Patent ID: 8461853

Claim:
A high voltage liquid dielectric test vessel assembly, comprising: a vessel having a sidewall defining a chamber for receiving a liquid dielectric under test; a first electrode assembly, including a first electrode disposed within the chamber; and a second electrode assembly, including a second electrode disposed within the chamber; wherein the first electrode assembly comprises a first adjustment mechanism for moving the first electrode relative to the second electrode for adjusting a gap therebetween, the first adjustment mechanism comprising: a first conductive shaft extending through the sidewall and having a distal end attached to the first electrode; and a first adjusting wheel mounted to the vessel and interengaged with the first shaft such that rotation of the first wheel is translated into axial reciprocation of the first shaft relative to the vessel; wherein the first adjusting wheel is mounted to the vessel, with convolutions in the first adjusting wheel meshing with convolutions in the vessel, the convolutions providing a path through the atmosphere, from the first electrode to the second electrode, that has a higher breakdown voltage than the liquid dielectric under test in the gap between the electrodes.