Cup-shaped contacts for vacuum interrupters having a continuous annular contact surface
US4149050A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1977 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H33/6642
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum circuit interrupter contact being generally cup-shaped with a radially inward extending lip with slots formed through the lip and side wall for directing current flow and including a flat annular contact cap attached directly to the lip portion. The annular contact cap extends from the side walls radially inward to a position inside of the lip-shaped portion. At the inner diameter of the annular contact cap an arcing ring is formed which extends downward along the inner diameter of the lip portion. The annular contact cap can be formed from a material having good arc interrupting properties, such as chromium copper, while the rest of the contact can be formed from a material which is easy to fabricate and has good electrical conductivity properties, such as copper. In another embodiment of the invention, the lip portion and the annular contact cap are formed as one member but any slots formed in the lip-shaped portion do not extend to the contact making surface. Thus the contact making surface is still in a continuous annular contact area. The contact structure is shaped so that when an arc is formed during circuit interruption the arc is moved radially inward and around t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.