Inductive store opening switch

• US 4,571,468 A
• Filed: 07/16/1982
• Issued: 02/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: University of Texas System
• Inventors: Weldon, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US06/399,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.08, 337/290, 337/295
• US Class Current: 200/61.08
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 39/006 Opening by severing a conductor

Abstract

The inductive store opening switch includes a cartridge casing comprising a length of metal tubing, for disposition between a pair of electrical buss bar conductors and in contact with both so as to establish a path for electrical current therethrough. The tubular casing, having inner and outer surfaces, is scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing point. The scoring on the outer surface may constitute many different geometric forms. A solid body of inert material is insertable within the casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing point of the casing. A propellant cartridge carrying a combustible material, such as gun powder, is disposed within the casing opposite the inserted body so as to define a cavity volume within the casing proximate the rupturing point of the casing. The cartridge further includes structure for igniting the material. The oxidation-gas products produced by ignition of the material in the propellant cartridge expand into the volume defined within the casing and cause rupturing of the casing along the scoring, thereby breaking the electrical current path established by the casing. Reinforcement members extending circumferentially of the casing on opposite sides of the scoring, may be used to control the extent of rupturing of the casing and control the gap width between casing halves. Alternatively, the casing may be ruptured by introduction of a pressurized fluid by the dumping of fluid from a high pressure accumulator into the cavity volume using a fast-acting valve.

Claims

1. An inductive store opening switch for making and upon actuation breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a hollow cartridge casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors and in contact with both so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing having inner and outer surfaces, and having scoring on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

a first body inserted within said casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing location on the casing;

a second body inserted within said casing and adjacent the rupturing location on the casing and opposite said first inserted body so as to define a cavity within the casing proximate the rupturing location;

a propellant cartridge disposed within said second body; and

said cartridge carrying an ignitable material, for producing expanding oxidation-gas products in the cavity so as to rupture the casing, and means for igniting said material.

2. Opening switch apparatus for breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors and in contact with both so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing having inner and outer surfaces, and having scoring on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

a first body inserted within said casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing location on the casing; and

a second body inserted within said casing adjacent the rupturing location on the casing and opposite said first inserted body so as to define a cavity within said casing proximate the rupturing location;

said second inserted body including a fluid jet nozzle opening to the cavity; and

a source of pressurized fluid in communication with the opening in the second body for establishing fluid pressure within the cavity in the casing sufficient to produce rupturing of the casing.

3. An inductive store opening switch for breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing being scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

a first body inserted within said casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing location on the casing;

a second body inserted within said casing adjacent the rupturing location on the casing and opposite said first inserted body so as to define a cavity within the casing proximate the rupturing location; and

means for establishing fluid pressure within the cavity in the casing sufficient to produce rupturing.

4. The switch of claim 3 wherein said scoring on the casing outer surface comprises a single circumferential groove.

5. The switch of claim 3 wherein said scoring on the casing outer surface comprises first and second spacedapart circumferential grooves and a plurality of grooves extending between said first and second circumferential grooves.

6. The switch of claim 3 wherein said scoring on the casing outer surface comprises a plurality of adjacent longitudinal grooves.

7. The switch of claim 3 wherein said scoring on the casing outer surface comprises a serpentine, circumferential groove.

8. An inductive store opening switch for breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing being scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

a body inserted within said casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing location on the casing;

means for establishing fluid pressure within the casing sufficient to produce rupturing; and

said body having a planer surface exposed to the fluid pressure established within the casing.

9. An inductive store opening switch for breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing being scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

a body inserted within said casing and disposed adjacent the rupturing location on the casing;

means for establishing fluid pressure within the casing sufficient to product rupturing; and

said body having a conical surface exposed to the fluid pressure established within the casing.

10. An inductive store opening switch for breaking a connection between a pair of electrical conductors, comprising:

a casing to be disposed between a pair of electrical conductors so as to establish a path for electrical current therebetween;

said casing being scored on its outer surface to establish a rupturing location thereon;

means for establishing fluid pressure within the casing sufficient to produce rupturing; and

means for reinforcing said casing adjacent the scoring to control the extent of rupturing of the casing.

11. The switch of claim 10 wherein said reinforcing means includes first and second band members extending circumferentially of said casing, said band members being disposed on opposite sides of the scoring.