Patent ID: 7551050
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: H01H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A magnetic intensifier for use in a current interrupting switch having a pair of electrical contacts separating along a separation axis and producing an arc along the separation axis between front surfaces of the contacts, at least one contact supported by a turn back wherein current to the contact passes along a base, a vertical portion, and a horizontal portion that is offset from and cantilevered over at least a portion of the base thereby defining a space, the magnetic intensifier comprising: a magnetic body formed of a magnetic material having a central portion that extends continuously along a rear surface of the one contact, at least one wing extending away from the central portion in a direction generally parallel to the vertical portion of the turn back and away from the space associated with the turnback so as to wrap about a side of the contact toward the front surface of the contact, the at least one wing providing a continuous magnetic path with the central portion to concentrate magnetic flux formed by current passing through the turn back, the at least one wing extending away from the space in a direction generally parallel to the separation axis and terminating at an edge of the wing, the edge extending beyond a front face of the contact and extending between a pair of ends wherein one of the pair of ends is further from the space than the other end so that wherein the end of the edge that is further from the space is further from the vertical portion of the turn back so that the edge forms a ramp that is inclined in a direction that traverses the separation axis; another wing providing a continuous magnetic path with the central portion and wrapping about another side of the contact generally opposite the at least one wing to flank the contact; and wherein the at least one wing and another wing are ramp shaped to attract the arc away from the at least one contact by extending further from the central portion in a direction aligned with further from the central portion in a direction aligned with the separation axis as they each extend away from the vertical portion of the turnback.