Axial magnetic field vacuum fault interrupter

A method for making an electrode assembly for use in a vacuum interrupter, the method comprising:

• forming a recess into one end of a substantially cylindrical, conducting coil segment having a first diameter;
• forming a substantially cylindrical first portion of an electrical contact, the first portion having a second diameter substantially equal to the first diameter;
• forming a substantially cylindrical second portion of the electrical contact;
• and
• placing the secondary portion of the electrical contact within the recess.

A vacuum interrupter, comprising:

• a first electrode assembly;
• and
• a second electrode assembly on a common longitudinal axis with respect to the first electrode assembly and movable along the common longitudinal axis,
• wherein at least one of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly comprises:
• a cylindrical contact support structure having a first resistivity;
• an annular structure having a second resistivity higher than the first resistivity, the annular structure disposed in contact with the cylindrical contact support structure and aligned along the common longitudinal axis with the cylindrical contact support structure;
• and
• a cylindrical electrical contact that is aligned with the annular structure along the common longitudinal axis and disposed in contact with the annular structure.

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

• a substantially cylindrical coil segment having a first resistivity;
• a substantially ring-shaped structure disposed in contact with the coil segment and having a second resistivity higher than the first resistivity;
• and
• an electrical contact disposed in contact with the ring-shaped structure, thereby sandwiching the ring-shaped structure between the coil segment and the electrical contact.