GB1382817A - Vacuum interrupter or switch for alternating electric current - Google Patents

Abstract

1382817 Vacuum switches; contact-members for switches BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE 16 Dec 1971 [24 Dec 1970 22 Nov 1971] 58528/71 Heading H1N A vacuum switch has two relatively movable contact assemblies, each assembly having a plurality of contact elements co-operating with the contact elements of the other assembly to provide a chain of series-connected interrupting gaps. The outermost contact elements are connected to the switch terminals and the elements have screening means electrically connected to them and extending between the gaps. In Fig. 1, the contact elements 38 ... 43 are carried by metal shells 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 20 on movable and fixed rods 4, 21, the shells 6, 7, 18, 19 being insulated from the rods. The contact elements are rings, the elements 40 ... 43 having a T- shaped cross-section with the vertical limbs acting as the screening means. In Fig. 12, the fixed contact assembly comprises three pairs of contact elements 160, 161 carried on dished metal members 83 ... 88 supported by insulating spacers 89 ... 91 between fixed parts 98, 99 connected to the switch terminals 176, 177. The contact elements 160, 161 have flanges which extend on each side of the movable contact elements 159 which are carried by metal bells 105 ... 107. These bells are spaced by insulators 119 ... 121, adjustably biased by a spring 148 and operated by a push rod 97 acting through a member 137 sealed by bellows 140 to the enclosure. Various modified arrangements of the screening flanges and contact element supports are described, these arrangements including the cutting of the fixed contact elements and the supporting metal members to form contact fingers, and providing the moving contact elements with helical slots.