US4500934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hybrid switching device employing liquid metal contact
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-06-21
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Granted: 1985-02-19
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Expires: 2002-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A hybrid electrical current switching device comprises a triggerable solid-state current switch connected in parallel with a mechanical switch in which the current flow depends on the relative positioning of a liquid metal conducting medium. The solid-state switching device operates as a crowbar switch to mitigate effects of arcing.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Kinsinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/54; H01H9/541; H01H9/542; H01H29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A hybrid electrical current switching device comprising: a mechanical current switch device having open and cloed positions and in which current flow is dependent on the relative positioning of a liquid metal conducting medium; and a triggerable solid-state current switch device connected in parallel with said mechanical current switch device, so that arc formation across the contacts of said mechanical current switch device is controllable by triggering of said solid-state current switch device, which is operable to divert current from said switch in response to arc formation conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A hybrid electrical current switching device comprising: a mechanical current switch device having open and cloed positions and in which current flow is dependent on the relative positioning of a liquid metal conducting medium; and a triggerable solid-state current switch device connected in parallel with said mechanical current switch device, so that arc formation across the contacts of said mechanical current switch device is controllable by triggering of said solid-state current switch device, which is operable to divert current from said switch in response to arc formation conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 in which said liquid metal is disposed within a sealed housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 further including triggering means operating to switch said solid-state device into a low resistance state at about the same time that said mechanical switch is moved to its open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 3 in which said triggering means further operates to switch said solid-state device into a low resistance state at about the same time that said mechanical switch is moved to its closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 in which said liquid metal comprises mercury.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 in which said liquid metal comprises an alkali metal or combination of alkali metals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3711668A
Cited
US3783305A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-19 | 1988-08-20 | 1989-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-19 | 1992-08-20 | 1993-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-19 | 1996-08-20 | 1997-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |