An arcless controlled switch

A new current controlled switch is introduced in this paper. The switch has inherent control on the current and operates based on the motion of a conducting medium through a set of transition contacts. Basic theory concerning controlled motion of the conducting medium through a liquid metal (LM) interface is exposed followed by experimental study. The structure of the device and the design basis are described and the Lorentz force on the moving conducting medium is calculated using FEM software. Acting major role in the device operation, the forces on the conducting medium have been characterized and the motion equations of this conducting medium are solved using a numerical method. Accordingly, the design criteria, which are converted to a set of mathematical and physical constraints, are checked and the structure or quantities are modified where needed. Finally, a specimen is made and the switch operation is studied.