Telescoping disconnect switch with rail-mounted telescope section

A telescoping high current disconnect switch, comprising:

• a cylindrical conductive housing;
• a pair of axially spaced stationary conductors disposed in said housing;
• a movable conductive telescope section coaxial with said stationary conductors and axially movable to electrically bridge said stationary conductors;
• a pair of rails mounted within the interior of said housing lying parallel to the axis thereof and consisting essentially of austenitic stainless steel;
• and
• a plurality of pillow blocks each insulatingly mounted upon said telescope section and comprising a plurality of ball bearings, said ball bearings resting upon said rails;
• said ball bearings and said rails being positioned within the magnetic field produced by current flow through said switch;
• movement of said telescope section causing movement of said pillow blocks along said rails, whereby said ball bearings cold-form grooves in said rails to work-harden selected portions of said rails.