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:
An electrode assembly for use in a vacuum interrupter is made by joining a first side of a substantially disk-shaped structure to an end of a substantially cylindrical coil segment, and joining an electrical contact to a second side of the disk-shaped structure. The disk-shaped structure has a higher resistivity than a resistivity of the coil segment.
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 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:
An electrical switchgear device includes a conductor, a base, and a current sensor positioned to detect current in the conductor and attached to the base using a support element. The device also includes an apparatus mounted to the base to interrupt current through the conductor when a signal from the current sensor indicates a predetermined condition. A housing positioned on the base encapsulates the current sensor, the support element, the current interrupting apparatus, and a portion of the conductor.
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:
An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having a diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.
Abstract:
An improved vacuum interrupter is disclosed. The vacuum interrupter includes a ring-shaped structure placed between a contact support structure and an electrical contact associated with the contact support structure. A resistivity of the ring-shaped structure is higher than that of the contact support structure, so that current traversing the ring-shaped structure on its way from the contact support structure to the electrical contact is evenly distributed. The ring-shaped structure may be fit into an end portion of the contact support structure, the end portion having an diameter less than an outer diameter of the support structure, but greater than an inner diameter of the support structure. Alternatively, the end portion may be used without the ring-shaped portion, in which case the electrical contact may be shaped to fit into the end portion.
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.