Circuit interrupting device

An improved circuit interrupting device of the type having an insulative housing carrying opposed circuit-connectable terminals, a reservoir of pressurized dielectric fluid with a port for directing the fluid at an arc, and a movable contact which receives one end of the arc as it moves from a normal first to a second position, wherein the improvement comprises:

• the reservoir being electrically conductive;
• a diaphragm normally closing the port;
• means for tearing the diaphragm to open the port in response to movement of the movable contact out of the first position;
• means for moving the movable contact out of the first position;
• and
• first means for electrically connecting the movable contact to the reservoir when the movable contact is in the first position and for receiving the other end of the arc as the movable contact moves to the second position.

A high voltage circuit interrupter, comprising

• a housing carrying opposed terminals connectable to opposite sides of a circuit;
• a conductive reservoir of pressurized dielectric fluid connected to one of the terminals and having a port through which the fluid flows;
• a diaphragm normally closing the port;
• a movable contact mechanically attached to the diaphragm and mounted for movement away from the reservoir to tear the diaphragm and to open the port;
• means for electrically connecting the reservoir to the movable contact when the latter is attached to the diaphragm, and for receiving one end of an arc, the other end of which is received by the movable contact, when the movable contact moves;
• piston-cylinder means, attached to the movable contact remotely from the diaphragm for moving the movable contact upon relative movement of a piston and a cylinder thereof, the piston-cylinder means being continuously electrically connected to the other terminal;
• and
• means for relatively moving the piston and the cylinder, movement of the movable contact tearing the diaphragm to permit fluid flow at the arc struck between the movable contact and the connecting means.

A housed high voltage circuit interrupter having opposed circuit-connectable terminals on the housing, the interrupter comprising

• a reservoir of pressurized dielectric fluid having a first contact electrically connected to one of the terminals and a port through which the fluid flows;
• a diaphragm normally closing the port, and being electrically connected to the one terminal;
• a second contact normally attached to the diaphragm and electrically connected to the first contact when so attached, the contacts being mounted for movement away from each other to tear the diaphragm, the first contact receiving one end of an arc, the other end of which is received by the second contact when it moves to break its electrical connection to the first contact, the arc being located so as to receive fluid flowing from the port;
• means for moving the contacts to tear the diaphragm and to initiate fluid flow at the arc struck between the contacts;
• and
• means for continuously electrically connecting the second contact to the other terminal.

An improved circuit interrupting device of the type having a pair of relatively movable contacts which receive respective ends of an arc as they move apart, wherein the improvement comprises:

• a reservoir of normally pressurized dielectric fluid with a port for directing the fluid at the arc;
• removable means for normally closing the port;
• and
• means responsive to movement apart of the contacts for removing the closing means to open the port by applying thereto a removing force in the same general direction in which the fluid flows from the port.