Patent ID: 6362445
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: H01H,H02B

Abstract:
A circuit switching device comprising:a sealed container housing a medium having a lower electrical conductivity than air, wherein the container is impermeable to the medium; a first stationary contact sealed within the sealed container; a first electrical conductor connected to the first stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a first electrically insulated electrical connector; a moveable contact means sealed within the sealed container and moveable between a first position, out of electrical communication with the first stationary contact, and a second position, in electrical communication with the stationary contact; a second electrical conductor connected to the moveable contact means at one end, sealably penetrating the sealed container and terminating at the other end in a second electrically insulated electrical connector; solid insulation means formed on the sealed container for electrically insulating the sealed container and the electrical conductors and connectors external of the sealed container and substantially isolating the sealed container, conductors and connectors from contact with lower voltage potential portions of the surroundings when connected within a system the switching device is designed to interrupt; and an in-line actuator for moving the moveable contact means between the first and second positions in response to an actuation command indicative of a given circuit condition.