Donald S Crouch

US Patent:

43519920, Sep 28, 1982

Filed:

Nov 5, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/091027

Inventors:

Donald W. Crouch - Newtown Square PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

This method assures that when a vacuum interrupter having its interior at atmospheric pressure is tested by a high potential applied across its contacts, a spark-over will occur internally of the interrupter even though the high potential used has a lower effective value than the minimum needed to consistently produce a spark-over between the fully-separated contacts of the interrupter when the interrupter is at atmospheric pressure. Spaced metallic parts are provided within the interrupter, and these parts are of a metal characterized by higher dielectric strength in a vacuum than the metal used for the opposing regions of the contacts. The minimum gap between the spaced metallic parts is made shorter than the gap between the fully-separated contacts of the interrupter but yet is sufficiently long so that under normal vacuum conditions, it is less susceptible to spark-over than the gap between the fully-separated contacts.

US Patent:

40728374, Feb 7, 1978

Filed:

Dec 29, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/645111

Inventors:

Donald W. Crouch - Newtown Square PA
Donald R. Kurtz - West Chester PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

A vacuum interrupter having a continuous current rating of several thousand amperes comprises a pair of disc-shaped contacts primarily of beryllium that are respectively mounted on the inner ends of a pair of conductive contact rods. The mounting means for each contact comprises a backing member of truncated, generally-conical form that comprises: (i) a base of a predetermined diameter attached to the inner end of the associated contact rod and (ii) an opposite end of a relatively small diameter compared to that of said base attached to the disc-shaped contact. Each disc-shaped contact projects radially outward past the outer periphery of said opposite end of the associated backing member.

US Patent:

40717275, Jan 31, 1978

Filed:

May 6, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/683869

Inventors:

Donald Wayne Crouch - Newtown Square PA
Robert Wayne Nelson - Broomall PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

A guide sleeve for the movable contact rod of a vacuum-type circuit interrupter fits within the usual tubular bellows of the interrupter. The bellows has some of its annular convolutions located axially-inwardly of the axially-inner end of the guide sleeve. A coating of self-lubricating plastic material is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the guide sleeve and on its inner end surface. This coating is sufficiently close to the internal surface of the bellows as to be contacted by said convolutions when the contact rod is axially moved during operation of the interrupter. The lubricating properties of the coating reduce friction between said convolutions and said coated sleeve.

US Patent:

41350715, Jan 16, 1979

Filed:

Mar 17, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/667742

Inventors:

Donald W. Crouch - Newtown Square PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H10H 106

US Classification:

200275

Abstract:

This vacuum-type circuit interrupter is a high current interrupter rated for interrupting currents of 35,000 amperes r. m. s. or higher. Despite this high current interrupting requirement, each of its disc-shaped contacts can be made from an exceptionally small and thin blank because these contacts are of beryllium and each has a flat surface, without the usual central recess, extending from its center to a perimeter located radially between the outer periphery of the contact and the outer periphery of the inner end of the associated contact rod. On this flat surface of beryllium, contact-engagement occurs and arcs are initiated during interruption. Each contact rod is joined to its associated beryllium contact by means of brazed joint, a portion of which is accommodated in a very shallow recess on the back surface of the contact.

US Patent:

40397920, Aug 2, 1977

Filed:

Dec 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/642222

Inventors:

Donald Wayne Crouch - Newtown Square PA
Donald Reah Kurtz - West Chester PA
Joseph Carl Sofianek - Broomall PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

A vacuum interrupter having a current interrupting rating exceeding 20,000 amperes r. m. s. comprises an evacuated envelope and first and second disc-shaped contacts within the envelope. The envelope comprises a metal housing having a generally cylindrical portion surrounding said contacts and electrically connected to said first contact. The space between said cylindrical portion and said second contact is so small that during the interruption of currents above 20,000 amperes r. m. s. , 25% or more of the arcing current frequently will flow between said housing and said second contact and bypass said first contact. Arc-revolving means associated with the second contact causes any arc between the outer periphery of the second contact and the cylindrical housing portion to revolve about the second contact. An electric bus located near the envelope is normally electrically connected to said first contact to carry current that flows between the contacts. Means located outside the evacuated envelope provides an electrical connection between the bus and the metal housing that is capable during interruption of carrying without damage the full rated interrupting current of the interrupter.

US Patent:

40618943, Dec 6, 1977

Filed:

Apr 28, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/681008

Inventors:

Donald Wayne Crouch - Newtown Square PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01L 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

This vacuum-type circuit interrupter comprises a plate located at the outer side of one end cap of the evacuated envelope of the interrupter. Within the envelope there are separable beryllium contacts, one of which is carried by a movable contact rod extending through aligned apertures in the end cap and the plate. A flexible metal bellows extends freely through the aperture in the end cap and is joined at its outer end to the plate and at its inner end to the contact rod. A cup-shaped metal shield for the bellows comprises a tubular body portion surrounding the bellows and having a free-end region located within the aperture in the end cap during at least the final portion of an opening stroke of the movable contact rod. A metal shield within the envelope surrounds said tubular body portion in spaced relation and renders the region around said tubular body portion a region of very low electric stress.

US Patent:

40063313, Feb 1, 1977

Filed:

Aug 27, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/608368

Inventors:

Donald W. Crouch - Newtown Square PA

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

This vacuum interrupter is for high voltage applications and comprises a tubular metal central shield around its arcing gap for condensing arc-generated vapors and two tubular metal end shields located at opposite ends of the interrupter. Two tubular metal intermediate shields are respectively provided at opposite ends of the central shield between the central shield and the adjacent end shields. These intermediate shields are normally electrically isolated from the central shield and the end shields. Each intermediate shield is disposed adjacent to the central shield but does not axially overlap with the central shield. Each intermediate shield also surrounds the inner end of its associated end shield in radially-spaced, axially-overlapping relationship with the associated end shield.