US3592984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Isolating switch having spherical, ellipsoid, toroid or spheroid electrodes and a retractable switchblade
Assignee: ITE Circuit Breaker Canada Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-07-07
•
Granted: 1971-07-13
•
Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An isolating switch having spherical, ellipsoid, toroid or spheroid electrodes and a retractable switchblade. The electrodes in the open gap position have a relatively high withstand on switching voltage surge, impulse voltage and with a relatively small gap space. The extension of the retractable switchblade to contact both electrodes corresponds to the closed position of the switch while retraction of the switchblade into one of the electrodes corresponds to the open position. In that latter position, an open gap is produced between the electrodes and results in a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the gap. This has the advantage that the switch open gap may be made substantially shorter than the distance from the electrodes to ground and yet insure that any flashover will be between the electrodes and ground rather than across the switch open gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A Turgeon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T1/00; H01H; H01H31/00; H01H31/26; H01H31/32; H01H33/00; H01H33/02; H01H33/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A high-voltage electric disconnect switch for ratings of 1,000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having only air therebetween and operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surfaces; a retractable switchblade; and means operative to move said switchblade between said electrodes and through said surface openings to contact said elecTrodes when in an engaged switch position and to withdraw said retractable switchblade within at least one of said two electrodes to break said contact when in said disengaged position; the longitudinal dimension of said switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrode surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A high-voltage electric disconnect switch for ratings of 1,000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having only air therebetween and operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surfaces; a retractable switchblade; and means operative to move said switchblade between said electrodes and through said surface openings to contact said elecTrodes when in an engaged switch position and to withdraw said retractable switchblade within at least one of said two electrodes to break said contact when in said disengaged position; the longitudinal dimension of said switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrode surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said retractable switchblade is a two-piece unit, wherein each of said two pieces are withdrawn within said spaced-apart electrodes to break said contact when in said disengaged position, and wherein the longitudinal dimension of each such piece is less than the dimension of its respective electrode within which said piece is withdrawn, said electrode dimension being measured along an axis substantially parallel to the plane of said switchblade movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes comprise a pair of spherical electrodes spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to their diameter and operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the air therebetween when in a disengaged switch position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second spherical electrodes are mounted on first and second insulator columns, respectively, said insulator columns being more than three times longer than the diameter either of said first or second electrodes, and wherein said insulator columns are supported by an electrically grounded base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 4 wherein the distance between said spherical electrodes when the switch is in its disengaged position is substantially shorter than the length of said insulator columns and the breakdown voltage for flashover is greater between said first and second electrodes than it is from said electrodes to said grounded base across the respective insulator column lengths.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A high-voltage disconnect switch for ratings of 1,000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having air only therebetween operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surface; and a retractable switchblade arranged to slidably move within at least one of said two electrodes in a direction alternatively towards and away from said other electrode by drive means positioned within at least said one electrode to connect and disconnect said electrodes, respectively, by contact means positioned within said other electrode; the longitudinal dimension of said retractable switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A high-voltage disconnect switch for ratings of 1,000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having air only therebetween operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surface; and a retractable switchblade arranged to slidably move within at least one of said two electrodes in a direction alternatively towards and away from said other electrode by drive means positioned within at least said one electrode to connect and disconnect said electrodes, respectively, by contact means positioned within said other electrode; the longitudinal dimension of said retractable switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
A high-voltage electric disconnect switch for ratings of 1, 000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having only air therebetween operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surface; a retractable switchblade; and means operative to move said switchblade between said electrodes and through said surface openings to contact said electrodes when in an engaged switch position and to withdraw said retractable switchblade within one of said two electrodes to break said contact when in said disengaged position; the longitudinal dimension of said switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrode surfaces but less then the dimension of said one of said spaced-apart electrodes within which said switchblade is withdrawn, said electrode dimension being measured along an axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of switchblade movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
A high-voltage electric disconnect switch for ratings of 1, 000 kv. and above comprising: first and second fixed spaced-apart electrodes having only air therebetween operative to produce a substantially uniform electrostatic field in the air between facing surfaces thereof when in a disengaged switch position, each such electrode having an opening in its respective facing surface; a retractable switchblade; and means operative to move said switchblade between said electrodes and through said surface openings to contact said electrodes when in an engaged switch position and to withdraw said retractable switchblade within one of said two electrodes to break said contact when in said disengaged position; the longitudinal dimension of said switchblade being greater than the spacing between said electrode surfaces but less then the dimension of said one of said spaced-apart electrodes within which said switchblade is withdrawn, said electrode dimension being measured along an axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of switchblade movement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second spaced-apart electrodes are operative to produce a sphere gap condition therebetween when in said disengaged switch position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electric switch as defined in claim 8 wherein said spaced-apart electrodes comprise a pair of spherical electrodes and wherein the longitudinal dimension of said switchblade is greater than the spacing between the facing surfaces of said spherical electrodes but less then the diameter of that one of said spherical electrodes within which said switchblade is withdrawn.
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) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |