Abstract: A reinforced electrode is provided for a vacuum interrupter with low or no continuous current-carrying requirement. A monolithic copper bar or tube is bonded permanently with, and abutted for at least 50% of its length with, a coaxial and coextensive non-copper component along its axis, both carrying parallelly the current flowing through the vacuum interrupter. Reinforcement allows for a smaller diameter for the composite electrode, hence also a smaller diameter for the bellows. A smaller movable mass combined with lower atmospheric force exerted on the bellows reduces the need of power of the driving mechanism, saving cost and reducing size of the vacuum switching device employing the vacuum interrupter. Instead of forming the reinforced electrode structure in situ during the brazing process of the vacuum interrupter, a clad composite raw material such as copper-clad steel, titanium-clad copper, or copper-clad graphite is used as the starting stock to machine the electrode.

Abstract: Vacuum switching apparatus such as a vacuum interrupter includes arc-enduring components, in the role of the arc-shield or the contacts, of an arc-enduring material such as Cu—Cr or Cu—Fe, joined to other structural or mechanical support components, in the role of the end-curls or the contact support, of an economic but strong material such as steel or iron. By employing welding instead of brazing to join these two dissimilar materials, it becomes possible to electrically join fraction, instead of the entirety, of the mutual faying surfaces of the two components. This separation between mechanical and electrical connections allows the mechanical support component to provide maximal and optimal mechanical support while minimizing its negative impact on electrical functioning of the joined assembly. Additionally, it enables the arc-enduring component to be made in a simpler or thinner geometry, improving the likelihood for it to be formed net-shape or near-net-shape.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method and a device for image stitching, the method including: performing stitching feature extraction on target images based on deep-learning neural-network model to obtain stitching features of the target images; selecting a reference image and a to-be-registered image from the target images; taking the stitching feature of the reference image under a minimum feature size and on the to-be-stitched side as a first stitching feature; calculating the similarity measure value between the first stitching feature and each of second stitching features to obtain a target stitching feature, based on the second stitching features of the to-be-registered image under the minimum feature size; repeating the above steps until the target stitching feature of the to-be-registered image under the maximum feature size is determined, and performing image stitching of the reference image and the to-be-registered image on the to-be-stitched side.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method and a device for image stitching, the method including: performing stitching feature extraction on target images based on deep-learning neural-network model to obtain stitching features of the target images; selecting a reference image and a to-be-registered image from the target images; taking the stitching feature of the reference image under a minimum feature size and on the to-be-stitched side as a first stitching feature; calculating the similarity measure value between the first stitching feature and each of second stitching features to obtain a target stitching feature, based on the second stitching features of the to-be-registered image under the minimum feature size; repeating the above steps until the target stitching feature of the to-be-registered image under the maximum feature size is determined, and performing image stitching of the reference image and the to-be-registered image on the to-be-stitched side.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter has a toroidal portion at one or both ends that achieves higher dielectric levels and hence higher interruption levels.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter having a structure to trap running cathode tracks is disclosed. The interrupter includes a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, at least one of which is moveable. The interrupter also includes a sidewall having a longitudinal axis. One or more trench structures are formed in at least one of the electrode assemblies. Each trench structure has an opening that faces the other electrode assembly in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, to trap the running cathode tracks to prevent them from getting close to the sidewall.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter has a toroidal portion at one or both ends that achieves higher dielectric levels and hence higher interruption levels.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes at least one moveable contact. The moveable electrode is operably connected to a Thomson coil actuator that can separate and open the contacts of the circuit breaker. A sensor senses current or voltage in the circuit breaker. When a condition exists that triggers an opening action, a controller will use select a current level to apply to the Thomson coil actuator. The selected current level will vary based on the sensed current or voltage level. The controller will cause a driver to apply the selected current level to the Thomson coil actuator, and it will cause the contacts to separate and open. If the circuit breaker is a vacuum interrupter, the vacuum interrupter may employ a multi-section bellows in which each section has unique structural characteristics as compared to the other sections, so that different sections will dominate as the Thomson coil's speed of operation varies.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter having a structure to trap running cathode tracks is disclosed. The interrupter includes a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, at least one of which is moveable. The interrupter also includes a sidewall having a longitudinal axis. One or more trench structures are formed in at least one of the electrode assemblies. Each trench structure has an opening that faces the other electrode assembly in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, to trap the running cathode tracks to prevent them from getting close to the sidewall.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes at least one moveable contact. The moveable electrode is operably connected to a Thomson coil actuator that can separate and open the contacts of the circuit breaker. A sensor senses current or voltage in the circuit breaker. When a condition exists that triggers an opening action, a controller will use select a current level to apply to the Thomson coil actuator. The selected current level will vary based on the sensed current or voltage level. The controller will cause a driver to apply the selected current level to the Thomson coil actuator, and it will cause the contacts to separate and open. If the circuit breaker is a vacuum interrupter, the vacuum interrupter may employ a multi-section bellows in which each section has unique structural characteristics as compared to the other sections, so that different sections will dominate as the Thomson coil's speed of operation varies.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a vacuum interrupter includes a contact plate, an electrode coil, an inner support, a lower support, and at least one support member. The electrode coil includes a base for attachment to a terminal post of the vacuum interrupter. The electrode coil also includes at least one arcuate arm between the base and the contact plate extending along a curved path in a plane substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the electrode assembly. Each arcuate arm includes an aperture that is positioned to align with a corresponding aperture of an adjacent arcuate arm or the base of the electrode coil. Each support member is partially positioned within aligned apertures to maintain a gap between the arcuate arms and the base. The support members and the lower support may be slotted to decrease the current flowing through the supports.

Abstract: An electrical contact for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a second electrical contact. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions each extending from the hub portion. Each of the plurality of petal portions has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces in a first direction and is structured to engage the second electrical contact. The second surface faces in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. At least one of the plurality of petal portions further has a grooved portion extending inwardly from the second surface toward the first surface.

Abstract: A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.

Abstract: The disclosed concept relates to vacuum interrupters having an electrically floating arc-enduring center shield component made out of an alloy of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr), with or without additional minority alloying element or elements, and contact assemblies positioned in a vacuum envelope. In an open position, the contact assemblies include a contact gap formed there between. In accordance with the invention, contact assemblies are axially positioned such that the axial position of the contact gap aligns with a portion of the wall of the Cu—Cr alloy-based center shield component that has a maximum thickness and outer diameter.

Abstract: An electrical contact for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a second electrical contact. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions each extending from the hub portion. Each of the plurality of petal portions has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces in a first direction and is structured to engage the second electrical contact. The second surface faces in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. At least one of the plurality of petal portions further has a grooved portion extending inwardly from the second surface toward the first surface.

Abstract: An electrical contact for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a second electrical contact. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions each extending from the hub portion. Each of the plurality of petal portions has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces in a first direction and is structured to engage the second electrical contact. The second surface faces in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. At least one of the plurality of petal portions further has a grooved portion extending inwardly from the second surface toward the first surface.

Abstract: A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.

Abstract: A contact assembly is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a vacuum envelope. The vacuum envelope has an interior. The contact assembly includes: a number of electrical contacts located in the interior of the vacuum envelope, at least one electrical contact having a hole; and a number of electrodes each engaging a corresponding one of the number of electrical contacts, at least one electrode including a base and a protrusion. The protrusion extends from the base into the hole of the electrical contact in order to secure the electrical contact to the electrode.

Abstract: The disclosed concept relates to vacuum interrupters having an electrically floating arc-enduring center shield component made out of an alloy of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr), with or without additional minority alloying element or elements, and contact assemblies positioned in a vacuum envelope. In an open position, the contact assemblies include a contact gap formed there between. In accordance with the invention, contact assemblies are axially positioned such that the axial position of the contact gap aligns with a portion of the wall of the Cu—Cr alloy-based center shield component that has a maximum thickness and outer diameter.

Abstract: An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The vacuum switching apparatus includes a second electrical contact. The electrical contact includes a body having a center point and a periphery, the body including a plurality of arcing surfaces structured to face in a first direction toward the second electrical contact and structured to move into and out of engagement with the second electrical contact, and a plurality of arc spinning portions each defining a slot extending inwardly from the periphery generally toward the center point, the plurality of arc spinning portions generally separating the plurality of arcing surfaces from one another. At least one arc spinning portion narrows from a corresponding pair of adjacent arcing surfaces of the body to an interior thereof in a second direction opposite the first direction.