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

Abstract: An insulating rotary diaphragm for a vacuum interrupter (VI) electrical switch. The insulating diaphragm is designed for use in underground or pad-mounted VI switches where an external lever is rotated by a line worker to manually open the switch. A torsional insulating rod is coupled between a switch actuator and the external lever, and the diaphragm maintains constant contact with the insulating rod and an outer housing when the lever and rod are rotated, thus ensuring adequate isolation between the actuator and the lever. The diaphragm deforms torsionally when the lever and rod are rotated. This configuration allows the actuator to be at medium voltage, eliminates the need for a translational insulating rod between the medium voltage switch components and the lever, and thereby reduces the overall length of the VI switch.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for use in medium voltage applications includes: a housing; a first contact arranged on an end of a first contact stem that extends fixedly through the housing; a second contact arranged on an end of a second contact stem that extends axially and is movable through the housing. The circuit breaker further includes a moving device for moving the second contact between a closed position in contact with the first contact and an open position spaced apart from the first contact. A mass of the second contact is less than a mass of the first contact. The moving device includes a closing mechanism for urging the second contact to the closed position and an opening mechanism for urging the second contact to the open position. The circuit breaker further includes a reconditioning power source and a controller for providing a reconditioning current.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker comprising a vacuum interrupter and an actuator coupled to the vacuum interrupter. The vacuum interrupter and actuator are located in a vacuum chamber that is partitioned into first and second vacuum sub-chambers. The vacuum interrupter is located in the first sub-chamber and the actuator is located in the second sub-chamber. The partition is configured to support molecular flow between the first and second sub-chambers.

Abstract: A high speed switch comprises an interrupter unit connected to a main circuit and including a movable electrode and a driving electrode for opening or closing the main circuit; a driving unit including a repulsion coil for providing a driving force for moving the movable electrode of the interrupter unit, and a repulsion plate disposed opposite to the repulsion coil; a guide rod part connecting the movable electrode of the interrupter unit to the repulsion plate, having a latch groove formed therein, and reciprocating vertically according to movements of the repulsion plate; and a state-holding unit for regulating the movement of the guide rod part, wherein the state-holding unit comprises: a latch pin; a latch elastic member; and a latch coil.

Abstract: A medium voltage circuit breaker in a high pressure subsea environment includes: a vacuum circuit breaker; and a drive in a pressure tight housing. For an electrical three-phase arrangement, one vacuum circuit breaker per phase is arranged in a separate pole housing each, and the resulting three pole housings are mounted to a common base compartment, in which three drives for the three vacuum circuit breakers are arranged. The three pole housings and the common base compartment are attached such that they commonly form a pressure tight compartment.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A high voltage circuit breaker comprises a vacuum interrupter module, a drive module, and an actuator. The vacuum interrupter module has a vacuum interrupter housing and a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the vacuum interrupter housing. At least one of the pair of electrical contacts is movable relative to the other of the pair of electrical contacts to engage and disengage the electrical contacts from one another for switching a high voltage on and off. The drive module has a drive module housing and a drive member coupled with the at least one movable electrical contact. A central part of the drive member is disposed in the drive module housing and insulated from an ambient air. The actuator is coupled to the drive member and moves the pair of electrical contacts relative to one another.

Abstract: A tank-type vacuum circuit breaker includes: a pressure tank; an insulating frame that is detachably supported by a support member provided in the pressure tank using a coupling; a vacuum interrupter that is supported by the insulating frame and includes a stationary electrode and a moving electrode; a stationary-electrode side terminal that is connectably/disconnectably connected to a bushing-terminal side internal conductor; a moving-electrode side terminal that is connectably/disconnectably connected to a bushing-terminal side internal conductor; and an insulating rod, the inside end of which is detachably coupled to the moving electrode and the outside end of which is coupled to an opening/closing actuation mechanism that opens/closes the contacts of the stationary contact and moving contact.

Abstract: An exemplary assembled pole part includes two pole part frames made of insulating material, between which a vacuum interrupter is mounted. The vacuum interrupter includes a fixed contact and a moving contact. The frame includes a first support to affix the vacuum interrupter at the moving contact side, and a second support to affix the vacuum interrupter to the fixed contact side at an opposite end of the frame. In order to apply common pole part frames for different vacuum interrupter sizes, in order to alleviate the manufacture of such pole parts, at least two fixation points are arranged pairwise in parallel along different distances along the long axis of the frame. The first support at the moving contact side maintains a specified fixation position, so the frame is configured for use with at least one other vacuum interrupter of a different length.

Abstract: Modular switchgear and methods for manufacturing the same. The modular switchgear includes a vacuum interrupter assembly, a source conductor assembly, and a housing assembly. The vacuum interrupter assembly includes a bushing, a fitting, and a vacuum interrupter at least partially molded within the bushing and including a movable contact and a stationary contact. The source conductor assembly includes a bushing, a fitting, and a source conductor molded within the bushing. The housing assembly includes a housing defining a chamber and a drive shaft and conductor positioned within the chamber. The housing assembly also includes a first receptacle for receiving the fitting of the vacuum interrupter assembly and a second receptacle for receiving the fitting of the source conductor assembly. The vacuum interrupter assembly, the source conductor assembly, and the housing assembly are coupled without molding the assemblies within a common housing.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter comprises a tubular bellows (30) including a first hollow bore (32); at least one sub-assembly (34), each sub-assembly (34) including an end cap (42), the or each end cap (42) including at least one second hollow bore and having a composition including glass or including glass-ceramic; at least one primary annular metallic element (36) being operably connected between the or each end cap (42) and one of respective ends of the tubular bellows (30); a pair of electrically conductive contact elements (38); and a pair of electrically conductive rods (40), each rod (40) being operably connected to a respective contact element (38) at a first end and being connected in use to an electrical network at a second end, a portion of at least one rod (40) being retained inside the or each second hollow bore of a respective end cap (42), wherein the or each end cap (42) and each rod (40) are operably connected to one of the respective ends of the tubular bellows (30) to define a vacuum-tight enclosure;

Abstract: A switching assembly for interrupting current from an upper terminal to a lower terminal. The switching assembly includes an upper bushing, a lower bushing sealably coupled to the upper bushing, the upper terminal coupled to the upper bushing, at least one lower terminal, and a switching medium positioned within a channel formed within the upper bushing. The lower terminal is electrically coupled to the switching medium. According to some embodiments, one or more of the lower terminals are coupled into one or more lower terminal openings formed within at least one of the upper bushing and the lower bushing. According to some exemplary embodiments, the assembly includes a modular terminal ring positioned between the upper bushing and the lower bushing and sealably coupled to both. The one or more lower terminals are coupled into one or more lower terminal openings formed within a perimeter of the modular terminal ring.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a current terminal for an embedded pole part, in which a vacuum interrupter is molded by an isolating coverage in a hot and pressure injection process, and such a pole part. At the position of the upper electric terminal at the fixed contact side of the vacuum interrupter, a pressure protecting element is placed into the mold, at least close to the upper part the fixed contact side of the vacuum interrupter and/or together with it, and the protecting element, the terminal and the vacuum interrupter are embedded by injection molding.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6).

Abstract: A seal is provided around a vacuum interrupter and an air-filled cavity, and a tube is provided within the seal. The tube has a first end open to the air-filled cavity and a second end open to an exterior of the seal. The seal, the vacuum interrupter, and the air-filled cavity are encapsulated.

Abstract: Methods for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: A high voltage, preferably 35 kV, rubber molded fused vacuum interrupter assembly for protecting an electrical circuit from fault currents. The assembly includes one or more vacuum fault interrupters; one or more current limiting fuses; one or more sensing modules and a control module. Each of the vacuum fault interrupters is contained in a molded insulating structure and each of the current limiting fuses is encapsulated in a rubber molding. For each phase of the electrical circuit, a vacuum fault interrupter and a current limiting fuse are connected in series. The sensing modules measure the current in the lines. The vacuum fault interrupter interrupts low current faults and the fuse operates to protect against high current faults in a high voltage electrical power line. A three-phase electrical circuit would have three vacuum fault interrupters and three current limiting fuses.

Abstract: Methods and system for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: A power switching device for use in a power distribution network has a conductive element that is shaped in a non-cylindrical form. The non-cylindrical shape of the conductive element allows the non-conductive material such as epoxy that is used to form the body of the device to securely fasten the conductive element in place to thereby keep the conductive element from rotating when excessive rotational force is applied to the conductor. The conductive element can be shaped with a protrusion or in a C-shape. The protrusion and C-shape help prevent rotation of the conductive element when a threaded bolt is applied to secure a power cable to one end of the conductive element.

Abstract: A vacuum assembly including a vacuum interrupter may be sealed with a compliant material and/or rubber plugs, so that a cavity is created and maintained within the assembly for use with a current exchange housing and/or bellows, during operation of the vacuum interrupter. During vacuum molding of the vacuum assembly to encapsulate the vacuum assembly in an epoxy, a resulting pressure differential caused by the vacuum molding is prevented from disturbing the seal around the vacuum assembly, by way of a needle or tube included in the seal. In this way, air from within the cavity is allowed to escape, while the epoxy is prevented from entering the cavity. Then, once encapsulation is complete, the vacuum assembly can be joined with an operating rod and other components to complete a vacuum switching device.

Abstract: A shielded encapsulated vacuum interrupter with a ceramic vacuum chamber and opposing conductive end caps is provided. One end cap is electrically connected to a fixed contact, while an opposing end cap is connected to a moving contact. The moving contact is actuatable with the fixed contact for opening or closing an electric circuit. A floating shield inside the vacuum chamber connected to the vacuum chamber ceramic wall and spaced from the fixed and moving contacts is isolated and has a floating voltage potential. A portion of the vacuum chamber exterior ceramic wall is coated with a semi-conductive material and conductive voltage screens enclose a portion of the vacuum chamber exterior and are electrically connected to each conductive end cap of the vacuum chamber. The chamber and connected screens are encapsulated in a molded dielectric housing.

Abstract: The high-voltage switching device used in one installation position and has metallic encapsulation (10) a switching gap (4) and a particle trap (1) for holding foreign body particles (2), and is characterized in that in the one installation position, the particle trap (1) is arranged vertically underneath the switching gap (4), in the one installation position, an isolator part (8) is provided, which has a surface (8a) aligned essentially horizontally and faces the interior of the high-voltage switching device, with a metallic wall (9), which is higher than the particle trap (1; 1?), being arranged between the isolator part (8) and the particle trap (1; 1?). The particle trap (1) has a viewing window (3). If the high-voltage switching device is a disconnector, this viewing window (3) may be identical to the viewing window (3) for visual access to the visible disconnecting gap (4) of the disconnector.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: A current interrupter assembly includes an insulating structure, a current interrupter embedded in the structure, a conductor element embedded in the structure, a current interchange embedded in the structure and connected to create a current path between the current interrupter and the conductor element, and a semiconductive layer covering at least a portion of the conductor element so as to reduce voltage discharge between the conductor element and the structure.

Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having an internal switching contact. A conductive current exchange is in electrical contact with the switching contact, and the current exchange defines an internal chamber within the current exchange. A plug of non-conductive, compliant material has a first portion that extends into the internal chamber in contact with the current exchange. An insulative encapsulation surrounds the vacuum interrupter assembly, the current exchange, and the plug.

Abstract: Methods and system for making and using vacuum switching devices are disclosed. A vacuum switching device has an operating rod for actuating a movable electrical contact within the device. The operating rod may be a hollow epoxy glass tube with an electrical sensor disposed within it, and there may be an elastomeric polymer filling compound disposed within the tube and encasing the sensor. The operating rod may be attached to the movable electrical contact on one end by a steel end-fitting that has been press-fit into the tube and secured with at least one cross pin. In this way, a very secure electromechanical connection may be made between the operating rod and the rest of the vacuum switching device, and the sensor is protected from shock associated with the operation of the device. Moreover, the vacuum switching device is compact and easy to construct.

Abstract: In an actuator of the invention, coils are kept from being displaced along a y-axis direction as projections of coil bobbins are sandwiched between first and second iron cores along the y-axis direction. Also, the coils are kept from being displaced excessively along x- and z-axis directions due to shocks, for instance, as they are fitted in groovelike channels formed in the first and second iron cores. Since two bearings are sandwiched and fixed between third and fourth iron cores along the x-axis direction, the bearings can be easily set on a common axis with high accuracy. It is therefore possible to prevent displacement of the coils during operation of the actuator. Slidable support plates ensure smooth movements of an armature and thereby provide improved reliability even when the distance between the support plates and the first to fourth iron cores is reduced.

Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes an insulated housing with an opening therethrough and an interior surface. The housing has an upper open end and a lower open end. A conductive upper terminal pad has a downwardly extending bar, wherein the upper terminal pad encloses the upper open end. A vacuum interrupter has a stationary stem that is electrically connected to the bar, and a moving stem extending in a direction opposite the stationary stem. A dielectric material is permanently bonded to at least a portion of the vacuum interrupter and substantially fills any voids between the vacuum interrupter and the interior surface. The dielectric material and the vacuum interrupter are selectively removable from the housing when the upper terminal pad is removed. A moving end assembly is connected to the moving stem and includes a highly conductive outer sleeve which receives a high strength inner sleeve having a cross-hole therethrough.

Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes an insulated housing with an opening therethrough and an interior surface. The housing has an upper open end and a lower open end. A conductive upper terminal pad has a downwardly extending bar, wherein the upper terminal pad encloses the upper open end. A vacuum interrupter has a stationary stem that is electrically connected to the bar, and a moving stem extending in a direction opposite the stationary stem. A dielectric material is permanently bonded to at least a portion of the vacuum interrupter and substantially fills any voids between the vacuum interrupter and the interior surface. The dielectric material and the vacuum interrupter are selectively removable from the housing when the upper terminal pad is removed. A moving end assembly is connected to the moving stem and includes a highly conductive outer sleeve which receives a high strength inner sleeve having a cross-hole therethrough.

Abstract: A load interrupter switch for voltages in the kV range and having a vacuum interrupter chamber which is embraced without any air gaps by a sleeve formed from elastomeric material of high dielectric strength. The sleeve is clamped by half housings of the load interrupter switch. In this way, an external flashover of the high voltage between the end plates of the vacuum interrupter chamber is effectively suppressed during the switching operation without the need for liquid or gaseous media for this purpose. As a result, unlike conventional load interrupter switches there is no need for an extensive level of monitoring. Furthermore, the load interrupter switch does not pose the risk of leaking unobjectionable fluids or gases which may cause environmental hazards.

Abstract: An interrupter includes a vacuum assembly, switching contacts enclosed within the vacuum assembly, a layer of compliant material around the vacuum assembly, and a layer of rigid encapsulation surrounding the vacuum assembly and layer. The vacuum assembly may be made from ceramic, the compliant material may be silicone, and the rigid encapsulation may be epoxy. The compliant material may also be a sleeve that is expanded so as to receive the vacuum assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator and an automatic recloser incorporating such actuator are disclosed. The actuator is shown to include a housing, a permanent magnet member, a coil, an armature, mounted to move axially within the housing between first and second positions, and a non-magnetic spacer. The armature, when in the second position, is spaced a distance from the housing by the spacer. The spacer is mounted to stop movement of the armature in the second position. In the preferred embodiment, the permanent magnet member includes a core and a number of magnet segments attached thereto. It is especially preferred for each of the permanent magnet segments to be arcuate shaped and that each segment be polarized substantially radially or in a direction parallel to the center radius of each segment.

Abstract: An encapsulated high voltage switch has an elastomeric housing made of a first high dielectric strength resilient material such as EPDM. A generally tubular reinforcing element is formed or press fitted in intimate contact with the first elastomeric material. A vacuum contact assembly having a fragile ceramic vacuum bottle is disposed inside the reinforcing element, and a filler material different from the first material is disposed between the outer wall of the sub-atmospheric bottle for the coacting contacts in the switch assembly and the inner wall of the reinforcing element. A trip mechanism extends from the exterior into the elastomeric housing and is connected through a lost motion linking mechanism with the coacting contacts to move the contacts from closed to open position and vice versa. Additionally, a method is described for encapsulating the high voltage switch and to safeguard the sub-atmospheric switch assembly in assembled position.

Abstract: A power converter and controller system for a motor using an inductive load, such as a switched reluctance motor, which provides enhanced motor performance. The improved power converter and controller system accomplishes this by using a return bus having a storage device for storing energy. A controller monitors both the in the inductive load and the energy stored in the storage device and dynamically controls the storage device and the inductive load to dynamically control the current in the inductive load and the voltage on the storage device.

Abstract: An integrated electrical system includes a first conductor for receiving current from power lines or other equipment. The conductor is coupled to a conventional vacuum switch for controlling flow of current through the system. A current collector coupled to the vacuum switch collects current from the vacuum switch. A second conductor coupled to the current collector delivers current to equipment or lines externally of the device. The components of the system are housed within an inner epoxy encapsulated within Polysil. The epoxy preferably has temperature characteristics which are similar to that of Polysil to prevent cracking due to temperature stress. At least one sensor may also be provided integrally with the components for detecting faults or for sensing general power line conditions. A preferred voltage sensor has resistive shielding for accurate sensing in adverse environments.

Abstract: The current interchange includes a housing disposed on a high voltage circuit interrupter. The movable switch contact extends into the housing with a guide member attached to the end of the movable switch contact. The housing includes a base attached to one of the terminals of the interrupter and includes a pair of guide rods extending into the housing for guiding engagement with the guide member. A pair of electrical cables extend helically around the guide rods and have one end attached to the base and another end attached to the guide member to provide an electrical path between the movable switch contact and the terminal. The electrical cables produce an axial magnetic field which maintains the metallic vapor produced by the interruption of the circuit between the contacts to reduce the transport of ions from the gap and reduce the current chop.

Abstract: An electric motor comprises a rotor constructed by a disk-shaped multi-pole magnet secured to a rotary shaft and rotatably supported, and a stator constructed by a pair of star-shaped flat drive coils arranged adjacent and opposing to the disk-shaped multi-pole magnet. Sinusoidal wave currents, the phase angles of which differ by 90.degree. from each other, are supplied to the pair of drive coils to drive the magnet. A speed detection coil having a plurality of power generating strands is arranged in a field of the magnet and a field of the drive coils to produce a signal having a frequency corresponding to a rotational speed of the magnet.