| US 7,499,255 B2 | ||
| Vacuum-type electrical switching apparatus | ||
| James Francis Domo, Chagrin Falls, Ohio (US); Lance Patrick Sabados, Olmstead Township, Ohio (US); Steven Jay Randazzo, San Jose, Calif. (US); Roderick C. Mosely, Pleasanton, Calif. (US); Joseph Emil Oeschger, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); and Mary Grace Bello Montesclaros, San Jose, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Wilmington, Del. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 31, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/344,284. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2006/0126257 A1, Jun. 15, 2006 | ||
| Int. Cl. H01H 47/24 (2006.01); G08B 21/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 361—174 [340/626; 340/644] | 20 Claims |
| 1. An electrical switching apparatus for high voltage electrical power comprising:
a pressure boundary defining a vacuum pressure condition within the pressure boundary;
electrical contact points within the pressure boundary arranged for relative movement between a closed position in which the
contact points are in engagement for a flow of electrical current through the switching apparatus and an open position in
which the contact points are spaced apart to block the flow of electrical current, with the vacuum pressure condition minimizing
arcing between the contact points when they are moved between the positions at high voltage potential;
a sensor generating a vacuum signal responsive to the vacuum pressure condition; and
a control element responsive to a control signal to control movement of the contact points between the open and closed positions
and further responsive to the vacuum signal to prevent movement of the contact points between the open and closed positions
when the vacuum pressure condition is degraded within the pressure boundary.
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