Abstract: This hybrid circuit breaker has at least two series-connected arcing chambers which are operated by a common drive or by separate drives and are filled with different arc extinguishing media. Means are provided which ensure a sensible voltage distribution between the first and the second arcing chamber in the course of a switching process. At least one vacuum switching chamber having an insulating housing, is provided as the second arcing chamber. The aim is to provide a hybrid circuit breaker wich can be produced economically and which has high availability. This is achieved, inter alia, in that means are provided which ensure that the movement of the contacting arrangement of the first arcing chamber precedes the movement of the contact arrangement of the second arcing chamber during a disconnection process, and that the movement of the contacting arrangement of the second arcing chamber precedes the movement of the contact arrangement of the first arcing chamber during a connection process.

Abstract: This hybrid circuit breaker has at least two series-connected arcing chambers which are operated by a common drive or by separate drives and are filled with different arc extinguishing media. Means are provided which ensure a sensible voltage distribution between the first and the second arcing chamber in the course of a switching process. At least one vacuum switching chamber, having an insulating housing (46), is provided as the second arcing chamber. The aim is to provide a hybrid circuit breaker which can be produced economically and which has high availability. This is achieved, inter alia, in that means are provided which always ensure that the movement of the first arcing chamber leads the movement of the second arcing chamber during a disconnection process, and that the movement of the second arcing chamber always leads the movement of the first arcing chamber during a connection process.

Abstract: Surface-coated components, such as contact pieces for vacuum switches, are produced by means of the method by melting open the surface of a metallic substrate (1) in a local area (15) by an energy flow (12) and combining an additive (8) with the melted-open material of the local area (15). It is intended to produce components with large areas with small outlay in apparatus by means of this method. This is attained by the following steps: Prior to melting open the local area (15), the substrate (1) is pre-heated to a temperature considerably above room temperature, but below its melting temperature. After pre-heating, the local area (15) on the surface of the substrate is melted open and the additive (8) is applied to the substrate surface in the form of a loose powder layer (10).

Abstract: A gas blast switch, preferably for switching medium voltages, has two cylindrical contacts movable relative to one another along the cylinder axis in a casing filled with extinguishing gas. The contacts are coaxially surrounded by a hot space. The hot space serves to accept extinguishing gas which is heated by a switching arc. The heated extinguishing gas is led, via an annular gap, into the hot space where it is stored to be mixed with fresh extinguishing gas and to thereafter produce effective blasting of the switching arc. The extinguishing gas which is not cooled with a cooling device, still provides gas temperatures which are substantially below the temperature of the heated extinguishing gas. This is achieved in one embodiment by a radially extending annular duct having a width (B) which is small in comparison to the axial longitudinal extension (L) and the radial depth (D) of the hot space.

Abstract: A gas-blast breaker with two contact members which are movable relative to one another. Each contact member is provided with a respective sparking contact. The contacts communicate with a cylindrical compression chamber whose volume varies as a function of the movement of the contact members and which is filled pressurized gas. A channel leading into a quenching zone between the sparking contacts extends into a first one of the two end faces of the compression chamber. A second one of the two end faces is bounded by a piston which is displaceable along the cylinder axis of the compression chamber and which is subjected to the action of a tensioned spring. The circuit breaker is suited for reliably interrupting both small and large currents, with a comparatively weak and simple drive mechanism for the movable contact member.

Abstract: In a high-voltage power switch having a movable contact and at least one other contact, wherein the contacts define a quenching path in which an arc burns, a piston/cylinder compression device in which fresh quenching gas is condensed, and a heating volume in which quenching gas is stored and compressed by the arc as a result of heating, quenching gas compressed during a switching process is blown into the quenching path and removed through a nozzle into an expansion space. So that the blowing of the arc is nearly independent of the intensity of the current to be interrupted and, in addition, an increase in the quenching capacity can be attained by means of a supply of fresh quenching gas, the movable contact is rigidly connected to the piston, which changes the volume of a compression space. The compression space and the heating volume open into a common annular duct.

Abstract: A high voltage power switch for alternating current has a stationary, hollow contact, an axially displaceable contact, a nozzle through which compressed gas is directed into an expansion chamber, and a cylindrical coil. The coil is connected at one of its ends with a first part of the hollow contact, and at its other end with a second part of the stationary contact. In a switch of this type, the disconnect capacity is improved by an increased exchange of gas between the arc and the surrounding compressed gas, while the dimensions of the coil connected with the hollow contact and the magnitude of the flow of compressed gas are relatively small.

Abstract: An electric gas-switch includes a switching chamber that is divided by a partition into an arc chamber and an additional chamber with a central pin being located within the arc chamber. The pin is embraced at least partially by a stationary switch part which is surrounded by a coil through which is flowing a cut-off current. One end of the coil is connected with an annular intermediate electrode which surrounds the central pin at a distance within the region of its free end. In an on position the central pin is embraced, at least at its free end, by the movable switch part that is designed in the form of a nozzle.

Abstract: A gas-pressurized electrical switch includes a casing provided with a transverse wall dividing the interior into two quenching chambers filled with a pressurized arc-quenching gas. A longitudinally movable contact member is supported within a first one of the chambers and includes a nozzle pipe projecting through the transverse wall into the other chamber for entry into an annular stationary contact member which is surrounded by a magnetic-field producing coil having one end connected to one terminal of the switch. The nozzle pipe is provided with apertures through the wall thereof in the first chamber which place the two chambers in communication with each other. A pin member is located centrally within the stationary contact member and is entered into the nozzle pipe in the contact-closed position, and this pin is surrounded by an annular electrode.

Abstract: A structural component such as nozzle-forming member to be utilized in conjunction with the arc quenching chamber of an electrical circuit breaker operating with a pressurized gaseous fluid such as SF.sub.6 and made from a polytetrafluoroethylene composition that is gas-emissive under influence of heat generated by the arc in the vicinity of the nozzle is provided with a system of gas-conducting passageways to permit such gas to escape from sub-surface cavities formed by deterioration of the composition rather than accumulate therein which leads ultimately to undersirable chipping off of pieces of the surface. These passageways may be constituted by a system of blind holes or by a system of grooves.