Eaton Corporation

Eaton Intelligent Power Limited

Benjamin Alex Rosenkrans

Louis Grant Campbell

Stephen David Mayo

Ganesh Kumar Balasubramanian

Paul Graham Slade

John Joseph Shea

Mark Allan Juds

Eric D Smith

Wangpei Li

Engelbert Hetzmannseder

Robert Kirkland Smith

Mary Jo Johnson Vander Heiden

Francis Christopher Edrozo

Erik Dannel Taylor

Bradley Eugene Dunham

Dale Lowell Burmingham

Dan J Mangan

An improved electrical contact alloy, useful for example, in vacuum interrupters used in vacuum contactors is provided. The contact alloy according to the disclosed concept comprises copper particles and chromium particles present in a ratio of copper to chromium particles of 2:3 to 20:1 by weight. The electrical contact alloy also comprises particles of a carbide, which reduces the weld break strength of the electrical contact alloy without reducing its interruption performance.

Electrical contact alloy for vacuum contactors

An improved electrical contact alloy, useful for example, in vacuum interrupters used in vacuum contactors is provided. The contact alloy according to the disclosed concept comprises copper particles and chromium particles present in a ratio of copper to chromium of 2:3 to 20:1. The electrical contact alloy also comprises particles of a carbide, which reduces the weld break strength of the electrical contact alloy without reducing its interruption performance.

A contact assembly for a vacuum switching apparatus includes a contact member and a reinforcing member adapted to structurally reinforce the contact member. The contact member includes first and second opposing sides, and a contact thickness. The reinforcing member has a reinforcement thickness, which is less than the contact thickness. The contact member is made from a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and the reinforcing member is made from a second different material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is substantially the same as the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

Vacuum switching apparatus and contact assembly therefor

A triggered arc flash arrester includes an envelope structured to operate at: a pressure less than about 1.33 Pa; or a pressure greater than 0.10857 MPa; a plurality of conductors partially disposed within the envelope; a number of gaps disposed between the plurality of conductors within the envelope; and a shorting structure selected from the group consisting of a triggered gap and a fuse. The shorting structure is operatively associated with the number of gaps. The shorting structure is structured to electrically short the plurality of conductors either together or to ground, in order to create an arc within the envelope which is electrically in parallel to an arc fault causing the arc fault internal to switchgear to be extinguished.

Triggered arc flash arrester and switchgear system including the same

A vacuum switch includes a vacuum envelope; a fixed contact assembly partially within the vacuum envelope; and a movable contact assembly partially within the vacuum envelope and movable between a closed position in electrical contact with the fixed contact assembly and an open position spaced apart from the fixed contact assembly. The vacuum envelope includes an insulating body having a number of transparent portions made of a single crystal alumina for viewing the fixed contact assembly and the movable contact assembly within the vacuum envelope.

Vacuum switch including an insulating body having a number of transparent portions made of a single crystal alumina

A vacuum interrupter includes a number of insulative tubes having a first open end and a second open end; a first end member secured to the first open end; a second end member secured to the second open end; a fixed contact mounted on a fixed electrode extending through the second end member; a retainer; and a movable contact. The retainer includes a rigid retainer having a plurality of legs and an opening, and an insulative bushing having a smaller opening. The insulative bushing is molded over a portion of the rigid retainer. The smaller opening is within the opening of the rigid retainer and is structured to receive a movable electrode. The movable contact is mounted on the movable electrode extending through the first end member and through the smaller opening. The movable contact is capable of axially reciprocating into and out of contact with the fixed contact.

Retainer, vacuum interrupter, and electrical switching apparatus including the same

A vacuum arc interrupter that includes a vacuum chamber assembly and a pressure chamber assembly. The vacuum chamber assembly has a first conductor coupled to a power line, a non-conductive housing and a seal cup. The pressure chamber assembly has a second conductor coupled to a ground, a pressure chamber and a bullet assembly. The pressure chamber assembly is disposed adjacent to the vacuum chamber assembly. The bullet assembly is disposed in the pressure chamber and is structured to move between a first position and a second position. The bullet assembly has a metal lance with a blade portion. The blade portion is structured to puncture the seal cup.

Blade tip for puncturing cupro-nickel seal cup

The tubular vapor shield of a vacuum interrupter is secured to the ceramic by a shield mount which includes a split ring seated in a circumferential groove formed in the inner surface of the ceramic. The tubular vapor shield is secured to the split ring by a connection which includes a circumferential flange brazed to the shield and a braze ring which is wedged in an annular gap between the flange and the vapor shield and which melts when heated in a vacuum oven to braze the split ring to the vapor shield and the flange. In another embodiment, the flange has a radial outward rim which seats on the split ring. In an additional embodiment, the connection between the split ring and the vapor shield includes a circumferential shield groove in the outer surface of the vapor shield in which the split ring is also seated and optionally secured by a braze. In yet another embodiment, an additional split ring seated in a circumferential groove in the outer surface of the vapor shield is brazed to the split ring seated in the groove in the ceramic.

Growing community of inventors

Painted Post, NY, United States of America

Benjamin Alex Rosenkrans