Vacuum interrupter with simplified enclosure and method of assembly
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsMaurice G. Fey, William J. Lange, Carl B. Freidhoff, Paul G. Slade
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Abstract
An electrical vacuum interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts enclosed within a vacuum enclosure whose walls have joints formed of a polymeric material which can maintain sufficient vacuum, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties to permit proper operation. Major part of the vacuum enclosure, in addition to the joint, may be formed of a polymeric material. A method of assembly is provided that avoids need for high temperatures and includes use of electrical discharge between the contacts for cleaning the interior of the vacuum enclosure.
Claims20
A vacuum interrupter comprising:
- a vacuum enclosure;
- a pair of contacts, including at least one movable contact, enclosed by said vacuum enclosure and having respective electrical terminals connected thereto and communicating through said vacuum enclosure;
- said vacuum enclosure comprising a plurality of enclosure elements with one or more seals therebetween of a cured polymeric material.
An electrical vacuum interrupter comprising:
- a pair of separable contacts;
- a vacuum enclosure including an envelope having at least one open end and enclosing the contacts;
- a closure for each open end which forms a joint with the envelope and which forms an evacuated chamber therewith;
- the envelope being comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer system, a glass, a metal, and a ceramic;
- and
- a sealant in the joint comprising a polymeric epoxy resin having a glass transition temperature of at least about 125.degree. C. and a porosity low enough to maintain vacuum pressures of no more than about 10.sup.-2 Torr.
A method of assembling a vacuum interrupter comprising:
- arranging elements of a vacuum enclosure in cooperative relationship with contacts and contact rods of the interrupter where at least certain of said elements have a layer of a polymeric system thereon as a sealant;
- curing the polymeric system;
- post-baking the assembly at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric system;
- cleaning, by an electrical discharge between the contacts, the interior of the vacuum enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.