Compressed-gas circuit interrupter having two component containing legs upstanding from a grounded u-shaped high pressure tank

Abstract

Abstract A compressed-gas circuit interrupter has a generally U-shape with interrupting elements, or terminal-bushing structures, disposed in the upstanding legs of the ''''U,'''' depending upon the rating requirements; and a grounded high-pressure chamber constitutes the lower bend of the U-shaped circuit interrupter. The compressed-gas circuit interrupter is of the dual-pressure type in which the one or more pairs of contacts are separated in a high-pressure gaseous environment, and the high-pressure gas exhausts through one or both of the separable contacts themselves. Downstream blast valves control the continued exhaust of gas through the separable contact structure, and in the fully open-circuit position of the interrupter, the contact space contains high-pressure gas, resulting in reduced separation distance between the separated contacts. For the lower ratings, a terminal bushing, preferably of the gaseous type, constitutes one of the legs of the ''''U'''' and the interrupting elements are disposed along the other leg of the U. For the higher ratings, both legs of the U may comprise one or more serially related interrupting elements to provide, where desired, a number of serially related arc-extinguishing units. The movable contact structure is preferably actuated pneumatically by a piston structure disposed at the upper end of the arc-extinguishing side of the interrupter, which is controlled by a three-way tripping control valve initiated by an insulating operating rod extending down to ground potential, and mechanically connected to the other phase units of the circuit interrupter, a common valve actuator employed. The legs of the U comprise an outer weatherproof insulating shell and an inner insulating tube, which may be under tension, surrounding the serially related arc-extinguishing units. As stated, the inner insulating tube contains high-pressure gas immediately surrounding the separable contact structure, so that high-pressure gas is immediately available at the contacts for the interrupting operation upon their separation.

Inventors

• 👤 Richard E Kane
• 👤 Frank L Reese

Bibliographic Details