VIRGEL E PHILLIPS
Engineers in Delaware

4032870, Jun 28, 1977

Sep 15, 1975

5/613656

John A. Oppel - Aldan PA
Virgel E. Phillips - Springfield PA

General Electric Company - Philadelphia PA

H01H 342

335195

An electric circuit breaker comprises first and second contacts, which engage each other while the circuit breaker is fully closed and both of which are movable. During the initial portion of an opening operation, the two contacts move together and remain engaged. First electromagnetic-assist means develops while the contacts are engaged a magnetic force on the first contact varying directly with current through the contacts which urges the first contact toward the second contact. Second electromagnetic-assist means develops while the contacts are engaged a magnetic force on the second contact varying directly with current through the contacts which urges the second contact toward the first contact. Means is provided to block motion of the first contact with the second contact after initial opening motion of the second contact and to prevent during subsequent opening motion of the second contact the transmission of force from the first electromagnetic-assist means to the second contact.

3983345, Sep 28, 1976

Jan 30, 1975

5/545636

Virgel E. Phillips - Springfield PA

General Electric Company - Phila. PA

H01H 3366

200144B

Discloses a method of detecting a leak in any one of the vacuum-type circuit interrupters of a high voltage vacuum circuit breaker comprising a plurality of normally series-connected interrupters located within a tank of the circuit breaker containing pressurized gas. Through small openings in the wall of the tank, a first set of conductive rods are inserted to make electrical connection with predetermined terminals of the interrupters. Through other small openings in the tank wall, a second set of conductive rods, insulated from the tank wall, are inserted to make electrical connection with predetermined other terminals of the inrterrupters. These predetermined terminals are such that the interrupters are connected electrically in parallel between the first and second sets of rods. Between said first and second sets of rods a test voltage is applied to the interrupters in parallel that is of sufficient value to produce a high probability of dielectric breakdown within any interrupter stressed by said voltage that has lost its vacuum, thus providing an indication of such a loss of vacuum.