Vacuum-type circuit interrupter with a plurality of sets of contacts in parallel

A vacuum-type circuit interrupter comprising:

• a. an evacuated envelope within which is located a predetermined reference axis,
• b. a first plurality of rod electrodes, each extending generally parallel to said reference axis and radially spaced from said reference axis, said rod electrodes being arranged in a generally circular ring around said reference axis and being circumferentially spaced from each other,
• c. a second plurality of rod electrodes within said envelope, each extending generally parallel to said reference axis and radially spaced from said reference axis, said second plurality of rod electrodes being arranged in a generally circular ring around said reference axis, interleaving with said first plurality of electrodes and being circumferentially spaced therefrom, thereby defining arcing gaps between the juxtaposed interleaving electrodes of said first and second plurality,
• d. a pair of terminals at opposite ends of said envelope, the first of which is electrically connected to said first plurality of rod electrodes and the second of which is electrically connected to said second plurality of rod electrodes,
• e. a plurality of pairs of separable contacts electrically connected in parallel with each other, each pair comprising a first contact and a second contact,
• f. mounting means for respectively mounting said first contacts on the rod electrodes of said first plurality of rod electrodes in positions between said reference axis and the longitudinal axis of the rod electrode on which the particular contact is mounted, said mounting means defining a conductive path between each of said first plurality of rod electrodes and the contact mounted thereon, which path has a portion adjacent its associated contact extending generally radially with respect to said reference axis,
• g. elongated conductive contact rods that are axially movable and are electrically connected in parallel with each other,
• h. means for respectively mounting said second contacts on said movable contact rods and for electrically connecting each of said second contacts to the contact rod on which it is mounted,
• i. and means for actuating said contact rods substantially simultaneously to effect substantially simultaneous contact separation at said pairs of contacts.