Abstract: An improved vacuum interrupter is made. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: A seal is provided around a vacuum interrupter and an air-filled cavity, and a tube is provided within the seal. The tube has a first end open to the air-filled cavity and a second end open to an exterior of the seal. The seal, the vacuum interrupter, and the air-filled cavity are encapsulated.

Abstract: Methods for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a vacuum interrupter is made by joining a first side of a substantially disk-shaped structure to an end of a substantially cylindrical coil segment, and joining an electrical contact to a second side of the disk-shaped structure. The disk-shaped structure has a higher resistivity than a resistivity of the coil segment.

Abstract: Methods and system for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: Methods and system for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: A vacuum assembly including a vacuum interrupter may be sealed with a compliant material and/or rubber plugs, so that a cavity is created and maintained within the assembly for use with a current exchange housing and/or bellows, during operation of the vacuum interrupter. During vacuum molding of the vacuum assembly to encapsulate the vacuum assembly in an epoxy, a resulting pressure differential caused by the vacuum molding is prevented from disturbing the seal around the vacuum assembly, by way of a needle or tube included in the seal. In this way, air from within the cavity is allowed to escape, while the epoxy is prevented from entering the cavity. Then, once encapsulation is complete, the vacuum assembly can be joined with an operating rod and other components to complete a vacuum switching device.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having an diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter includes end covers having a curved or looped portion, which serves to connect a coil segment of the vacuum interrupter to a ceramic envelope of the vacuum interrupter, and thereby help maintain a vacuum seal for the interrupter. The curved portion acts as a spring when the vacuum interrupter is exposed to heat, thereby absorbing any expansion or contraction in the length of the vacuum interrupter due to the heating or cooling. The curved portion also protects an end of the ceramic envelope from any build-up of metallic arcing products and eliminates the need for elaborate fixturing during assembly. Additionally, a guide may be affixed to the end cover, the guide having ears which ride in a slot in a moving rod of the vacuum interrupter, to thereby prevent a twisting of a bellows of the interrupter during a brazing process. Thus, no elaborate fixturing is necessary to prevent this twisting.

Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having an internal switching contact. A conductive current exchange is in electrical contact with the switching contact, and the current exchange defines an internal chamber within the current exchange. A plug of non-conductive, compliant material has a first portion that extends into the internal chamber in contact with the current exchange. An insulative encapsulation surrounds the vacuum interrupter assembly, the current exchange, and the plug.

Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having an internal switching contact. A conductive current exchange is in electrical contact with the switching contact, and the current exchange defines an internal chamber within the current exchange. A plug of non-conductive, compliant material has a first portion that extends into the internal chamber in contact with the current exchange. An insulative encapsulation surrounds the vacuum interrupter assembly, the current exchange, and the plug.

Abstract: An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes end covers having a curved or looped portion, which serves to connect a coil segment of the vacuum interrupter to a ceramic envelope of the vacuum interrupter, and thereby help maintain a vacuum seal for the interrupter. The curved portion acts as a spring when the vacuum interrupter is exposed to heat, thereby absorbing any expansion or contraction in the length of the vacuum interrupter due to the heating or cooling. The curved portion also protects an end of the ceramic envelope from any build-up of metallic arcing products and eliminates the need for elaborate fixturing during assembly. Additionally, a guide may be affixed to the end cover, the guide having ears which ride in a slot in a moving rod of the vacuum interrupter, to thereby prevent a twisting of a bellows of the interrupter during a brazing process. Thus, no elaborate fixturing is necessary to prevent this twisting.

Abstract: An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having an diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.

Abstract: Methods and system for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: An interrupter includes a vacuum assembly, switching contacts enclosed within the vacuum assembly, a layer of compliant material around the vacuum assembly, and a layer of rigid encapsulation surrounding the vacuum assembly and layer. The vacuum assembly may be made from ceramic, the compliant material may be silicone, and the rigid encapsulation may be epoxy. The compliant material may also be a sleeve that is expanded so as to receive the vacuum assembly.