Vacuum switch and electrode assembly therefor

An electrode assembly for a vacuum switch, said vacuum switch comprising a vacuum envelope, a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within said vacuum envelope, and a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within said vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact, said vacuum envelope including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, said electrode assembly comprising:

• at least one electrode bundle including a plurality of electrodes structured to be coupled to a corresponding one of said fixed contact assembly and said movable contact assembly,
• wherein said electrodes are structured to extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of said vacuum envelope and the second end of said vacuum envelope, and
• wherein said vacuum switch further comprises a longitudinal axis;
• and wherein said electrodes are twisted with respect to said longitudinal axis.

A vacuum switch comprising:

• a vacuum envelope including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end;
• a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within said vacuum envelope;
• a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within said vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact;
• and
• an electrode assembly comprising:
• at least one electrode bundle comprising a grouping of a plurality of separate relatively small diameter electrodes bundled together and coupled to a corresponding one of said fixed contact assembly and said movable contact assembly,
• wherein said electrodes extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of said vacuum envelope and the second end of said vacuum envelope.

A vacuum switch comprising:

• a vacuum envelope including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end;
• a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within said vacuum envelope;
• a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within said vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact;
• and
• an electrode assembly comprising:
• at least one electrode bundle including a plurality of electrodes coupled to a corresponding one of said fixed contact assembly and said movable contact assembly,
• wherein said electrodes extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of said vacuum envelope and the second end of said vacuum envelope, and
• wherein said vacuum switch further comprises a longitudinal axis;
• and wherein said electrodes are twisted with respect to said longitudinal axis.

A vacuum switch comprising:

• a vacuum envelope including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end;
• a fixed contact assembly including a fixed contact disposed within said vacuum envelope;
• a movable contact assembly including a movable contact disposed within said vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact;
• and
• an electrode assembly comprising;
• at least one electrode bundle including a plurality of electrodes coupled to a corresponding one of said fixed contact assembly and said movable contact assembly,
• wherein said electrodes extend from at or about a corresponding one of the fixed contact and the movable contact toward the closer of the first end of said vacuum envelope and the second end of said vacuum envelope, and
• wherein said electrodes are disposed in a weaving or braiding manner.