US3592987A
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US
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Gettering arrangements for vacuum-type circuit interrupters comprising fibers of gettering material embedded in a matrix of material of good conductivity
Abstract To provide a gettering action in relatively high-power vacuumtype circuit interrupters, an active gettering material, such as titanium, tantalum, columbium, zirconium, tungsten or molybdenum is incorporated in the electrode structures or interior elements of a vacuum-type circuit interrupter, so as to be subjected to the heat of the arc, which is established during circuit interruption. By the raising of the temperature of the gettering materials, or agents, their gas-absorption characteristics are activated. The gettering materials are incorporated as filaments, or rods, either disposed randomly, or in parallel alignment in a matrix of good conducting material, such as copper or silver, in the contact portions, so as to be subjected to the heat of arcing.
An alternating-current circuit interrupter of the vacuum type comprising, in combination: a. an evacuated envelope; b. a pair of separable contacts disposed within the evacuated envelope; c. gettering means disposed within the evacuated envelope disposed in near proximity to the region of arcing between said separable contacts, whereby the effect of the arc is to cause vaporization and sputtering of the getter material; and, d. the gettering means being incorporated in one of the contacts as a plurality of metallic fibers embedded in a matrix of metal of good conductivity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An alternating-current circuit interrupter of the vacuum type comprising, in combination: a. an evacuated envelope; b. a pair of separable contacts disposed within the evacuated envelope; c. gettering means disposed within the evacuated envelope disposed in near proximity to the region of arcing between said separable contacts, whereby the effect of the arc is to cause vaporization and sputtering of the getter material; and, d. the gettering means being incorporated in one of the contacts as a plurality of metallic fibers embedded in a matrix of metal of good conductivity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein the fibers have a random distribution at the contact surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the fibers are disposed in generally parallel relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein the fibers are selected from the group consisting of titanium, tantalum, columbium, zirconium, tungsten and molybdenum, and the matrix of metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, silver and base alloys thereof.