Abstract: An arc stalling eliminating electrode having a sealed vacuum cylinder within which are a pair of confronting electrodes disposed within the cylinder and mounted for movement between a first closed position in which the electrodes have contact faces which engage one another and a second open position in which the contact faces are spaced apart. The confronting electrodes move between the first and second positions when a high voltage AC current appears across the electrodes in order to interrupt that current. The interrupted current generates an arc between the electrodes until it goes to zero. The electrodes are configured such that the arc generated during separation of the electrode faces is caused to move to an outer periphery of the electrodes and around the latter with substantially no stalling in its movement, whereby the possibility of damaging the electrodes and the arced metal vapor due to the arc is minimized.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for high and medium tension including insulation by means of a dielectric gas and puffer arc blasting, the circuit breaker comprising a gastight insulating casing, containing:a fixed assembly comprising, in particular, a fixed main contact and a fixed arcing contact;a moving assembly driven by a drive rod and including, in particular, a moving main contact and a moving arcing contact;a first blast volume extended by a blast nozzle;a blast piston; andfirst and second secondary contacts disposed inside a second volume and designed to strike a secondary arc;wherein the first secondary contact is fixed relative to the fixed assembly, the second secondary contact being semi-moving relative to the moving assembly, possessing its own source of energy for displacing it during a circuit breaker disengagement operation, and being provided with means for conferring a shorter stroke thereto than the stroke of the moving assembly.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a flow-switch construction of the straight flow-through variety wherein a magnet-bearing piston is displaced in response to a hydraulic-flow condition and in the displacement is caused to operate a magnetic-reed switch. The piston has piloted guidance in a first longitudinal portion of an elongate bore but is characterized by one or more straight channels in its periphery, whereby the piston per se constitutes relatively little restriction to flow; the downstream end of the piston carries a metering disc which substantially resists channel flow as long as the metering disc has predetermined close-clearance relation with the first longitudinal portion of the bore.

Abstract: Two disks per vacuum switch tube are mounted on a drive shaft, the disks having grooves running around the drive shaft and open in relation to one another. In the grooves of two of these disks, a cylindrical follower is guided, the movement of which is transmitted via a link to a swivel lever and to a movable switch contact. The drive shaft is driven, supported via a releasable support member in the switch-on and in the switch-off position, in a clockwise direction by the spiral spring in order to switch off or switch on the power switch. The follower is restrictedly guided in the grooves of the disks, whereby the position of the movable switch contact is obliged to correspond to the corresponding rotation position of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A dielectric blast gas circuit breaker comprising a main fixed contact, a main arcing contact, and moving equipment including, in particular, a moving arcing contact and blast means, wherein the circuit breaker includes a moving main contact which is disunited from the moving equipment and which is implemented by means of a short cylindrical element associated with means communicating a speed thereto during circuit breaking which is lower than the speed of the moving equipment. The invention is applicable to medium tension circuit breakers having a high nominal current, such as the circuit breakers used in a power station.

Abstract: A medium tension circuit breaker having a dielectric blast gas, the circuit breaker comprising a cylindrical insulating casing filled with dielectric gas under pressure, a fixed main contact, a fixed arcing contact, a fixed blast piston, and moving equipment connected to an operating member and comprising a moving main contact, a moving arcing contact, and a blast cylinder associated with a blast nozzle, wherein the circuit breaker includes a drive piston whose section is not less than 1.3 times the section of the blast piston, the drive piston moving relative to a second cylinder.

Abstract: A normally-closed electrical switch having a plurality of electrically conductive contacts normally arranged in overlapping electrical communication. A preferred embodiment of the present invention also comprises a pressure directing mechanism for directing and actuating pressure to specific portions of the electrically conductive elements. The normally-closed electrical switch of the present invention interrupts an electrical circuit in response to an applied pressure.

Abstract: A high tension circuit breaker insulated by an arc blasting dielectric gas and comprising, inside a gastight insulating housing: a fixed assembly comprising, in particular, a fixed main contact and a fixed arcing contact; a moving assembly driven by a drive rod and including, in particular, a moving main contact and a moving arcing contact; a blast volume extended by a blast nozzle; a blast piston; and a pair of secondary contacts disposed inside a first volume and intended to generate a secondary arc; wherein the circuit breaker further comprises first means for reducing the risks of unwanted arcs being struck due to the secondary arc, the first means being constituted by a jacket of insulating material extending level with the secondary contacts and in sliding contact with at least a portion of one of the sliding contacts, the jacket having longitudinal grooves adjacent to said secondary contact. The invention is applicable to high tension circuit breakers.

Abstract: A switch chamber for a vacuum switch including a housing having at least one insulating tube with an end face and an axial axis. A contact pin having an exterior surface is arranged for supporting the switch chamber. A stationary contact is held by the contact pin within the housing and has a frontal face. A movable contact contacts the frontal face of the stationary contact in the on-position of the vacuum switch under the force of a contact spring. A seal including a bellows connects the movable contact with the housing in a vacuum-tight manner. A terminating cover is connected to the insulating tube and to the contact pin in a vacuum-tight manner and transfers to the housing impact forces generated when the vacuum switch is switched on. The insulating tube comprises a ceramic tube.

Abstract: A high- and medium-voltage gas circuit breaker comprises a cylindrical electrically insulative enclosure filled with dielectric gas under pressure, a fixed main contact and a fixed arc contact. A mobile assembly is coupled to an operating member and comprises a mobile main contact, a mobile arc contact and a blow-out cylinder associated with a blow-out nozzle and cooperating with a first piston. A second piston is fastened to the mobile assembly and slides in a fixed second cylinder. The second piston has a large cross-section in relation to the cross-section of the blow-out cylinder. The second piston is associated with a system for providing low head loss communication with the arc area and comprises orifices of calibrated size to limit the pressure on the face of the piston on which the gas heated by the arc impinges.

Abstract: An interrupter switch is provided that includes an interrupter housing that is integrally formed from insulating material. The interrupter housing defines structure to house the interrupting contacts and the operating linkage for the interrupting contacts. The interrupter housing is selectively movable after circuit interruption to perform a visible, circuit-isolating function; the interrupter housing functioning as a movable switching member and carrying a disconnect contact that cooperates with a stationary disconnect contact at a first circuit terminal. A second circuit terminal is defined at a swivel or hinge contact carried by the interrupter housing. The interrupting contacts are connected between the movable disconnect contact and the second circuit terminal. The operating linkage includes a rotatable operating member which extends from the interrupter housing. The interrupter housing is filled with an insulating gas. Seals are provided between the interrupter housing and the operating member.

Abstract: A cylindrical coil conductor incorporated in a vacuum interrupter comprises a cylindrical body with a plurality of inclined slits therein defining a plurality of current paths. The coil conductor is uniformly cylindrical to reduce radial magnetic fields, which tend to cancel the axial magnetic field generated by the coil conductor. The cylindrical coil conductor electrically connects to the rear surface of a main electrode through a copper ring to maintain current on the periphery of the main electrode. The front surface of the main electrode includes a ring-shaped protrusion to define a point of contact with an opposite main electrode. Current flows into the protrusion, through the main electrode to the copper ring, thereby defining a short current path with a minimal resistance.

Abstract: An arc spinner interrupter includes a first fixed electrical contact and a ring electrode coupled to the fixed contact through a field coil surrounding the ring electrode. A second electrical contact has an arm which moves along a path perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis for selective connection with the fixed contact. The arm may have a generally L-shaped configuration including an angled portion that extends in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The fixed electrical contact is disposed radially outward of the ring electrode so that the generally L-shaped end of the second contact moves generally toward the central longitudinal axis when disconnected from the fixed electrical contact.

Abstract: In an arc interrupter fixed and movable contacts provide an openable current path. When the path between the contacts is opened an arc is generated between one of the contacts or a surface electrically continuous therewith providing an inner first arcing surface, and an electrode providing an outer second arcuate surface. The opening and closing of the current path is achieved by angular movement of the movable contact about an axis offset from the fixed contact. At least in the break position, the electrode surrounds and is separated by an annular gap from a coaxial arc-driving coil. The coil is accommodated within and is coaxial to the inner first surface and is included in series with both said surfaces in the arc current path at least during a later part of the movement of the movable contact to the break position for generating a magnetic field that rotates the arc to assist its extinguishment.

Abstract: A vacuum switch which has a housing for a vacuum chamber. The housing includes a metal cylinder and an insulating cylinder axially aligned and hermetically sealed at adjacent ends, and closed at opposite ends by end walls. A stationary electrode and a movable electrode are provided in the vacuum chamber, surrounded by the metal cylinder. Stationary and movable electrode lead rods are fixed to the respective electrodes and project in opposite directions from the chamber through the end walls. A magnetic coil whose coil body is molded in an approximately bell-shape and is made of an electrically and thermally conductive material, surrounds the metal cylinder with a winding that is connected by way of an input lead with the electrode lead rod penetrating the end wall closing an end of the metal cylinder. A relatively thick top portion of the coil body is disposed above the end wall and has a rounded upper end, while a less thick cylindrical side wall surrounds the metal cylinder and has a rounded lower end.

Abstract: An arc-quenching composition that is suitable for deionizing and extinguishing a high-voltage electrical arc comprises an arc-extinguishing material, such as melamine, and a binder, the binder including a thermoplastic polymer polymerized from a carboxylic acid moiety-containing monomer either as a homopolymer or as a copolymer with another monomer, preferably ethylene acrylic acid. The composition comprises effective amounts by weight of the arc-extinguishing material and the thermoplastic polymer to achieve the desired combination of arc-extinguishing properties and structural characteristics, such as tensile strength, elongation, and environmental resistance to thermal cycling. Additionally, the composition for various application and uses may include additives, fillers or fibrous materials. The composition is achieved by compounding of the powdered constituents using dry blending, roll mill, extrusion and/or other plastic compounding techniques to obtain a molding resin.

Abstract: A circuit breaker line terminal includes a uniform width, flat, sheet metal body having end portions for coupling to a line conductor and an arc runner, respectively. An integral tongue has an end forming a return loop spaced from the body and includes a lanced out portion that carries a contact. The contact may be supported through the opening formed by lancing the body.

Abstract: The compressed-gas breaker has a movable contact member (1) and a fixed contact member (2) having in each case at least one arcing contact (6, 7) as well as, fixed on the movable contact member (1), a pressure space (10) of a volume independent of the switching travel and storing arc-compressed quenching gas in breaking, and has an insulating nozzle (8) arranged coaxially to the two contact members (1, 2). With this breaker, the parting speed of the arcing contacts (6, 7) is increased significantly with respect to the drive speed without an appreciable increase in its drive energy and without changing its quenching geometry. The arcing contact (7) of the fixed contact member (2) being guided displaceably in axial direction in a sliding contact (14) and being part of a converter element is operated by the movable contact member (7) and arranged downstream of the nozzle constriction (9) of the insulating nozzle (8).

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention relates to a molded case circuit breaker. The molded case circuit breaker includes at least one pair of separable main contacts, mounted on upper and lower contact arms. One end of the lower contact arm is formed as a U-shaped portion defining depending leg portions and a bight portion forming a reverse current loop. Disposed adjacent the lower main contact on the lower contact arm is an arc runner assembly which directs the arc resulting from a separation from the upper and lower main contacts into an arc chute to quench the arc. The arc runner assembly includes an arc runner and a support block. The arc runner may be formed from steel and is carried by the support block, disposed between depending leg portions of the lower contact arm. The support block is formed from an electrically insulating material, such as a glass polyester.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker includes a main frame and a vacuum bulb unit supported on the rear side of the main frame. The vacuum bulb unit includes an intermediate support unit disposed at a rear side of the main frame, and a pair of vertically aligned vacuum bulbs supported on the upper and lower sides of the intermediate support unit. Each of the vacuum bulbs have therein a stationary contact and a movable contact which is movably supported by the intermediate support unit. An insulator bracket has one end secured to the rear of the main frame and extends rearward to support the intermediate support unit at the other end. The insulator bracket has a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section. A pair of frame-shaped insulation mounting members are secured to the upper and lower sides of the intermediate support unit.