Carbon electrode having metallic heat sink

Claim 1

In a telephone protector module, of a type incorporating at least one pair of electrodes defining an air gap over which excess current surges are shorted to a source of ground potential, at least one of said electrodes being of a composite construction including a first portion of particulate carbon defining an operative surface facing a corresponding surface on the other of said electrodes, and a second portion bonded thereto of a conductive material having a specific heat substantially greater than that of said first portion, said second portion serving as a heat sink during the transmission of sustained excess current surges, the improvement comprising: said first portion being in the form of a hollow elongated cylinder having a blind bore extending from one end thereof, said bore including a cylindrical surface and an end surface; said second portion having a base of diameter greater than that of said first portion, and having a centrally disposed axially extending shank of diameter corresponding to that of said bore; said shank being disposed within said bore and bonded thereto substantially the entire length of said shank; whereby a substantial area of mutual contact is obtained to facilitate the transfer of heat from said first portion to said second portion during arcing.