US3869650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disconnector
Assignee: Joslyn Corp
•
Filing: 1973-05-30
•
Granted: 1975-03-04
•
Expires: 1993-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A disconnector for a surge arrester explosively separates an electrical lead, normally a ground lead, from the arrester to prevent a permanent fault on a circuit and to provide an indication of a failed arrester. The disconnector includes means for the direct or positive venting of the interior of the housing of the arrester to the disconnector prior to the operation of the disconnector and to the atmosphere subsequent to the explosive operation of the disconnector. The disconnector further includes means for creating a relatively large air gap to aid in extinguishing an electrical arc thereacross and in interrupting the flow of continuous follow current upon the explosive operation of the disconnector. Finally, one embodiment of the inventive disconnector includes an insulating housing having a reduced thickness portion to increase the capacity or ability of the disconnector housing to fracture in response to the application of tensile forces as a result of the explosive operation of the disconnector. This embodiment of the disconnector further includes bridging or strengthening material disposed over at least a portion of the reduced thickness portion of the disconnector housing to increase the capacity or ability of the disconnector housing to withstand the inadvertent application of compressive forces without fracturing.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis V Cunningham
- 👤 John S Wicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T1/00; H01T1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester of the type having a first elongated insulating arrester housing and arrester components disposed in the interior of said first housing, said disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, means for separating said terminal from said supporting means upon the occurrence of a fault condition and means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to the interior of said disconnector prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester of the type having a first elongated insulating arrester housing and arrester components disposed in the interior of said first housing, said disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, means for separating said terminal from said supporting means upon the occurrence of a fault condition and means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to the interior of said disconnector prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminal comprises a ground lead terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises a second insulating housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for securely maintaining said disconnector in engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said first housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 3 wherein said second housing includes a substantially planar surface and a centrally disposed aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 5 further comprising a conductive member spaced from said centrally disposed aperture for supporting at least one of said arrester components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 6 wherein said separating means comprises a conductive explosive cartridge disposed in said aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 7 further comprising means for maintaining said cartridge in electrical contact with said conductive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 8 further comprising means for positioning said cartridge in said aperture to form a first spark gap between said cartridge and said terminal of sufficient dimensions to prevent the generation of an electrical arc thereacross when a voltage in a normal operating range is present across said arrester and to enable the generation of an electrical arC across said first gap when a voltage greater than the voltages within said normal operating range is present across said arrester.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 9 wherein said cartridge is positioned to form a second spark gap by deflecting at least a portion of said conductive member generally away from said planar surface upon the explosive operation of said cartridge, said second gap being more resistant to the generation or maintenance of an electric arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 9 wherein said positioning means comprises an annular resistance means, said resistance means providing an electric path for transmitting capacitive leakage currents passing through said arrester to said terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 6 wherein said planar surface includes one or more protruding members disposed thereon for physically supporting said conductive member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 12 wherein said protruding members comprise bosses integrally formed with said second housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 12 wherein said venting means comprises the volumetric space or spaces bounded by said conductive member, said substantially planar surface and said one or more protruding members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 1 wherein said separating means comprises a conductive explosive cartridge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 15 further comprising means for positioning said cartridge with respect to said terminal to form a first spark gap between said terminal and said conductive cartridge of sufficient dimensions to prevent the generation of an electrical arc thereacross when a voltage in a normal operating range is present across said arrester and to enable the generation of an electrical arc across said first gap when a voltage greater than the voltages within said normal operating range is present across said arrester.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 16 further comprising means for forming a second spark gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge, said second gap being more resistant to the generation or maintenance of an electric arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 17 wherein said second gap forming means comprises a conductive member conductively disposed with respect to said cartridge and having at least a portion thereof deflected by said cartridge to form at least a portion of said second gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
171 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester of the type having a first elongated insulating arrester housing and arrester components disposed in the interior of said first housing, said disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising a second insulating housing, means for separating said terminal from said supporting means upon the occurrence of a fault condition, means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to said disconnector prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means and means for securely maintaining said disconnector in engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said first housing, said securely maintaining means comprising a relatively rigid bracket having an inner periphery surrounding and substantially greater than the periphery of the facing outer surface of said second housing to thereby enable at least a portion of said facing surface to move in the direction of said inner periphery upon the operation of said separating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
171 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester of the type having a first elongated insulating arrester housing and arrester components disposed in the interior of said first housing, said disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising a second insulating housing, means for separating said terminal from said supporting means upon the occurrence of a fault condition, means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to said disconnector prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means and means for securely maintaining said disconnector in engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said first housing, said securely maintaining means comprising a relatively rigid bracket having an inner periphery surrounding and substantially greater than the periphery of the facing outer surface of said second housing to thereby enable at least a portion of said facing surface to move in the direction of said inner periphery upon the operation of said separating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing and means for securely maintaining said disconnector in a sealed engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said arrester, said maintaining means having an inner periphery surrounding and of a greater magnitude than the periphery of the outer facing surface of said housing to thereby form a substantial gap therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing and means for securely maintaining said disconnector in a sealed engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said arrester, said maintaining means having an inner periphery surrounding and of a greater magnitude than the periphery of the outer facing surface of said housing to thereby form a substantial gap therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing, means for securely maintaining said disconnector in a sealed engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said arrester, said maintaining means having an inner periphery surrounding and of a greater magnitude than the periphery of the outer facing surface of said housing to thereby form a substantial gap therebetween, and means for separating said terminal from said housing upon the occurrence of a fault condition, at least a portion of said facing surface of said housing being moved across said gap towards said inner periphery of said maintaining means by said separating means upon the operation of said separating means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
122 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing, means for securely maintaining said disconnector in a sealed engagement with one longitudinal end portion of said arrester, said maintaining means having an inner periphery surrounding and of a greater magnitude than the periphery of the outer facing surface of said housing to thereby form a substantial gap therebetween, and means for separating said terminal from said housing upon the occurrence of a fault condition, at least a portion of said facing surface of said housing being moved across said gap towards said inner periphery of said maintaining means by said separating means upon the operation of said separating means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
110 words
A disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing, said housing including a planar surface and a reduced thickness portion for reducing the capacity of said housing to withstand the application of tensile forces without fracturing, said reduced thickness portion comprising a notched or cut-away portion of said housing, and means for increasing the capacity of said housing to withstand the application of compressive forces without fracturing across said notched or cut-away portion of said housing, said increasing means comprising at least one integrally formed mass protruding from said planar surface and at least partially overlying said notched or cut-away portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
110 words
A disconnector comprising an electrical terminal, means for supporting said terminal, said supporting means comprising an insulating housing, said housing including a planar surface and a reduced thickness portion for reducing the capacity of said housing to withstand the application of tensile forces without fracturing, said reduced thickness portion comprising a notched or cut-away portion of said housing, and means for increasing the capacity of said housing to withstand the application of compressive forces without fracturing across said notched or cut-away portion of said housing, said increasing means comprising at least one integrally formed mass protruding from said planar surface and at least partially overlying said notched or cut-away portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 22 wherein said increasing means comprises a plurality of masses protruding from and disposed about said planar surface and integrally formed with said housing, said masses being so disposed on said planar surface to substantially unaffect the capacity of said housing to fracture upon the application of tensile forces.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 23 wherein said housing is formed of a phenolic material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
92 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for automatically separating said terminal from said disconnector upon the occurrence of a fault condition, means for forming a first spark gap defining the path of an electrical arc prior to the operation of said separating means and means for forming a second spark gap upon the operation of said separating means and independently of the separation of said terminal from said disconnector, said second gap being more resistant to the maintenance of said electrical arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
A disconnector for a surge arrester comprising an electrical terminal, means for automatically separating said terminal from said disconnector upon the occurrence of a fault condition, means for forming a first spark gap defining the path of an electrical arc prior to the operation of said separating means and means for forming a second spark gap upon the operation of said separating means and independently of the separation of said terminal from said disconnector, said second gap being more resistant to the maintenance of said electrical arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 25 wherein said separating means comprises a conductive explosive cartridge and wherein said second gap forming means comprises an electrically conductive member conductively disposed with respect to said cartridge and having at least a portion thereof deflected by said cartridge to form at least a portion of said second gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
69 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 26 further comprising an insulating housing for supporting said terminal, said housing having a planar surface and a centrally disposed, elongated aperture, said terminal being fixedly positioned in a first longitudinal portion of said aperture and at least a portion of said cartridge being positioned in a second longitudinal portion of said aperture and spaced from said terminal to form said first gap.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
A disconnector as defined in claim 27 wherein said housing includes a plurality of integrally formed, protruding members disposed on said planar surface for positioning said conductive member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
132 words
A surge arrester comprising a first elongated insulating housing having fiRst and second, oppositely disposed, longitudinal ends, a first electrical terminal disposed at said first end, a second electrical terminal disposed at said second end, means for separating said second terminal from said arrester upon the occurrence of a fault condition, said separating means comprising a second insulating housing, said second housing including an interior portion and an exterior portion, means for hermetically sealing the interior of said first housing and said interior portion of said second housing from the atmosphere and means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to said interior portion of said second housing prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
132 words
A surge arrester comprising a first elongated insulating housing having fiRst and second, oppositely disposed, longitudinal ends, a first electrical terminal disposed at said first end, a second electrical terminal disposed at said second end, means for separating said second terminal from said arrester upon the occurrence of a fault condition, said separating means comprising a second insulating housing, said second housing including an interior portion and an exterior portion, means for hermetically sealing the interior of said first housing and said interior portion of said second housing from the atmosphere and means for directly or positively venting the interior of said first housing to said interior portion of said second housing prior to the operation of said separating means and to the atmosphere subsequent to the operation of said separating means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 29 wherein said second housing includes a substantially planar surface and a centrally disposed aperture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 30 wherein said separating means further includes a conductive member spaced from said centrally disposed aperture.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 31 wherein said separating means comprises a conductive explosive cartridge disposed in said aperture.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 32 further comprising means for maintaining said cartridge in electrical contact through a low resistance path with said conductive member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 33 further comprising means for positioning said cartridge in said aperture to form a first spark gap between said cartridge and said second terminal of sufficient dimensions to prevent the generation of an electrical arc thereacross when a voltage in a normal operating range is present across said arrester and to enable the generation of an electrical arc across said first gap when a voltage greater than the voltages within that normal operating range is present across said arrester.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 34 wherein said cartridge is positioned to form a second spark gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge, said second gap being more resistant to the generation or maintenance of an electrical arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 34 wherein said positioning means comprises an annular resistance means, said resistance means providing an electrical path for transmitting capacitive leakage currents passsing through said arrester to said second terminal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 31 wherein said planar surface includes one or more protruding members disposed thereon for physically supporting said conductive member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 37 wherein said protruding members comprise bosses integrally formed with said second housing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 37 wherein said venting means comprises the volumetric space or spaces bounded by said conductive member, said substantially planar surface and said one or more protruding members.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 29 wherein said separating means includes a conductive explosive cartridge.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
82 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 40 further comprising means for positioning said cartridge with respect to said second terminal to form a first spark gap of sufficient dimensions to prevent the generation of an electrical arc thereacross when a voltage in a normal operating range is present across said arrester and to enable the generation of an electrical arc across said first gap when a voltage greater than the voltages within said normal operating range is present across said arrester.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 41 further comprising means for forming a second spark gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge, said second gap being more resistant to the generation or maintenance of an electrical arc thereacross than said first gap.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
A surge arrester as defined in claim 42 wherein said second gap forming means comprises a conductive member conductively disposed with respect to said cartridge and having at least a portion thereof deflected by said cartridge to form at least a portion of said second gap upon the explosive operation of said cartridge.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |