US 5,808,258 A · Encapsulated high voltage vacuum switches

Abstract

An encapsulated high voltage switch has an elastomeric housing made of a first high dielectric strength resilient material such as EPDM. A generally tubular reinforcing element is formed or press fitted in intimate contact with the first elastomeric material. A vacuum contact assembly having a fragile ceramic vacuum bottle is disposed inside the reinforcing element, and a filler material different from the first material is disposed between the outer wall of the sub-atmospheric bottle for the coacting contacts in the switch assembly and the inner wall of the reinforcing element. A trip mechanism extends from the exterior into the elastomeric housing and is connected through a lost motion linking mechanism with the coacting contacts to move the contacts from closed to open position and vice versa. Additionally, a method is described for encapsulating the high voltage switch and to safeguard the sub-atmospheric switch assembly in assembled position.

Claims29

Dependent claims

An encapsulated high voltage switch for use in a high voltage distribution circuit comprising,

a. a housing made from an elastomeric material,
b. a hollow reinforcing element disposed in the housing and in intimate contact with the elastomeric material of the housing,
c. a contact supporting assembly including a bottle having contacts therein and having a controlled atmosphere therein disposed in and in spaced relation to the hollow reinforcing element, and
d. a filler material different from said elastomeric material substantially filling the space between said bottle and said hollow reinforcing element.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Encapsulated high voltage vacuum switches

Life of this patent

Encapsulated high voltage vacuum switches

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29