Abstract: Apparatus for making electrical connection to a ceramic capacitor so that electrical stress concentrations at the edge of each capacitor electrode are minimized. The apparatus includes a conductive elastomer pad which is larger than the electrode and a conductive body which presses the pad against the electrode. This pressing slightly deforms the pad over, and into good electrical and mechanical contact with, the edge of the electrode to minimize electrical stress thereat. Preferably, the conductive body is as large as the electrode. The conductive body may be an adjacent capacitor; in this way an electrical stress-free stack of capacitors may be formed and used to construct a device such as a voltage divider.

Abstract: A high speed high voltage electrical switch opens a current path in which the switch is included. The switch includes first and second normally electrically interconnected contacts which normally carry current in the current path. The contacts are relatively movable along a fixed line of direction. When the contacts move apart, the electrical interconnection therebetween is broken to open the first current path. A piston carried by the second contact defines an enclosed chamber in conjunction with the first contact when the contacts are interconnected. A power cartridge or the like selectively pressurizes the chamber to rapidly drive the contacts apart. The piston enhances the action of the power cartridge by ensuring that pressure increases caused thereby are effected to drive the contacts apart. The piston may be configured to ensure positive sealing engagement with the walls of a cylinder through which the piston and the second contact move following the ignition of the power cartridge.

Abstract: A rapid opening and closing interrupter includes a stationary contact mounted in a cylindrical housing and a moving contact mounted on an operating rod by an opening spring. A trailer formed of a material that produces an arc quenching gas when exposed to an arc is mounted on the moving contact, and an engaging nipple is formed on the end of the trailer. A snap spring engages the nipple in such a manner that when the operating rod is moved in a direction to open the contacts, the contacts remain in engagement until the force exerted by the opening spring overcomes the force exerted by the snap spring on the engaging nipple causing the contacts to snap open rapidly.

Abstract: An improved circuit interrupting device includes a pair of contacts which are relatively movable and between which an arc is established. Following melting of a fusible element, a stored energy source relatively moves the contacts apart to elongate the arc, and a container of pressurized dielectric fluid simultaneously directs fluid from a port at the arc. The fluid and the arc elongation ultimately extinguish the arc. A fusible diaphragm normally closes the port to prevent the escape of fluid, and also, due to its mechanical attachment to the contacts, restrains relative movement therebetween. The fusible element is so connected as to normally shunt current through the device away from the diaphragm. When the fusible element melts, all of the current through the device flows through and melts the diaphragm. As the diaphragm melts, two results are effected: fluid is permitted to escape from the port, and relative movement between the contacts occurs.

Abstract: An improved circuit interrupting device includes a pair of relatively movable contacts between which an arc is established. As the contacts are moved apart to elongate the arc, a container of pressurized dielectric fluid directs a flow of the fluid from a port at the arc. The fluid and arc elongation ultimately extinguish the arc. A diaphragm which normally closes the port to prevent fluid flow is normally mechanically attached to one of the contacts. When the contacts are moved apart, the container and the one contact also move apart tearing or cutting open the diaphragm to permit the fluid to flow at the arc. Both relative contact movement and the relative movement of the container and the one contact are effected by the action of the ignition products of a power cartridge on a piston-cylinder.

Abstract: An improved circuit interrupting device extinguishes an arc by directing a dielectric fluid at the arc as it is elongated. Elongation is effected by relative movement apart of a pair of contacts between which the arc is established. A reservoir contains a piston which defines a first volume and a second volume. The fluid is held under pressure in the second volume. The reservoir directs the fluid in the second volume at the arc from a port normally closed by a diaphragm. One contact is normally mechanically attached to the diaphragm and is adjacent the other contact which is on the reservoir. Sudden expansion of the first volume, such as by the ignition of a power cartridge, forcefully moves the reservoir relative to the piston and away from the one contact. The seal is torn or cut open to permit the pressurized fluid to flow from the port simultaneously with the piston forcing the fluid from the second volume and the movement apart of the contacts.

Abstract: An exhaust control device to absorb the energy of exhaust gases released during operation of a circuit interrupting device such as a power fuse or an expulsion fuse is disclosed. The exhaust control device includes a housing mounted to the circuit interrupting device having an intake port for receiving the hot exhaust gases produced during and incident to the operation of the circuit interrupting device. A heat sink consisting of a mass of wire mesh is positioned within the housing and initially cools the exhaust gases. A gas flow diverting baffle is positioned within the housing to absorb additional energy by changing the direction of flow of the exhaust gases so that the metallic vapors and particles picked up by the exhaust gas flowing through the heat sink are condensed and deposited. The exhaust gas is then passed through particles of absorbent material such as activated alumina that further cools the gases and absorbs water vapor and metallic vapor from the exhaust gases.