Device for measuring the energy of an electrical arc.

p0001The present invention relates to a device for measuring the energy of an electric arc off in the form of light rays, ultra-violet or infra-red.

p0002the clear instant energy currently known poorly measured in an electric arc by electrical measurements because it is difficult to separate the energy consumed by the arc of that consumed by the heating of the electrodes.

p0003The present invention aims to allow accurate and instantaneous measurement of the energy of an electric arc, using simple equipment and inexpensive to replace if its heat deterioration of the arc.

p0004The measuring device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises<ul><li>a) a carrier of at least one optical fiber disposed on the head of an arc electrode of a plastics material of sufficient dielectric strength to avoid disturbing the operation of the arc,</li><li>- B) at least one optical fiber secured on this support and end coming close to the electrode tip,</li><li>- C) an optical connector receiving on the one hand the other end of the optical fiber, on the other hand one end of a cable link optical fiber with a photoelectric cell,</li><li>- D) a photoelectric cell disposed at a sufficient distance from the electrode to be immune to disturbances due thereto,</li><li>- E) an electronic component connected to the photocell and recording and displaying the energy released by the arc.</li></ul>

p0005It further preferably has at least one of the following characteristics: - Support of the optical fiber is fixed to the electrode by snapping on the end of a nut screwed onto the threaded periphery of the electrode. - Support of the optical fiber is formed with at least one receiving groove of the optical fiber. - It comprises several optical fibers are regularly distributed on the periphery of the support. - Support of the optical fiber is polyphenylsulfone. - The support nut is also polyphenylsulfone. - The electronic member registration is connected to a printer.

p0006Described below, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, a device for measuring the energy of an electric arc according to the invention.<ul><li>Figure 1 is an elevation front view of an optical fiber carrier about an anode electrode.</li><li>2 shows the optical fiber holder in section on the axis II-II of Figure 1 and the electrode.</li><li>3 shows the entire device.</li><li>4 shows auxiliary organs of the electronic measuring and analysis body energy.</li></ul>

p0007In Figures 1 and 2, the support 1 of the optical fibers in the vicinity of the arc is attached to the electrode 2 through the nut 11, screwed onto the thread 3 of the electrode.

p0008The support rests with its edge on the head of the nut, it is latched by the shoulder 8 on resilient pawls 9 of the edge of the nut. The fiber support and the nut are of a plastic material of sufficient dielectric strength to avoid disturbing the arc, such as a polyphenylsulfone. Optical fibers such as 10 are disposed in grooves 4, 5, 6, 7 at 90 ° from each other, inclined at 45 ° relative to the axis of the electrode; they are stripped of their sheath immediate vicinity of the electrode tip, not shown manner. Their ends are a few millimeters from the arc.

p00093 shows the entire device in operation. The arc 14 is struck between the anode 2 and the cathode 13 grounded. The optical fibers, only two of which 10 and 12 have been represented, are able to connectors 15, 16. From these optical fibers assembled in a cable 17 joining a photocell 18. The distance of this cell the electrode is of the order of 5 to 10 meters. The electric current supplied by this cell, after amplification in the amplifier 19, is transmitted to a recorder 20 to electronic board unit, which analyzes the energy received by the cell. The recorder 20 is connected firstly to a display element 21, on the other hand to a printer 22 for recording the energies of successive arc discharges.

p0010In case of destruction by the arc of the end of the optical fiber on the substrate 1, simply replace the optical fiber or destroyed from the corresponding connectors.

p0011In order to shelter the device for measuring system disturbances induced by the discharge arc, the electronic measuring device 20 is powered by rechargeable batteries 24 as shown in Figure 4. These are connected to a voltage controller 25 and a mains supply 26 to recharge them outside the periods of operation of the arc.

p0012The printer 22 is connected to the measuring device 20 by an interface 23.