US3641289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-current high-voltage switch with incisor electrode
Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich
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Filing: 1969-10-21
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A rapid-action switch, especially for the switching of high voltages and currents in plasma physics, magnetohydrodynamics and like technologies in which an explosive force is produced by discharge through a consumable electrode within a U-shaped aluminum body separated from a switching electrode bearing a sharp edge and sandwiched between this electrode and a counterelectrode constituting an anvil. An insulating layer between the proximal leg of the aluminum U and the sharp edge is pierced as this leg is deformed by the exposure to bring the edge into contact with the U and thereby close the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Petros Dokopoulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H39/00; H01H39/004; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A rapid-action switch for high-voltage and high-current switching operations, comprising: a base electrode, and an incisor electrode spacedly juxtaposed with said base electrode and provided with at least one sharp edge; a U-shaped aluminum body disposed between said electrodes and having generally flat legs extending parallel to each other and respectively juxtaposed with said base electrode and said incisor electrode with one of said legs in electrical contact with said base electrode; at least one insulating layer penetrable by said edge disposed between said incisor electrode and the other leg of said body; and an actuating assembly between the legs of said body for driving the leg juxtaposed with said incisor electrode against the latter, said assembly comprising a pair of explosion-producing metal-foil electrode portions extending inwardly toward each other and a trigger-pulse source of relatively high voltage connected to said electrode portions at a relatively outer location, said metal foil electrode portions having monotonically widening cross sections outwardly therealong and away from one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A rapid-action switch for high-voltage and high-current switching operations, comprising: a base electrode, and an incisor electrode spacedly juxtaposed with said base electrode and provided with at least one sharp edge; a U-shaped aluminum body disposed between said electrodes and having generally flat legs extending parallel to each other and respectively juxtaposed with said base electrode and said incisor electrode with one of said legs in electrical contact with said base electrode; at least one insulating layer penetrable by said edge disposed between said incisor electrode and the other leg of said body; and an actuating assembly between the legs of said body for driving the leg juxtaposed with said incisor electrode against the latter, said assembly comprising a pair of explosion-producing metal-foil electrode portions extending inwardly toward each other and a trigger-pulse source of relatively high voltage connected to said electrode portions at a relatively outer location, said metal foil electrode portions having monotonically widening cross sections outwardly therealong and away from one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The switch defined in claim 1 wherein said explosion-producing electrode portions are spaced from each other at respective inner ends and are at the same distance from both of said base and incisor electrodes and are insulated from said body except at said inner ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said metal-foil electrode portions have innermost and outermost cross sections in a ratio of substantially 1:10.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said metal-foil electrode portions are composed of a metal consisting predominantly of aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch defined in claim 2, further comprising a steel plate of high bending strength interposed between said metal-foil electrode portions and the leg of said body juxtaposed with said base electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said incisor electrode is formed with at least one groove extending generally parallel to said metal-foil electrode portions and opening in the direction thereof at the mouth of a smaller cross section than the base of the groove, said edge being positioned within said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said edge is formed by a system of mutually orthogonal prismatic ridges having edges extending along and perpendicular to the metal-foil electrode portions, at least one ridge extending transversely to the axis of the metal-foil electrode portions at a relatively narrow portion thereof and at least one ridge extending parallel to said axis along the relatively wide portion of each metal-foil electrode portion, the length of said edges corresponding to the width and length of the metal-foil electrode portion in the region thereof juxtaposed with said ridges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said base electrode is formed with a groove of a width corresponding at least to that of said metal-foil electrode portions and extending therealong while opening in the direction of the metal-foil electrode portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said incisor and base electrodes are composed of a copper-beryllium alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said incisor and base electrodes are formed with potential-controlling layers of metal or semiconductor along surfaces confronting said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch defined in claim 2 wherein said electrodes and said body are immersed in an insulating liquid or a weak-conductivity electrolyte.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switch defined in claim 2, further comprising means for blanketing said electrodes and said body in a voltage-breakdown-resisting gas at a pressure up to about 16 atmospheres.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch defined in claim 2, further comprising hydraulic means for urging said incisor and base electrodes toward one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The switch defined in claim 2, further comprising a load-inductance and a current source connected across said incisor electrode and base electrode so as to short circuit said load inductance upon metallic contact of said body with said incisor electrode.
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) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |