Claims
- 1. Means for interrupting powerful surge currents and ensuing arcs comprising:
- input and output conductor means defining a gap therebetween;
- fusible extension links in said gap mounted one on said input conductor means and one on said output conductor means in electrical connection therewith;
- a conductive spring helix axially tensioned and integrally affixed between said first and second fusible links in said gap;
- and first and second conductive eddy-current rings facing one another and mounted on said input and output conductors, respectively, immediately adjacent said fusible links.
- 2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said eddy-current rings are disposed in planes transverse to said input and output conductor means and are canted with respect to the vertical to provide a horn gap effect across the said gap between said conductor means.
- 3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the presence of surge currents in said conductor means, said eddy-current rings and said helix, of a predetermined current value generate magnetic forces in said eddy-current rings and said helix which tend to contract said helix and fracture said fusible link, the latter being subjected to thermal currents tending to fuse same by the presence of said surge currents in excess of a predetermined value.
- 4. The invention defined in claim 3, wherein said eddy-current rings are disposed in planes transverse to said input and output conductor means and are canted with respect to the vertical to provide a horn gap effect across the said gap between said conductor means.
- 5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said helix is comprised of conductive tubing.
- 6. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said eddy-current rings are disposed in planes transverse to said input and output conductor means and are canted with respect to the vertical to provide a horn gap effect across the said gap between said conductor means.
- 7. The invention defined in claim 5, wherein the presence of surge currents in said conductor means, said eddy-current rings and said helix, of a predetermined current value generate magnetic forces in said eddy-current rings and said helix which tend to contract said helix and fracture said fusible link, the latter being subjected to thermal currents tending to fuse same by the presence of said surge currents in excess of a predetermined value.
- 8. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said eddy-current rings are disposed in planes transverse to said input and output conductor means and are canted with respect to the vertical to provide a horn gap effect across the said gap between said conductor means.
RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the United States Government for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.
US Referenced Citations (3)