Abstract: A circuit breaker system has an SF6 tank having a wall, and an SF6 heating system. The SF6 heating system includes a heater disposed externally of the tank, and a radiator disposed on the wall inside the SF6 tank. The radiator is thermally coupled to the heater via the wall. The heating system is constructed to conduct heat from the heater through the wall to the radiator. The radiator is constructed to radiate the heat to the SF6 in the tank. A circuit breaker system has an SF6 tank having a wall, and a particle trap. The particle trap has a spar extending radially inward from the wall and a wing extending outward from each side of the spar. Each wing is spaced apart from the wall and forms a region having no electric field at the bottom of the tank adjacent the spar.

Abstract: A sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system has a tank constructed to hold a quantity of SF6; a circuit breaker having contacts insulated by the SF6; a heater operative to supply heat to the SF6; and a thermal capacitor in conductive engagement with the tank, and operative to store heat energy and constructed to conduct the heat energy to the SF6 in the tank. A thermal energy storage system for a sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system having a tank storing a quantity of SF6 includes a thermal capacitor operative to store heat energy and constructed to engage the tank and conduct the heat energy to the SF6 in the tank.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system has an SF6 tank having a wall, and an SF6 heating system. The SF6 heating system includes a heater disposed externally of the tank, and a radiator disposed on the wall inside the SF6 tank. The radiator is thermally coupled to the heater via the wall. The heating system is constructed to conduct heat from the heater through the wall to the radiator. The radiator is constructed to radiate the heat to the SF6 in the tank. A circuit breaker system has an SF6 tank having a wall, and a particle trap. The particle trap has a spar extending radially inward from the wall and a wing extending outward from each side of the spar. Each wing is spaced apart from the wall and forms a region having no electric field at the bottom of the tank adjacent the spar.

Abstract: A sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system having a controller coupled to at least two different sensor devices and operative to control a heat output of an SF6 heater based on signals from the sensor devices. An SF6 insulated circuit breaker system includes a controller coupled to a circuit breaker position indicator and operative to control an SF6 heater based on a signal from the contact position indicator sensor. An SF6 insulated circuit breaker system has a controller coupled to an SF6 density monitor and operative to control an SF6 heater based on a signal from the SF6 density monitor.

Abstract: A sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system has a tank constructed to hold a quantity of SF6; a circuit breaker having contacts insulated by the SF6; a heater operative to supply heat to the SF6; and a thermal capacitor in conductive engagement with the tank, and operative to store heat energy and constructed to conduct the heat energy to the SF6 in the tank. A thermal energy storage system for a sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system having a tank storing a quantity of SF6 includes a thermal capacitor operative to store heat energy and constructed to engage the tank and conduct the heat energy to the SF6 in the tank.

Abstract: A sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) insulated circuit breaker system having a controller coupled to at least two different sensor devices and operative to control a heat output of an SF6 heater based on signals from the sensor devices. An SF6 insulated circuit breaker system includes a controller coupled to a circuit breaker position indicator and operative to control an SF6 heater based on a signal from the contact position indicator sensor. An SF6 insulated circuit breaker system has a controller coupled to an SF6 density monitor and operative to control an SF6 heater based on a signal from the SF6 density monitor.

Abstract: A tank for a circuit breaker has a body defining an interior volume and having opposing ends. An flange is at each end of the body with the flanges defining a central longitudinal axis of the body. The body has an internal surface defining a top portion of the tank disposed substantially above the axis and defining a bottom portion of the tank disposed substantially below the axis. The top portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a first radius from the axis. The bottom portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a second radius from axis. The second radius is greater than the first radius so as to reduce an electric field intensity on the bottom portion of the body and thus reduce effects of foreign particles within the interior volume, regardless of phase rotation.

Abstract: A tank for a circuit breaker has a body defining an interior volume and having opposing ends. An flange is at each end of the body with the flanges defining a central longitudinal axis of the body. The body has an internal surface defining a top portion of the tank disposed substantially above the axis and defining a bottom portion of the tank disposed substantially below the axis. The top portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a first radius from the axis. The bottom portion is spaced from the axis as defined by at least a second radius from axis. The second radius is greater than the first radius so as to reduce an electric field intensity on the bottom portion of the body and thus reduce effects of foreign particles within the interior volume, regardless of phase rotation.