Patent · US Expired

Multiple contact switch

US6255615A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
2References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 2000
Grant dateJul 3, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2033/6667
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A vacuum switch having a fixed stationary and moveable contact that functions very much like a conventional vacuum circuit interrupter. In addition, an annular stationary contact is positioned on the opposite side of the moveable contact from the first mentioned stationary contact with the drive rod of the moveable contact slidable within the annular opening of the additional stationary contact. The moveable contact travels between three positions. The first position is in electrical communication with the first mentioned stationary contact, the second position is an intermediate position that opens the circuit, and the third position places the moveable contact in electrical communication with the annular stationary contact. Preferably, one of the stationary contacts is grounded and the moveable contact is connected to the load, so that the switch either connects the power line to the load, opens the circuit in the intermediate position, or grounds the load to facilitate maintenance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.