Composite arc shields for vacuum interrupters and methods for forming same
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsLOUIS GRANT CAMPBELL, Eric Dennis Smith, Franklin Willis Freeborn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed concept pertains to vacuum interrupters and arc-resistant shields. The arc-resistant shields are positioned in between a ceramic insulator. Each end of the arc-resistant shield is hermetically sealed to the ceramic insulator. The arc-resistant shield includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes an arc-resistant material. Disposed within the arc-resistant shield is a pair of electrode assemblies which are separable to establish arcing. In certain embodiments, the arc-resistant material is copper-chromium alloy.
Claims20
An arc-resistant shield for a vacuum interrupter, the arc-resistant shield comprising:
- a shield structure having a first end, an opposite second end, an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- and
- an arc-resistant material present on the interior surface of the shield structure,
- wherein the arc-resistant shield is positioned between a first ceramic insulator and a second ceramic insulator, the first end of the shield structure being hermetically sealed to the first ceramic insulator and the opposite second end of the shield structure being hermetically sealed to the second ceramic insulator, the arc-resistant shield defining an inner cavity, first and second electrode assemblies disposed in said cavity and being separable to establish arcing.
A vacuum interrupter, comprising:
- a tubular cavity defined by:
- a first ceramic portion;
- a first end seal connected to the first ceramic portion;
- a second ceramic portion;
- a second end seal connected to the second ceramic portion;
- an arc-resistant shield positioned between the first and second ceramic portions, comprising:
- a shield structure having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and an opposite second end;
- and
- an arc-resistant material present on at least a portion of the shield structure,
- wherein the first end of the shield structure is hermetically sealed to the first ceramic portion and the opposite second end of the shield structure is hermetically sealed to the second ceramic portion;
- a first electrode assembly;
- and
- a second electrode assembly,
- wherein the first and second electrode assemblies are disposed within a portion of the cavity defined by the arc-resistant shield, said first and second electrode assemblies being separable to establish arcing.
A method for preparing a vacuum interrupter, comprising:
- forming a tubular vacuum cavity, comprising:
- a first ceramic portion;
- a second ceramic portion;
- an arc-resistant shield, comprising:
- a shield structure having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end and an opposite second end;
- and
- an arc-resistant material which is present on at least a portion of the interior surface of the shield structure;
- a first electrode assembly;
- and
- a second electrode assembly;
- positioning the arc-resistant shield between the first and second ceramic portions;
- hermetically sealing the first end of the shield structure to the first ceramic portion;
- hermetically sealing the opposite second end of the shield structure to the second ceramic portion;
- and
- positioning the first and second electrode assemblies within a portion of the cavity defined by the arc-resistant shield, said first and second electrode assemblies being separable to establish arcing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.