconds after the arcing contacts have separated, the wall of the nozzle in its portion defining the upstream portion of said volume of revolution surrounding said first arcing contact, the downstream portion of said volume comprising a first conical portion, wherein said first conical portion is followed by a second conical portion having a flare angle that is more open than that of said first conical
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Denis Dufournet, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Perret
  • Publication number: 20010035395
    Abstract: An a electric switch comprising a first arcing contact surrounded by a puffer break chamber in which the gas is pressurized by the thermal effect, and a second arcing contact movable along an axial direction relative to the first arcing contact. The break chamber includes an inner partition separating a first compartment of fixed volume from a second compartment of smaller volume, both compartments being filled with said gas under pressure and each possessing an orifice to blast the arc, said orifices being separate and placed in series along said axial direction. Each compartment is connected to its own orifice via a respective blast channel, the first compartment with its blast channel and its orifice being placed adjacent to said first arcing contact. The second compartment is placed mainly between the ends of the first arcing contact and a permanent-current contact corresponding thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 6180907
    Abstract: A limiter device for a “dead tank” high voltage circuit breaker having a grounded metal tank, the circuit breaker having two terminals for connection respectively to a high voltage electricity line and to a link leading to a source that is situated upstream and that enables the line to be fed via the circuit breaker. It comprises a capacitor placed outside the tank of the circuit breaker and which is electrically connected between the two terminals of the circuit breaker to limit voltage recovery speeds both upstream and downstream of the circuit breaker, following an interruption due to a line fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Alstom France SA
    Inventor: Denis Dufournet
  • Patent number: 5668360
    Abstract: A circuit-breaker having two interrupting chambers per pole, the chambers being disposed in a T or V configuration at the end of a column provided at its base with a control system for operating a drive rod, each chamber containing a moving assembly connected via a linkage to the drive rod, and main contacts and arcing contacts, wherein each chamber contains a semi-moving assembly including main contacts and arcing contacts co-operating respectively with the main contacts and the arcing contacts of the moving assembly, the semi-moving assembly in each of the chambers including a mechanism for moving it at a velocity of equal magnitude and of opposite direction to the velocity of the moving assembly with which it co-operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Michel Perret, Denis Dufournet, Joseph Martin