Title: Low voltage vacuum switch with three internal contacts including a center floating contact

Abstract: A low voltage, high continuous current dc vacuum switch has at least three internal contacts, including an electrically floating center contact and two movable end contacts. The multiple contacts provide electrically serial multiple arc paths so that the switch is operable to interrupt an arc at a dc arc voltage above the arc voltages at which an arc could otherwise be interrupted for a single arc path. Arc shield means are provided to prevent deposition of contact material on predetermined switch envelope internal surfaces.

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Inventors: Hruda, Robert M. (Horseheads, NY, US)

Application Number: 944092
Filing Date: 1978-09-20
Publication_date: 1980-11-11
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Primary Class(es): 218/126
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2863026	Dec, 1958	Jennings	200/144.
3405245	Oct, 1968	Ito et al.	200/144.
3843856	Oct, 1974	Attia	200/144.
4088859	May, 1978	Hruda	200/144.

Other Refs: 56314060760410674811093231

Nov, 1932	DE2
Jan, 1935	DE2
May, 1967	GB
Nov, 1967	GB

Primary Examiner: Scott, James R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Sutcliff; W. G.