Patent US3648166A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3648166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical device having current limiter and spark gap
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-02-28
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1988-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrical device such as a watthour meter has a movement located within an enclosure. Terminals pass through the enclosure for the purpose of establishing connections between the device and an external circuit. A spark gap is secured to the enclosure and is positioned externally of the enclosure for the purpose of establishing a shunt path to ground for surges appearing on the external circuit. A silicon carbide block is located internally of the enclosure and is connected in series with the spark gap for the purpose of limiting the current flowing through the spark gap after breakover of the gap takes place.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W Redecker
- 👤 William J Zisa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T4/00; H01T4/08; G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/36; G01R11/00; G01R11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A protected measuring device comprising an enclosure including a wall of insulating material with a pocket opening from the exterior face of the wall, an electroresponsive measuring unit located within the enclosure, electroconductive means extending between the exterior and the interior of the enclosure for establishing electric connections between the unit and an external circuit, a protective means for protecting the unit from the effects of electric surges, said protective means comprising an electric discharge device responsive to a substantial voltage thereacross for establishing an electric discharge to limit the voltage thereacross, said discharge device being located in said pocket and having a spring terminal accessible within said enclosure so as to establish said discharge substantially externally of the enclosure, a current limiter connected in series with the discharge device to limit flow of current through the discharge device, said limiter being located substantially within said enclosure, and a current lead connected to said unit, said current limiter being compressed between said spring terminal and said current lead.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A protected measuring device comprising an enclosure including a wall of insulating material with a pocket opening from the exterior face of the wall, an electroresponsive measuring unit located within the enclosure, electroconductive means extending between the exterior and the interior of the enclosure for establishing electric connections between the unit and an external circuit, a protective means for protecting the unit from the effects of electric surges, said protective means comprising an electric discharge device responsive to a substantial voltage thereacross for establishing an electric discharge to limit the voltage thereacross, said discharge device being located in said pocket and having a spring terminal accessible within said enclosure so as to establish said discharge substantially externally of the enclosure, a current limiter connected in series with the discharge device to limit flow of current through the discharge device, said limiter being located substantially within said enclosure, and a current lead connected to said unit, said current limiter being compressed between said spring terminal and said current lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
A measuring device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a cup-shaped cover substantially concentric about an axis and a base of insulating material closing the open end of said cover, said spring terminal having a part deflectable against the resilience of the spring in a direction parallel to said axis, said unit having a portion spaced from said part in a direction parallel to said axis, said current limiter being located between the part and the portion and being proportioned to deflect the part of the spring terminal away from the position occupied by said part when the spring is unstressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A protected measuring device comprising an enclosure including a wall of insulating material with a pocket extending therethrough, an electroresponsive measuring unit located within the enclosure, electroconductive means extending between the exterior and the interior of the enclosure for establishing electric connections between the unit and an external circuit, a protective means for protecting the unit from the effects of electric surges, said protective means comprising an electric discharge device including a spark gap responsive to a substantial voltage thereacross for establishing an electric discharge to limit the voltage thereacross, a current limiter connected in series with the discharge device to limit flow of current through the discharge device, said limiter being located in said pocket so as to be substantially within said enclosure, and an electroconductive member located adjacent the exterior face of said wall to form said spark gap between such member and the current limiter and establish said discharge substantially externally of the enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A protected measuring device comprising an enclosure including a wall of insulating material with a pocket extending therethrough, an electroresponsive measuring unit located within the enclosure, electroconductive means extending between the exterior and the interior of the enclosure for establishing electric connections between the unit and an external circuit, a protective means for protecting the unit from the effects of electric surges, said protective means comprising an electric discharge device including a spark gap responsive to a substantial voltage thereacross for establishing an electric discharge to limit the voltage thereacross, a current limiter connected in series with the discharge device to limit flow of current through the discharge device, said limiter being located in said pocket so as to be substantially within said enclosure, and an electroconductive member located adjacent the exterior face of said wall to form said spark gap between such member and the current limiter and establish said discharge substantially externally of the enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said electroconductive means comprises a contact blade extending through said wall, and means for retaining said contact blade comprising a resilient, electroconductive washer having a spring extension establishing an electrical connection between the contact blade and the current limiter and retaining said current limiter in said pocket.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |