US3594754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure measurement arrangements for a vacuum-type circuit interrupter
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-01-26
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-01-26
Abstract
Abstract The pressure within a vacuum-type circuit interrupter is measured by imposing a voltage of commercial power frequency between the floating condensing shield and one of the electrodes to determine the magnitude of current flow between these elements in a measuring circuit. A neon bulb may be used in parallel with a resistance in this measuring circuit to continuously indicate the state or condition of vacuum within the interrupter envelope. A glass-fiber rod may conduct the light from the neon bulb, which is at high potential, in its illuminated state, down to the side of a grounded housing. In another arrangement, one side of the neon bulb may be at ground potential, and consequently an insulating glass-fiber rod for light conduction is unnecessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy E Voshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/668
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A pressure indicator for a vacuum-type circuit interrupter for determining the interrupting capability of said interrupter comprising, in combination: a. means defining an evacuated envelope, b. a pair of separable arcing contacts disposed within said evacuated envelope, c. a conducting element within said envelope insulatingly supported relative to said separable arcing contacts, d. alternating current circuit means imposing a relatively high alternating voltage of commercial power frequency between said conducting element and one of said separable arcing contacts for inducing alternating current flow therebetween in said circuit means under poor vacuum conditions, and, e. sensing means responsive to the magnitude of current flow in said alternating current circuit means for pressure indication within the evacuated envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A pressure indicator for a vacuum-type circuit interrupter for determining the interrupting capability of said interrupter comprising, in combination: a. means defining an evacuated envelope, b. a pair of separable arcing contacts disposed within said evacuated envelope, c. a conducting element within said envelope insulatingly supported relative to said separable arcing contacts, d. alternating current circuit means imposing a relatively high alternating voltage of commercial power frequency between said conducting element and one of said separable arcing contacts for inducing alternating current flow therebetween in said circuit means under poor vacuum conditions, and, e. sensing means responsive to the magnitude of current flow in said alternating current circuit means for pressure indication within the evacuated envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The pressure indicator of claim 1, wherein the conducting element is a condensing shield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The pressure indicator of claim 1, wherein the conducting element is an additional stationary electrode spaced a predetermined distance from the arcing contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The pressure indicator of claim 1, wherein a source voltage is controlled by the circuit interrupter and the relatively high alternating voltage is obtained from said source voltage controlled by the circuit interrupter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The pressure indicator of claim 1, wherein a resistance is connected serially into said circuit means, and a neon bulb is electrically connected in parallel across said resistanCe, whereby the neon bulb constitutes a visual sensing means and lights upon excessive current flow through the resistance indicating thereby a low-pressure condition within the evacuated envelope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein a glass fiber rod conducts light from the illuminated condition of the neon bulb to the grounded housing of the interrupter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein the source voltage has a grounded neutral, and a high-voltage measuring circuit is connected between said grounded neutral and said conductive element, a resistance serially connected in said high-voltage measuring circuit with one terminal thereof at ground potential, and a neon bulb is electrically connected in parallel across said resistance, whereby the neon bulb constitutes a visual sensing means and lights upon excessive current flow through the resistance indicating thereby a low-pressure condition within the evacuated envelope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein the alternating-current circuit means comprises a step-up transformer having a low voltage primary winding and a high-voltage secondary winding, a resistance is serially connected in said low voltage primary winding, and a neon bulb is electrically connected in parallel across said resistance, whereby the neon bulb constitutes a visual sensing means and lights upon excessive current flow through the resistance indicating thereby a low-pressure condition within the evacuated envelope.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |