초록 ▼

A high speed high voltage electrical switch opens a current path in which the switch is included. The switch includes first and second normally electrically interconnected contacts which normally carry current in the current path. The contacts are relatively movable along a fixed line of direction.

A high speed high voltage electrical switch opens a current path in which the switch is included. The switch includes first and second normally electrically interconnected contacts which normally carry current in the current path. The contacts are relatively movable along a fixed line of direction. When the contacts move apart, the electrical interconnection therebetween is broken to open the first current path. A piston carried by the second contact defines an enclosed chamber in conjunction with the first contact when the contacts are interconnected. A power cartridge or the like selectively pressurizes the chamber to rapidly drive the contacts apart. The piston enhances the action of the power cartridge by ensuring that pressure increases caused thereby are effected to drive the contacts apart. The piston may be configured to ensure positive sealing engagement with the walls of a cylinder through which the piston and the second contact move following the ignition of the power cartridge. Moreover, the piston may be made of an ablative arc-extinguishing material so that following movement apart of the contacts, any arc formed between the contacts is constricted by the piston which evolves arc-extinguishing gas to ultimately extinguish the arc.

대표청구항 ▼

A high-voltage electrical switch for opening a current path in which the switch is included, comprising: first and second normally electrically interconnected contact means for normally carrying current in the current path, the contact means being relatively movable apart along a fixed line of direc

A high-voltage electrical switch for opening a current path in which the switch is included, comprising: first and second normally electrically interconnected contact means for normally carrying current in the current path, the contact means being relatively movable apart along a fixed line of direction, movement of the contact means apart breaking the electrical interconnection therebetween to open the first current path; piston means on the second contact means (a) for defining an enclosed chamber with the first contact means when the contact means are interconnected (b) for continuously isolating the second contact means from the chamber, and (c) for constricting an arc formed between the contact means; and means for pressurizing the chamber to rapidly drive the contact means apart.