Encapsulated vacuum interrupter and method of making same
AssigneeCooper Industries, Inc.
InventorE. Fred Bestel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interrupter includes a vacuum assembly, switching contacts enclosed within the vacuum assembly, a layer of compliant material around the vacuum assembly, and a layer of rigid encapsulation surrounding the vacuum assembly and layer. The vacuum assembly may be made from ceramic, the compliant material may be silicone, and the rigid encapsulation may be epoxy. The compliant material may also be a sleeve that is expanded so as to receive the vacuum assembly.
Claims28
An interrupter, comprising:
- a vacuum assembly;
- switching contacts enclosed within the vacuum assembly;
- a layer of expanded compliant material around the vacuum assembly;
- and
- a layer of rigid material surrounding the vacuum assembly and the layer of expanded compliant material.
An interrupter, comprising:
- a vacuum assembly enclosing an axial magnetic field interrupter;
- a layer of outdoor grade epoxy surrounding the vacuum assembly;
- and
- a layer of compliant material between the vacuum assembly and the layer of epoxy, wherein the layer of compliant material is expanded silicone.
A method of encapsulating an interrupter, comprising the steps of:
- expanding a sleeve of compliant material;
- inserting the interrupter within the expanded sleeve;
- collapsing the expanded sleeve onto the interrupter;
- and
- encapsulating the interrupter and sleeve within a rigid material.
A method of encapsulating an interrupter, comprising the steps of:
- applying a layer of compliant material to the interrupter;
- heating the interrupter and the layer of compliant material;
- and
- encapsulating the interrupter and the layer of compliant material within a rigid material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.