Patent US1821571A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3866041A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3866041A
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US
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Method and apparatus for evaluating the gas content of materials
Assignee: Allis Chalmers Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-23
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A highly sensitive gas analysis method and apparatus to practice the method is provided to evaluate the gas content and predict the expected performance of a vacuum interrupter using specific contact material analyzed.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward A Attia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N7/00; G01N7/14; H; H01; H01T; H01T7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; connecting the material in an electrical d.c. circuit in series with an electrode that is connected to the positive polarity of the circuit so as to function as an anode with the material serving as the cathode; effecting a separation between the electrode and the material to draw an arc for a predetermined time interval; interrupting the circuit to extinguish the arc; determining the gas pressure of the gas evolved during arcing and the composition of the gas evolved; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; connecting the material in an electrical d.c. circuit in series with an electrode that is connected to the positive polarity of the circuit so as to function as an anode with the material serving as the cathode; effecting a separation between the electrode and the material to draw an arc for a predetermined time interval; interrupting the circuit to extinguish the arc; determining the gas pressure of the gas evolved during arcing and the composition of the gas evolved; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; connecting the material in a d.c. circuit having a regulated power supply with open circuit voltage of approximately 100 volts and in series with an electrode that is connected to the positive polarity of the circuit and functions as an anode with the material functioning as the cathode; position the material in closed circuit relationship with the electrode; permitting current to flow through the closed circuit for approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation between the electrode and the material to initiate an arc; maintaining the arc for a predetermined time interval; determining the total pressure caused by the arc evolved gas and evaluating the composition of the gas evolved; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; connecting the material in a d.c. circuit having a regulated power supply with open circuit voltage of approximately 100 volts and in series with an electrode that is connected to the positive polarity of the circuit and functions as an anode with the material functioning as the cathode; position the material in closed circuit relationship with the electrode; permitting current to flow through the closed circuit for approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation between the electrode and the material to initiate an arc; maintaining the arc for a predetermined time interval; determining the total pressure caused by the arc evolved gas and evaluating the composition of the gas evolved; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; baking out the vacuum chamber with the material therein for approximately 36 hours at 400*C and exhausting the chamber to a vacuum of 10 8 Torr.; connecting the material as a cathode in a d.c. circuit composed of a regulated power supply with open circuit voltage of approximately 100 volts; closing the circuit to permit current to flow in the circuit for approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation of the material from the anode portion Of the circuit to draw an arc for a time interval of approximately 0.5 to 1 second; measuring the arc voltage during the arcing period; measuring the arc current during the arcing period; measuring the duration of the arc; measuring the total pressure caused by the arc released gas; determining the composition of the gas released during the arcing period; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber; baking out the vacuum chamber with the material therein for approximately 36 hours at 400*C and exhausting the chamber to a vacuum of 10 8 Torr.; connecting the material as a cathode in a d.c. circuit composed of a regulated power supply with open circuit voltage of approximately 100 volts; closing the circuit to permit current to flow in the circuit for approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation of the material from the anode portion Of the circuit to draw an arc for a time interval of approximately 0.5 to 1 second; measuring the arc voltage during the arcing period; measuring the arc current during the arcing period; measuring the duration of the arc; measuring the total pressure caused by the arc released gas; determining the composition of the gas released during the arcing period; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber as a cathode in a d.c. electrical circuit having a separable anode; effecting a bake-out of the chamber while evacuating the chamber to a vacuum of 10 8 Torr.; initiating current flow in the d.c. circuit for a time interval of approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation of between the anode and the cathode material to draw an arc for a predetermined arcing time interval of 0.5 to 1 second; extinguishing the arc; effecting a measurement during the arcing interval of the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by the arc released gas and the composition of the released gas; recording the measurements on a chart to provide a visual record; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for evaluating material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter comprising the steps of: arranging the material in a vacuum chamber as a cathode in a d.c. electrical circuit having a separable anode; effecting a bake-out of the chamber while evacuating the chamber to a vacuum of 10 8 Torr.; initiating current flow in the d.c. circuit for a time interval of approximately 1.5 seconds; effecting a separation of between the anode and the cathode material to draw an arc for a predetermined arcing time interval of 0.5 to 1 second; extinguishing the arc; effecting a measurement during the arcing interval of the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by the arc released gas and the composition of the released gas; recording the measurements on a chart to provide a visual record; and, comparing the results obtained to control data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
In apparatus for evaluating contact material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter, said apparatus having a sealed housing in which a vacuum is established and comprising; a support within said chamber for carrying the contact material to be evaluated; a d.c. circuit including an electrode which is connected to the positive polarity of said circuit, said electrode being movable into and out of engagement with the contact material; means connecting the contact material to be evaluated to the negative polarity of said d.c. circuit; means operably connected to effect a separation between said electrode and the material to establish an arc; and, means operably connected to the interior of said vacuum chamber to measure the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by the arc released gas and the composition of the arc released gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
In apparatus for evaluating contact material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter, said apparatus having a sealed housing in which a vacuum is established and comprising; a support within said chamber for carrying the contact material to be evaluated; a d.c. circuit including an electrode which is connected to the positive polarity of said circuit, said electrode being movable into and out of engagement with the contact material; means connecting the contact material to be evaluated to the negative polarity of said d.c. circuit; means operably connected to effect a separation between said electrode and the material to establish an arc; and, means operably connected to the interior of said vacuum chamber to measure the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by the arc released gas and the composition of the arc released gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said measuring means comprising an ion gauge connected to the interior of vacuum chamber and operable to measure the total amount of the arc released gas; and, a mass spectrometer connected to the interior of the vacuum chamber and operable to analyze the composition of the occluded gas in the contact material as it is released by arcing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said material support is angularly positionable within said vacuum chamber and operable to carry a plurality of material specimens for individually locating each specimen in axial alignment with said electrode; and, drive means connected to effect the angular positioning movement of said support for locating a selected arc of said specimens in axial alignment with said electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said angularly positionable support includes a gear drive internally of said vacuum chamber and having actuating means operably connected thereto and extending externally of said vacuum chamber for effecting a positioning movement of said support for locating said material in alignment with said electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there is provided locking means operative to secure said support in a preselected angular position in which position the material carried by said support is locked in aligned relationship to said electrode; and, mechanical means operatively connected to said support and extending outwardly of said vacuum in scaled relationship for effecting the release of said support from said locking means or for effecting the engagement of said locking means with said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus accordinG to claim 9 wherein said locking means are interengageable components one of which is carried by said support and the other being on said housing; mechanical operating means to move said support for effecting the disengagement of the support locking component from the locking component of said housing, said mechanical means being connected to said support and constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of said vacuum chamber in sealed relationship; operating means external of said vacuum chamber and operatively connected to said mechanical operating means to actuate said mechanical operating means for moving said support in a locking or unlocking direction of movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus for evaluating the material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter; a sealed housing having a vacuum chamber; a pumping system connected into said chamber to evacuate it; a heater within said vacuum chamber and operable to effect a bakeout of said chamber; a support within said chamber on which material to be tested is carried; an electrode supported in sealed relationship by said housing and extending into said chamber, said electrode being axially positionable in engagement with the material supported within said chamber; a d.c. circuit having its positive polarity connected to said electrode and its negative polarity connected to said material; means to effect a separation of said electrode from the material to draw an arc; and, means to measure the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by arc released gas and the composition of the arc released gas.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
151 words
In apparatus for evaluating the material to be utilized in a vacuum interrupter; a sealed housing having a vacuum chamber; a pumping system connected into said chamber to evacuate it; a heater within said vacuum chamber and operable to effect a bakeout of said chamber; a support within said chamber on which material to be tested is carried; an electrode supported in sealed relationship by said housing and extending into said chamber, said electrode being axially positionable in engagement with the material supported within said chamber; a d.c. circuit having its positive polarity connected to said electrode and its negative polarity connected to said material; means to effect a separation of said electrode from the material to draw an arc; and, means to measure the arc voltage, the arc current, the duration of the arc, the total pressure caused by arc released gas and the composition of the arc released gas.
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) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |