Coil-type axial magnetic field contact assembly for vacuum interrupter

An electrode assembly for a vacuum interrupter, the electrode assembly comprising:

• a contact plate;
• an electrode coil connected to the contact plate, the electrode coil including:
• a base for attachment to a terminal post of the vacuum interrupter, and
• at least one arcuate arm between the base and the contact plate, each arcuate arm extending along a curved path in a plane approximately perpendicular to a direction of travel of the electrode assembly;
• at least one support member;
• and
• at least one brazing element;
• wherein:
• each arcuate arm includes an aperture that is positioned to align with a corresponding aperture in the base,
• each support member is partially positioned within aligned apertures to maintain a gap between the arcuate arm and the base,
• each brazing element joins the contact plate to a support member and a corresponding arcuate arm,
• at least one of the support members comprises a hollow core, and
• the brazing element for each such support member extends into the hollow core of that support member.