Switch for a high-voltage interrupting module
First Claim
1. An improved switch for a high-voltage device;
- the switch being of the type in which an insulative piston is arranged to be moved at high speeds from its normally located position in a more formed in a conductive member, away from the bore and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner, such movement of the piston moving a movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact and to form a gap therebetween, thereby opening the switch;
the bore and the passageway being aligned;
wherein the improvement comprises the provision of energy-absorbing means for inhibiting rebounding of the piston from the movable contact, said energy-absorbing means comprising an element disposed between the piston and the movable contact, said element including interstices and being crushed in response to forces transmitted from the piston to the movable contact.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An energy-absorbing element is provided between an insulative piston and a movable contact of a switch for a high-voltage device. In arrangements where a fusible element is in electrical shunt with the switch, the energy-absorbing element improves the rapid commutation of the current from the switch to the fusible element where final circuit interruption takes place. The switch is of the general type in which ignition of a power cartridge moves the insulative piston, which is normally located in a bore formed in a conductive member, away therefrom and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner. The movement of the piston moves the movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact. This forms a gap between the conductive member and the movable contact and opens the switch. The ignition of the power cartridge evolves high pressure within a chamber defined by the piston and the bore. This high pressure acts against the piston and the resulting forces rapidly drive the piston; the movable contact being driven via the transmission of forces through the energy-absorbing element. The energy-absorbing element enhances the rapid and simultaneous movement of the piston and the movable contact. The energy-absorbing element absorbs sufficient energy at the interface between the piston and the movable contact to prevent undesirable reaction effects which may be caused by the reaction or rebounding forces between the piston and the movable contact.
36 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An improved switch for a high-voltage device;
- the switch being of the type in which an insulative piston is arranged to be moved at high speeds from its normally located position in a more formed in a conductive member, away from the bore and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner, such movement of the piston moving a movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact and to form a gap therebetween, thereby opening the switch;
the bore and the passageway being aligned;
wherein the improvement comprises the provision of energy-absorbing means for inhibiting rebounding of the piston from the movable contact, said energy-absorbing means comprising an element disposed between the piston and the movable contact, said element including interstices and being crushed in response to forces transmitted from the piston to the movable contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- the switch being of the type in which an insulative piston is arranged to be moved at high speeds from its normally located position in a more formed in a conductive member, away from the bore and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner, such movement of the piston moving a movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact and to form a gap therebetween, thereby opening the switch;
Specification