US 5,597,992 A · Current interchange for vacuum capacitor switch

Abstract

The current interchange includes a housing disposed on a high voltage circuit interrupter. The movable switch contact extends into the housing with a guide member attached to the end of the movable switch contact. The housing includes a base attached to one of the terminals of the interrupter and includes a pair of guide rods extending into the housing for guiding engagement with the guide member. A pair of electrical cables extend helically around the guide rods and have one end attached to the base and another end attached to the guide member to provide an electrical path between the movable switch contact and the terminal. The electrical cables produce an axial magnetic field which maintains the metallic vapor produced by the interruption of the circuit between the contacts to reduce the transport of ions from the gap and reduce the current chop.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A current interrupter for a switch comprising:

a housing forming a chamber;
a switch contact disposed in said chamber and having a conductive member with a movable stroke between a conducting position for conducting electricity and a non-conducting position for not conducting electricity;
a terminal for conducting electricity when said switch contact is in said conducting position;
an expansible seal having a stationary end supported within said chamber and a movable end affixed to said conductive member;
at least one electrical conductor having a first end in electrical engagement with said conductive member and a second end in electrical engagement with said terminal;
said terminal being disposed on said housing at a location between said switch contact and said movable end;
said one electrical conductor having a length which is longer than said stroke of said conductive member between said conducting and non-conducting positions so as to extend around said conductive member from said terminal to said first end.

4 more elements

A high voltage circuit interrupter comprising:

a first electrical terminal for connection to a first high voltage power lead;
a second electrical terminal for connection to a second high voltage power lead;
a rigid dielectric housing having a chamber;
a current interrupting vacuum switch disposed within said chamber for selectively opening and, alternatively, closing an electrical path between said first and second terminals;
said switch including a stationary switch contact in electrical engagement with said first terminal and a movable switch contact;
a current interchange electrically connecting said movable switch contact and said second terminal, said movable switch contact being movable alternately into and out of engagement with said stationary switch contact to respectively close and open said electrical path;
an actuator for moving said movable switch contact into and out of engagement with said stationary switch contact;
said current interchange including an enclosure disposed on said housing for receiving one end of said movable switch contact and for electrical engagement with said second terminal and an electrical conductor having one end electrically connected to said movable switch contact and another end electrically connected to said second terminal;
and
a guide member for guiding the movement of said movable switch contact within said enclosure.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Current interchange for vacuum capacitor switch

Life of this patent

Current interchange for vacuum capacitor switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16