Abstract: A layer selected from a group comprising: molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, osmium, rhenium, ruthenium and an alloy of two or more thereof on the under surface of an electrical contact acts as a barrier to copper diffusion from the braze material into the contact structure. A thin nickel layer on the barrier facilitates the brazing of the barrier coated contact surface to the copper electrodes.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit interrupter characterized by an evacuated housing containing a pair of separable electrical contacts which can generate an arc when separated to an open position. An electromagnetic structure for diffusing the arc radially from between the electrical contacts to transfer contacts surrounding each electrical contacts and including an axial magnetic coil and including a cylindrical conductor surrounding a longitudinally movable electrode mounting one of the electrical contacts. The housing includes an end wall through which the electrode extends in a vacuum-tight and electrically insulated manner. The end wall having a high coefficient of electrical conductivity and having an annular portion extending outwardly from the end wall for good electrical contact with a bus conductor.

Abstract: A vacuum-type circuit interrupter is provided having a vapor condensing shield which at least in the arcing area is comprised of the same two metallic components as the separable metallic electrical contacts.

Abstract: An electrical shunting switch assembly is adapted to be connected across the terminals of an electrolytic cell. The switch assembly acts as a parallel current carrying shunt path around the cell when the switches of the assembly are in the closed, current carrying position. The switch assembly comprises a plurality of electrically parallel branch conductor paths which each include at least one vacuum switch and a series-connected resistor. The switch assembly includes means for asynchronously, individually operating the vacuum switches to open the switches periodically and divert an increased portion of the current from the switch assembly back through the electrolytic cell when the voltage across the switch assembly exceeds the cell electrolyzing potential.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter contact structure in which central butt-type contacts serve as the load current carrying contacts with low resistive losses. Annular transfer arcing contacts are disposed coaxial about the butt-type contacts, with the arc which forms during interruption moving out to these arcing contacts. Axial magnetic field generating means are associated with the transfer arcing contacts to maintain a diffuse arc during interruption.

Abstract: A vacuum switch assembly which is connectable as a shunting switch across the electrodes of an electrochemical cell, in which a plurality of electrical parallel current paths are provided through a plurality of parallel vacuum switches with separate electrical bus conductors extending from each switch contact. The vacuum switch layout is particularly adapted to permit bus conductor paths to the electrochemical cell which minimize stored induction energy which must be dissipated. The vacuum switch operating mechanism provides for approximately simultaneous switch operation with means for adjusting the individual switch openings. The switch assembly is compact and portable for correction to any one of the series cells in a plant.

Abstract: An improved vacuum-type circuit interrupter has arc contacts which have integral axial magnetic field generating means as part of the arc contact. The axial field generating means comprises a plurality of partial coil turn portions which form an effective single turn coil disposed between a supporting plate and an arcing contact portion. The coil turns are electrically in series between the conductive support rod lead-in and the arcing contact perimeter portion. The supporting plate and a plurality of support pins, each of which are of high strength, low conductivity material support the partial coil turn portions and the arc contact without diverting substantial current from the coil turn portions. The axial magnetic field generating means may be structurally a part of both contacts or only one of the contacts.

Abstract: An improved low voltage, high current D.C. vacuum switch is provided by disposing an arcing shield annularly about the arcing contact area within the vacuum switch. The arcing shield prevents disposition of conductive contact material on the insulator body wall of the switch and also shields the flexible corrugated annular member which permits switch contact movement to open and close the switch. The arcing shield may be floating electrically, or connected to the electrically positive side of the switch contacts.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit interrupter contact being generally cup-shaped with a radially inward extending lip with slots formed through the lip and side wall for directing current flow and including a flat annular contact cap attached directly to the lip portion. The annular contact cap extends from the side walls radially inward to a position inside of the lip-shaped portion. At the inner diameter of the annular contact cap an arcing ring is formed which extends downward along the inner diameter of the lip portion. The annular contact cap can be formed from a material having good arc interrupting properties, such as chromium copper, while the rest of the contact can be formed from a material which is easy to fabricate and has good electrical conductivity properties, such as copper. In another embodiment of the invention, the lip portion and the annular contact cap are formed as one member but any slots formed in the lip-shaped portion do not extend to the contact making surface.

Abstract: A vacuum switch system for interrupting electrolytic cell circuits designed to operate at very high current, relatively low DC voltage. The DC voltage is above the minimum cathode drop potential for the vacuum switch contact material. The system includes plural parallel circuit paths, with one of the parallel circuit paths including at least two serially connected vacuum switches. The operating means for opening and closing all the switch contacts includes means responsive to the opening of the vacuum switches to simultaneously open the serially connected vacuum switches in the parallel path.

Abstract: A vacuum type circuit interrupter is provided with contacts which include an integral axial magnetic field generating means. In one embodiment, a disc-like contacting portion is supported from the contact base, with a pair of half-turn conductive coil pieces extending between the base and the disc-like contacting portion. In another embodiment, the contacts have a cup-shaped base portion with a radially inwardly directed lip portion at the end of the cup-shaped portion to serve as the normal current carrying contact when the contacts are closed. The lip portions of these cup-shaped contacts are parted when the contacts are moved to the open position and the initial arc travels in a circular path around the annular lip. An auxiliary recessed disc-like contact portion is provided within the space defined by the cup-shaped base contact portion.