US3711665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact with arc propelling means embodied therein
Assignee: Allis Chalmers Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract In a vacuum type circuit interrupter having a pair of relatively movable contacts, each contact comprises a contact stud to which a relatively wider copper contact body or disk is attached. Magnetically permeable, highly resistive arc propelling means are embedded in the contact body. These means comprise a circular center portion of the same or larger diameter as the contact stud and from which (or from near which) a plurality of spirally shaped arms or vanes radiate towards the periphery of the contact. The arc propelling means create a looped current path in the contact body during contact closed position to intensify outwardly radiating magnetic forces upon contact opening to improve arc rotation thereby aiding in arc extinguishment.
Inventors
- 👤 R Dethlefsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/664; H01H33/6643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Electrical contact means for a vacuum circuit interrupter comprising; contact rod means; an electrical contact body of highly conductive material mounted on said contact rod means and having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the adjacent portion of said contact rod means; current directing and arc propelling means having greater electrical resistance and higher magnetic permeability than said contact body and completely incased within said contact body to thereby present an uninterrupted contact surface to an arc moving across the surface, said arc propelling means including a solid circular central portion axially aligned relative to said contact rod means and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the adjacent portion of said contact rod means to create a loop current path around said central portion, said arc propelling means further including at least one vane radiating outwardly in a spiral path from the peripheral edge of said central portion towards the periphery of said contact body to impart a circumferential or rotational component to the arc, said vane being also completely incased in said contact body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Electrical contact means for a vacuum circuit interrupter comprising; contact rod means; an electrical contact body of highly conductive material mounted on said contact rod means and having a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the adjacent portion of said contact rod means; current directing and arc propelling means having greater electrical resistance and higher magnetic permeability than said contact body and completely incased within said contact body to thereby present an uninterrupted contact surface to an arc moving across the surface, said arc propelling means including a solid circular central portion axially aligned relative to said contact rod means and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of the adjacent portion of said contact rod means to create a loop current path around said central portion, said arc propelling means further including at least one vane radiating outwardly in a spiral path from the peripheral edge of said central portion towards the periphery of said contact body to impart a circumferential or rotational component to the arc, said vane being also completely incased in said contact body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said arc propelling means includes a plurality of vanes completely incased in said contact body, each of said vanes radiating outwardly in a spiral path from the solid circulAr central portion towards the periphery of said contact body to a point short thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical contact according to claim 2 wherein said arc propelling vanes are completely incased in said contact body approximately two millimeters below the arc surface of said contact body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical contact according to claim 3 wherein said arc propelling vanes have a thickness dimension of substantial one millimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electrical contact according to claim 3 wherein the arc surface of said contact body is corrugated azimuthally, whereby the magnetic field penetration relative to the tolerable metal erosion of the arcing surface due to arc exposure is optimized.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |