Explosively-actuated, multi-gap high voltage switch
First Claim
1. An electrical switch for opening a first current path in which the switch is included, comprising:
- a pair of normally electrically interconnected contacts which are separable along a first line of direction to both break the electrical interconnection and to form a first gap therebetween;
first means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the contacts as they separate to electrically insulate the first gap;
a terminal in the first path;
second means for electrically connecting one contact to the terminal when the contacts are interconnected, a second gap forming between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate at a predetermined time after the formation of the first gap;
third means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate to electrically insulate the second gap;
fourth means for defining with the first means a chamber, pressurization of the chamber separating the contacts;
ignitable means in the chamber, ignition of which pressurizes the chamber;
a second current path; and
fifth means for connecting the second path in shunt with the first path after the first gap is formed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high-speed switch usable at high voltage includes a pair of contacts movable apart along a fixed line. When the contacts are normally interconnected, at least one of them contributes to the definition of an enclosed chamber. Pressurization of the chamber by the ignition of a power cartridge therein rapidly drives the contacts apart, forming a first gap between them. The first gap is electrically insulated and is shielded from the ignition products of the cartridge. Any arc forming in the first gap is constricted and subjected to arc-extinguishing gas. When the contacts are interconnected, a first one of them is electrically connected to a terminal. After the contacts move apart, a second gap forms between the first contact and the terminal. The second gap is electrically insulated and is shielded from the ignition products of the cartridge. A fuse may be connected in shunt with the contacts and the insulated gaps. Preferably, the shunt connection is made after the first gap is formed, but before the second gap is formed. This permits the first gap to effect commutation of current from the switch to the fuse and the second gap to be formed after the communtation. The second gap thus experiences no or only limited arcing and remains essentially uncontaminated so that recommutation of current from the fuse to the switch is prevented.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrical switch for opening a first current path in which the switch is included, comprising:
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a pair of normally electrically interconnected contacts which are separable along a first line of direction to both break the electrical interconnection and to form a first gap therebetween; first means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the contacts as they separate to electrically insulate the first gap; a terminal in the first path; second means for electrically connecting one contact to the terminal when the contacts are interconnected, a second gap forming between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate at a predetermined time after the formation of the first gap; third means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate to electrically insulate the second gap; fourth means for defining with the first means a chamber, pressurization of the chamber separating the contacts; ignitable means in the chamber, ignition of which pressurizes the chamber; a second current path; and fifth means for connecting the second path in shunt with the first path after the first gap is formed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14)
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9. An electrical switch for opening a first current path in which the switch is included, comprising:
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a terminal in the first path; a pair of normally electrically interconnected contacts which are separable along a first line of direction to both break the electrical interconnection and to form a first gap therebetween, the one contact being movable away from the other contact and toward the terminal as the contacts separate; first means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the contacts as they separate to electrically insulate the first gap, said first means including a first electrically insulative member carried by and movable with the one contact so as to be interposed between the contacts as they separate, and an electrically insulative sleeve through which the one contact is movable and the first insulative member is conformally movable as the contacts separate; second means for electrically connecting one contact to the terminal when the contacts are interconnected, a second gap forming between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate at a predetermined time after the formation of the first gap; third means for inserting a solid electrical insulator between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate to electrically insulate the second galp, said third means including a second electrically insulative member carried by and movable with the one contact so as to be interposed between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate and a third electrically insulative member carried by the terminal so as to be interposed between the one contact and the terminal as the contacts separate, wherein the second and third insulative members conformally telescope as the contacts separate; fourth means for defining with the first means a chamber, pressurization of the chamber separating the contacts; ignitable means in the chamber, ignition of which pressurizes the chamber; a second current path; and fifth means for connecting the second path in shunt with the first path after the first gap is formed.
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12. An electrical switch for opening a first current path in which the switch and a terminal are included, comprising:
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a second current path; first and second normally electrically interconnected contacts for carrying current in the first current path, the first contact being relatively movable along a fixed line of direction away from the second contact to break the electrical interconnection therebetween; first piston means on the first contact for (a) defining an enclosed chamber with the second contact when the contacts are interconnected; (b) interpositioning between the contacts to isolate the first contact from the chamber and electrically insulating the contacts from each other as and after the first contact moves away from the second contact, and wherein the first piston means forms an insulative first gap between the contacts as and after the first contact moves away from the second contact; (c) constricting any arc formed between the contacts after the first contact moves away from the second contact; second means for (a) electrically connecting the first contact to the terminal when the contacts are electrically interconnected, and (b) inserting a solid electrical insulator between the one contact and the terminal to electrically insulate the first contact from the terminal after the first contact moves away from the second contact, wherein the second means forms an insulated second gap between the first contact and the terminal at a predetermined time after the formation of the first gap; third means for electrically connecting the second path in shunt with the first path after the first gap is formed and before the second gap is formed; and ignitable means in the chamber for pressurizing the chamber upon ignition thereof to rapidly drive the first contact away from the second contact.
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15. A high-voltage fuse having a high continuous current rating, comprising:
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a first current path having a high continuous current-carrying capacity; a second current path; a fuse in the second path; first means for opening a first insulated gap in the first path, an arc forming in the first gap; second means for connecting the second path in shunt with the first path as the voltage of the arc in the first gap elevates to transfer current from the first path to the second path; and third means for opening a second insulated gap in the first path after current therein transfers to the second path so that the second gap is uncontaminated and so that as the arc voltage of the fuse elevates, retransfer of the current to the first path is prevented by the presence of the first gap and the second uncontaminated gap in the first path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification