Westinghouse Electric Corporation

William J Lange

Maurice G Fey

Carl Baldwin Freidhoff

Paul G Slade

Clive W Kimblin

Roy E Voshall

Fred Bould

John F Perkins

Robert B Gosser

An electrical vacuum interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts enclosed within a vacuum enclosure whose walls have joints formed of a polymeric material which can maintain sufficient vacuum, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties to permit proper operation. Major part of the vacuum enclosure, in addition to the joint, may be formed of a polymeric material. A method of assembly is provided that avoids need for high temperatures and includes use of electrical discharge between the contacts for cleaning the interior of the vacuum enclosure.

Vacuum interrupter with simplified enclosure and method of assembly

There is provided a novel vacuum detection means utilizing a high frequency, high voltage device to excite an electrical discharge in a vacuum whose characteristics are dependent on the level of the vacuum contained therein. This discharge current allows the degree of vacuum to be continuously monitored.

Vacuum detector

A vacuum circuit interrupter is taught which utilizes the vapor deposition shields thereof and the existing high voltage electrical source or network which is controlled by the circuit interrupter to produce a cold cathode detector for determining the quality or amount of vacuum within the vacuum circuit interrupter. The central shield support ring which protrudes through the insulating casing of the circuit interrupter is utilized to supply electrical current to a current measuring device and to return one of the shields of the cold cathode detector to the common terminal of the aforementioned voltage source.

Vacuum circuit interrupter with on-line vacuum monitoring apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Murrysville, PA, United States of America

William J Lange