Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system with high-temperature fuel cells, in which some of the heat of the gases flowing out of the anode and cathode is used to that end. The gases that the flow into the anode and cathode are brought to a temperature that is required for operation of the fuel cells and is still tolerable for the cells, having an anode and/or cathode loop. It is provided that for the anode and/or cathode loop, at least that time-referred quantity of reaction gases that is required for attaining the electrical output of the fuel cells is furnished.

Abstract: A contact element for a power switch which, in order to open or close the switch, cooperates with an opposite element, with a transitory rotating electric arc forming between the contact element and the opposite element when the switch is operated. The contact element has an electrode part which includes a portion made of an electrically conductive material. This portion defines a contact surface, with the electrode part having a defined width and being curved in the direction of the width to have the form of an open loop having a connecting end and a free end. A current may be introduced approximately tangentially to the open loop at its connecting end, and the free end is spaced from the connecting end in the direction toward the interior of the loop by a distance which is less than the defined width.

Abstract: A high voltage disconnect switch, including a countercontact piece having switch countercontacts and being arranged for connection to a source of high voltage. Resilient pre-contact pieces are insulatingly connected to the countercontact piece and include switch contacts disposed for contacting the switch countercontacts. Movable primary contact pieces are arranged to be movable from a first position of separation from the pre-contact pieces and the countercontact piece to a second position in which the primary contact pieces are in contact with the pre-contact pieces but not with the countercontact piece and to a third position in which the primary contact pieces are in contact with both the pre-contact pieces and the countercontact piece.

Abstract: A puffer-type gas blast circuit interrupter composed of two separable contacts defining a power current path and between which an arc is created upon separation movement, in which the movable parts of the gas compressor and/or the region of contact between the contacts of an associated nominal current path are shielded from the region in which the arc is created by a shielding arrangement composed of a stationary cylinder surrounding the nozzle associated with the gas compressor and a shield member carried by the nozzle. Additionally, to reduce the movable mass of the interrupter, at least one of the current paths is constituted by two stationary contact pieces and a movable contact member carried by, and projecting from, the cylinder of the gas compressor. Further, the mass of the moving parts of the system is reduced by providing the shield member carried by the nozzle with a cylindrical projection coaxial with, and slidable relative to, the stationary cylindrical member.

Abstract: In a puffer-type gas blast switch including a gas compression device composed of two components defining, respectively, a piston and a cylinder, one of the components being stationary and the other one of the components being movable for compressing a quenching gas in the chamber during switch opening, a nozzle mounted for directing the compressed quenching gas from the chamber against a switching arc, a first power contact fixed to the movable component of the gas compression device and movable between a switch closing position and a switch opening position, a second power contact arranged to be conductively connected to the first power contact when the latter is in its switch closing position and movable with the latter during at least the initial portion of its movement from the switch closing position, and spring means urging the second contact in a direction to break its connection with the first contact, the second contact is directly and releasably connected to the first contact when the first contact

Abstract: A circuit breaker switch for periodic current has a stationary contact connected to a first current terminal; a movable contact connected to a second terminal and having a closed position in which it engages the stationary contact and an open position in which it is separated from the stationary contact, an actuating device for moving the movable contact; a locking device having an operative position in which it immobilizes the movable contact in its closed position and an inoperative position in which it is clear of the movable contact; and a current intensity-responsive device connected to the locking device for moving the locking device from its inoperative position to its locking position when the intensity of current flowing through the circuit breaker switch exceeds a first predetermined value and for moving the locking device from its locking position into its inoperative position when the intensity reaches a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A gas current blow-out switch has an electrically conducting compression cylinder, a stationary hollow power contact pin supported in the cylinder and a piston surrounding the pin and slidably received in the cylinder for compressing an arc-extinguishing gas therein. A nozzle is affixed to the cylinder for bounding one end thereof. A movable hollow power contact pin is supported coaxially with the stationary contact pin to assume open and closed positions. The switch has an electrically conducting stationary tube axially aligned with and spaced from the compression cylinder; a contact bridge slidably supported by and being in continuous electric contact with the stationary tube and the movable contact pin. The contact bridge has a closed position in which it electrically contacts the compression cylinder and an open position in which it is separated therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the mechanical stresses on the shaft of a turboset and on the shaft of the generator coupled thereto upon the occurrence of a three-pole mains short circuit near the generator and upon the subsequent elimination of the three-pole short circuit. A generator switch is connected between the output of the generator and the mains, and a resistor, whose size is adapted to the size of the load on the generator, is connected in parallel with the generator switch. The generator switch is opened upon the occurrence of a short circuit to switch the resistor into the load circuit of the generator and the resistor is again bridged when the short circuit is switched off of the mains.

Abstract: In a high voltage circuit breaker arranged to be connected in series with a conductor for breaking the flow of current through the conductor, the breaker including at least two identical breaks, capacitors shunting all of the breaks for producing a voltage gradient, at least one resistor connected in shunt with at least one of the breaks, and a switch connected with the resistor and arranged to be operated in a manner such that it does not make or interrupt a current, the operation of the switch is controlled by a control device connected for operating the switch and a current transformer connected to the control device and arranged for monitoring the current flow through the conductor to provide an output which causes, during a break operation of the circuit breaker, the closing of the switch shortly before the simultaneous opening of all of the breaks only when the current through the conductor exceeds a certain value.