Patent ID: 6255615
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A three position circuit switch comprising:a sealed container housing a medium having a higher dielectric strength than air, wherein the container is impermeable to the medium;a first stationary contact sealed within the container;a first electrical conductor connected to the first stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the container and terminating at the other end in a first electrical connector;a moveable contact sealed within the container and moveable along an axis of movement between a first position, out of electrical communication with the first stationary contact, and a second position, in electrical communication with the stationary contact;an additional stationary contact positioned on the opposite side of the moveable contact from the first stationary contact, wherein the additional stationary contact at least in part surrounds the axis of movement of the moveable contact and the moveable contact is moveable to a third position in electrical contact with the additional stationary contact;a second electrical conductor connected to the additional stationary contact at one end, sealably penetrating the container and terminating at the other end in a second electrical connector;a drive stem connected to the moveable contact at one end, extending through the additional stationary contact and sealably and movably extending through the container, the drive stem forming a third electrical conductor terminating outside the container in a third electrical connector; anda drive mechanism positioned outside of the container for moving the drive stem along a linear path between the first, second and third positions in response to an actuation command indicative of a given circuit condition, or upon operator command.