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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

FAST OPENING SWITCH

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4640925

A fast-acting electric switch is described for rapidly opening a circuit carrying large amounts of electrical power. A thin, conducting foil bridges a gap in this circuit and means are provided for producing a magnetic field and eddy currents in the foil, whereby the foil is rapidly broken to open the circuit across the gap. Advantageously the foil has a hole forming two narrow portions in the foil and the means producing the magnetic field and eddy currents comprises an annular coil having its annulus coaxial with the hole in the foil and turns adjacent the narrow portions of the foil. An electrical current flows through the coil to produce the magnetic field and eddy currents in the foil. (AEC)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-17-036136
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 3104295
OSTI ID:
4640925
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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