US3836740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum type circuit interrupter having improved contacts
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-03
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum type circuit interrupter comprising cup-shaped electrodes for improved arc movement during circuit interruption. The contact structures of the vacuum-type circuit interrupter are shaped so that when an arc is established between the contacts during circuit interruption the current path through the contacts to the arc is substantially perpendicular to the arc, for improved arc movement. The arc is initiated at the primary contacting surfaces during circuit interruption and is moved rapidly around the contact area thereby preventing the contact area from being grossly eroded.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hundstad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/664; H01H33/6642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A vacuum interrupter having a first contact and a second contact being relatively movable with respect to the first contact between a closed position in engagement with the first contact and an open position separated from the first contact to form an arcing gap therebetween across which an arc is formed during circuit interruption wherein each contact comprises: a flat circular base portion having a solid disc shape; an annular contact and arcing portion having a relatively thin cross-sectional area and being divided into a plurality of contact and arcing surfaces; contact support means for supporting each contact and arcing surface from one end only and for positioning said annular contact and arcing portion slightly above said disc-shaped portion by a distance less than the thickness of said annular contact and arcing portion; and each of said contact and arcing surfaces connected to said flat circular base portion near the outer periphery and extending from the connection in a radially inward and circumferential direction so that the arc formed during circuit interruption is moved radially inward and rotated around the inner diameter of said annular contact and arcing portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A vacuum interrupter having a first contact and a second contact being relatively movable with respect to the first contact between a closed position in engagement with the first contact and an open position separated from the first contact to form an arcing gap therebetween across which an arc is formed during circuit interruption wherein each contact comprises: a flat circular base portion having a solid disc shape; an annular contact and arcing portion having a relatively thin cross-sectional area and being divided into a plurality of contact and arcing surfaces; contact support means for supporting each contact and arcing surface from one end only and for positioning said annular contact and arcing portion slightly above said disc-shaped portion by a distance less than the thickness of said annular contact and arcing portion; and each of said contact and arcing surfaces connected to said flat circular base portion near the outer periphery and extending from the connection in a radially inward and circumferential direction so that the arc formed during circuit interruption is moved radially inward and rotated around the inner diameter of said annular contact and arcing portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said plurality of contact and arcing surfaces of said annular contact and arcing portion lie in a common plane so that when said vacuum circuit interrupter is closed with the second contact in engagement with the first contact the entire annUlar contact and arcing portion of the first contact engages the entire annular contact and arcing portion of the second contact and when said vacuum interrupter is in the open position with the first contact separated from the second contact an arcing gap having a uniform length is formed therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 2 wherein most of the contact support means for each contact and arcing surface is positioned beneath the preceding contact and arcing surface whereby the current flow through the contact and arcing surfaces during arcing must be substantially parallel to said flat circular base portion and perpendicular to any arc formed during circuit interruption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 3 wherein: each of said contact support means is joined to said flat circular base portion in a trapezoidal shaped figuration with two sides of the trapezoid extending generally radially inward a distance from the outer periphery of said flat circular base portion less than the radially inward spacing of said annular contact and arcing portion; and with the outer side of the trapezoid running parallel and in alignment with the outer periphery of said flat circular base portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 2 wherein said annular contact and arcing portion has an inner diameter which is greater than the radius of said flat circular base portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 2 wherein said annular contact and arcing portions have an outer diameter which is approximately equal to the outer diameter of said flat circular base portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 3 wherein said contact support means for supporting each contact and arcing surface from one end only is resilient to allow each of said contact and arcing surfaces to flex slightly and provide that complete contact is made at each contact and arcing surface when the first contact and second contact are in engagement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the contact areas where each of said contact support means joins said flat circular base portion define an annular ring with the contact support means joined to the flat circular base portion at discreet intervals on the defined annular ring and the area of the annular ring covered by said contact support means joining to said flat circular base portion is substantially less than the area defined by the annular ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact support means supports said contact and arcing portion above said disc-shaped portion by a distance less than the length of the arcing gap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact support means supports said contact and arcing portion above said disc-shaped portion by a distance less than one-fourth of an inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vacuum interrupter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact support means supports said contact and arcing portion above said disc-shaped portion by a distance less than the radius of said base portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3089936A
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FR1410884A
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GB1090872A
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US3366762A
Cited
FR1505699A
Cited
US3546406A
Cited
US3622724A
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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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |