Abstract: An exhaust-control device is provided to absorb the energy of exhaust gases released during operation of a circuit-interrupting device such as a power fuse or an expulsion fuse. The exhaust-control device includes a first heat-absorbing medium through which the exhaust gases pass for reducing the temperature of the exhaust gases below a predetermined temperature. The exhaust-control device further includes a second heat-absorbing medium for receiving the exhaust gases exiting from the first heat-absorbing medium. The material, quantity, size distribution, and arrangement of the first heat-absorbing medium is selected so that the predetermined temperature of the exhaust gases does not cause significant melting of the second heat-absorbing medium that is utilized. In a specific arrangement, the first heat-absorbing medium is a section of ceramic pellets and the second heat-absorbing medium is a roll of woven copper mesh.

Abstract: An improved current-limiting section is provided for an interrupting device. A main-current-path section of the interrupting device carries substantially all of the normal, load current while only a negligible portion of the current flows through a higher-impedance current-limiting section. Upon operation of the interrupting device, the contacts of a switch in the main-current section are rapidly separated to create one or more gaps. Upon the creation of the one or more gaps, the current is transferred into the current-limiting section. The current-limiting section includes a plurality of fusible elements. The fusible elements are thin, elongated, conductive ribbons.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing element is provided between an insulative piston and a movable contact of a switch for a high-voltage device. In arrangements where a fusible element is in electrical shunt with the switch, the energy-absorbing element improves the rapid commutation of the current from the switch to the fusible element where final circuit interruption takes place. The switch is of the general type in which ignition of a power cartridge moves the insulative piston, which is normally located in a bore formed in a conductive member, away therefrom and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner. The movement of the piston moves the movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact. This forms a gap between the conductive member and the movable contact and opens the switch. The ignition of the power cartridge evolves high pressure within a chamber defined by the piston and the bore.

Abstract: An improved high-voltage interrupting switch or interrupter and method of assembly and operation thereof is provided. The switch is of the type including a pair of contacts which are normally electrically interconnected and which are rapidly driven apart and separated to form a gap therebetween, thereby opening the switch. In preferred arrangements, one contact is stationary while a second contact is movable, although both may be movable. One of the contacts, preferably the stationary contact, contains a bore into which a portion of the second contact is telescoped. The second contact is arranged to receive a member to expand portions of the second contact to provide reliable, direct electrical interconnection of the stationary and movable contacts. In a specific arrangement wherein the stationary contact includes a conductive tube and the movable contact is partially telescoped into the bore of the stationary contact, the movable contact includes a bore for receiving a member.

Abstract: An improved switch for a high-voltage device in which ignition of a power cartridge moves an insulative piston located in a conductive member away therefrom and into a passageway in an insulative liner. The piston moves a contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact, thereby opening the switch. The switch includes an insulative housing engageably surrounding, holding and fixing the relative positions of the conductive member and the liner.

Abstract: An improved switch for a high-voltage device in which ignition of a power cartridge generates pressure at one end of an insulative piston to move the piston, located in a conductive member, into a passageway in an insulative liner, said piston moving a contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact,an insulative lip seal located in the bore between the power cartridge and the one end of the piston, the lip seal being movable with the piston and being conformally force-fit into the bore, andmeans limiting movement of the lip seal through the bore so that the lip seal remains in the bore after the switch is open restricting the flow of the ignition products of the power cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed in a high voltage switch operating mechanism which utilizes energy stored in a spiral spring to drive the high voltage switches from either the open to the closed or the closed to the open position. The spring can be charged either by a manual tool or by an electric motor. The switch can be tripped by either electric or manual trip mechanisms. Manual and electric trip interlock assemblies are provided to prevent the switch operating mechanism from being tripped either manually or electrically while the spring is being charged. A mechanism is provided to prevent the charging of the spring by the electric motor when the manual tool is used to charge the spring. Another mechanism is provided to decouple the operating mechanism from the switch. To allow testing of the operating mechanism without change of the switch state. The decoupling mechanism locks the switch to its present position before the decoupling is complete allowing the energy in the operating spring to be dissipated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an arcing rod catcher for a high voltage fuse which engages the arcing rod when the arcing rod moves during fuse operation so that the arcing rod will not bounce back or reverse directions during and after fuse operation. Since the arcing rod movement is utilized to actuate a fuse latch assembly to release the fuse from an upper mounting when it operates, it is necessary for the arcing rod to move to the operating position and remain in that position to permanently indicate that the fuse has operated and to prevent the possibility that a blown fuse will be re-latched into a closed position. The disclosed invention utilizes engaging fingers which allow the arcing rod to pass in one direction but prevent the arcing rod from returning in the opposite direction when the fuse operates.

Abstract: A bounce- and weld- resistant contact assembly includes a pair of spaced contact plates with facing contacts on their ends. A switch blade is rapidly movable into and out of engagement with the contacts. The contacts are convexities coined into the plates which add no mass to the plates. Thus, the natural frequency of the plates is maximized and the magnitude of oscillation of the plates, when the contacts are rapidly engaged by the blade, is minimized. Legs on leaf springs act against concavities formed in the plates opposite the convexities. The legs conformally nestle in the convexities so that their frictional engagement therewith and the spring force co-act to quickly damp the high frequency, low magnitude oscillations of the plates. The low mass coined contacts also permit close spacing of the plates to maximize magnetic forces thereon due to current flow therethrough. These forces aid the spring and the leg-concavity friction in quickly damping oscillations of the plates.

Abstract: An improved end fitting for a high-voltage fuse is disclosed. The fuse is of the general type having a movable striker pin which resides in a first position as long as a fusible element of the fuse remains intact. Should the fusible element cease to be intact, through fusing thereof or mishandling of the fuse, the striker pin moves to a second position to partially exit beyond an end of the fuse when a sharp end of the striker pin pierces a seal at the fuse end. The improved end fitting is removably mountable to the fuse and includes a body having a bore therethrough. The first end of the body surrounds and encloses the seal. A rod, mounted for movement in the bore at the end of the body, resides in a first normal location when the striker pin is in the first normal position, and in a second location when the striker pin is in the second position.

Abstract: Main contact and interrupter contact operating rods of opposed current interrupters are sequentially moved by a spring loaded operating mechanism to open the main contacts and interrupting contacts of the interrupter switches. Rotation of an input shaft trips a first overcenter toggle linkage by the engagement of a cam on a drive lever operably connected to the shaft. Tripping of the first overcenter toggle linkage allows the springs to rapidly move a main rod arm assembly connected to the main contact operating rods to open the main contacts. Rotation of the main rod arm assembly trips a second overcenter toggle linkage connected to a fast rod arm assembly permitting springs to rotate the fast rod arm assembly connected to the interrupter contact rods to open the interrupting contacts in sequence. Continued rotation of the shaft in the same direction causes abutments on the drive lever to engage the main rod arm assembly and the fast rod arm assembly to recock the mechanism for subsequent operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auxiliary mechanism for rapidly imparting rotational energy to electrical switch components. An insulator connects an electrical switch component to an output shaft mounted for rotation in the mechanism housing. A lever arm assembly is mounted on the shaft and a link member is pivotably connected between the lever arm assembly and a first arm extending from a bellcrank member. The bellcrank member is mounted for rotation in the housing and has a second arm that is operably connected to one or more solenoids. Initially the link member and first arm are in an overcenter toggle position so that the insulator cannot be accidentally rotated. Energization of the solenoid causes rapid rotation of the insulator because the mechanical advantage of the system in such that maximum force is applied initially.

Abstract: An improvement in an exhaust 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 hollow housing coated with a corrosion resistant coating mounted to the circuit interrupting device by means of an adapter, composed of a corrosion resistant material such as brass, which is retained in a counterbore within the housing by rolling or folding over the extended upper rim of the housing so that the coating is not damaged. Alternatively, a steel header, welded to and plated along with the steel housing shell, within which the threaded brass adapter is installed, may also be used. The same rolling or folding operation may be used to secure a plated outlet end wall.