Abstract: A vacuum interrupter whose envelope comprises a cylindrical insulated casing and top and bottom metal end bells that support movable and fixed contact rods. The cylindrical wall portion of the end shields are secured to the cylindrical wall portion of the end bells and are positioned by snap arrangement of mating deformations, preferably protruberations and mating voids.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter whose envelope comprises a cylindrical insulated casing and top and bottom metal end bells that support movable and fixed contact rods. The cylindrical wall portion of the end shields are secured to the cylindrical wall portion of the end bells and are positioned by snap arrangement of mating deformations, preferably protruberations and mating voids.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter comprises an end plate having a central opening through which a movable contact rod extends. A tubular metallic bellows surrounds the contact rod and includes a plurality of annular convolutions at its inner diameter. Guide structure fixed to the end plate lines its central opening and is located outside said convolutions. A sleeve of self-lubricating plastic material surrounds the contact rod and is fixed thereto. This sleeve is disposed within the guide structure and within the tubular bellows and fits closely within said convolutions so that the convolutions are capable of bearing against the sleeve to assist in guiding the rod.

Abstract: A vacuum-type circuit interrupter comprises two pluralities of rod electrodes positioned to form a ring of electrodes in which the electrodes of the first plurality interleave with those of the second plurality and are spaced circumferentially of the ring from the immediately adjacent electrodes of the second plurality. The rod electrodes of said first plurality are mounted on and electrically connected to a first conductive end cap of the interrupter. The rod electrodes of the second plurality are mounted on and electrically connected to a second conductive end cap of the interrupter.First conductive support structure extends transversely of the rod electrodes and is attached to the distal ends of predetermined rod electrodes of said second plurality. A first generally stationary contact is supported on said first support structure in a position intermediate the locations at which the first support structure is attached to said predetermined rod electrodes of said second plurality.

Abstract: A vacuum-type circuit interrupter rated to interrupt currents of 30,000 amperes r.m.s. and highercomprises a pair of separable contacts having arcing portions between which arcs are formed upon disengagement of said contacts. These arcing portions are of a material consisting essentially of beryllium formed from a vacuum-cast ingot that has been subjected to hot working by extrusion to produce a microstructure characterized by grains much smaller on the average than the grains of the as-cast ingot.

Abstract: A vacuum-type circuit interrupter comprises two pluralities of rod electrodes positioned to form a ring of electrodes in which the electrodes of the first plurality interleave with those of the second plurality and are spaced circumferentially of the ring from the immediately adjacent electrodes of the second plurality. A first conductive tube mounts the electrodes of the first plurality on a first conductive end cap of the interrupter, and a second conductive tube mounts the electrodes of the second plurality on a second conductive end cap of the interrupter. First and second stationary contacts are respectively mounted on the distal ends of a rod electrode in said second plurality and a rod electrode in said first plurality. A first movable contact rod extends through said first end cap and through said first tube and carries a movable contact for engaging said first stationary contact.

Abstract: This vacuum-type circuit interrupter comprises a plurality of pairs of separable contacts located within an evacuated envelope and electrically connected in parallel. The movable contact of each pair is mounted on a long, slender contact rod through which current is conducted to and from the associated contact pair. The contact rods, which are also electrically in parallel, are located in side-by-side physical relationship, and each is surrounded by a tube of highly conductive metal such as copper. The tubes are fixed to the interrupter envelope and are located in adjacent side-by-side relationship, thus defining flux-controlling shields around the contact rods in which eddy currents are induced to reduce the magnetic flux penetrating into the interior of each tube from any adjacent contact rod. Means is provided for producing substantially simultaneous contact-separating motion of the contact rods.