Selecting the Design of Arc Extinguishing Devices Based on a Flow Ultrasound Generator with a Tubular Resonator

The ability of a flow ultrasound generators to emit high-frequency sound waves due to gas-dynamic instability of supersonic flow is proposed to be used in arc-extinguishing devices of switching apparatuses. The characteristics of arc-extinguishing devices containing an ultrasonic radiation genera-tor structural component in the form of a tubular resonator are studied. The arc-extinguishing devices under study can be used as a single component of a multi-gap lightning protection device for overhead power lines or as a working element of a surge protection device in low-voltage systems. Parametric op-timization of three design versions of arc-extinguishing devices was carried out, based on which the most effective design of those considered has been identified. The article presents the results of experimental studies, including current oscillograms, and of numerical studies, including the temperature and plasma pressure distributions inside the discharge chambers of three design versions at different moments of time. By using the developed numerical model, it is possible to select the most effective design of arc-extinguishing devices for switching apparatuses.