US3591742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separable contacts for vacuum circuit interrupters with asymmetric weld-breaking contact configurations
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-10-07
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum-type circuit interrupter is provided having separable contacts with an asymmetric arrangement, or configuration, which will aid in breaking welds by accomplishing a tearing, or blending action upon the separable contacts at the initial time of contact separation during the opening operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Hundstad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/664; H01H3/00; H01H3/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A circuit interrupter of the vacuum-type comprising: a. a first electrode; b. support means for the first electrode; c. a second electrode making physical contact with the first electrode during the closing stroke of the interrupter and thereby defining an intercontact weld-breaking area; d. the second electrode separable from the first electrode to establish an arc; e. means defining an evacuated envelope surrounding said separable electrodes; f. operating-rod means for effecting a separation of said separable electrodes; and, g. the line of action of the weld-breaking area being displaced from the line of action of the operating-rod means and also the line of action of the said support means, whereby a bending moment is produced for facilitating the breaking of the weld during the opening operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A circuit interrupter of the vacuum-type comprising: a. a first electrode; b. support means for the first electrode; c. a second electrode making physical contact with the first electrode during the closing stroke of the interrupter and thereby defining an intercontact weld-breaking area; d. the second electrode separable from the first electrode to establish an arc; e. means defining an evacuated envelope surrounding said separable electrodes; f. operating-rod means for effecting a separation of said separable electrodes; and, g. the line of action of the weld-breaking area being displaced from the line of action of the operating-rod means and also the line of action of the said support means, whereby a bending moment is produced for facilitating the breaking of the weld during the opening operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the two separable electrodes and their supporting portions form a laterally bowed current path through the interrupter displaced from the axis of the interrupter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the electrodes are disc-shaped and the supporting contact stems constitute offset portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A circuit interrupter of the vacuum-type comprising: a. a stationary contact; b. support rod means for the stationary contact; c. a movable contact separable from the stationary contact to establish an arc; d. means defining an evacuated envelope surrounding said separable contacts; e. and means including the location of the contact area between the stationary and movable contacts laterally of the line of action of said support rod means for creating a bending movement upon the contact portions during the opening operation to facilitate the breaking of the welds which occur during the opening operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A circuit interrupter of the vacuum-type comprising: a. a stationary contact; b. support rod means for the stationary contact; c. a movable contact separable from the stationary contact to establish an arc; d. means defining an evacuated envelope surrounding said separable contacts; e. and means including the location of the contact area between the stationary and movable contacts laterally of the line of action of said support rod means for creating a bending movement upon the contact portions during the opening operation to facilitate the breaking of the welds which occur during the opening operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4, wherein the contacts are disc-shaped and the supporting contact stem portions are laterally offset from the central axis of the circuit interrupter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |