Self-fixturing system for a vacuum interrupter

An end cover for a vacuum interrupter, the end cover comprising:

• a substantially annular first portion, the first portion being attached to a substantially cylindrical hollow body of the vacuum interrupter;
• a concave second portion, the second portion being concentric to the first portion and concave with respect to the body;
• and
• a substantially annular third portion, the third portion being concentric with the first portion,
• wherein a section of the first portion is tapered away from a plane of the third portion, in a direction of the concave second portion, and attached to the body.

An end cover for a vacuum interrupter, the end cover comprising:

• a substantially annular first portion, the first portion being attached to a substantially cylindrical hollow body of the vacuum interrupter;
• a concave second portion, the second portion being concentric to the first portion and concave with respect to the body;
• and
• a substantially annular third portion, the third portion being concentric with the first portion,
• wherein a substantially annular hollow guide is attached to the third portion, the guide including protruding portions extending into an interior thereof, the protruding portions riding in corresponding slots formed in a moving rod that is slidable through the end cover and the guide and operable to actuate a moving electrode of the vacuum interrupter.

A vacuum interrupter having an end cover, the end cover comprising:

• a substantially circular outer perimeter portion;
• an inner portion that is concentric with the outer perimeter portion;
• and
• a continuously curved portion protruding into a body of the vacuum interrupter and joining the outer perimeter portion to the inner portion,
• wherein at least a portion of the continuously curved portion is positioned along an axis defined between electrical contacts of the vacuum interrupter and a joint at which the end cover is attached to an insulating body encasing the vacuum interrupter, and wherein the axis defines an opening of a shield that encloses the electrical contacts, such that the continuously curved portion shields the joint from electrical stress associated with movement of the electrical contacts during an operation of the vacuum interrupter.

A vacuum interrupter having an end cover, the end cover comprising:

• a substantially circular outer perimeter portion;
• an inner portion that is concentric with the outer perimeter portion;
• and
• a continuously curved portion protruding into a body of the vacuum interrupter and joining the outer perimeter portion to the inner portion,
• wherein a portion of the outer perimeter portion is tapered away from a plane of the inner portion, in a direction of the curved portion, and attached to the insulating body of the vacuum interrupter.

A vacuum interrupter having an end cover, the end cover comprising:

• a substantially circular outer perimeter portion;
• an inner portion that is concentric with the outer perimeter portion;
• and
• a continuously curved portion protruding into a body of the vacuum interrupter and joining the outer perimeter portion to the inner portion,
• wherein a substantially annular hollow guide is attached to the inner portion and includes protruding portions extending into an interior thereof, the protruding portions riding in corresponding slots formed in a moving rod that is slidable through the end cover and the guide and operable to actuate a moving electrode of the vacuum interrupter.