US3886411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Line protector having gas tube surge arrestor
Assignee: Reliable Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-02-04
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A line protector has a gas tube surge arrestor through which overvoltages of short duration are grounded. The protector also includes a cap, a shunt within the cap and having circumferentially disposed, axially extending fingers projecting from one end of the cap, and a spring within the cap and pressing against an end of the shunt. The fingers retain the gas tube assembled with the shunt and have extremities externally of the tube and intermediate the electrodes of the gas tube. The shunt electrically contacts one of the electrodes. The shunt also has radial ledges for supporting the gas tube in opposition to the force of the spring. A solder pellet may be interposed between said one electrode and the ledge so that upon melting of the solder pellet due to an overcurrent condition in the line, at least one of the extremities of the shunt will engage the other electrode externally of the tube and cause a direct metallic circuit from the line to ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton A Klayum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T1/00; H01T1/14; H01T4/00; H01T4/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A line protector comprising means forming a circuit that is adapted to be connected between a line and ground to provide overvoltage protection for the line, said circuit comprising, in series, spaced electrodes forming an arc gap and being part of a gas tube, a shunt having means forming an electrical contact with only one of said electrodes, and a tubular cap that telescopically and conductively receives said shunt coaxially therein; a spring in said cap and imposing axial pressure on said shunt in the direction of said gas tube, said shunt having fingers projecting in an axial direction from one end of said cap, said fingers having extremities axially between said electrodes exteriorly of said gas tube and normally out of contact with the other electrode, and said shunt having ledges axially intermediate said extremities and said spring and comprising said means for forming said electrical contact with said one electrode, said last-named means also providing a support for said gas tube at said one electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A line protector comprising means forming a circuit that is adapted to be connected between a line and ground to provide overvoltage protection for the line, said circuit comprising, in series, spaced electrodes forming an arc gap and being part of a gas tube, a shunt having means forming an electrical contact with only one of said electrodes, and a tubular cap that telescopically and conductively receives said shunt coaxially therein; a spring in said cap and imposing axial pressure on said shunt in the direction of said gas tube, said shunt having fingers projecting in an axial direction from one end of said cap, said fingers having extremities axially between said electrodes exteriorly of said gas tube and normally out of contact with the other electrode, and said shunt having ledges axially intermediate said extremities and said spring and comprising said means for forming said electrical contact with said one electrode, said last-named means also providing a support for said gas tube at said one electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A line protector according to claim 1 in which said ledges are generally radially extending, and said spring applies force through said ledges to said gas tube axially thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A line protector according to claim 2 in which said shunt has an end wall in said cap for receiving the force from said spring, and said ledges are axially spaced from said end wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A line protector according to claim 3 in which said ledges are joined to said end wall by secondary fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A line protector according to claim 4 in which the fingers and the secondary fingers project from the periphery of the end wall and are alternately disposed around said periphery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A line protector according to claim 1 in which said means forming the electrical contact with said one electrode includes a solder element axially interposed between said ledges and said one electrode such that an overcurrent condition on said line that causes said solder element to melt will cause said spring to urge at least one of said extremities into electrical contact with said other electrode to form, via said shunt, a direct metallic current path between said other electrode and said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a line protector having a gas-filled tube with opposed electrodes forming an arc gap, a threaded cap, a shunt within the cap and having fingers in conductive engagement with the cap, said fingers having extremities outside of the cap, said shunt also being in conductive connection with only one oF said electrodes, and a spring imposing pressure on an end of said shunt within the cap; an improvement in which said fingers are external of the gas tube and between said electrodes, and said shunt having means for supporting said gas tube at said one electrode, said last-named means including radial ledge means axially between said end and said finger extremities.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a line protector having a gas-filled tube with opposed electrodes forming an arc gap, a threaded cap, a shunt within the cap and having fingers in conductive engagement with the cap, said fingers having extremities outside of the cap, said shunt also being in conductive connection with only one oF said electrodes, and a spring imposing pressure on an end of said shunt within the cap; an improvement in which said fingers are external of the gas tube and between said electrodes, and said shunt having means for supporting said gas tube at said one electrode, said last-named means including radial ledge means axially between said end and said finger extremities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a line protector according to claim 7, a solder element forming part of said supporting means and interposed between said ledge means and said one electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a line protector according to claim 7, said ledge means being secured to said shunt end by secondary fingers between the first-mentioned fingers.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |