High voltage vacuum type circuit interrupter
First Claim
1. A high voltage circuit interrupter comprisinga first electrical terminal adapted to be connected to a first high voltage power lead,a second electrical terminal adapted to be connected to a second high voltage power lead,an elongated, one-piece, rigid dielectric housing, said housing having a first opening disposed at one longitudinal end of said housing at which said first terminal is located and having a second opening, remotely disposed from both said first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of said housing, at which said second terminal is located, said housing providing both the solid external electrical insulation between said first and second terminals and the solid external electrical insulation between said second terminal and said second longitudinal end of said housing, andcurrent interrupting vacuum switch means disposed within said circuit interrupter for selectively opening and, alternately, closing a short circuit electrical path between said first and second terminals,said switch means comprising a stationary switch contact and a movable switch contact, said movable switch contact being movable alternately into and out of engagement with said stationary switch contact to respectively close and open said short circuit electrical path, said switch means further comprising means for maintaining a vacuum within which said stationary and movable switch contacts operate, said vacuum maintaining means comprising an elongated, tubular, rigid, dielectric casing, said casing being disposed within said housing along the longitudinal axis thereof between said first opening and said second opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high voltage vacuum-type circuit interrupter is disclosed that includes a single or one-piece ceramic insulating housing providing both the external solid insulation between a line terminal and a switch terminal and the external solid insulation between the line terminal and electrical ground. The ceramic housing is mounted on a metallic base by the wedging action of a spring disposed under tension on an exterior inclined surface at the lower longitudinal end of the insulating housing and on an interior inclined surface of the base. A solenoid operated toggle mechanism disposed in the base actuates an elongated operating rod that effectuates the opening and closing of a pair of switch contacts positioned in an evacuated ceramic casing that includes a relatively shallow recess formed about its internal periphery intermediate its longitudinal ends. A tubular metallic vapor shield is held in the ceramic casing by a plurality of metallic ring segments positioned in the recess. Radially outwardly protuberant portions formed in the shield both above and below the ring segments secure the shield to the ring segments. The switch and the line terminals are formed as flattened longitudinal ends of elongated conductive tubular members. A flexible pressure equalization diaphragm is formed in situ in the base and is secured therein and is movable to equalize pressure. A visually discernible position indicator, located within the base, provides a visual indication of the "OPEN" position or "CLOSED" position of the switch contacts. The contacting portion of each switch contact is disposed within an elongated, tubular contact stem and is brazed substantially flush with the end of the stem; subsequently, a portion of the stem at that end is removed to reduce the possibility of the welding together of the contacting portions of the switch contacts.
168 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A high voltage circuit interrupter comprising
a first electrical terminal adapted to be connected to a first high voltage power lead, a second electrical terminal adapted to be connected to a second high voltage power lead, an elongated, one-piece, rigid dielectric housing, said housing having a first opening disposed at one longitudinal end of said housing at which said first terminal is located and having a second opening, remotely disposed from both said first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end of said housing, at which said second terminal is located, said housing providing both the solid external electrical insulation between said first and second terminals and the solid external electrical insulation between said second terminal and said second longitudinal end of said housing, and current interrupting vacuum switch means disposed within said circuit interrupter for selectively opening and, alternately, closing a short circuit electrical path between said first and second terminals, said switch means comprising a stationary switch contact and a movable switch contact, said movable switch contact being movable alternately into and out of engagement with said stationary switch contact to respectively close and open said short circuit electrical path, said switch means further comprising means for maintaining a vacuum within which said stationary and movable switch contacts operate, said vacuum maintaining means comprising an elongated, tubular, rigid, dielectric casing, said casing being disposed within said housing along the longitudinal axis thereof between said first opening and said second opening.
Specification